skip to main content
Search
  • News
  • Calendar
  • Directories
  • Offices
My Bash
  • Social
    • YouTube
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram
    • Podcasts
    • Snapchat

    Follow Us:

    Wabash College
    • About Wabash
      • Calendar
      • Directories
      • History
      • Mission
      • Old Wabash
      • Consumer Information
      • Offices
      • Employment
      • Location & Directions
      • President Hess
    • Academics
      • Majors
      • Registrar/Transcripts
      • Phi Beta Kappa
      • Research
      • Learning Beyond Your Major
      • Liberal Arts Plus
      • Course Catalog
      • Lilly Library
      • Writing Center
      • Join the Faculty
      • Speakers & Events
    • Admissions & Financial Aid
      • Request Information
      • Visit Us
      • Majors
      • See Our Campus
      • After Wabash
      • Apply
      • Meet the Staff
      • Financial Aid
      • New Students
      • Contact
    • Alumni
      • Alumni Association
      • Annual Giving
      • Alumni Voices
      • Giant Steps Campaign
      • Parents
      • Volunteer
      • Alumni News
      • Alumni Directory
      • Big Bash Weekend
      • Homecoming
      • Planned Giving
      • Wabash Day
    • Athletics
    • Giving
      • Giant Steps Campaign
      • 1832 Society
      • Planned Giving
      • Give Now
      • Annual Giving
      • Programs & Facilities
      • Honor Roll of Donors
    • Home
    • Academic Bulletin Physics - 2009-10

    Currently viewing 2009-10 bulletin

     

    Faculty: D. Krause (chair), J. Brown, M. Madsen, E. Sayre

    Physics is the study of the fundamental laws that govern our universe. Our curriculum is designed to give our students a solid foundation for understanding these laws and how they were uncovered. The language that best expresses these laws is mathematical so there are a significant number of mathematics courses, which serve as prerequisites for our courses. However, since physics describes the real world, our curriculum also incorporates a significant laboratory component to ensure our students will learn how to interrogate Nature and understand the answers it gives. Only by balancing theoretical concepts with experimental reality can one reach a more complete understanding of the world.

    Our physics majors and minors will master valuable analysis and problem-solving skills, which can be applied to a wide variety of situations beyond physics. By integrating these skills with their liberal arts experiences, our students are prepared for a vast spectrum of careers. Recent graduates have gone on to work in physics research, engineering, computer programming, teaching, environmental studies, law, business, and other fields.

    For Senior Comprehensives, majors must pass an exam which requires them to demonstrate a coherent understanding of all the major areas of physics covered in the required courses, including computational and laboratory methods, and the ability to apply this understanding to solve specific problems.

    Requirements for a Major: Nine course credits in physics. These must include Physics 111, 113, 114, 210, 310, 314, 315, 381 (taken two consecutive semesters during a single year), and one additional physics course credit (excluding Physics 101, Physics 105, and Physics 112 which do not count toward the major). (Note: A student who takes Physics 112 and decides to major in physics may seek permission from the department chair to replace Physics 114 with Physics 112.) Students accepted to a 3-2 engineering program may substitute Chemistry 111 for the one elective physics course. Those planning to go on to graduate school in physics should also plan to take Physics 230 and 316.

    In addition, mathematics courses that are prerequisites or co-requisites for physics courses are Mathematics 111 (or 110), 112, 223, 224, and 225. Although not required, Computer Science 111 is also highly recommended, and Mathematics 324 and 344 are useful.

    Since physics is a hierarchical subject, it is important to take Physics 111 and 113 during the freshman year if one wishes to major in physics. Below is a possible schedule of how one might fulfill all the necessary requirements:
     

                                        Fall Semester                                              Spring Semester

    Freshman                   Physics 111                                                Physics 113

                                        Mathematics 111                                   

         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         

     Mathematics 112

     

    Sophomore                        Physics 114                                                Physics 210

                                        Mathematics 223                                    Mathematics 224

     

    Junior                                    Physics 310

                                        Physics 381                                                Physics 314

                                        Mathematics 225

     

    Senior                                     Physics 315                                                 Physics 220, 230, or 316

     

    Requirements for a Minor: Five courses in physics (excluding Physics 101 and Physics 105), one of which must include Physics 210 with appropriate prerequisites ( Any exceptions must receive prior approval from the department chair). Mathematics prerequisites (or co-requisites) are Mathematics 111 (or 110) and 112.

