Majors and Minors
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Physics Major
The program in physics is designed to familiarize students with the techniques of mathematical and experimental physics that would be useful to them in an industrial research or engineering position; in physics teaching; as a general preparation for more advanced graduate work in any of the varied fields of physics; or in such disciplines as astronomy, space science, biophysics, computer science, engineering, geophysics, medicine, law, and oceanography.
Physics Minor
18 total credit hours are required, as follows
- 8 hours of introductory physics courses: PHYS 160, 161, 162, 163 or PHYS 170, 171, 172, 173; or any appropriate combination of these courses.
- 10 hours of upper division elective courses, selected from PHYS 206-398.
- A 2.000 cumulative average must be attained in these courses.
Biophysics Major
The biophysics program is highly interdisciplinary, providing students with the background and techniques of biology, chemistry and physics necessary to enter this rapidly growing field. The program’s flexibility is intended to allow students to tailor their experience toward their personal interests, be it in industrial research, engineering, teaching, or health-science. The program’s structure is intended to prepare a student for the rigors of advanced degree programs in biophysics as well as a wide variety of other fields of physics, law, medicine, health sciences, and biotechnology.
Engineering/Applied Physics Major
The engineering/applied physics program at Xavier provides students with a strong foundation of knowledge ranging across all engineering disciplines. This program consists of three years of study at Xavier followed by a fourth year at the University of Cincinnati School of Engineering. One can also decide to stay at Xavier for their fourth year.
Natural Science/Applied Physics Major
Xavier's Natural Sciences/Applied Physics program offers an alternative to the Natural Sciences major that allows students to study physics while preparing for medical school. This program may also be of interest to students who wish to pursue careers in biophysics, medical physics, radiological physics, and other health physics programs.
Alternate Concentration/Applied Physics Major
The program in physics is designed to familiarize students with the techniques of mathematical and experimental physics that would be useful to them in an industrial research or engineering position; in physics teaching; as a general preparation for more advanced graduate work in any of the varied fields of physics; or in such disciplines as astronomy, space science, biophysics, computer science, engineering, geophysics, medicine, law, and oceanography.
- Our Universe: Environmental Science
This course will examine natural and human-induced causes affecting the environment from a physics/engineering perspective. Students will first address the way science interfaces with the climate change, energy policy and sustainability, urban infrastructure, environmental health and the impact of developing economies, and the role of technology and scientific innovation in addressing the environmental problems. - Forensic Studies
This course will explain the intriguing work of crime scene investigators from a physics standpoint. Included are techniques to find out how a crime happened, e. g. ballistics, blood pattern analysis and skid marks, and techniques to investigate traces that lead to an identification of the perpetrator like bite marks, fingerprints and body fluids. - Thermodynamics
Thermodynamic variables and processes, internal energy of a system, first and second laws of thermodynamics, Carnot cycle, entropy, and irreversibility. - Modern Physics II
Natural and artificial radioactivity, nuclear reactions, high-energy physics, and fundamental particles.