Honors Physics, Basic Physics, and Chemistry & Physics concentrations, Study notes of Optics

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This packet contains:

• An explanation of the requirements for the Honors Physics, Basic Physics, and Chemistry & Physics concentrations.
• A set of sample programs for the various concentrations.
• A list of frequently asked questions.
• Information on the concentration meetings/signup procedure.

Please visit the undergraduate page on the Physics Department's website for more in- formation: www.physics.harvard.edu/academics/undergrad.

Chem/Phys Requirements Comments (13-16 courses)

Three intro physics 15a or 16 (mechanics) 15b or 153 (E&M) 15c or sub (waves, optics)

15a/b/c taught both terms. Concentrators roughly split between 15a and 16.

Quantum mechanics

Phys 143a or Chem 160 143a taught both terms.

Statistical mechanics Chem 60, 161, Phys 181, or ES 181 (^) 161 or 181 or 181 recommended

General chemistry

LS 1a and PS 1.

Can be placed out of. If taken, see item 5b in the Handbook for details on the counting.

Organic chemistry 17 and 27, or 20 and 30 20,30 recommended, except 17,27 for med school.

Inorganic chemistry 40 or a 150's

Math through 21b

21a 21b

If taken, 1a and 1b are additional, but see item 5b in the Handbook for details.

Related courses to total 13- See item 5b in the Handbook for \13{16" details.

Four courses in each dept At the end of the day, students must take at least four Physics courses and four Chemistry courses.

SAMPLE PROGRAMS

The following is an example of an Honors Physics plan of study satisfying the minimum requirements (13 courses).

Courses Schedule

Phys 15a Phys 15b Phys 15c Phys 143a Phys 143b Phys 125 Phys 181 Phys 191r Math 21a Math 21b AM 104 AM 105 CS 50

Phys 15a Phys 15b Math 21a Math 21b Phys 15c Phys 143a AM 104 AM 105 Phys 143b Phys 125 CS 50 Phys 191r Phys 181

The following is an example of an Honors Physics plan of study, starting with Math 1b, satisfying the minimum requirements (14 courses).

Courses Schedule

Phys 15a Phys 15b Phys 15c Phys 143a Phys 125 Phys 181 Phys 143b Phys 191r Math 1b Math 21a Math 21b Math 113 Math 122 Life Sciences 1a

LS 1a Phys 15a Math 1b Math 21a Phys 15b Phys 15c Math 21b Math 113 Phys 143a Phys 125 Math 122 Phys 181 Phys 143b Phys 191r

The following is an example of a Basic Physics plan of study, starting with Math 1b, satisfying the minimum requirements (12 courses).

Courses Schedule

Phys 15a Phys 15b Phys 15c Phys 143a Phys 125 Phys 181 Math 1b Math 21a Math 21b Astro 16 Chem 17 CS 50

Math 1b Phys 15a Math 21a Phys 15b Phys 15c Math 21b Phys 143a Phys 125 Astro 16 Chem 17 Phys 181 CS 50

The following is an example of a Chem/Phys plan of study, starting with Chem 20 and Math 21a, satisfying the minimum requirements (13 courses).

Courses Schedule

Phys 15a Phys 15b Phys 15c Phys 143a Chem 161 Chem 20 Chem 30 Chem 40 Math 21a Math 21b Chem 135 Stat 110 CS 50

Phys 15a Chem 20 Math 21a Math 21b Phys 15b Phys 15c Chem 30 Chem 40 Phys 143a Chem 135 Stat 110 CS 50 Chem 161

The following is an example of a Chem/Phys plan of study, starting with Life Sciences 1a and Math 1a, satisfying the minimum requirements (16 courses).

Courses Schedule

Phys 15a Phys 15b Phys 15c Phys 143a Chem 161 LS 1a PS 1 Chem 20 Chem 30 Chem 40 Math 1a Math 1b Math 21a Math 21b CS 50 Physics 125

LS 1a PS 1 Math 1a Math 1b Phys 15a Chem 20 Math 21a Math 21b Phys 15b Phys 15c Chem 30 Chem 40 Phys 143a Chem 161 CS 50 Physics 125

The following is an example of an actual Chem/Phys plan of study that entailed 17 courses. The student went on to grad school in chemistry.

