Physics - Amherst College

Physics from Amherst College is a Campus Bachelor Physics degree that prepares you for a Science career. Students who wish to major in physics are required to take the first two semesters of College level calculus (Mathematics 11 and 12) and nine additional courses. The physics courses include: Introductory Mechanics (Physics 16 or 23) and Introductory Electromagnetism (Physics 17 or 24) each of which has a laboratory component;four intermediate courses (Modern Physics (25), Intermediate Laboratory (26), Methods of Theoretical Physics (27), and Statistical Mechanics (30)); and three upper level courses (Mechanics (43), Electrodynamics (47), and Quantum Mechanics (48)). None of the intermediate and upper level courses, except of course Physics 26, has a regularly scheduled laboratory component. The department also offers advanced electives in areas such as Electromagnetism, Quantum Mechanics, Quantum Computation, General Relativity, and Advanced Laboratory Techniques. The electives are not offered every year, but rather as staffing and student interest permit. Beyond the required courses, students are encouraged to undertake an honors research project in their senior year on some research topic that is mutually agreeable to the student and a faculty member. We also encourage physics majors to participate in research projects during the summers, January Interterm, and occasionally during the academic year. These opportunities allow students to experience the excitement of scientific research early in their careers. The department organizes weekly colloquia by distinguished visitors who are urged make the central ideas of their talks accessible to undergraduates who are taking the sophomore level courses. Majors (prospective and declared) are invited to attend these talks so that they may learn the content and style of research in physics as it is currently practiced. The courses required of majors are: Mathematics 11 and 12 and Physics 16 or 23, 17 or 24, 25, 26, 27, 30 (or Chemistry 43), 43, 47 and 48. View more details on Amherst College . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Physics courses.