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The concentration in Physics, administered by the Department of Physics, serves a variety of goals and interests. Many concentrators seek an understanding of the subtle, profound, and fundamental laws -- relativity, quantum mechanics, and the basic force laws—that govern the behavior of all matter. Often these studies involve the smallest units of matter: molecules, atoms, nuclei, and subnuclear particles. A major interest of other Physics concentrators is the exploration and explanation of the diverse properties to which these laws give rise in macroscopic systems such as fluids and solids. Still others study aspects of more complex systems like oceans and atmospheres, stars, and living matter.

A concentration in Physics provides a foundation for subsequent professional work in physics, and also for work in astronomy, biophysics, chemical physics, engineering and applied physics, earth and planetary sciences, geology, astrophysics, and the history and philosophy of science. Less obviously perhaps, the intellectual attitudes in physics -- blending imagination, prediction, observation, and deduction -- provide an excellent base for subsequent graduate work in professional schools of medicine, education, law, business, and public administration.

It should be emphasized that since all the physical sciences require basic training in physics and mathematics, an early choice of concentration need not be a final one. It is quite possible to design a program that will permit a change in concentration at the end of the sophomore year or even later. For example, a student who has satisfied most of the requirements for a concentration in astronomy probably has also satisfied most of the physics requirements as well, and vice versa.

The department tries to provide the essential content of undergraduate physics in concentrated form, leaving students sufficient time to develop interests through related courses offered by other science departments, to pursue more advanced and specialized aspects of physics through graduate-level courses and independent study or laboratory work, or to take advantage of the opportunities Harvard provides for a broad liberal arts education. Keeping the number of required courses small (twelve half-courses in physics and related fields; 13 to 15 half-courses for honors candidates) allows individual students to construct programs suited to their interests and career plans.

There are two basic avenues for entering Physics or one of the other concentrations in which it plays a major role. Most students commence their studies with the Physics 15a, 15b, 15c sequence of courses. This avenue is recommended for those who have had a normal high school course in physics or no previous physics at all. Students who enter with the appropriate Advanced Placement background may begin their study of physics with Physics 16 instead of Physics 15a. The Physics 15a, 15b, 15c courses are taught both terms, so that those students who wish to begin Physics in the second term may do so.

The Physics Department does not require that undergraduates take tutorials, i.e., individual instruction. This is not because independent study is considered unimportant, but rather because it has been deemed more important to keep the concentration requirements flexible enough to satisfy the differing goals of a great variety of students. There are programs that enable students to examine special fields and topics in some detail under the guidance of experts. We offer the following optional tutorial and independent study programs: (1) Physics 91r: individual study of material not covered in regular courses, supervised by a member of the department; (2) Physics 90r: individual research under the supervision of a faculty member interested in the field. The exact form of the project depends on the student’s experience and interest, the nature of the particular field, and the availability of necessary facilities and funds. Concentrators desiring to write a senior thesis may do so under this program.

Physics does offer joint concentrations with other programs (e.g., Physics and Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy, and Physics and History and Science) with the provision that the student’s Plan of Study be approved by the Director or Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies and that the student meet the requirements for honors eligibility in both concentrations. Within the Physics Department we provide an Applied Physics option, which emphasizes courses covering physical applications (see Requirements for the Applied Physics Option). We also offer a biophysics option, which allows a limited substitution of biology courses for physics-related courses (see Requirements for Biophysics Option). Finally, we offer a Physics and Teaching option, which provides both preparation in physics and eligibility for the teaching certificate required for public school teaching in many states (see Requirements for the Physics and Teaching Option). See also the concentration in Chemistry and Physics. We also collaborate in offering many of the courses required for concentrations in Astronomy and in applied sciences.

No thesis or General Examination is required for a degree with honors in Physics.

OPTIONS

Physics

Physics with Applied Physics emphasis

Physics with Biophysics emphasis

Physics and Teaching

This option is offered by the Department of Physics to encourage well-prepared students with a degree in physics to enter secondary school teaching in the much-needed areas of physics, physics and chemistry, physics and general science, and physics and mathematics. Students who choose this option will complete the Undergraduate Teacher Education Program (UTEP) as part of this program. They will thereby obtain eligibility for the teaching certificate required for public school teaching by about thirty states, including Massachusetts.

Note: Those who plan to teach only in independent schools will not need a teaching certificate, and hence do not need to take this program. However, they too may wish to take UTEP courses to enhance their career preparation. (Basic physics concentrators who plan public school teaching after graduation should inquire at the Graduate School of Education about the possibility of admission to UTEP, independent of this option.)