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Physics Major, Minor and Physics-Engineering Double Major

The goal of the Physics and Astronomy Department is to prepare students to acquire a high level of analytical thinking and problem solving abilities through in-depth study of challenging physical concepts, both theoretical and experimental.  We offer a major in physics with two distinct tracks: Advanced and Applied Studies.  The Advanced Studies is a classic physics major, tailored to prepare our graduates for the rigors of graduate studies.  In the Applied Studies track, students can select between concentrations in astronomy, materials science, premedical or pre-engineering studies. In addition, we offer minors in both physics and astronomy, and eleven dual-degree physics-engineering (3+2) programs. Student may also elect to take specialized courses in collaboration with the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the Johns Hopkins University.

Please click on the programs listed below to find out more about them, including course requirements. Advising templates are available at the bottom of this page.

Note: For all majors listed below, laboratory reports and papers in PHY 220 and PHY 230 are used to evaluate writing proficiency in the major. PHY 220 and PHY 280 taken at any time satisfy the computer proficiency requirement.  Students should check all courses for the accompanying prerequisites. Courses marked 'JHU' are offered through the Johns Hopkins University.

Physics Major (advanced studies track)

Sample schedule for a typical physics major on the advanced studies track.

Required Courses: Physics Major (advanced studies track)

Elective Courses: Physics Major (advanced studies track)

In addition to the required courses listed, students must take at least one of the electives listed.

Recommended courses:

Physics Major with Concentration in Astronomy (applied studies track)

Sample schedule for a typical physics major with an astronomy concentration.

Required Courses: Physics Major with Concentration in Astronomy (applied studies track)

Elective Courses: Physics Major with Concentration in Astronomy (applied studies track)

In addition to the required courses listed, students must take at least two of the following electives:

and at least one of the following electives:

Recommended courses: 

Interested students may also take a course in Observational Technique at Towson University.

Physics Major with Pre-engineering Concentration (applied studies track)

Sample schedule for a typical physics major with pre-engineering concentration.

Required Courses: Physics Major with Pre-engineering Concentration (applied studies track)

Elective Courses: The Physics Major with Pre-engineering Concentration (applied studies track)

In addition to the required courses listed, students must take three elective courses out of which at least two must be at the 300 level.

Recommended courses:

Physics Major with Pre-medical Concentration (applied studies track)

Sample schedule for a typical physics major with pre-medical concentration.

Required Courses: Physics Major with Pre-medical Concentration (applied studies track)

Elective Courses: Physics Major with Pre-medical Concentration (applied studies track)

In addition to the required courses listed, students must take at least one of the electives listed.

Recommended Courses:

Physics Major with Materials Science Concentration (applied studies track)                             

Sample schedule for a typical physics major with materials science concentration.

Required Courses: Physics Major with Materials Science Concentration (applied studies track)

Recommended courses:

Physics Minor

Our Minor in Physics prepares the student for graduate work or for entrance into professional schools, or forms part of the 3-2 Science and Engineering Program (for more information on this program, refer to the Science and Engineering page in the Goucher Catalogue). 

Required Courses: Physics Minor

Elective Courses: Physics Minor

In addition to the required courses, four electives must be taken, of which at least one is a 300 level course.

Astronomy Minor

A minor in astronomy is designed for non-physics majors who have an interest in the field and wish to explore it at more than a superficial level.  The minor can easily be completed within 3 years; interested students are encouraged to take the introductory Physics sequence (Phy 125-126) before the end of their sophomore year.  Phy 115-116 can be substituted, but only with departmental permission. 

Required Courses: Astronomy Minor

Elective Courses: Astronomy Minor

In addition to the required courses, two electives must be taken.

PHYSICS-ENGINEERING DUAL-DEGREE (3+2) PROGRAMS

Goucher College has established a dual degree program through which students earn both a bachelor of arts degree from Goucher and a bachelor of science degree from the G.W.C. Whiting School of Engineering of The Johns Hopkins University and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science of Columbia University (SEAS). The purpose of the program is to enable students to explore the liberal arts and sciences, while developing professional knowledge and experience in a specific field of engineering. Students in the program will be admitted initially by Goucher College, where they will typically spend three years fulfilling general education requirements and completing major requirements for the B.A. degree in biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, or physics. There are three distinct concentrations within the physics major that may be chosen. However, the Physics- engineering double majors may be the best suited for the 3/2 engineering program for two reasons: (1) the schedule flexibility and (2) variation of the required courses. Successful students will then complete an additional two years at the Johns Hopkins University or Columbia University, during which requirements will be completed for the bachelor of science degree in one of the following disciplines: Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Eart&Environmental Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Managmnet Systems, Industrial Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, Materials Science&Engineering, Mechanical Engineering.

Interested students should contact director of the program, Dr. A. Bakhshai, the Physics & Astronomy Department at Goucher College. ali.bakhshai@goucher.edu.

