Physics Curriculum
Chatham University offers both B.A. and B.S. degrees in physics in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). This major prepares students for graduate or engineering study or for employment in industry. Students take first-year physics requirements and mathematics courses at Chatham; upper-level physics requirements and electives are taken at CMU through a special cross-registration agreement. Students also may choose to seek certification in physics at the secondary level by completing the appropriate courses in the education program at Chatham. A minor in physics is not available.
To complete this major, students should plan to register for both calculus and physics during the first semester of the first year. Tutorial work will be done at CMU with collaboration between Chatham and CMU faculties.
Program Requirements
+ Major Requirements (B.A. Degree)
20 courses, including: |
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| IND350 | Scientific Research Methods
This course serves as an introduction to research literature and research methodology in the sciences. Students prepare a research proposal including literature review, experimental design and methods, budget, timetable, and bibliography. Other topics include professional presentation techniques and research ethics. The student's major department must approve proposals prior to the Tutorial. Prerequisite(s): Junior status and completion of at least two courses at the 200-level or above in the major, or permission of the instructor. | 2 |
| MTH151 | Calculus I
This is the first course in the calculus sequence. Topics include differential and integral calculus for algebraic and trigonometirc functions with applications. Four hours of class per week. Prerequisite(s): MTH 105 and 106, or MTH 108, or equivalent. | 4 |
| MTH152 | Calculus II
This is the second course in the calculus sequence. Topics include differential and integral calculus for the transcendental functions, advanced methods of integration, and infinite sequences and series. Prerequisite(s): MTH 151 | 4 |
| MTH222 | Multivariate and Vector Calculus
An introduction to multivariate calculus using vector spaces, partial differentiation and multiple integration, calculus of vector functions, applications to extremum problems, and differential equations. Three hours of class per week. Prerequisite(s): MTH 152 | 3 |
| MTH241 | Differential Equations
Introduction to differential equations. Topics include first-order and linear equations, systems of equations, series solutions, and Laplace transform methods with computer-aided study of numerical solutions, and introduction to partial differential equations, and Fourier series. Three hours of class per week. | 3 |
| PHY251 | Principles of Physics I
Introduction to the concepts, laws, and structure of physics. This is the first course in a calculus-based sequence that focuses on classical mechanics. Topics include vector analysis, kinematics, Newton’s laws, work, conservation of energy and momentum, collisions, gravity, harmonic motion, and wave phenomena. Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite: MTH 151. | 4 |
| PHY252 | Principles of Physics II
Introduction to the concepts, laws, and structure of physics. The second course in a calculus-based physics sequence. Topics include thermodynamics, fluids, electricity, circuit analysis, magnetism, Maxwell’s equations, properties of light, and optics. Four hours of class per week. | 4 |
| PHY255 | Physics Laboratory I
Experimental techniques of classical mechanical physics. Three hours of laboratory per week. | 1 |
| PHY256 | Physics Laboratory II
Experimental techniques of classical physics with applications to electricity, magnetism, sound, and optics. Three hours per week. | 1 |
| PHY498 | Tutorial: Physics | 4 |
| PHY499 | Tutorial: Physics | 4 |
| One “technical” elective in physics, mathematics, computing, chemistry, or biology that is approved in advance. | ||
Courses at CMU:Physics 211 Modern Essentials (10u ); Prerequisite: PHY 252Physics 231 Physical Analysis (9u); Prerequisites: PHY 252, MTH 152; Co-requisite: MTH 152 Physics 234 Quantum Physics (10u ); Prerequisite: Physics 211 Physics 331 Physical Mechanics I (10u); Prerequisites: Physics 232, MTH 222 Physics 338 Intermediate E&M I (10u ); Prerequisites: Physics 232, MTH 222 Physics 340 Modern Physics Lab (10u ); Prerequisites: Physics 234 and 1 of Physics 331, 338, or 341 Physics 341 Thermal Physics I (10u ); Prerequisites: Physics 232, Physics 234 |
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| One physics elective taken at CMU with approval of advisor. Physics 232 is recommended. | ||
+ Major Requirements (B.S. Degree)
22 courses, including: |
||
| MTH151 | Calculus I
This is the first course in the calculus sequence. Topics include differential and integral calculus for algebraic and trigonometirc functions with applications. Four hours of class per week. Prerequisite(s): MTH 105 and 106, or MTH 108, or equivalent. | 4 |
| MTH152 | Calculus II
This is the second course in the calculus sequence. Topics include differential and integral calculus for the transcendental functions, advanced methods of integration, and infinite sequences and series. Prerequisite(s): MTH 151 | 4 |
| MTH222 | Multivariate and Vector Calculus
An introduction to multivariate calculus using vector spaces, partial differentiation and multiple integration, calculus of vector functions, applications to extremum problems, and differential equations. Three hours of class per week. Prerequisite(s): MTH 152 | 3 |
| MTH241 | Differential Equations
Introduction to differential equations. Topics include first-order and linear equations, systems of equations, series solutions, and Laplace transform methods with computer-aided study of numerical solutions, and introduction to partial differential equations, and Fourier series. Three hours of class per week. | 3 |
| PHY251 | Principles of Physics I
Introduction to the concepts, laws, and structure of physics. This is the first course in a calculus-based sequence that focuses on classical mechanics. Topics include vector analysis, kinematics, Newton’s laws, work, conservation of energy and momentum, collisions, gravity, harmonic motion, and wave phenomena. Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite: MTH 151. | 4 |
| PHY252 | Principles of Physics II
Introduction to the concepts, laws, and structure of physics. The second course in a calculus-based physics sequence. Topics include thermodynamics, fluids, electricity, circuit analysis, magnetism, Maxwell’s equations, properties of light, and optics. Four hours of class per week. | 4 |
| PHY255 | Physics Laboratory I
Experimental techniques of classical mechanical physics. Three hours of laboratory per week. | 1 |
| PHY256 | Physics Laboratory II
Experimental techniques of classical physics with applications to electricity, magnetism, sound, and optics. Three hours per week. | 1 |
| IND350 | Scientific Research Methods
This course serves as an introduction to research literature and research methodology in the sciences. Students prepare a research proposal including literature review, experimental design and methods, budget, timetable, and bibliography. Other topics include professional presentation techniques and research ethics. The student's major department must approve proposals prior to the Tutorial. Prerequisite(s): Junior status and completion of at least two courses at the 200-level or above in the major, or permission of the instructor. | 2 |
| PHY498 | Tutorial: Physics | 4 |
| PHY499 | Tutorial: Physics | 4 |
| Two “technical” electives in physics, mathematics, computing, chemistry, or biology that are approved in advance. | ||
Courses at CMU:Physics 211 Modern Essentials (10u ); Prerequisite: PHY 252Physics 231 Physical Analysis (9u); Prerequisites: PHY 252, MTH 152; Co-requisite: MTH 152 Physics 234 Quantum Physics (10u ); Prerequisite: Physics 211 Physics 331 Physical Mechanics I (10u); Prerequisites: Physics 232, MTH 222 Physics 338 Intermediate E&M I (10u ); Prerequisites: Physics 232, MTH 222 Physics 340 Modern Physics Lab (10u ); Prerequisites: Physics 234 and 1 of Physics 331, 338, or 341 Physics 341 Thermal Physics I (10u ); Prerequisites: Physics 232, Physics 234 Physics 339 Intermediate E&M II (10u ); Prerequisite: Physics 338 |
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| 2 physics electives taken at CMU with approval of advisor. Physics 232 and 228 are recommended. | ||
