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JHU Department of 410-516-7347 phone |
Undergraduate Degree Programs Checklist for Physics Major, BS The department offers degrees designed for students with a wide range of future career goals. Students can choose to minor in physics, opt for a B.A. degree that leaves room for many electives, or choose a more focused B.S. program. These options are described in more detail below. Detailed checklists for each can be obtained at the links above. The department does not offer an undergraduate degree in astronomy, but does offer a variety of astronomy courses and research opportunities that provide an ideal preparation for graduate work in astronomy or astrophysics. Recent graduates have gone on to careers in a wide range of fields. Many chose graduate study in fields ranging from physics, astronomy or biophysics to one of the many engineering disciplines. Others chose professional schools in medicine or law, went into teaching, or entered the work force directly. Introductory Courses The department offers three two-semester introductory physics sequences, designed to meet the needs of a variety of students. All students who plan to complete more than a year of introductory physics are encouraged to consider taking Introduction to Classical Physics 171.105-106. It is less comprehensive than the sequences for physical (171.101-102) and biological (171.103-104) science majors, but covers classical mechanics and electricity and magnetism in greater depth and with more mathematical sophistication. Students should also take the associated lab course (173.115-116). Note: Students should be aware that the 171.105-106 sequence alone is not adequate preparation for the physics portion of the MCAT exam. Intermediate Courses All students seeking a major or minor should enroll in Contemporary Physics Seminar (172.203) during the fall of the sophomore year. This one credit course introduces students to the highlights of current research in all areas of physics and astronomy. Students planning to major in physics should take Special Relativity and Waves 171.201 and Modern Physics 171.202 in their sophmore year. Combined with 171.105-106, these courses provide an integrated four semester introduction to both classical and modern physics. Alternatively, physics majors may follow a biological physics track by substituting 171.209 in place of 171.201 and/or 171.210 in place of 171.202. Physics majors who take 171.209 in place of 171.201 must take a three-week 1 credit course on Special Relativity (171.207). Note that while 171.105-106 are the preferred prerequisite for 171.201, the other introductory sequences, 171.101-102 or 171.103-104, are acceptable. Requirements for a Minor in Physics A student may earn a minor in physics by completing one of the introductory physics sequences (171.101-102, 171.103-104, or 171.105-106 and associated lab), Contemporary Physics Seminar 172.203 and four courses offered by the department at the 200-level or above (at least 3 credits each). It is recommended that these courses include 171.201-202 or 171.209-210.
(See also General Requirements for Departmental Majors.) Science Courses: In the first year the typical student will take one of the introductory physics sequences discussed above, preferably Introduction to Classical Physics 171.105-106, along with the corresponding laboratory 173.111-112. In the fall semester of the second year, the student will take Contemporary Physics Seminar 172.203 In the third and fourth years the student will take the required courses Introduction to Electromagnetic Theory 171.301 and Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I 171.303. Additional requirements are Intermediate Physics Laboratory 173.308 and either Introduction to Quantum Mechanics II 171.304 or Statistical Physics and Thermodynamics 171.312. Students who plan to pursue graduate studies in physics or related areas are strongly recommended to take both of these courses, as well as Topics in Advanced Electromagnetic Theory 171.302, in completing the two elective courses (see below). Laboratory of Advanced Instrumentation 173.412 may be substituted for Intermediate Physics Laboratory 173.308. In addition to the above core courses, the student is required to take a total of two more courses (at least 3 credits each) at the 300-level or above. These courses must be in the department of Physics and Astronomy or from a list of approved physics-related courses in other departments. None of these courses may be used simultaneously to satisfy either the university distribution requirements or the standard mathematics requirements listed below. Students who wish to continue with graduate study in physics are strongly encouraged to take additional courses within the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Mathematics Courses: The standard mathematics requirements for all physics majors consist of Calculus I and II 110.108-109, either Linear Algebra 110.201 and Calculus III 110.202 or Honors Calculus III and Linear Algebra 110.211-212, and Differential Equations with Applications 110.302. Students with previous calculus experience are urged to place out of Calculus I and II if possible, either through the Advanced Placement examinations or through the placement examinations administered by the Department of Mathematics during the first week of the fall semester. It is recommended that students who intend to continue their study of physics in graduate school take Analytic Methods for Physicists 171.415, Numerical Methods for Physicists 171.416 and/or additional classes in the Department of Mathematics at the 300-level or above, especially Methods of Complex Analysis 110.311. The student may also consider suitable courses in the Departments of Computer Science and Mathematical Sciences. In particular, it is recommended that the student become proficient in a computer programming language such as FORTRAN, C++, or C, either independently or through course work in the Department of Computer Science. Language Requirement: There is no language requirement. Requirements for the B.S. Degree in Physics Students who plan to continue in science after graduation, whether in graduate school or in the workforce, may wish to obtain the degree of Bachelor of Science in Physics. This program is designed to supplement the core physics courses with a concentration at an advanced level in a scientific or engineering discipline. The total number of credits required for the B.S. is 126, rather than 120. The required core course work in physics is the same as for the B.A., as are the mathematics requirements. However, the two electives required for the B.A. are replaced, for the B.S., by five courses at the 200 level or above (at least 3 credits each). These must be in the departments of Physics and Astronomy, Biology, Biophysics, Chemistry, Cognitive Science, Earth and Planetary Sciences, or Mathematics, or in any of the departments of the School of Engineering. At least four must be taken within a single science department (including Physics and Astronomy) of the Krieger School, or within a single department or program of the Whiting School of Engineering. Considered as a whole, these courses must constitute a coherent and rigorous program of study, whether oriented toward graduate school or the job market. To ensure this, the faculty advisor must approve these courses as satisfactory for the B.S. no later than the registration period for the fall semester of the senior year. None of the electives may be used simultaneously to satisfy either the university distribution requirements or the standard mathematics requirements listed above. |