Program

A Guide

• Physics Major

  The requirements for the bachelor’s degree in physics consist of 11 courses in physics, two courses in mathematics, and two in other sciences. The physics classes can be broken into three groups, Introductory, Intermediate, and Advanced, with a “bridge” course between the introductory and intermediate courses. It is highly recommended that students also take Physics 100: First Year Physics Seminar in their first term.

  Introductory Courses

  There are four courses in the introductory physics sequence:

  • Physics 120: Matter in Motion
  • Physics 121: Principles of Electromagnetics
  • Physics 170: Thermal Physics
  • Physics 171: Modern Physics: Particles and Waves

  Physics 120, 121, 170, and 171 provide a calculus-based introduction to the major areas of classical and modern physics. All four courses include a laboratory component, with labs in physics 120 and 121 focusing on fundamentals of laboratory techniques, labs in physics 170 focusing on writing up and presenting experimental results, and labs in physics 171 focusing on data analysis and on repeating experiments for improved accuracy and precision.

  Physics 120 and 121 can each fulfill either the “Natural and Physical Science” (NPS) or the “Data and Quantitative Reasoning” (DQR) area of inquiry requirements in the General Education curriculum. Physics 170 fulfills a “writing across the curriculum” (WAC) requirement.

  Bridge Course

  • Physics 199: Mathematical Methods: Thinking Like a Physicist

  Physics 199 develops mathematical tools common in physics while also reviewing key concepts from the four introductory classes, and serves as a “bridge” between the introductory and intermediate courses. It includes a lab which provides an introduction to computational methods in physics.

  Intermediate Courses

  There are three courses in the intermediate sequence:

  • Physics 220: Quantum Mechanics
  • Physics 230: Intermediate Classical Mechanics
  • Physics 270: Intermediate Electromagnetism

  These classes re-visit some of the material of Physics 120, 121, and 171, introducing new and more powerful formulations of the concepts and studying more challenging applications and problems, both of which rely on more sophisticated mathematics and computational tools introduced in Physics 199. At the end of this course sequence, students will be prepared to understand the essential elements of current physics research, and to participate in ongoing research projects with faculty members.

  Advanced Courses

  Two advanced courses are required of physics majors:

  • Physics 300: Methods of Modern Experimental Physics

  This is an entirely lab-based course, introducing students to some of the essential techniques used in contemporary physics research. Students in Physics 300 will work directly with some of the most sophisticated equipment in the department, including the 1 MV Pelletron particle accelerator, and the solid-state, gas, and dye lasers in the Optics Lab. This course fulfills the “writing across the curriculum with research” (WAC-R) requirement.

  • Physics 310/311/350: Advanced topics in physics

  These courses are designed to give students a solid grounding in a specific area of physics, including introductions to current “hot topics” in contemporary research. Fields covered in physics 310 (offered in the fall) or 311 (offered in the winter) include but are not limited to: solid state physics, nuclear and particle physics, statistical mechanics, computational physics, modern physical optics, and quantum optics. We typically offer two different 310/311 courses each year. Physics 350 is a course in advanced quantum mechanics, and is typically offered every other year.

  Students are required to take one Physics 310/311/350 class for the physics major. Students who may be interested in pursuing graduate study in physics or astronomy are encouraged to take as many of these electives as possible.

  Senior Writing Requirement

  • Physics 490/491 or Physics 493: Senior Thesis or Writing Project

  Most physics students choose to fulfill their senior writing experience (WS) requirement by completing either Physics 490/491 (a two-term thesis) or Physics 493 (a one term senior writing project). The very best education a young scientist can receive takes place not in the classroom, but in the opportunity for independent study. These courses give students the opportunity to work directly in some of the most exciting areas in contemporary physics research. These research projects represent the culmination of a career as a physics student, and many of our students have presented their research results at national or international conferences, and in publications co-written with faculty members. Completion of Physics 490/491 is required for a degree with honors in physics. Students considering graduate study in physics or astronomy are encouraged to do additional research projects, including during the summer.

  Students may also elect to fulfill their senior writing requirement by completing a thesis in another department (if they are double majors or ID majors), or or through an additional writing component added to an upper-level course (with permission of the instructor and the Department).

  • Physics 010: Physics and Astronomy Seminar

  This is a zero-credit course that students are required to take during their senior year, ideally as a companion-course to completing their senior writing requirement. This course focuses on practical topics such as constructing a resume/CV, and applying for jobs and graduate programs.

