Physics
(PHY) (PHS) (AST)
For information, please contact
Stanley Hirschi, Chairperson
774-3321, 203 Dow Science Complex
Department
Website
Why Study Physics, Physical
Science and Astronomy?
Physics, Physical Science and
Astronomy at CMU
Physics Major and Minor
Astronomy Concentration
Student Teaching in
Physics
Physical Science
Major and Minor
Student Teaching
Requirements in Physical Science
The Faculty
PHY Course
Descriptions
PHS
Course Descriptions
AST Course Descriptions
Why
Study Physics, Physical Science, and Astronomy?
Physics is the basis of science and technology. The laws of
physics describe the behavior of matter and energy and help
us to understand the physical world. On the smallest scale,
physicists study quarks, nuclei, atoms, and other basic
constituents of matter. They also study the mechanical,
electromagnetic, and thermal properties of solids, liquids,
gases, and plasmas. On the grand scale, physicists and
astronomers study stars and galaxies, and apply physical
principles to questions about the nature of the universe.
More than 50,000 physicists work in industry, educational
institutions, state and federal government, and nonprofit
research centers in the United States. Some of them perform
basic research in physics, while others apply their
knowledge to solve human problems in such areas as energy
sources, environmental protection, medicine, transportation,
communication, meteorology, geology, and defense.
These researchers are supported by those who teach science
and engineering, providing students with the problem-solving
and laboratory skills necessary for challenging the future.
Physical science teachers are educated to work in the
elementary and middle schools where school children receive
their first in-depth exposure to science and technology.
Their work is crucial because the attitudes toward science
instilled at this level generally persist for a lifetime.
Physics teachers are trained to instruct in the high school
or community college, and many physicists are employed as
college professors. Besides educating future physics
researchers, physics teachers provide the knowledge of
physics that is required for such fields as medicine,
engineering, technical writing, and environmental science.
Physics,
Physical Science, and Astronomy at CMU
The Department of Physics offers physics and astronomy
courses to serve the needs of the following groups of
students: those who contemplate graduate studies or
professional employment in physics and astronomy; those who
plan to teach physics or astronomy at community colleges and
secondary schools; those who plan to enter the professions
such as medicine or engineering, which require a thorough
understanding of physical concepts; and those who plan to
major in another academic discipline and desire an
understanding of the fundamental processes which govern the
physical environment.
The department offers courses in physical science and
astronomy designed to meet several needs. A student may:
prepare to become a teacher of physical science at the
primary or middle school level; complete a portion of the
requirements for an interdepartmental major or minor; or
obtain as a major in another academic discipline a better
understanding of the physical environment.
The department also offers a variety of service and general
education courses in introductory physics, physical science,
and astronomy for students in programs that are not directly
related to science.
A student can take a major or a minor in physics. An
astronomy concentration is available on the physics major
for students who intend to pursue graduate work in
astronomy. Students who are headed for a teaching career
have available to them the physics major and minor, an
interdepartmental chemistry-physics major, and the physical
science major and minor programs. The core of the physical
science program consists of classes which are inquiry
oriented and allow prospective teachers to become familiar
with contemporary science units that are used in the
schools.
Any student interested in a departmental major or minor
should contact the chairperson as soon as possible to be
assigned an advisor.
Undergraduate and graduate physics students have
opportunities for individual research projects in the
advanced physics laboratory and also in the research
laboratories of the department: the Brooks Astronomical
Observatory, the laser spectroscopy laboratory, the polymer
fluid dynamics laboratory, the thin-films laboratory and the
Center for High Performance Scientific Computing. Such
projects are supported by two full-time technicians who
staff a machine shop and an electronics shop.
The department’s classrooms, laboratories, and faculty
offices are located in the Leon and Frances McDermott wing
of the Dow Science Complex. The observatory and associated
facilities are in Brooks Hall. The main collection of
physics and astronomy books and serials is in the Park Library. There is a departmental reading
room in Dow 231, where tutors are available during the
evening hours. Computers with access to the department's and
the university's networked resources are available in this
room, as well as elsewhere in the department.
