Physics
Department of Physics
Cornelius Beausang, Chair
Professor Gilfoyle
Associate Professors Beausang, Bunn, Fetea
Assistant Professors Lipan, Trawick
Director of Physics Laboratory Nebel
Manager of Laboratories Wimbush
Dual-Degree (3-2) Engineering Program
Building on the strengths of majors in physics, mathematics, computer science, chemistry, and biology, the School of Arts and Sciences offers students with special career goals the ability to pursue dual degrees in a five-year period. Some opportunities allow a student to earn a Bachelor of Science from Richmond and also a Bachelor of Science from a cooperating engineering school, while others enable a student to complete an undergraduate degree from Richmond and an accelerated master's degree in engineering from a partner institution--all within a five-year period. The department has established partnership agreements through 26 different programs with the following institutions: Columbia University - School of Engineering and Applied Science; George Washington University - School of Engineering and Applied Science; University of Virginia - School of Engineering; Virginia Tech - College of Engineering; Virginia Tech - College of Science, Department of Geological Science. Additional schools of engineering may develop agreements with Richmond. The physics department's pre-engineering advisor can provide information about participating programs and requirements.
The Physics Major
For the Bachelor of Arts degree
14 units, including
PHYS 127 General Physics I or 131 General Physics with Calculus I
One unit, chosen from
- PHYS 128 General Physics II
- PHYS 132 General Physics with Calculus II
- PHYS 133 Atomic and Sub-Atomic Physics
- PHYS 134 Biological Physics
PHYS 205 Introduction to Modern Physics
PHYS 221 Intermediate Laboratory
PHYS 397-398 Junior Seminar
PHYS 497-498 Senior Seminar
Three additional units in PHYS
MATH 212 Calculus II or MATH 232 Scientific Calculus II
Five additional units in courses approved by the department
This degree is offered primarily for students who wish to prepare for interdisciplinary or medical sciences studies, or to earn a cultural degree.
For the Bachelor of Science degree
13.5 units, including
PHYS 127 General Physics I or 131 General Physics with Calculus I
One unit, chosen from
- PHYS 128 General Physics II
- PHYS 132 General Physics with Calculus II
- PHYS 133 Atomic and Sub-Atomic Physics
- PHYS 134 Biological Physics
PHYS 221 Intermediate Laboratory
PHYS 301 Mathematical Methods in Physics
PHYS 303 Classical Mechanics
PHYS 305 Electromagnetism
PHYS 308 Statistical Physics
PHYS 309 Quantum Mechanics I
PHYS 397-398 Junior Seminar
PHYS 497-498 Senior Seminar
½ unit of experimental work in addition to PHYS 221
One unit, chosen from
- CHEM 141 Introductory Chemistry: Structure, Dynamics and Synthesis
- CMSC 150 Introduction to Computing
- CMSC 155 Introduction to Scientific Computing
- MATH 235 Multivariate Calculus
MATH 245 Linear Algebra
Two additional units, chosen from
- PHYS 205 Modern Physics
- PHYS 215 Computational Methods
- PHYS 216 Electronics I
- PHYS 217 Electronics II
- PHYS 306 Electromagnetism
- PHYS 310 Quantum Mechanics II
- PHYS 404 Theoretical Physics
- PHYS 479 Special Topics
Students are expected to fulfill all prerequisites necessary for courses within the major. Prerequisites do not count toward the major unless otherwise noted.
The Interdisciplinary Physics Major for the Bachelor of Science Degree
NOTE: Students cannot major in both physics and interdisciplinary physics.
15 units, including
PHYS 127 General Physics I or 131 General Physics with Calculus I
One unit, chosen from
- PHYS 128 General Physics II
- PHYS 132 General Physics with Calculus II
- PHYS 133 Atomic and Sub-Atomic Physics
- PHYS 134 Biological Physics
PHYS 205 Introduction to Modern Physics
PHYS 221 Intermediate Laboratory
PHYS 301 Mathematical Methods in Physics
PHYS 397-398 Junior Seminar
PHYS 497-498 Senior Seminar
MATH 211-212 Calculus I-II or MATH 231-232 Scientific Calculus I-II
Three additional units in physics at the 200 level or above
One of the concentrations described below. All concentrations require 4-5 additional units beyond those listed above.
