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Physics

College of Sciences

	QUICK JUMP
	Physics
	Study Options
	Requirements and Core Courses
	Option Requirements—Core First and Second Year Courses
	Physics Education Option—Core First and Second Year Courses
	Careers in Physics
	Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation
	Facilities and Technology
	Scholarships and Financial Aid
	Campus Organizations and Activities
	Contact Information

Physics

Physics is the most basic natural science and considers physical systems ranging in size from nuclei, to atoms, to the cosmos. It is an extremely broad field and has many sub-fields. Understanding the forces and laws that underpin the interactions of matter and energy form a major part of the discipline. Applying this understanding to other sciences and technology offers numerous opportunities for the well-trained physicist. • Offered at WSU: Bachelor of science, minor, master of science, doctorate • Available at: Pullman, Tri-Cities (supporting coursework only)

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Study Options

Options offered within physics include: - Astrophysics - Computational Physics - Continuum Physics - Environmental Physics - Instrumentation Physics - Materials Physics - Mathematical Physics - Nanotechnology - Optics and Electronics - Standard Physics - Physics Education

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Requirements and Core Courses

Bachelor of Science in Physics Degree In addition to the classes listed below for the core and each option, students must complete general education, college, and department requirements as well as approved science and degree electives. NOTE: Students should consult the General Catalog for course planning and must meet course requirements as outlined in the General Catalog in order to graduate. PHYSICS CORE COURSES Math 171, 172 & 273—Calculus I & II & III Phys 201 & 202—Physics for Scientists and Engineers I & II      or 205 & 206—Honors Physics Chem 105 & 106—Principles of Chemistry I & II      or 115 & 116—Honors Chemistry Math 220—Introductory Linear Algebra Phys 303—Modern Physics I Biological Science courses Cpt S 121—Program Design and Development Math 315—Differential Equations Phys 330—Thermal Physics Engl 402—Technical/Professional Writing

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Option Requirements—Core First and Second Year Courses

While most physics degree programs are four-year degree programs, the Department of Physics has developed a specific four-year agreement that fits the guidelines of the University's guarantee plan. The program below is appropriate for students who have had a good experience in calculus in high school. Even though the student may be placed in Math 171, if their high school grades for the year course were B or better, they can follow this schedule of study. Students who place in Math 172 can accelerate the math sequence. With weaker backgrounds in mathematics, the student should defer Physics 201 to the spring semester or until they have completed Math 171. Deferring Phys 201 beyond the third semster violates the four year agreement. Note that in the program that follows, a minor in mathematics is possible if the student applies to the Math department after 60 credits, but before graduation. A minor is not automatically issued. The student must earn a C or better grade in each of the Required Physics Courses. ´ PHYSICS-FOUR YEAR DEGREE AGREEMENT Approved Math courses Phys 304-Modern Physics II Phys 320-Mechanics Phys 341 & 342-Electricity and Magnetism I & II Phys 410-Electronics Phys 415-Quantum Physics Laboratory Phys 450-Introduction to Quantum Mechanics Phys 490-Undergraduate Thesis Phys 463-Introduction to Solid State Physics Phys 465-Introductory Nuclear Physics Phys 499-Special Problems ´ STANDARD PHYSICS OPTION Approved Math courses Phys 304-Modern Physics II Phys 320-Mechanics Phys 341 & 342-Electricity and Magnetism I & II Phys 410-Electronics Phys 412-Modern Optics Laboratory Phys 415-Quantum Physics Laboratory Phys 443-Optics Phys 450-Intro to Quantum Mechanics Phys 490-Undergraduate Thesis Phys 412-Modern Optics Laboratory Phys 463-Intro to Solid State Physics Phys 465-Introductory Nuclear Physics Phys 499-Special Problems

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Physics Education Option—Core First and Second Year Courses

