Atmospheric Physics Concentration
Introduction
The College of Charleston is one of the few institutions which offers an undergraduate program in atmospheric physics. With the growing demand to understand the science of climate change along with the interdisciplinary nature of modern atmospheric science research, there is growing demand for programs which integrate atmospheric science and traditional physics. The Atmospheric Physics Concentration is designed for students who desire to pursue graduate study in atmospheric science and/or atmospheric physics. Moreover, this concentration is designed for students who desire to pursue more research-oriented careers in the atmospheric sciences in research institutions like the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
On this page, the full curriculum for the Atmospheric Physics Concentration is given below.
Curriculum
Introductory Physics Courses
Option 1:
- PHYS 111/111L (General Physics I) (4 cr.)
- PHYS 112/112L (General Physics II) (4 cr.)
- PHYS 230 (Introduction to Modern Physics) (3 cr.)
Option 2:
- HONS 157/157L (Honors Physics I) (4 cr.)
- HONS 158/158L (Honors Physics II) (4 cr.)
- PHYS 230 (Introduction to Modern Physics) (3 cr.)
Core Mathematics Courses
- MATH 120 (Introductory Calculus) (4 cr.)
- MATH 220 (Calculus II) (4 cr.)
- MATH 221 (Calculus III) (4 cr.)
- MATH 323 (Differential Equations) (3 cr.) OR MATH 272 (Methods of Applied Physics) (3 cr.)
Physics Core
- PHYS 301 (Classical Mechanics) (3 cr.)
- PHYS 370 (Experimental Physics) (4 cr.)
- PHYS 403 (Quantum Mechanics I) (3 cr.)
- PHYS 405 (Thermal Physics) (3 cr.)
- PHYS 409 (Electromagnetism I) (3 cr.)
- PHYS 415 (Fluid Mechanics) (3 cr.)
- PHYS 459 (Cloud and Precipitation Physics) (3 cr.)
Capstone Experience
- PHYS 420 (Senior Research) (3 cr.)
- PHYS 499 (Bachelor's Essay) (6 cr.)
Specialized Elective Courses
- ASTR 306 (Planetary Astronomy) (3 cr.)
- ENVT 352* (Special Topics in Environmental Science and Studies) (1-4 cr.)
- GEOL 442 (Geological Application of Remote Sensing) (4 cr.)
- GEOL 449 (Geographical Information Systems) (4 cr.)
- HONS 390* (Special Topics) (3-6 cr.)
- PHYS 210 (Introduction to Air Pollution (3 cr.)
- PHYS 215 (Synoptic Meteorology) (3 cr.)
- PHYS 225 (Climate) (3 cr.)
- PHYS 298* (Special Topics) (1-3 cr.)
- PHYS 320/320L (Intro to Electronics) (4 cr.)
- PHYS 340/340L (Photonics) (4 cr.)
- PHYS 350 (Energy Production) (4 cr.)
- PHYS 381* (Internship) (1-4 cr.)
- PHYS 390* (Research) (1-3 cr.)
- PHYS 394/394L (Digital Signal and Image Processing with Biomedical Applications) (4 cr.)
- PHYS 399* (Tutorial) (3 cr.)
- PHYS 410 (Electromagnetism II) (3 cr.)
- PHYS 412* (Special Topics) (1-3 cr.)
- PHYS 425 (Mesoscale Meteorology) (3 cr.)
- PHYS 457 (Satellite Meteorology) (3 cr.)
NOTE: A maximum of 6 credit hours are allowed from PHYS 381 (Internship), PHYS 390 (Research), and PHYS 399 (Tutorial).
* = topics in these courses must involve atmospheric physics and must be approved by the department