Notes:
The physics department offers courses under three
designators: PHY, PHS, AST These courses are described in
detail in the part of this Bulletin entitled “Course
Descriptions" where designators are arranged in
alphabetical order.
Physics and engineering students, as well as students of
chemistry, meteorology, and geology, normally begin their
study of physics with a calculus-based sequence. A separate
introductory physics sequence based on trigonometry is
offered for biology and pre-professional students.
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Physics Major and Minor
Both the physics major and minor are available on the
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree, the Bachelor of Science
(B.S.) Degree, and the Bachelor of Science in Education
(B.S. in Ed.) Degree programs.
Major and Minor Requirements: B.A. and B.S. degrees
The requirements for a physics major are a minimum of 38
semester hours of departmental offerings consisting of:
PHY 145 (4)
PHY 146 (4)
PHY 175 (1)
PHY 176 (1)
PHY 247 (4)
PHY 277 (1)
PHY 312 (3)
PHY 322 (3)
PHY 332 (3)
PHY 442 (4)
PHY 450 (3)
at least one semester of PHY 578 (2)
and a minimum of five additional hours from courses having
as prerequisite a course in the required major sequence.
Prospective majors are urged to begin the study of
mathematics in the fall of the freshman year with MTH 132
(or MTH 130, if necessary) and their study of physics in the
winter of the freshman year with PHY 145 and 175.
The requirements for a physics minor are a minimum of 23
semester hours of departmental offerings consisting of:
PHY 145 (4)
PHY 146 (4)
PHY 175 (1)
PHY 176 (1)
PHY 247 (4)
PHY 277 (1)
PHY 322 (3)
PHY 332 (3)
and one semester of PHY 578 (2).
Astronomy
Concentration: This option is available within the
physics major for students with a particular interest in
astronomy or astrophysics. The requirements are completion
of:
AST 260 (4)
AST 261 (4)
AST 562 (4)
and AST 563 (3) in addition to the major’s 33 hours of
required courses. This program provides the background
desired by most astronomy graduate programs.
Major
and Minor Requirements: B.S. in Ed. degree
The requirements for a physics major are a minimum of 38
semester hours of departmental offerings consisting of:
PHY 145 (4)
PHY 146 (4)
PHY 175 (1)
PHY 176 (1)
PHY 247 (4)
PHY 277 (1)
PHY 312 (3)
PHY 322 (3)
PHY 332 (3)
PHY 442 (4)
PHY 450 (3)
PHY 505 (3)
PHY 507 (1)
at least one semester of 578 (2)
and a minimum of one additional hour from courses having as
prerequisite a course in the required major sequence.
Prospective majors are urged to begin the study of
mathematics in the fall of the freshman year with MTH 132
(or MTH 130, if necessary) and their study of physics in the
winter of the freshman year with PHY 145 and 175.
The
requirements for a physics minor are a minimum of 25
semester hours of departmental offerings consisting of:
PHY 145 (4)
PHY 146 (4)
PHY 175 (1)
PHY 176 (1)
PHY 231 (1)
PHY 247 (4)
PHY 277 (1)
PHY 322 (3)
PHY 332 (3)
PHY 505 (3)
A
combined Chemistry-Physics major is offered to prepare
students to teach both physics and chemistry at the
secondary level. Physics courses required are:
PHY 145 (4)
PHY 146 (4)
PHY 175 (1)
PHY 176 (1)
PHY 231 (1)
PHY 247 (4)
PHY 277 (1)
PHY 322 (3)
PHY 332 (3)
PHY 505 (3)
PHY 507 (1)
The student should consult the section of the Bulletin
on Interdepartmental and Interdisciplinary Majors and Minors
for a complete listing of the requirements of this program.
A minimum 2.7 GPA (B-) must be earned in all teaching
majors and minors.
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Student
Teaching in Physics
For students seeking the department’s recommendations for
student teaching in physics, the following requirements must
be met.
1. At least 20 hours of physics (including PHY 505) must be
completed with a minimum grade point average of 2.7.
2. At least 6 hours of physics (excluding PHY 505) must be
completed at CMU.
