Program Codes:
BAPHYS
Bachelor of Arts
Introduction
The study of physics is essential to every other natural science because it informs how all the processes in the world work. As such, these physics courses are offered in the spirit of exposing students to the fundamentals of physics and highlighting the applications to other areas of science such as chemistry, biology, and health sciences.
Along with the basic science, physics courses will offer students the opportunity to develop their critical reasoning and problem-solving skills. A natural outcome of these courses is an increased capacity to tackle new and challenging problems in a variety of contexts and disciplines.
Both the B.S. and the B.A. Physics programs focus on the quantitative and analytic skills needed to solve problems and interpret data. Students who major in Physics will be prepared to work on cutting-edge ideas in science and technology, academic, government and the private sector, or graduate school in nearly any STEM area.
A physics minor program is currently available, and flexible enough to accommodate a student in any of the STEM disciplines. This minor gives students a distinct advantage over their peers in graduate school or the work force and provides students an opportunity to study advanced and cutting-edge physics.
Mission Statement
The Mercyhurst University Department of Physics seeks to provide a high-quality physics education that prepares students to be the scientists of the future, confident in their abilities and their understanding of physics. Because we believe that simple factual knowledge is not sufficient, the department seeks to instill strong analytical and critical thinking skills in our students. To meet these skills, our department is centered on the following tenets:
A student-centered approach within our Department. We believe that students flourish when they are the center of the learning process. In particular, we place an emphasis on achieving close student-faculty relationships.
A focus on scientific inquiry at all levels in the curriculum. We believe that students are most successful when they engage in the scientific process to the fullest extent. Inquiry-based learning is infused in all of our scholarly pursuits, from experimentation design through communication with the scientific community.
A commitment to promoting diversity in the sciences. By placing an emphasis on mentoring and diversity in the faculty, we seek to support students from all backgrounds and levels of experience, including those traditionally under-represented.
A dedication to standards of excellence. We believe that success in scientific disciplines requires fulfillment of a clear set of academic standards, and we strive to ensure that all students meet these standards. Through guidance and mentoring, we strive to provide every student with the opportunity for success.
A belief in developing the whole person. We believe that a dedication to lifelong learning, the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, and a desire to contribute to the science community and society at large are essential characteristics of ethical professionals and socially conscientious citizens.
Along with our major courses, we also strive to provide students with a liberal arts background that contributes to a well-rounded academic. Students in any of our courses should acquire the foundational knowledge necessary to be successful in their field and as thoughtful citizens. Our graduates have the expertise and competence in physics to be prepared for advanced study in the physical sciences and/or for employment.
Program Student Learning Outcomes Mastery of fundamental physics principles
Application of previously learned information in new contexts
Demonstration of proficiency in scientific methods of inquiry
Acquisition of professional skills
Recognition of the broader implications of an education in physics
Department Requirements
All prerequisite coursework must be completed with a grade of C or better in order for a student to be eligible to enroll in a course. If this requirement has not been met prior to the start of the semester during which a student is enrolled, students will be removed from the course where the prerequisites have not been satisfactorily met.
To be recommended for graduation, a student must earn at least a 2.5 grade point average in the required major and cognate courses and labs. When a course is re-taken the GPA requirement includes both the original grade and the grade from the retake. A student also must earn a grade of a C or better in any course from the major discipline that is to fulfill a degree requirement. No required course may be taken on a Pass/Fail basis. No required upper-division courses may be taken at another institution without prior approval. Students are required to take theory and lab courses concurrently unless permission is granted from both the instructor and the department. Withdrawal from one without withdrawal from the other is not allowed without permission from both the instructor and the department.
All students seeking degrees in programs offered by the Physics Department are required to undergo a review by department faculty at the completion of their sophomore year or at the completion of their sophomore level requirements. Students must successfully complete the Sophomore Review to be accepted into the Department’s programs and to continue their physics studies.
Students eligible for review are those who have been enrolled at Mercyhurst for at least 2 years, and must have completed or be in the process of completing Calculus II, General Physics II, Chemistry II, and at least one upper-level physics course (numbered 300 or higher). Acceptance to the program will be based on academic performance in the department and at the University as a whole as well as professional conduct. Students who do not pass the Sophomore Review will not be allowed to enroll in any further courses required for Physics programs. Students seeking a B.S. must also sign up with a Research Advisor before November 1 of the academic year in which they intend to graduate.
