Physics

Major Map: B.S. Physics

Physics is a science that is fundamental to all sciences and uses mathematics as its language. Because of the role that science plays in our technological society, it is necessary that students be trained in the sciences, with physics playing a core role. The Discipline of Physics seeks to provide the necessary physics experiences via formal coursework, laboratory training, and research to give students the requisite skills of a well-educated liberal arts major. The program articulates the mission of the University through emphasis on physics and related scientific areas.

The undergraduate offerings in physics meet a variety of student needs. Some students seek the B.A. degree with a major in physics; others seek the B.S. degree; still others pursue joint majors combining physics with another discipline. In addition, a number of Fisk students have pursued dual degrees in physics and engineering offered in collaboration with Vanderbilt University.

Specific goals of the Discipline are:

  • To provide activities and courses of instruction in physics and related areas to meet the mission of the University and the Department of Life and Physical Sciences in the School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Business.
  • To provide activities and courses of instruction in physics and related areas to meet the needs of undergraduate and graduate ( see School of Graduate Studies) physics majors.
  • To encourage the creation of new knowledge by performing outstanding research.

Students who complete the Physics major will be able to:

  • demonstrate scholarship by communicating basic knowledge in physics orally as well as in writing, and by participating in department research programs;
  • relate the importance of physics to other areas of knowledge;
  • apply the knowledge gained to the solution of problems related to various disciplines; and
  • be able to compete in a quality graduate program upon receipt of the undergraduate degree or to enter the work force and perform in a competent and competitive manner.

GET THE COURSES YOU NEED

Fall Semester
CORE 100 New Student Orientation 1 credit
CORE 150 Composition I 3 credits
MATH 120 Calculus I 4 credits
CSCI 110 Introduction to Computer Science I 3 credits
CSCI 110L Introduction to Computer Science Lab I 1 credit
PHYS 130 University Physics I 4 credits
PHYS 130L Experiments in University Physics I 0 credits
 
Spring Semester
CORE 120 Critical Thinking 2 credits
CORE 160 Composition II 3 credits
MATH 130 Calculus II  4 credits
PHYS 140 University Physics II 4 credits
PHYS 140L Experiments in University Physics II  0 credits
CORE Group A, C, or E 2 credit minimum
Fall Semester
CORE 201 Introduction to Business and Entrepreneurship 3 credits
MATH 210 Calculus II 4 credits
PHYS 340 Mathematical Physics 3 credits
CHEM 113 General Chemistry I 3 credits
CHEM 103L General Chemistry Lab 1 credit
BIOL 101 General Biology I 3 credits
BIOL 101L General Biology Lab I 1 credit
CORE Group A, C, or E 2 credit minimum
Spring Semester
MATH 270 Ordinary Differential Equations 4 credits
PHYS 262 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics 3 credits
CORE Group A, C, or E 8 credit minimum

 

 

 

Fall Semester
PHYS 341 Theoretical Mechanics 3 credits
PHYS 351 Electricity and Magnetism 3 credits
CORE 260 Humanities 3 credits
CORE 360 The World and Its Peoples 4 credits
General Electives General Chemistry Lab 2 credit minimum
Spring Semester
PHYS 452 Quantum Mechanics 3 credits
General Electives 6 credits
Physics Electives 6 credits

 

 

 

Fall Semester
Physics Electives 6 credits
General Electives 9 credits
Spring Semester
PHYS 490 Senior Seminar 1 credit
General Electives 10 credits
Physics Electives 4 credits

 

 

 

