Program Details

kebra classB.A. Degree - PhySics Major

The best place to earn your degree in Physics is at a liberal arts college. You receive a background in physics that prepares you either to attend graduate school in physics or engineering, or to get a job in teaching, engineering, or research, among other fields. Unlike more narrowly focused programs, at MCLA you get the tools you need for a successful, fulfilling career by experiencing both sides of the liberal arts - the sciences and the humanities.

A typical sequence of courses for the Bachelor of Arts degree might look like the schedule below - not all programs require all the courses listed. 

Recommended First Year Courses:

  • MATH 150 Precalculus
  • MATH 220 Calculus I
  • MATH 320 Calculus II
  • PHYS 151 Introduction to Mechanics

Recommended Second Year Courses:

  • MATH 330 Calculus III
  • PHYS 200 Intro to the Physics Major
  • PHYS 251 Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism
  • PHYS 252 Introduction to Work, Optics, and Relativity
  • PHYS 361 Mathematical Physics

Recommended Third Year Courses:

  • PHYS 351 Modern Physics
  • 300 Level or above Physics Elective 1
  • 300 Level or above Physics Elective 2

Recommended Fourth Year Courses:

  • PHYS 401 Advanced Physics Lab I
  • PHYS 402 Advanced Physics Lab II
  • 300 Level or above Physics Elective 3

B.S. Degree - Physics Major 

A typical sequence of courses for the Bachelor of Science degree might look like the schedule below - not all programs require all the courses listed. 

Recommended First Year Courses:

  • MATH 150 Precalculusstudent
  • MATH 220 Calculus I
  • MATH 320 Calculus II
  • PHYS 151 Introduction to Mechanics

Recommended Second Year Courses:

  • MATH 330 Calculus III
  • MATH 380 Differential Equations
  • or MATH 430 Calculus IV
  • PHYS 200 Seminar for Physics Majors
  • PHYS 251 Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism
  • PHYS 252 Introduction to WOR
  • PHYS 305 Electronics*
  • PHYS 361 Mathematical Physics

Recommended Third Year Courses:

  • PHYS 301 Classical Mechanics*
  • PHYS 351 Modern Physics
  • 300-level or above Physics Elective 1
  • 300-level or above Physics Elective 2

Recommended Fourth Year Courses:

  • PHYS 303 Electricity and Magnetism*
  • PHYS 401 Advanced Physics Lab I
  • PHYS 402 Advanced Physics Lab II
  • PHYS 471 Quantum Mechanics
  • 300-level or above Physics Elective 3

*these courses are taught on a two-year rotation

The Physics department offers Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees, both with the option of enrolling in the 3-2 program. The BA Program is designed for those whose career plans do not include a purely scientific/technical path, but rather recognize the unique advantage a scientific background, with its inherent analytical skills, brings to diverse careers. The BS Program is designed for those who intend to make Physics, Engineering, or other scientific disciplines their career. The 3-2 program is designed for those who plan to continue in engineering. For this program students spend three years at MCLA and two years UMass, Amherst, resulting in a BA in Physics from MCLA and a BS in Engineering from UMass.

Physics Minor

MCLA also offers a Physics Minor, which requires the following courses:wheel

  • PHYS 151 Introduction to Mechanics
  • PHYS 251 Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism
  • PHYS 252 Introduction to Work, Optics, and Relativity
  • PHYS 351 Modern Physics
  • Plus two courses level 300 or higher*

*PHYS 361 Math physics cannot count towards these two courses.