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Undergraduate Program Description
The Department of Physics offers a rich and comprehensive program of study leading to the B.S. degree in Physics. This program is designed to prepare students not only for advanced graduate studies in physics, but also for employment upon graduation in physics and other disciplines related to science and technology. Basic courses give the student a solid foundation in the concepts of classical and modern physics, and assist the students in developing their analytical reasoning and problem-solving skills. Laboratory courses complement this experience with an opportunity to develop experimental skills and a working knowledge of advanced technology. Students are strongly encouraged to further develop all these skills by participating in advanced experimental, analytical, or computational research under the supervision of faculty mentors.
Boston College has adopted a credit-based requirement system with the admission of the class of 2014.
Major Requirements Beginning with the Class of 2014 and Beyond
The minimum requirements for the B.S. degree with a major in Physics include 45 credits in Physics, as described below, and additional corequisites in Mathematics and other sciences.
Physics requirements:
- PH 209 Introductory Physics I (Fall: 4 credits)
- PH 210 Introductory Physics II (Spring: 4 credits)
- PH 203 Introductory Physics Lab I (Fall: 1 credit)
- PH 204 Introductory Physics Lab II (Spring: 1 credit)
- PH 301 Vibrations and Waves (Fall: 4 credits)
- PH 303 Modern Physics (Spring: 4 credits)
- PH 401 Mechanics (Fall: 4 credits)
- PH 402 Electricity and Magnetism (Spring: 3 credits)
- PH 407 Quantum Physics I (Fall: 3 credits)
- PH 408 Quantum Physics II (Spring: 3 credits)
- PH 409 Contemporary Electronics Laboratory (Fall: 2 credits)
- PH 420 Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics (Fall: 4 credits)
- At least three credits of an advanced laboratory course*, chosen from:
- PH 430 Numerical Methods and Scientific Computing** (Spring: 4 credits)
- PH 532 Senior Thesis*** (Spring: 3 credits)
- PH 535 Experiments in Physics (Spring: 3 credits)
* A&S Honors Program Thesis or Scholar of the College Thesis when supervised by a Physics faculty member will also meet this requirement.
** Students need a background in computer programming, for example, CS 127 Introduction to Scientific Computation.
*** Students will need prior agreement from a physics faculty supervisor to enroll in this course.
Students should consult with the Undergraduate Program Director regarding current elective offerings.
Corequisites
Students are also required to take the following mathematics courses:
- MT 202 Multivariable Calculus (4 credits)
- MT 305 Advanced Calculus (4 credits)
(Note that students without advanced math placement will need to take introductory calculus courses as well, which are prerequisites for MT 202 and MT 305)
Physics majors are also required to take eight credits of CH 109-110 and associated labs; other science courses, along with their associated labs, may qualify, but require approval by the Department Chair.
Major Requirements for the Class of 2013
The minimum requirements for the B.S. program include 11 lecture courses. Of the 11, two are introductory physics (PH 209-210 or equivalent), and nine are numbered at or above 300.
- Among the nine courses, the following seven are required: PH 301, PH 303, PH 401, PH 402, PH 407, PH 408, PH 420. In addition, a Physics major must choose at least two of the following elective courses: PH 412, PH 425, PH 480, PH 515, PH 525, PH 540, and PH 545. Other electives may be offered. At least two elective courses will be offered each year. Students should consult with the Undergraduate Program Director regarding current elective offerings.
- The required laboratory courses are the following: PH 203-204, PH 409, and
at least one of PH 430, PH 532, or PH 535. Students planning to take PH 430
need to take an introductory computer programming course such as CS 127; students
planning to take PH 532* need approval from their faculty mentor. PH 532 is recommended for students planning graduate work in physics.
* A&S Honors Program Thesis or Scholar of the College Thesis, when supervised by a physics faculty member, will also meet this requirement. - The following mathematics courses are required: MT 102, MT 103, MT 202, and MT 305; students with advanced math placement (MT 105 or above) are encouraged to substitute MT 210 and MT 410 for MT 305.
- The final requirement is two approved courses in a science other than physics (along with the associated laboratory), normally CH 109-110.