GET RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

  • Complete on-line assessment to ascertain career interests. Discuss these with your academic advisor and staff in the Office of Career Planning and Development. Self-assessments also available through CareerOneStop.org. One of the five assessment tools matches strengths with occupations.
  • Create a core resume. Ask staff in Office of Career Planning and Development to review your resume.
  • Meet with staff in Career Services to identify potential internships.
  • Attend Industry Expo for internship opportunities.
  • Shadow professionals in field of interest.
  • Conduct informational interviews in employment sector(s) of interest.
  • Select part-time jobs in field of interest.
  • Attend conferences of professional associations.
  • Complete on-line assessment to ascertain career interests. Discuss these with your academic advisor and staff in the Office of Career Planning and Development. Self-assessments also available through CareerOneStop.org. One of the five assessment tools matches strengths with occupations.
  • Create a core resume. Ask staff in Office of Career Planning and Development to review your resume.
  • Meet with staff in Career Services to identify potential internships.
  • Attend Industry Expo for internship opportunities.
  • Shadow professionals in field of interest.
  • Conduct informational interviews in employment sector(s) of interest.
  • Select part-time jobs in field of interest.
  • Attend conferences of professional associations.
  • Update your resume.
  • Consider taking SOC 390, Internship, to gain work experience and college credit.
  • Meet with staff in Career Services to identify potential internships.
  • Explore national internships: National Science Foundation research opportunities for undergraduates (http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.cfm); paid internship opportunities through Resource Guide of Summer Opportunities for Minority Undergraduate Students (http://www.doorsofopportunity.org/) or through National Internship Guide (http://www.internships.com/).
  • Participate in Career Development Workshops, particularly the LinkedIn session and discipline specific sessions.
  • Shadow professionals in field of interest.
  • Conduct informational interviews in employment sector(s) of interest.
  • Select part-time jobs in field of interest.
  • Attend conferences of professional associations.
  • Update your resume. Be sure to include your research skills.
  • Shadow professionals in field of interest.
  • Conduct informational interviews in employment sector(s) of interest.
  • Select part-time jobs in field of interest.
  • Attend conferences of professional associations.

GET CONNECTED WITH THE COMMUNITY

  • Participate in Service Day during New Student Orientation, Homecoming, and the MLK Day of Service.
  • Take advantage of service learning opportunities offered in courses (e.g., Core 100) and as scholarship requirements.
  • Join student organizations with community outreach programs (e.g., Talented Tenth Scholars Program for males). Attend student organization events to become acquainted with student organizations. Meet with staff in Office of Leadership and Service for list of student organizations.
  • Frequently check Fisk e-mail for news of volunteer opportunities shared by faculty/advisors and by the Office of Leadership and Service.
  • Volunteer as a tutor with on-campus entities (e.g., AESP, THRUST, or GUSTO).
  • Participate in Service Day during New Student Orientation, Homecoming, and the MLK Day of Service.
  • Take advantage of service learning opportunities offered in courses (e.g., Core 100) and as scholarship requirements.
  • Join student organizations with community outreach programs (e.g., Talented Tenth Scholars Program for males). Attend student organization events to become acquainted with student organizations. Meet with staff in Office of Leadership and Service for list of student organizations.
  • Frequently check Fisk e-mail for news of volunteer opportunities shared by faculty/advisors and by the Office of Leadership and Service.
  • Volunteer as a tutor with on-campus entities (e.g., AESP, THRUST, or GUSTO).
  • Participate in Service Day during New Student Orientation, Homecoming, and the MLK Day of Service.
  • Take advantage of service learning opportunities offered in courses (e.g., Core 100) and as scholarship requirements.
  • Join student organizations with community outreach programs (e.g., Talented Tenth Scholars Program for males). Attend student organization events to become acquainted with student organizations. Meet with staff in Office of Leadership and Service for list of student organizations.
  • Frequently check Fisk e-mail for news of volunteer opportunities shared by faculty/advisors and by the Office of Leadership and Service.
  • Volunteer as a tutor with on-campus entities (e.g., AESP, THRUST, or GUSTO).
  • Participate in Service Day during New Student Orientation, Homecoming, and the MLK Day of Service.
  • Take advantage of service learning opportunities offered in courses (e.g., Core 100) and as scholarship requirements.
  • Join student organizations with community outreach programs (e.g., Talented Tenth Scholars Program for males). Attend student organization events to become acquainted with student organizations. Meet with staff in Office of Leadership and Service for list of student organizations.
  • Frequently check Fisk e-mail for news of volunteer opportunities shared by faculty/advisors and by the Office of Leadership and Service.
  • Volunteer as a tutor with on-campus entities (e.g., AESP, THRUST, or GUSTO).