     

    An Area of Concentration and High School Teaching licensure in this discipline is awarded by the Teacher Education Program. For licensure information please see the Indiana Teacher Licensing Requirements for Adolescent and Young Adult License section and for information on this specific discipline see the Content Area Course Requirements for Teaching at the Adolescent and Young Adult Licensure Level section.

     

     

     

     

     


    Course Title Credits Prerequisites
     
    PHY 101 Astronomy: Fundamentals and Frontiers 1  
    PHY 111 General Physics I 1

    Prerequisite: Mathematics 111 or 110 (or concurrent registration) or permission of instructor.

     
    PHY 112 General Physics II for Science Majors 1

    Prerequisite: Physics 111.

     
    PHY 113 General Physics II for Physics Majors & Minors 1

    Prerequisites: Physics 111 and Mathematics 112 (or concurrent registration).

     
    PHY 114 General Physics III 1

    Prerequisites: Physics 113 and Mathematics 112.

     
    PHY 210 Modern Physics 1

    Prerequisites: Physics 114 (or Physics 112 with permission of the instructor) and Mathematics 223 (or concurrent registration or permission of the instructor).

     
    PHY 220 Electronics 1

    Prerequisite: Physics 112 or 114 or permission of the instructor.

     
    PHY 230 Thermal Physics 1

    Prerequisite: Physics 210.

     
    PHY 277 Special Topics 1 or 1/2

    Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

     
    PHY 278 Special Topics 1/2

    Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

     
    PHY 287 Independent Study 1 or 1/2

    Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

     
    PHY 288 Independent Study 1 or 1/2

    Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

     
    PHY 310 Classical Mechanics 1

    Prerequisites: Physics 114 (or permission of instructor) and Mathematics 224.

     
    PHY 314 Electrodynamics 1

    Prerequisites: Physics 114 and Mathematics 224 and 225.

     
    PHY 315 Quantum Mechanics 1

    Prerequisites: Physics 210 and Mathematics 223 and 224 or permission of the instructor.

     
    PHY 316 Advanced Topics in Quantum Mechanics 1

    Prerequisite: Physics 315.

     
    PHY 381 Advanced Laboratory 1/2

    Prerequisite: Physics 210.

     
    PHY 105 Adventures in Physics 1  
    Quick Links  
    • The Bachelor
    • Bookstore
    • Business Office
    • Career Services
    • Course Catalog
    • Employment Listings
    • Join the Faculty
    • Lilly Library
    • President Hess
    • Registrar's Office
    • Technology
    • Wabash Magazine

    Prospective Students

    Interested in joining The Brotherhood?

    • Apply Now

    Bulletin

      Bulletin Search:
    • Current Bulletin
    • Full Bulletin PDF
    • The Curriculum
    • Academic Policies
    • Division I
    • Division I Faculty
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Math & Computer Science
    • Physics
    • - Course Descriptions
    • Division II
    • Division II Faculty
    • Division II Courses
    • Art
    • Classics
    • English
    • Modern Languages & Literatures
    • Music
    • Philosophy
    • Religion
    • Rhetoric
    • Theater
    • Division III
    • Division III Faculty
    • Division III Courses
    • Economics
    • History
    • Political Science
    • Psychology
    • Education Studies
    • Area of Concentration
    • Business Minor
    • Gender Studies Minor
    • Multicultural American Studies Minor
    • Other Courses
    • Non-Divisional Courses
    • Physical Education
    • Pre-Professional
    • Off-Campus Study
    • Previous Bulletins
    • 2015 Bulletin
    • 2014 Bulletin
    • 2013 Bulletin
    • 2012 Bulletin
    • 2011 Bulletin
    • 2010 Bulletin
    • 2008 Bulletin
    • 2007 Bulletin
    • 2006 Bulletin
    • 2005 Bulletin
    • Related Links

    • Lilly Library
    • Registrar
    • 4-Year Academic Calendar
    • Academic Centers for Excellence

    Four Years Here
    Will Change Your Life.
    Seriously.

    301 W. Wabash Avenue, Crawfordsville, IN 47933
    P: (765) 361-6100   webmaster@wabash.edu
    • About Wabash

    • Facts at a Glance
    • Campus Map
    • From the President
    • Bookstore
    • Human Resources
    • Join the Faculty
    • Resources

    • Centers of Distinction
    • Lilly Library
    • International Office
    • Career Services
    • Wabash Magazine
    • The Bachelor
    • Business Office
    • Technology
    • Liberal Arts Success
    • About This Site

    • Consumer Information
    • Share Feedback
    • Non-Discrimination Policy
    • Accessibility Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Copyright © 2019

    Modal

    ...
    https://www.wabash.edu