Academic Programs: Major Requirements
Physics Major Requirements
1. Physics 105 (or 101), 106 (or 102), 213, 214, 211, and 212 (or Bryn Mawr equivalents). The last two are normally taken concurrently with 213 and 214.
2. Mathematics 121 and 204 or Bryn Mawr equivalent. For students who are contemplating advanced work in mathematics, 216 can replace 121, and 215 can replace 204.
3. Six upper-level courses in physics at Haverford or Bryn Mawr. One of these must be a laboratory course such as 316 or 326. All majors must take three of the four core theoretical courses: 302, 303, 308 and 309. Students considering graduate study in physics should take four of the following five courses by the end of their junior year: 302, 303, 308, 309, and 316 or 326 (or their Bryn Mawr equivalents).
Two of the six upper-level courses may be replaced by upper-level courses in a related department, with advanced approval from the major advisor. (The student will be asked to prepare a brief written statement explaining the relationship between the proposed courses and the physics major.) One of the six upper-level physics courses may be a 400-level research course. Either 459 or 460 may also be counted among the six upper-level courses.
4. The department requires one course outside the department at a level consistent with the student's background in either astronomy, biology, computer science, chemistry, or engineering (at Penn or Swarthmore). (This requirement is waived for double majors.)
5. Physics 399, including a paper and colloquium based on independent work, and attendance at senior colloquia and distinguished lectures hosted by the department.
Physics Requirements for Honors
The award of Honors in Physics will be based upon the quality of performance in course work and the senior colloquium and paper. High Honors carries the additional requirement of demonstrated originality in senior research
Astronomy Major Requirements
1. Physics 105 (or 101), Physics 106 (or 102), Physics 213, Physics 214.
2. Two mathematics courses; Mathematics 121 and all 200-level or higher mathematics courses can be used to satisfy this requirement.
3. Astronomy 205, Astronomy 206, four 300-level astronomy courses, one of which may be replaced by an upper-level physics course
4. Astronomy 404, which may be replaced by approved independent research either at Haverford or elsewhere
5. Written comprehensive examinations.
Bryn Mawr equivalents may be substituted for the non-astronomy courses. Astronomy/Physics 152 is recommended but not required.
Astrophysics Major Requirements
1. Physics 105 (or 101), Physics 106 (or 102), Physics 213, Physics 214, Physics 211 (usually taken concurrently with Physics 213).
2. Two mathematics courses. Mathematics 121 and all 200-level or higher mathematics courses can be used to satisfy this requirement.
3. Astronomy 205, Astronomy 206, and any two 300-level astronomy courses.
4. Physics 302, Physics 303, and Physics 309.
5. The Senior Seminar, Physics 399, including a talk and senior thesis on research conducted by the student. This research can be undertaken in a 400-level research course with any member of the Physics or Astronomy departments or by doing extracurricular research at Haverford or elsewhere, e.g., an approved summer research internship at another institution. The thesis is to be written under the supervision of both the research advisor and a Haverford advisor if the research advisor is not a Haverford faculty member.
Bryn Mawr equivalents may be substituted for the non-astronomy courses. Astronomy/Physics 152 and Physics 308 are recommended but not required.
Astronomy and Astrophysics Requirements for Honors
All astronomy and astrophysics majors are regarded as candidates for Honors. For both majors, the award of Honors will be based in part on superior work in the departmental courses and in certain related courses. For astronomy majors, the award of Honors will additionally be based on performance on the comprehensive examinations, with consideration given for independent research. For astrophysics majors, the award of Honors will additionally be based on the senior thesis and talk.