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Physics

Professor Gerald Crawford

Associate Professor Ryan Haaland

Assistant Professors Charles Hakes, Jeffrey Loats, Craig Tyler

The Bachelor of Science degree in Physics is designed to allow students to attain their professional goal of entering graduate work in physics or astrophysics; to obtain technical positions in industry in such areas as energy science, engineering and electronics; or to obtain preparation for secondary certification in teaching physics in public schools. The geologist, engineer, chemist and biologist all deal with matter and energy in their various forms. Since physicists probe the physical laws underlying all physical processes, the study of physics becomes the cornerstone for all the natural sciences.

The physics curriculum is predicated upon the role physicists play in a modern, technological world society that is currently experiencing shortages of trained personnel in various scientific areas and in science education. Coursework in physics will provide the student pursuing entrance to graduate school in physics or astronomy with a strong grounding in mathematics and physics, while being immersed in an atmosphere of a broad, liberal education in the humanities and social sciences. This curriculum also will enable a student to enter applied technical fields in industry such as electronics, optics and aerospace, where there is currently a high demand. Students seeking a degree in physics should consult early in their college career with staff members of the Physics Department.

A minor in physics is available for students majoring in other disciplines. Requirements for a minor in physics are listed at the end of this section.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN PHYSICS:

 

Physics (traditional)

Courses:

Credits:

Physics Option:

 

General Education

35-46

** Courses marked with double asterisks may also be counted toward TS 1 requirements.

All courses listed under Specific Departmental Requirements, Additional Departmental Requirements, and Auxiliary Requirements from other departments must be passed with a grade of C- or higher.

Specific Departmental Requirements:

 

**Phys 217Tx, 218 Physics for Science and Engineering I, II

10

Phys 320 Modern Physics

3

Phys 354 Theoretical Mechanics

3

Phys 361 Principles of Electricity and Magnetism

4

Phys 380 Advanced Lab I

1

Phys 381 Advanced Lab II

1

Phys 397W Writing in Physics

3

Phys 400 Science and Human Values

2

Phys 420 Quantum Mechanics I

3

Phys 496 Senior Seminar

2

Subtotal Specific Departmental Requirements

32

Additional Departmental Requirements:

 

Additional physics courses numbered above 300 to be chosen from:

 

Phys 301 Introduction to Electronics

3

Phys 340 Optics

4

Phys 370 Heat and Thermodynamics

3

Phys 421 Quantum Mechanics II

3

Phys 454 Advanced Topics in Physics

1-4

Subtotal Additional Departmental Requirements

6

Auxiliary Requirements from Other Departments:

 

Chem 150 Fundamentals of Chemistry I

4

**Chem 151Tx Fundamentals of Chemistry II

4

**Math 221Q, 222Q, 223Q Calculus I, II, III

12

**Math 327Q Differential Equations

4

Engr 104 Computer Programming for Scientists and Engineers

3

Engr 201 Electric Networks I

4

Engr 202 Electric Networks II*

4

Subtotal Auxiliary Requirements

35

*Can substitute Phys 301.

 

Recommended Additional Math - Choose one:

 

**Math 311Q Matrices and Linear Algebra

 

**Math 320Q Numerical Analysis

 

**Math 401Q Probability and Statistics

 

Other math courses numbered 300 or 400 as recommended by a physics advisor.

 

Major Totals

73

Free Electives (variable)

 

TOTAL REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION

120

Note to transfer and former students: If you have taken any of your major requirements and received a different number of credits than listed above, you may need to complete additional major credit requirements.

