2009 - 2010
Undergraduate Catalogue

Physics


Office: Donnelly Science, Room 262
Telephone: 410-617-2642
Website: physics.loyola.edu

FACULTY

Chair: Randall S. Jones, Associate Professor

Professors: Gregory N. Derry; Joseph Ganem; Frank R. Haig, S.J. (emeritus); Mary L. Lowe; Bernard J. Weigman (emeritus)
Associate Professors: Randall S. Jones; Helene F. Perry (emerita)
Assistant Professor: Andrea Erdas
Affiliate Faculty: Guillermo H. Bozzolo; Charles A. Gehrman

MAJOR IN PHYSICS

A Major in Physics leads to a fundamental understanding of nature and technology, an ability to think creatively, and a highly developed set of problem solving skills. Loyola's program in physics offers a high degree of flexibility and choice, making it ideal for a variety of careers (as well as graduate study). The foundation of the program is a sequence of eight physics courses, four mathematics courses, one computer science course, and six physics laboratories. All of these courses are taken in common by all physics majors. Beyond these foundation courses, students can elect one of three tracks: analytic, applied science, or general.

The analytic track consists of three advanced physics courses, a senior laboratory course, and another advanced physics or math course. This track is ideally suited as preparation for graduate study in physics or a related field. It provides the broadest physics background in preparation for any career choice.

The applied science and general tracks require that the student take a coherent program of six courses (a concentration) from other departments together with physics. This concentration can be tailored to the interests and career goals of the student. The details of the concentration must be planned with the physics advisor and approved by the department. The applied science track is for majors interested in technical subjects such as computing, engineering, or the health professions, while the general track allows a concentration in nontechnical areas such as finance, education, or science writing.

Physics majors may participate in a 3-2 combined degree program leading to two bachelor's degrees: a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Physics from Loyola University and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Engineering from Columbia University. Students take courses from Loyola University for the first three years and then from Columbia for two years. This track enables students to obtain a strong liberal arts education and training in an engineering discipline from a major engineering institution. Students with a 3.000 average at Loyola are guaranteed admission to Columbia. For more information on the curriculum, consult the department chair and the department's website.

Physics majors may participate in a five-year program resulting in a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Physics and a Master of Science (M.S.) in Computer Science. This program enables students to take graduate computer science courses in the senior year that count toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. CS201 and CS202 should be taken in the freshman year. Interested students should speak with the physics department chair as soon as possible, preferably in the freshman year. Consult the graduate catalogue for more information on the graduate program in computer science.

In the event a student is interested in a physics or astronomy course that is not offered at Loyola, the student may take that course at one of the participating colleges in the Baltimore Student Exchange Program at no additional tuition charge (fees are not included) during the fall and spring semesters. For more information, see the Baltimore Student Exchange Program under Curriculum and Policies.

Requirements for the major are as follows:

  • CS201 Computer Science I
  • MA251 Calculus I
  • MA252 Calculus II
  • MA304 Ordinary Differential Equations
  • MA351 Calculus III
  • PH201 General Physics I
  • PH202 General Physics II
  • PH291 General Physics Lab I (1 credit)
  • PH292 General Physics Lab II (1 credit)
  • PH293 Intermediate Laboratory I (1 credit)
  • PH294 Intermediate Laboratory II (1 credit)
  • PH307 Mathematical Methods in Physics
  • PH312 Modern Physics
  • PH316 Classical Mechanics
  • PH317 Thermal Physics
  • PH391 Physics Research (analytic track only)
  • PH397 Experimental Methods I (2 credits)
  • PH398 Experimental Methods II (2 credits)
  • PH415 Quantum Mechanics I
  • PH417 Electricity and Magnetism I
  • PH450 Quantum Mechanics II (analytic track only)
  • PH474 Electricity and Magnetism II (analytic track only)
  • PH480 Advanced Topics in Physics (analytic track only) or
  • PH484 Methods of Theoretical Physics
  • PH493 Advanced Laboratory I (analytic track only)

Bachelor of Science

Requirements for the major and an example of a typical program of courses in the analytic track are as follows:

Freshman Year

Fall Term


    MA251 Calculus I*
    PH201 General Physics I*
    PH291 General Physics Lab I*
    WR100 Effective Writing
    Language Core
    Social Science Core

Spring Term


    CS201 Computer Science I*
    HS101 History of Modern Western Civilization
    MA252 Calculus II*
    PH202 General Physics II*
    PH292 General Physics Lab II*
    Language Core or
    Elective

Sophomore Year

Fall Term


    EN101 Understanding Literature
    MA351 Calculus III*
    PH293 Intermediate Laboratory I*
    PH307 Mathematical Methods in Physics*
    PH317 Thermal Physics*
    PL201 Foundations of Philosophy

