Why study physics and astronomy at CMU?

CMU offers a rigorous physics program that promotes thoughtful inquiry and will prepare you for graduate studies or a physics-related career. Consider these key features of this program:

• CMU's new supercomputer runs 30 times faster than computers on any other Michigan university campus
• CMU is among eight universities and six laboratories nationally that are part of a $15 million, five-year project to gain new insights into the physics of atomic nuclei
• Brooks Hall Astronomical Observatory
• Professional development through organizations such as the Society of Physics Students

Career outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, for all occupations through the year 2014:

• Competition for jobs is expected, but graduates with a physics or astronomy degree at any level will find their knowledge of science and mathematics useful for many other occupations.
• Persons with a bachelor's degree in physics or astronomy may qualify for a wide range of positions related to engineering, mathematics, computer science, and environmental science; and, for those with the appropriate background, some nonscience fields, such as finance.
• Those who meet state certification requirements can become high school physics teachers, an occupation in strong demand in many districts.

Career options

Graduates of the physics program at CMU will find a variety of career opportunities. Some of these may require additional education.

• Astronomer
• College or University Professor
• Environmental Scientist
• High School Science Teacher
• Laboratory Assistant
• Labor Relations Specialist
• Physicist
• Researcher
• Teacher
• Technical Writer

Program Overview The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires. For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards. (Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.) Physics Major: Astronomy Concentration (36 hours) Core Courses 4 PHY 145 University Physics I Normally the first physics course for majors and minors. Mechanics of single and many-particle systems, conservation laws, statistical concepts, and gravitational interaction. Pre/Co-Requisite: MTH 132. (University Program Group II-B) 4 PHY 146 University Physics II Temperature and thermodynamics, electromagnetic interaction, electrical circuits, electromagnetic radiation, and optics. Not open to those with credit in PHY 131. Prerequisite: PHY 145. Pre/Co-requisite: MTH 133. 1 PHY 175 University Physics Laboratory I Laboratory experience for PHY 145. Introduction to experimental techniques and the treatment of experimental data. Satisfies University Program Group II laboratory requirement. Pre/Co-Requisite: PHY 145. (University Program Group II-B) 1 PHY 176 University Physics Laboratory II Laboratory experience for PHY 146. Introduction to electrical measurements and instrumentation. Introduction to techniques of optical measurements. Prerequisite: PHY 175. Pre/Co-Requisite: PHY 146. 4 PHY 247 Introduction to Modern Physics Historical development of modern physics, special relativity, atomic structure, elementary quantum theory, radioactivity, and nuclear phenomenology. Prerequisite: PHY 146. 1 PHY 277 University Physics Laboratory III Laboratory experience for PHY 247. Introduction to the techniques of electron and photon physics. Pre/Co-Requisite: PHY 247. 3 PHY 312 Introduction to Mathematical Physics Introduction to the mathematical concepts and techniques used in mechanics, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics. Pre/Co-Requisites: PHY 247; MTH 233, 334. 3 PHY 322 Intermediate Mechanics Newtonian mechanics of particles and systems of particles: conservation theorems, gravitation, oscillations, central force motion, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics, and two-particle collisions. Pre/Co- requisites: PHY 247; MTH 233, 334. 3 PHY 332 Electricity and Magnetism Electrostatic fields in vacuum and in dielectrics, magnetic fields associated with constant and variable currents, magnetic materials, Maxwell's equations. Prerequisite: PHY 247; MTH 233, MTH 334. 4 PHY 442 Introductory Quantum Theory Introduction to quantum theory, Schrödinger equation, operators, angular momentum, harmonic oscillator, atomic hydrogen, perturbation theory, identical particles, radiation. Some applications will be considered. Prerequisites: PHY 312, 322, 332. 3 PHY 450 Thermal Physics Introduction to equilibrium thermodynamics and elementary statistical mechanics. Prerequisite: PHY 312, PHY 322. 3 PHY 491 Senior Physics Project Capstone experience for physics majors. Students enroll during their penultimate semester on campus. Project advisor must be selected before enrolling. Prerequisites: PHY 312, 322, 332, 578. Prior permission of instructor. 2 PHY 578 Experimental Physics Selected experiments utilizing the techniques of modern experimental physics. Prerequisite: PHY 277. (15 hours) Required Courses 4 AST 260 General Astronomy I A mathematical treatment of modern astronomy for majors/minors in the sciences. Coordinate systems, astronomical instruments, time, moon and eclipses, earth as a planet, other solar system objects. Prerequisite: PHY 145. 4 AST 261 General Astronomy II A continuation of AST 260. Stellar astronomy, interstellar matter, galactic structure, galaxies, quasars, cosmology. Prerequisite: AST 260. 4 AST 562 Observational Astronomy Celestial mechanics, astronomical instruments, and the techniques of astronomical direct imaging, photometry, and spectroscopy. Prerequisite: PHY 322; AST 260 or AST 261. 3 AST 563 Astrophysics Stellar atmospheres, stellar interiors, interstellar matter and topics of current interest. Prerequisites: AST 261; PHY 332.