Physics Track | Astronomy Track | Astrophysics Track | EPSS Track

The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers multiple tracks to suit diverse student interests. The Physics and Astrophysics tracks provide rigorous training for those students interested in graduate studies and research, while the Astronomy and EPSS tracks train students more broadly in science for careers in teaching, technology, and space science. In all four tracks, students receive a BA in Physics upon graduation, but can choose different groups of physics and astronomy courses to suit their interests. Physics and Astronomy is also active involved in the Environmental Analysis and Public Policy Programs. The degree requirements for all four tracks, and for the two programs, are described below.

Student Research: An important aspect of the major is the required senior thesis. Majors are strongly encouraged to elect independent research projects, usually in conjunction with a faculty member’s research program, which may be experimental, computational or theoretical. Recent thesis topics involving independent research have included carbon nanotubes, maskless lithography, optical tweezers, electron diffraction, telescope instrument design, computational general relativity, computational and experimental fluid dynamics, nonlinear dynamics and chaos, passive solar architecture, and physics education research. Astronomy research projects have included monitoring active galactic nuclei, quasar absorption line spectroscopy, analyzing Spitzer and Hubble Space Telescope data and acquiring images of galaxies in infrared and optical wavelengths. Students may also carry out independent work earlier than the senior year as a summer research assistant or under Physics or Astronomy 199.

Career Opportunities: The Pomona College Physics major prepares students for careers in a wide variety of fields. Persons with a good grounding in physics are employed in all fields of engineering, in basic and applied research in physics, materials science, astronomy, optics, chemical physics, geophysics, and biophysics, as well as teaching, medicine and law. Many careers for astronomers exist in NASA and other research institutes, as well as in industrial settings where computer skills and image processing are important. A strong technical background is becoming increasingly useful in the fields of public policy, urban planning, and environmental studies. Students interested in these fields may wish to investigate the program in Science, Technology and Society (see listing), with a focus on physics.

Laboratory Facilities: The Pomona College Physics and Astronomy department features some of the most advanced research-grade equipment in physics and astronomy for any undergraduate college. Major physics equipment includes facilities for electron scattering, cryogenics, high-Tc superconductivity, optical and scanned-probe microscopy, photolithography, ellipsometry, spectral reflectance, field emission scanning electron microscopy, electron beam lithography, energy dispersive x-ray analysis, atomic and molecular spectroscopy, nonlinear optics, and holography, as well as laser tweezers, an all-optical system for producing Bose-Einstein condensates, a thin-film evaporator, and a dedicated system for growing carbon nanotubes. The astronomy facilities include a research-grade one-meter telescope in the San Gabriel Mountains equipped with optical and infrared-wavelength CCD cameras, as well as an on-campus observatory equipped with two computer-controlled 14-inch telescopes and a variety of portable and solar telescopes. The department also features a professionally staffed machine and electronics shops to develop new instrumentation. Access to an x-ray diffractometer is available in cooperation with the Geology Department.

Classification of Courses
Introductory courses: 41,42, 70, 71, 72, and 101
Core courses: 125, 142, 170, and 175
Upper-division elective courses: 148, 160 and 180. A student not electing the Astronomy major or minor can also count Astronomy (ASTR) 101 and any pair of the ASTR 120 half-course series as electives for the Physics major or minor.
Other requirements for the Physics major: 128, 174, 190, 191E or 191L, 193
Courses offered for non-majors: 3, 17



Requirements for the Major in Physics

A major in Physics requires the completion of:
1) Physics Introductory Sequence (see below) and 101
2) 128, Electronics
3) MATH 60 and either MATH 32 or 107 (and prerequisites)
4) One non-Physics laboratory science course selected from the following:
ASTR 51, 101; BIOL 40; CHEM 1A,B, or 51; GEOL 110; HM ENGR 4, 80, or 111. Other courses may be substituted with departmental approval.
5) At least three core courses
6) One other course chosen from core and upper-division elective courses
7) 174, Contemporary Experimental Physics
8) 190, Senior Seminar, and 193, Senior Comprehensive Examination
9) 191, Senior Thesis
Courses taken to fulfill requirements for both the Physics and Astronomy majors must be taken on a letter grade basis.

