Undergraduate Programs

The Wake Forest Physics Department offers an outstanding educational program for the undergraduate student, with the option to pursue either the BS or the BA degree.  The program is designed to give the student a broad understanding of physics, with the opportunity to pursue research at the forefront of biophysics, nano-technology and materials physics, condensed matter physics, gravitation and particle physics, and optical and laser physics. The Department thus provides the unique mix of research opportunities similar to those found at large research universities with the atmosphere of a small liberal arts university.  Graduates from the Wake Forest Physics Department have held positions at colleges, universities, industry and government laboratories, and not-for-profit institutes.  

The Physics Major

The study of physics is exciting, challenging, and brings out the student's intellectual best. We have an ideal environment for learning physics, a small department committed to excellence in teaching in both the classrooms and the research laboratories. Majors take a set of core courses in which they learn the fundamentals of physics before they take elective courses and do directed research.

A major typically starts with introductory Physics 113-114 in the freshman year. If you have had a good high school course, and feel that you know the material in the 113-114 course, you should discuss moving to Physics 215 with your instructor and Professor Kerr, the advisor for physics majors. In your freshman year you should also begin taking a sequence of mathematics courses, starting with Calculus 111 and 112. It is essential that your mathematics courses parallel your physics courses.

IF YOU ARE A SOPHOMORE WHEN YOU FIRST TAKE PHYSICS 113-114, YOU CAN MAJOR IN PHYSICS WITHOUT ANY DIFFICULTY. Schedules are included for students starting the major as freshmen or sophomores.

There are four different degree tracks for physics majors:

Students with BA degrees normally find employment in science related businesses, in science writing, as laboratory assistants in research laboratories, or enter professional schools such as Medicine, Business, or Law.

The BS degree is for students planning careers in physics (with or without a graduate degree) or in engineering. The BS curriculum better prepares students for graduate study.

The BA degree with a Concentration in Biophysics and Biochemistry allow students to obtain a BA in Physics with a core set of biophysics and biochemistry courses that provide a rigorous and quantitative training and focus, with application to the biosciences. Students obtain a knowledge base making them highly qualified to pursue research careers in the biotechnology industry or graduate research and education in biochemistry, biophysics, or the pharmaceutical sciences. Students would also be prepared for a number of non-science careers, such as those in secondary education, business, or law.

The BA/MS degree is attractive for students planning on graduate study. In this program, at the end of the third year, the physics requirements for the BA degree are complete, and thus, the student may receive graduate credit for courses taken in the fourth year. During the fourth year of the BA/MS program, the student finishes the University requirements for the BA degree and graduates with his/her class. In the fifth year the remaining course requirements and a thesis for the MS degree are completed. Students may apply for a teaching assistantship of $16,500 for 10 months. Students may also receive a supplement of $1500-2500 for summer research. This brings the total annual assistantship support to $19,000 for teaching assistants in 2007-08 for the fifth year. Students interested in the 5-year BA/MS degree should apply for admission to the Graduate School at the end of their junior year.

The B.A. Degree

The BA degree in physics requires 25 hours in physics and must include the following courses: 113, 114, 215, 262, 265, 266, and 230. The remaining six hours may be satisfied with any other 300-level courses in the department except 381, 382. Mathematics 205 also is required. Sudents may substitute MTH 113 and 121 in place of MTH 205. Typical schedules follow.

BA major in physics starting in the freshman year

BA major in physics starting in the sophomore year

Physics for students planning careers in medicine, law or business

A major in physics is ideal for students planning careers in medicine, law, or business. Careers in medicine include allopathic, naturopathic and osteopathic medicine, dentistry, podiatry, optometry and veterinary medicine. Backgrounds in physics are especially useful in our society which is rapidly becoming more and more dependent on technology. Student interested in a career in medicine have several choices:

• The 25 hours required for the BA degree leaves ample elective hours which can be used to take courses required or recommended for admission to the professional school of choice. For example, the pre-health professions student would take the biology and chemistry courses required by most medical schools for admission. Study toward the BA degree may be started by taking Physics 113-114 in either the freshman or sophomore year.
• With careful planning, students can complete a BS degree in physics, as well as the requirements for medical school. Please consult one of the Physics faculty who advise undergraduates for early planning.
• Pre-health professions students should also consider the B.A. in Physics with a Concentration in Biophysics and Biochemistry.