GET THINKING GLOBALLY

  • Begin planning potential study abroad (see staff in Office of Global Initiatives).
  • Be intentional in interacting with international students and students from other subcultures.
  • Pay close attention to textbooks and lectures offering cross-cultural comparisons.
  • Finalize arrangements for study abroad (see staff in Office of Global Initiatives). Meet with advisor to ensure courses earned abroad will meet student course requirements for general studies, electives, and major.
  • Be intentional in interacting with international students and students from other subcultures.
  • Pay close attention to textbooks and lectures offering cross-cultural comparisons.
  • Be intentional in interacting with international students and students from other subcultures.
  • Pay close attention to textbooks and lectures offering cross-cultural comparisons.
  • Consider graduate study abroad.

GET READY FOR LIFE AFTER GRADUATION

  • Participate in Career Development Workshops, particularly the LinkedIn session and discipline specific sessions.
  • Explore resources for undergraduate students offered by the American Physical Society (aps.org).
  • Participate in Career Development Workshops, particularly the LinkedIn session and discipline specific sessions.
  • Apply for EXCEL program offering professional development opportunities for sophomores with GPAs of 2.8 or higher.
  • Browse job listings: Idealist.orgCareerOneStop.orgUSAJobs.govCollegeGrad.com; state employment websites Consider student membership in the American Physical Society (aps.org).
  • Attend Industry Expo to meet with graduate school recruiters.
  • Research graduate or professional schools (see petersons.comgradschools.com).
  • Participate in Career Development Workshops, particularly the LinkedIn session and discipline specific sessions.
  • Attend Industry Expo to meet with graduate school recruiters.
  • Participate in Graduating Senior Boot Camp.
  • Present your senior thesis at regional and local symposia. Compete in undergraduate paper competitions.
  • Prepare for and take Graduate Record Exam or other professional examination (e.g., LSAT).
  • Apply for graduate or professional school. Have personal statement reviewed by staff in Writing Center and Office of Career Planning and Development, and faculty/advisor. Request letters of recommendation from faculty members (be sure to give plenty of advance notice of deadlines).
  • Explore resources for undergraduate students offered by the American Physical Society (aps.org).

WHERE COULD I GO AFTER GRADUATION?

Survey of Recent Graduates


• Social Services/Public Services/Counselors

• Administrative/Program Support

• Management

• Education

• Protective Services

• Sales Marketing

• Social Science Researcher.

Selected Job Titles


Business and Industry: market analyst, human resources manager, data entry manager, recruiter
Justice System: criminal investigator, parole officer, special agent, rehabilitation counselor Community and Social Services: caseworker, community organizer, substance abuse counselor, hospital administrator
Government: human rights officer, urban planner, legislative aide, personnel coordinator
Education: admissions counselor, college placement worker, public health educator
Research: data analyst, demographer assistant, consumer researcher

Selected Job Titles of Fisk graduates


Lawyer, Federal probation officer, FBI agent, College admissions administrator, Property manager, Juvenile probation officer, Marriage and family counselor, Human services caseworker, School resources counselor, Urban planner, Hospital administrator, Data analyst, Elementary and secondary school teachers, Not-for-profit organization administrator

Sample of Graduate/Professional Degrees


M.D., J.D., Ed.D., Ph.D., Masters in Criminal Justice, Masters in Urban Planning, Masters in Marriage and Family Counseling, Masters in Hospital Administration, Masters in Social Work, Masters in Public Health, Masters in Public Administration