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Physics

Smith College physics provides integrated, hands-on learning, supportive professors and fellow physics majors, real research projects and great physics toys.

The physics department offers a rigorous curriculum that pairs innovative teaching techniques with a supportive and close-knit community of faculty, staff and students. Students often double major with astronomy, computer science, math, engineering, chemistry and architecture. You can carry out leading-edge research on your own or in collaboration with faculty starting your first year. Faculty research interests include nonlinear optics, experimental and computational condensed matter physics, complex fluids, molecular materials, low-dimensional systems, cold atom physics and cosmology.

Requirements & Courses

Goals for Majors in Physics

Smith College physics majors graduate with a combination of disciplinary knowledge and skills that prepares them for graduate work in physics or other STEM fields, medical school, teaching, science policy and a variety of other career options.

The primary areas of knowledge covered by our major are mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics and thermal physics. Students will gain a good introductory knowledge of electronics, special relativity, optics, fluids and error analysis. In addition to these physical topics, our students need to master a variety of mathematical topics required in these fields.

At least as important as disciplinary knowledge are the skills required for a degree in physics. These include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Good problem-solving technique, including identification of physical principles, good use of diagrams, clear mathematical derivations, proper use of units, and physical analysis and assessment of results.
  • Ability to convey knowledge and observations in both oral and written forms.
  • Use of computer-based numerical and analytical methods to solve complex physical problems.
  • Gain insight through the use of experimental design, instrumentation and methods that reveal signal and reduce noise in messy data.
  • Reproducible data analysis, including the use of software for graphing, curve fitting, and basic statistical analysis to draw conclusions and infer significance.
The Education Track

Students who choose the education track in the physics major may learn some topics at a more introductory level in some areas than it would be for a regular major, but they should still gain facility with all of the topics listed above, except, in some cases, thermal physics. They should also get a good working knowledge of the main ideas to emerge from physics education research. They should become proficient in all the skills listed above as well as tutoring and providing in-class help to students.

Entering students planning to major in physics should take either PHY 117 or PHY 119 in the first year along with one or more courses in the Calculus I, Calculus II, Calculus III mathematics sequence, as appropriate. Students entering with a particularly strong background in physics should confer with a member of the department about the most appropriate course for them in this sequence.  

Physics Major 

Requirements
  1. Introductory courses. Either:
    1. PHY 117 and PHY 118; or
    2. PHY 119
  2. Intermediate courses: PHY 210, PHY 215 and PHY 240
  3. Two 300-level “main sequence” theory courses: PHY 317, PHY 318, PHY 319, PHY 327
  4. One advanced experimental course: PHY 350
  5. One advanced theoretical course. One of:
    1. One topic of PHY 360 
    2. One approved 300-level alternative in physics or a related field
    3. On years in which a topic of PHY 360 is not offered, either:
      1. A third or fourth course from the "main sequence" theory courses, or
      2. Substitution of PHY 211

Physics Major with Education Track 

Besides the standard physics major, we also offer a physics education track within the major. The regular major track includes 300-level course requirements necessary for preparation for graduate school. The education track replaces some of the upper level courses with courses in physics pedagogy and education, and engages students in practical experience in the physics classroom. Students interested in teaching and science journalism should consider this track.

Requirements
  1. Introductory physics courses. Either:
    1. PHY 117 and PHY 118; or
    2. PHY 119
  2. PHY 210, PHY 215, PHY 240, PHY 300 (at least twice) and PHY 301 
  3. One of the following: PHY 317, PHY 318, PHY 319, PHY 327
  4. One astronomy course: AST 111 
  5. Two education courses: EDC 238 and one other education course (EDC 390 recommended)

Note: This track does not lead to educator licensure. Students who wish to satisfy licensure requirements should consult with a faculty member of the Department of Education and Child Study. 

Major Requirement Details

  • Students with scores of 4 and 5 on the Advancement Placement tests in physics B and C may apply that credit toward the major unless they complete PHY 117 and PHY 118 for credit, respectively. 
  • While students are typically discouraged from taking PHY major requirements S/U, it may be allowed, after consultation with a student’s major adviser and approval of the department. 
  • Students double majoring in engineering may substitute EGR 220 for PHY 240 but are encouraged to take both.
  • Students are advised to check with members of the physics department to choose appropriate course substitutions; other courses may qualify with advance permission of the department. 
  • Physics majors are advised to acquire a facility in scientific computing and numerical analysis (e.g., PHY 211).
  • Physics majors are advised to learn to design and fabricate a working tool, instrument or device in the Center for Design and Fabrication.
  • Students planning graduate study in physics are advised to take all 300-level physics course offerings.

