On this page:

• I want to be a Physics major. What courses should I take my first semester?
• Are General Physics 1 and 2 calculus-based or algebra-based?
• How demanding is the Physics major?
• Which First Year Seminar is most appropriate for a Physics major?
• Can I combine Physics with other majors?
• Do you have a 3-2 Engineering Program?
• I would like to become a Physics teacher. What courses should I take?
• What experiential learning opportunities do you provide?
• What are the possible career paths?
• What other activities can you do within the department?
• What is it like to be an athlete and physicist? 

Q. I want to be a Physics major. What courses should I take my first semester? 
A. Your first semester should look something like this:

• General Physics 1
• General Physics 1 Lab 4 credit 
• Calculus 1 (or Calculus 2) 4 credit
• First Year Seminar (your choice) 4 credit
• English Composition (based placement test) 4 credit

General Physics 1 and 2 are foundational courses and are part of a two semester sequence. It is best to start these courses your first year so you have sufficient time to not only complete the major but also explore other Physics courses and research opportunities within the department. You can start a Physics major your third semester (2nd year) and still complete it in time but this may not allow you to receive the necessary depth in the field.

In fall, you should enroll in General Physics 1 (PHY 1101) along with its laboratory (PHY 1001). You must enroll in laboratory separately. We offer two sections of PHY 1101 and three sections of PHY 1001 in fall. Calculus 1 is a requirement for the major and a co-requisite to PHY 1101. So, you must take Calculus 1 if you have not had it before. You will also be enrolled in a First Year Seminar and English Composition (based on the English placement test).

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Q. Are General Physics 1 and 2 calculus-based or algebra-based? 
A. General Physics 1 and 2 are calculus-based Physics courses but not calculus intensive. At this stage, it is important for you to understand the fundamental concepts of physics and not get overwhelmed by the mathematics. We want you to appreciate calculus as a mathematical tool physicists use to express ideas and solve problems. When we use calculus, we do so in a manner that brings out the physics of a problem which, incidentally, is the way Newton had developed calculus. We are currently using a textbook that embraces the findings of physics education research called "Understanding Physics" by Cummings, Laws, Reddish, and Cooney.

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Q. How demanding is the Physics major?
A. Physics is a subject that cannot be rushed. It takes time for the material to really sink in but the longer you are at it, the easier it becomes. A Nobel laureate had once described physics as an onion; every time you peel off a layer, there is another layer for you to tackle. And this is true of most disciplines. Knowledge is infinite! We are dedicated to helping you learn physics through proven and effective teaching methods based on physics education research. We will provide you the skills necessary to navigate through physics and will be by your side.

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Q. Which First Year Seminar is most appropriate for a Physics major?
A. The role of the First Year Seminar (FYS) is not to introduce you to the discipline but to the College. So, all FYS should be appropriate for the Physics major. If you wish to take a FYS that is a science, then look for General Science courses (they begin with GSC in your catalog). Many of our students decided to major in Physics after they took GSC 1115, A World of Light and Color. We teach this course using a guided discovery based method of instruction where students learn through experimentation. It has become a very popular course at McDaniel College. Keep in mind although this course fulfills a natural science and mathematics requirement (BLAR), it does not satisfy the requirement for the major. 

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Q. Can I combine Physics with other majors? 
A. Many of our students decide to major in Physics and mathematics either as a dual major or double major. A dual major is a special program setup through the cooperation of the departments so students don’t have to take all the required and elective courses in either department as would be the case if you decided to double major. Some students double major in Physics and chemistry as well as pursue a Physics major with a computer science concentration. You should check out the double major or dual major category in the catalog for further information.

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Q. Do you have a 3-2 Engineering Program?
A. McDaniel College has a 3-2 Engineering Program with the University of Maryland at College Park. Our Department along with Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry participate in the program. Students interested in becoming engineers can complete three years at McDaniel College and then pursue an engineering degree for two years at College Park. The successful completion of the 3-2 Program qualifies students to receive two degrees in five years: a BA degree in Physics from McDaniel College and BS in engineering from the University of Maryland at College Park.

There is another option you may wish to consider. You can stay four years at McDaniel and finish your B.A. in Physics and then pursue an M.S. in engineering at a university of your choice. With this option, you can get a B.A. and an M.S. in six years. We have had several students successfully pursue graduate studies in mechanical and electrical engineering at College Park and Virginia Tech.

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Q.I would like to become a Physics teacher. What courses should I take?
A. If you wish to teach Physics at the K-12 level, you need to start classes for your education minor early. We recommend getting in touch with the education department regarding what courses and exams you need to take. The education minor is demanding in terms of coursework and examinations due to the Maryland certification process. It would be a good idea to sit down with your advisor and plan your four years out at McDaniel. There is a shortage of good Physics teachers at the K-12 level and we encourage you to consider this career path. 

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Q. What experiential learning opportunities do you provide?
A. We require all Physics majors to participate in directed Physics projects. These projects are either student developed or are related to the research interests of our faculty. Examples of student initiated projects include the Physics of golf, roller coaster modeling, chaotic double pendulum, and energy efficient environmental housing. The students who play an active role in our research programs gain hands-on experience with the latest research techniques in the fields of Solid State Physics, Nonlinear Optics, and Physics Education. Some of the projects resulting from faculty research include nonlinear optical characterization of heavy metal glasses and polymers for photonic switches, experimental and theoretical studies of thermoluminescence in quartz and radiation dosimetry, and attitudinal studies of general science students. Such student-faculty collaboration provides students the opportunity to present their findings at local and national meetings as well as co-author publications. 

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Q. What are the possible career paths? 
A. Students who take Physics develop excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are highly valued in the professional world and other disciplines. We are dedicated to providing students with the essential skills and knowledge required to pursue a wide range of professional careers. A large number of Physics majors have been admitted to highly ranked universities to pursue graduate studies in Physics. Examples include the University of Maryland, University of Rochester, University of Pennsylvania, University of Florida, College of William and Mary, Purdue University and Washington University at St. Louis, to name a few. Some of our alumni have also gone on to successful professional positions in private companies, industry, and engineering, the U.S. Army, and local software companies. 


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Q. What other activities can you do within the department?
A. We have a dynamic Society of Physics Students (SPS) chapter at McDaniel College. Some of the activities they organize include trips to graduate schools, NASA-Goddard, Hershey Park, and museums. They also arrange pizza parties, the annual Physics picnic, ordering T-shirts, and watching movies.


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Q. What is it like to be an athlete and physicist?
A. The curriculum at McDaniel College is designed to allow students to excel in academics as well athletics. Most of the courses you take in Physics are over well in advance of practice. We have several student athletes in our department who inform us it is not difficult to balance the demand of academics and athletics.


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