Physics Major

Thomas P. Espinola, Glaxo Wellcome Professor of Physics, Chair
Steven S. Shapiro, Associate Professor
Donald A. Smith, Assistant Professor

 

Physics is the study of how the Universe works. From the smallest of sub-atomic particles to the largest clusters of galaxies, physicists try to take apart the pieces of reality and observe how they fit together. When a piece of the puzzle fits into place in your understanding, the world around you looks different. From this understanding, one can see moreclearly the dance of nature and the rules that govern it.

Physics students at Guilford come from a variety of backgrounds and have a broad spectrum of interests and career goals. About one third of our physics majors plan for employment in a technical field immediately after graduation. Another third pursue graduate study in physics or astronomy. The remaining third go on to advanced study in another field. Recent graduates, for example, have been engaged in a wide range of activities: attending graduate school in astronomy (New Mexico State Univsersity, University of Arkansas), computer science (Brandeis University, George Washington University), educational leadership (University of Pennsylvania), engineering (Ohio State University, North Carolina A&T, Univeristy of North Carolina - Charlotte), geography (University of California, Santa Barbara) history (Duke University), mathematics (Texas A&M), medical physics (Wake Forest University, University of Kentucky - Lexington), public policy (Georgia Institute of Technology), physical chemistry (Univserity of California, Berkeley), physics (Appalachian State University, Duke University, Florida State University, George Mason University, Indiana University, Michigan State University) security studies (Carnegie Mellon), and theology (Andover Newton Theological School); attending medical school (Univserity of Tennesssee); running software companies; teaching high school math and physics; doing scientific research in academia and industry; and serving in AmeriCorps. To embrace the diverse interests of our student population, the physics curriculum is flexible and personalized. Course scheduling encourages off-campus research internships such as the Research Experience for Undergraduates program sponsored by the National Science Foundation, independent study, and study abroad.

The common thread connecting the different goals and focuses of our students and faculty is the physicist’s approach to thinking about, modeling, and understanding the universe. This process relies on clear, analytical, and often abstract thinking but is ultimately grounded in concrete reality as exposed by experiment. Reaching a clear, realistic understanding of some aspect of the world is of value in not only science and engineering but also business, law, medicine, and many other fields

The physics program at Guilford emphasizes research and experimentation throughout its curriculum. Students in introductory courses learn to work with equipment, quantify experimental

Guilford physics students at the 20th National Conference on Undergraduate Research, Asheville, NC

uncertainties, and present results in journal format. The experimental physics sequence stresses laboratory techniques, cooperative research, and clear, thoughtful presentation of results. In this sequence of courses, students design experiments, act as principal investigators, write journal articles, and give talks for peer review.

This research experience culminates in a thesis research project that must be original and designed by the student. The results are presented in a written thesis and public talk. Students frequently present papers at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) and other conferences. Each year the department grants the Jeglinski Physics Award, in memory of Boleslaw Jeglinksi and Michael Jeglinski, and the Helen and Winslow Womack Physics Research Award, to those students whose research projects were selected from all proposals submitted to the department. These awards may be used to help purchase equipment, fund a stipend, and support travel to a professional conference.

Degrees Offered

The Bachelor of Science degree is offered in physics. We offer concentrated degrees in the following:

• B.S. in physics for students pursuing employment in a technical field
• B.S. in physics for students preparing for graduate study
• B.S. in physics with a concentration in astronomy for students preparing for graduate study in astrophysics

Major Requirements

A total of 36 credit hours in physics is required, including at least two semesters of Experimental Physics, an internship (either industrial or academic) or at least 4 credit hours of Portfolio Development, 4 credits in theory above the PHYS 320 level, and a thesis with defense. An individualized course of study will be planned by the student, in consultation with faculty advisors, based on models appropriate for her or his chosen career path. Unless otherwise indicated, all courses listed below satisfy course requirements for the physics concentration and the physics major. Courses that satisfy the concentration in astronomy are labeled explicitly. Physics majors may obtain a concentration in astronomy if they also fulfill the requirements of either another concentration or major. No physics major may obtain a concentration in physics.