The Physics & Astronomy Major

Introduction

We are proud of our undergraduate curriculum. Introductory Physics is taught in several formats, ranging from small, accelerated honors sections, Structured, Active, In-Class Learning (SAIL) sections, to larger lecture courses. (The main criteria for admission to the honors course is a sufficiently advanced math preparation to be able to handle the material at a higher level, and a willingness to work hard). We ask our very best faculty to teach in the introductory program; all of the department's major course offerings are taught by members of the faculty. Once past the year of introductory Physics, upper level courses are all taught in small classes. There are many opportunities for individual contact with the faculty. It is also straightforward to complete a double major. In recent years, students have combined the study of Physics with Mathematics, Economics, Electrical Engineering, and Chemistry. A large proportion of our graduating seniors go on to do graduate work in Physics at top-ranked institutions.

Because most of our faculty of 37 have active research programs, students have ample opportunities to be kept informed of, and participate in, the latest developments in cutting-edge research. Our research interests include Elementary Particle Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, and Astrophysics. We make a serious effort to involve interested undergraduates in the department's research activities, in the form of both independent research projects for academic credit and summer research jobs.

The basic Physics major program provides a solid background in classical and modern Physics. The development follows the historical origins of the subject, starting with mechanics and proceeding to electromagnetism and then to the contribution of the twentieth century, relativity and quantum mechanics. Pedagogically the program is cyclical: after an introductory survey the major provides courses focused on the primary divisions of the subject. Students planning graduate study in Physics will generally take several elective courses in the department while those intending to seek employment in industry, or further study in other fields after graduation, will take electives appropriate to their career objectives.

There are several flavors, or "concentrations" to the Physics major. All start with the same fundamental set of courses, but they differ in the choice of upper-division and elective courses:

  1. Concentration in Physical Theory and Experimental Technique:
    This concentration is particularly appropriate for students contemplating graduate study in Physics. It provides a sound basis in Physics and Mathematics, with ample opportunities to take elective or even graduate courses and participate in research.
  2. Concentration in Chemical Principles:
    This concentration is particularly appropriate for students planning to enter the health professions. In addition to core Physics courses, two years of Chemistry form an integral part of this concentration.
  3. Concentration in Computer Techniques:
    This concentration is particularly appropriate for students contemplating a dual degree in Physics and Computer Science, or for those planning a career in the computer or electronics industries. In addition to core Physics courses, students choose from a selection of
    courses in Computer Science and computational techniques.
  4. Concentration in Astrophysics:
    This concentration is particularly appropriate for students planning to attend graduate school in Astrophysics. In addition to core Physics courses, students choose from a selection of courses in Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  5. Concentration in Business and Technology:
    This concentration is particularly appropriate for students whose ultimate goal is a career in modern industry involving both technical and managerial components. A student choosing this concentration will have a solid background in Physics, will be comfortable with both electronics and computers, and will have some appreciation of modern business methods and economics.
  6. Concentration in Biological Sciences:
    This concentration reflects increasing contributions of physicists (including members of our Faculty) to implications of Physics to Biological Sciences. Undergraduate students choosing this concentration will prepare themselves for careers in scientific research or professional Medical Physics programs that have been instituted at Penn and other Universities, among other possibilities.

Overview

The major in physics is divided into a core requirement plus all of the courses in one of five concentrations: Advanced Physical Theory and Experimental Techniques, Chemical Principles, Computer Techniques, Astrophysics, or Business and Technology.  There is an overall requirement of 17 1/2 or 18 1/2 credit units (c.u.), depending on the concentration chosen. There is also an honors program for ambitious students.  A Master's Program permits qualified students to submatriculate and obtain a master's degree.

With each concentration, we supply a "sample program." There is no single physics program suitable for all, since students arrive at the University with diverse scientific goals and backgrounds. Many students enter Penn with advanced placement credit in physics, mathematics, or both. On occasion, they may wish to substitute courses taken in other departments for physics department courses. Students who have transferred to Penn often require highly individualized programs which maximize their prior coursework while challenging them to explore other areas of the discipline.

Accordingly, the sample programs provided should serve as guides indicating the overall flow of the program, rather than as rigid patterns. It is imperative that all students intending to major in physics consult the undergraduate chair as early as possible in their careers in order to plan their course of study. The planned requirements for a major in Physics include the core courses listed below plus all of the courses in one of the five concentrations.

Core Courses: The following courses must be taken by all Physics majors, no matter what their concentration:

Math 1400, 1410, 2400, and 2410 

Physics 0150 or 0170, Physics 0151 or 0171 

Physics 1230, 1250, 3351*, 3361, 3362, and 4411 

*Physics 3351 is not required for the Biological Sciences concentration, but it is highly recommended.

