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Physics

*** As of March 2013, the admission of new students into the Physics program has been suspended until further notice. Current students will be able to continue their progression in this program.***

Physics is the study of the natural world, focusing on the fundamental nature of matter and energy, and interactions between the two. Physicists are engaged in understanding as much as they can about the workings of the universe, and the physics major at Manhattanville equips students to join this remarkable effort. However, training in physics develops skills in problem-solving, analysis, and applying knowledge that are essential to many disciplines and careers beyond scientific or industrial research, including engineering, medicine, business and finance, economics, and the law. A Manhattanville physics major is equipped for all of these careers and more, while acquiring the full benefits of a liberal arts education.

The Physics Department offers a unique program that a student can realistically complete within three years. Students fulfill the major requirements by taking theoretical courses in advanced physics, a laboratory course, and a senior research symposium, in which students apply knowledge gained through coursework to understanding current research and unsolved problems. Majors are also strongly encouraged to broaden their experience through summer research internships off campus. A physics minor allows students with multiple interests to benefit from some training in physics as well. The minor can typically be completed in two years.

The Department also offers a variety of general-interest courses designed for non-science majors, in which particular topics (e.g. astronomy, sound and music, history and philosophy of scientific discovery) are explored as a way of understanding fundamental physics principles. At least one such course is offered every semester. Students interested in science are encouraged to take College Physics I & II or University Physics I & II. College Physics is the non-calculus course designed to satisfy the requirements of pre-professional programs in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine. University Physics, for which calculus is a co-requisite, covers similar material at a more advanced level and prepares the student for more advanced courses in physics and other natural sciences. For students in natural sciences, University Physics I & II are the recommended (although not always required) introductory physics courses.

The Physics laboratory has recently been outfitted with modern, computer-based experimental stations, enabling automatic data collection and graphical analysis for a wide variety of experiments. Advanced physics students have access to sophisticated instrumentation for investigating topics in atomic, nuclear, and particle physics, optics, and nonlinear dynamics.

Faculty and Professional Interests

Yasemin Gurcan – Experimental accelerator and particle-beam physics; computational and theoretical electrodynamics; plasma physics and beam-plasma interactions; applications of accelerators in medicine and industry

Adjunct Faculty

Matthew D'Amato

Pooja Pathak

Ilya Reznikov

Physics Major Requirements

Physics requirements:

• University Physics I & II (PHY 1003/1004)
• the advanced physics core of four courses: Mechanics; Electromagnetism; Quantum Physics; Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics (PHY 2010, 2021, 2030 & 2040);
• Experimental Physics (PHY 2028);
• Two additional elective advanced courses (3000 level) (see the department website for a complete list of courses available);
• Senior Research Project and Seminar (PHY 3090), the senior research symposium.

Mathematics requirements:

• Calculus I, II, & III (MATH 1030, 1032, 2030); and
• (Ordinary) Differential Equations (MATH 2021).

Students are strongly encouraged to complete a research internship (which can be taken as a course for credit, PHY 3080, if desired), and to take some of the following courses as electives to further and/or broaden their training:

• Principles of Chemistry I & II; or Principles of Biology I & II.
• Additional advanced mathematics courses such as Linear algebra, Complex variables, Partial differential equations

No course with a grade lower than C - will be accepted toward the major in physics. In addition, students must maintain a C average in all courses required for the major.

Physics Senior Evaluation

Seniors must complete the capstone research course PHY 3090: Senior Research Project & Seminar. See description under course listings.

Physics Departmental Honors

Departmental Honors in physics are conferred upon graduating seniors who have maintained a G.P.A. of 3.5 or more in courses required for the major.

Physics Minor Requirements

The minor provides students with rigorous physics training that develops their analytical reasoning and quantitative analysis skills. In addition to introductory physics and calculus, there is a two-course advanced physics requirement that can be readily fulfilled within an academic year:

• University Physics I & II (PHY 1003/1004)
• Calculus I & II (MATH 1030/1032) and
• Two advanced physics courses (2000 level and beyond).

A C average is required in all courses for the physics minor, with no course grade less than C-.

Physics Education Program

By combining the physics major with a second major in Science Education, offered through the School of Education, graduates can be eligible for certification as high-school physics teachers (grades 7-12) in New York State. See the School of Education catalog for more details.

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