Engineering Physics Option:

 

General Education

 

Comp 150

4

Library 150

1

PE/Wellness (ES100 plus 1 skills, 1 activity)

3

Thematic Studies I:  

 

Technology – Phys 217Tx

(counted below)

Natural Environment - Chem 150Nx

(counted below)

Culture, Systems (one course each)

6-8

Thematic Studies II: (1 course in each of 4 knowledge areas; prerequisites

12-16

Engr 397 - Tier II writing course

(counted below)

note: Some Gen. Ed. courses double count and are listed below

26-32

 

 

Specific Departmental Requirements in Physics:

 

Phys 217Tx Physics for Science and Engineering I

5

Phys 218 Physics for Science and Engineering II

5

Phys 320 Modern Physics

3

Phys 361 Principles of Electricity and Magnetism

4

Phys 380 Advanced Physics Lab I

1

Phys 381 Advanced Physics Lab II

1

Phys 420 Quantum Mechanics I

3

 

22

 

 

Specific Departmental Requirements in Engineering

 

Engr 103 Computer Aided Drafting

3

Engr 104B Computer Programming for Scientists and Engineers

3

Engr 105 Engineering Principles and Design

3

 Engr 201 Electric Networks I

4

Engr 217 Statics

3

Engr 221 Dynamics

3

Engr 270 Thermodynamics

3

Engr 317 Mechanics of Materials

3

Engr 397 Technical Writing and Engineering Projects

3

Engr 405 Engineering Design and Practice

3

Engr 496 Senior Seminar - Design1

2

Engineering Electives: courses selected from the list below

14

 

47

 

 

Auxiliary Requirements:

 

Chem 150  Fundamentals of Chemistry

4

Math 221Q, 222Q, 223Q Calculus I, II, III

12

Math 327 Differential Equations

4

 

20

 

 

General Electives

Variable

 

 

Total Requirements for Graduation

128 credits

 

 

List of Engineering Elective Courses (choose 14 credits)

 

Engr 202 Networks II

4

Engr 205 Surveying I

4

Engr 238 Digital Logic Design 

4

Engr 305 Surveying II

4

Engr 321 Fluid Mechanics

3

Engr 454 Special Topics in Engineering

3

Phys 301 Introduction to Electronics

4

Phys 340 Optics

3

Note to transfer and former students: If you have taken any of your major requirements and received a different number of credits than listed above, you may need to complete additional major credit requirements.

1Senior Seminar students are required to take the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam in preparation for professional practice. 

Physical Science For Secondary Teachers Option:

 

Thematic Studies Level I

 

Geol 113 Tx Physical Geology

4

Bio 112 N Introduction to Org/Ev Bio

4

Ed 200 R Education in America

4

Ed 210 S Childhood and Youth

4

General Education Totals

35-46

** Courses marked with double asterisks may also be counted toward TS 1 requirements.

Specific Departmental Requirements:

 

Phys 217Tx Physics for Science and Engineering I

5

Phys 218 Physics for Science and Engineering II

5

Phys 320 Modern Physics

3

Phys 340 Optics

4

Phys 380 Advanced Physics Lab I

1

Phys 381 Advanced Physics Lab II

1

Phys 397W Writing in Physics

3

Phys 496 Senior Seminar

2

PhSc 206Tx Astronomy

4

PhSc 405 Cosmic Time Place

3

Subtotal Specific Departmental Requirements

31

Auxiliary Requirements:

 

**Math 221Q Calculus I

4

**Math 222Q Calculus II

4

Chem 150 Fundamentals of Chemistry I

4

Chem 150Tx Fundamentals of Chemistry II

4

Technical Electives:

 

Chosen from Physics, Chemistry, or Geology at the 300- or 400-level, or from Biology at the 200-,300-, or 400-level

8

Ed 421 Individualized Instruction in a Pluralistic Society

6

Ed 424 Language and Math Literacy

4

Ed 495 Student Teaching

15

Subtotal Auxiliary Requirements

53

Major Total

84

(See Teacher Education section of catalog for Teacher Licensing requirements).

