B-W: Physics Program Requirements

Physics explores the scientific principles governing the behavior of the physical world. These principles provide insight into the nature of the universe around us and are the basis for new technology. The department’s program utilizes a combination of lectures, laboratories, discussions and independent work to help students acquire an understanding of these principles and their implications. Introductory Physics, General Physics and Workshop Physics cover the topics needed for a student beginning a program in physics, pre-engineering, chemistry, pre-medicine and pre-physical therapy. The department also offers all the standard advanced courses needed for a physics major intending to do graduate work in physics or astronomy.

All 100-level courses may be used to satisfy a portion of the core curriculum requirement in science.

Physics Major

Computer Code: PHYS

Minimum required hours: 62-64 credits (plus prerequisites as indicated)

Required Courses in Physics (* = Prerequisite Required)
PHY	131	General Physics I AND	4 credits
PHY	151L	Introductory Physics Lab I OR	1 credits
PHY	145L	Applied College Physics I	5 credits
Either PHY 131 along with 151L or PHY 145L, but not both, may be taken for credit.
PHY	132	General Physics II AND	4 credits*
PHY	152L	Introductory Physics Lab II OR	1 credits
PHY	146L	Applied College Physics II	5 credits*
Either PHY 132 along with 152L or PHY 146L, but not both, may be taken for credit.
PHY	233	Modern Physics	4 credits*
PHY	311	Electronic Instrumentation	3 credits*
PHY	312	Advanced Laboratory	3 credits*
PHY	312	Advanced Laboratory	3 credits*
Advanced Lab must be taken two times with different experiments each time it is taken. With approval by the Department following a presentation and written paper, students may substitute up to three credits of internship or research experience in place of 3 credits of PHY-312 Advanced Laboratory.
Any five (5) of the following upper level courses must be successfully completed.
PHY	312	Advanced Laboratory	3 credits*
PHY	331	Mechanics I	3 credits*
PHY	341	Theoretical Physics	3 credits*
PHY	361	Electromagnetism	4 credits*
PHY	362	Physics of Waves	3 credits*
PHY	371	Thermal Physics	4 credits*
PHY	372	Quantum Physics	3 credits*
PHY	410	Special Topics in Physics	3 or 4 credits
Required courses in areas other than Physics
CHM	111	General Chemistry I	4 credits*
CHM	111L	General Chemistry I Lab	0.5 credits*
CHM	112	General Chemistry II	4 credits*
CHM	112L	General Chemistry II Lab	0.5 credits*
MTH	141	Calculus I	4 credits*
MTH	142	Calculus II	4 credits*
MTH	243	Calculus III	4 credits*
MTH	212	Differential Equations	3 credits*
The following course is recommended but not required
MTH	313	Applied Analysis	3 credits*

Binary Program in Engineering
The pre-engineering program prepares Baldwin-Wallace students to earn an engineering degree through educational affiliations with the engineering schools of Case Western Reserve University, Columbia University and Washington University (St. Louis). Upon satisfactory completion of the three-year pre-engineering program at B-W and the two-year engineering program at the engineering school, a student receives the Bachelor of Arts degree from B-W and the Bachelor of Science in their chosen field of engineering from the engineering school. Completion of the program at other recognized engineering schools is possible if prior approval of the B-W pre-engineering advisor is obtained.

Physics Based Engineering Areas Major

Computer Code: PREN

This major is designed for students interested in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or one of the other physics-based engineering programs.

Minimum required semester credit hours 56-58 credits at B-W plus additional credits at the engineering school in which the program is completed.

Required Courses in Physics
PHY	131	General Physics I AND	4 credits
PHY	151L	Introductory Physics Lab I OR	1 credits
PHY	145L	Applied College Physics I	5 credits
Either PHY 131 along with 151L or PHY 145L, but not both, may be taken for credit.
PHY	132	General Physics II AND	4 credits*
PHY	152L	Introductory Physics Lab II OR	1 credits
PHY	146L	Applied College Physics II	5 credits*
Either PHY 132 along with 152L or PHY 146L, but not both, may be taken for credit.
PHY	233	Modern Physics	4 credits*
PHY	311	Electronic Instrumentation	3 credits*
PHY	312	Advanced Laboratory	3 credits*
CHM	111	General Chemistry I	4 credits*
CHM	111L	General Chemistry I Lab	0.5 credits*
CHM	112	General Chemistry II	4 credits*
CHM	112L	General Chemistry II Lab	0.5 credits*
MTH	141	Calculus I	4 credits*
MTH	142	Calculus II	4 credits*
MTH	243	Calculus III	4 credits*
MTH	212	Differential Equations	3 credits*
CSC	210	Computer Science I	3 credits*
Any three (3) of the following upper level courses must be successfully completed.
PHY	312	Advanced Lab	3 credits*
Advanced Lab may be repeated if different experiments are done each time.
PHY	331	Mechanics I	3 credits*
PHY	341	Theoretical Physics	3 credits*
PHY	361	Electromagnetism	4 credits*
PHY	362	Physics of Waves	3 credits*
PHY	371	Thermal Physics	4 credits*
PHY	372	Quantum Physics	3 credits*
PHY	410	Special Topics in Physics	3 or 4 credits
The following courses may be required by some of our affiliated schools of engineering but are not required by B-W.
PHY	260	Engineering Materials	2 credits*
PHY	261	Introduction to Statics	2 credits*
Some of our affiliated schools strongly recommend courses similar to PHY 260-261.

