Physics in Medicine (BS)
A total of 77 credits in science and mathematics is required for the physics-in-medicine major. Physics-in-medicine majors cannot add another concentration as that degree is considered a concentration. They are encouraged to take any of the concentrations courses if they so wish. The following outlines the course requirements:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHYS 10411 & PHYS 11411 | Physics A: Mechanics and Physics A Lab 1 | 4 |
| PHYS 10422 & PHYS 11422 | Physics B: Electricity & Magnetism and Physics B Lab 2 | 4 |
| PHYS 20433 | Physics C: Thermo & Relativity | 3 |
| PHYS 20444 | Physics D: Modern | 3 |
| PHYS 20430 | Intro Circuitry & Electronics | 1.5 |
| CHEM 10171 & CHEM 11171 & CHEM 10172 & CHEM 11172 & CHEM 20273 & CHEM 21273 & CHEM 20274 & CHEM 21274 | Introduction to Chemical Principles and Introduction to Chemical Principles Laboratory and Organic Structure and Reactivity and Organic Structure and Reactivity Laboratory and Organic Reactions and Applications and Organic Reactions and Applications Laboratory and Chemistry across the Periodic Table and Chemistry Across the Periodic Table Laboratory 3 | 16 |
| MATH 10550 & MATH 10560 & MATH 20550 | Calculus I and Calculus II and Calculus III 4 | 11.5 |
| PHYS 23411 | Sophomore Seminar | 1 |
| PHYS 20451 & PHYS 20452 | Mathematical Methods in Physics I and Mathematical Methods in Physics II | 7 |
| PHYS 20454 | Intermediate Classical Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 30471 | Electricity & Magnetism | 3 |
| PHYS 40453 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| BIOS 10171 & BIOS 11173 & BIOS 10172 & BIOS 11174 | Biology I :Big Questions and Biological Investigations Laboratory and Biology II: Molecules to Ecosystems and Research Experience in Biology Laboratory | 8 |
| Specialized Science Electives (Choose 3) | 9 | |
| Principles of Biochemistry | ||
or BIOS 20303 | Fundamentals of Genetics | |
or BIOS 30344 | Vertebrate (Human) Physiology | |
or BIOS 30341 | Cell Biology | |
or PHYS 50401 | Physics of Cells | |
| Total Hours | 77 | |
- 1
Alternatively, Engineering Physics I: Mechanics (PHYS 10310) and its laboratory and tutorial.
- 2
Alternatively, Engineering Physics II: Electromagnetism (PHYS 10320) and its laboratory and tutorial.
- 3
Alternatives for CHEM 10171–CHEM 10172 and CHEM 20273–CHEM 20274 are CHEM 10181–CHEM 10182 and CHEM 20283–CHEM 20284.
- 4
Honors Calculus I through III (MATH 10850, MATH 10860, and MATH 20850) may substitute for Calculus I to III.
Physics-In-Medicine Sample Curricula
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| MATH 10550 & MATH 12550 |
Calculus I and Calculus I Tutorial 1 |
4 |
| PHYS 10411 & PHYS 11411 |
Physics A: Mechanics and Physics A Lab |
4 |
| CHEM 10171 & CHEM 11171 |
Introduction to Chemical Principles and Introduction to Chemical Principles Laboratory 2 |
4 |
| University Requirement | 6 | |
| Moreau First Year Experience | 1 | |
| Hours | 19 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| MATH 10560 & MATH 12560 |
Calculus II and Calculus II Tutorial |
4 |
| PHYS 10422 & PHYS 11422 |
Physics B: Electricity & Magnetism and Physics B Lab |
4 |
| CHEM 10172 & CHEM 11172 |
Organic Structure and Reactivity and Organic Structure and Reactivity Laboratory 2 |
4 |
| University Seminar | 3 | |
| University Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| BIOS 10171 & BIOS 11173 |
Biology I :Big Questions and Biological Investigations Laboratory |
4 |
| MATH 20550 & MATH 22550 |
Calculus III and Calculus III Tutorial |
3.5 |
| PHYS 20433 | Physics C: Thermo & Relativity 3 | 3 |
| PHYS 20430 | Intro Circuitry & Electronics 3 | 1.5 |
| PHYS 23411 | Sophomore Seminar 3 | 1 |
| CHEM 20273 & CHEM 21273 |
Organic Reactions and Applications and Organic Reactions and Applications Laboratory 2 |
4 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BIOS 10172 & BIOS 11174 |
Biology II: Molecules to Ecosystems and Research Experience in Biology Laboratory |
4 |
| PHYS 20444 | Physics D: Modern 3 | 3 |
| CHEM 20274 & CHEM 21274 |
Chemistry across the Periodic Table and Chemistry Across the Periodic Table Laboratory 2 |
4 |
| University Requirement | 3 | |
| Language 5 | 4 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| BIOS 20303 | Fundamentals of Genetics 6 | 3 |
| BIOS 30344 | Vertebrate (Human) Physiology 6 | 3 |
| PHYS 20451 & PHYS 22451 |
Mathematical Methods in Physics I and Mathematical Methods in Physics I Tutorial 3 |
3.5 |
| Language 4 | 4 | |
| University Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 16.5 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BIOS 30341 | Cell Biology 6 | 3 |
| PHYS 20454 | Intermediate Classical Mechanics 3 | 3 |
| PHYS 20452 & PHYS 22452 |
Mathematical Methods in Physics II and Mathematical Methods in Physics II Tutorial 3 |
3.5 |
| University Requirement | 3 | |
| Language 4 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15.5 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| PHYS 40453 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 30471 | Electricity & Magnetism | 3 |
| University Requirement | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| University Requirement | 3 | |
| Electives | 9 | |
| Moreau Senior Capstone | 1 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 132 | |
- 1
One of these courses, minimum, must be taken (Fall or Spring).
