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HMC Physics Program

A set of core courses is required of all physics majors; in addition, a variety of elective courses enables students to select a program to suit their interests and their educational and employment objectives. Laboratory courses in both introductory and advanced physics include experience with electronics, classical and modern optics, solid state physics, and atomic and nuclear physics. Special courses and reading courses provide the opportunity for study in advanced areas normally offered only in graduate programs.

This page contains an outline of the physics courses that a typical Harvey Mudd Physics Major takes. The program offers many options, so you can design a course of study to match your particular interests. If you are looking for information about the exact requirements for a degree in physics, or if you are looking for a description of a particular class, click on the link or check out the physics section of the HMC Course Catalog.

Typical Schedule

The schedule listed below shows the required courses and when they are customarily taken by students who take Physics 23 or Physics 23A in their first semester at the College. Those who begin with Physics 51 may wish to take some courses earlier than listed here; those taking a semester abroad may end up postponing some courses by a year. This schedule is simply a guide to the possible ways to complete the physics major. Be sure to discuss your options and choices with your advisor.

Legend

core	a required course in the Common Core
requirement	a technical requirement for all physics majors
elective	an optional course
HSS	a course partially fulfilling requirements of the humanities and social sciences program

Sophomore Year
Fall	Spring
The bulk of this semester is spent satisfying core requirements in math, physics, and engineering. Most students take Engineering 59 (Systems Engineering); those who have not completed Biology 52 should seriously consider taking it this semester.	For students entering the College with normal preparation in mathematics and physics, the first courses beyond the Common Core are taken in the spring semester of the sophomore year. Optional courses accessible to students at this level include: Astronomy 62 – Introduction to Astrophysics Physics 80 – Global Warming and Climate Change (3), which also satisfies the integrative experience requirement Physics 166 – Geophysics (2)
Physics 51 – Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics (3)	Physics 52 – Quantum Physics (3)
Physics 53 – E&M and Optics Lab (1)	Physics 54 – Modern Physics Lab (1)
Math 61 – Multivariable Calculus 2 Math 62 – Intro. to Probability and Statistics (3)	Math 63 – Linear Algebra 2 Math 64 – Differential Equations 2 (3)
Engr 59 – Intro to Systems Engineering (3) or Bio 52 – Introduction to Biology (3)	HSS (3)
HSS (3)	HSS (3)
Elective (3)	Elective (3)

Junior Year
Fall	Spring
Upper division theoretical physics courses, including theoretical mechanics and statistical mechanics, are generally more demanding than prior courses and rely on mathematically more sophisticated approaches to solving physical problems. In addition, electronics lab is the first lab course in which each student has her or his own lab station. Plan your course load carefully to get the most out of this semester. Possible additional courses this semester include Astronomy 101 – Observational Astronomy	This is perhaps the best semester for studying abroad, if you are so inclined. Both Physics 116 and Physics 134 can be taken in the senior year without cramping your schedule. See your advisor for more information on preparing for foreign study. For those remaining on the HMC campus, this is a good semester to consider taking a half-course. Possibilities include Astronomy 62 – Introduction to Astrophysics Physics 80 – Global Warming and Climate Change Physics 162 – Solid State Physics Physics 166 – Geophysics Physics 170 – Computational Physics Physics 172 – General Relativity and Cosmology Physics 174 – Biophysics Physics 178 – Materials Characterization Laboratory Also consider taking a unit or two of research this term. Drop by professors’ offices to find out what opportunities are available.
Physics 111 – Theoretical Mechanics (3)	Physics 116 – Quantum Mechanics (3)
Physics 133 – Electronics Lab (1)	Physics 134 – Optics Lab (2)
Physics 195 – Colloquium (0)	Physics 196 – Colloquium (0)
Math 115 – Fourier Series and BVPs (3)	Physics half course (2)
Physics 117 – Statistical Mechanics (3)	HSS (3)
HSS (3)	HSS (3)
Elective (3)	Elective (3)

Senior Year
Fall	Spring
Research or clinic work is a major focus of this semester. It is important to budget sufficient time to get the most out of these experiences. Students applying to graduate schools should allow time for researching schools, completing applications, and preparing for the graduate records exam (GRE), offered in November and December. This work is equivalent to roughly 4-5 units. Possible half course: Physics 161 – Topics in Quantum Theory	Research is a focus of this semester. For those heading to graduate school, have your frequent flyer number handy and budget time for trips to visit schools. This is also the time to take Physics 154 – Fields and Waves, which you will find especially useful preparation for graduate work in many fields. For those looking for jobs, plan on spending time identifying companies, preparing your resume, and interviewing. (You’re most welcome to take Physics 154, too!) Possible half-courses this term: Physics 80 – Global Warming and Climate Change Physics 162 – Solid State Physics Physics 164 – Particle Physics Physics 166 – Geophysics Physics 168 – Electrodynamics Physics 170 – Computational Physics Physics 172 – General Relativity and Cosmology Physics 174 – Biophysics Physics 178 – Materials Characterization Laboratory Astronomy 62 – Introduction to Astrophysics
Physics 151 – Electromagnetic Fields (3)	Physics 196 – Colloquium (0)
Physics 191 – Research or Physics 194 – Clinic (3)	Physics 192 – Research or Physics 194 – Clinic
Physics 195 – Colloquium (0)	HSS (3)
Elective (2 or 3)	HSS (3)
HSS (3)	Physics 154 – Fields and Waves (3)
HSS (3)	Elective (3)
	Elective (3)

Options

Listed below are the nine optional programs for physics majors. Required courses are indicated with “•”; courses which may be used to satisfy a requirement are indicated with “?”, and options are listed in the column at the right.

Option	Half Courses	117	154	181	Research / Clinic	Other Requirements
Standard	2	•		•	R
Applied Physics	2	•		•	RC
Astrophysics	2	•		?	R	Physics 181 or Astro 101
Biophysics		?		?	R	Physics 181 or an approved biology laboratory; three of [Physics 117, Chemistry 56, approved biology courses]; research in Physics or Biology
Chemical Physics		•		?	R	Physics 161; Chemistry 168; Physics 181 or an approved chemistry laboratory
Education						Education 170G, taken in junior year or earlier; Physics 183-184 (3 units); 9 units of approved technical electives (see catalog)
Geophysics		?	?	•	R	Either Physics 117 or Physics 154; Physics 166; one approved geology course
Mathematical Physics	1	?	?		RC	Physics 117 or Physics 154; 2 approved math courses. Note: Physics 170 can be substituted for Physics 133 in this option provided Physics 170 is not used to meet the physics half-course requirement.
Physics and Computers	?	?			RC	Physics 117 or 2 physics half-courses; Physics 170; Computer Science 60; 2 of [Math 165, Engineering 157, any CS course numbered 70 or higher]