For the physics education option, the following courses must be taken in addition to the physics core courses listed above. Students must also complete general education, college, and department requirements as well as approved science and degree electives. EdPsy 402-Classroom Assessment Secondary Psych 105-Introductory Psychology ComSt 102-Public Speaking: Theory, Models, and Practice T & L 302-Secondary School Curriculum and Content Literacy Development Math 303-Higher Geometry Phys 304-Modern Physics II Phys 320-Mechanics Phys 341 & 342-Electricity and Magnetism I & II Math 360-Probability and Statistics Phys 415-Quantum Physics Laboratory T & L 302-Secondary School Curriculum and Content Literacy Development T & L 303-Secondary School Instruction & Content Literacy Methods T & L 400-Advanced Field Experience T & L 445-Methods of Educational Technology T & L 478-Family, School, and Community Collaborations Ph S 430-Methods of Teaching Physical Science Phys 410-Electronics Phys 450-Introduction to Quantum Mechanics Phys 490-Undergraduate Thesis T & L 317-Secondary Practicum T & L 328-Classroom Management Ed Psy 402-Classroom Assessment, Secondary Phys 463-Introduction to Solid State Physics Phys 465-Introductory Nuclear Physics Phys 499-Special Problems T & L 404-Social Foundations of Curriculum T & L 415-Directed Teaching - Fifth Year

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Careers in Physics

As a foundation for other physical sciences and engineering, physics can lead to a career in any of the sciences or technology. About half of physics majors go to graduate school, but there are many good jobs available with a bachelor's degree. Current high demand areas include the electronics industry, optoelectronics, high density memory storage devices, and microchip growth and development. Research and development in medical technology areas such as diagnostic instrumentation (MRI, PET, CAT, and ultrasound), therapeutic equipment (radiation devices) and surgical tools (medical lasers) are also attractive fields. Other positions available to physics majors include acoustic physicist, aerospace physicist, astronomer, biophysicist, civil engineer, ceramic engineer, computer programmer, electrical engineer, environmental physicist, geodesist, geophysicist, health physicist, lab technician, laser physicist, lawyer, librarian, materials scientist, mechanical engineer, medical physicist, meteorologist, metallurgist, nuclear physicist, oceanographer, patent examiner, plasma scientist, radiation physicist, safety physicist, salesperson of scientific apparatus, systems analyst, teacher, and technical writer.

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Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation

• Good performance in high school physics course. • High school mathematics through pre-calculus or trigonometry (one year of high school calculus is highly recommended).

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Facilities and Technology

The extensive facilities of the WSU physics department include numerous lasers, spectrometers for measuring energy of particles and light waves, ultra high-vacuum equipment, mass spectrometers, computers, high-speed data acquisition instruments, and gas guns. The atomic-scale structures of solids and surfaces are studied using scanning tunneling microscopy and nuclear probe techniques. Nanometer studies of surfaces are carried out using atomic force microscopy. Other equipment includes mass spectrometers, Auger and Photoelectron Spectrometers, electron spin-resonance and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers, x-ray spectrometers, transmission and scanning electron microscopes, and a nuclear reactor elsewhere on campus. A computer laboratory with a wide variety of computers and terminals is open to all physics majors.

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Scholarships and Financial Aid

Physics scholarships include the Paul and Dian Bender Freshman Physics Scholarship, the Claire May Band Freshman Physics Scholarship (for women), the Physics Transfer Student Scholarship, the Paul Anderson Award for Excellence in Physics, the Edward E. Donaldson Surface Science Scholarship, the George Duvall Scholarship in Shock Compression Science, and the Physics Textbook Scholarship. (For information contact the physics department at 509-335-1698.) Physics majors also may qualify for a variety of federal, state, and University-sponsored loan and scholarship programs.

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Campus Organizations and Activities

The Physics Club brings students together to watch films, visit laboratories, and do experiments.

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Contact Information

Department of Physics and Astronomy

Webster Physical Sciences Washington State University PO Box 642814 Pullman, WA, 99164-2814 Phone: 509-335-9532

jtd@wsu.edu

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Strengths of the Program

• Study under our experts in solid state and surface physics, astronomy and astrophysics, optics, theoretical physics, materials physics, and nanotechnology.
• Our department's research programs are internationally recognized.
• Graduates from the program have a strong record of employment.
• Pursue attractive and varied research opportunities through externally funded programs.
• A computer-equipped study lounge is available solely for physics majors.
• Students can enroll in Honors Physics, an accelerated version of elementary physics.
• Interact with other departments through our interdisciplinary research centers.
• You can join a math, science, and engineering community residence hall at WSU Pullman—share classes with your neighbors, study together, get free tutoring, and use the hall’s computer lab.

Office of Enrollment Management, PO Box 641067, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1067, 888-GO TO WSU (888-468-6978), Contact Us