Minor Requirements Beginning with the Class of 2014
The minimum requirements for a Minor in Physics include 24 credits in Physics and eight corequisite credits, as described below:
- PH 209 Introductory Physics I (Fall: 4 credits)
- PH 210 Introductory Physics II (Spring: 4 credits)
- PH 203 Introductory Physics Lab I (Fall: 1 credit)
- PH 204 Introductory Physics Lab II (Spring: 1 credit)
- PH 301 Vibrations and Waves (Fall: 4 credits)
- PH 303 Modern Physics (Spring: 4 credits)
Also required are six credits in courses at or above the 400 level. Students should discuss course selection with the Undergraduate Program Director.
Corequisites*- MT 102 Calculus I (4 credits) and MT 103 Calculus II (4 credits) or
- MT 105 Calculus II-AP (4 credits) are required
* Students who have been placed by the Mathematics Department at a level above MT 105 will have satisfied this corequisite.
MT 202 (4 credits) and MT 305 (4 credits) are required as prerequisites for some of the upper-level physics courses.
Minor Requirements for the Class of 2013
The minimum requirements for a minor in Physics include the following courses:
- The following introductory courses: PH 209, PH 210 and accompanying labs PH 203 and PH 204; two semesters of Calculus (MT 102 and MT 103) is a corequisite.
- The following intermediate level courses: PH 301 and PH 303.
- Two upper-level courses (PH 400 and above) or three credits or more each.
Many of these courses have prerequisites. Students are advised to consult with the Undergraduate Program Director when selecting these courses.
- Substitutions: PH 211 and PH 212 may be substituted for PH 209 and PH 210, respectively, but the latter are preferred. Students must consult with the Undergraduate Program Director if they wish to substitute other equivalent courses for required courses or the corequisites.
- Corequisites: MT 102 and MT 103 or MT 105 are required. MT 202 and MT 305 are typically required as prerequisites for the upper-level physics courses. Students should consult with the Undergraduate Program Director to determine whether they will need to take these additional mathematics courses.
Departmental Honors Program
A Physics major with a satisfactory scholastic average (3.3 or higher) may apply for entry into the Departmental Honors Program. Application must be made to the Undergraduate Affairs Committee no earlier than the beginning of the junior year and no later than the first quarter of the senior year. Each applicant must solicit a faculty advisor to supervise the proposed research project. Honors will be granted upon (1) satisfactory completion of a thesis based on the research project and (2) demonstration through an oral examination of a broad comprehension of physics generally and the special field of the thesis. The examining committee shall be appointed by the Chairperson and will consist of a 2-member faculty Honors Committee, and one additional examiner from the Physics faculty or graduate student body.
Advanced undergraduate Physics majors may, with the approval of the Chairperson, enroll in first-year graduate courses, such as PH 711, 732, or 741.
Information for First Year Majors and Non-Majors
Physical science, computer science, and mathematics majors planning on physics in the freshman year should enroll in PH 209 and the associated lab PH 203. Biology majors and premedical students should enroll in PH 211 and the associated lab PH 203. The mathematics course specially designed for Physics majors, as well as Mathematics, Chemistry, Geology, and Geophysics majors, is MT 102. MT 100 is intended for Biology and Premedical students.
Information for Study Abroad
Before undertaking study abroad, it is strongly recommended that the Physics major complete PH 209, PH 210 (or PH 211, 212) with labs, PH 301, PH 303 (also with labs), and the corequisite math courses MT 102, MT 103, MT 202, and MT 305. The Department typically allows a maximum of four courses taken abroad to count for major credit. Of these four courses, two should be major requirements, plus two Physics electives. The department recommends any program with a solid teaching and research program in physics.
Students who are interested in studying abroad are strongly encouraged to do so during the spring semester of their junior year. While planning their study abroad program, Physics majors should meet with the Undergraduate Program Director. Students should inquire early at the Office of International Programs, and with possible host institutions, to arrange for a course of study appropriate for physics majors.
Course Offerings
Courses numbered below 200 are introductory courses directed primarily towards non-science majors. These courses have no prerequisites and need no mathematics beyond ordinary college entrance requirements. The courses that satisfy the Science Core requirement are noted in the individual course descriptions. PH 209-210 Introductory Physics I, II (Calculus) or PH 211-212 Introduction to Physics I, II (Calculus) and PH 203-204 Introductory Physics Laboratory I and II are required of all Chemistry and Physics majors; Biology majors should consult the Biology Department regarding Physics requirements. Courses numbered above 300 are advanced offerings primarily for Physics majors.