Concentration Requirements

a.
Concentration in Physical Theory and Experimental Technique (17.5 units)

This concentration is recommended for students contemplating future graduate study in Physics. A student electing this concentration must take the following courses in addition to the core:
  • Physics 4401, 4412, and 3364 or 4414
  • An additional elective, consisting of one course offered by the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the 3300, 4400, or 5500 level.
Sample Program
  Fall Spring
Freshman Math 1040, Phys 0150 Math 1410, Phys 0151
Sophomore Math 2400, Phys 1230, Phys 3364 Math 2410, Phys 1250, Phys 3351
Junior Phys 3361, Phys 4411 Phys 3362, Phys 4412
Senior Phys 4401, Phys 4421 Phys 4414
b.
Concentration in Chemical Principles (18.5 units)

This concentration is particularly appropriate for students planning to enter the health professions. Such students should be aware that, although not part of the concentration requirements, laboratories in general and organic chemistry and lecture and laboratory work in biology are generally required by professional schools in the health area. The concentration may also be appropriate for other students pursuing double majors in Physics and Chemistry or Biochemistry. A student electing this concentration must take the following courses in addition to the core:
  • Chemistry 1101 and 1202
  • Chemistry 2221 and 2222 or Chemistry 2241 and 2242.
  • Physics 4401

18.5 units total

For students interested in biological applications of physics, Physics 1280 (Biophysics) is strongly recommended. It recommended, but
not required, that students in this concentration also take either Physics 3364 or Physics 4414.


 

Sample Program
  Fall Spring
Freshman Math 1040, Phys 0150, Chem 1101 Math 1410, Phys 0151, Chem 1102
Sophomore Math 2400, Phys 1230 Math 2410, Phys 1250, Phys 3351
Junior Phys 3361, Phys 4411 Phys 3362
Senior Phys 4401, Chem 2241 Phys 4414, Chem 2242
c.
Concentration in Computer Techniques (18.5 units)

This concentration is particularly appropriate for those students planning a career in the computer or electronics industries, or for those contemplating a dual degree in Physics and either Computer Science or Electrical Engineering. Students electing this concentration must take the following courses in addition to the core:
  • Physics 4401
  • Physics 3364 or 3414
  • Three other courses from the departments of Physics, Computer and Information Science, Electrical Engineering, or Mathematics, that stress computers and computation in the context of Physics-related problems. These courses are to be selected in consultation with the Undergraduate Chair, and should comprise an intellectually coherent sequence.  Possible courses in this list might include: CIS 1100, 1200 and 1210, EE 20000, EE 5390, Math 3200, Physics 1260, 3360, or an independent Physics 1299 or 4499 course incorporating a substantial computational component.
Sample Program
  Fall Spring
Freshman Math 1040, Phys 0150 Math 1410, Phys 0151
Sophomore Math 2400, Phys 1230, Phys 3364 Math 2410, Phys 1250, Phys 3351
Junior Phys 3361, Phys 4411 Phys 3362, EE 2000
Senior Phys 4401, Math 3200 CIS 1200+1210
d.
Concentration in Astrophysics (19.5 units)

This concentration is particularly appropriate for students planning to attend graduate school in Astronomy or Astrophysics. Student electing this concentration must complete the following courses in addition to the core:
  • Astronomy 1211 and 1212, Physics 4401
  • Two of the following: Physics 3364, Physics 4414, Astronomy 1250
  • One of the following: Physics 4421, Physics 5503, Physics 5505, Physics 5526.
Sample Program
  Fall Spring
Freshman Math 1040, Physics 0150 Math 1410, Physics 0151
Sophomore Math 2400, Physics 1230, Astro 1211 Math 2410, Physics 1250, Astro 1212
Junior Astro 1250, Physics 3361 Physics 3351, Physics 3362
Senior Physics 4411, Physics 4401 Physics 5503, Physics 4414
e.
Concentration in Business and Technology (19.5 units)

This concentration is particularly appropriate for students whose ultimate goal is a career in modern industry involving both technical and managerial components. A student choosing this concentration will have a solid background in Physics, will be comfortable with electronics and computers, and will have some appreciation of modern business methods and economics. Student electing this concentration must complete the following courses in addition to the core:
  • Physics 3364 or Physics 4414
  • One course from the departments of Physics, Computer and Information Science, Electrical Engineering, or Mathematics, to be selected in consultation with the Undergraduate Chair, that stresses computers and computation in the context of Physics-related problems. Possible courses in this list might include: CIS 1100, 1200 and 1210, EE 2000, EE 5390, Math 3200, or an independent Physics 1299 or 4499 course incorporating a substantial computational component.
  • Any four electives in business. These courses should provide a coherent course of study and should be chosen by consulting with the undergraduate chair. Recommended electives include: Accounting
    1010, 1020; Economics 0010, 0020; Finance 1010, 1020; Legal Studies 2020; Management 1010; Operations
    Management 2100, 2210.

