Physics Major
Major Requirements
The major in physics can be structured to meet the individual needs of students planning graduate study in physics or engineering, as well as those considering careers in business, teaching, government, law, or medicine. To learn physics effectively, it is important that courses be taken in the recommended order and, if at all possible, with the recommended background. Nevertheless, prerequisites and corequisites can be waived in appropriate circumstances, especially in cases of incoming students with strong backgrounds.
Students considering graduate study in physics or engineering should take PHYS 409 Quantum Theory and PHYS 422 Electromagnetic Theory as well as other courses numbered 300 or higher.
The following courses normally are offered every other year: PHYS 341 Condensed Matter. Students should consult the online schedule to determine when these courses are offered.
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| Core | |
| PHYS 211 | Newtonian Mechanics |
| PHYS 222 | Electricity and Magnetism |
| PHYS 231 | Laboratory Physics/Lab |
| PHYS 301 | Mathematical Methods of Physics |
| PHYS 308 | Introductory Quantum Mechanics |
| PHYS 361 | Thermal Physics |
| PHYS S31 | Spacetime, Waves, and Photons |
| Advanced Selectives | |
| Complete at least one course from the following: | |
| Quantum Theory | |
| Electromagnetic Theory | |
| Additional Courses | |
| Complete at least one course from the following: | |
| Introductory Physics of Living Systems I/Lab | |
| Introductory Physics of Living Systems II/Lab | |
| Energy, Matter, and Motion | |
| Complete at least one Physics and Astronomy 200-level or above course 1 | |
| Senior Thesis 2 | |
| Complete at least one course from the following: | |
| Senior Thesis | |
| Senior Thesis | |
- 1
PHYS 107 Introductory Physics of Living Systems I/Lab, PHYS 108 Introductory Physics of Living Systems II/Lab, and PHYS 109 Energy, Matter, and Motion are eligible for major credit only if taken prior to PHYS S31 Spacetime, Waves, and Photons or a 200-level physics course.
- 2
Only one semester of senior thesis may count toward the minimum ten-course requirement.
Courses Taken Outside of Bates
Contact the department for information.
Pass/Fail
Pass/Fail grading may not be elected for courses applied toward the major.
Restricted Declarations
Students who have declared the Physics major may not declare the following:
- Physics minor
- Color: Sight and Perception (C036) GEC
- Physics of the Large and Small (C056) GEC
Other Considerations
A student interested in using physics as a basis for an engineering career should inquire about the Bates dual-degree plans with Dartmouth, Rensselaer, Columbia, Washington University in St. Louis, or Case Western Reserve (consult the website, bates.edu/physics-astronomy/academics/engineering). By careful planning at registration time, similar combination curricula may sometimes be designed with other engineering institutions. Students participating in a dual-degree program declare a major in engineering.