 

Free Electives (variable)

 

TOTAL REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION

120

Note to transfer and former students: If you have taken any of your major requirements and received a different number of credits than listed above, you may need to complete additional major credit requirements.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN PHYSICS:

 

**Phys 217Tx, 218 (with departmental approval Phys 201, 202)

10

Phys 320 Modern Physics

3

Phys 380 or 381 Advanced Physics Lab I or II

1

Two additional physics courses from the following:

 

Phys 301, 340, 354, 361, 370, 420, 421

6-7

Total

20-21

 

      Questions and Answers

What can the Physics Department at Fort Lewis College offer me?

 

The Department of Physics can help you with thorough and individualized instruction in theoretical and experimental physics to prepare you for graduate school in physics, biophysics, geophysics, chemical physics, engineering and related fields.  In addition, we can assist in preparing you for career opportunities in numerous fields including computer science, computer engineering, communications technology, aerospace, microelectronics, alternate energy technologies, materials science, optical communications and computing, environmental physics and more.  The department also offers special options in Engineering, Physics, and an option for those students interested in teaching physics at the secondary level.

 Tell me about your faculty.

 The faculty in the Department of Physics are dedicated to bringing a solid undergraduate education in physics to every student in each class and laboratory.  All classes and labs are taught by faculty members with Ph.D. degrees, not by inexperienced graduate students or teaching assistants, as is common at most large research-oriented universities.  The faculty prides itself on being available one-on-one to students outside the regular class setting for advising, assisting with class work and directing independent study projects.

 What opportunities exist for research or internship experiences?

The department is committed to hands-on undergraduate research.  Each physics major is expected to complete a senior research or design project.  Research interests among the faculty include optics, nonlinear physical systems, physics of sound and music, nuclear physics, astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology, general relativity, fluid dynamics, materials and surface science, laser spectroscopy and environmental science.  In addition, many opportunities exist for summer research projects and internships through the department’s contacts with government and university laboratories as well as with local or regional companies.  The department also has special funding available for research through the Colorado Space Grant Consortium and the COAMP program.  Many students who complete summer research projects or internships publish their work in scientific journals.  In recent years, students from the physics department have published papers in the Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology, as well as the Journal of Undergraduate Research in Physics.

 What type of person is a physics major?

Students who major in physics generally like mathematics, especially applied mathematics, enjoy mastering mental puzzles and intellectual challenges and are interested in knowing how and why the natural world looks and operates the way it does.

 Can I get a job with a physics degree from Fort Lewis College?

There is a multitude of opportunities in the engineering and high technology marketplace for those not interested in pursuing graduate studies.  The job market in technical fields has expanded so rapidly that employers are hard pressed to find enough qualified applicants.  With a bachelor’s degree in physics from Fort Lewis, you will be qualified to participate in or oversee research and development of new technologies in areas such as computer science, computer engineering, communications technology, aerospace, microelectronics, alternate energy technologies, materials science, optical communications and computing, environmental physics and more.

 What types of positions do graduates find with a physics degree?

Former Fort Lewis physics students are currently working for small and large companies in the fields of aerospace, optical and electro-optical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, solar energy/photovoltaic technology, computer science, health and radiation physics, ultrafast optical communications, astrophysics, medical physics, scanning microscopy, microelectronics and marketing.  Companies employing Fort Lewis physics graduates include Ball Aerospace, Raytheon Systems, Honeywell and Rockwell.  Other graduates are pursuing careers as officers in the United States armed forces and math teachers in secondary schools.  Still others are involved in the fields of physics and physical science.

 Can I get into graduate school with a physics degree from Fort Lewis?

All of the graduates of the physics program at Fort Lewis College who have desired to attend graduate school have been accepted and given full support for their graduate studies through teaching assistantships, research assistantships or fellowships.  Alumni who have pursued graduate school have been very successful in their pursuits of master’s and doctoral degrees.  Some have received degrees in fields other than physics, including astrophysics, geophysics, meteorology, mechanical engineering and mathematics.  Graduate schools attended by Fort Lewis graduates include Colorado State University, University of Texas, Colorado University-Boulder, University of Oregon, Oregon State University, University of Kansas, Montana State University, University of New Mexico, among others.