Spring Term


    MA304 Ordinary Differential Equations*
    PH294 Intermediate Laboratory II*
    PH312 Modern Physics*
    PH316 Classical Mechanics*
    PL200-Level Philosophical Perspectives Course
    English Core

Junior Year

Fall Term


    PH397 Experimental Methods I*
    PH415 Quantum Mechanics I*
    PH417 Electricity and Magnetism I*
    TH201 Introduction to Theology
    Fine Arts Core
    Elective

Spring Term


    PH398 Experimental Methods II*
    PH474 Electricity and Magnetism II*†
    Ethics Core
    History Core
    Theology Core
    Nondepartmental Elective

Senior Year

Fall Term


    PH493 Advanced Laboratory*†
    Social Science Core
    Nondepartmental Elective
    Elective
    Elective

Spring Term


    PH391 Physics Research*†
    PH450 Quantum Mechanics II*†
    PH480 Advanced Topics in Physics or
    PH484 Methods of Theoretical Physics*†
    Nondepartmental Elective
    Elective

* Required for major
† For the applied science or general track, these courses are replaced by six courses approved by the Physics Department. It is possible to complete either track in three years with careful planning.

  1. PH202 (or PH102 with written permission of the department chair) is a prerequisite for all PH300-level courses.
  2. PH120, PH122, PH140, PH141, PH160, PH165, PH170, and PH185 count toward the natural science core requirement.
  3. EG302 may be counted in lieu of PH316 with written permission of the department chair. EG031 may be counted in lieu of PH397.
  4. PH450 and PH474 may not be offered every year, so it is important to plan ahead, particularly if the student is considering spending a semester abroad.
  5. Students must complete the diversity requirement through a designated diversity core, major, or elective course (see Diversity Requirement under Curriculum and Policies).

The following are a few examples of concentrations within the applied science and general tracks. More examples can be found on the department's website. Students should consult an advisor in the Physics Department to design their particular program.

Applied Science Track: Engineering Concentration

  • CH101 General Chemistry I and
  • CH105 General Chemistry Lab I
  • EG031 Linear Circuit Analysis Lab* and
  • EG331 Linear Circuit Analysis
  • EG051 Materials Science Lab and
  • EG351 Introduction to Engineering Materials
  • EG300- or 400-level Course (3 credit)
  • EG300- or 400-level Course (3 credit)
  • EG300- or 400-level Course (3 credit)

* EG031 may be taken in lieu of PH397.

Note: In lieu of the courses stated above, 3-2 program students must take CH101 and CH102 at Loyola and four applied science courses at Columbia University. Additional courses are required by Columbia to fulfill their graduation requirements.

Applied Science Track: Natural Sciences Concentration

  • BL118 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology and
  • BL119 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology Lab
  • BL121 Organismal Biology and
  • BL126 Organismal Biology Lab
  • CH101 General Chemistry I and
  • CH105 General Chemistry Lab I
  • CH102 General Chemistry II and
  • CH106 General Chemistry Lab II
  • CH301 Organic Chemistry I and
  • CH307 Organic Chemistry Lab I
  • CH302 Organic Chemistry II and
  • CH308 Organic Chemistry Lab II

Applied Science Track: Mathematical Sciences Concentration:

  • MA301 Introduction to Linear Algebra
  • MA302 MATLAB Laboratory and
  • MA427 Numerical Analysis or
  • Two MA400-Level Courses
  • MA395 Discrete Methods
  • MA424 Complex Analysis
  • ST210 Introduction to Statistics

General Track: Physics Teaching Concentration

Note: To complete the coursework required to become certified to teach on the secondary level, additional courses that fulfill a Minor in Secondary Education must be taken (see requirements under Education).

General Track: Commercial Concentration

  • AC201 Financial Accounting
  • EC102 Microeconomics
  • EC103 Macroeconomics
  • MG201 Organizational Behavior
  • Two of the following: AC202, EC320, FI320, IB282, MK240, or other course with written permission of the physics department chair.

INTERDISCIPLINARY MAJOR IN BIOLOGY/PHYSICS

This major is jointly offered by the Physics and Biology Departments. The curriculum allows students to apply the principles of physics, math, and chemistry to their study of the molecular mechanisms of biological systems. This major prepares students for careers in medicine, other health-related professions, and graduate school in biophysics. For program details and course requirements, visit the department's website.

MINOR IN PHYSICS

  • Four PH300- or 400-Level Courses*
  • Four Laboratory course credits (any combination)

    • * MA427 may replace one of these courses with written permission of the physics department chair.

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