Combined Major

Physics-Environmental Studies Major

Department/Program

Total credit requirements for a Physics-Environmental Studies major: 55-56 (23-24 in Physics, 7 in Mathematics, and 25 in required coursework for all Environmental Studies majors)

Common Requirements for all Environmental Studies Majors

  • Required Courses
    • Introductory Coursework: Environmental Studies 120 and 207
    • Foundation Coursework: Fulfill the following requirements for the two areas outside of your area of concentration (arts and humanities, natural and physical sciences, or social sciences).
      • Environmental Arts and Humanities: Take two elective courses from the list below.
      • Environmental Natural and Physical Sciences: Take 7 credits in elective courses from the list below. Credits must come from at least two departments, and include at least one course with a lab.
      • Environmental Social Sciences: Take two elective courses from the list below.
    • Interdisciplinary Coursework: Take one interdisciplinary elective from the list below.
    • Senior Coursework: Environmental Studies 479
  • Additional Requirements
    • Fulfill all of the requirements for a major in a specific area of concentration, chosen from:
      • Environmental Arts and Humanities: Art-Environmental Studies or Environmental Humanities
      • Environmental Natural and Physical Sciences: Biology-Environmental Studies, Chemistry-Environmental Studies, Geology-Environmental Studies, or Physics-Environmental Studies
      • Environmental Social Sciences: Anthropology-Environmental Studies, Economics-Environmental Studies, History-Environmental Studies, Politics-Environmental Studies, or Sociology-Environmental Studies
  • Senior Requirements
    • Environmental Studies 479
    • Further requirements as specified by the chosen major
  • Honors
    • Specified within each major
  • Notes
    • Up to 8 transfer credits may be applied to a major in Environmental Studies.
    • No courses taken P-D-F can be applied toward the major.

Requirements for Physics-Environmental Studies Majors

  • Complete the Common Requirements for all Environmental Studies Majors (25 Credits)
  • Required Physics Courses
    • Physics 145, 155, or 347
    • Physics 156, 245, 255, and 267
    • Two courses chosen from Physics 325, 339, 347, 357, and 385
    • Choose one of the following:
      • One additional Physics course numbered 300-480
      • BBMB 324 and 334
  • Required Mathematics Courses
    • Mathematics 225 and 244
  • Senior Requirements
    • Written exam in Physics
    • Oral exam in Physics
  • Honors
    • Students submit an “Honors in Major Study Application” to their department.
    • Students must submit a proposal for their thesis or project within the first six weeks of the two-semester period in which they are eligible.
    • Accumulated at least 87 credits
    • Completed two semesters of residency at Whitman
    • Major GPA of at least 3.500
    • Complete a written thesis or research project prepared exclusively for the satisfaction of this program.
    • Earn a grade of at least A- on the honors thesis or project and the honors thesis course.
    • Pass the senior assessment with distinction.
    • The department will submit the honors applications to the Registrar’s Office of students pursuing honors by the specified deadline.
    • The department will submit the “Senior Assessment/Major Study Certificate” to the Registrar’s Office no later than Reading Day.
    • An acceptable digital copy of the honors thesis must be submitted to Penrose Library no later than Reading Day.
  • Notes
    • If students place out of Physics 155, they must take Physics 347.
    • Physics 347 may not be used to satisfy multiple requirements.
Item #
Title
Credits
6 - 8
6 - 8
3 - 4
Sub-Total Credits
15-20
Total Credits
55-56