Physics Minor

Requirements
  1. Introductory sequence. Either:
    1. PHY 117 plus PHY 118; or
    2. PHY 119
  2. PHY 215
  3. Three 200- or 300-level electives (12 credits)
  • When appropriate, and with prior approval by the minor adviser, one qualifying course in the student’s major can be substituted for one of the three physics electives required for the physics minor.
  • Physics minors are advised to acquire a facility in scientific computing and numerical analysis (e.g., PHY 211).
  • Physics minors are advised to learn to design and fabricate a working tool, instrument or device in the Center for Design and Fabrication.

Courses

PHY 110 Energy, Environment and Climate (4 Credits)

Our planet’s reliance on carbon-based, non-renewable energy sources comes at a severe environmental, economic and political cost. Are there alternatives?This course offers a hands-on exploration of renewable energy technologies with an emphasis on understanding the underlying scientific principles. Students will assess worldwide energy demand, study the limits to improved energy efficiency, explore the science and technology of solar, wind, and hydropower, understand the science behind global warming, investigate climate models, and evaluate strategies for a sustainable future. This course also includes in-class experiments and field trips. {N}

Fall, Spring, Variable

PHY 115 Quantitative Approaches to Physics (1 Credit)

Science blends physical knowledge with knowledge of math. This blending changes the meaning attached to math and even the way mathematical equations are interpreted. Learning to think about physics with math involves a number of scientific thinking skills that are rarely taught in introductory classes. Students in this course explicitly learn and practice these skills through individual and group work in a small class setting. Corequisite: PHY 117 or PHY 118; students are recommended for this course on the basis of a short placement test. Instructor permission required. (E)

Fall, Spring

PHY 117 Introductory Physics I (5 Credits)

The concepts and relations (force, energy and momentum) describing physical interactions and the changes in motion they produce, along with applications to the physical and life sciences. Lab experiments, lectures and problem-solving activities are interwoven into each class. In-class discussion sections offer additional help with mathematics, data analysis and problem solving. This course satisfies medical school and engineering requirements for an introductory physics I course with a lab. Prerequisite: MTH 111 or equivalent. Enrollment limited to 28. {N}

Fall, Spring

PHY 118 Introductory Physics II (5 Credits)

The concepts and relations (force fields, energy fields and potentials) underlying electrical, magnetic and gravitational interactions, as well as an exploration of simple harmonic motion, oscillations and waves. Lab experiments are integrated into the in-class lectures, discussions and problem solving activities. Satisfies medical school and engineering requirements for an introductory physics II course with lab. Prerequisite: PHY 117. Enrollment limited to 28. {N}

Fall, Spring

PHY 119 Advanced Introductory Physics (5 Credits)

This course is designed for incoming students who have significant prior calculus-based experience with the topics covered in PHY 117 (Newtonian mechanics) and PHY 118 (electricity and magnetism), but who nevertheless would benefit from a course in introductory physics at the college level. Students will develop their problem-solving, experimental-design, data-analysis, scientific- computing and communication skills on a variety of more advanced applications of the standard introductory physics topics related to mechanics and E & M. Specific applications may include the physics of the solar system(s), numerical solution of F=ma, the atomic theory of matter, the laws of thermodynamics, electric circuits and electromagnetic waves. Pre-requisite: MTH 111 or equivalent. Enrollment limited to 28. Instructor permission required. {N}

Fall

PHY 210 Mathematical Methods of Physical Sciences and Engineering (4 Credits)

This course covers a variety of math topics of particular use to physics and engineering students. Topics include differential equations, complex numbers, Taylor series, linear algebra, Fourier analysis, partial differential equations and a review of multivariate calculus, with particular focus on physical interpretation and application. Prerequisites: MTH 212 and (PHY 117 or PHY 119) or equivalent. Enrollment limited to 30. {M}{N}

Fall, Spring

PHY 211 Computational Methods in the Physical Sciences (4 Credits)

This course provides an overview of commonly used computational methods and their applications to physics problems. Using the Python programming language, students begin with learning how programs send instructions to computers, move on to simple data visualization, error analysis and uncertainty in computational calculations, and then progress to numerical integration and differentiation, machine learning and stochastic methods. In each case, students examine the method’s applications to relevant physics scenarios. This course will be project-based, with multiple short projects throughout the semester intended to build the skills and generate a set of modules that can be used as part of a final project applying a computational method to an appropriate physics problem of the student’s choice. Enrollment limited to 30. (E) {M}{N}

Fall

PHY 215 Light, Relativity, and Quantum Physics (4 Credits)

The special theory of relativity, the wave equation and mathematics of waves, optical phenomena of interference and diffraction, particle and wave models of matter and radiation, Bohr model of atomic structure, introduction to fundamental principles and problems in quantum mechanics, and introduction to nuclear physics. Prerequisite: (PHY 118 or PHY 119) and MTH 112. {N}

Spring

PHY 240 Electronics (4 Credits)

A semester of experiments in electronics, with emphasis on designing, building and trouble-shooting circuits. Discrete electronic components: physics and applications of diodes and transistors. Analog and digital IC circuits: logic gates, operational amplifiers, timers, counters and displays. Final individual design project. Prerequisite: PHY 118 or PHY 119 or equivalent. Priority given to physics majors and minors, and students planning to major or minor in Physics. Enrollment limited to 18. Instructor permission required. {N}

Fall

PHY 242 Research in High Precision Spectroscopy (3 Credits)

This course gives students a practical introduction to experimental atomic physics by having you do real, publishable research. While this course-based research program is focused on high precision spectroscopy, students gain skills that can be generally applied to investigational science in experimental design, experimental iteration and systematic error analysis, data analysis, and writing scientific papers for publication. In addition, students learn about basic atomic physics and quantum mechanics, atom and light interactions, and optics, and they gain a basic understanding in how experiment and theory interact to further the knowledge of nature. Corequisite: PHY 242L. Enrollment limited to 12. (E) {N}

Fall, Spring, Variable

PHY 242L Laboratory in High Precision Spectroscopy (1 Credit)

This lab course gives students a practical introduction to experimental atomic physics by having you do real, publishable research. While this course-based research program is focused on high precision spectroscopy, students gain skills that can be generally applied to investigational science in experimental design, experimental iteration and systematic error analysis, data analysis, and writing scientific papers for publication. In addition, students learn about basic atomic physics and quantum mechanics, atom and light interactions, and optics, and they gain a basic understanding in how experiment and theory interact to further the knowledge of nature. Corequisite: PHY 242. Enrollment limited to 4. (E) {N}

Fall, Spring, Variable

PHY 300 Physics Pedagogy: Theory (2 Credits)

A course emphasizing the pedagogy in physics based on Physics Education Research (PER). Readings and discussion emphasize the research literature and strategies for implementing successful and effective methods of teaching physics at the introductory level in the classroom. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisites: PHY 117, PHY 118 or PHY 119. Instructor permission required. {N}

Fall, Spring

PHY 301 Physics Pedagogy: Practicum (2 Credits)

A practicum course involving actual classroom experience in implementing methods of teaching based on Physics Education Research (PER). Students have direct interaction with learners in the classroom during group activities, laboratory exercises and problem-solving. May be repeated once for credit. Corequisite: PHY 300. Prerequisites: PHY 117, PHY 118 or PHY 119. Instructor permission required. {N}

Fall, Spring

PHY 317 Classical Mechanics (4 Credits)

Newtonian dynamics of particles and rigid bodies, oscillations and planetary orbits. Prerequisite: PHY 215 or equivalent. {N}

Fall

PHY 318 Electricity and Magnetism (4 Credits)

Electrostatic and magnetostatic fields in vacuum and in matter, electrodynamics and electromagnetic waves. Prerequisite: PHY 215 or equivalent. {N}

Fall, Spring, Alternate Years

PHY 319 Thermal Physics (4 Credits)

Introduction to statistical mechanics and thermodynamics. Prerequisites: PHY 215 or equivalent. {N}

Fall, Spring, Alternate Years

PHY 327 Quantum Mechanics (4 Credits)

The formal structure of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics, including operator methods. Wave packets; quantum mechanical scattering and tunneling; central potentials; matrix mechanics of spin, addition of angular momenta; corrections to the hydrogen spectrum; identical particles and exchange symmetry; EPR paradox, Bell’s Theorem and the interpretation of quantum mechanics. Prerequisites: PHY 215 or equivalent. PHY 317 recommended. {N}

Spring

PHY 350 Experimental Physics (4 Credits)

An advanced laboratory course for juniors and seniors in which students learn and make use of  advanced signal recovery methods to design and perform laboratory experiments drawn from a wide range of topics in modern and contemporary physics. Students planning on special studies or honors work in experimental physics as seniors should take PHY 350 during their junior year. Prerequisites: PHY 215 and PHY 240 or equivalent. Enrollment limited to 12. {N}

Spring

PHY 360gr Advanced Topics in Physics-General Relativity (4 Credits)

This course covers the basics of general relativity. The class discusses tensors and metric spaces and re-frames special relativity in those terms. Students then generalize the rules of special relativity to non-inertial frames and use the equivalence principle to extend those ideas to spaces with gravitational fields. The class explores “Einstein’s equation” relating matter and geometry. Finally, students discuss basic applications, including black holes, gravitational waves and cosmology. Prerequisites: PHY 210 and PHY 215, or equivalent. {N}

Fall, Spring, Variable

PHY 360op Advanced Topics in Physics-Optics (4 Credits)

Electromagnetic waves; polarization and polarizing devices; reflection and refraction at interfaces; optical properties of dielectrics and metals; birefringent materials and devices; multiple beam interference and interferometers; diffraction and optical resolution; lasers. {N}

Fall, Spring, Variable

PHY 400 Special Studies (1-4 Credits)

By permission of the department.

Fall, Spring

PHY 410 Capstone Physics (1 Credit)

This course is intended to give students who plan to continue in graduate school with the study of physics (or a related discipline) an opportunity to synthesize bodies of knowledge from the different sub-disciplines of physics. Administering of GRE practice exams will be used as an assessment tool of this understanding and of relevant analytical skills needed for problem-solving. {N}

Fall, Spring, Variable

PHY 430D Honors Project (4 Credits)

Fall, Spring, Annually

PHY 432D Honors Project (4 Credits)

This is a full-year course.

Fall, Spring

Additional Programmatic Information

Director: Gary Felder
gfelder@smith.edu

Students can apply to complete honors, which involves working on an independent thesis project with one of the faculty members of the department. The completion of the thesis work will lead to a bachelor of arts degree with a notation of "Honors," "High Honors" or "Highest Honors." Look for information about how to apply, the timelines, dates and eligibility on the class deans website.

For the physics department, the eligibility criterion are as follows: GPA: π outside the major and 1.1π in the major

Honors in Your Senior Year

If you would like to do a thesis project in your senior year, talk to the faculty in the department to find out about their research and get an early start. Although not absolutely essential, it helps to get a head start with semester/summer projects with the faculty. Once you and your faculty project adviser have discussed and agreed to this, you have to wait to apply to enter departmental honors at the start of your senior year. The application deadline is within the first week of classes. Give the proposal and application priority when you return to campus. Once your proposal is approved by your department or program and the Subcommittee on Honors and Independent Programs (SHIP), you will get automatically officially registered in the course. This usually happens during the third week of the semester in which you start your thesis.

Faculty

Casey Berger

Physics

Assistant Professor of Physics and Statistical and Data Sciences

Casey Berger

Gary Felder

Physics

Professor of Physics; Chair, Department of Physics

Spring 2024 Seminar Series

Resources & Opportunities

The physics faculty do experimental, theoretical and computational research in collaboration with students on a wide variety of topics within physics: cosmology, optics, granular matter, high-speed video capture, quantum magnetism, cold atom physics and solar energy. Students can start working with Smith faculty on research projects starting their very first year. Smith physics majors regularly present their research results at conferences and in published articles in leading scientific journals. In the last decade we’ve supervised more than 100 research students. So come on and join us!

You are always welcome to connect with faculty and find out more about their research and projects. There are opportunities to conduct research during the semester and over the summers supported by individual faculty grants or Clark Science Center research funds. Students can work on research for special studies course credit or they can choose to do a senior honors thesis. Please see the requirements section above for more information on the honors thesis.

See individual faculty bios for more information on their work, and below is a slideshow offering a quick summary of the physics faculty's fields of research.

View a slideshow of faculty research.

The best way to get involved in research is to look up the information about the different areas of research that faculty members are pursuing. Interested students are urged to fill out this Google form to apply to join a research lab. You could work with faculty during the semester as research assistants if their grants allow for it or as a special studies for course credit. These often lead to possibilities to do summer research and/or honors theses in the senior year. 

Summer Research

Many Smith students have participated in REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) and SURF (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship) programs. They are typically eight- to 12-week programs where students have the opportunity to work closely with a research mentor. Also, some of them are well funded and give good stipends. REUs are announced between November and January.

If you wish to stay on campus, visit the Smith SURF program website.

If you are looking for an off-campus program, start with the NSF REU Sites directory and the Smith College Clark Science Center's list of summer research opportunities beyond Smith.

NSF funds a large number of research opportunities for undergraduate students through its REU Sites program. An REU Site consists of a group of about 10 undergraduates who work in the research programs of the host institution. Each student is associated with a specific research project and works closely with the faculty and other researchers. An REU Site may be at either a U.S. or foreign location. Browse the directory.

Teaching

Stay tuned for information about teaching and outreach opportunities available to students studying physics at Smith.

Outreach

We have annual events like the orientation fest for the incoming class (all are invited) in September, Physics tea and toys for admitted students in April, and a very popular and well attended open house for physics demos and toys on the Friday of graduation weekend. This is open to the the entire campus, families, and the community. 

Besides this the student physics club holds movie nights, physics trivia nights and other outreach activities to the community

Look out for pics from these events that will be uploaded shortly!  

Alumnae Spotlight

Alumnae have used their physics undergraduate degree as a springboard to a wide range of careers. About 50 percent of alumnae go on to graduate school in physics or allied fields, such as biophysics, computer science, engineering and material science. Several follow an academic path in research and teaching positions at universities and colleges.

Our majors have an increasing interest in becoming high school teachers. Our introduction of an education track in the major facilitates this career direction. Others have had interesting and diverse career paths in national research labs, R&D in industry, in nonprofit organizations and in corporate and intellectual property law. We have successful entrepreneurs, too.

View a slideshow of alumnae profiles.

Melissa Eblen-Zayas ’99

Ph.D. in physics from University of Minnesota

Chair of physics and astronomy at Carleton College 2012–16

Director of the Perlman Center for Learning and Teaching at Carleton

Photo of Melissa Eblen-Zayas

A. Stevie Bergman ’09

Co-founded GirlTech, a science camp for Ugandan girls

Fulbright fellowship in Indonesia, studying theoretical high energy physics

Worked on the Pixel Detector in ATLAs at CERN

Ph.D. from Princeton University in observational cosmology

Photo of A. Stevie Bergman

Isabel Lipartito ’15

Astrophysics graduate student at UC Santa Barbara

NSF graduate fellow

Researching Microwave Kinetic Inductor Detector-based instruments for high-contrast astronomy

President of Women in Physics at UCSB

Photo of Isabel Lipartito

Physics in Action

Physics is fun, and it shows! Watch sample videos from around the department: from classrooms, faculty presentations, demonstrations or other department events.

 
 
 

A Message from the Smith College Physics Department

We endorse and commit to Black Lives Matter. On June 10, 2020 the physics department participated in the STEM strike for Black Lives, and we plan to continue our commitment to educating ourselves. We encourage our current students and alumnae to join us. As a start, we suggest the following three links: 

  1. The Time is Now: Systemic Changes to Increase African Americans with Bachelor’s Degrees in Physics and Astronomy
  2. National Society of Black Physicists
  3. Educational pathways of Black women physicists: Stories of experiencing and overcoming obstacles in life, Katemari Rosa and Felicia Moore Mensah, Physical Review: Physics Education Research 12 (2016) 020113

Additional links and resources are available at particlesforjustice.org

Contact Department of Physics

McConnell Hall
Smith College
Northampton, MA 01063