  Cognate Courses

  Physics students are required to complete the mathematics department’s calculus sequence, including multi-variable differential and integral calculus. This includes:

  • Math 115: differential multi-variable calculus
  • Math 117: integral multi-variable calculus

  Physics students are also required to complete two additional elective courses in any science, engineering, or computer science courses numbered 100 or above; at least one of which must be taken outside of the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

  Additional Physics Courses

  In addition to the required courses listed above, the Department of Physics and Astronomy offers a number of other elective courses that may be attractive to students interested in studying physics:

  • Physics 100: First-Year Seminar

  This is a team-taught course aimed at introducing entering students to the range of activities in the department. Five faculty members each spend two weeks presenting a series of lectures on a topic related to their own research. Possible topics include (but are not limited to): the physics of lasers, laser cooling, quantum information and quantum computation, nuclear and particle physics, black holes, and dark matter. Students in Physics 100 may also get the opportunity to use Union’s particle accelerator and observatory as part of the class.

  • IMP 120 and 121: Integrated Math and Physics

  This provides an alternative to the standard physics and math introductory courses. It covers the same content as Physics 120 and 121, and Math 115 and 117. It is team-taught by faculty members from Physics and Mathematics, integrating the two subject areas together, so that new mathematical tools and concepts are introduced just as they are needed to understand new areas of physics. The course is designed for science and engineering majors, and is open to students based on their performance on the mathematics placement test.

  • Physics 200: Molecular Biophysics

  Selected topics in molecular biophysics including an overview of proteins, nucleic acids, viruses and bacteria, with an emphasis on molecular structure and functioning. Experimental techniques used in modern biophysical research included in the course are various optical spectroscopies and microscopies, as well as hydrodynamic methods (sedimentation, diffusion, viscosity, electrophoresis), NMR, and x-ray diffraction.
  

  • Physics 210: The Physics of Modern Medicine

  Applications in Imaging, Surgery and Therapy introduces the technologies used in modern medicine and the basic physical principles that underlie them. The class is well suited for pre-meds and other interested students majoring in Chemistry or Biochemistry.

  • ESC 224: Frontiers of Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials

  This is a part of Union’s Converging Technologies initiative, introducing students to the latest developments in the science of the very small. The class is an interdisciplinary team-taught class, looking at subjects in nanotechnology from many different perspectives, including physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering.

  • Physics 290/291/292: Physics Practicum

  This is available to interested students who want to gain research experience in physics. The student should propose a plan for the three terms required to obtain course credit, in consultation with the faculty member. Expectations include a minimum of four hours per week of work, in addition to other requirements to be determined by individual research advisors.

  Interested students are also encouraged to select elective courses from the courses making up the Astronomy major.

• Astronomy Major

  The Department offers a bachelor of arts degree in Astronomy as well as minors in Astronomy and in Astrophysics. The astronomy major is appropriate for students interested in careers such as teacher of earth science, planetarium director, science museum educator, science writing, and historian of science. Physics courses are described in the Guide to the Physics Major; those that are unique to Astronomy and Astrophysics are listed below. Sample Schedules for Astronomy Majors and Physics Majors with Astrophysics Minors provides some example schedules for students. It is highly recommended that students also take Physics 100: First Year Physics Seminar in their first term.

  Introductory Courses

  • Astronomy 50: The Solar System
  • Astronomy 51: Introduction to Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Astronomy 52: Relativity, Black Holes, and Quasars
  • Astronomy 58: Astrobiology (cross-listed with Biology 58)

  Courses numbered in the 50s provide an introduction without calculus to assorted topics in astronomy and astrophysics at a level accessible to non-science majors. Astronomy 50 and 51 include labs.

  Intermediate and Advanced Courses

  • Astronomy 100: Introduction to Astrophysics
  • Astronomy 200: Stars
  • Astronomy 210: Galaxies
  • Astronomy 220: Cosmology
  • Astronomy 230: Observational Astronomy
  • Astronomy 240: Radio Astronomy
  • Astronomy 250: Introduction to Planetary Sciences

  Astronomy 100, 200, 210, 220, and 250 provide discussion of upper level astrophysics at a level suitable for all science and engineering majors. Astronomy 230 and 240 are observation-based courses in which students use the Union College 20-inch telescope (Astronomy 230) and the 2-meter radio telescope (Astronomy 240) and learn how to process and analyze professional-level astronomical data.

  In addition Astronomy 290/291/292: Astronomy Practicum is available to interested students to obtain experience relevant to astronomy careers. The student should propose a plan for the three terms required to obtain course credit, in consultation with the faculty member. Expectations include a minimum of four hours per week of work, in addition to other requirements to be determined by individual research advisors.

