Physics
Overview
The Physics department provides an education in the fundamental processes of the physical world with thorough study in both the classroom and laboratory. After completion of the program, a physics student will have excellent analytical and problem-solving skills in addition to ample hands-on laboratory experience. The Physics major is excellent preparation for professional or graduate work in physics, engineering, and related fields. In addition, a physics major finds that he or she is an attractive applicant for medical, business, or law school, as well as having an excellent foundation for science teaching.
In addition to the full spectrum of undergraduate coursework, the department offers many opportunities to participate in research projects both on and off campus. Qualified students may begin research projects as early as their first year. Current research activities in the department include muon tomography, galaxy formation, gravitational waves, quantum computing and turbulence in heated fluids. Departmental resources include well-equipped research and instructional laboratories, as well as laboratory space for qualified students to carry out independent investigations of their own. Many students have also participated in projects at nearby institutions such as the California Institute of Technology and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Students who wish to do advanced work in physics or engineering should complete the introductory physics sequence (PHYS 107, PHYS 110, PHYS 230, PHYS 240 and PHYS 250) as early as possible. These courses provide a foundation in both classical and modern physics. Fundamental understanding and procedures in analytical physics are stressed throughout. This sequence is recommended to all students who have an aptitude for scientific work and who are acquiring a strong background in mathematics, including an introduction to differential and integral calculus.
Physics majors typically begin taking courses at the intermediate level during their sophomore year, and start taking 300-level courses in their junior year.
Of special interest are the three series of physics courses numbered PHYS 100- PHYS 109, PHYS 200- PHYS 209, and PHYS 300- PHYS 309. These courses cover special topics as well as subjects of active research interest within the Physics department. The 100 series is designed for non-science students interested in varying aspects of physical science. These courses have few prerequisites beyond algebra and trigonometry and many are open only to students who have not taken PHYS 107, PHYS 110 or PHYS 115, PHYS 230 or PHYS 125, or their equivalent. The 200 series is open to anyone who has completed PHYS 230 or PHYS 125. The prerequisites for 300-series courses vary, but generally require physics beyond PHYS 230 or PHYS 125.
Requirements
Major
The program for physics majors is composed of the Physics Foundation and Upper Level Physics requirements.
Students can also supplement their programs by taking courses at the California Institute of Technology under the exchange program.
Foundation
All physics majors must complete a core of five physics courses called the Foundation, which includes PHYS 107, PHYS 110 or PHYS 115, PHYS 230 or PHYS 125, PHYS 240 and PHYS 250.
Physics majors intending to go on graduate school in either Physics or Engineering are strongly encouraged to take PHYS 110 and PHYS 230 as part of their Foundation.
Mathematics Supporting Coursework
Accompanying the foundation must be work in mathematics including Multivariable Calculus and Linear Systems.
Upper Level Physics
The Upper Level Physics requirement consists of
- Completion of PHYS 310
- Completion of an additional 16 units from any of the following
- Completion of the breadth requirement: 4 units from any of the following
- Any additional 4 units from item 2 above
- A 300-level class from Chemistry, Computer Science, Education, Geology or Mathematics. This 300-level class excludes Junior and Senior seminars in other disciplines.
Physics majors intending to go on graduate school in either Physics or Engineering are strongly encouraged to take PHYS 320, PHYS 330, PHYS 340 and the additional 2 units of PHYS 315/316 as part of their Upper Level Physics requirement.
The breadth requirement is intended for students to explore how physics can be applied to other STEM disciplines.
The option to take a 4 unit 300-level Education class is intended for students interested in teaching high school physics.
Physics "Capstone"
All physics majors must complete 2 units of Senior Seminar (PHYS 490) and 2 units of Advanced Lab (PHYS 315 or PHYS 316):
Honors in the Major
Senior physics majors with an overall grade point average of 3.25 are permitted to present an oral and written thesis on their research for College Honors consideration at graduation. Consult the department chair for details.