 

Sample Program
  Fall Spring
Freshman Math 1040, Physics 0150 Math 1410, Physics 0151
Sophomore Math 2400, Physics 1230, Physics 3364 Math 2410, Physics 1250, Physics 3351
Junior Physics 3361, Economics 0010 Physics 3362, Economics 0020
Senior Physics 4411, Math 3200 Accounting 1010, Management 1010

f.

Concentration in Biological Sciences (19.5 units)

This concentration reflects increasing contributions of physicists (including members of our Faculty) to implications of Physics to Biological Sciences. Undergraduate students choosing this concentration will prepare themselves for careers in scientific research or professional Medical Physics programs that have been instituted at Penn and other Universities, among other possibilities.

The proposed Concentration is distinct from the existing Biophysics Major, although the two share several required courses. The Biophysics Major requires much more chemistry, making it appropriate for students interested in protein science and other topics within the well-established field of Biophysics The Physics major with a Concentration in Biological Science targets students with interests in the emerging field of Biological Physics, where researchers directly apply physical concepts and techniques to investigate biological systems; the emphasis is on developing new insights regarding biological systems from a perspective strongly rooted in Physics.

Concentration requirements (19.5 CU):

In addition to core requirements (NOTE: Physics 240 rather than Phys 250; Physics 351 is not required, but highly recommended):

BIOL 121 – Introduction to Biology and Molecular Biology*

* - after consultation with the Undergraduate Chair, students with a strong background in Biology may be allowed to replace BIOL 121 with CHEM 251 or a BIOL elective.

BIOL 204 - Biochemistry or BIOL 205 - Cell Biology

BIOL 221 – Molecular Biology and Genetics

PHYS 280 – Physical Models of Biological Systems (or PHYS 580)

PHYS 401 – Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics

Two additional courses drawn from the following list:

  • PHYS 3351 – Analytical Mechanics
  • PHYS 5564– Electronics Laboratory
  • PHYS 4421 – Modern Optics
  • PHYS 5580 – Biological Physics
  • PHYS 5585 – Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience
  • Any BIOL course numbered 200 or higher
  • CHEM 251 – Principles of Biological Chemistry
  • CHEM 451 – Biological Chemistry I
  • CHEM 452 – Biological Chemistry II
  • BE 480 – Introduction to Biomedical Imaging
  • CIS 537 (BE 537) – Biomedical Image Analysis
  • MATH 584 – Mathematics of Medical Imaging and Measurement

Students may propose a relevant course not on this list as an elective by consulting the Undergraduate Chair before taking the class.

Example Curriculum for the proposed Physics Major with a Concentration in Biological Science:

Sample Program
  Fall Spring
Freshman PHYS 150, MATH 104, BIOL 121 PHYS 151, MATH 1410, BIOL 221
Sophomore PHYS 230, MATH 240, PHYS 280 PHYS 240, MATH 241, BIOL 204
Junior PHYS 361, PHYS 411 PHYS 362, (PHYS 351)
Senior PHYS 401, PHYS 580 BE 480 or PHYS 585

The combination of PHYS 580 and PHYS 585 would provide a solid grounding in concepts of computational neuroscience.

Other suggested coupled electives:

  • PHYS 500, BE 480, BE 537 would provide a very strong background in biomedical imaging.
  • BIOL 536 Computational Biology and BIOL 537 Advanced Computational Biology.
  • BIOL 436 Molecular Physiology and BIOL 410 Advanced Evolution
 

The Physics Honors Program and Senior Thesis

The department encourages students to enter the honors program. This program augments the regular major with the requirement (2 additional credits) that the student plan and carry out an individualized research project under the guidance of a faculty member. Research experience of this kind is invaluable to a future scientist: research is very different from course work, in that the latter is well-defined and bounded, while the former requires careful pre-planning on the part of the student and always involves an interesting element of risk.

To graduate with honors in physics, a student must achieve a GPA of at least 3.3 in major-related courses, must enroll for an additional 2 c.u. of Physics 4498 Senior Thesis Research (PHYS 5598 if you are submatriculating), and must write a thesis describing his or her research. The addition of these two courses means that the minimum requirement increases by 2 c.u., e.g. depending on the concentration from 17 1/2 c.u.  to 19 1/2 c.u.

The honors program, which is a way of completing the degree in Physics, should not be confused with honors courses, which are accelerated courses in physics for ambitious students. Students hoping for a general honors degree need to take a certain number of honors courses; for more information you should talk to advisors in the College Advising Office. You do not need to be a physics honors major to take the honors courses (although many choose to do so) and you do not need to take the honors courses to be an honor major.

