41 courses with the subject PHYS, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
PHYS 001CClimate Change: Science and Responses1
(Cross-Listed with ENVS 010 ) A study of the complex interplay of factors influencing conditions on the surface of the Earth. Basic concepts from geology, oceanography, and atmospheric science lead to an examination of how the Earth’s climate has varied in the past, what changes are occurring now, and what the future may hold. Besides environmental effects, the economic, political, and ethical implications of global warming are explored, including possible ways to reduce climate change. Natural sciences and engineering. 1 credit. Eligible for ENVS, GLBL-Core, ESCH
This seminar will cover both the physics and policy of energy in all its forms. Topics include the physical basis for energy; thermodynamics and engines; energy sources (fossil fuels, solar, photovoltaics, nuclear); transportation; the electric grid; and climate change.
High school algebra. Natural sciences and engineering. 1 credit. Eligible for ENVS Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PHYS 003General Physics I: Motion, Forces, and Energy1
Topics include vectors, kinematics, Newton’s laws and dynamics, conservation laws, work and energy, oscillatory motion, systems of particles, and rigid body rotation. Possible additional topics are special relativity and thermodynamics. This course is the usual entry point to majoring or minoring in astronomy, astrophysics, or physics, and is a pre or co-requisite for the sophomore-level physics major curriculum; it welcomes both non-majors and prospective majors who are interested in engaging rigorously and deeply with both the mathematical and conceptual descriptions of physics.
MATH 015 Natural sciences and engineering practicum. Lab required. 1 credit. Fall 2026. Zanger. Fall 2027 Zanger. Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PHYS 003LGeneral Physics I: Motion, Forces, and Energy with Biological and Medical Applications1
This course discusses the topics from the first semester of introductory physics with the greatest biological, biochemical, and medical relevance, namely motion, forces (both statics and dynamics), torques (primarily statics), work, conservation of energy and momentum, oscillations, fluid statics and dynamics, and thermal and statistical phenomena. A core goal is to develop connections between physics and the other sciences. The course addresses the appropriate medical school competencies in conjunction with PHYS 004L .
MATH 015 (may be taken concurrently). Natural sciences and engineering practicum. Lab required. 1 credit. Fall 2026. Hyde. Fall 2027 Banner . Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PHYS 004General Physics II: Electricity, Magnetism, Light, and Waves1
Topics include wave phenomena, geometrical and physical optics, electricity and magnetism, and direct and alternating current circuits. Possible additional topics may be added.
MATH 025 or equivalent. Natural sciences and engineering practicum. Lab required. 1 credit. Spring 2027. Banner. Spring 2028 Zanger. Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PHYS 004LGeneral Physics II: Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics with Biochemical and Biomedical Applications1
PHYS 004L will cover the same topics as PHYS 004 but will emphasize biological, biochemical, and medical applications of those topics. The course will meet medical school requirements (in conjunction with PHYS 003 or PHYS 003L ) and will include a weekly laboratory. Students who wish to take PHYS 004L before PHYS 003 or PHYS 003L must have some high school physics background and obtain permission from the instructor.
MATH 015 or a more advanced calculus course; PHYS 003 or PHYS 003L or permission of the instructor. Natural sciences and engineering practicum. 1 credit. Spring 2027. Geller. Spring 2028 Staff. Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PHYS 005The World of Particles and Waves1
This course presents an introduction to optics and quantum theory. Students will explore the counterintuitive consequences of quantum mechanics for our understanding of the subatomic world, where our notions of absolute properties such as the position or speed of a particle are replaced by probabilities. The course will introduce multiple ways to model light, from classical waves to quantum photons. The PHYS 005 lab meets every other week.
MATH 025 Natural sciences and engineering. 1 credit. Fall 2026. Geller and Smith, H. Fall 2027 Bester and Smith, H. Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PHYS 006Foundations of Contemporary Physics.1
Special relativity and the statistical basis of thermodynamics were two of the key discoveries early in the 20th century that launched the development of contemporary physics. Half of this course covers the counterintuitive consequences of special relativity for our understanding of space and time. Half of the course introduces thermodynamics, both macroscopic thermodynamics and introductory statistical mechanics; topics include energy, heat, work, entropy, temperature (the First, Second and “Third” Laws of Thermodynamics), heat capacity, ideal gases, paramagnetism, phase transitions, and the chemical potential.