Minor
Foundation
Mathematics Supporting Coursework
Physics Elective
Completion of an additional 4 units from any PHYS class at the 300-level or a class from the PHYS 200-series.
Second-Stage Writing
The Second-Stage Writing Requirement in Physics can be satisfied with a passing evaluation of a student portfolio. The portfolio will consist of three items: two laboratory reports from Modern Physics (PHYS 240) and/or Advanced Laboratory (PHYS 315/PHYS 316), and one research report from Senior Physics Seminar (PHYS 490/PHYS 491). Students are encouraged to revise these reports before submitting the portfolio. Typical formats for the required writings will be presented in the related courses. The writing is expected to be clear, precise, and intelligible to someone who has completed the Physics Foundation. Proper spelling, grammar, and organization are essential. The portfolio will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis by a departmental committee.
A student may submit a portfolio only once. The portfolio is normally submitted at the end of the semester when the student completes the first semester of PHYS 490/PHYS 491. The final deadline for submission of a passing portfolio is the last day of classes in a student’s penultimate semester. Students who fail to pass the writing portfolio or those that do not wish to submit a portfolio can also satisfy the Second-Stage Writing Requirement by taking a CWP 201 course that has been approved by the Physics Department Chair in consultation with the CWP Chair. A grade of C or better will satisfy the Second-Stage Writing Requirement.
Comprehensive Requirement
The comprehensive requirement for majors is met by completion of 2 units of Senior Seminar (PHYS 490 or PHYS 491) and 2 units of Advanced Lab (PHYS 315 or PHYS 316) with a grade of C or better and by passing a comprehensive examination on the material covered in the Physics Foundation. If the comprehensive examination is not passed by the end of a student's penultimate semester, then the student can instead complete an additional 4 units of Upper Level Physics with a grade of C or better. Completing 4 units of Directed Research with a grade of C or better can be substituted if there are no additional Upper Level Physics classes offered in a student's final semester.
Transfer Credit Policies
The Occidental college physics department does not accept online courses (including hybrid courses) for transfer credit.
Students who earned a score of 5 on the Mechanics AP Physics C examination will earn four units of credit and will be considered to have completed the equivalent of Physics 110.
Students should reference the Transfer Credit section for details.
Advising Information
First-year students interested in majoring in physics should start with Physics 107 in the fall of their first year. Next they should take Physics 110 in the spring of their first year. In addition, students should have completed at least Calculus I (MATH 110 or 114) and Calculus II (MATH 120 or 128) by the end of their first year. Students who come to the college with a more advanced background in physics should consult the department’s Course Exemption page. Physics majors typically begin taking courses at the intermediate level in their sophomore year, and start taking 300-level courses in their junior year.
Placement Information
No placement exam is required in order to take the introductory-level physics courses. Students who received a 5 on the AP Mechanics C exam or who have previously taken college-level physics courses should see the department Course Exemption page for more information.
Most students who are interested in majoring in Physics should take the Calculus Placement Assessment (ALEKS) during the summer prior to their first year. You do not need to take the Calculus Placement Assessment if you any of the following are true:
- You received a score of 4 or 5 on either the AP Calculus AB or BC exam;
- You receive an IB Calculus HL score of 5 or above;
- You have already taken a Calculus 1 course at another accredited college or university.
Sample 4-Year Plans
Typical path through the Physics major
Curricular Notes:
- To complete Core by the end of the sophomore year, students will need to double dip at least one course.
- MATH 212 and MATH 214 can be taken in any order.
- The Upper Level Physics requirement can be any 4 courses from the 200 or 300 series, or 320, 330, 340, 350, 370, or an additional 2 units of 315/316+ 2 additional units of 200- or 300-level physics, including 2 units of 395.
