- Physics
- Applied Physics Concentration
- Dual-Degree Engineering Program
- Masters in Teaching Program
Physics Major
The physics major concentrates on the fundamental laws of physics. Students interested in graduate study in physics should consider this track, as it is the best preparation for most graduate programs in “pure” physics.
Degree Requirements
To earn a bachelor of arts degree with a major in physics, a student must satisfy the following minimum requirements:
General College Requirements
General College Requirements (see Curriculum section), including the following requirements to satisfy the major
Required Courses (32 Credit Hours)
Physics | vs. Applied Physics |
---|---|
PHYS 151: Fundamentals of Physics I (recommended) or PHYS 141 General Physics I | PHYS 151: Fundamentals of Physics I (recommended) or PHYS 141 General Physics I |
PHYS 152: Fundamentals of Physics II (recommended) or PHYS 142 General Physics II | PHYS 152: Fundamentals of Physics II (recommended) or PHYS 142 General Physics II |
PHYS 251: Fundamentals of Physics III | PHYS 251: Fundamentals of Physics III |
PHYS 312: Advanced Physics Laboratory | CHEM 106: General Chemistry 2 or COSC 120 Introduction to Computer Science |
PHYS 342: Mechanics | PHYS 311: Electronics |
PHYS 351: Electricity & Magnetism | PHYS 312: Advanced Physics Laboratory |
PHYS 462: Quantum Mechanics | PHYS 351: Electricity & Magnetism |
PHYS 473: Statistical Mechanics | PHYS 462: Quantum Mechanics |
Cognate Courses (16 credit hours)
Physics | vs. Applied Physics |
---|---|
MATH 151: Calculus I | MATH 151: Calculus I |
MATH 152: Calculus II | MATH 152: Calculus II |
MATH 255: Vector Calculus | MATH 255: Vector Calculus |
MATH 256: Linear Algebra | MATH 256: Linear Algebra |
Elective Courses (four credit hours selected from the following list of courses)
Physics | vs. Applied Physics |
---|---|
PHYS 281: Mathematical Methods of Physics | PHYS 342: Mechanics |
PHYS 382: Optics | PHYS 382: Optics |
PHYS 490: Senior Seminar | PHYS 473: Statistical Mechanics |
MATH 312: Differential Equations | PHYS 490: Senior Seminar |
CHEM 451: Physical Chemistry | CHEM 451: Physical Chemistry |
PHYS 399: Independent Study (as approved by the physics faculty) or PHYS 499 | COSC 301: Software Engineering 1 |
MATH 312: Differential Equations | |
MATH 411: Partial Differential Equations |
St. Mary’s Project
Every physics major must complete a St. Mary’s Project. This project may be in physics or in another major discipline or a study area. The guidelines established in the selected area apply. The project must be proposed to a mentor and to the chair of the Department of Physics at least three weeks before the last day of classes of the second semester of the student’s junior year, and it must be approved by the mentor and the department chair.
Minimum Grade and GPA Requirements
Students must earn a grade of C- or better in all courses listed in items 2-3 above, and maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 or better in these required courses.
Sequence of Study
The following model is suggested as a sequence of study that satisfies the above requirements:
- First Year:Core Curriculum requirements, MATH 151, MATH 152, PHYS 151, PHYS 152
- Sophomore Year:Core Curriculum requirements, MATH 255, MATH 256, PHYS 251, PHYS 342
- Junior Year:Core Curriculum requirements, PHYS 312, PHYS 351, PHYS 462, and elective courses
- Senior Year:Mary’s Project, Core Curriculum requirements, PHYS 473, and elective courses
Planning Your Degree
Each student will plan an individual program with an adviser to arrive at a combination of courses that will meet the requirements for the major and be most meaningful for the student’s goals and interests. The physics faculty strongly recommends that the student obtain an adviser from among the faculty in the student’s area of concentration by the beginning of the junior year.
Physics Major with Concentration in Applied Physics
This track fits more for students who are interested in the applications of science, particularly physics, to the understanding and development of technology. It is a good preparation for post-graduate technology jobs, including jobs in engineering and IT fields, and preparation for graduate school in the applied sciences and in engineering.