Notes
and Restrictions
No more than five semester hours of credit taken on a
Credit/No Credit basis may be counted toward the physics
major or minor. Since the department permits Credit/No
Credit registration only for beginning physics courses, the
restriction refers specifically to PHY 145 and 175.
Although not recommended, the following course substitutions
can be allowed for a student who successfully completes PHY
247: PHY 130 in place of 145, 131 for 146, 170 for 175, 171
for 176.
Transfer students from two-year colleges can complete a
major in physics in two additional years if they have
satisfactorily completed a one-year course in calculus and a
one year course in general physics (preferably utilizing
calculus). Transfer students should consult the chairperson
of this department at their earliest opportunity, and in any
case, prior to initial registration.
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Physical
Science Major and Minor
The Physical Science major and minor are available only on
the Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S. in Ed.) program.
This program is designed to prepare teachers of physical
science. The secondary emphasis is insufficient preparation
to teach high school biology, chemistry, or physics.
Major
and Minor Requirements: B.S. in Ed. with Elementary Emphasis
The requirements for a physical science major with an
elementary emphasis are a minimum of 36 semester hours.
Required courses are:
PHS 151 (3)
PHS 251 (3)
PHS 351 (3) OR PHS 452 (3)
PHS 563 (3)
PHS 101 (3) OR PHY 100 (3)
AST 111 (3)
AST 112 (1)
AST 311 (3)
CHM 101 (3) OR CHM 111 (3)
ESC 201 (4) OR ESC 240 (4)
ESC 205 (3)
GEL 101 (3)
GEL 102 (1)
The
requirements for a physical science minor with an elementary
or elementary special education emphasis are a minimum of 24
semester hours. Required courses are:
PHS 151(3)
PHS 251(3)
PHS 351(3) OR PHS 452(3)
PHS 563(3)
AST 111(3)
AST 112(1)
ESC 201(4) OR ESC 240(4)
GEL 101(3)
GEL 102(1)
Major
and Minor Requirements: B.S. in Ed. with Secondary and
Secondary Special Education Emphases
The requirements for a Physical Science major with a
secondary or secondary special education emphasis are a
minimum of 42 semester hours. Required courses are:
PHY 130 (4)
PHY 131 (4)
PHY 170 (1)
PHY 171 (1)
CHM 131 (4)
CHM 132 (4)
GEL 101 (3)
GEL 102 (1)
ESC 201 (4)
ESC 205 (3)
AST 111 (3)
AST 112 (1)
BIO 101 (3)
PHS 452 (3)
PHS 453 (1)
PHS 563 (2)
The
requirements for a Physical Science minor with a secondary
or secondary special education emphasis are a minimum of 29
semester hours. Required courses are:
PHY 130 (4)
PHY 131 (4)
PHY 170 (1)
PHY 171 (1)
CHM 131 (4)
CHM 132 (4)
BIO 101 (3)
PHS 452 (3)
PHS 563 (2)
and one of the following:
GEL 101 (3)
ESC 201 (4)
ESC 205 (3)
AST 111 (3)
Appropriate
substitutions are allowed with the advisor’s consent such
as PHY 145-146 in place of PHY 130-131, PHY 175-176 in place
of PHY 170-171, CHM 161 in place of CHM 131-132, ESC 240 in
place of ESC 201, AST 260 in place of AST 111, and BIO 105
in place of BIO 101.
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Student
Teaching Requirements in Physical Science
For students seeking the department’s recommendation for
student teaching in physical science, the following
requirements must be met:
1. At least 20 hours of courses from the physical science
major or minor (including PHS 351 or 452) must be completed
with a minimum grade-point average of 2.7.
2. At least 6 hours of courses with departmental designators
(AST, PHS, PHY) must be completed at CMU.
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Notes
and Restrictions
No more than six hours of courses taken on a Credit/No
Credit basis may be counted toward a Physical Science major
or minor.
The faculty: David H. Current,
Joseph Finck, Marco Fornari, Stanley Hirschi, Mihai Horoi, Koblar Jackson,
Wayne Osborn, Valeri Petkov, Frederick M. Phelps III, Didarul Qadir,
Andrzej Sieradzan, Sudha Srinivas, Glen Williams
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