Correspondence Directory

Majors and Courses of InstructionPhysics and AstronomyPhysicsMajors and MinorsProfessors Andereck, Harmon. TreesAssociate Professor KayeVisiting Assistant Professor KrauseThe Department of Physics and Astronomy offers a flexible program designed to meet the needs ofa wide variety of students who are usually interested in one of the following options: (1) preparationfor graduate study in physics or astronomy; (2) secondary education; (3) pre-engineering; (4)preparation for graduate school in a field cognate to physics; (5) preparation for professional schoolin medicine, dentistry, or law; (6) employment in physics- or astronomy-related potions in industryor government. To be accepted by the department as majors, students will normally completeduring the freshman year the general physics sequence (110C, 110L, 111C and 111L) or itsequivalent, and MATH 110 and 111; MATH 210 and 280 are to be completed in the sophomoreyear. Pre-engineering students must take a year of introductory chemistry during their residencyat Ohio Wesleyan. Some of these requirements also can be met by transfer of credits, proficiencyexaminations, or advanced placement. Students whose performance on the PHYS 110 PlacementExam indicates placement in PHYS 280 are eligible to receive credit for PHYS 110C. To receivethis credit, students must complete PHYS 110L with a grade of C (not C-) or higher during theirfirst semester at Ohio Wesleyan. (The department may allow a student to postpone the lab until thesecond year if exceptional circumstances warrant such a decision.) In addition, students who alsopass the PHYS 111 placement exam will be given credit for PHYS 111C upon completion of PHYS110L with the grade of C (not C-) or higher. Students who need or want credit for PHYS 111Lmust either take the lab for credit or complete PHYS 275 (Electronics I) with a grade of C (not C-)or higher. Students have only one opportunity to earn credit for PHYS 110C (and PHYS 111C) bypassing PHYS 110L with a grade of C (not C-) or higher.Physics Major: Minimum course requirements for a physics major and graduate school preparationare listed below. Students interested in graduate school in biophysics, geophysics, oceanography, orother cognate interdisciplinary areas will be counseled on an individual basis regarding additionalcourse selection. Secondary education majors will meet the minimum requirements and normallycomplete an additional course. Pre-engineering required courses are listed below.Many students majoring in physics also elect to major in another of the natural or mathematicalsciences, or in a social science; for such students additions to the minimum physics program will beselected according to individual needs and career aspirations.Most students elect additional mathematics or computer science courses dealing with such topics asadvanced calculus, applied mathematics, complex variables, computer programming languages, andnumerical analysis.Pre-Engineering Option: Students who meet all University graduation requirements including thecompletion of at least 24 courses (each a full unit course, a 1.25-unit course or two modular 0.50-unit courses in the same department) and maintain at least a 3.00 cumulative grade point averageoverall and in the major during residence on campus may transfer to an engineering school at theend of their third year for two more years of study (see Combined Bachelor’s/Professional Degreesin the previous chapter of this Catalog). Students must also complete the department’s assessmentexercises before departing Ohio Wesleyan. Upon successful completion of the engineering school225