The requirements for Physics-Engineering double majors can only apply if a student intends to complete the double majors. These requirements alone cannot apply to any other Physics majors with different concentrations. In the event a student does not go through with the double majors in Physics-Engineering and chooses to have the Physics major only, then the student must satisfy the specific requirements for the elected concentration before graduation.  To guarantee admission, Goucher College students seeking admission into the Program at SEAS shall be required to have first satisfied the following requirements at Goucher College:

A. Applicant must be able to demonstrate that all pre-requisites and all course specific requirements have been met. To ensure successful completion of the pre-engineering and course specific requirements, refer to the Pre-Combined Plan Curriculum Guide at http://www.engineering.columbia.edu/admissions/cp.bachelors/, which explains in detail both the general requirements and those for specific majors. The incoming Program students should follow the Guide published at Columbia's site in the first year at Goucher.  However, the Guide is revised each year. Columbia University cannot guarantee that students will be admitted to their intended major and students may have to select an alternative field of study.

B. A minimum of 3.30 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA), as calculated by SEAS, is required. In addition, the minimum grade of each pre-engineering science and mathematics prerequisites must be B the first time the course was taken.

C. Each pre-requisite course must be taken at Goucher College or SEAS reserves the right to determine whether or not pre-requisites and course-specific requirements have been met. Any pre-requisite courses waived by the member institution by advanced placement, equivalency, or individual testing must be clearly noted as such in the materials accompanying the application. Students using AP, IB or other like credits to fulfill pre-engineering prerequisites must submit those exam results. The test results will then be evaluated on the same basis as for Columbia students.

D. All applicants are required to demonstrate English proficiency if the native language is something other than English. Please refer to the English proficiency policy on the website of the Columbia University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

E. Students must have three positive letters of recommendation from Goucher College: one from the Dual-Degree Engineering Director (liaison), one from a science professor, and one from a mathematics professor. Both professors need to have taught the student in his/her sophomore year or later.

Required Foundation Courses for all Physics-Engineering double majors include:

PHY125, PHY 126, PHY 220, PHY 230, PHY 280, PHY 310, CHE111, CS224, EC101, EC102, MA222. Three additional courses within the Department of which at least two must be at 300 level.

Additional courses are required for each of the Engineering Fields.  See the following lists for the specific Physics-Engineering double majors.

Physics-Biomedical Engineering double majors: MA221, CHE151/152, CHE230

Physics-Chemical Engineering double majors: CHE151/152, CHE230

Physics-Civil Engineering double majors: MA221

Physics-Computer Engineering double majors: MA190

Physics-Earth & Environmental Engineering double majors: BIO210, BIO220, CHE151/152, CHE230, MA221

Physics-Electrical Engineering double majors: MA221

Physics-Engineering Management Systems double majors: MA221, MA240, MA241, MGT110

Physics-Industrial Engineering double majors: MA221, MA240, MA241, MGT110

Physics- Engineering Mechanics double majors: None

Physics-Materials Science & Engineering double majors: CHE151/152

Physics-Mechanical Engineering double majors: BIO210, BIO220, MA221

Post Baccalaureate Pre-Med Program

The Department also participates in Goucher's Post Baccalaureate Program by offering courses which prepare the returning student for the rigors of medical school by providing specific topical material and, more importantly, by providing a forum for instilling such skills as critical thinking, construction of logical arguments, and clear expression of ideas.

Required Courses: Post Baccalaureate Pre-Med Program

Service Courses

Courses at the introductory level in physics are planned to meet various needs. Physics 115 and 116 are designed to give a general survey of physics with emphasis on physical reasoning rather than mathematical analysis and are intended for students who plan to major in the life sciences, enter the health professions, or teach in the elementary schools. Physics 125 and 126 are more comprehensive and analytical and are intended for students who have taken calculus, plan to minor in physics or astronomy, or major in the physical sciences or mathematics. Astronomy 110 is intended to satisfy students' science distribution requirements.

The Degree with Latin Honors

Students who have taken at least 60 semesters credit hours on a letter-grade basis at Goucher or as a part of a Goucher sponsored study-abroad program may be awarded their degrees

  • suma cum laude with a grade point average of 3.90
  • magna cum laude with a grade point average of 3.70 to 3.89
  • cum laude with a grade point average of 3.50 to 3.69.

Majors in the Department of Physics and Astronomy are encouraged to strive for Honors in the major at the graduation. Departmental honors will be awarded on the basis of outstanding course work and additional independent research achievements. Students who wish to be considered for Honors in major should plan their schedule to include independent research as described in the guidelines below.

A minimum grade point average of 3.5 computed from all courses taken within the department of physics and astronomy, and a high level of achievement in either two semesters of independent research work or one summer independent research work plus one semester of independent research work under supervision of a faculty member from the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Results of independent work should be presented either at open seminar attended by students and faculty or in Senior Thesis graded by the physics and astronomy faculty members.

Final selection requires the approval of the majority of the faculty members in the Department of Physics

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