PHYS 003 , or placement out of PHYS 003. Recommended: PHYS 005 .
Corequisite
MATH 025 1 credit. Spring 2027. Hyde. Spring 2028 Cohen. Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PHYS 007Introductory Mechanics1
An introduction to classical mechanics. This course is suitable for potential majors, as well as students in other sciences or engineering who would like a course with more mathematical rigor and depth than PHYS 003 . Includes the study of kinematics and dynamics of point particles; conservation principles involving energy, momentum and angular momentum; rotational motion of rigid bodies, and oscillatory motion. Lab used for hands-on experimentation and occasionally for workshops that expand on lecture material.
MATH 025 and PHYS 005 or permission of the instructor.
Corequisite
Either MATH 033 or MATH 034 Natural sciences and engineering practicum. Lab required. 1 credit. Fall 2026. Raithel. Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PHYS 008Electricity, Magnetism, and Waves1
A sophisticated introductory treatment of wave and electric and magnetic phenomena, such as oscillatory motion, forced vibrations, coupled oscillators, Fourier analysis of progressive waves, boundary effects and interference, the electrostatic field and potential, electrical work and energy, D.C. and A.C. circuits, the relativistic basis of magnetism, Maxwell’s equations, and geometrical optics.
PHYS 007 (or permission of instructor); MATH 033 or MATH 034 (can be taken concurrently).
Corequisite
PHYS 006 Natural sciences and engineering practicum. Includes one laboratory weekly. 1 credit. Spring 2027. Crouch. Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PHYS 011Scientific Problem Solving: Quantitative Skills and Model Building0.5
Cross-listed with BIOL 007 This Quantitative Skills course provides the essential mathematical and analytical tools required for scientific problem-solving. Through practical examples from molecular and cellular biology, introductory chemistry and physics, you’ll learn to think quantitatively, make reasonable estimates, apply dimensional analysis, practice unit conversions, interpret and create graphs, and use algebra to solve problems. The course integrates spreadsheet skills with graphing and introduces fundamental biological, biochemical, and biophysical modeling. This course gives you hands-on experience in simulating and analyzing living systems. It thus lays the foundation for success for students who want to major in biology, biochemistry, biophysics, or neuroscience but may not have had strong high school preparation in those areas. This course may satisfy one of the mathematics requirements for a Biology major or minor. This course will count as a Biology elective if mathematics requirements are satisfied elsewhere. Not eligible for NSEP credit
BIOL 001 ; and/or CHEM 010 ; and/or PHYS 003 or PHYS 003L ; or permission of the instructor. Natural Sciences and Engineering 0.5 credit. Fall 2026. Collins and Geller. Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PHYS 021Capstone: Cultural Dimensions of Scientific Thought1
(Cross-listed as INTP 091 ) This seminar will explore the deep and often overlooked connections between physical and cultural ways of understanding the universe. To that end, we will be taking a historical and cross-cultural view of scientific forms of thought in order to examine the multiple, complex relationships that obtain between individual human agents and their social milieus in the processes of creating and advancing scientific theories of the universe. How, for example, do we take the measure of what we don’t know? How do we ascribe differential values to scientific questions and solutions? In other words, what makes one question more important than another? What makes a scientific theory “elegant” or “beautiful,” and why do (Western) scientists place epistemological value on such aesthetic considerations? Potential course topics include: the role of myth in the oral transmission of astronomical knowledge among Aboriginal Australians; the materialization of astronomical knowledge in ancient Mesoamerican architecture; early cultures of number and numerology; the technological conditions for advances in scientific thought; the role of social desire in scientific discovery and invention (of the infinitesimally small, of photography, or of relativity, for example); and the role of intercultural interaction in the creation of new approaches to scientific problems. Non-distribution. 1 credit. Eligible for INTP.
ENVS 072 This course surveys the full range of sustainable energy technologies, including wind, solar, hydrogen, batteries, and pumped hydro, and examines how they work and how they are deployed at scale. Students will compare the effectiveness and impacts of these solutions across different regions, using Australia’s energy transition as a central case study to highlight real-world successes and challenges. Emphasizing the urgent role of sustainable energy in combating climate change, the course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of how diverse technologies can work together to shape a cleaner and more resilient energy future. Natural Sciences and Engineering 1 credit. Eligible for ENVS Fall 2026. Smith, H.
