| Faculty | BS Major Applied Physics Major |
BA Major | BA Minor | Approved Courses |
253.535.7534
www.nsci.plu.edu/phys
physics@plu.educ
Physics is the scientific study of the material universe at its most fundamental level: the mathematical description of space and time, and the behavior of matter from the elementary particles to the universe as a whole. A physicist might study the inner workings of atoms and nuclei, the size and age of the universe, the behavior of high-temperature superconductors, or the life cycles of stars.
Physicists use high-energy accelerators to search for quarks; they design new laser systems for applications in medicine and communications; they heat hydrogen gases to temperatures higher than the sun's core in the attempt to develop nuclear fusion as an energy resource. From astrophysics to nuclear physics to optics and crystal structure, physics encompasses some of the most fundamental and exciting ideas ever considered.
Faculty: Louie, Chair; Gerganov, Greenwood, Rush, Starkovich, Tang.
The physics major offers a challenging program emphasizing a low student-teacher ratio and the opportunity to engage in independent research projects. There are two introductory course sequences, College Physics and General Physics; the General Physics sequence incorporates calculus and is required for the Bachelor of Science major.
A typical BS physics major program is as follows:
| First-year |
PHYS 153, 163 MATH 151, 152 |
| Sophomore |
PHYS 154, 164, 223, 354 MATH 253 |
| Junior |
PHYS 331, 332, 336, 356 CHEM 115 |
| Senior |
PHYS 333, 401 or 406, 499A, 499B |
Also available is a major in Applied Physics, which includes a substantial selection of courses from engineering to provide a challenging and highly versatile degree. Applied Physics can lead to research or advanced study in such areas as robotics—with application in space exploration or joint and limb prosthetics; growth of single-crystal metals, which would be thousands of times stronger than the best steels now available; mechanics of material failure, such as metal fatigue and fracture; turbulence in fluid flow; photovoltaic cell research for solar energy development; or applications of fluid flow and thermodynamics to the study of planetary atmospheres and ocean currents.
While many Applied Physics graduates pursue professional careers in industry immediately after graduation from PLU, the program also provides excellent preparation for graduate study in nearly all fields of engineering.
A typical applied physics program is as follows:
| First-year |
PHYS 153, 163 CSCE 131 MATH 151, 152 |
| Sophomore |
PHYS 154, 164, 240, 354 MATH 253 |
| Junior |
PHYS 223, 333, 356 CHEM 115 CSCE 144 |
| Senior |
PHYS 331, 334, 499A, 499B CSCE 245 |