BA in Physics

A Physics teaching assistant pointing at the white board while 3 undergraduate students listen in

The Bachelor of Arts in Physics builds a foundation in the field while allowing plenty of flexibility to combine the program with a second major or minor in another course of study.

The 56-credit program includes courses in physics and mathematics as well as electives in physics or astronomy. Students also complete a capstone course.


Declare a Major

All students should visit the undergraduate program director or another physics advisor before submitting the Declaration of Major/Minor Form. Current advisors are listed on the faculty directory.

Declaration of Major/Minor Form

 


Alexander VanderHorst

"Anywhere you need problem solving, analytical skills or technical expertise, you'll find physics majors."

 

Alexander van der Horst
Assistant Professor of Astrophysics

 


Capstone Experience

The BA in Physics does not have a large research project requirement, but BA students can do research supervised by a faculty member if they are interested. Students are also supported by faculty to apply for research experiences and internships outside the department during the summer months if that fits within their long-term goals. 

All BA in Physics students take the Physics Capstone (PHYS 4195W), which fulfills Oral Communications and Writing in the Disciplines (WID) requirements. After taking PHYS 4195W, students will be able to:

  • explain the issues and standards for ethical conduct of research, 
  • explain issues related to building a physics community, 
  • describe career paths in physics, 
  • create applications for employment and graduate studies, including resumes and cover letters, and 
  • improve their scientific written and oral communication, including learning how to develop proposals for research funding. 

Students will have opportunities to improve their writing and presentations based on instructor and peer feedback in class, and they will interact with the GW Career Services office. The overarching goal is to help students think about, and develop, practical skills related to physics research, and prepare for their careers after graduation. This course will also prepare those students who are interested in doing research for a project in their junior and/or senior year, and for presenting this research at various venues.


Course Requirements 

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Undergraduate Programs.

Program-specific curriculum:

Required
Introductory courses (29 credits):
CSCI 1012Introduction to Programming with Python
or MAE 1117 Introduction to Engineering Computations
PHYS 1021University Physics I
or PHYS 1025 University Physics I with Biological Applications
PHYS 1022University Physics II
or PHYS 1026 University Physics II with Biological Applications
PHYS 2023Modern Physics
MATH 1231Single-Variable Calculus I
MATH 1232Single-Variable Calculus II
MATH 2233Multivariable Calculus
MATH 2184Linear Algebra I
MATH 3342Ordinary Differential Equations
Advanced courses (21 credits):
PHYS 2151WIntermediate Laboratory I: Techniques and Methods
PHYS 3161Mechanics
PHYS 3164Thermal and Statistical Physics
PHYS 3165Electromagnetic Theory I
PHYS 4195WPhysics Capstone
Electives
Two courses (6 credits) in Physics (PHYS) numbered 3000 or above and/or Astronomy (ASTR) numbered 2000 or above.