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A student-centered curriculum
Our curriculum is designed to meet the talents and needs of students of every background, identity, and aspiration. That’s why we center equity and inclusion in our teaching, advising, and mentoring. It’s also why our curriculum is designed to enable exploration across the disciplines and to encourage learning beyond the campus, including study abroad at leading universities around the world and research at world-renowned laboratories, such as Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
We also help students take full advantage of the resources available on campus, while connecting them with universities and research laboratories around the world to expand their knowledge, expose them to new ideas and possibilities, and equip them for their futures.
Note: Students interested in engineering can find the engineering physics curriculum here.
Physics, Engineering, & Astronomy
The physics program at Beloit College could be the ideal major for a student interested in liberal arts and science. Physics, engineering, and astronomy faculty use dynamic, interactive methods of teaching to challenge students, ensuring that they develop the strong problem-solving skills that are useful in a wide range of careers.
Practical work in the laboratory reinforces theoretical classroom work; many students participate in both formal and informal research projects, taking advantage of well-equipped labs and machine shops. The flexible major allows students to pursue individual interests. Current research interests of Beloit physics faculty encompass a wide variety of fields, including planetary astronomy, plasma physics, laser spectroscopy, nuclear physics, and science education.
Majors
- Seven physics departmental units:
- Physics 101, 102, 210, 330, 335, 340, and 345.
- Four engineering program units:
- Engineering 105, 220, 330 (.5), 340 (.5), 381 (.5), and 382 (.5).
- Supporting courses (4 units): Mathematics 110 or 113, and Mathematics 115, 201, and 290.
- Engineering Physics majors planning to attend graduate school in physics are strongly urged to take all of the core 300-level physics courses (330, 335, 340, 345, and 350); and Mathematics 275.
- Students are strongly encouraged to do a semester of off-campus study or study abroad. Possible programs include the Oak Ridge Science Semester; many international opportunities include the possibility of taking upper-level physics courses.
- All Engineering Physics majors are encouraged to do an internship or independent research, often in the form of a paid summer REU.
- Students cannot major in both physics and engineering physics.
- Students interested in a 3-2 or 4-2 program should declare a major in physics as opposed to engineering physics.
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Students majoring in engineering physics may choose to receive the Bachelor of Science degree rather than the Bachelor of Arts degree by completing a minimum of 4 units in biology, chemistry, computer science, geology, and/or mathematics.
- Seven departmental units:
- Physics 101, 102, and 210.
- At least 4 units chosen from 330, 335, 340, 345, or 350.
- One additional unit from physics, biology, chemistry, computer science, geology, engineering, or mathematics, chosen with prior consent of the advisor.
- Supporting courses (3 units): Mathematics 110 or 113, and 115, 290.
- Physics majors planning to attend graduate school in physics are strongly urged to take all of the core 300-level physics courses (330, 335, 340, 345, and 350); and Mathematics 275 and 201.
- Students are strongly encouraged to do a semester of off-campus study or study abroad. Possible programs include the Oak Ridge Science Semester; many international opportunities include the possibility of taking upper-level physics courses.
- All physics majors are encouraged to do an internship or independent research, often in the form of a paid summer REU.
- Students cannot major in both physics and engineering physics.
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Students majoring physics may choose to receive the Bachelor of Science degree rather than the Bachelor of Arts degree by completing a minimum of 4 units in biology, chemistry, computer science, geology, and/or mathematics.
Minors
- Four departmental units:
- Physics 101.
- Three additional elective units in Physics or Engineering:
- One course must be at the 200-level or above.
- No more than 1 total unit of Physics 300, 390, and 395.
- Supporting courses (2 units): Mathematics 110 or 113, and Mathematics 115.