Before transferring to the engineering school at which they will complete the work for their degree, pre-engineering students must complete:

at least 92 credit hours of coursework at B-W
the B-W core curriculum requirements.

Some of our affiliated schools require the completion of at least 3 courses in one area of the humanities or social sciences, with one of these courses being an upper level course. For B-W students planning on completing their engineering degree at CWRU, PHY 260-261 is recommended.

Chemistry Based Engineering Areas Major

Computer Code: PNGC

This major is designed for students interested in chemical engineering or one of the other chemistry-based engineering programs.

Minimum required semester credit hours 63 credits at B-W plus additional credits at the engineering school in which the program is completed.

CHM	111	General Chemistry I	4 credits*
CHM	111L	General Chemistry I Lab	0.5 credits*
CHM	112	General Chemistry II	4 credits*
CHM	112L	General Chemistry II Lab	0.5 credits*
PHY	131	General Physics I AND	4 credits
PHY	151L	Introductory Physics Lab I OR	1 credits
PHY	145L	Applied College Physics I	5 credits
Either PHY 131 along with 151L or PHY 145L, but not both, may be taken for credit.
PHY	132	General Physics II AND	4 credits*
PHY	152L	Introductory Physics Lab II OR	1 credits
PHY	146L	Applied College Physics II	5 credits*
Either PHY 132 along with 152L or PHY 146L, but not both, may be taken for credit.
MTH	141	Calculus I	4 credits*
MTH	142	Calculus II	4 credits*
MTH	243	Calculus III	4 credits*
MTH	212	Differential Equations	3 credits*
MTH	314	Numerical Analysis	3 credits*
CSC	210	Computer Science I	3 credits*
CHM	221	Quantitative Analysis	3 credits*
CHM	221L	Quantitative Analysis Lab	1 credits*
CHM	251	Organic Chemistry I	4 credits*
CHM	251L	Organic Chemistry I Lab	0.5 credits*
CHM	252	Organic Chemistry II	4 credits*
CHM	252L	Organic Chemistry II Lab	0.5 credits*
CHM	331	Physical Chemistry I	3 credits*
CHM	331L	Physical Chemistry I Lab	0.5 credits*
CHM	332	Physical Chemistry II	3 credits*
CHM	332L	Physical Chemistry II Lab	0.5 credits*

Before transferring to the engineering school at which they will complete the work for their degree, pre-engineering students must complete:

at least 92 credit hours of coursework at B-W
the B-W core curriculum requirements.

Some of our affiliated schools require the completion of at least 3 courses in one area of the humanities or social sciences, with one of these courses being an upper level course.

Physics Minor
A minor in physics requires a minimum of 20 credit hours of courses in physics. These credits must include either General Physics and Lab or Workshop Physics: (PHY 131 and 151L or PHY 145L) and (PHY 132 and 152L or PHY 146L) and Modern Physics PHY 233. An additional two (2) more different courses must be selected from the upper level courses in physics below:

PHY	312	Advanced Lab	3 credits*
PHY	331	Mechanics I	3 credits*
PHY	341	Theoretical Physics	3 credits*
PHY	361	Electromagnetism	4 credits*
PHY	362	Physics of Waves	3 credits*
PHY	371	Thermal Physics	4 credits*
PHY	372	Quantum Physics	3 credits*
PHY	410	Special Topics in Physics	3 or 4 credits

Students planning teaching careers in the elementary, middle or secondary schools should consult the Division of Education.

Students interested in Environmental Science should see the Environmental Science Minor.

Related Links

Physics and Astronomy

Physics Program Requirements