Nov 23, 2024  
2006-2007 
    
2006-2007 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Physics


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Academic Departments and Concentrations

Professors: Boye, Cain (Chair), Christian
Associate Professors: Belloni, Gfroerer, Yukich

Core Requirements


Any course in physics numbered 103 or above may be counted toward the fulfillment of the core requirement in Natural Science and Mathematics. Physics 120, 220, 130, or 230 satisfies the core requirement in laboratory science. AP credit for Physics 118 or 119 does not satisfy the core requirement in laboratory science.

Major Requirements


Physics 120 or 130 is a prerequisite to a major in physics. Only with specific permission of the department chair can Physics 118 satisfy this prerequisite. The major consists of ten physics courses: 220 or 230, 200, 310, 320, 330, 335, 350, and 360; the mathematics requirement; and one course chosen from courses numbered 400 to 460. If Physics 201 is not taken to fulfill the mathematics requirement, then an additional physics course is required at the 400 level with the approval of the department.

Major Requirements (Engineering Dual Degree (3/2) Track)


Students seeking to complete the dual degree engineering (3/2)  track with a physics major are required to take the following courses in order to receive a B.S. degree in Physics from Davidson: Physics 230, 310, 320, 335; the mathematics requirement; and two courses chosen from 330, 350, and 360.

Mathematics Requirement


Either Physics 201 or both Mathematics 150 and 235 will satisfy the mathematics requirement.

Honors Requirements


In addition to completing the requirements for a major in physics, a candidate for honors in physics must submit a written thesis covering an independent research project. Such a project may be based upon work completed in Physics 495, 496, or in an undergraduate research program on or away from campus that is approved by the department. Applications for honors in physics should be made in writing to the chair of the department no later than the end of the junior year.

The awarding of honors in physics is based on:

  1. An overall average of at least 3.2, with an average of at least 3.5 in physics courses taken at Davidson.
  2. An acceptable score on the Graduate Record Examination in Physics.
  3. An oral presentation of the research in a departmental seminar.
  4. The favorable vote of the physics faculty concerning the qualities of the candidate, the course of study, the written thesis, and the oral defense.

Applied Mathematics Concentration


Students who are interested in applied mathematics are encouraged to consider the Applied Mathematics Concentration. The concentration offers a track for students interested primarily in the natural sciences and another track for students interested primarily in the social sciences. The concentration is described in detail in this catalog under concentrations.

Computer Science Concentration


Students who are interested in computer science are invited to investigate the Computer Science Concentration. This concentration is described in detail in this catalog under concentrations. Physics courses involved in the computer science concentration are Physics 200, 310, and 397. Mathematics courses in the concentration are listed under the Mathematics Department. The student who intends to pursue graduate study in computer science should major in physics or mathematics or take upper-level physics and math courses to augment the Computer Science Concentration. Examples of student computational work can be found at http://webphysics.davidson.edu.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Academic Departments and Concentrations