Physics Minor
All students pursuing a Physics Minor must take the following courses:
MATH 170 Calculus I 4 credits
MATH 171 Calculus II 4 credits
PHYS 201/203 General Physics I & Lab 4 credits
PHYS 202/206 General Physics II & Lab 4 credits
PHYS 310/312 Modern Physics & Lab 3 credits
Students must also choose two approved Physics Minor elective courses.
Students who wish to earn the minor will be required to earn at least a “C” in every course and to maintain a 2.5 GPA overall in their minor courses.
All students seeking a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in physics are required to take the following courses:
This is the initial course in a sequence of courses on the fundamental ideas of the calculus of one variable intended for science and mathematics majors. It is here that truly significant applications of mathematics begin. Topics follow the early transcendentals path, included are functions, continuity, limits, derivatives, maxima and minima and antiderivatives and an introduction to integration. Prerequisite: MATH 118 or MATH Placement score of at least 76. 4 credits.
Any student who has completed Calculus I should take Calculus II to obtain a complete study of the calculus of one variable. Topics follow the early transcendentals path, included are the integral, anti-derivatives, the Fundamental Theorem, integration techniques, interesting applications of integration, an introduction to differential equations, series, sequences.
MATH 170
An introduction to the basic mathematical content of ordinary differential equations and their applications. This will include analytical, qualitative, and numerical methods for ordinary differential equations. Topics include first-order and second-order equations and applications, systems of differential equations, and matrix methods for linear systems.
The freshman seminar course is designed to expose new students to the ideas and frontiers of physics. Aside from getting a general feel for the various sub-disciplines in physics, students will learn what it means to be a good scientist: to be curious, to ask good questions and seek meaningful answers, to recognize that it is often OK to admit you don't know the answers, and to collaborate and participate in the process of science.
This is a calculus-based course that is designed for natural science and mathematics majors, (biology, biochemistry, chemistry, earth-space science education, mathematics). The role of physics in other scientific fields will be emphasized as classical mechanics is covered. This portion of the General Physics series will deal strictly with mechanics; topics include: motion in one-, two- and three-dimensions, the laws of motion, work, potential energy, kinetic energy, conservation of energy, linear and rotational motion, and the prediction of motion based on initial conditions.
MATH 170
PHYS 203
This course is a continuation of General Physics I; calculus skills are required. Topics include: waves, electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and thermodynamics. Problem solving and the relationships between physics and the fields of biology, biochemistry, and chemistry continue to be emphasized.
MATH 170, PHYS 201
PHYS 206
This course is a continuation of PHYS 201/202 and is designed to present natural science and mathematics students with exposure to contemporary physics topics and their applications. Topics include: relativity, nuclear physics, particle physics and basic quantum physics.
PHYS 202
PHYS 312
A more in-depth study of thermal physics than the introductory courses, this course involves present treatment of thermal dynamics including applications of the theory of ideal gases and other state functions, and in-depth treatment of the laws of thermodynamics and their relevance to real-world systems, non-ideal and non-equilibrium systems, and the basics of kinetic theory.
PHYS 202
This course will focus on thermodynamic and kinetic methods utilized to predict and describe change. The laws of thermodynamics as they pertain to physical change and chemical reactions will be studied in depth and with mathematical rigor. In the kinetics portion of the course, chemical reaction rates and molecular reaction dynamics will be studied.
CHEM-131 MATH-170 PHYS-202
With an emphasis on the visual and tangible nature of light and using the microscope as the focus of our efforts, this course presents an introduction to optics. Course topics include both geometric optics (ray tracing, lens design, aberrations, apertures and stops, etc.) and physical optics (polarization, interference, diffraction, wave guides, resolution etc.). The course is presented in a studio format to maximize the connection between the theory learned in class and the construction of optical systems.
PHYS 202
This course presents an intermediate treatment of classical mechanics. Topics covered include: motion of a particle in three dimensions, Kepler's laws of planetary motion, phase space and oscillations, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian forumations, and central force motion.
PHYS 202, MATH 233
This course presents an intermediate treatment of the electric and magnetic phenomena using vector calculus. Topics include advanced electrostatics, magnetostatics, induction, development of Maxwell's equations, the Poynting theorem and electromagnetic waves, and radiation theory.
PHYS 202, MATH 233
Students are required to choose at least one approved Physics Major elective course.