Biology Concentration
- BIOL 201 Genetics
- CHEM 141 Introductory Chemistry: Structure, Dynamics, and Synthesis
- Three additional units in biology
Biochemistry Concentration
- CHEM 141 Introductory Chemistry: Structure, Dynamics and Synthesis
- CHEM 205-206 Organic Chemistry
- BIOL/CHEM 326 Biochemistry or BIOL/CHEM 327 Biochemistry with Lab
Chemistry Concentration
- CHEM 141 Introductory Chemistry: Structure, Dynamics and Synthesis
- CHEM 309-310 Physical Chemistry
- One additional unit in chemistry
Computer Science Concentration
- CMSC 150 Introduction to Computing or CMSC 155 Introduction to Scientific Computing
- CMSC 221 Data Structures with Lab
- Three additional units in computer science
Mathematics Concentration
- MATH 235 Multivariate Calculus
- MATH 245 Linear Algebra
- MATH 312 Differential Equations
- Two additional units in mathematics at the 300 level or above
Engineering Concentration: 5 units of engineering courses
- This concentration is intended for students participating in the 3-2 engineering program.
- The required units will be earned at another institution.
The Physics Minor
5 units, including
Three units numbered above 200, excluding 397-398 and 497-498
Two additional units in PHYS
Courses
PHYS
121 Astrophysics
Celestial motions, stellar structure, cosmology, and related problems including appropriate concepts of elementary physics. Not among the recommended options for science or math majors. Includes laboratory.
General Education Requirement: (FSNP)
Unit(s): 1
PHYS
125 Elements of Physics
Principles and applications of physics. Topics selected from mechanics, sound, light, electricity, magnetism, heat, and modern physics. Not among the recommended options for science or math majors. Includes laboratory.
General Education Requirement: (FSNP)
Unit(s): 1
PHYS
127 General Physics 1
First semester of a sequence in general physics. Mechanics, heat, sound, magnetism, electricity, light, and modern physics are covered in the two-semester sequence. Includes laboratory. NOTE: Physics 127 is not a prerequisite to 128. A student may not receive credit for both Physics 131 and 127.
Prerequisite(s): Algebra and trigonometry.
General Education Requirement: (FSNP)
Unit(s): 1
PHYS
128 General Physics 2
Second semester of a sequence in general physics. Mechanics, heat, sound, magnetism, electricity, light and modern physics are covered in the two-semester sequence. Includes laboratory. NOTE: A student may receive credit for only one of the following courses: 128, 132, 133, 134.
Prerequisite(s): Algebra and trigonometry.
General Education Requirement: (FSNP)
Unit(s): 1
PHYS
131 General Physics with Calculus 1
First semester of a calculus-based introductory sequence. Mechanics, heat, sound, magnetism, electricity, and light are covered in the two-semester sequence. Includes laboratory. NOTE: A student may not receive credit for both Physics 127 and 131.
Prerequisite(s): Math 211 or 231 (may be taken concurrently).
General Education Requirement: (FSNP)
Unit(s): 1
PHYS
132 General Physics with Calculus 2
Second semester of a calculus-based introductory sequence. Mechanics, heat, sound, magnetism, electricity, and light are covered in the two-semester sequence. Includes laboratory. NOTE: A student may receive credit for only one of the following courses: 128, 132, 133, 134.
Prerequisite(s): Math 212 or 232 (may be taken concurrently) and Physics 127 or 131 or permission of instructor.
General Education Requirement: (FSNP)
Unit(s): 1
PHYS
133 Atomic and Sub-Atomic Physics
Second semester of a calculus-based introductory sequence with emphasis on physics of atoms, molecules, nuclei, and quarks. Mechanics, heat, sound, magnetism, electricity, and light are covered in the two-semester sequence. Includes laboratory. NOTE: A student may receive credit for only one of the following courses: 128, 132, 133, 134.
Prerequisite(s): Math 212 or 232 (may be taken concurrently) and Physics 131 or permission of instructor.
