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Physics Home
The Major
Plan Your Major
Summer Physics Institute
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Course Catalog
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The Major
The major concentration in Physics at Macalester College
provides a rigorous study of the physical principles that are
fundamental for every scientific and technological discipline.
The physics major serves students who intend to pursue graduate study
in physics, astronomy, engineering, medicine and related areas, as well
as for those seeking positions in technology-oriented business and
industry.
The following lists the core courses of the physics major and physics major with astronomy emphasis. See Planning Your Major below or the Course Catalog
for more information. Additionally, classes required by the major
also require proficiency in calculus. Physics majors are thus
required to take the Calculus Sequence in the Mathematics Department
which consists of Single Variable Calculus (MATH 137), Multi Variable
Calculus (MATH 237), and Differential Equations (MATH 312).
Linear Algebra (MATH 236) is also recommended, although not
required.
PHYS 226: Principles of Physics I
PHYS 227: Principles of Physics II
PHYS 331: Modern Physics
PHYS 334: Optics
PHYS 340: Digital Electronics
PHYS 348: Laboratory Instrumentation
PHYS 440: Observational Astronomy
PHYS 443: Electromagnetic Theory I: Vacuum
PHYS 444: Electromagnetic Theory II: Material Media
PHYS 460: Astrophysics
PHYS 461: Mechanics
PHYS 468: Statistical Mechanics
PHYS 481: Quantum Mechanics
PHYS 488: Senior Research
PHYS 489: Physics Seminar
PHYS 614: Independent Project
PHYS 624: Internship
PHYS 634: Preceptorship
PHYS 644: Honors Independent
The Physics Major is at minimum comprised of 33 credits (8 4-credit courses and 1 1-credit course, PHYS 489).
The following table outlines courses recommended to majors as
well as those mandatory to the Physics Major and Physics Major with an
Astronomy Emphasis. For more information on astronomy at
Macalester, visit the Astronomy Home. The department also offers a minor consisting of 5 courses: 226, 227, 331, and any two courses numbered above 331.
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Blue Courses are required by the Physics Major and Astronomy Emphasis
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Orange Courses are additionally required by the Physics Major
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Green Courses are additionally required by the Astronomy Emphasis
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| Course |
Prerequisites |
Fall |
Spring |
| 226:Principles of Physics |
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| 227: Principles of Physics II |
PHYS 226 |
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| 331: Modern Physics |
PHYS 227 |
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| 334: Optics |
PHYS 227 |
alternate years
next offered 2007 |
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| 340: Digital Electronics |
MATH 137 |
alternate years
next offered 2008 |
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| 348: Laboratory Instrumentation |
PHYS 227 |
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| 440: Observational Astronomy |
PHYS 113
PHYS 120
or
PHYS 113
PHYS 331/ CHEM 331 |
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alternate years
next offered 2008 |
| 443: Electromagnetic Theory I: Vacuum |
PHYS 227
MATH 237 |
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| 444: Electromagnetic Theory II: Material Media |
PHYS 443 |
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| 460: Astrophysics |
PHYS 113
PHYS 331 |
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alternate years
next offered 2009 |
| 461: Mechanics |
PHYS 227
MATH 237
MATH 312 |
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| 468: Statistical Mechanics |
PHYS 331
MATH 237 |
alternate years
next offered 2007 |
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| 481: Quantum Mechanics |
PHYS 331
MATH 237
MATH 312 |
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| 489: Physics Seminar |
Senior Standing |
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