Courses Schedule

Phys 15a Phys 15b Phys 15c Phys 143a Chem 161 Chem 20 Chem 30 Chem 15 (≈ 40) Math 21a Math 21b Chem 105 Chem 135 Chem 206 Chem 27 Chem 98r Chem 99r Chem 215

Chem 15 Phys 15a Math 21a Chem 20 Phys 15b Phys 15c Chem 30 Math 21b Chem 105 Chem 135 Phys 143a Chem 161 Chem 206 Chem 27 Chem 98r Chem 99r Chem 215

If you fall into the rst of the above categories, it is very easy to do a joint concen- tration with math, with no extra courses needed (as long as math is listed second). Just distribute three math courses in the 110's, 120's, and 130's. The third of these counts as the last \related" course for the Honors Physics requirements.

10. Can I take graduate courses as an undergraduate?

Yes, but some are much better for undergrads to take than others. Make sure you talk to us before you spend too much time planning.

11. How many concentration courses should I take if I plan on going to physics grad school? You should take more than the minimum requirement of 13-15 courses. It is im- possible to say exactly how many, but try to aim for somewhere around 17 or 18. It is also helpful to throw in a grad course or two, but not necessary. And although they aren't required for the concentration, Physics 181 and 143b are essential for grad school, and 153 is highly recommended.
12. How do I get involved in lab research?

This is very easy to do. Just look through the faculty webpage and see whose work interests you, and then send out emails and/or knock on doors. You can do research for pay in the summer, and/or for pay or credit (via a Physics 90r course) in the academic year. It is generally very difficult to nd a theoretical project, but the opportunities for experimental projects are essentially endless. If you are planning on going to grad school, lab experience is a must.

13. Is a thesis required?

No. Although we strongly encourage you to do research in a lab, we don't require you to write up your results in a thesis. But if you are eager to collect all of your results and put them in a nice polished form and practice your scienti c writing, then by all means write a thesis. Roughly ve concentrators each year write one.

14. How can I get a Physics Master's through the AB/AM program?

If you have Advanced Standing, you have the option of earning a Physics Master's degree in your fourth year. However, the requirements for this are very demanding, and only a couple students do it each year. But a few Physics concentrators get a Master's in another eld. Also, a few Chem/Phys concentrators get a Chemistry Masters. If you are thinking about pursuing a Physics Master's, you should talk this over very carefully with Howard Georgi or David Morin sometime during your sophomore year. Note that if you plan on going to grad school and eventually getting a Physics PhD, there isn't much to be gained by getting a Physics Master's now. Instead, you will probably nd it far more pleasant to take a few grad courses, but not the extra couple that are needed for the Master's and which might make you miserable with an oppressively heavy course load.

15. How do I sign up to be a Physics or Chem/Phys concentrator?

See the last page of this packet for the signup procedure.

16. How does the Physics and Chem/Phys advising system work?

All Physics and Chem/Phys concentrators have Howard Georgi (Head Tutor) and David Morin (Associate Head Tutor) as advisors. Additionally, you pick one more faculty advisor to serve as your mentor. Carol Davis is the Student Coordinator who handles many administrative items and social events, etc. Chem/Phys con- centrators should also make a point of getting to know Gregg Tucci (Head Tutor in Chemistry).

17. How are announcements/information sent to Physics and Chem/Phys concentrators? Although we have a concentrator email list, virtually all of our announcements are sent via the Society of Physics Students email lists. All Physics and Chem/Phys concentrators (and also any interested freshmen) should therefore sign up for both the SPS list and the SPS-open list at: https://lists.hcs.harvard.edu/mailman/listinfo/sps-list https://lists.hcs.harvard.edu/mailman/listinfo/sps-open
18. What do Physics and Chem/Phys students do after they graduate?

About 40% go to graduate school. Of the rest, a handful enter into each of: med school, law school, technology, software, teaching, nance, and consulting. The remainder do a very wide variety of things (start a business, play in a rock band, etc). Many employers like to hire physicists because they think we're smart. It's a good bet to hire someone with strong quantitative skills who can then learn the speci cs of the job as they go along.

19. Are there any regular weekly events that physics undergraduates can participate in? Indeed there are:
    • Monday lunches with the colloquium speaker.
    • Monday colloquium, with tea and cookies beforehand.
    • Wednesday evening seminars.
    • Wednesday night homework session in the Leverett dining hall.
    • Various other events (monkeybread, cookouts, etc.). And new ideas from students are always welcome. For example, the Monday lunches with the colloquium speaker came into existence simply because a student wanted them to happen.