Faculty

Benjamin W. Schumacher
Chair, Professor

Hyun Jai Cho
Visiting Assistant Professor

Eric J. Holdener
Assistant Professor

Jan Kmetko
Assistant Professor

Frank C. Peiris
Associate Professor

Timothy S. Sullivan
Professor

Paula C. Turner
Associate Provost; Associate Professor

Emeritus Faculty

Thomas B. Greenslade Jr.
Professor Emeritus

John D. Idoine
Professor Emeritus

Franklin Miller Jr.
Professor Emeritus

Physics is the study of the most basic principles of nature that describe the world around us, from subatomic objects to the motion of everyday particles to the galaxies and beyond. Courses in physics allow students to develop a sound knowledge of these principles as well as the analytical and experimental techniques necessary to apply them to a broad range of theoretical and experimental problems. Graduating with a physics degree is excellent preparation for graduate school in physics, engineering, health sciences, and teaching.

The Physics Curriculum

The Department of Physics offers three options for students wishing to begin their exploration of physics.

Students who want a less mathematical approach to interesting subfields of physics should consider PHYS 104 (Einstein); PHYS 106 (Astronomy: Planets and Moons); PHYS 107 (Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies); PHYS 108 (Geology); or PHYS 109 (Origins). These courses are suitable for diversification in the sciences and are accessible to any Kenyon student. All contain some laboratory sessions in which students gain experience with the phenomena discussed in lectures. Usually, one or two such courses are offered each year.

The second option is PHYS 130 and 135 (General Physics I and II). PHYS 130 and 135 constitute a general survey of physics designed primarily for students who will take only one year of physics. Corequisite courses PHYS 141 and PHYS 146 are weekly laboratories closely tied to lecture material; they make extensive use of computers for data acquisition and analysis.

The third option is PHYS 140 (Classical Physics) and PHYS 145 (Modern Physics), which, together with PHYS 240 (Fields and Spacetime), form a calculus-based introduction to the fundamentals of physics. These courses cover much the same material as PHYS 130 and PHYS 135, but are more analytical and treat topics in greater depth. PHYS 140 and PHYS 145 are particularly suitable for students who plan to take more physics or upper-level chemistry or mathematics courses. PHYS 140 and 145 are required for all physics courses with numbers above 220. They require concurrent enrollment in, or credit for, calculus. For first-year students who have had any physics laboratory experience in high school, PHYS 110 (First-Year Seminar in Physics) is required as a corequisite to PHYS 140. (For first-year students who have not had any physics laboratory component in high school or who are just starting their study of physics in college, PHYS 141 is the required corequisite class.) For upper-class students, co-enrollment in PHYS 141 is required for PHYS 140. For the second semester, co-enrollment in PHYS 146 is required for enrollment in PHYS 145 for all students. PHYS 141 and PHYS 146 are weekly laboratories, closely tied to lecture material; they make extensive use of computers for data acquisition and analysis.

Students who have an unusually strong background in high school physics, including quantitative laboratory exercises, and mathematics, or who receive high scores on the Advanced Placement C-level Physics Examination, should consider beginning their study of physics with PHYS 240 (Fields and Spacetime) and the corequisite laboratory course, PHYS 241. Placement in this course is determined in consultation with the instructor and chair of the department. A student choosing this option should consider taking PHYS 110 (First-Year Seminar in Physics) as well.

Requirements for the Major

The minimum requirements for a major in physics consist of the following:

• PHYS 140; 110 or 141; 145; 146; 240; 241; 245; 246; 280; 281; 480; 481. PHYS 130 and 135 may be substituted for PHYS 140 and 145 with permission of the department chair.
• One additional unit selected from physics courses numbered above 320 and including at least one of PHYS 340, 350, or 360.
• MATH 111, 112, and 213, or equivalent; and either MATH 224 or 333.

Additional physics courses are encouraged. A student preparing for graduate study in physics should enroll in several advanced physics courses in addition to the minimum requirements and is encouraged to take further work in mathematics and chemistry. A student preparing for graduate study should expect to average about 2.25 units per semester. Care should be taken to satisfy the College's graduation requirement to take nine units outside of the major department.

Note: All courses in physics numbered above 220 have as prerequisites PHYS 140 and 145 and MATH 111 and 112, unless otherwise noted. PHYS 141, 146, 241, 246, 281, and 481 are laboratory courses involving substantial experimental work.

Senior Exercise

The Senior Exercise includes the presentation of a talk on a topic in physics at a department colloquium and a comprehensive written exam in physics.

Honors

Honors work in physics involves directed research on a specific topic in experimental, theoretical, or computational physics, culminating in a written thesis, an oral presentation at a departmental colloquium, and an examination by an outside specialist.

Requirements for the Minor

The department offers two minors, physics and astronomy. Students considering one of these minors should work with a faculty member in the physics department as the minor is being planned, since some courses are not offered every year.

Requirements for the Physics Minor

The program for a minor in physics consists of the following:

• PHYS 140; 110 or 141; 145; 146; 240; 241. PHYS 130 and 135 may be substituted for 140 and 145 with permission of the department chair.
• One additional unit selected from physics courses numbered above 220.

This minor is open to students with all majors, but may be especially attractive to students in disciplines that have strong ties to physics, such as chemistry, mathematics, and biology. Other combinations of introductory courses may also be acceptable. Note: All courses in physics numbered above 220 have as prerequisites PHYS 140, 141, 145, 146, and MATH 111 and 112, unless otherwise noted.

Requirements for the Astronomy Minor

The program for a minor in astronomy consists of the following:

• PHYS 130 and 135 or 140 and 145; 110 or 141; 146; 106; 107.
• An additional .5 unit selected from all physics courses (see suggestions below).

There are several options for the choice of the fifth course. PHYS 240, 241 (Fields and Spacetime) and PHYS 245, 246 (Oscillations and Waves) provide further experience with the foundations of physics (note that these two courses have prerequisites in mathematics). Students with interests in instrumentation can choose PHYS 280, 281 (Electronics). Other options may include independent study and special topics courses related to astronomy. Note that College rules prohibit a student from receiving a minor in the same department as his or her major. Thus, a physics major may not elect to minor in astronomy.