Reading and discussion of selected research papers from the physics literature. Techniques of journal reading, use of abstract services, Arxiv, and search engines to stay aware of the current literature. The grading mode for this course is credit/no credit (CR/NC). May be repeated for credit.
PHYS 008 0.5 credit. (CR/NC) Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PHYS 063Procedures in Experimental Physics
Techniques, materials, and the design of experimental apparatus; shop practice; printed circuit design and construction. This is a 0.5-credit course open only to majors in physics, astrophysics, or astronomy. The grading mode for this course is credit/no credit (CR/NC). The grading mode for this course is credit/no credit (CR/NC). 0.5 credit. (CR/NC) Fall 2026. Jacobs and Reese. Fall 2027 Jacobs and Reese.
An introduction to techniques in scientific computing used to visualize and analyze data such as plotting, curve fitting, solving equations, image analysis, monte carlo and numerical integration. Students will write programs in Python using commonly available scientific libraries. This is a 0.5-credit course with priority given to majors in physics, astrophysics, or astronomy. There are no prerequisites although for most students it will build on the lab experience in Physics 7. It is open to first-year students, though expected to be typically taken concurrently with Physics 8 by second-year majors. The grading mode for this course is credit/no credit (CR/NC).
None 0.5 credit. (CR/NC) Spring 2027. Raithel and Rivera. Spring 2028 Jacobs and Rivera. Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PHYS 070Classical Mechanics1
Junior-level treatment of classical mechanics, including Newton’s laws, projectiles, momentum and angular momentum, fixed-axis rotational motion, energy, oscillations, calculus of variations, Lagrange’s equations, coupled oscillators, and normal modes. Uses multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations (differential equations taught as part of course) to describe these physical phenomena.
Junior-level treatment of classical electrodynamics: electric and magnetic forces, fields, and potentials in vacuum and materials, relativistic origin of magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction, conservation laws, Maxwell’s Equations, and electromagnetic waves. Uses multivariable calculus and differential equations (differential equations taught as part of course) to describe these physical phenomena.
This is the first of a two-semester sequence designed to fulfill the physics major advanced laboratory requirement. Students will gain skills by doing projects in analog and digital electronics (students who have taken ENGR 072 or ENGR 011 and ENGR 021 may contact the course instructor ahead of time to arrange exemptions). They will also perform experiments chosen from among the areas of thermal and statistical physics, solid state, atomic, plasma, nuclear, biophysics, condensed matter physics, and advanced optics.
PHYS 107 . Writing course. 0.5 credit. Fall 2026. Crouch. Spring 2027. Smith, H. Fall 2027 Brown. Spring 2028 Smith, H. Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PHYS 082Advanced Laboratory II0.5
This is the second of a two-semester sequence designed to fulfill the physics major advanced laboratory requirement. Students will perform projects in digital electronics. They will also perform experiments chosen from among the areas of thermal and statistical physics, solid state, atomic, plasma, nuclear, biophysics, condensed matter physics, and advanced optics. When both PHYS 081 and PHYS 082 are taken, students will receive credit for having completed a writing (W) course. When both PHYS 081 and PHYS 082 are taken, students will receive credit for having completed a writing (W) course. Writing course. 0.5 credit. Fall 2026. Crouch. Spring 2027. Smith, H. Fall 2027 Brown. Spring 2028 Smith, H.
PHYS 081 This course is designed to fulfill the physics major advanced laboratory requirement for students who have already had sufficient experience with electronics ( ENGR 072 or ENGR 021 , ENGR 021 and ENGR 029 ). Students will perform experiments chosen from a wide array of physics topics. Students must obtain permission from the instructor to take this course rather than PHYS 081 and PHYS 082 . Writing course. 1 credit. Fall 2026. Crouch. Spring 2027. Smith, H. Fall 2027 Brown. Spring 2028 Smith, H.
This course provides an opportunity for an individual student to do special study, with either theoretical or experimental emphasis, in fields not covered by the regular courses and seminars. The student will present oral and written reports to the instructor. 0.5, 1, or 2 credits. Fall 2026. Staff. Spring 2027. Staff. Fall 2027 Staff. Spring 2028 Staff.
