Gettysburg College
Physics Department
  
STUDENT HANDBOOK
The Physics Curriculum & Degree Requirements 
    
 

"Science is to see what everyone else has seen but think what no one else has thought."  -Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

"When the sentinel cells get activated, they scootle over to the nearest lymph nodes with a message: 'We've been invaded! Mobilize the troops.'"
                                                   - Maurice Hilleman

 

The physics curriculum for majors is designed according to two principles. The first is that there is certain training required of every physicist; education which should include an  introduction to a wide range of physical phenomena, experimental investigation, and scientific thinking. Further, this training should be at a level of sophistication to provide physics graduates with the ability to begin graduate work in physics. The second principle recognizes that people major in physics for different reasons, and a physics curriculum should have the flexibility necessary to accommodate a variety of interests. These principles are reflected in the Gettysburg College curriculum required core of studies and in a collection of elective physics courses.
             
 The physics courses which may be submitted for a major are:
 
Physics 111 Introductory Modern Physics I
Physics 112 Introductory Modern Physics II
Physics 211 Intermediate Physics
Physics 240 Electronics(taught Spring, even years)
Physics 255 Mathematical Techniques for Physicists
Physics 310 Atomic and Nuclear Physics
Physics 312 Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics (taught Spring, even years)
Physics 319 Classical Mechanics (taught Fall, odd years)
Physics 325 Advanced Physics Laboratory
Physics 330 Electricity and Magnetism (taught Fall, even years)
Physics 341 Quantum Mechanics (taught Spring, odd years)
Physics 352 Optics and Laser Physics (taught Spring, odd years)
Physics 381 Special Topics in Physics and Astronomy
Physics 452 Tutorials: Special Topics
Physics 462 Independent Study in Physics and Astronomy
Physics 474 Internship

The Physics Department offers both a bachelor of science and bachelor of arts degree for the major.

B.A. Requirements: A minimum of nine physics courses is required for the major. This includes the following six core courses: Physics 111, 112, 211, 255, 310, 325, and three (3) additional courses at the 200-level or higher, at least one of which must be from Physics 312, 319, 330 or 341. In addition, majors are required to complete mathematics courses through Mathematics 212 or its equivalent.

B.S. Requirements: In addition to the six core courses mentioned above, the B.S. degree requires Physics 462, at least three courses from Physics 312, 319, 330 and 341, and any two courses at the 200-level or above. Candidates for the B.S. degree must also complete Mathematics 363.

A physics minor consists of Physics 111, 112, 211, 255, and two additional courses in physics at the 200-level or above. A physics minor is an appropriate complement to a variety of majors, including mathematics and computer science.

A typical 4-year schedule for a physics major is as follows:

    FIRST YEAR:
     
    FALL SPRING
    Physics 111 Physics 112
    Math 111 Math 112
    Foreign Language Foreign Language
    English 101/elective Seminar 100

      *These courses are not required for the B.A. degree, but are
        required for the B.S. degree.
    **Course taught every other year.
  ***At least one of the distribution requirements must satisfy
       the College's non-western studies requirement.
****Possible courses include Math 364.

Please keep in mind that this curriculum is more than adequate for students who wish to continue the study of physics in graduate school.

Students who wish to combine their physics education with another discipline such as chemistry, computer science, management, or mathematics should consider the following electives:

CHEMISTRY:Chemistry 107-108, 305, 306, 317.
COMPUTER SCIENCE: Computer Studies 103, 104, 216, 311, 341, 371, 373.
ECONOMICS and MANAGEMENT: Economics 103, 104, 241, 242, 243, 245,351; Management 153,154, 247, 266.
MATHEMATICS: Mathematics 321-322, 351-352, 356, 362, 364, 366.

In many instances, course descriptions can be found at the the websites for the applicable department or program, as well as in the Gettysburg College Catalogue.

Because physics is such a versatile major, there are many other possibilities for courses. If you are interested in securing a job immediately after graduation, rather than pursuing further studies in physics, you should be able to tailor a curriculum to suit your specific needs.

A student may obtain a physics minor by completing physics 111, 112, 211, 255 AND two (2) other courses at the 200 level or above.

    
"Humanity needs practical men, who get the most out of their work, and, without forgetting the general good, safeguard their own interests. But humanity also needs dreamers, for whom the disinterested development of an enterprise is so captivating that it becomes impossible for them to devote their care to their own material profit." 
                                                                                                                                      -Marie Curie

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