Pre-health professions students should also visit the web page of the Health Professions program and consult with the pre-health professions advisor. Typical schedules for a pre-health professions students (including allopathic, naturopathic and osteopathic medicine, dentistry, podiatry, optometry and veterinary medicine) are:

BA Major in physics for a pre-health professions students starting physics in the freshman year

BA Major in physics for a pre-health professions students starting physics in the sophomore year

Many pre-health professions students who begin their sequence with biology and chemistry in the freshmen year choose to change their major to physics when they take Phy 113-114 as sophomores. Following is a typical sequence for such students.

The B.S. Major

The BS major in physics requires 38 hours in Physics and must include the following courses: 113, 114, 215, 262, 265, 266, 230, 301, 302, 343, 344, 337, 339, 340, and 341. The remaining hours may be satisfied with any other 300-level course in the department. In addition, Mathematics 205, 306, and one math elective are required. The math elective can be satisfied by any 3-hour 200 or higher level mathematics or computer science course except MTH 381, 391, 382, and 392 and CSC 391 and 393. MTH 251, 317, and CSC 111 are strongly recommended as preparation for graduate school.

Students may substitute MTH 113 and 121 in place of MTH 205 and MTH 251 and 352 in place of MTH 306.

BS major in physics starting freshman year

BS major in physics starting sophomore year

The BS major in physics requires 38 hours. The remaining hours may be satisfied with any course from the following list: These courses may be taken at any time after the necessary prerequisites have been satisfied.

The BA Physics Major with a Concentration in Biophysics and Biochemistry

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Physics with concentration in biophysics and biochemistry requires 27.5 hours in physics and must include the following courses: 113, 114, 215, 262, 265, 266, 230, and two of the following: 307/325, 320/323, 341. A student must take Physics 381 or 382 for a minimum of 1.5 hours. Also required are Mathematics 205; Chemistry 111/111L, 122/122L, 230; two of the three courses Biology 112, 213, 214; one of the four courses Biology 370, Biology 371, Chemistry 370, Chemistry 371.

Typical sequence:

BA/MS major in physics

The BA/MS five year program allows a student to earn both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science degree in five years.

At the end of the third year, the Physics requirements (25 hours) for the BA degree are complete. The requirements for the MS degree include 24 hours of course work and 6 hours of thesis research. The 300 and 400 level math and physics courses taken in the senior year count toward the 24 hours of course work. At least three of these courses should be taken in the senior year. Elective courses at the 300 level are:
 

Typical schedule

Engineering

Many physics majors pursue careers in engineering. Our students frequently become mechanical, civil, electrical, biomedical, and acoustical engineers. For options for pursuing a career in engineering, see our Engineering page.

Physics minor

Students may minor in physics by completing 17 hours which must include courses 113, 114, 215, and 262. MTH 205 is a prerequisite for PHY 262.

Society of Physics Students

The Student Physics Society, SPS, is an undergraduate student organization that promotes the development of students both intellectually and socially. At the end of the sophomore year, achievement in physics courses is recognized by an invitation to membership in the Student Physics Society and Sigma Pi Sigma. These societies sponsor several lectures and fields trips each year. There are also some socials, such as picnics and hikes. The SPS has a meeting room in Olin, to which only members and faculty have a key. This room is used for meetings and study. Many students benefit from studying and discussing physics in small groups, and the SPS room is ideal for this, furnished with lounge chairs, study carrels, tables, and marker boards.

Study space in Olin

Students who are members of SPS are encouraged to study in the SPS Room, Olin 108A. Students taking the research courses, Physics 381-382, are given study space either in the research laboratory or somewhere in the building. Study space is also found for majors who grade papers or teach a laboratory section.

Current Courses

Visit our Courses page.