Page 193 of Boston College 2006-2007 University Catalog by Boston College University

Minor Requirements The minimum requirements for a minor in Physics include the following courses: The following introductory courses: PH 209, PH 210 and accompanying labs PH 203 and PH 204. The following intermediate level courses: PH 301 and PH 303. Two upper-level courses (PH 400 and above). Many of these courses have prerequisites. Students are advised to consult with the Undergraduate Program Director when selecting these courses. Substitutions: PH 211 and PH 212 may be substituted for PH 209 and PH 210, respectively, but the latter are preferred. Students must consult with the Undergraduate Program Director if they wish to substitute other equivalent courses for required courses or the corequisites. Corequisites: MT 102 and MT 103 are required. MT 202 and MT 305 may also be required as prerequisites for many of the upper-level physics courses. Students should consult with the Undergraduate Program Director to determine whether they will need to take these additional mathematics courses. Departmental Honors Program A Physics major with a satisfactory scholastic average (3.3 or higher) may apply for entry into the Departmental Honors Program. Application must be made to the Undergraduate Affairs Committee no earlier than the beginning of the junior year and no later than the first quarter of the senior year. Each applicant must solicit a faculty advisor to supervise the proposed research project. Honors will be granted upon (1) satisfactory completion of a thesis based on the research project; and (2) demonstration through an oral examination of a broad comprehension of physics generally and the special field of the thesis. The examining committee shall be appointed by the Chairperson and will consist of a two member faculty Honors Committee, and one additional examiner from the Physics faculty or graduate student body. Advanced undergraduate Physics majors may, with the approval of the Chairperson, enroll in first-year graduate courses, such as PH 711, 732, or 741. Information for First Year Majors and Non-Majors Physics majors, and other science majors (non-premedical) planning on physics in the freshman year should enroll in PH 209 and the associated lab PH 203. Premedical students should enroll in the course PH 211 and the associated lab PH 203. The mathematics course specially designed for Physics majors, as well as Mathematics, Chemistry, Geology, and Geophysics majors, is MT 102. MT 100 is intended for Biology and Premedical students. Information for Study Abroad Before undertaking study abroad, it is strongly recommended that the Physics major complete PH 209, PH 210 (or PH 211, 212) with labs, PH 301, and PH 303 (also with labs,) and the co-requisite math courses MT 102, MT 103, MT 202, and MT 305. The Department typically allows a maximum of four courses taken abroad to count for major credit. Of these four courses, two should be major requirements, plus two Physics electives. The department recommends any program with a solid teaching and research program in physics (e.g., Glasgow, Parma, Amsterdam). Students are advised to study abroad during their junior year, either one or two semesters. While planning their study abroad program, Physics majors should meet with the Undergraduate Program Director, Dr. Andrzej Herczynski (andrzej@bc.edu). Students are strongly encouraged to inquire early at our department, and with possible host institutions, to arrange for a research project, supervised jointly by faculty at Boston College and the host institution. Course Offerings Courses numbered below 200 are introductory courses directed primarily towards non-science majors. These courses have no prerequisites and need no mathematics beyond ordinary college entrance requirements. Introductory physics courses may be used to fulfill the Science Core requirement. PH 209-210 Introductory Physics I, II (Calculus) or PH 211-212 Introduction to Physics I, II (Calculus) and PH 203-204 Introductory Physics Laboratory I and II are required of all Biology, Chemistry and Physics majors. Courses numbered above 300 are advanced offerings primarily for Physics majors. Graduate Program Description The Department offers comprehensive programs of study and research leading to the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), as well as Master of Science (M.S.), and Master of Science in Teaching (M.S.T.) in conjunction with the Lynch School of Education. Courses emphasize a strong foundation in the basic principles of physics, preparing the student to undertake advanced research under the supervision of a faculty advisor. Graduate students are encouraged not only to collaborate closely with their research advisor, but also to draw upon the experience of the entire faculty and other graduate students. Our students are trained primarily to carry out independent research at the Ph.D. level, and our graduates have gone on to successful careers in many areas. Masters Program Each candidate for a terminal Masters degree must pass a Masters comprehensive examination administered by the Department, and meet specified course and credit requirements. The Masters comprehensive examination shall be prepared by a committee of at least three faculty members appointed by the Chairperson as necessary. This committee shall evaluate the Masters comprehensive examinations in conjunction with the graduate faculty. Generally, no more than three (3) credits of PH 799 Readings and Research may be applied to any Masters program. The M.S. degree is available with or without a thesis, and the M.S.T. requires a paper, but no thesis. M.S. With Thesis This program requires thirty (30) credits that normally consist of twenty-seven (27) credits of course work plus three (3) thesis credits (PH 801). Required courses include the following: PH 711, PH 721, PH 732, PH 741, and PH 707-708. The Masters comprehensive examination is essentially based on the contents of the first four required courses and is usually taken at the first opportunity following the completion of these courses. The M.S. thesis research is performed under the direction of a fulltime member of the graduate faculty, professional, or research staff. A submitted thesis shall have at least two faculty readers, including the director, assigned by the Chairperson. The thesis is accepted after the successful completion of a public oral examination conducted by the readers. M.S. Without Thesis This program requires thirty-two (32) credits of course work. The same courses and Masters comprehensive examination requirements for the M.S. with thesis apply here except that, in addition, the courses PH 722 and PH 742 are required. ARTS AND SCIENCES The Boston College Catalog 2006-2007 193

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