麻豆社

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Interdisciplinary Physics

Bachelor of Science

Degree Type:
B.S.
College:
College of Arts & Sciences
Department:
Physics & Engineering

Become a well-rounded scientist, innovator, or entrepreneur.

Prepare for exciting careers where science and innovation intersect. The Interdisciplinary Physics major at 麻豆社 allows you to combine the study of physics with other fields, from chemistry to biology to business.

With two exciting concentrations — entrepreneurial physics and biomedical physics — you can further customize your degree to align with your academic and professional goals. Whichever path you choose, you’ll leave JCU with an incredible breadth of knowledge and a solid foundation for both industry and advanced study.

Project-Based Learning

Experiment and discover in modern labs. Embark on a senior design or research project. Present your work on campus and at academic conferences.

Immersive Internships

Put learning into practice at an innovative company or healthcare facility in the Cleveland area or spend the summer as a research assistant right here on campus.

  • Project-Based Learning

    Experiment and discover in modern labs. Embark on a senior design or research project. Present your work on campus and at academic conferences.

  • Immersive Internships

    Put learning into practice at an innovative company or healthcare facility in the Cleveland area or spend the summer as a research assistant right here on campus.

  • Campus Involvement

    Join the JCU chapter of the Society of Physics Students. Get involved with other Blue Streak innovators at the Muldoon Center for Entrepreneurship.

  • 90% of JCU students complete two or more high-impact experiences, including research or internships

  • <20 students in upper-level physics classes, giving you plenty of personalized attention

  • 700+ biomedical companies in Cleveland, a world-renowned hub of innovation

  • 10 Cleveland is among the top 10 fastest-growing market for tech talent in the U.S. (Destination Cleveland)

Program Overview & Outcomes

As an interdisciplinary physics major, you have the option of adding one of two concentrations:

  • Biomedical Physics - ideal for students interested in pursuing medical or other health professions school or want to find careers in biomedical engineering or medical physics.
  • Entrepreneurial Physics - ideal for students who want to build a strong background in physics to prepare for careers in high-tech business ventures or other entrepreneurial endeavors.

Curriculum: What You Will Learn

You'll develop an in-depth understanding of core physics principles combined with interdisciplinary coursework from biology, chemistry, psychology, mathematics, computer science, and business. The program offers focused concentrations in biomedical physics and entrepreneurship physics, preparing you for medical school, MBA programs, environmental science, technical sales, or patent law.

View Program Catalog

  • Advanced Physics

    Ph3410

    PH3410

    Laws of thermodynamics, entropy, phase transitions, classical and quantum statistical mechanics. Application to ideal and non-ideal systems. Prerequisite: EP 217 or EP 2560 or MT 2340 (min grade C-) and PH 136 or PH 1520 (min grade C-).

    Ph3610

    PH3610

    Newtonian and Lagrangian formulation of classical mechanics. Oscillations, coupled oscillators, central forces, rigid body dynamics, rotating reference frames. Mathematical concepts that arise in mechanics. Prerequisite: EP 217 or EP 2560 or MT2340 (min grade C-), MT 233 or MT 2330 (min grade C-), and PH 136 or PH 1520 (min grade C-). Corequisite: PH 3512.

    Ph4760

    PH4760

    The foundations and fundamental principles of quantum physics. Hilbert space formalism, operators, eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Landmark experiments in quantum physics. Application of quantum theory, including angular momentum, one-dimensional systems, atoms and molecules. Prerequisite: EP 217 or EP 2560 or MT 2340 (min grade C-), PH 246 or PH 2540 (min grade C-), and MT 233 or MT 2330 (min grade C-).

  • Physics Requirements

    Sci: Physics I

    3 Credits

    PH1510

    For science, mathematics, and pre-engineering majors. Topics in classical mechanics. Emphasis on the foundations of physics and the applications to the physical sciences and engineering. Students who have not had high school physics should consult with the Department Chair prior to registering. Prerequisites or corequisites: MT 135 or MT 1350 and PH 135L or PH 1511.

    Physics Workshop I

    1 Credits

    PH1511

    Experiments and simulations designed to aid assimilation of selected topics treated in PH 135 or PH 1510. Two hours of laboratory per week. Corequisite: PH 1510. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.

    Sci: Physics Ii

    3 Credits

    PH1520

    For science, mathematics, and pre-engineering majors. Electricity and magnetism. Emphasis on the foundations of physics and the applications to the physical sciences and engineering. Students who have not had high school physics should consult with the department chair prior to registering. Prerequisites or corequisites: MT 136 or MT 1360 and PH 136L or PH 1521.