Initiative for a research project may come from the student, or the work may involve collaboration with ongoing faculty research. The student will present a written and an oral report to the department. The grading mode for this course can be either graded or credit/no credit (CR/NC). 0.5, 1, or 2 credits. Fall 2026. Staff. Spring 2027. Staff. Fall 2027 Staff. Spring 2028 Staff.
PHYS 095Introduction to Science Pedagogy: Theory and Practice0.5
(Cross-listed as EDUC 075) This course is designed for students who are interested in learning about issues surrounding science education, particularly at the high school and college level. How do students most effectively learn science? How can we facilitate this learning process as instructors and educators? How do we best assess whether such learning is happening? Since the course will integrate educational theory with concrete, practical strategies for becoming better teachers, it will be particularly relevant for students currently serving as Science Associates (or those who are interested in being Science Associates.) We will touch on issues related to students’ conceptual development and conceptual change, collaborative learning, as well as practical issues encountered when engaging in responsive, interactive teaching. This is a seminar course where students are responsible for weekly readings (1-2 papers per week from the education research literature), in class discussions, and brief written reflections. Students will be encouraged to bring to the discussion their own unique experiences as both science students and science teachers.
Instructor approval for enrollment. 0.5 credit. Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PHYS 096Thesis
Theoretical or experimental work culminating in a written thesis. Also includes an oral presentation to the department. This is not an Honors Program thesis. The grading mode for this course is credit/no credit (CR/NC). Natural sciences and engineering. 1 credit. (CR/NC) Fall 2026. Staff. Spring 2027. Staff.
This half-credit course is required of all physics, astronomy, and astrophysics course majors and serves as preparation for and completion of the College’s comprehensive requirement (“comps”) for senior course majors, with a goal of enabling students to integrate various aspects of their Swarthmore education into a single, cohesive project. Students will create, edit, and practice presenting a poster on a research topic of their choosing and then present it at an event at the end of the semester. The weekly course meetings will enable students to delve more deeply into research paper reading, data display, scientific communication, and other topics related both to the subject matter and professional practices in physics and astronomy. This course will be offered every fall, is intended for seniors who are majors, and must be taken at Swarthmore in order for students to meet the comps requirement. The grading mode for this course is credit/no credit (CR/NC). 0.5 credit (CR/NC) Fall 2026. Brown. Fall 2027 Smith, H.
An introductory course in quantum mechanics. Topics include waves, photons, the Schrodinger equation, Dirac notation, one-dimensional potentials, quantized angular momentum, and central potentials.
PHYS 005 , PHYS 008 , multivariable calculus ( MATH 033 , MATH 034 , or MATH 035 ) Natural Sciences and Engineering. 1 credit Fall 2026. Banner. Fall 2027 Smith, T. Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PHYS 111Analytical Dynamics1
Intermediate classical mechanics. Motion of a particle in one, two, and three dimensions; Kepler’s laws and planetary motion; phase space; oscillatory motion; Lagrange equations and variational principles; systems of particles; collisions and cross sections; motion of a rigid body; Euler’s equations; rotating frames of reference; small oscillations; normal modes; and wave phenomena. Offered every Spring.
PHYS 008 , and one of PHYS 007 , ENGR 006 , or strong performance in PHYS 003 . Natural sciences and engineering. 1 credit. Spring 2027. Raithel. Spring 2028 Bester. Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PHYS 112Electrodynamics1
Electricity and magnetism using vector calculus, electric and magnetic fields, dielectric and magnetic materials, electromagnetic induction, Maxwell’s field equations in differential form, displacement current, Poynting theorem and electromagnetic waves, boundary-value problems, radiation and four-vector formulation of relativistic electrodynamics. Offered every Fall.
PHYS 008 and PHYS 017 Natural sciences and engineering. 1 credit. Fall 2026. Brown. Fall 2027 Brown. Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PHYS 114Statistical Physics1
The statistical behavior of classical and quantum systems; temperature and entropy; equations of state; engines and refrigerators; statistical basis of thermodynamics; microcanonical, canonical, and grand canonical distributions; phase transitions; statistics of bosons and fermions; black body radiation; electronic and thermal properties of quantum liquids and solids. Offered every Spring.
