Degree Programs in Physics and Astronomy

Physics Major (B.A. or B.S.)
The Physics major provides a rigorous grounding in fundamental physics, fosters critical thinking and creative problem solving, and provides broad practical training in science and technology. It is designed to prepare you for advanced study in physics, engineering or other technical disciplines, for employment in industry, or for teaching at the secondary level. Physics graduates are in high demand in any area where analytical thinking and problem solving are important, and our students have also gone on to careers in computer programming, finance, law, and medicine.

All physics majors complete a core of courses covering the foundations of the discipline: classical mechanics, statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, electrodynamics, and quantum mechanics. Electives allow more specialized areas to be explored in greater detail, for example condensed matter physics, particle physics, optics and general relativity. In the advanced and electronics laboratories, you have access to state-of-the-art instrumentation, and gain experience in experimental design and data analysis.

You are also encouraged to participate in research with a faculty member, which, depending on interests, may start as early as the freshman year. Physics faculty members have active research programs in experimental condensed matter physics, experimental particle physics, and theoretical and computational particle physics. Experimental research is carried out in part at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, and students have the opportunity to visit and work at these prestigious facilities.

Physics Major with 3+2 Cooperative Engineering (B.A.)
This program gives you the opportunity to study at Otterbein for three years and then pursue engineering for two more years at either Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio or Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri (your choice). At the end of five years, you will earn a B.A. in physics from Otterbein and a B.S. in the selected field of engineering from the partner school. In order to receive the Otterbein degree, the student must submit an official transcript from Case or Washington showing completion of the engineering degree. Hours will be transferred to the Otterbein transcript record in order to fulfill total hours needed for the Otterbein degree.

Students in this program are liberally educated engineers, benefiting from both the focus on the liberal arts and sciences at Otterbein and the specialized training available at a large university. In many ways it is the best of both worlds. An advantage of this program over traditional engineering programs is that you need not commit yourself to the study of engineering in the freshman year. This flexibility is especially useful for students whose interests may span several areas; it allows you to explore multiple options before committing to a specific course of study.

The program is rigorous, and to complete it in five years, you must qualify to take Calculus I (MATH 170) in autumn quarter of your freshman year. Interested students are strongly advised to contact the department before the start of their freshman year to make sure they are on track for the program.

Physical Science Major (B.S.)
The Physical Science major prepares you for a career in teaching at the secondary level (grades 7-12). When granted licensure by the state of Ohio, graduates are licensed in Physical Science and may teach both physics and chemistry.

The requirements for Physical Science teacher licensure are listed in the Teacher Education Programs handbook available in the Education Department. Requirements for the Physical Science major and teacher licensure may differ somewhat, but both must be met to become licensed and the major must be completed to receive a Bachelor's degree. To be recommended for teacher licensure, a student must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better, have a 2.5 grade point average in the teaching area, be in good standing with the Education Department, have positive recommendations from student teaching, and have successfully passed the appropriate Praxis II exams.

Courses and Schedules
All Department of Physics and Astronomy program requirements and courses are listed in the Otterbein College Undergraduate Catalog.

To see which courses are offered in upcoming quarters, view the Course Schedule site.