Physics Major and Minor Requirements

Requirements for a Major in Physics

The requirements listed below reflect Mount Union’s new curriculum for the 2012-2013 Academic Year.  For information regarding major or minor requirements for current students, please refer to the University Catalogue of your entering year.

Required Physics Courses

• General Physics I
• General Physics II
• Modern Physics
• Advanced Lab I
• Seminar I
• Analytical Mechanics
• Advanced Lab II
• Seminar II
• Research or Senior Thesis I and II

Any One from the Following Classical Physics Courses

• Electromagnetic Theory
• Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics

Any One from the Following Modern Physics Courses

• Atomic, Nuclear and Particle Physics
• Astrophysics
• Quantum Mechanics

One additional physics course 

Required Extra-Departmental Courses

• Concepts in Chemistry
• Calculus I
• Calculus II
• Calculus III
• Linear Algebra and Differential Equations

Requirements for the Concentration in Astronomy

The concentration in astronomy will be available to students majoring in physics. In addition to or as part of the previously listed major requirements, a student wishing to obtain this concentration will need to take the following:

Required Courses

• Astronomy
• Observational Astronomy
• Astrophysics

Recommended Courses

• Introduction to Planetary Science
• Introduction to Cosmology 

Requirements for a Minor in Physics

• General Physics I
• General Physics II
• 8 additional credit Hours of PHY coursework

(PHY 110, PHY 120, PHY 200, PHY 201, PHY 220 and PHY 322 will not count toward the minor in physics.)

Requirements for a Minor in Astronomy

 Any Four from the Following

• Astronomy
• Introduction to Planetary Science
• Introduction to Cosmology
• Observational Astronomy
• Analytical Mechanics
• Astrophysics