- The Breadth Requirement can be another Upper Level Physics requirement or 4 units of any 300-level class in Chemistry, Computer Science, Education, Geology, or Mathematics, not including Junior or Senior seminars
Physics Transfer Student Advice
Transfer Course Limit for Transfer Students: No Limit
Designated Transfer Adviser
Expected preparation for transfer students wanting to major in Physics:
(Note that equivalent coursework taken elsewhere, as determined by the department chair, is sufficient)
- Junior transfer students
- Should have completed PHYS 110 (Mechanics) and PHYS 230 (Electricity and Magnetism). All with in-person labs. PHYS 107 (Waves) and PHYS 240 (Foundation of Modern Physics) both with an in-person lab are also recommended to have been completed, but can also be taken in Junior or Senior year. Should also have completed Calculus I, Calculus II, MATH 214 (Linear Algebra), and MATH 212 (Multivariable Calculus)
- Should have completed most of their Core requirements prior to transferring. It will be possible to get at most one or two more core requirements while at Occidental.
- Transfer students starting midway through their sophomore year:
- PHYS110 (Mechanics) and PHYS 230 (Electricity and Magnetism). All with in-person labs. Should also have completed Calculus I, Calculus II, MATH 214 (Linear Algebra), and MATH 212 (Multivariable Calculus)
- Should have completed as many of their Core requirements as possible prior to transferring with the expectation that all will be complete by the end of their first semester.
- Sophomore transfer students
- PHYS 110 (Mechanics) with an in-person lab. Should also have completed Calculus I and Calculus II
- Should have completed as many of their Core requirements as possible prior to transferring.
General advice for transfer students wanting to major Physics:
What courses should a transfer student take during their first semester at Occidental?
- Junior transfers should take PHYS 310 (Math Methods) and PHYS 320 (Analytical Dynamics)
- Transfer students starting midway through their sophomore year should take PHYS 240 (Foundation of Modern Physics) and PHYS 250 (Thermal and Statistical Physics), and should take any remaining Core requirements in order to complete all of their Core requirements by the end of their first semester at Occidental
- Sophomore students should take PHYS 230 (Electricity and Magnetism) and should enroll in Core requirements with a plan to complete them during their first two semesters at Occidental.
Late Starts
While we strongly encourage our physics majors to take Physics 107 in the fall of year 1, the physics major can be successfully completed even if started later.
Below are a few possible scenarios for late starts, but there are other pathways, depending on your math background. Please consult with a member of our physics faculty for more options.
Spring Start, year 1
|
| Year | Fall | Spring |
| 1 | Calculus I | Physics 110,
Calculus II |
| 2 | Physics 230,
Physics 107,
Math 212/214 | Physics 240,
Physics 250,
Math 212/214 |
| 3 | ... | ... |
| 4 | ... | ... |
| Fall Start, year 2 |
| Year | Fall | Spring |
| 1 | ... | Calculus I |
| 2 | Physics 115,
Calculus II | Physics 125,
Math 214 |
| 3 | Physics 310,
Physics 107,
Math 212 | Physics 240,
Physics 250
|
| 4 | ... | ...
|
Courses
Physics Courses
Faculty
Tenure and Tenure Track Faculty
Janet Scheel, chair; designated transfer adviser
Ezra Frederick Scattergood Professor
B.S., University of Illinois, Urbana; M.A., M.S., Cornell University; Ph.D., California Institute of Technology
Dustin R. Madison
Assistant Professor
B.A. University of California, Berkeley; M.S., Ph.D. Cornell University
Alec Schramm
Professor
B.A., Cornell University; M.A., Ph.D., Duke University
Daniel Snowden-Ifft
Professor
B.A., Swarthmore College M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
Sabrina Stierwalt
Assistant Professor
B.A., University of California, Berkeley; Ph.D., Cornell University
Non-Tenure Track Faculty
Jean-Luc Gauvreau
Resident Associate Professor
B.S., Universite Laval, Ste-Foy, Quebec, Canada; Ph.D., University of Maryland College Park
Igor Umanskiy
Laboratory Coordinator
M.S., Ph.D., Saratov State University, Russia