Degree Requirements for the Major – Concentration in Applied Physics
To earn a bachelor of arts degree with a major in physics, concentration in applied physics, a student must satisfy the following minimum requirements:
General College Requirements
General College Requirements (see “Curriculum” section), including the following requirements to satisfy the major
Required Courses
Physics Core Courses (32 credit hours)
Applied Physics | vs. Fundamental Physics |
---|---|
PHYS 151: Fundamentals of Physics I (recommended) or PHYS 141 General Physics I | PHYS 151: Fundamentals of Physics I (recommended) or PHYS 141 General Physics I |
PHYS 152: Fundamentals of Physics II (recommended) or PHYS 142 General Physics II | PHYS 152: Fundamentals of Physics II (recommended) or PHYS 142 General Physics II |
PHYS 251: Fundamentals of Physics III | PHYS 251: Fundamentals of Physics III |
CHEM 106: General Chemistry 2 or COSC 120 Introduction to Computer Science | PHYS 312: Advanced Physics Laboratory |
PHYS 311: Electronics | PHYS 342: Mechanics |
PHYS 312: Advanced Physics Laboratory | PHYS 351: Electricity & Magnetism |
PHYS 351: Electricity & Magnetism | PHYS 462: Quantum Mechanics |
PHYS 462: Quantum Mechanics | PHYS 473: Statistical Mechanics |
Cognate Courses (16 credit hours)
Applied Physics | vs. Fundamental Physics |
---|---|
MATH 151: Calculus I | MATH 151: Calculus I |
MATH 152: Calculus II | MATH 152: Calculus II |
MATH 255: Vector Calculus | MATH 255: Vector Calculus |
MATH 256: Linear Algebra | MATH 256: Linear Algebra |
Elective Courses (four credit hours selected from the following list of courses)
Applied Physics | vs. Fundamental Physics |
---|---|
PHYS 342: Mechanics | PHYS 281: Mathematical Methods of Physics |
PHYS 382: Optics | PHYS 382: Optics |
PHYS 473: Statistical Mechanics | PHYS 490: Senior Seminar |
PHYS 490: Senior Seminar | MATH 312: Differential Equations |
CHEM 451: Physical Chemistry | CHEM 451: Physical Chemistry |
COSC 301: Software Engineering 1 | PHYS 399: Independent Study (as approved by the physics faculty) or PHYS 499 |
MATH 312: Differential Equations | |
MATH 411: Partial Differential Equations |
Senior Seminar in Applied Physics
Every physics major with concentration in applied physics must successfully complete two semesters of the senior seminar in Applied Physics, PHYS 475: Topics in Applied Physics, with two separate topics. Topics will typically be different in fall and spring semester. Majors with this concentration do not need to do a St. Mary’s Project, but may do so if they wish. If they choose to do so, requirements for the St. Mary’s Project are the same as for students with a concentration in fundamental physics.
Research Experience
Research is integral to the practice of physics. Every physics major with concentration in applied physics must successfully complete a research experience in one of the following three ways:
- St. Mary’s Project. This project may be in physics or in another major discipline or a study area. The guidelines established in the selected area apply. The project must be proposed to a mentor and to the chair of the Department of Physics at least three weeks before the last day of classes of the second semester of the student’s junior year, and it must be approved by the mentor and the department chair.
- Directed Research in Physics at an upper level. To use Directed Research to satisfy the research requirement for the concentration in applied physics, students must successfully complete a total of four credits of upper-level Directed Research in Physics (PHYS 397 or 497). Concurrent with the final credit of Directed Research, the student must also register for PHYS 350 and complete its presentation requirement.
- Other research experience. Students with a concentration in applied physics may satisfy the research requirement with another approved research experience, such as a Research Experience for Undergraduates or a research assistantship at another institution, so long as the research experience is in physics or a related discipline and it occupies at least 160 hours. Concurrent with the research experience, the student must also register for PHYS 350 and complete its presentation requirement.
Minimum Grade and GPA Requirements
Students must earn a grade of C- or better in all courses listed in items 2-3 above, and maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 or better in these required courses.
Planning Your Degree
Each student will plan an individual program with an adviser to arrive at a combination of courses that will meet the requirements for the major and be most meaningful for the student’s goals and interests. The physics faculty strongly recommends that the student obtain an adviser from among the faculty in the student’s area of concentration by the beginning of the junior year.
Dual-Degree Engineering Program
The knowledge you will gain from the programs at St. Mary’s will significantly prepare you to join the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University through our dual-degree program (this program has options for 3-4 years at St. Mary’s and 2-3 years at Washington University). Students completing this program will earn a bachelors of science in physics from St. Mary’s and a bachelors in engineering from Washington University. It takes 2 years at Washington University to earn a bachelors in engineering and 3 years
One third of St. Mary’s physics majors enter careers in engineering. About two thirds of those (about 20% overall) carry out some graduate study in engineering after earning their St. Mary’s physics BS degree. The other third (about 10% overall) secure general engineering positions with their physics BS and no additional graduate study.
If you’re interested in this option, contact the department chair, Dr. Erin De Pree.
The Masters in Teaching Program
Physics Major with preparation for the Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT): The Physics major is ideal for students interested in high school teaching. There is a nationwide shortage of teachers with strong science backgrounds. In preparation for the MAT and a career as a secondary physics teacher, we provide the option of physics major and an educational studies minor. Two great things about the MAT: (1) You can get your master’s degree in 1 year, and (2) 100% of the MAT graduates are hired within their first year out of college.
Learn more about the MAT.