Dec 26, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Physics, Individual Option Concentration, B.A.

Dr. W. Christopher Hughes, Department Head
Phone: (540) 568-6109                                                                 
Email:  physics@jmu.edu
Location: Physics/Chemistry Building, Suite 2186                         
Website: http://csma31.csm.jmu.edu/physics

Professors
K. Giovanetti, W. C. Hughes, B. Newcomer, G. Niculescu, I. Niculescu, S. Scully

Associate Professors
A. Banu, H. Butner, A. Constantin, C. Constantin, K. Feitosa, M. Mattson, S. Paulson, G. Scarel

Assistant Professors
G. Albright, T. Finch, K. Fukumura, M. Kaveh-Baghbadorani, I. Melnikov, S. Virani

Instructors
L. Lucatorto, J. Sterlace

Mission

The mission of the Department of Physics and Astronomy is the preparation of scientifically enlightened citizens. Science literacy is promoted by the production of teachers, researchers, technical professionals and knowledgeable individuals through the integration of classroom and experiential learning.

Vision

We strive to be a leading undergraduate physics and astronomy department by building a research-active, student-centered community.

Values

Excellence, integrity and mutual respect are the core values that define our department. The vigorous pursuit of research with undergraduates is central to extending our understanding of nature and the engagement of students directly in the practice of physics and astronomy.

Service to the university, the public and the profession is essential for continued vitality of science education and research.

Goals

To help students:

  • Develop competence in using computers for computation, data acquisition, numerical control, device development, and information acquisition and processing.
  • Appreciate the role of science in society and the historical development of physics in the ongoing quest to discover the structure of the universe.
  • Gain an understanding of the basic principles and the experimental basis of the various fields of physics and the logical relationships of the various fields.
  • Become capable problem solvers using techniques that require mathematical skills, conceptual and mathematical models, order-of-magnitude estimates, and an understanding of limiting cases.
  • Develop competence in designing, constructing, and using laboratory instruments, and to draw valid conclusions from experimental data.
  • Improve written and oral technical communication skills.

Co-Curricular and Organizations

  • Society of Physics Students

Degree and Major Requirements

Degree Requirements

Required Courses

  • General Education  41 Credit Hours 1
  • Foreign Language classes (intermediate level required) 0-14 Credit Hours 2
  • Philosophy course (in addition to General Education  courses) 3 Credit Hours
  • University electives 23-37 Credit Hours
  • Major core requirements 39 Credit Hours 3
  • Major concentration requirements 26-39 Credit Hours 3
Total: 120 Credit Hours
Footnotes

1 The General Education  program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.
2 The foreign language requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of the second semester of the intermediate level (typically 232) of the student’s chosen language or by placing out of that language through the Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures’ placement test.
3 Some of the courses required for the major complete Cluster Three  of General Education . PHIL 101  is part of Cluster Two .

Major Core Requirements

Courses

Choose one of the following: 6 Credit Hours
Choose one of the following: 2 Credit Hours
Choose one of the following: 4 Credit Hours
Total: 39 Credit Hours

Program Concentrations

Each student, in consultation with his/her faculty adviser, will choose one of the following program concentrations:

  • Individual Option
  • Professional

Individual Option

The individual option is a course of study chosen specifically to match the interest and career plans of the student. This option will allow custom-designed cross disciplinary majors such as the history of physics and physics and the fine arts.

A student electing the individual option must complete the major core requirements of the B.A. in physics and will select a program consisting of a coherent collection of a minimum of 26 additional credits of physics courses numbered above 270, astronomy courses numbered above 301 and courses in related fields. This individualized program must be selected in consultation with a faculty adviser in the department and must be approved by that adviser, the department head and one other faculty member in the department.

The individualized program, as approved by the department and accepted by the student, becomes the major requirements for the student.

Students are expected to review progress toward completion of the selected program of study with their faculty adviser.