COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
PHYSICS AND
ENGINEERING
LUC .EDU/C AS
L
oyola University Chicago’s undergraduate physics
program is widely recognized for the quality
and rigor of its instruction, its wide selection of
courses, its energetic faculty who are actively engaged in
research, and its laboratory and computer resources.
The Physics Department at Loyola maintains vast
research activities typical of large universities, yet offers
students the individual attention one would expect in
a smaller learning environment. The average number
of physics students per class is 20–25, and the ratio of
students to faculty is about 10-to-1. All lecture courses
and discussions are taught by faculty members who hold
the PhD degree.
Undergraduate research is highly encouraged, and
all freshman physics students are required to engage in
research projects beginning their first semester. This
allows students to gain a deeper understanding of an area
of physics and learn about research methods. Research
projects also help students develop skills in the areas of
teamwork, leadership, and communication.
These factors give Loyola students a competitive
advantage over students at other schools. In addition,
because of the wide selection of courses, program
options, spacious facilities, and substantial laboratories
and computer resources, Loyola’s program is nationally
regarded as a superior undergraduate physics program.
A majority of Physics courses are held at the Lake Shore Campus, located
on Chicago’s North Side and situated on the shore of Lake Michigan.
tHE PRoGRaMs
The Physics Department aims to provide students with the
knowledge and appreciation of the principles and applications of
physics within the context of a liberal arts education. Through a
faculty-student counseling program, an individualized program of
study is developed for each physics major. The student may choose
from various options and electives to prepare for a career in physics,
engineering, astronomy, computer science, medicine, dentistry,
law, and more. Because physics is a fundamental science and the
cornerstone of many applied disciplines, it is an ideal background for a
large number of careers.
The physics program also attracts beginning students who plan
to major in a physical or life science, but who do not wish to choose
a major at the outset. In the first year, students take courses in three
basic areas of physical science: physics, chemistry, and mathematics.
After one year, students can select a major in any of these areas,
including computer science and biology, without falling behind in a
four-year program.
Special Work Opportunities
The Physics Department employs students each semester as
laboratory teaching assistants. Physics majors also work as research
assistants and tutors.
LOYOLA UNIVERSIT Y CHICAGO
PHYSICS AND
ENGINEERING
CONTINUED
DUAL-DEGREE ENGINEERING PROGRAM
In this program, a student earns two baccalaureate degrees,
a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree with a major in physics from
Loyola University Chicago, and a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree
in engineering from an engineering school. Recent students have
attended institutions such as Washington University, St. Louis;
Columbia University, New York City; or the University of Illinois,
Urbana-Champaign. Typically, three years of study with good grades
in the social sciences, humanities, mathematics, and physical sciences
at Loyola are required, followed by two years of concentrated
engineering studies at the school of engineering. Students completing
the dual-degree program have a competitive edge over single-degree
engineering graduates because of their broad training in the liberal
arts, effective communication skills, and extensive training in math
and physics. Because course requirements vary somewhat among
engineering schools, the department fosters a close collaboration
between the student and the departmental engineering advisor.
A copy of the dual-degree curriculum is available from the
department upon request. Students are encouraged to visit
LUC.edu/physics/engineering.
ENTRY TO GRADUATE ENGINEERING
A student may elect to complete the four-year physics major
program at Loyola, then enter a graduate engineering program; for
example, a doctoral program in engineering. This option is usually
taken by students who are interested in research and teaching in
engineering. The department recommends that these students take
a number of elective courses, which provide an ideal background for
their subsequent graduate engineering studies.
Career Opportunities
GRADUATE PHYSICS OR ASTRONOMY
Preparation for graduate study in physics, astrophysics, and
astronomy. Employment in research and teaching at academic
institutions, research in government or private laboratories, and
observatories, industrial research and development, and management.
