Physics

Chair: Dr. Philip Maurone
Office: 347 Mendel
Tel. (610) 519-4860
Website: http://www.villanova.edu/artsci/physics/
Course descriptions: http://www.artsci.villanova.edu/courses/physics.html

Physics: The Fundamentals of Matter, Energy, Space, Time, and Interactions

Physics is an experimental science in which its practitioners investigate nature at the most fundamental level on scales ranging from subatomic distances to the size of the universe. It is a quest to understand the origin and behavior of all forces: forces that account for the observed stability and in some cases instability of the atomic nucleus; forces that account for the stability of the atom; forces that account for the stability of matter and the large scale structure of the universe. In this sense, it is the most fundamental of the physical sciences, and the successful physics student will be adept at solving problems using techniques that probe the fundamental building blocks of nature.
Being trained to analyze phenomena at the most fundamental level makes the physics major versatile. Therefore the student who successfully completes the degree in physics will not only be well prepared for graduate studies in physics, but for employment in research oriented industries or study in professional fields.

Requirements

The B.S. in Physics
For the student who wants to be a professional physicist or go on to graduate school in physics. The minimum requirement is 136 credits. There is a senior research option.
 

The B.A. in Physics
For students who want to minor in another science or engineering or who are planning employment or graduate studies outside the sciences in fields such as medicine, law, business, journalism, secondary school teaching, etc. Instead of the normal advanced courses in physics the candidate uses these slots for the minor in another area. The minimum requirement is 136 credits. The Physics home page has the details.

The Minor in Physics
The Physics Department offers a minor in physics to qualified students whose major area of study lies outside of physics. In general, a student in any area of study, other than physics, may obtain a minor in physics.
Sixteen credits in the University Physics sequence, Physics 2410-2417
Fifteen additional credits of upper level physics electives

The Minor in Applied Physics for Math majors
All the Math course required for the Math degree, plus
MAT 4310
PHY 2410/11 through PHY 2416/17
PHY 3310/3311
PHY 4301/4303


The details of all the above programs including course descriptions can be found on our home page.