VIEW PHYSICS ACADEMIC LEARNING COMPACT

VIEW PHYSICS COURSES OFFERED IN LAST 5 YEARS

Area of Concentration Requirements

We offer the introductory physics sequence every year, and the upper level physics courses every other year. We also periodically offer the electives Advanced Quantum Mechanics, Advanced Physics Laboratory, Essential Electronics, Mathematical Methods for Physicists, and Solid State Physics. We also require Solid State Physics for students planning to do a thesis in Professor Sendova’s laboratory.

An essential part of our program is undergraduate research leading to the completion of the senior thesis. We are experienced and well equipped to offer projects in a wide range of areas; see our list of recent senior thesis titles below, for example. In addition, our students routinely do paid summer research at universities and government laboratories around the country as part of the NSF-funded REU program.

Area of Concentration requirements in Physics include:

• Two semesters of Introductory Physics
• Two semesters of Introductory Physics Lab
• Classical Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, and Modern Physics
• Modern Physics Lab
• Optics
• Quantum Mechanics
• Statistical Mechanics
• Solid State Physics (for students planning to do a thesis in Professor Sendova’s laboratory)
• Co requisite courses in mathematics, are Introductory Calculus I and II, Multivariable Calculus III, Differential Equations, and Linear Algebra
• An Independent Study Project in an advanced area Physics
• A Senior Thesis and Baccalaureate Exam

Joint Disciplinary Requirements:

• Physics 1
• Physics 1 Lab
• Physics 2
• Physics 2 Lab
• Modern Physics
• Modern Physics Lab
• Classical Mathematics
• Optics

SAMPLE PATHWAYS TO COMPLETE AOC REQUIREMENTS

New College students must satisfy both the requirements of the Liberal Arts Curriculum (LAC), New College’s general education program, and the specific requirements for the Area of Concentration (AOC). With so many opportunities each term, the pathway below is provided as an example of how a student could complete the requirements for graduation. We’ve put some checkpoints in place so that you make the most of your time at New College. Each term you’ll meet with a faculty advisor to discuss courses, tutorials, internships, or other academic experiences. Schedule a meeting with your faculty advisor to discuss which courses satisfy the LAC and which satisfy the AOC. Each student completes a Provisional AOC Plan in the fifth contract to select an AOC, and each student submits a Thesis Prospectus/AOC Form in the sixth contract.

A Sample Four-Year Pathway for Physics

A Sample Two-Year Pathway for Physics