Physics

Interdepartmental Concentrations

Physics offers several degree programs in conjunction with or administered by other departments.

Physics and Engineering (Sc.B. only)

Administered jointly with the School of Engineering

This concentration provides students with an in-depth understanding of the fundamental principles underlying modern technology. Specifically, it gives those who are interested in applied technical problems a strong background in physics and mathematics beyond that given in the standard engineering program. Students take a significant part of the usual engineering and physics programs, obtain substantial laboratory experience, and take several upper-level courses focusing on applied physics. The program allows students to take either the standard physics or engineering programs during their freshman and sophomore years and then switch to this combined program.

Physics and Philosophy (A.B. only)

Administered jointly with the Department of Philosophy

The Physics and Philosophy A.B. Concentration is for undergraduates who have a deep interest in understanding physics but do not need to acquire the laboratory and computational skills of a professional physicist. It acquaints students with the most philosophically interesting physics and balances the student's need to grapple with some computational problems with their need to deepen their investigation of conceptual and epistemological issues. This concentration should prepare a student either for graduate study, especially in a history and philosophy of science (HPS) program, or for employment in science education or journalism. Other professions such as law and medicine will look favorably on such concentrators for having versatile interests and being able to master difficult material. The concentration may serve as an excellent preparation for a law school since physics and philosophy both exercise a rigorous approach to problems of immediate relevance to life but at the same time assume two complementary and sometimes competing viewpoints.

Biophysics (A.B. or Sc.B.)

Administered by the Division of Biology and Medicine

Chemical Physics (Sc.B. only)

Administered by the Department of Chemistry

Geology-Physics/Mathematics (A.B. or Sc.B.)

Administered by the Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences