(For astronomy degree requirements, see Astronomy.)
Professor William Oliver, Chair; Experimental high-energy physics
Professor Peggy Cebe, Experimental condensed matter polymer physics
Professor Lawrence H. Ford, Cosmology, general relativity, astrophysics
Professor Gary R. Goldstein, Theoretical high-energy physics
Professor Robert P. Guertin, Experimental condensed-matter physics
Professor Leon Gunther, Theory of condensed matter
Professor Kenneth R. Lang, Astronomy
Professor W. Anthony Mann, Experimental high-energy physics
Professor Austin Napier, Experimental high-energy physics
Professor Jacob Schneps, Vannevar Bush Chair; Experimental high-energy physics
Professor Yaacov Shapira, Experimental condensed-matter physics
Professor Krzysztof Sliwa, Experimental high-energy physics
Professor Roger Tobin, Experimental condensed-matter physics
Professor Alexander Vilenkin, Cosmology, general relativity, astrophysics
Associate Professor Fiorenzo Omenetto, Optical physics
Assistant Professor Jose Blanco-Pillado, String Theory Cosmology,
Topological Defects
Assistant Professor Hugh Gallagher, Experimental high-energy physics
Research Professor Tomas Kafka, Experimental high-energy physics
Research Associate Professor William H. Waller,
Observational astrophysics, space science education
Research Associate Professor Robert F. Willson, Astronomy
Lecturer Esther Zirbel, Astronomy
Visiting Associate Professor Rosanne DiStefano, Astronomy and
astrophysics
The laws of physics are few in number yet appear to govern all known material phenomena: physical, chemical, and biological. The science of physics involves the observation of natural processes and the formulation from these observations of general principles that may be tested further or exploited for useful ends. Majoring in physics can be a valuable part of a broad education. Students who combine mastery of the basic laws of physics with the outlook and flexibility of a liberal education will be well prepared to take on a variety of specialized roles. Men and women who majored in physics in the recent past have successfully entered careers in physics, as well as in business administration, the computer industry, law, medicine, dentistry, meteorology, public health, teaching.
Undergraduate Concentration Requirements - College of Liberal Arts
Major in Physics
Eight courses in physics more advanced than Physics 2 or 12 and including Physics 13 and
64; two courses in mathematics more advanced than Mathematics 13 and 18. With the exception of
Physics 13 and 64, two of the physics courses and one mathematics course may be replaced
by approved advanced courses in related fields (such as astronomy, biology, chemistry,
computer science, engineering, or mathematics). The ten courses required for the major
must include two courses in advanced laboratory training. One of these courses must be
Physics 64; the other may be Physics 31 or 41.
Major in Applied Physics
Five courses in physics more advanced than Physics 2 or 12, including Physics 13 and 64;
two courses in mathematics more advanced than Mathematics 13 and 18; three courses from the
concentration requirements of one of the engineering departments. With the exception of
Physics 13 and 64, one of the five physics courses may be replaced by an approved course
in a related field.
Major in Chemical Physics
Four courses in physics more advanced than Physics 2 or 12, including Physics 13; two
courses in mathematics more advanced than Mathematics 13 and 18; four courses in chemistry
more advanced than Chemistry 2 and 12 and 16. The ten courses required for the major must include
one course in advanced laboratory training, either Physics 64 or Chemistry 33 and 34. One
mathematics course may be replaced by approved advanced course in a related field. Faculty
advisers in the chemistry and physics departments are available for consultation on the
chemical physics program.
Major in Astrophysics
Four courses in physics more advanced than Physics 2 or 12, including Physics 13 and 64;
two courses in mathematics more advanced than Mathematics 13 and 18; four courses in astronomy
more advanced than Astronomy 10. One mathematics course may be replaced by an approved
advanced course in a related field. Research experience is strongly recommended.
Premedical, Predental, Preveterinary Students
Students interested in entering medical, dental, or veterinary school after
graduation may take advantage of the following replacement option to complete the
corresponding entrance requirements as part of the physics major. With the exception of
Physics 13 and 64, two of the physics courses and one mathematics course may be replaced
by Chemistry 51 and 53 and 52 and 54, and one other advanced elective. Chemistry 53 and 54 will
also fulfill one term of the advanced laboratory training requirement for the physics
major.
Undergraduate Concentration Requirements - College of Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics
A minimum of 38 credits is required: Introductory (11 credits),
humanities/arts/social science (5 credits), and free elective (2 credits) requirements of the School of
Engineering; a foundation requirement (8 credits); and a physics/engineering concentration
requirement (12 credits). The introductory requirement includes Physics 12.
The foundation requirement comprises Physics 13, Physics 32 (or Engineering Science 6), Physics 52 (or Engineering Science 7), Physics 41; two courses from Engineering Science 3, 4, 5, 8, or 9; plus two other courses satisfying the foundation requirements of the School of Engineering.
Concentration requirement: four courses in physics and astronomy at the intermediate or advanced levels, which must include Physics 64; four courses from the concentration requirements of one of the engineering departments; four approved elective courses in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or science.
Undergraduate Minor Program
The program requires the completion of five courses.
Physics Minor
The student takes Physics 11 and 12 (or 1 and 2), and Physics 13, and any two courses from
the following: Physics 31, 32, 41, 42, 43, 52, 61, 62, and 64. For example, one possible
minor, which emphasizes classical physics, would be Physics 11, 12, 13, 32, and 52.
Another, which emphasizes quantum physics, would be Physics 11, 12, 13, 31, and 61.
Astrophysics Minor
The student takes Physics 11 and 12 (or 1 and 2) and any three courses from the following:
Astronomy 21, 22, 101, 111, and 112.
Graduate Program
The Department of Physics and Astronomy grants two degrees: the doctor of philosophy and
the master of science. The department has established qualifications to ensure that
degree candidates have a broad background in experimental and theoretical physics. A
faculty advisory committee is appointed for each student to supervise the program of study
leading to the degree.
Master of Science
The master of science degree requires eight graduate-level courses in physics or related
fields, the latter to be subject to approval by the advisory committee. These courses must
include Physics 131, 145, 146, 163, and 164, and must be completed with a grade of B- or
better. The student has the option of writing and defending a master's thesis, which may
count as the equivalent of up to three courses.
Doctor of Philosophy
The doctoral candidate must demonstrate proficiency in the basic fields of
classical physics (classical mechanics and classical electromagnetic theory) and
quantum physics (quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics). Proficiency is
demonstrated by earning an average of A- or better in the basic
graduate courses (131, 145, 146, and 153, 163, 164), or by passing special
examinations in the areas covered by these courses. Graduate courses taken at
other institutions may in some cases be used to fulfill part of this
requirement. The doctoral candidate is also required to complete with a grade
of B- or better two courses, one each in any two of four specialized
fields: condensed matter physics (173 or 174), particle physics (183 or 184),
general relativity and cosmology (167 or 268), and advanced quantum mechanics
(263).
Generally in the second year, the candidate chooses a field of specialization from the areas of research within the department and selects a research advisor. After completing the required course work, the candidate takes an oral examination in this specialized field. Satisfactory performance on the oral examination qualifies the candidate to undertake a program of independent research under the guidance of the research advisor, culminating in the preparation and defense of a doctoral dissertation.
The current areas of research in the department are astronomy and astrophysics, biophysics, condensed-matter physics, cosmology and general relativity, and high-energy physics.
For more detailed information, please visit the website
http://ase.tufts.edu/physics/.
To view Course Descriptions, please go to: https://webcenter.studentservices.tufts.edu/courses/main.asp.