Physics

Major/Minor

The Physics program explores events and interactions that occur in nature in order to comprehend the truths or laws that govern the physical world. As a fundamental and all-inclusive science, our curriculum forms an educational base for future careers in science and engineering.

Program Locations

Available Majors

  • Physics

Available Minors

  • Physics

Additional Study Options

What Makes Our Program Unique

The sequence of introductory physics courses in your first year are all taught by the same professor, providing a coherent presentation of foundational courses.

Upper level classes may be taken at Loyola University of Maryland, which is just a short walk away.

Faculty

Four-Year Plan
Fall Spring
First Year
PHY-101 General Physics I 4 PHY-102 General Physics II 4
MAT-211 Calculus I 4 MAT-212 Calculus II 4
ENG-101 College Writing 3 MAT-243 Linear Algebra or
CST-171 Program Concepts		 3
NDMU-100 Perspectives in Education 4 Foreign Language 3
[15 credits]   [14 credits]  
Second Year
PHY-201 Modern Physics 3 PHY-316L Classical Mechanics* 3
MAT-213 Calculus III 3 CHM-111 General Chemistry II 4
CHM-110 General Chem I 4 CST-171 Program Concepts or
MAT-243 Linear Algebra		 3
General Education/Electives 6 General Education 3
[16 credits]   MAT-214 Calculus of Vector Fields 1
    [14 credits]  
Third Year
PH 314 Quantum Mechanics* or
PH 315 Electricity & Magnetism I*		 3 Program Electives 6
Gen Education/Electives 12 MAT 315 Differential Equations 3
[15 credits]   Physical Education 1
    PHYS 330+ 3
    [16 credits]  
Fourth Year
PH 314 or PH 315 3 Program Electives 3
Gen Education/Electives 12 Gen Education/Electives 9
    PHYS 463 1-4
[15 credits]   [13-17 credits]  

Notes:
# offered alternative years
+ need to take at least two physics courses at level 300 or higher
*Courses with a designation of "L" are taught at Loyola. Notre Dame students take the courses through the cooperative program. For more information, contact the program chair

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What to Expect Studying at Notre Dame of Maryland University

Small class sizes and personal attention enhance the student expertise, allowing for a combination of rich lecture and robust discussion.

Alum
Marion Smedburg
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Pursuing Study of Nuclear Fusion

Alum, NDMU Class of 2019 Physics

The individualized attention that NDMU's professors have given me, especially my physics professor, has made me a much more critical thinker with a well-rounded skill set. What's Next for Marion: Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands - Master's degree in Science and Technology of Nuclear Fusion (full scholarship!)

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Educating Women in Science, Technology and Math
STEM Degrees and Careers Are Thriving at Notre Dame

Research Opportunities

One of the hallmarks of our rich educational environment is the opportunity to participate in research in your field of interest.

You may choose to conduct a research project and present your findings at Nancy Kreiter Student Research Day to fulfill the capstone requirement of the Physics program.

Additional Opportunities

  • Work with Dr. Christy on NANOGrav, a collaboration of radio astronomers attempting to detect low-frequency gravitational waves. This experience provides many opportunities for training programs, visits to radio telescopes, and a supportive environment at conferences.
  • Connect to researchers through the UMD GRAD-MAP program. GRAD-MAP offers a winter boot camp designed to instruct students in typical skills needed in graduate school and connect them to possible summer projects with researchers at UMD College-Park.
  • Discover even more opportunities at Research Experience for Undergraduates.

Faculty Student Collaborations

Past student collaborations with Dr. Christy have led to three papers [two published in Astrophysical Journal].

  • Brian Christy, Ryan Anella, Andrea Lommen, Lee Samuel Finn, Richard Camuccio, and Emma Handzo Optimization of NANOGrav’s Time Allocation for Maximum Sensitivity to Single Sources Astrophys. J. 794, 163 (2014) [arXiv:1409.7722].
  • Joseph Simon, Abigail Polin, Andrea Lommen, Ben Stappers, Lee Samuel Finn, F.A Jenet, and Brian Christy Gravitational wave hotspots: Determining probable locations of single-source gravitational wave emission Astrophys. J 784 60 (2014) [arXiv:1402.114]
  • Emma Handzo, Brian Christy, Andrea Lommen, Delphine Perrodin The scaling of the RMS with Dwell Time in NANOGrav Pulsars [arXiv:1510.09084] Technical note, not for publication. 

Physics Careers

  • Science Research
  • Space and Astronomy
  • Engineering
  • Energy
  • Technology
  • Healthcare
  • Geophysics and Meteorology

Internships & Employment

Graduates are employed at:

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