A strong emphasis is placed on laboratory-based instruction to allow students to experience the concepts presented in class rather than just hear about them. A large percentage of our graduating seniors go on to pursue advanced degrees in physics, electrical engineering, civil or mechanical engineering, computer science, and aerospace or material sciences. Physics provides a framework of knowledge based on fundamental principles and problem solving skills which opens up opportunities for students interested in joint study in a number of fields including chemistry, biomedical engineering, biological sciences, mathematics, psychology, music, and law. Students not specializing in physics will find a variety of courses that illuminate the relationships between physics and other fields. The physics curriculum emphasizes fundamental concepts, problem analysis and solving skills as well as laboratory techniques and evaluation.
Physics majors possess a wide variety of interests and goals.
To ensure that students are adequately prepared for a variety of directions, the course offerings reflect a core set of courses destined to give the student a basic understanding of modern experimental and theoretical physics concepts. Advanced courses explore these concepts further with a tighter focus on the problems and solutions particular to the area. Courses are sequential in nature and many possess prerequisites. This requirement should be completed in the student's first or second year. In all cases, an individual program should be worked out in detail with a member of the physics faculty.