2008-2009 Academic Catalog

Science and Mathematics School of Natural and Applied Sciences Science and Mathematics 170 Cedarville University 2008–09 Physics – Bachelor of Science The physics major prepares students for graduate study in physics or for employment opportunities in industry. The curriculum includes courses prescribed by leading graduate-level physics programs in the nation. Students should include courses in mathematics and chemistry as general electives. Students must demonstrate proficiency in the general physics sequence to advance into 3000- and 4000-level courses. Course requirements involve 68.5 semester hours including: Physics Core Requirements......................................................34 *PHYS-2110, 2120, 2130 General Physics I, II, III................... 10 PHYS-3110 Intermediate Physics Lab ...................................... 2 PHYS-3310 Theoretical Mechanics I ........................................ 3 PHYS-3350 Thermal Physics ................................................... 3 PHYS-3410 Electromagnetic Theory I....................................... 3 PHYS-3510 Modern Physics..................................................... 3 PHYS-3800 Research Methods in Physics .............................. 1 PHYS-4110 Advanced Physics Lab........................................... 2 PHYS-4210 Mathematical Methods for Physicists.................... 3 PHYS-4520 Quantum Mechanics I........................................... 3 PHYS-4800 Physics Senior Seminar........................................ 1 Electives (selected from PHYS-3000 and MATH-4000-level courses). ...................................................................................9 PHYS-3330 Acoustics............................................................ 3 PHYS-4310 Theoretical Mechanics II.................................... 3 PHYS-4410 Electromagnetic Theory II ................................. 3 PHYS-4450 Optics. ............................................................... 3 PHYS-4530 Quantum Mechanics II ...................................... 3 PHYS-4550 Solid State Physics ........................................... 3 PHYS-4880 Topics in Physics............................................. 1-3 Departmental Requirements..................................................25.5 CHEM-1050 Chemistry for Engineers.................................... 3.5 CS-1210 C++ Programming ..................................................... 2 EGEE-2050 Circuits and Instrumentation................................. 4 MATH-1710, 1720, 2710 Calculus I, II, III ............................... 13 MATH-2740 Differential Equations............................................. 3 *All Students must earn at least a C+ in these courses. BS Physics Curriculum Summary Proficiency requirements.............................................................0-6 Other General Education requirements. ....................................47.5 Physics major requirements......................................................68.5 Electives....................................................................................6-12 Total (minimum, not including proficiency)........................... 128 A complete description of the general education requirements is found on page 24. Suggested Four-Year Curriculum for a Major in Physics–B.S. First year: BEGE-1710 The Christian Life...........................................................3 BEGE-1720 Spiritual Formation ....................................................... 3 CHEM-1050 Chemistry for Engineers ............................................3.5 COM-1100 Speech.............................................................................3 CS-1210 C++ Programming...............................................................2 ENG-1400 English Composition........................................................3 MATH-1710,1720 Calculus I,II.......................................................... 10 PEF-1990 P.A.C.L...............................................................................1 PHYS-2110 General Physics I............................................................4 Total.............................................................................................. 32.5 Second year: BEGE-2730 Old Testament Literature................................................3 BEGE-2740 New Testament Literature...............................................3 EGEE-2050 Circuits and Instrumentation..........................................4 GBIO-1000 Principles of Biology.....................................................3.5 GSS-1100 Politics and American Culture...........................................3 MATH-2710 Calculus III. ....................................................................3 MATH-2740 Differential Equations. ....................................................3 PHYS-2120, 2130 General Physics II, III............................................6 PHYS-3310 Theoretical Mechanics I..................................................3 Total...............................................................................................31.5 Third year: BEGE-3750 Christian Worldview Development.................................2 BEGE-3760 Christian Worldview Integration......................................2 HUM-1400 Introduction to the Humanities.........................................3 PHYS-3110 Intermediate Physics Lab................................................2 PHYS-3350 Thermal Physics.............................................................3 PHYS-3410 Electromagnetic Theory I................................................3 PHYS-3510 Modern Physics..............................................................3 PHYS-3800 Research Methods in Physics........................................1 Literature elective...............................................................................3 Physics electives................................................................................3 Electives.............................................................................................6 Total................................................................................................. 31 Fourth year: PHYS-4110 Advanced Physics Lab....................................................2 PHYS-4210 Mathematical Methods for Physicists.............................3 PHYS-4520 Quantum Mechanics I....................................................3 PHYS-4800 Physics Senior Seminar.................................................1 Global awareness..............................................................................3 History elective...................................................................................3 Humanities elective............................................................................3 Physics electives................................................................................6 Social science elective.......................................................................3 Electives.............................................................................................6 Total................................................................................................. 33