    Physics Workshop Ii

    1 Credits

    PH1521

    Experiments and simulations designed to aid assimilation of selected topics treated in PH 136 or PH 1520. Two hours of laboratory per week. Corequisite: PH 1520. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.

    Sci: Modern Physics

    3 Credits

    PH2540

    Basic physical theories governing elementary particles, nuclei, atoms, molecules, and their interactions; relativity, quantum theory. Prerequisite: MT 136 or MT 1360 (minimum grade C-) and PH 136 or PH 1520 (minimum grade C-).

    Ph2710

    PH2710

    Meets weekly. Students must attend the monthly physics colloquium, where speakers from a variety of physics and engineering fields present their research, as well as additional presentations focused on career and graduate school preparation. Graded SA/FA.

    Ph3710

    PH3710

    Students must attend the monthly physics colloquium as described in PH 348 or PH 2710. Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. Prerequisite: PH 348 or PH 2710 .

    Ph4910

    PH4910

    Four hours of laboratory per week. Participation in an independent research or design project under the supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisite: Senior standing.

  • Engineering Physics

    Engineer'g Physics Applicatn I

    EP2510

    Introductions to the topics of waves in elastic media, sound waves, temperature, heat and the first law of thermodynamics, kinetic theory of gases, entropy and the second law of thermodynamics, electromagnetic waves, geometric optics, interference and diffraction, and engineering health and safety. Prerequisites: PH136 or PH1520, MT136 or MT 1360; Minimum Grade of C- in both courses.

    Ep2520

    EP2520

    Topics include DC/AC circuits and their analysis, and basic semiconductor devices. Prerequisites: PH1520 or PH 136 (min grade of C-), MT 1360 or MT 136 (min grade of C-). Corequisite: EP2521.

    Ep2521

    EP2521

    Familiarization with oscilloscopes and other test instruments. DC and AC circuit measurements. Experiments with diode and transistor circuits. Two hours of laboratory per week. Corequisite: EP2520. Course fee applies.

    Ep2540

    EP2540

    An introduction to programming and computational problem solving using MATLAB. Topic covered will include: basic algorithm development, data matrices and matrix algebra, data analysis and display, and numerical solutions to differential equations. Emphasis will be placed on Engineering applications. Prerequisite: EP 235 or EP2510. Pre/Corequisite: MT 234 or MT2340 or EP 217 or EP2560.

    Ep2560

    EP2560

    A survey of mathematical methods in physics and engineering with an emphasis on techniques and applications of ordinary differential equations. Includes qualitative and numerical solutions, Laplace transforms, Fourier series, systems of linear equations, matrices and determinants. Prerequisite: MT 136 or MT1360.

    Ep3520

    EP3520

    Ep3560

    EP3560

    Principles and methods of experimentation, including computer control. Measurement instrumentation and their limitations. Designing and planning experiments; data analysis, error analysis and uncertainty analysis. Performing and reporting of experiments. Prerequisite: EP 260 or EP2520, MT 234 or MT2340 or EP 217 or EP2560. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.

  • Mathematics Requirements

    Sci: Calculus And Analytic Geometry I

    4 Credits

    MT1350

    Functions, limits, continuity, differentiation, differentiation rules, optimization, antiderivatives, definite integrals. Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, and improper integrals. Students who already have credit for MT 1300 or MT 130 must receive permission from the department chair before registering for MT 1350. Offered: Fall, Spring.

    Sci: Calculus And Analytic Geometry Ii

    4 Credits

    MT1360

    Second course in a three-semester calculus sequence. Parametric curves, differentials, related rates, techniques of integration, additional applications of integrals, introduction to differential equations, polar coordinates, sequences, and series. Prerequisite: MT 135 or 1350. Offered: Spring

    Calculus And Analytic Geometry Iii

    4 Credits

    MT2330

    Calculus of vector-valued functions; partial differentiation; multiple, line, and surface integrals; higher order differentiation. Prerequisite: MT 136 or MT 1360. Offered: Fall.

    Mt2340

    MT2340

    A first course in ordinary differential equations. First order equations and applications, linear equations with constant coefficients, linear systems, Laplace transforms, numerical methods of solution. Prerequisite: MT 136 or MT 1360. Offered: Spring.

Related Programs

Still deciding on your program of study at JCU or considering a second major? Here are some other academic areas to explore, including a few other physics options.

Complementary Minors

  • “JCU gave me the kind of individual attention and support that made all the difference. It’s where I found my footing as a scientist.”

    Grant Donnelly ’19 Astrophysics Ph.D. student at University of Toledo

Where Our Alumni Go

Our physics alumni innovate, research, teach, build, and serve in a variety of fields, from biomedical to manufacturing. Many continue on to graduate and professional programs in medicine, biomedical engineering, or medical physics.

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