Department of Physics
Departmental Honors
Students on Summer 2020, Fall 2020, or Spring 2021 requirements PHYS-HON
The honors program provides well-qualified students with an exceptionally strong foundation in physics, both by encouraging excellence in coursework and recognizing the importance of early participation in research. It is strongly recommended that students intending to enroll in graduate school pursue this option.
Requirements
Along with fulfilling all the requirements for the B.S. in Physics, Honors candidates must complete the following:
- Honors Courses. Two (2) courses:
- PHYS-P 332 Theory of Electricity and Magnetism II
- PHYS-P 442 Analytical Mechanics II
- PHYS-P 454 Modern Physics
PHYS-P 332 Theory of Electricity and Magnetism II
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- PHYS-P 331; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Magnetic materials, wave equations and radiation, energy transfer and conversion. Pointing vector and momentum, retarded potentials, dipole radiation, transmission lines and wave guides, relativity.
- Fall 2024CASE NMcourseSummer 2024CASE NMcourseSpring 2024CASE NMcourse
PHYS-P 442 Analytical Mechanics II
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- PHYS-P 441; or consent of instructor
- Corequisites
- MATH-M 343
- Description
- Elementary mechanics of particles and rigid bodies, treated by methods of calculus and differential equations.
- Fall 2024CASE NMcourseSummer 2024CASE NMcourseSpring 2024CASE NMcourse
PHYS-P 454 Modern Physics
- Credits
- 4
- Prerequisites
- PHYS-P 453
- Description
- Structure of multielectron atoms. Experimental facts and theoretical models in solid state physics, nuclear physics, and elementary particle physics.
- Fall 2024CASE NMcourseSummer 2024CASE NMcourseSpring 2024CASE NMcourse
- Independent Research Project. Complete an independent research project under the supervision of a faculty member
- Honors Thesis. Write and present an honors thesis based on the independent research project.
- Major GPA. Honors candidates must maintain a GPA of at least 3.500 in the Physics major.
- GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- Students must have a College GPA of 3.300 or higher to qualify for admission to a Departmental Honors program and to receive Departmental Honors. Units may set a higher College GPA.
- Units establish additional criteria, including admissions procedures, academic performance standards, and whether there are required courses, papers, or projects.
- Students who wish to earn honors in two different units must complete a distinct body of work for each honors notation.
Exceptions to and substitutions for honors requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.