A rich and varied weekly colloquium series is offered in conjunction with the Harvey Mudd College Physics Department. Junior and senior Physics majors are expected to attend at least three-fourths of the Pomona College colloquia and student research/thesis presentations.
A student planning graduate work in physics should take all four core courses, as well as a broader selection of elective courses in physics and mathematics, and should acquire a reading knowledge of at least one foreign language and some competence in computer programming. Modified programs within the Physics major are also available for students interested in medicine and high school teaching. Students interested in chemical physics, engineering, geophysics and other specializations may wish to consider proposing a special major.

Additional tracks of the Physics major include the Astrophysics track, Astronomy track, and the Earth, Planetary and Space Science (EPSS) track. Students wishing to pursue the study of modern astronomy and astrophysics, and particularly those preparing for graduate work in astronomy and astrophysics, should complete the Astrophysics track of the Physics major.  The Astronomy track prepares students to be broadly educated in the sciences of astronomy and physics, and is an ideal preparation for teaching, outreach or technical work in astronomy and related fields. The EPSS track blends Astronomy, Physics and Geology, and is intended for students who wish to pursue graduate studies and professional careers in planetary astronomy or space science. A similar track with a slightly different earth science and geology emphasis (i.e., disciplinary focus) is offered by the Geology Department. Further details on the program may be obtained from Mr. Penprase or Mr. Grosfils in the Geology Department.

Requirements for the Astrophysics Track of the Physics Major
1) Physics Introductory Sequence (see below) and 101
2) ASTR 62 and ASTR 101
3) Two half-courses from the ASTR 120 series, ASTR 51 and one ASTR 120 half-course
4) Mathematics through MATH 60
5) At least two core PHYS courses (125, 142, 170, or 175)
6) One other course chosen from core and upper-division Physics electives;
7) PHYS 174, Contemporary Experimental Physics or 128, Electronics with Laboratory
8) PHYS 190, Senior Seminar and 193, Senior Comprehensive Examination
9) PHYS 191, Senior Thesis
Further aspects of the program may be planned in consultation with Mr. Penprase, Mr. Choi, or Ms. Zook.

Requirements for the Astronomy Track of the Physics Major
Physics Introductory Sequence (see below) and PHYS 101
Two introductory Science courses: ASTR 1, 6 or 51; Physics 3, 17; GEO 20, other science courses with permission
One non-Physics lab science course selected from the following: CSCI 51; CHEM 1 or 51; other courses with permission
ASTR 62, ASTR 101
Two half-courses from the ASTR 120 series
Mathematics through MATH 32
At least one additional upper-division (100 or above) ASTRO, GEO or PHYS courses (Physics 125, 142, or additional ASTR 120-series half-courses are recommended)
PHYS 190, Senior Seminar
PHYS 191, Senior Thesis

Requirements for the Earth, Planetary and Space Science (EPSS) Track of the Physics Major
1. Introductory courses: GEOL 20B; ASTR 51 or 62; Physics Introductory Sequence (see below); MATH 30, 31, 32;
2. Disciplinary Focus in Astronomy: ASTR 101, and two of ASTR 120, 121, 123 or 124. Also requires PHYS 101, MATH 60 and GEOL 125, 110.
3. PHYS 190, Senior Seminar
4. PHYS 191, Senior Thesis

Requirements for the Environmental Physics/Engineering Program in Environmental Analysis.
The Physics, Engineering, and the Environment Program will develop skills in environmental problem solving. Students will be prepared for advanced degree work in environmental engineering and be able to apply the principles of physics and engineering to such key questions as how to manage wastes, make energy systems more efficient and less polluting, streamline water provision, and build better climate control for homes, offices, and public buildings. The proposed program serves a growing interest in practical problem solving that combines the strengths of teaching in the Pomona Physics and EA programs with engineering at Harvey Mudd College. The program is coordinated by Mr. Kwok, Mr. Tanenbaum, and Mr. Whitaker, from Physics & Astronomy, in conjunction with Mr. Miller and Mr. Hazlett from Environmental Analysis.

