Program
A set of core physics courses is required of all physics majors; in
addition, a variety of elective courses enable students to select a
program to suit their interests and their educational and employment
objectives. Laboratory courses in both introductory and advanced
physics include experience with electronics, classical and modern
optics, solid state physics, and atomic and nuclear physics. Special
courses and reading courses provide the opportunity for study in
advanced areas normally offered only in graduate programs. Physics
majors also have an unconstrained elective course each semester.
This page contains an outline of the physics courses that a typical
Harvey Mudd Physics Major takes. The program offers many options, so you can design a course of study to
match your particular interests. People interested in studying abroad
should also consult the study abroad page for
more information.
The schedule listed below shows the required courses and when they
are customarily taken by students who take Physics 23
in their first semester at the College. Those who begin with Physics 51
may wish to take some courses earlier than listed
here; those taking a semester abroad may end up postponing some
courses by a year. This schedule is simply a guide to the possible
ways to complete the physics major. Be sure to discuss your options
and choices with your advisor.
Legend
| core | a required course in the Common Core |
| requirement | a technical requirement for all physics majors |
| elective | an optional course |
| HSA | a course partially fulfilling requirements of the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts program |
| Fall | Spring |
|---|---|
| The bulk of this semester is spent satisfying core requirements in math, physics, and engineering. Most physics students take Engineering 59 (System Engineering). |
For students entering the College with normal preparation in mathematics
and physics, the first courses beyond the Common Core are taken in the
spring semester of the sophomore year. Optional courses accessible to
students at this level include:
|
| Physics 51 – Electromagnetic Theory & Optics (3) | Physics 52 – Quantum Physics (3) |
| Choice Lab (1) | Physics 54 – Modern Physics Lab (1) |
| Math 60 — Multivariable Calculus II (1.5) Math 65 — Differential Equations and Linear Algebra II (1.5) |
Math 115 — Fourier Series and Boundary Value Problems (3) |
| Engr 59 – Introduction to Systems Engineering (3) | HSA (3) |
| HSA (3) | HSA (3) |
| Elective (3) | Elective (3) |
| Fall | Spring |
|---|---|
|
Upper division theoretical physics courses, including
theoretical mechanics and statistical mechanics, are generally more
demanding than prior courses and rely on mathematically more
sophisticated approaches to solving physical problems. In addition,
electronics lab is the first lab course in which each student has her
or his own lab station. Plan your course load carefully to get the most
out of this semester. Possible additional courses this semester include
|
This is perhaps the best semester for studying abroad, if
you are so inclined. Both Physics 116 and Physics 134 can be taken in the
senior year without cramping your schedule. See your advisor for more
information on preparing for foreign study.
For those remaining on the HMC campus, this is a good semester to
consider taking a half-course. Possibilities include
Also consider taking a unit or two of research this term. Drop by professors’ offices to find out what opportunities are available. |
| Physics 111 – Theoretical Mechanics (3) | Physics 116 – Quantum Mechanics (3) |
| Physics 133 – Electronics Laboratory (1) | Physics 134 – Optics Laboratory (2) |
| Physics 195 – Physics Colloquium (0.5) | Physics 196 – Physics Colloquium (0.5) |
| Physics 117 – Statistical Mechanics (3) | Physics half course (2) |
| HSA (3) | HSA (3) |
| Elective (3) | HSA (3) |
| Elective (3) | Elective (3) |
| Fall | Spring |
|---|---|
Research or clinic work is a major focus of this semester. It is important
to budget sufficient time to get the most out of these experiences.
Students applying to graduate schools should allow time for researching
schools, completing applications, and preparing for the graduate records
exam (GRE), offered in October and November.
This work is equivalent to roughly 3–4 units.
Possible half courses
|
Research is a focus of this semester. For those heading to graduate school,
have your frequent flyer number handy and budget time for trips to visit
schools. This is also the time to take Physics 154 – Fields and Waves,
which you will find especially useful preparation for graduate work in
many fields. For those looking for jobs, plan on spending time identifying
companies, preparing your resume, and interviewing. (You’re most welcome
to take Physics 154, too!)
Possible half-courses this term:
|
| Physics 151 – Electromagnetic Fields (3) | Physics 196 – Physics Colloquium (0.5) |
| Physics 191 – Physics Research or Physics 193 – Physics Clinic (3) | Physics 192 – Physics Research or Physics 194 – Physics Clinic |
| Physics 195 – Physics Colloquium (0.5) | HSA (3) |
| Elective (2 or 3) | HSA (3) |
| HSA (3) | Physics 154 (3) |
| HSA (3) | Elective (3) |
| Elective (3) |
Listed below are the nine optional programs for physics majors. Required
courses are indicated with “”; courses which may be used to satisfy a
requirement are indicated with “”, and options are listed in the
column at the right.
| Option | Half Courses | 117 | 154 | 181 | Research / Clinic | Other Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 2 | R | ||||
| Applied Physics | 2 | RC | ||||
| Astrophysics | 2 | R | Astronomy 62; Physics 181 or Astronomy 101 | |||
| Biophysics | R | Physics 174 – Biophysics, Physics 181 – Advanced Laboratory, or an approved biology laboratory; three of [Physics 117 – Statistical Mechanics, Chemistry 56, approved biology courses]; research in Physics or Biology | ||||
| Chemical Physics | R | Chemistry 51; Physics 161 – Topics in Quantum Theory; Chemistry 168; Physics 181 – Advanced Laboratory or an approved chemistry laboratory | ||||
| Education | Education 170G (“Introduction to Public School Teaching”, CGU, fall only), taken in the junior year or earlier; Physics 183 – Teaching Internship (or Physics 184) (3 units); 9 units of approved technical electives. Recommended courses include Astronomy 62 – Introduction to Astrophysics, Physics 166 – Geophysics, Physics 170 – Computational Methods in Physics or Computer Science 60, Biology 108, and Chemistry 51 or 103. Those wishing to proceed into CGU’s teacher training program may wish to take Education 300G in their 8th semester. | |||||
| Geophysics | R | Either Physics 117 – Statistical Mechanics or Physics 154 – Fields and Waves; Physics 166 – Geophysics; one approved geology course | ||||
| Mathematical Physics | 1 | RC | Physics 117 or Physics 154 – Fields and Waves; 2 additional courses, to be chosen from Physics 117 – Statistical Mechanics, Physics 154 – Fields and Waves, and mathematics courses numbered 100 or higher that are not included in the physics major requirements. Note: Physics 170 – Computational Methods in Physics can be substituted for Physics 133 in this option provided Physics 170 is not used to meet the physics half-course requirement. | |||
| Physics and Computers | RC | Physics 117 or 2 physics half-courses; Physics 170; Computer Science 60; 2 of [Math 165 (Numerical Analysis), Engineering 155 (Microprocessor-Based Systems), any CS course numbered 70 or higher]. Students planning a career or graduate studies in computer applications to problems in physics or engineering would particularly benefit from Physics 117 and Mathematics 165 (Numerical Analysis). Students planning graduate studies in computer science should take Computer Science 105 (Computer Systems) and additional computer science courses as time permits. |