- 2
Alternatives for CHEM 10171–CHEM 10172 and CHEM 20273–CHEM 20274 are CHEM 10181–CHEM 10182 and CHEM 20283–CHEM 20284.
- 3
Students that have available time due to AP credit should consider taking Math Methods, PHYS 20451, PHYS 22451 in the fall and PHYS 20452, PHYS 22452, and PHYS 20454 in the spring semester of the Sophomore year. This is strongly recommended.
- 4
Assumes no AP credit or advanced placement.
- 5
Options include a 40000-level or above physics course, PHYS 48480 (Undergraduate Research - the student must take at least 3 credits in research with one advisor and the credits must be distributed over at least two semesters), or Complex Variables (MATH 40480). Additional options are possible with approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Physics electives cannot be double counted with requirements for the Astrophysics concentration.
- 6
Students take three from the following: Principles of Biochemistry (CHEM 40420) , Fundamentals of Genetics (BIOS 20303), Vertebrate (Human) Physiology (BIOS 30344), Cell Biology (BIOS 30341), Physics of Cells (PHYS 50401)
Summary of Requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Physics in Medicine
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 11.5 | |
| Physics | 32.5 | |
| Chemistry | 16 | |
| Biology | 8 | |
| Science Electives | 9 | |
| Language Intermediate-Level | 11 | |
| WR 13100 | Writing and Rhetoric | 3 |
| Philosophy 1 | 6 | |
| Theology 1 | 6 | |
| History 1 | 3 | |
| Social Sciences 1 | 3 | |
| Literature/Fine Arts 1 | 3 | |
| Moreau First Year Experience | 2 | |
| Free Electives 2 | 10 | |
| Total Hours | 124 | |
- 1
One of these courses must be a University Seminar.
- 2
Assumes intermediate-level competency in language was achieved by taking two 4-credit courses at the introductory level and one 3-credit course at the intermediate level.
Honors Track in Physics
The goal of this honors track is to give our most talented students an exceptional background in physics research. This track is open for both Physics majors and Physics in Medicine.
The track will accept physics majors in good academic standing as early as the spring of their sophomore year, who have identified their research advisor in the Physics Department and have already completed one semester of undergraduate research. Acceptance will be based on a research statement and transcript. At acceptance into the track a formal agreement will be set up between the student and the advisor.
To graduate with this honor, students will have to complete:
- Typically at least three semesters and one summer of independent research either at Notre Dame or another university or research laboratory. Alternate research/internship venues and opportunities must be approved in advance by the DUS or Department Chair. Students are expected to apply for REU, COS-SURF or other summer funding as appropriate.
- A substantial thesis that needs to be approved by the advisor (a manuscript submitted for publication can substitute only if the student has made substantial contributions to the work).
- A presentation at a national or regional meeting, or at the Notre Dame COS-JAM conference.
- Successful completion of all requirements for one of the physics concentrations, or completion of the physics in medicine degree.
- A GPA of at least 3.33 in College of Science courses.
Thesis Requirements
The final draft of the thesis will be written under the supervision of the advisor, and will be submitted by April I. Each thesis will be reviewed by one member of the Undergraduate Research Committee. If the thesis is not approved, a second committee member will read the thesis and confer. The students will be notified by April 15 if a rewrite is needed. The rewrite will be due May 1.
The thesis is intended to support and develop each student’s independence, scientific communication skills, critical review skills, and understanding of their research in the context of the larger field. It will have the added benefit of helping students prepare for graduate applications and fellowships.
The student’s transcript will carry the notation “Honors Physics” to distinguish it from the Glynn Family Honors Program. If the student is also in the Glynn Family Honors program, the thesis presented in that program could be considered for the Honors Track in Physics, but would need approval by the Physics Undergraduate Research Committee.