Updated:  Sept. 9, 2003
physics@fisk.edu

Undergraduate Programs of Study

The department offers the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Bachelors of Arts (B.A.) degrees in Physics. The B.S. degree is intended for students who wish to pursue advanced study in Physics or a related field. The B.A. degree requires fewer physics courses and provides extra flexibility in scheduling non-physics courses such as those required for preparation for medical school.

Some of our students pursue joint majors with other departments such as Mathematics or Computer Science, as well as more creative combinations such as Art or Spanish.  Joint programs with other universities, such as the Dual-Degree in Science and Engineering program, are also available to qualified students.

Students take an introductory physics sequence followed by intermediate and advanced courses such as Mechanics, Electricity & Magnetism, Solid State, Optics and Quantum Mechanics.

The department has recently introduced a Five-Year Masters program in which students can graduate in five years with both a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in Physics.  Admission to this program is based upon high school math and science grades, test scores and math placement.

Why Study Physics

Physics - the study of matter, energy and their interactions - is an international enterprise which plays a key role in the future progress of humankind. The support of physics education and research in all countries is important because:

1. Physics is an exciting intellectual adventure that inspires young people and expands the frontiers of our knowledge about Nature.
    
2. Physics generates fundamental knowledge needed for the future technological advances that will continue to drive the economic engines of the world.
    
3. Physics contributes to the technological infrastructure and provides trained personnel needed to take advantage of scientific advances and discoveries.
    
4. Physics is an important element in the education of chemists, engineers and computer scientists as well as practitioners of the other physical and biomedical sciences.
    
5. Physics extends and enhances our understanding of other disciplines, such as the earth, agricultural, chemical, biological, and environmental sciences, plus astronomy and cosmology - subjects of substantial importance to all peoples of the world.
    
6. Physics improves our quality of life by providing the basic understanding necessary for developing new instrumentation and techniques for medical applications, such as computer tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, ultrasonic imaging, and laser surgery.

From the Statement on Importance of Physics to Society by the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP).

See also the American Physical Society for  "Why Study Physics?"