Physics

Major and Minor

Physics has developed and grown through history as a result of the intricate but essential interplay of theory and experiment. Physics at Knox emphasizes this theme as you take courses involving both theory and laboratory that become progressively more sophisticated and of increasing complexity and challenge.

At the same time, there is a focus on the development of skills -- techniques of experimental design, instrumentation, data analysis and evaluation of experimental results; skill in the application of mathematics and the computer to the solution of problems; and, perhaps most important, the development of the ability to use and apply general principles to the analysis of specific problems.

Curriculum
Introductory physics is a three-term sequence covering mechanics; heat, waves, and light; and electricity and magnetism. Additional 100-level courses consider topics such as astronomy, physics of sports, and the physics of music. Advanced courses include classical dynamics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism and quantum physics.

Students intending to enter graduate programs in physics may elect to participate in up to three Senior Seminars -- a year-long series of discussion-style classes that cover the more advanced topics in the field -- analytical mechanics, electrodynamics and quantum mechanics.

Resources
Equipment located in the Adeline Cummings Longden Physics Wing includes:

• Laser laboratory
• Mössbauer spectrometer
• SQUID Susceptometer
• NQDR Spectrometer (Quantum Design 5.5T MPMS)
• NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectrometer
• Eight-inch and ten-inch telescopes, including computer control and CCD camera