Physics B.S.
A Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Physics requires the completion of the Elon Core Curriculum as well as the Major Requirements listed below.
Degree Requirements
Physics Course Requirements
These courses in Physics are all required for the major.
Mathematics Course Requirements
These courses in Mathematics are all required for the major.
Computer Science Course Requirements
This course in Computer Science is required for the major.
Physics Research or Internship
Students must complete at least 1 sh of PHY 4999 research or 1 sh of a PHY 4985 internship.
Physics Electives
Students must complete an additional twelve (12) semester hours from PHY courses at the 3000 level or higher.
Senior Assessment
During their final year, all students must complete an assessment offered by the department
| PHY 0070 | SENIOR COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION | 0 |
Total Credit Hours: 65-68
Goal 1: Students will have conceptual understanding of mechanics, electrodynamics, and modern physics.
• Students will interpret physics demonstrations using the framework of Newton’s Laws of Motion.
• Students will solve problems that involve gravitational and electromagnetic forces.
Goal 2: Students will be able to design, conduct, and present research with the assistance of a faculty member.
• Students will present science research with at least one poster and one slideshow.
• Students will include error analysis and hypothesis testing in research results.
• Students will read physics research articles and design experiments to confirm or expand the findings.
Goal 3: Students will be equipped with the mathematical and computational tools, as well as the content knowledge, necessary for post-graduate physics research. (B.S. recipients only)
• Students will write computer simulations of experiments conducted in the lab.
• Students will solve problems using the formalisms of Hamiltonians, Lagrangians and vector calculus.
Goal 4: Students will reflect on their learning to reassess their beliefs and attitudes relating to the physics enterprise.
• Students will begin to fulfill the role and carry out the duties of scientists in society.
• Students will understand the history and significance of science as perceived by experts.
Goal 5: Students will be able to effectively communicate scientific ideas using written and oral methods.
• Students graduating with a BS in physics will write a journal-style article reporting the results of experiments they have performed. This article will be designed to convey the importance of those results to another interested physicist.
• Students (BA or BS) will be able to summarize complex scientific ideas and confront scientific misconceptions in a way that will allow someone who is interested in the topic, but not very knowledgeable in it, to expand their understanding. The style of this summary would be similar to what you might find in a newspaper opinion piece, or a popular magazine.
Total Credit Hours: 65-68