The Physics Major | Degree Requirements | Course Descriptions
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Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Science in Physics
Bachelor of Arts in Physics

The Physics Major will:

1. acquaint the student with certain precepts of the physical world ranging from the microcosm to the macrocosm and to show the way in which phenomena so widely separated can be tied together by a very few basic concepts.
2. acquaint the student with the methodology of science showing both its inductive and deductive nature and to show the range of applicability of this method.
3. acquaint the student with the effectiveness of the methods of precise measurement and mathematical analysis in a field in which such methods are preeminently successful.
4. enable the student to see science in its proper perspective relative to all endeavors of humankind.
5. prepare the student adequately in the basic areas of Physics or Engineering for any position demanding a baccalaureate degree with a major in these fields.
6. develop the enthusiasm and the requisite techniques demanded for the continued study of Physics or Engineering on the graduate level.

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Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Science

In addition to the Liberal Arts Core with the exception that one rather than two Social Science courses are selected, the requirements for the major in Physics leading to the Bachelor of Science Degree are:

40 credit hours in Physics including:

• PY201-2 General Physics I & II
• PY201L-2L General Physics I Lab & II Lab
• PY221L Mathematical Physics
• PY301 Modern Physics I
• PY301L Modern Physics I Lab
• PY312 Applied Mechanics
• PY312L Applied Mechanics Lab
• PY322 Electricity and Magnetism
• PY322L Electricity and Magnetism Lab
• PY333 Modern Physics II
• PY412 Statistical Thermodynamics
• PY471 Intermediate Mechanics
• PY472 Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism
• PY499 Senior Research in Physics

Note: Three additional Physics elective courses are strongly recommended, especially for persons intending to continue study at the graduate level.

Also required are:

• CH103-4 General Chemistry I & II
• CH103L-4L General Chemistry I Lab & II Lab
• MA151-2 Calculus I & II
• MA211-2 Calculus III and Differential Equations
• MA201 Linear Algebra

Bachelor of Arts

In addition to the Liberal Arts Core, requirements for the major in Physics leading to the Bachelor of Arts Degree are:

31 credit hours in Physics including:

• PY201-2 General Physics I & II
• PY201L-2L General Physics I Lab & II Lab
• PY301 Modern Physics I
• PY301L Modern Physics I Lab
• PY312 Applied Mechanics
• PY312L Applied Mechanics Lab
• PY322 Electricity and Magnetism
• PY322L Electricity and Magnetism Lab
• variable three physics electives
• PY333 Modern Physics II
• PY412 Statistical Thermodynamics
• PY471 Intermediate Mechanics
• PY472 Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism
• PY499 Senior Research in Physics

Also required are:

• CH103-4 General Chemistry I & II
• CH103L-4L General Chemistry I Lab & II Lab
• MA151-2 Calculus I & II
• MA211-2 Calculus III and Differential Equations
• MA201 Linear Algebra

The options in this program are suitable for students preparing to teach high school Physics or preparing for various positions in industry.

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Course Descriptions

PY101 Astronomy
General survey of the science of Astronomy. The student is introduced to the study of the universe at all levels, starting with the earth and destiny of the known physical universe. Cosmology receives special emphasis and a brief treatment of the relevant theological issues is included. Laboratory required. Each semester.

PY201 General Physics I
Basic physics for students of science, mathematics and for those preparing for engineering, medicine, or subsequent course work in Physics. This course will cover Newtonian mechanics, mechanical waves, and thermodynamics.
Laboratory required.
Prerequisite: MA151 or concurrent enrollment

PY201L General Physics I Lab
Laboratory explorations of the topics covered in PY201. Emphasis on experimental methodology and reporting.
Corequisite: PY201

PY202 General Physics II
Basic physics for students of science, mathematics and for those preparing for engineering, medicine, or subsequent course work in Physics. This course will cover electricity and magnetism, optical phenomena, and an introduction to topics in modern (post-l900) physics. Laboratory required.
Prerequisite: MA152 or concurrent enrollment, PY201

PY202L General Physics II Lab
Laboratory explorations of the topics covered in PY202. Emphasis on experimental methodology and reporting.
Corequisite: PY202

PY301 Modern Physics I
An introduction to the physics of the twentieth century. Analysis is made of the crisis that developed in classical physics and gave rise to the revolutionary changes in the early twentieth century. Relativity and quantum theory are developed with applications to atomic systems. Laboratory required.
Prerequisites: PY202, MA212 or concurrent enrollment

PY301L Modern Physics I Lab
Laboratory explorations of the topics covered in PY301. Emphasis on experimental methodology and reporting.

PY312 Applied Mechanics
Application of the principles of statics and dynamics begun in General Physics. Newton's Laws are applied in a wide variety of contexts. Laboratory required.
Prerequisites: PY202, MA152

PY312L Applied Mechanics Lab
Laboratory explorations of the topics covered in PY312. Emphasis on experimental methodology and reporting.
Corequisite: PY312

PY322 Electricity and Magnetism
Electro- and magnetostatics are developed by the use of vector methods. Circuits analysis employing Kirchhoff's Laws are studied. Gauss' law, Faraday's law of induction, and Ampere's law are all treated in integral and differential forms. Electromagnetic properties of matter are studied. Laboratory required.
Prerequisites: PY202, MA212 or concurrent enrollment

PY322L Electricity and Magnetism Lab
Laboratory explorations of the topics covered in PY322. Emphasis on experimental methodology and reporting.
Corequisite: PY322

PY325 Introduction to Research
Introduction to research techniques by working on small projects, such as vacuum techniques, computer interfacing, and optics. The student will also have the opportunity to get involved in one of the departmental research projects.

PY333 Modern Physics II
Applications to introductory quantum mechanics are made to molecular binding, properties of solids, and nuclear physics. Laboratory required. Offered in alternate years.
Prerequisites: PY301, MA212

PY412 Statistical Thermodynamics
The study and applications of the laws of thermodynamics are studied and applications are made. The major portion of the course is devoted to kinetic theory of gases and statistical mechanics.
Laboratory required. Offered in alternate years.
Prerequisites: PY301 or CH402, MA212

PY471 Intermediate Mechanics
Lagrange's and Hamilton's equations are derived in order to treat dynamical systems more generally. Those aspects of classical mechanics which are prerequisites of quantum mechanics receive special emphasis. Laboratory required. Offered in alternate years.
Prerequisites: PY312, MA212

PY472 Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism
Maxwell's equations are derived and applications made. Boundary-value problems are solved. Electromagnetic waves are studied with applications to the laws of optics. Offered in alternate years.
Prerequisites: PY312, PY322, and MA212

PY499 Research in Physics
Participation in a research project related to faculty research interest. Introduction to current literature and research in experimental physics. A written report and oral summary before two or more faculty members is required.
Prerequisites: Six courses in Physics and permission of instructor

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Physics Department
Eastern Nazarene College | 23 East Elm Avenue
Quincy, Massachusetts 02170 
Phone: 617-745-5808 | Email: Physics Department Head