PHYS 006 and any one of PHYS 111 , PHYS 113 , or PHYS 107 . Natural sciences and engineering. 1 credit. Spring 2027. Smith, H. Spring 2028 Smith, T. Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PHYS 115Advanced Quantum Mechanics1
A modern treatment of matrix optics, interference, polarization, diffraction, Fourier optics, coherence, Gaussian beams, resonant cavities, optical instruments. The quantization of the electromagnectic field, single mode coherent and quadrature squeezed states. The interaction of light with atoms using second quantization and dressed states. Spontaneous emission.
PHYS 107 Natural sciences and engineering. 1 credit. Spring 2027. Banner. Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PHYS 130General Relativity1
Newton’s gravitational theory, special relativity, linear field theory, gravitational waves, measurement of space-time, Riemannian geometry, geometrodynamics and Einstein’s equations, the Schwarzschild solution, black holes and gravitational collapse, and cosmology.
PHYS 112 , PHYS 111 Recommended but not required Natural sciences and engineering. 1 credit. Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PHYS 131Particle Physics1
A study of the ultimate constituents of matter and the nature of the interactions between them. Topics include relativistic wave equations, symmetries and group theory, Feynman calculus, quantum electrodynamics, quarks, gluons, and quantum chromodynamics, weak interactions, gauge theories, the Higgs particle, and some of the ideas behind lattice gauge calculations.
(or Concurrently) PHYS 113 Natural sciences and engineering. 1 credit. Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PHYS 132Nonlinear Dynamics.1
This course will cover the central elements of nonlinear dynamics and chaos and their applications to physical and biological systems. Topics include nonlinear differential equations, bifurcations, strange attractors, phase space diagrams, fractals, and mapping. Readings of current research articles will be integrated with these topics.
PHYS 111 . Natural Sciences and Engineering. 1 credit. Fall 2027 Bester. Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy Access the class schedule to search for sections.
will be listed soon Natural sciences and engineering. 1 credit. Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PHYS 135Condensed Matter Physics1
Condensed matter physics applies the physical laws of quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, and electromagnetism to describe the physical properties of materials. This course explores the physics of metals, insulators, semiconductors, and superconductors by examining their structure, energy bands, and thermal, magnetic, electronic, and optical properties. Topics include: crystal structure and diffraction, the reciprocal lattice and Brillouin zones, lattice vibrations and normal modes, phonon dispersions, scattering, Einstein and Debye models for specific heat, free electrons and the Fermi surface, electrons in periodic structures, the Bloch Theorem, band structure, semiclassical electron dynamics, semiconductors, magnetic and optical properties of solids, and superconductivity.
PHYS 114 or permission of the instructor. Natural sciences and engineering. 1 credit. Spring 2028 Smith, H. Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PHYS 137Cosmological Physics1
An introduction to cosmology which includes the study of the origin, evolution, and content of the universe: isotropy, homogeneity, and geometry of the universe; gravitational collapse and formation of proto-galactic structures; statistical mechanics and fluid dynamics in an expanding universe; observational tests of the standard cosmology model; extensions to the standard cosmological model including scalar field dark matter and modified theories of gravity.
An introduction to the principles of plasma physics. Treatment will include the kinetic approach (orbits of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields, statistical mechanics of charged particles) and the fluid approach (single fluid magnetohydrodynamics, two fluid theory). Topics may include transport processes in plasmas (conductivity and diffusion), waves and oscillations, controlled nuclear fusion, and plasma astrophysics.
PHYS 112 . Natural sciences and engineering. 1 credit. Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PHYS 139Biophysics1
CHEM 114 This seminar will provide an introduction to the study of biological systems using the tools of the physical sciences. Topics will include the role of statistical phenomena in life; feedback and control processes in biological networks; biological electricity; fluid dynamics as they pertain to organisms (both unicellular and multicellular), and topics chosen from the literature by the members of the seminar.
PHYS 006 , PHYS 008 , and PHYS 107 ; or PHYS 004 or 004L , CHEM 044 , and CHEM 055 ; or permission of the instructor. Also BIOL 001 or CHEM 038 , or permission of the instructor. Students who have not previously taken a 100-level seminar in the physics department should discuss class format and expectations with the instructor before registering. Natural sciences and engineering. 1 credit. Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy Access the class schedule to search for sections.
PHYS 180Honors Thesis1
Theoretical or experiment work culminating in a written honors thesis. Also includes an oral presentation to the department. This course must be completed by the end of, and is normally taken in, the fall semester of the student’s final year. 1 credit. Fall 2026. Staff. Spring 2027. Staff.
