Strengthen Your Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Skills
Broadly defined, physics is the scientific study of how matter and energy interact. From quarks to cosmos, physics offers a portal into understanding how the world works at a fundamental level and a view of the frontier of the unanswered questions that remain.
Why study 物理 at St. 爱德华的?
Studying physics enhances your skills in critical thinking, research and analysis, 团队合作, and communication — valuable assets to any career. The 物理 minor strengthens almost any degree you pursue, especially degrees in mathematics, 计算机科学, 生物学, chemistry and engineering.
Hands-on learning and research opportunities
辅修物理, you will have the opportunity to carry out atmospheric science research with a faculty mentor. You’ll work together to collect and analyze measurements from balloon-borne instruments and ground-based spectrometers to help inform what factors are affecting air pollution.
Attend interactive conferences and fairs
In the University 物理 sequence of courses, students work in teams to complete projects and show their work at a culminating project fair. Students interested in physics can also attend and present their research at a conference.
Explore Details 关于 a 小 in 物理
Required Courses (8 hours)
- University 物理 I and
- Mechanics and Waves Laboratory
Or
- University 物理 I
- University 物理 II and
- Electricity, Magnetism and Optics Laboratory
Or
- University 物理 II
Electives (10 hours total)
- Physical 化学 I, Lab
- Physical 化学 II
- Numerical and Scientific Methods
- 物理 Special Topics
- 独立学习
- 研究 in 物理
What You Will Learn
The 物理 minor offers students the opportunity to study quantum mechanics, thermodynamics and more advanced computational approaches to modeling scientific phenomena. The minor’s introductory physics sequence is comprised of two courses that involve studying mechanics, as well as electricity and magnetism, both of which incorporate an introduction to programming using VPython.
A few examples of courses students in this minor take:
- University 物理 I – Topics include fundamentals of classical mechanics. Primarily for science or pre-engineering students. Calculus is used in derivations and problem-solving.
- Mechanics and Waves Lab – Experiments in mechanics and waves. Includes experience with computer-assisted data recording, analysis and graphing, basic considerations of experimental design, and introduction to report writing.
研究 and Presentations
In the 物理 minor, you and your classmates will have the opportunity to carry out atmospheric science research with a faculty mentor. You’ll work together to collect and analyze measurements from balloon-borne instruments and ground-based spectrometers to help inform what factors are affecting air pollution.
In the University 物理 sequence of courses, students work in teams to complete projects and show their work at a culminating project fair. Students interested in physics can also attend and present their research at a conference.
Students are invited to join the 物理俱乐部, which in addition to various activities, helps prepare students for the different opportunities available to students studying physics.
“Our faculty employ an engaging, student-centered approach to teaching physics and astronomy and are readily available to help students outside of class. Students of any major are welcome to work with our physics faculty on research on a variety of projects in atmospheric science and air quality.”
— 保罗·沃尔特博士, Professor of 物理