Introduction
Physics and Astronomy are the sciences that study why and how the universe works. The Department of Physics & Astronomy offers a major and minor in Physics and a minor in Astronomy. In addition, the Department regularly offers courses that fulfill the Laboratory Sciences, Quantitative Reasoning, Sustainability, and Writing in the Discipline graduation requirements.
The Physics program is designed to meet the needs of several types of students: those preparing for graduate school or careers in Physics, Astronomy, Engineering, or related fields; those preparing for careers in other fields that require technical expertise and training; those preparing for medical school or a career in the biological sciences; and those who wish to study Physics or Astronomy out of interest but have no professional aspirations in the field.
Interested first-year students are advised to request the introductory Physics and Astronomy classes their first semester, as some courses operate as sequences and the course priorities give preference to first-year students. The Physics for the Life Science sequence (PHYS 141/142) is especially designed for students interested in health-related careers and is typically not taken during the first year.
Courses appropriate for prospective majors
PHYS 131: Workshop Physics: The Mechanical Universe. (Offered every fall.)
PHYS 132: Workshop Physics: Matter and Fields. (Offered every spring.)
MATH 151/170/171: Calculus sequence (starting course dependent on placement).
Note: an incoming student interested in Physics who has credit for AP Physics should consult the Department Chair for other course options during their first semester.
The introductory course for those students planning to major or minor in Physics, or to minor in Astronomy, is PHYS 131 (Workshop Physics: The Mechanical Universe). This course is offered in the fall, and students are strongly advised to take this course as first-year students (and no later than the sophomore year). These students should take PHYS 132 (Workshop Physics: Matter and Fields) in the spring semester. Students interested in Astronomy should also take ASTR 109 when offered. In unusual circumstances, a prospective major may take PHYS 141 as the introductory course; the student should consult the Physics & Astronomy Chair for advice.
Students intending to pursue the College’s 3 2 Engineering Program: These students must take PHYS 131/132 during their first year.
Students starting the Physics major in their sophomore year (or who plan to go abroad): While the ideal mode of completing the Physics major is over four years, many students either start the major at the beginning of their sophomore year or spend time abroad (completing the major in less than four years in either case). This requires careful planning in close consultation with the student’s academic advisor and should be done as soon as the student decides to major.
For course descriptions and requirements for the major, refer to the Academic Bulletin: Physics and Astronomy.
Courses that fulfill distribution requirements
Note: A single course cannot satisfy both the Laboratory Sciences and Quantitative Reasoning requirements at the same time.
Laboratory Sciences:
ASTR 109: Mysteries of the Solar System
ASTR 110: Stars, Galaxies, and Beyond!
PHYS 114: Climate Change and Renewable Energies
PHYS 131/132: Workshop Physics
PHYS 141/142 Physics for the Life Sciences
Quantitative Reasoning:
ASTR 109: Mysteries of the Solar System
ASTR 110: Stars, Galaxies, and Beyond!
PHYS 114: Climate Change and Renewable Energies
PHYS 131/132: Workshop Physics
PHYS 141/142 Physics for the Life Sciences
Sustainability:
PHYS 114: Climate Change and Renewable Energies
Phys 314: Renewable Energy Engineering
Writing in the Discipline:
Completion of both PHYS 212 and PHYS 211 fulfills the WiD graduation requirement.
Suggested curricular flow through the major
First-Years: Students should be advised to take PHYS 131/132 and MATH 151/170 or 170/171.
Students planning to pursue graduate study in physics, astronomy, or engineering need to include 311 and 312 (potentially 331 and/or 431 as well, depending on field of study). For students not planning to do graduate study in physics or engineering, other elective options include 213, 313, 314, 315, and 361 as offered. Students planning to do graduate study in astronomy need to additionally take 208, 306, or 406 as offered.
The following is the suggested curricular flow for a student starting the major their first year.
Physics Major (Standard Track)
First Year
PHYS 131 (fall)
PHYS 132 (spring)
MATH 151/170 or 170/171 depending on placement
Sophomore Year
PHYS 212 (fall)
PHYS 211 (spring)
PHYS 282 (typically spring)
Possible elective such as PHYS 213
MATH 270 or 171/270
Junior Year
Two to four upper-level electives, including 311 and either 331 or 431 (depending on offerings)
PHYS 392 (half-credit seminar)
Senior Year
Two to four upper-level electives, including 312 and either 331 or 431 (depending on offerings)
PHYS 491/492
Physics Major (Physics-Engineering Track)
First year
PHYS 131 (fall)
PHYS 132 (spring)
MATH 170/171
Sophomore Year
PHYS 212 (fall)
PHYS 211 (spring)
PHYS 282 (typically spring)
MATH 270
CHEM 131 or 141
Sophomore or Junior Year
PHYS 213
Junior Year
PHYS 311
PHYS 331 or 314
COMP 130
Senior Year
PHYS 312
PHYS 491/492
Astronomy Minor
First-Years: Students should be advised to take PHYS 131, PHYS 132, and ASTR 109.
First Year
PHYS 131 (fall)
PHYS 132 (spring)
ASTR 109
Sophomore Year
ASTR/PHYS 208
PHYS 212
Junior Year
ASTR/PHYS 306
Senior Year
1 additional course
Honors
Students in the Advanced Capstone Laboratory (PHYS 491/492) or students participating in Independent Research (PHYS 550) as seniors may propose to turn the research into an honors project with an in-depth paper and an oral defense before the physics faculty. For more detailed requirements, go to the department's web site.
Independent study and independent research
Some form of independent research during the college career is encouraged, especially for those students planning on graduate study. This can occur either on or off campus during the summer or academic year. Recent student projects have examined fields such as non-linear dynamics, Schlieren optics, solar air heaters, molecular and optical physics, and astrophysics. Independent research students have published papers and/or given talks at physics and astronomy meetings. Students planning on graduate study are encouraged to discuss with faculty the research opportunities available.
Additional Remarks
Careers: About 60% of our graduates in the last 10 years have graduated from, or are currently enrolled in, graduate or professional schools. Twenty percent have received Ph.D. degrees or are in a Ph.D. program; 33% have received an M.S. or are in an M.S. program; and 6% are enrolled in or have completed medical or dental programs. Our graduates have attended numerous different graduate schools including Cornell, Purdue, MIT, Penn State, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth, University of Texas, and Bryn Mawr. Some occupations of recent graduates (with or without advanced degrees) include university or college professors, research associate in private industry, assistant planetarium director, Army and Navy researcher, design engineer, and medical physicist. As an aside, Physics majors have one of the highest acceptance rates into medical school and law school.
3 2 Engineering Program: In conjunction with Case Western Reserve University or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), a student can enter the field of engineering through the 3 2 Engineering Program. After three years at Dickinson and two years at one of these engineering schools, a graduate will receive a B.S. degree from Dickinson and a B.S. degree from the engineering school. For more information, see the Pre-Engineering section of this handbook.