Professor: Timothy Halpin-Healy, Laura Kay (Ann Whitney Olin Professor), Reshmi Mukherjee (Chair)
Associate Professor: Janna Levin
Lab Director: Dr. Stiliana Savin
Other officers of the
University offering courses listed below:
Professors: James Applegate, Norman Christ, Arlin Crotts, Jules Halpern, Tony Heinz, David Helfand, Joseph Patterson, Michael Tuts, Jacqueline van Gorkom, William Zajc
Associate Professors: Brian Cole, Zoltan Haiman, Robert Mawhinney, Frederik Paerels, John Parsons
Assistant Professors: Greg Bryan, Kristen Menou, David Schiminovich
Adjunct Professors Morgan May, Burton Budick
For a complete list of
faculty on leave see:
http://www.barnard.edu/provost/facleavelist.html
From Aristotle's Physics to Newton's Principia, the term "physics," taken literally from the Greek φυσις (= Nature), implied natural science in its very broadest sense. Physicists were, in essence, natural philosophers, seeking knowledge of the observable phenomenal world. Astronomy, a sibling science to physics, concentrated specifically on the study of natural phenomena in the heavens with the intent to understand the constitution, relative positions, and motions of the celestial bodies in our universe. Though practitioners of these disciplines have become somewhat more specialized in the past century, the spirit that guides them in their research remains the same as it was more than two millennia ago.
In cooperation with the faculty of the University, Barnard offers a thorough pre-professional curriculum in both physics and astronomy. The faculty represents a wide range of expertise, with special strength and distinction in theoretical physics, condensed matter physics, and observational astrophysics.
Separate majors in physics and astronomy are offered. A major in astrophysics is also possible. Furthermore, there are many special interdisciplinary majors possible, such as biophysics, chemical physics, engineering physics, and mathematical physics. There is a physics minor as well. Students should consult members of the department early on in their undergraduate careers in order to plan the most effective course of study. Qualified seniors are invited to participate in the seniors honors program, in which they carry out a year-long research project leading to the thesis.
There are several quite distinct introductory sequences in physics, only one of which may be taken for credit:
1. PHYS C 1001-2, Physics for Poets, is a two-semester introductory lecture sequence in physics intended for liberal arts students. A single semester of this CU lecture course satisfies the BC Quantitative Reasoning requirement. Note, however, that 1001-2 does not satisfy the premedical nor physics requirement for any major. It should also not be taken to satisfy the BC lab science requirement. Physics for Poets will be a one-semester (Fall only) course in 2009-10.
2. PHYS V 1201-2, General Physics, is satisfactory preparation for medical school and is appropriate for most non-science major premedical students. This course, devoted to algebra-based physics, is taught at Columbia in a large lecture hall setting. It is not recommended as a foundation for more advanced work in the field. Taken in conjunction with PHYS V 1291-2, this sequence does satisfy the college LAB requirement, but the students population is essentially premed. Note the PHYS V 1201/1202 are required in order to take the lab course.
3. PHYS BC 2001-2, 3001, Physics I, II, III, is Barnard's own three-semester, calculus based introductory sequence in physics. Characterized by modest class sizes, it is designed specifically for Barnard women with a serious interest in any of the natural sciences or mathematics. Moreover, it is especially appropriate for majors in physics, chemistry, or biochemistry, whether premedical or not. Biology majors with some calculus background are also encouraged to take this sequence. Finally, Barnard women contemplating a major in physics or astronomy should take PHYS BC 2001-2 in their first year, if possible, or in their second at the latest, to be followed by the third-semester course, Classical Waves and Optics.
4. First-year students with exceptional aptitude for physics (as evidenced, for example, by scores of 4 or 5 on the advanced placement C exam) and a good mathematical background may be admitted into the Columbia-taught two-semester sequence PHY C 2801-02 General Physics, which replaces all three terms of the sequence for majors. Students inclined toward this sequence are strongly encouraged to consult a Barnard faculty member at the start of the term.
Students unsure about the most appropriate sequence should consult members of the department.
