BA.PH.EN - Physics-Environmental Studies (Major)

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 Humanities: Take two elective courses from the list below.

    • Environmental Natural and Physical Sciences: Take 7 credits in elective courses from the list below from at least two departments, including 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 145/145L, 155/155L, or 347

  • Physics 156/156L, 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 155/155L, they must take Physics 347.

  • Physics 347 may not be used to satisfy multiple requirements.