DUAL-DEGREE BS PHYSICS/ BS ENGINEERING
Preparation for careers in various fields of engineering such as
aeronautical, bio or biomedical, civil, electrical, mechanical, computer,
or industrial engineering. Employment in industry, government,
research and development, and manufacturing.
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PRE-HEALTH PROFESSIONS
Preparation for careers in medicine, osteopathic medicine,
veterinary medicine, dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, and
pharmacy. Generally, physics majors have a high rate of success in
entering health fields.
BIOPHYSICS
Preparation for careers in medicine, medical research, biophysics,
medical physics, biomedical engineering, and biotechnology.
Employment in health care or pharmaceutical industries, governmental
or private laboratories, and research and development.
THEORETICAL PHYSICS /APPLIED MATHEMATICS
Preparation for graduate study in theoretical physics or applied
mathematics. Employment in research and teaching at academic
institutions, research and development in government and private
industry.
PHYSICS /COMPUTER SCIENCE
Preparation for graduate study in physics, applied physics, computer
science, and especially the burgeoning research field of computational
physics, as well as many branches of engineering. Employment in
industry, research and development in manufacturing, research and
teaching in academic institutions, and research in government and in
private laboratories.
FIVE-YEAR DUAL-DEGREE IN PHYSICS (BS) AND
SECONDARY EDUCATION (MEd)
This five-year program enables students to earn both a BS and
a MEd degree along with the state certification necessary to teach
middle- and high-school grades. Numerous job opportunities are
available for students interested in becoming science teachers
in grades 6–12. In Illinois, the need for science teachers is critical.
The dual-degree program is an appealing option because it offers
greater opportunities for advancement and a higher salary base for
the graduate than earning certification at the undergraduate level.
Students must declare for this program no later than beginning of
the junior year.
Computer Resources
For physics and engineering students, the department
operates numerous workstations for both class assignments and
individual student projects. These stations are equipped with up-todate scientific, mathematical, and graphic software, and are networked
externally, giving students access to e-mail and the Internet.
The department is a recognized leader in the implementation of
microcomputer-based laboratory techniques, and in the development
of multimedia and interactive physics teaching software.
LUC.edu/CAS
LOYOLA UNIVERSIT Y CHICAGO
PHYSICS AND
ENGINEERING
CONTINUED
Special Facilities
Loyola’s Physics Department is located at the Lake Shore Campus
in the Cudahy Science Building. Built in 1912, the building has been
regularly renovated. The general physics laboratories offer a wide
selection of experiments in mechanics, heat, sound, electro magnetism,
and optics. The modern and intermediate physics laboratory courses
use a variety of measuring and detection equipment. The optics course
has lectures and laboratory with experiments covering traditional and
modern optics, including some aspects of laser physics. Electronics
courses offer the latest in integrated circuits and digital technology.
Facilities and faculty expertise make research possible in relativistic
astrophysics, biophysics, theoretical and experimental particle physics,
high-energy spin physics, atomic physics, and supersymmetric
quantum mechanics.
National Research Opportunities
Physics majors may spend a semester or summer as full-time
research participants in programs at Argonne National Laboratory,
Fermi National Laboratory, and other research institutions. Academic
credit is available for students who participate.
