Our undergraduate program provides a modern approach to physics and a variety of interactive class formats. Paradigms in Physics, the junior year sequence, is a series of six 5-week courses based on central concepts in Physics. Capstones in Physics is the senior-year program, designed to help students consolidate, broaden, and deepen their understanding of the subjects introduced in the junior year. Undergraduate research is an essential component of the curriculum. Our students can either choose a do a senior thesis research project under the supervision of a faculty member, or to take a 1-term experimental physics course to enjoy an open-ended exploration of physics.
Undergraduate Academics
Become a better problem solver through physics
Learning outcomes are educational goals that reflect what students can expect to learn throughout their physics courses and take with them beyond graduation. Physics learning outcomes center around problem-solving, sense-making, communication and experimentation.
Navigating the physics curriculum
Our approach teaches physics as physicists think about it, in terms of concepts that broadly underlie the various subfields: energy, symmetry, wave motion, and so forth. Introductory courses are followed by Paradigms in Physics classes and then senior-year Capstone courses in each of the major sub-disciplines.
Physics tutoring
The Wormhole is an informal space to work on physics with your peers under the guidance of experienced Assistants. This and other resources are available below.
Writing Intensive Courses
The WIC requirement in Physics provides an opportunity for undergraduate research, which is an important component of our curriculum. Students who do research write a thesis over 3 terms under the tutelage of a faculty member. Student may opt instead to replace a research project and thesis with PH 317, a 1-term experimental physics course with open-ended exploration.and one extra physics elective.
Paradigms in Physics, a nationally recognized curriculum
Paradigms in Physics is a total revision of the upper-division classroom courses. Paradigms courses feature a wide variety of active-engagement teaching strategies, including Small Whiteboard Questions, collaborative problem-solving, kinesthetic activities, physical manipulatives, and computer visualization. Paradigms have innovative course structures that support these teaching strategies and organize the physics and math ideas in ways that are aligned with how professionals think.
Get professional development while assisting fellow students as a learning assistant
In a traditional lecture the instructor disseminates information in one direction. With the Learning Assistant (LA) model the instructors and student LAs moderate small group work. LAs are trained in content and best teaching practices during weekly pedagogy meetings with the instructors.
