UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS, MINORS, AND ASSOCIATED AREAS OF STUDY
SCHOOL OF PHYSICAL SCIENCES PHYSICS Physics is that branch of science concerned with the study of natural phenomena at the fundamental level. Physicists study the smallest particles of matter (quarks and leptons), nuclei, and atoms; the fundamental forces; the properties of solids, liquids, gases, and plasmas; the behavior of matter on the grand scale in stars and galaxies; and even the origin and fate of the universe. Other disciplines such as chemistry, biology, medicine, and engineering often build upon the foundations laid by physics. The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers courses for students of various interests, from those in the humanities and social sciences, to those in biological sciences, and to those in physics, engineering, and other sciences. Faculty members are conducting active research in several forefront areas of physical research, and there is student access to specialized research areas such as astrophysics, cosmology, elementary particle, plasma, condensed matter, biological, and medical physics at both advanced and undergraduate course levels. The Department offers several interdisciplinary concentrations and tracks which include courses taught by faculty in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Engineering, and Medicine. The faculty is vigorous, innovative, and engaged in everything from the traditional activities of research, education, and university service to community action, literature, and national policy making, to mention a few examples. The Department encourages student-faculty interaction. The goal of the undergraduate major in Physics is to develop expert problem solvers with a broad understanding of physical principles. The program is flexible and prepares students for careers in industrial research, applications programming, education, law, or business, as well as for graduate study in astronomy, biomedical physics, engineering, or physics. Annual mandatory meetings with faculty advisors assist students in selecting a program that matches their aptitudes and interests. In addition to the core Physics courses, students complete either a standard track (such as the track for future Ph.D. physicists), or one of the formal concentrations or specializations (in Applied Physics, Biomedical Physics, Computational Physics, Philosophy of Physics, Physics Education, or Astrophysics). In addition, Physics majors may find the minor in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, offered by the Department of Earth System Science, to be of interest. - From the 2007-2008 UCI General Catalogue |
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