The following courses may be substituted for each other:
PHYS BC 2001-2 (sect.1; 4.5pts) = C1601-2 (3.0pts.) + BC 2001-2 (sect.3; 1.5pts.)
PHYS BC 3001 (sect.1; 5pts) = C2601 (3.0pts) + BC 3001(sect.3; 2pts)
ASTR BC 1753-4 = C 1403-4
There is a laboratory fee of $25 for each 1000-level physics course with a laboratory.
The courses required for the major in astronomy are:
PHYS BC 2001 |
Physics I: Mechanics |
PHYS BC 2002 |
Physics II: Electricity & Magnetism |
PHYS BC 3001 |
Physics III: Classical Waves and Optics |
Students may substitute a Columbia College three-semester calculus-based introductory physics sequence with lab, as in the physics major.
Calculus through IV is required, with additional work in mathematics recommended.
Also:
ASTR C 2001, 2002 Introduction to Astrophysics I, II
Students who have taken ASTR BC 1753-4 (Introduction to Astronomy I, II) or
C 1403-4 may substitute an additional 3000-level ASTR course for ASTR C 2001-2.
Finally, students are required to take four additional 3000-level ASTR or PHYS courses, including at least one of ASTR C 3102 Extrasolar Planets and Astrobiology or PHYS W 3003 Mechanics, and selected so that at least six total points of 3000-level lecture classes are ASTR courses. Some of the ASTR courses offered in recent years include:
ASTR C 3101 |
Stellar Structure and Evolution |
ASTR C 3102 |
Extrasolar Planets and Astrobiology |
ASTR C 3601 |
General Relativity, Black Holes, and Cosmology |
ASTR C 3273 |
High Energy Astrophysics |
ASTR C 3602 |
Physical Cosmology |
ASTR C 3646 |
Observational Astronomy |
Students planning to study astronomy or astrophysics in graduate school are strongly urged to take PHYS BC 3006, W 3003, W 3007-8, G 4023, some additional courses in mathematics, and Computer Science (COMS) W 1003 Programming in C or W 1004 Programming in Java. Note: When any of the required courses is not being given, the department will recommend appropriate substitutions.
The courses required for the major in physics are:
PHYS BC 2001 |
Physics I: Mechanics |
PHYS BC 2002 |
Physics II: Electricity & Magnetism |
PHYS BC 3001 |
Physics III: Classical Waves and Optics |
In lieu of the above, any three-semester Columbia introductory sequence acceptable for the physics major in Columbia College will do (e.g., PHYS C 1601-2, 2601, taken with PHYS W 1691-3). The accelerated two-semester Columbia College sequence PHYS C 2801-2 is also acceptable.
Calculus through IV is required, with additional work in mathematics recommended; e.g., Math E 1210x, y Ordinary Differential Equations, APMA E 3102y Applied Mathematics II. The calculus sequence should be completed by the end of the sophomore year.
At the upper level:
PHYS W 3003 |
Mechanics |
PHYS BC 3006 |
Quantum Physics |
PHYS W 3007 |
Electricity and Magnetism |
PHYS W 3008 |
Electromagnetic Waves and Optics |
PHYS G 4023 |
Statistical Physics |
are required, and a total of 6.0 points of advanced lab work, PHYS BC 3086 and 3088, taken concurrently with their cognate lecture courses. Finally, the student must take Computer Science W 1003 Programming in C, W 1004 Programming in Java, or PHYS W 3083 Electronics Laboratory.
Students planning to study physics in graduate school should include several 4000-level electives in their senior year program.
Astrophysics Majors: Students wishing to major in astrophysics should consult a member of the department.
Special majors in, for example, biophysics, chemical physics, engineering physics, or mathematical physics are all possible and are arranged in conjunction with the relevant second department at Barnard. A student interested in such possibilities should speak to a faculty member early on (i.e., by late fall of her sophomore year) in order to permit the most effective construction of her program of study and the appropriate petition to be made to the Committee on Programs and Academic Standing. The latter is a straightforward procedure associated with the declaration of all special majors at Barnard.
Five courses are required for the minor in physics. They are: any three-semester introductory sequence acceptable for the major (see above) plus two additional 3-point courses at the 3000-level.