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A student-centered curriculum
Our curriculum is designed to meet the talents and needs of students of every background, identity, and aspiration. That’s why we center equity and inclusion in our teaching, advising, and mentoring. It’s also why our curriculum is designed to enable exploration across the disciplines and to encourage learning beyond the campus, including study abroad at leading universities around the world and research at world-renowned laboratories, such as Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
We also help students take full advantage of the resources available on campus, while connecting them with universities and research laboratories around the world to expand their knowledge, expose them to new ideas and possibilities, and equip them for their futures.
Note: Students interested in engineering can find the engineering physics curriculum here.
Physics, Engineering, & Astronomy
The physics program at Beloit College could be the ideal major for a student interested in liberal arts and science. Physics, engineering, and astronomy faculty use dynamic, interactive methods of teaching to challenge students, ensuring that they develop the strong problem-solving skills that are useful in a wide range of careers.
Practical work in the laboratory reinforces theoretical classroom work; many students participate in both formal and informal research projects, taking advantage of well-equipped labs and machine shops. The flexible major allows students to pursue individual interests. Current research interests of Beloit physics faculty encompass a wide variety of fields, including planetary astronomy, plasma physics, laser spectroscopy, nuclear physics, and science education.
Majors
- Seven physics departmental units:
- Physics 101, 102, 210, 330, 335, 340, and 345.
- Four engineering program units:
- Engineering 105, 220, 330 (.5), 340 (.5), 381 (.5), and 382 (.5).
- Supporting courses (4 units): Mathematics 110, 115, 201, and 290.
- Engineering Physics majors planning to attend graduate school in physics are strongly urged to take all of the core 300-level physics courses (330, 335, 340, 345, and 350); and Mathematics 275.
- Students are strongly encouraged to do a semester of off-campus study or study abroad. Possible programs include the Oak Ridge Science Semester; many international opportunities include the possibility of taking upper-level physics courses.
- All Engineering Physics majors are encouraged to do an internship or independent research, often in the form of a paid summer REU.
- Students cannot major in both physics and engineering physics.
- Students interested in a 3-2 or 4-2 program should declare a major in physics as opposed to engineering physics.
Students majoring in engineering physics may choose to receive the Bachelor of Science degree rather than the Bachelor of Arts degree by completing a minimum of 4 units in biology, chemistry, computer science, geology, and/or mathematics.
- Seven departmental units:
- Physics 101, 102, and 210.
- At least 4 units chosen from 330, 335, 340, 345, or 350.
- One additional unit from physics, biology, chemistry, computer science, geology, engineering, or mathematics, chosen with prior consent of the advisor.
- Supporting courses (3 units): Mathematics 110, 115, and 290.
- Physics majors planning to attend graduate school in physics are strongly urged to take all of the core 300-level physics courses (330, 335, 340, 345, and 350); and Mathematics 275 and 201.
- Students are strongly encouraged to do a semester of off-campus study or study abroad. Possible programs include the Oak Ridge Science Semester; many international opportunities include the possibility of taking upper-level physics courses.
- All physics majors are encouraged to do an internship or independent research, often in the form of a paid summer REU.
- Students cannot major in both physics and engineering physics.
Students majoring physics may choose to receive the Bachelor of Science degree rather than the Bachelor of Arts degree by completing a minimum of 4 units in biology, chemistry, computer science, geology, and/or mathematics.
Minors
- Four departmental units:
- Physics 101.
- Three additional elective units in Physics or Engineering:
- One course must be at the 200-level or above.
- No more than 1 total unit of Physics 300, 390, and 395.
- Supporting courses (2 units): Mathematics 110 and 115.
Programs
- Required courses (10 units), completed with at least a “C” average:
- Two units of chemistry, including Chemistry 220.
- Two units of computer science.
- Mathematics 110, 115, 290, and 201.
- Physics 101 and 102.
- Recommended courses:
- Chemistry 220, 230, and 235 (for chemical engineering).
- Economics 199 (required by some engineering schools).
- Engineering 105.
- Geology 100 or 110 (for civil engineering).
- Mathematics 275 and/or 205 (required by some engineering schools).
- Physics 210 (required by some engineering programs).
- Engineering 220 (required by some electrical engineering programs).
- Physics 330 (for civil and mechanical engineering).
- Twenty-three units of Beloit credit (for 3-2 program), at least 16 of which are in residence.
- Completion of all remaining Beloit College degree requirements.
- Any additional courses required for admission to the engineering institution.
- Attainment of an engineering degree from an ABET-accredited institution, with at least a “C” average in the engineering college. Courses and grades from the engineering institution are transferred to Beloit and are counted into the student’s Beloit College grade point average, for purposes of requirements and honors.
Students opting for the 4-2 program must complete a non-engineering Beloit major (such as chemistry, math, or physics, but the degree can be in any major), including the minimum 31 units of Beloit credit; students will receive their Beloit degree before matriculating at the engineering school. Students must complete the engineering core in order to be certified by the Beloit liaison to an affiliate school. Students then follow a two-year program of study at an ABET-accredited engineering institution, leading to either a B.S. or an M.S. degree in engineering.
Students will receive a bachelor’s degree from Beloit with the Beloit major listed on their transcripts. The “engineering program” major will not be listed on the transcripts.
Ordinarily a student will need to choose between 3-2 and 4-2 by the end of their sophomore year, since the requirements of a Beloit major must be met for the 4-2 program.
Note: Financial aid criteria and award packages do not “transfer” from Beloit to an engineering college. A student must apply and qualify separately at the engineering college. Applying for financial assistance is generally a separate process concurrent with application for admission. A student who has graduated from Beloit before or while attending an engineering college (e.g., a student on the 4-2 program) is no longer an undergraduate, and undergraduate need-based financial aid will usually not be available subsequently at the engineering college. Graduate study is normally funded with assistantships or fellowships.
The engineering program major (3-2) requires only 23 units of Beloit credit, but it also requires completion of an engineering degree from an ABET-accredited institution. All other Beloit College degree requirements except for the 31-unit requirement must be met, and students do not receive their Beloit degree until the engineering school certifies the engineering degree.
Students must complete the engineering core, even if they opt for a second major at Beloit. It is sometimes possible to count some of the courses completed during the two years of engineering school toward the requirements of a second Beloit major; for example, an engineering course in fluid dynamics might count towards a Beloit physics major, and an engineering course in petroleum chemistry might count towards a Beloit chemistry major. Students must consult with the department of the second major in determining what will transfer back and count toward the requirements of the second major.
Most students are expected to complete the Experience requirement while at Beloit. With prior consultation with the Beloit engineering advisor, it is occasionally possible to complete the Experience requirement at the engineering school; planning for this must be done in advance.
Students will receive a bachelor’s degree with an “engineering program” major from Beloit College upon successful completion of the dual-degree program. Students who also complete an additional Beloit major will have both the “engineering program” major and the second major listed in their transcripts.