Physics, B.S.

Physics Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Physics is to provide students with the disciplinary knowledge and problem-solving and analytical skills necessary to succeed in the workplace or as graduate students in physics or other technically oriented fields. The goals of the Department of Physics are:

To help students develop an understanding of the fundamental laws and behavior of the physical universe through the study of primary areas of classical and modern physics;

To promote aptitude in the procedures and techniques used by scientists in acquiring such an understanding through laboratory experiences;

To develop the skills and values that will be useful in a wide range of careers.

Physics Learning Outcomes

The outcomes to be achieved by all Westminster College physics majors are:

To demonstrate appropriate discipline-specific knowledge in the following general areas: Classical physics, Modern physics, and Experimental physics;

To use contemporary methods of physics to define and solve problems; to be capable of selecting from various models of physical problems successful approaches to solving those problems;

To communicate effectively, using the language and concepts of physics and accepted professional standards;

4. To acquire relevant technical skills, including those in mathematics and computing.

A physics major can prepare a student for careers such as secondary school teaching, industrial research, general engineering, or many other jobs that require technical problem solving skills. With the physics major and additional graduated study, students can prepare for careers in basic research, teaching at the college or university level, medical physics, specialized engineering fields, and combination fields such as biophysics.

The Major in Physics

64 semester hours, comprising:

Plus, four semester hours in Capstone from the following:

Plus, four semester hours from the following:

NOTE:

A student may substitute EDU 452 for one of PHY 351, PHY 352, or PHY 361 in the Physics Major requirements.

The All-College Honors Research Project will replace the capstone requirement for students majoring in physics, if successfully completed. Students do not need to register for the capstone course in the physics program and instead will take 8 credit hours of Honors Research (PHY 660 on up). The 8 hours can be done in a variety of ways, dependent on the specific project.

Double Majors

Students who are majoring in Physics as a second major may complete one additional PHY course numbered 300 or above in place of capstone.