Physics Majors at Cornell have tremendous flexibility in designing a program to meet their future educational and career plans. Majors have two primary choices: to concentrate within physics or to concentrate in second area in which they desire to develop competence.
Concentration Inside Physics
The concentration inside physics is the principal path to professional or graduate work in physics and closely related fields. It is also the best choice for students who wish to obtain maximum benefit from rigorous studies in physics.
The inside concentration consists of the core physics courses plus electives taken within the Physics Department. Students may choose between standard or Honors versions of the core courses. The Honors sequence is more advanced and mathematically rigorous, and is strongly recommended for students considering work in theoretical physics.
Inside concentrators must take Physics 410 - Advanced Experimental Physics Laboratory, and are advised to take Physics 443 - Introductory Quantum Mechanics. Majors then choose from courses on thermodynamics and statistical physics, solid state physics, general relativity, particle physics, optics, computational physics, biophysics, quantum information, among others.
Concentration Outside of Physics
The outside concentration allows Physics Majors to develop skills in physics but also to develop skills in a second area relevant to other careers. For example, a student interested in teaching careers may concentrate in education; a pre-medical or biophysics student may concentrate in biology; a student planning graduate work in econometrics or on pursuing an MBA may concentrate in economics; a student interested in global warming may concentrate in atmospheric sciences; and a student interested in automotive design may concentrate in mechanical engineering. Students must work out and receive approval for their program from their major faculty advisor.
Below are examples of outside concentrations completed by recent Cornell Physics graduates:
Physics Teaching / Secondary Education. Majors interested in middle, high school or community college teaching should consider a concentration in Education, and those interested in university-level teaching should consider taking Educ 4040 and 4050. With this concentration, majors can complete a minor in Education and, if desired, can earn teaching certification and an Master of Arts in Teaching in one additional year of study (for which there is significant financial aid available.) Students interested in this option should contact Jim Overhiser (jlo34@cornell.edu). Recommended courses include:
Educ 2710 - Social and Political Context of American Education
Educ 3110 - Educational Psychology
Educ 4040 - Learning and Teaching I
Educ 4050 - Learning and Teaching II
Educ 4410 - Language, Literacy, & Schooling
Biological Sciences / Pre-Med / Pre-Vet. Several tracks are possible, but most require an introductory biology sequence and introductory chemistry. Sample courses include:
BIOG 1101–1104 - Introductory Sequence
BioEE 2780 - Evolutionary Biology
BioGD 2810 - Genetics
BioBM 3310 - Principles of Biochemistry: Proteins and Metabolism
Chemistry. Students interested in the physics and applications of new materials may concentrate in chemistry. Many premedical students combine biology and chemistry in their concentration. Suggested courses include:
Chem 2070 - General Chemistry I
Chem 2080 - General Chemistry II
Chem 3570 - Organic Chemistry for the Life Sciences I
Chem 3580 - Organic Chemistry for the Life Sciences II
Chem 3890 - Physical Chemistry I
Chem 3900 - Physical Chemistry II
Applied Mathematics. Students normally combine courses in advanced math, theoretical and applied mechanics, and applied physics. Contact the Center for Applied Mathematics at 504 Rhodes Hall (255-4335). Suggested courses:
Math 3320 - Algebra and Number Theory
Math 4320 - Introduction to Algebra
Math 4260 - Numerical Analysis: Linear and Nonlinear Problems
Phys 3341 - Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
Phys 4455 - Geometrical Concepts in Physics
Astronomy/Astrophysics. Astronomy concentrators should follow the same core requirements as inside physics concentrators. Additional courses of interest:
Astro 3332 - Elements of Astrophysics
Astro 4410 - Experimental Astronomy
Astro 4431 - Introduction to Astrophysics & Space Sciences I
Astro 4432 - Introduction to Astrophysics & Space Sciences II
Phys 4443 - Quantum Mechanics
Computer Science. Possible courses include:
CS 1110 - Introduction to Computing Using Java
CS 2110 - Object-Oriented Programming and Data Structures
CS 2800 - Discrete Structures
CS 4210 - Numerical Analysis and Differential Equations
Phys 4480 - Computational Physics
Music. A music concentration can range from playing an instrument to studying music history and theory. Suggested courses:
Music 1105 - Introduction to Music Theory
Music 2111 - Physics of Musical Sound
Music 3301 - Topics in Popular Music and Jazz
Music 3501 - Individual Instruction I
Music 3502 - Individual Instruction II
Philosophy. Suggested courses include:
Phil 1100 - Introduction to Philosophy
Phil 3310 - Deductive Logic
Phil 3810 - Philosophy of Science
STS 2011 - What Is Science? An Introduction
Science and Technology Studies. A concentration in Science & Technology Studies (S&TS) allows students to engage in a systematic, interdisciplinary exploration of the role of science and technology in modern societies. It is intended to give students an opportunity to explore the social, political, and ethical implications of their selected fields of specialization. Suggested courses:
STS 2011 - What Is Science? An Introduction
STS 2821 - Science in Western Civilization
STS 3301 - Physical Sciences in the Modern Age
STS 4421 - The Sociology of Science
Science Writing. Suggested courses:
Engl 2880 - Expository Writing
Engl 2890 - Expository Writing
Comm 3520 - Science Writing for Mass Communication
Comm 4660 - Public Communication of Science and Technology