Faculty
Chairperson: Asim Gangopadhyaya, PhD, City University of New York
Jonathan L. Bougie, PhD, University of Texas, Austin
John D. Cunningham, S.J., PhD, University of Notre Dame
John J. Dykla, PhD, California Institute of Technology
Willetta Greene-Johnson, PhD, University of Chicago
Aleksandr Goltsiker, PhD, St. Petersburg Technological University
Robert A. McNees, PhD, University of Texas, Austin
Gordon P. Ramsey, PhD, Illinois Institute of Technology
Thomas T. Ruubel, MS, State University of New York, Stony Brook
David B. Slavsky, PhD, University of Texas, Austin
Maria K. Udo, PhD, Purdue University
EMERITUS PROFESSORS
Charles M. Brodbeck, PhD, St. Louis University
Albert C. Claus, PhD, California Institute of Technology
Jeffry V. Mallow, PhD, Northwestern University
Course Offerings
PHYSICS (PHYS)
101
Liberal Arts Physics
103
Planetary and Solar System Astronomy
104
Astronomy of Stars and Galaxies
105
Observational Astronomy
106
Physics of Music
111–112 College Physics I, II
111K–112K College Physics I, II (Calculus based)
125–126 General Physics I, II
126F
Freshman Projects
College Physics Laboratory I, II
131–132 135–136 General Physics Laboratory I, II
213 College Physics III
235 Modern Physics
237 Modern Physics Laboratory
238
Intermediate Physics Laboratory
266 Digital Electronics Laboratory
301
Mathematical Methods in Physics
303–304
Electronics I, II
303L Electronics Lab
310 Optics
310L Optics Lab
314–315 Theoretical Mechanics I, II
328
Thermal Physics and Statistical Mechanics
351–352
Electricity and Magnetism I, II
361 Quantum Mechanics
366 Microcomputer Design and Interfacing
380–381 Special Topics
391 Research
394–395 Argonne Lab Research
398–399 Honors Tutorial Courses in Physics
Physics Minor Requirements
PHYS 125, 126, 135, 136, 235, 237, 238, and a 300-level physics class.
MATH 161, 162, 263, and 264.
Joint Major in Theoretical Physics/Applied
Mathematics
This curriculum is available at the department Web site at
LUC.edu/physics/theorphys.
Biophysics Minor Requirements
The biophysics curriculum is available at the department Web site at
LUC.edu/biophysics.
continued
LUC.edu/CAS
3
LOYOLA UNIVERSIT Y CHICAGO
PHYSICS AND
ENGINEERING
CONTINUED
Core Curriculum
• Introduces students to ten central Knowledge Areas: artistic,
historical, literary, quantitative, scientific, societal and cultural,
philosophical, theological and religious studies, ethical learning, and
written communication.
• Reinforces six Skills crucial to understanding contemporary society:
communication, critical thinking, ethical awareness and decisionmaking, information literacy, quantitative and qualitative analysis and
research methods, and technological literacy.
• Promotes the four Values essential to a Loyola education:
• Understanding and promoting justice
• Understanding diversity in the United States and the world
• Understanding spirituality or faith in action in the world
• Promoting civic engagement or leadership
The Core Curriculum includes 16 courses (48 credit hours) total
across the ten Knowledge Areas.
• The first course taken must be a foundational, or Tier I, course.
After completion of the Tier I course, students choose from a
variety of Tier II courses to explore particular interests while
fulfilling the remaining Core requirements.
• 2 courses (6 credit hours) are required in six of these areas:
Historical Knowledge, Literary Knowledge and Experience,
Scientific Literacy, Societal and Cultural Knowledge, Philosophical
Knowledge, and Theological and Religious Studies Knowledge.
Additionally, one course (3 credit hours) is required in Engaged
Learning, satisfied by a course within the Core Curriculum, or in a
student’s major or minor, or through an elective course. There are
five categories of Engaged Learning Courses: Service-Learning,
International Service-Learning, Academic Internship, Field Work,
Undergraduate Research, and Public Performance.
For more information, please visit LUC.edu/core.
Information in this brochure is correct as of July 2012.
For the most up-to-date information, visit LUC.edu/undergrad/academics
Loyola is an equal opportunity educator/employer.
contact us
Loyola University Chicago | Undergraduate Admission Office
1032 W. Sheridan Road | Chicago, IL 60660
P 800.262.2373 E admission@luc.edu W LUC.edu/undergrad
Department of Physics | Asim Gangopadhyaya, chairperson
1032 W. Sheridan Road | Chicago, IL 60660
P 773.508.3533 E agangop@luc.edu W LUC.edu/physics