The Master's Program in Physics

Advanced students may enroll in the Physics submatriculation program.  A total of 8 courses are required for the Master of Science (MS) degree.

All 8 courses must be at the pure graduate level.  Specifically, the requirements are a) 2 from the core grad courses PHYS5500/5516/5531/5532/6611 (PHYS500/516/531/532/611) with a B or better in each course, b) 2 PHYS/ASTR 500+ level courses, c) 4 electives, which can include relevant non-PHYS/ASTR courses as well as 2 credits for the Senior Honors Thesis.  College students can also use up to 4 of these courses as a College electives - i.e., the minimum cu requirement for the BA+MS is 40 rather than 44.  Students must apply during the Fall of their junior year between October and December when the graduate application opens.

Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their master's courses.  The application form from can be picked up from the Physics Academic Office on the 2nd floor of DRL (or can be emailed to you electronically).  Courses must be approved by both the undergraduate chair and the graduate chair.

Elective Courses

Physics majors are strongly encouraged to take elective courses in physics, astronomy, mathematics, chemistry, or other sciences. The department offers mixed undergraduate and graduate courses in modern optics, condensed matter physics, and nuclear and elementary particle physics, special and general relativity, and astrophysics. And for the really ambitious student, there is the entire set of first-year graduate courses from which to choose. Many students take a course in computer programming (often CSE 110 or ESE 115) or in numerical methods using computers (e.g., Mathematics 320 and 321). Students with a theoretical bent frequently take electives in mathematics. Majors planning a career in the health professions must take courses in chemistry and biology; such students should consult a health professions advisor for advice on the specific courses required by the professional schools.

Undergraduate Research

Pennsylvania is a research university. Physics majors are encouraged to participate in this aspect of the department's activities.

Apart from the individual research done as part of the honors program, students can carry out supervised research projects under the rubric of Physics and Astronomy 299 and 499. Other students gain valuable research experience participating in summer internships at Penn or other universities and research programs at national facilities and laboratories. Click here for a description of faculty research interests.

In order to receive permission to register for PHYS 299 (independent study) or PHYS 499 (dissertation), students
must submit a mini-proposal of estimated length 2-4 pages, including figures and reference s. The "target audience" of the mini-proposal should be a trained physicist who may not be an expert in the specific field of research. This mini-proposal should contain the following elements:

  • Title of the Project
  • Objective and Significance: what is the primary objective of your project and why is it important?
  • Background and Preliminary Results: background information on the field, also preliminary results from student's own work and/or work done in student advisor's lab. The point is to demonstrate that the student has identified is a realistic goal.
  • Work Plan: a description of the methods the student will use and sub-projects that will be undertaken in order to attain primary objectives.
  • Cited References

At the end of the semester, the student must turn in a final report (or thesis if this is the conclusion of an Honors Project). The estimated length of a final report is 5-10 pages, while a thesis could be substantially longer. The "target audience" is again a
trained physicist who may not be an expert in the specific field of research. The report should cover the following:

  • Project Title
  • Abstract, which should include a summary of the major findings of the work
  • Objective and Significance
  • Background and state of knowledge before the project started
  • Summary of the methods used in the project
  • Major findings, results and analysi
  • Summary including a discussion of important areas and questions for future research projects.
  • Cited References

The Informal Curriculum

The Department of Physics and Astronomy endeavors to provide a variety of informal opportunities for undergraduates to acquaint themselves with aspects of current research. For lack of a better term we dub these activities the "informal curriculum." Included in this category are Physics Club activities, departmental colloquia and seminars, and similar activities. The Departmental Colloquium (held nearly every Wednesday) is a forum in which speakers present aspects of their research at a level usually intelligible to advanced undergraduates. The Undergraduate Physics Club sponsors a number of activities, including lectures and discussions, field trips, and other events, specifically addressed to undergraduates. And at the "first-year seminar," a lecture series designed to acquaint graduate students with the various opportunities for thesis research in the department, undergraduates can gain insight into current research interests and problems.

Minor Program

The Physics minor consists of any 6 Physics courses (not units, but courses). No more than two of these can be at the 100 (introductory) level. A recommended minor is Physics 150, 151, 230, 250 and TWO advanced course at the 300 level or above. This program provides an introduction to physics through the 100 level courses, a full survey of the field through the 200 level courses, and advanced training in at least one area through the advanced course. Students may propose other minor programs to be approved by the undergraduate chair (e.g. replacing 200 level courses by more advanced courses.)

Double Majors

 

It is possible to pursue a major in physics simultaneously with a major in geology, engineering, mathematics, or other subjects. Interested students should consult the undergraduate chair.

How to Declare the Major

You should contact our undergraduate chair Eleni Katifori after meeting with your pre-major advisor.