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Major Requirements
The major in physics can be structured to meet the individual needs of students planning graduate study in physics or engineering, as well as those considering careers in business, teaching, government, law, or medicine. The requirement for a major is ten courses in physics, including the following eight, usually taken in this order: Physics 108 (or First-Year Seminar 274), 222, 211, 231, 301, 308, 409 or 412 or 422, and 457 or 458. The additional two courses must include one of the following: Physics s30, or any physics course numbered 300 or higher. Physics 107 may count toward the major requirement if taken prior to Physics 108. Only one semester of senior thesis may count toward satisfying the minimum ten-course requirement. To learn physics effectively, it is important that courses be taken in the recommended order and, if at all possible, with the recommended background. Nevertheless, prerequisites and corequisites can be waived in appropriate circumstances, especially in cases of incoming students with strong backgrounds. Students considering graduate study in physics or engineering should take Physics 409 and 422 as well as other courses numbered 300 or higher. In exceptional cases, a student who otherwise meets the ten-course requirement may petition the department to take a comprehensive examination in lieu of the senior thesis project.
Pass/Fail Grading Option
Pass/fail grading may not be elected for courses applied toward the major.
Engineering
A student interested in using physics as a basis for an engineering career should inquire about the Bates dual-degree plans with Dartmouth, Rensselaer, Columbia, Washington University in St. Louis, or Case Western Reserve (see page 26 or consult the Web page,
General Education Information for the Classes of 2009 and 2010
Department-designated General Education sets must include at least one course or unit having a full laboratory component. Introductory laboratory courses and units which may be used as part of a set are Physics 103, 104, 107, 108 (or First-Year Seminar 274), Astronomy 101, and Astronomy/Geology 110. Introductory non-laboratory courses and units which may be used as part of a set are Physics 105, 106, and s26, Astronomy 104, and Astronomy/Geology 115. Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or A-Level credit may satisfy the set requirement when combined with any of the laboratory courses listed above or may satisfy the third course requirement. A student may request that the department approve a two-course set not currently designated prior to enrolling in the courses. Introductory courses that may be used only as third courses are Interdisciplinary Studies 228, Chemistry/Physics s28, and First-Year Seminar 340. The quantitative requirement may be satisfied through any course or unit listed below except Interdisciplinary Studies 228. |
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