  Student Research

  The Astronomy major also requires the completion of a senior thesis project. All astronomy/astrophysics students are encouraged to participate in summer research. Astronomy students gain the experience of professional level astronomical research. A number have traveled to national facilities such as Arecibo Observatory, Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory, Green Bank Observatory, and Kitt Peak National Observatory. Several have presented at meetings of the American Astronomical Society.

  Major Requirements

  The requirements for the Astronomy major consist of:

  • Two introductory physics courses: Physics 110 & 111 OR Physics 120 & 121
  • Physics 170 & 171 OR two introductory Biology, Chemistry, or Geology courses: Biology 110 and 112 OR Chemistry 101 and 102 OR Geology 110 and 120
  • At least one observation-based astronomy course: Astronomy 230 or 240
  • One introductory course in astronomy: Astronomy 51 or Astronomy 100
  • One introductory course in planetary science: Astronomy 50 or Astronomy 250 or Geology 303
  • Any three courses among:
    • Astronomy 52
    • Astronomy 58 (cross-listed with Biology 58)
    • Astronomy 200
    • Astronomy 210
    • Astronomy 220
    • Astronomy 230 or 240
    • Astronomy 250
    • Geology 303
    • Astronomy 290/291/292 (Practicum)
    • Physics 230
  • A senior research course (Physics 493) culminating in a written senior thesis;
  • One course in mathematics (Math 113), and
  • One science course outside the department (if above requirements were satisfied in Physics and Astronomy Department)

  The requirements for the Astrophysics minor are:

  Six courses selected from the following:

  • Astronomy 100
  • Astronomy 200,
  • Astronomy 210,
  • Astronomy 220,
  • Astronomy 230,
  • Astronomy 240,
  • Astronomy 250 or Geology 303,

  The requirements for the Astronomy minor are:

  • Introductory physics courses: Physics 110 & 111 OR Physics 120 & 121
  • One introductory course in astronomy: Astronomy 51 or Astronomy 100
  • One introductory course in planetary science: Astronomy 50 or 250
  • Any two courses among:
    • Astronomy 52
    • Astronomy 58 (cross-listed with Biology 58)
    • Astronomy 200
    • Astronomy 210
    • Astronomy 220
    • Astronomy 230 or 240 (whichever was not used in requirement #3)
    • Astronomy 290/291/292 (Practicum)
    • Physics 170
    • Physics 171
    • Physics 495
• Non-Major Courses

  In addition to the courses satisfying the requirements for a major in Physics or Astronomy, the Department offers a wide variety of courses aimed at students majoring in other fields.

  Courses for Science and Engineering Majors

  We offer a two-course sequence of Physics for Life Sciences:

  • Physics 110: Classical and Modern Physics for the Life Sciences I
  • Physics 111: Classical and Modern Physics for the Life Sciences II

  These classes provide an algebra-based introduction to the full range of physics topics from classical mechanics to modern nuclear physics, with an emphasis on their applications in biology and medicine. These classes are generally offered at least twice a year, and include a three-hour lab once a week.

  Physics 210: The Physics of Modern Medicine: Applications in Imaging, Surgery and Therapy introduces the technologies used in modern medicine and the basic physical principles that underlie them.

  ESC 224: Frontiers of Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials is a part of Union’s Converging Technologies initiative, introducing students to the latest developments in the science of the very small. The class is an interdisciplinary team-taught class, looking at subjects in nanotechnology from many different perspectives, including physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering.

  Courses for Non-Science Majors

  Astronomy 50: The Solar System provides an introductory but detailed discussion of the solar system with special emphasis on the application of physics and the measurement of fundamental properties. Includes laboratory and fulfills the “Natural and Physical Science” (NPS) General Education Curriculum requirement.

  Astronomy 51: Introduction to Astronomy reviews current knowledge regarding stars, galaxies, and the Universe, including methods of measurement and the applications of physics to astronomy. Includes laboratory and fulfills the “Natural and Physical Science” (NPS) General Education Curriculum requirement.

  Astronomy 52: Relativity, Black Holes, and Quasars is a descriptive introduction to Einstein’s theories of Special and General Relativity, with applications to the astrophysical phenomena of black holes and quasars.

  Astronomy 58: Astrobiology examines the current state of our scientific knowledge concerning the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe using an interdisciplinary approach rooted in biology and astronomy. Crosslisted with Biology 058. Fulfills the General Education Curriculum “Data and Quantitative Reasoning” (DQR) requirement.

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