Majors & Minors

GUIDELINES FOR THE MAJOR IN PHYSICS

 

To receive a bachelor's degree in physics from Whittier College, students must complete 31 credits of required physics courses, 15 credits of required math courses, and either Option I or Option II below.

 


Required Physics Courses:

  • Intro Kinematics and Mechanics, PHYS 150 (4 credits)
  • Intro Electricity, Magnetism and Thermodynamics, PHYS 180 (5 credits)
  • Computational Oscillations and Waves, PHYS 250 (3 credits)
  • Modern Physics, PHYS 275 (4 credits)
  • Classical Mechanics, PHYS 310 (3 credits)
  • Electromagnetic Theory, PHYS 330 (3 credits)
  • Quantum Mechanics, PHYS 350 (3 credits)
  • Experimental Physics, PHYS 380 (3 credits)
  • Senior Seminar, PHYS 499A, B (3 credits)

Required Math Courses

  • Calculus I and II, MATH 141 A,B, (8 credits). Note: MATH 139 A,B may substitute for MATH 141A
  • Calculus III, MATH 241 (4 credits)
  • Elementary Linear Algebra/Differential Equations, MATH 242 (3 credits)

Option I

Completion of 9 credits from the following list (at least six must be in Physics)

  • Electronics and Computer Interfacing, PHYS 205 (3 credits)
  • Optics, PHYS 320 (3 credits)
  • Statistical Physics, PHYS 315 (3 credits)
  • Astrophysics, PHYS 360 (3 credits)
  • Solid State Physics, PHYS 375 (3 credits)
  • Selected Topics, PHYS 390,490 (3 credits)
  • Undergraduate Research, PHYS 396/496, (1-3 credits)
  • Complex Variables, MATH 344 (3 credits)
  • Differential Equations I, MATH 345A (3 credits)
  • Numerical Analysis, MATH 350 (3 credits)
  • Linear Algebra, MATH 380 (3 credits)
  • Programming I, COSC 120 (3 credits)

Option II

Completion of six (6) credits from the list above (at least 3 in physics) plus a two-semester introductory sequence in another science approved by the department (e.g., CHEM 110).

GUIDELINES FOR THE MAJOR IN PHYSICS with an emphasis in astronomy

To receive a B.A. in Physics with an emphasis in Astronomy from Whittier College, students must complete 44 credits of required physics courses, and 15 credits of required math courses.

Required Physics Courses:

  • Astronomy of the Solar System, PHYS 100 (3 credits)
  • Astronomy of Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe, PHYS 101 (3 credits)
  • Intro Kinematics and Mechanics, PHYS 150 (4 credits)
  • Intro Electricity, Magnetism, and Thermodynamics, PHYS 180 (5 credits)
  • Computational Oscillations and Waves, PHYS 250 (3 credits)
  • Search for Extraterrestrial Life, PHYS 260 (4 credits)
  • Modern Physics, PHYS 275 (4 credits)
  • Classical Mechanics, PHYS 310 (3 credits)
  • Optics, PHYS 320 (3 credits)
  • Electromagnetic Theory, PHYS 330 (3 credits)
  • Astrophysics, PHYS 360 (3 credits)
  • Experimental Physics, PHYS 380 (3 credits)
  • Senior Seminar I, PHYS 499A (1 credit)
  • Senior Seminar II, PHYS 499B (2 credits)

 

Required Math Courses:

  • Calculus I, MATH 141A (4 credits)
  • Calculus II, MATH 141B (4 credits)
  • Calculus III, MATH 241 (4 credits)
  • Elementary Linear Algebra/Differential Equations, MATH 242 (3 credits)

 


Maximum Credits in Physics Courses

Physics majors should be aware that a maximum of 48 credits of physics courses can be counted toward the 120 units required for graduation. Physics majors are welcome to take more than 48 credits of physics courses, but doing so will necessitate completion of more than 120 credits in order to receive a B.A. from Whittier College.


Preparation for Graduate Programs

Students planning to enter Ph.D. programs in physics should plan to take more than the minimum number of Physics and Math courses.


GUIDELINES FOR A MINOR IN PHYSICS

To receive a minor in physics from Whittier College, students must complete at least 22 credits in physics and 12 credits in math.

  • Intro Kinematics and Mechanics, PHYS 150 (4 credits)
  • Intro Electricity, Magnetism and Thermodynamics, PHYS 180 (5 credits)
  • Computational Oscillations and Waves, PHYS 250 (3 credits)
  • Modern Physics, PHYS275 (4 credits)
  • Two upper division physics courses approved by the Physics Department (6 credits)

Math Courses Required for a Minor in Physics

  • MATH 141 A,B, Calculus I and II (8 credits)
  • MATH 241 Calculus III (4 credits)

GUIDELINES FOR CHOOSING A BEGINNING-LEVEL PHYSICS OR ASTRONOMY COURSE

Students not majoring in science: PHYS 100, PHYS 101 and PHYS103 are suitable for students who have a limited mathematics background. Each course satisfies the COM1 requirement of the Lib. Ed. program.

Pre-Health students: PHYS 135A and PHYS 135B together constitute a year of algebra-based physics suitable for most pre-health professional students who will be taking the MCAT and related exams.

Physics majors and 3-2 Engineering students: PHYS 150 and PHYS 180 together constitute a year of calculus-based physics and are required of all physics majors and 3-2 engineering students.

Students with credits in AP physics, A-level physics, or other college-level physics courses should seek advice from the physics faculty, preferably before registering for physics courses at Whittier College.