1. PHYS 70, 71, 72, or PHYS 41, 42, General Physics with Laboratory
2. PHYS 101, Atomic and Nuclear Physics with Laboratory
3. PHYS 190, Senior Seminar
4. MATH 31, Calculus II
5. MATH 32, Calculus III, or 107, Vector Calculus
6. MATH 60, Linear Algebra
7. ECON 52, Microeconomics
8. One from: PHYS 128, Electronics with Laboratory; 174, Contemporary Experimental Physics; or an approved HMC ENGR 111, Engineering Clinic
9. One from: PHYS 175, Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics; CHEM 158 B, Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Kinetics; or HMC ENGR 82, Chemical and Thermal Processes
10. One from: ECON 127, Environmental and Natural Resource Policy; ECON 128, Energy Economics and Policy; or PZ ECON 172, Environmental Economics
11. Two courses from: EA Option List 2; HMC ENGR 59, Introduction to Engineering Systems; CS 51, Introduction to Computer Science with Laboratory; CHEM 1A,B, General Chemistry; or CHEM 51, Accelerated General Chemistry

Requirements for a Public Policy Major in Physics
Students interested in careers in which their physics training is applied to problems of public policy may major in Public Policy Analysis (PPA) with an emphasis in Physics. This program features both an internship and a senior thesis where students get practical experience in public affairs. Recent Physics/PPA theses have related to energy issues and policy, although other topics are certainly possible. The program is coordinated by Mr. Tanenbaum from Physics & Astronomy in conjunction with Mr. Worthington from Public Policy Analysis.

The requirements for this major include:
1. PHYS 70, 71, 72, or PHYS 41, 42, General Physics with Laboratory
2. PHYS 101, Atomic and Nuclear Physics with Laboratory
3. PHYS 190, Senior Seminar
4. The five course Public Policy sequence (see Public Policy Analysis Program)
5. An approved statistics course (see Public Policy Analysis Program)
6. One additional course credit from Physics or Astronomy courses numbered above 100. Students may petition to count a complementary lab science course if appropriate in place of the additional physics course.

 

Other Information:

Physics Introductory Sequence: All students interested in the possibility of a physics, astrophysics, or astronomy major or minor should take PHYS 70 during their first year, if at all possible. During this course, students will take a test that will assess the strength of their high-school preparation in mechanics and electricity and magnetism. Students who pass this test will have completed the “introductory sequence” by taking only PHYS 70; others may need to take the additional half courses of PHYS 71 and/or PHYS 72 (to be determined) to strengthen their background in these areas. Taking both 41 and 42 also satisfies the “Physics Introductory sequence” requirement.

Study Abroad: It is possible to study abroad and complete a Physics major, although careful planning is necessary, and the fall of the junior year is preferred. The department recommends that students consider programs where it will be possible to take physics while abroad and that students avoid being away during their senior year if at all possible. The Department of Physics and Astronomy is also sometimes able to provide opportunities to do summer research overseas in both disciplines as another means of providing international experiences.

Summer Research: The department encourages Physics majors to gain practical experience doing research in physics during the summer. Students have opportunities to do sponsored summer research both on campus working with Physics faculty, as well as with researchers at a variety of research institutions around the world. The Astronomy program has a unique partnership with the Carnegie Observatories, based in Pasadena, which places about four Claremont students in research jobs each summer, and which makes use of the Las Campanas Observatory in Chile. Students have done research internships at the National Institute of Standards, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Cornell University, Caltech, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Smithsonian and other exceptional research institutions. Typical programs are 10 weeks long and include a stipend as well as some assistance with summer housing. The College has a strong record placing students in these programs both in the sophomore and junior years. In some cases, these projects are extended into senior thesis exercises.