• Home
• Why WSU
• Academics & Majors
• Academic Offerings
• Research Opportunities
• Honors College
• Study Abroad
• Libraries
• Admission
• Scholarships & Finances
• Student Life & Housing
• Student Visits

• Admitted Students

Computational Physics

College of Sciences

	QUICK JUMP
	Computational Physics
	Study Options
	Requirements and Core Courses
	Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation
	Careers in Computational Physics
	Facilities and Technology
	Scholarships and Financial Aid
	Campus Organizations and Activities
	Contact Information

Computational Physics

Computational Physics, an option in the physics major, prepares majors to analyze data and perform experiments that are otherwise unfeasible using high-powered computers. Computation is an integral part of modern science. Computational physicists are skilled in physical system modeling and applications programming. Today, high-powered computers perform experiments that were previously impossible. Computers compile and analyze data and are becoming the standard medium for information storage and retrieval with the advent of scientific bulletin boards, electronic journals, CD-ROM databases, and the Web. 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, with 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 in physics with computational physics option, with minors available in mathematics and in computer science Available at: Pullman; Tri-Cities (supporting coursework only)

Back to top

Study Options

The other physics options are: - Astrophysics - Computational Physics - Continuum Physics - Environmental Physics - Instrumentation Physics - Materials Physics - Mathematical Physics - Nanotechnology - Optics and Electronics - Standard Physics - Physics Education

Back to top

Requirements and Core Courses

Bachelor of Science in Physics Degree In addition to the core and option classes listed below, students must complete general education, college, and department requirements as well as approved science and degree electives as outlined in the General Catalog in order to graduate. Students should consult the catalog and their advisor for course planning. 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 (First and Second Year) 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 Cpt S 122-Data Structures Cpt S 330--Numerical Computing EE 214--Design of Logic Circuits Math 315-Differential Equations Phys 330-Thermal Physics Engl 402-Technical/Professional Writing COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS OPTION Cpt S 224-Programming Tools Cpt S 322-Software Engineering Principles Approved Computer Science Electives E E 314-Microprocessor Systems Phys 304-Modern Physics II Phys 320-Mechanics Phys 341 & 342-Electricity and Magnetism I & II Approved Math courses Math 216-Discrete Structures 400-level Computer Science electives Phys 410-Electronics Phys 450-Introduction to Quantum Mechanics Phys 490-Undergraduate Thesis Cpt S 499-Special Problems Phys 415-Quantum Physics Laboratory Phys 463-Introduction to Solid State Physics

Back to top

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.

Back to top

Careers in Computational Physics

Careers open to those with the Computation option include software engineer and systems analyst. Physics majors have an unusual amount of experience with problem solving and modeling. These skills play an important role in software development for the control of scientific and medical equipment, locating and characterizing oil deposits, and optimizing investment plans in the finance and insurance industries. The ability of physics majors to create and evaluate models (Is the physics right?), as opposed to algorithms (Is the math right?), is an enormous advantage in the modeling process. Physics majors are also employed by the entertainment industry to develop sophisticated and realistic games and special effects.

Back to top

Facilities and Technology

The physics department operates the Jewett Observatory, with the largest refracting telescope in the state of Washington, and the WSU planetarium. A computer laboratory with a wide variety of computers and terminals is available to all physics majors. The research and teaching facilities at WSU include a wide variety of lasers, that produce nanosecond to femtosecond pulses at a variety of wavelengths. Ultrahigh vacuum systems equipped with mass spectrometers, particle detectors, and spectrometers are available for the study of surfaces. Gas guns are employed to study shock waves in liquids and solids. Many Atomic-scale surface structures are probed with scanning tunneling microscopes. Nanometer scale structures are produced and studied with scanning force microscopes. Available elsewhere on campus are Auger and photoelectron spectrometers, ESR and NMR spectrometers, transmission and scanning electron microscopes, and a nuclear reactor.

Back to top

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.

Back to top

Campus Organizations and Activities

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

Back to top

Contact Information

Department of Physics and Astronomy

Webster Physical Sciences Washington State University PO Box 642814 Pullman, WA, 99164-2814

jtd@wsu.edu

509-335-9532

Back to top

Strengths of the Program

• Learn from internationally recognized researchers in computer science and computational physics.
• Earn a highly marketable degree. Physics majors have a strong record of employment.
• Pursue a variety of attractive research opportunities through the college internship program.
• Interact with other departments through our interdisciplinary research centers.
• Enroll in Honors Physics, an accelerated version of introductory physics.
• 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.
• Study in the computer-equipped lounge in the Webster Physical Sciences Building available solely for physics majors.
• Prepare for a rewarding, well-paid career in high technology.

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