Unit(s): 1
PHYS
134 Biological Physics
Second semester of a calculus based introductory sequence. Mechanics, heat, sound, magnetism, electricity, and light are covered in the two-semester sequence that includes laboratory. Examples emphasize applications of physics to the biological sciences, and earth and environmental science. NOTE: A student may receive credit for only one of the following courses: 128, 132, 133, 134.
Prerequisite(s): Math 212 or 232 (may be taken concurrently) and Physics 127 or 131 or permission of instructor.
Unit(s): 1
PHYS
191 Integrated Science/Math/Computer Science 4 with Laboratory
One of two courses taught spring semester as part of Integrated Quantitative Science program. Each semester of the course will be organized around a guiding principle that integrates several concepts. Along with co-requisite, will include ten hours for lecture and lab combination.
Prerequisite(s): High school calculus. Biology 190 and Math 190. Co-requisite: Chemistry 191. Acceptance to Integrated Quantitative Science course required.
Unit(s): 1
PHYS
205 Introduction to Modern Physics
Introduction to topics in 20th-century physics including special relativity, quantum mechanics, and statistical physics.
Prerequisite(s): Physics 132 or 133 or 134 or permission of department.
Unit(s): 1
PHYS
215 Computational Methods in Physics
Project-oriented: applying computers to solution of problems in physical sciences.
Prerequisite(s): Physics 132 or 133 or 134 and some familiarity with at least one higher-level computer language.
Unit(s): 1
PHYS
216-217 Electronics
Laboratory course in basic electronics and instrumentation for science majors. Study of dc and ac circuits, diodes, rectifiers, transistors, operational amplifiers, binary logic, Boolean algebra, digital circuits, analog-digital conversion, transducers, and computer interfacing.
Prerequisite(s): Physics 127-128 or 132. Physics 216 is a prerequisite to Physics 217.
Unit(s): 1-1
PHYS
221 Intermediate Laboratory
Experiments in classical and modern physics emphasizing independent work. Six laboratory hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): Physics 127-128 or 132.
Unit(s): 1
PHYS
301 Mathematical Methods in Physics
Selected mathematical topics needed for upper-level work in physics. Topics taken from vector calculus, matrices, calculus of variations, orthogonal functions, and complex analysis.
Prerequisite(s): Physics 132 or 133 or 134 or permission of department.
Unit(s): 1
PHYS
303 Mechanics
Mathematical analysis of physical laws pertaining to dynamics of particles and rigid bodies. Introduction to moving coordinate systems and Lagrange's and Hamilton's methods.
Prerequisite(s): Physics 301 or permission of department.
Unit(s): 1
PHYS
305-306 Electricity and Magnetism
Electrostatic fields and potentials, dielectrics, magnetic fields, and potentials. Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves.
Prerequisite(s): Physics 301 or permission of department. Physics 305 is prerequisite to 306.
Unit(s): 1-1
PHYS
308 Statistical Mechanics
Statistical methods applied to description of physical systems. Statistical calculation of thermodynamic quantities, laws of thermodynamics, statistical distributions, and classical and quantum statistics of ideal gases. (Same as Chemistry 308.)
Prerequisite(s): Physics 301 or permission of department.
Unit(s): 1
PHYS
309-310 Quantum Mechanics I and II
Wave mechanics and quantization; Schroedinger equation for variety of potentials; hydrogen atom in detail; perturbation methods. (Same as Chemistry 401-402.)
Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 310 or Physics 301 or permission of department. Physics 309 is prerequisite to 310.
Unit(s): 1-1
PHYS
381-382 Research
Laboratory or independent study.0.5 units requires six hours per week. PHYS 381 may be taken a maximum of three times. PHYS 382 may not be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of department.
Unit(s): Both available for 0, .25, or 5. units
PHYS
397-398 Junior Seminar
Required of all third-year physics majors. Does not count in units required for minor.
Unit(s): 0 (397)-.5(398)
PHYS
404 Theoretical Physics
Application of mathematics to selected topics in physics.
Prerequisite(s): Physics 301 or permission of department.
Unit(s): 1
PHYS
479 Special Topics
Topics include particle and nuclear physics, solid state, modern optics, relativity, field theory.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of department.
Unit(s): 1
PHYS
497-498 Senior Seminar
Required of all senior physics majors. Does not count in units required for minor.
Unit(s): 0 (497)-.5 (498)
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