Requirements for a Major or Minor in Physics


Programs offered
• Major in Physics (40 credits in physics plus 16 supporting credits)
• Minor in Physics (20 credits in physics plus 12 supporting credits)
• Major in Physics Education (56 credits plus 30 credits in education)
• Science add-on endorsement for Elementary Education majors (see education) (25 credits in science and 10 credits in education)
• General Science add-on education program, grades 5-8
(see education) (32 credits in science)

Faculty
Bryan A. Luther, chair
Thelma S. Berquó
Donald Brummond, laboratory technician/instructor
Mark W. Gealy
Heidi L.K. Manning
Luiz A. Manzoni

The physics department provides learning experiences that prepare students to achieve the following outcomes:
• demonstrate knowledge of fundamental principles governing the behavior of physical systems
• apply scientific methodology to identify and solve appropriate physical problems
• demonstrate competence in experimentation
• effectively communicate knowledge of physics orally and in writing
• connect the knowledge and skills gained in the study of physics to holistic concerns of meaningful citizenship, employment and personal development

Major in Physics
The requirements for a major in physics are 56 credits:
• PHYS 111-112 – General College Physics I and II, 4 credits each, may be substituted for PHYS 128 and 211, provided grades of 3.0 or better are earned in both.
• PHYS 128 – Physics for Scientists and Engineers I, 4 credits
• PHYS 211 – Physics for Scientists and Engineers II, 4 credits
• PHYS 224 – Introductory Modern Physics I, 4 credits
• PHYS 225 – Introductory Modern Physics II, 4 credits
• PHYS 314 – Classical Mechanics, 4 credits
• PHYS 315 – Electrodynamics, 4 credits
• PHYS 327 – Techniques for Experimental Physics, 4 credits
• PHYS 429 – Quantum Mechanics, 4 credits
• PHYS 316 – Statistical Physics, 4 credits OR
PHYS 317 – Optics, 4 credits
• PHYS 430 – Physics Senior Seminar, 4 credits

Required supporting courses:
• MATH 121 – Calculus I, 4 credits
• MATH 122 – Calculus II, 4 credits
• MATH 223 – Calculus III, 4 credits
• MATH 311 – Differential Equations, 4 credits

Courses in computer science are strongly recommended. Chemistry courses through CHEM 128 – General Chemistry II are also recommended.

In addition to the course requirements listed above, students must complete a senior thesis to graduate with a physics major.

The senior thesis is an undergraduate research project involving significant work in theory or experiment beyond that normally expected of students in junior/senior advanced undergraduate physics laboratory classes (such as PHYS 327 – Techniques for Experimental Physics). A formal paper describing the project, surveying the appropriate literature on the topic and discussing the results must be submitted to the department. The paper must be submitted no later than the end of the third week of the semester in which the student intends to graduate. Approval of the paper by a majority of the full-time physics faculty is required for graduation with the physics major.

Students will be able to fulfill the required research component either by working with one of the Concordia faculty on their current research or by participating in a department-approved research experience off campus.

Minor in Physics
The requirements for a minor in physics are 32 credits:
• PHYS 111-112 – General College Physics I and II, 4 credits each, may be substituted for PHYS 128 and 211, provided grades of 3.0 or better are earned in both.
• PHYS 128 – Physics for Scientists and Engineers I, 4 credits
• PHYS 211 – Physics for Scientists and Engineers II, 4 credits
• PHYS 224 – Introductory Modern Physics I, 4 credits
• PHYS 225 – Introductory Modern Physics II, 4 credits
• 4 credits from physics courses above the 225 level, not including PHYS 380 – Special Topics

Required supporting courses:
• MATH 121 – Calculus I, 4 credits
• MATH 122 – Calculus II, 4 credits
• MATH 223 – Calculus III, 4 credits

Major in Physics Education
This major prepares students to be recommended by the Concordia College department of education for Minnesota licensure to teach physics in grades 9-12. To be eligible to complete this major, the student must be admitted to the teacher education program. (See education pages for program information, requirements and course descriptions.)

Requirements for a major in physics education are 56 credits plus 32 credits in education:
• PHYS 111-112 – General College Physics I and II, 4 credits each OR
PHYS 128-211 – Physics for Scientists and Engineers I and II, 4 credits each
• PHYS 224 – Introductory Modern Physics, 4 credits
• PHYS 225 – Introductory Modern Physics II, 4 credits
• PHYS 314 – Classical Mechanics, 4 credits
• PHYS 315 – Electrodynamics, 4 credits
• PHYS 316 – Statistical Physics, 4 credits
• PHYS 327 – Techniques for Experimental Physics, 4 credits
• PHYS 429 – Quantum Mechanics, 4 credits
• PHYS 430 – Senior Seminar, 4 credits
• EDUC 372 – Methods of Teaching Science, 4 credits (required methods of teaching course)
• Successful completion of the secondary/K-12 required coursework.

Required supporting courses:
• MATH 121 – Calculus I, 4 credits
• MATH 122 – Calculus II, 4 credits
• MATH 223 – Calculus III, 4 credits
• MATH 311 – Differential Equations, 4 credits

General Science add-on education program, grades 5-8
A recommended addition to the major in physics education is the general science add-on education program, grades 5-8. The requirements for this program are 32 credits in science (see education).