All prospective physics majors should consult with a faculty member in the department as early as possible. Prospective physics majors should try to take Physics 111-112 and its associated laboratory in their first year, along with Mathematics 112 (if needed) and Mathematics 122 (Integral Calculus). Physics 101/102, 105, and 107 may not be used for credit towards a major or minor in physics, but they may be used for general degree credits.

Students planning to pursue graduate study in engineering are strongly encouraged to learn about the Pre-Engineering Certificate and Rhodes' Dual Degree Engineering Programs; please view the Pre-Engineering advising site. Students planning to pursue either option for engineering should consult with the pre-engineering advisor (Dr. Ann Viano, Department of Physics) as early as possible after beginning coursework at Rhodes. 

1. Courses required: those listed for the B.S. degree with a major in Physics, plus Physics 495-496, Honors Tutorial. At least four credits per semester in the senior year must be earned in Honors Tutorial courses. Up to eight additional credits of tutorial or related course work may be counted, resulting in a maximum of sixteen credits of Honors in the senior year.
2. To be eligible for the Honors program a student must have a minimum cumulative grade point average and a major grade point average of 3.50 at the time of application for honors. The student must graduate with a cumulative grade point average and a major grade point average of 3.50 in order to receive the honors designation at commencement.
3. An original investigation in some area of physics is required, usually mentored by a physics faculty member. Honors research may be conducted outside of the department with department approval and the careful guidance of a Physics faculty member at Rhodes.
4. A thesis must be presented at the end of the project. An oral presentation of the final project is also expected. The Honors project and thesis must be approved by the student’s Honors committee and the project must follow the department and college guidelines and schedule for Honors work.

Professors

Brent K. Hoffmeister. 1996. B.A., Wabash College; Ph.D., Washington University. (Ultrasonics, medical physics.)
Shubho Banerjee. 2002. M.S., Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur; Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University. (Electrostatics, thermodynamics, theoretical physics.)
David S. N. Rupke. 2010. B.S., Calvin College; Ph.D., University of Maryland. (Observational and extragalactic astronomy.)

Associate Professors

Ann M. Viano. 1999. Chair. B.S., Santa Clara University; Ph.D., Washington University. (Materials science, solid-state physics, medical imaging, biophysics.)

Assistant Professor

Gregory B. Vieira. 2019. B.S., University of Maryland; Ph.D., The Ohio State University. (Magnetic materials and devices.)

Visiting Assistant Professor

Sean Wu. 2023. B.S. & Ph.D., Texas A & M University.

Instructional Support Specialist

Victor O. Obadina (Lanre). 2013. B.S., Fisk University; M.S., Alabama A&M University.

Engineering Technologist 

Stewart White. 2022. B.S., California State University; A.A.S., Southwest Tennessee Community College; M.S., Christian Brothers University.

Administrative Assistant

Kate Collier. 2022. B.A., Concord University; M.P.A., University of Memphis; M.A., Christian Brothers University.

A total of fifty-one (51) credits as follows:

1. Physics 111-112 (or 109-110 with departmental approval), 113-114.
2. Physics 211, 213, and 250.
3. Physics 301, 305, 401, and 406.
4. Physics 486.
5. At least 4 additional Physics credits at the 200-level or above.
6. At least 4 additional Physics credits at the 300-level or above.
7. Mathematics 122 and 223. 

Mathematics 112 (Differential Calculus) should be taken by those who have not had a differential calculus course in high school or elsewhere before taking Mathematics 122 (Integral Calculus). Mathematics 122 (Integral Calculus) is a prerequisite for Physics 211. Mathematics 223 (Multivariable Calculus) is a prerequisite for Physics 250. All math requirements for the major should be completed by the middle of the second year.

Students planning to pursue graduate study in physics are strongly encouraged to take as many upper-level elective physics courses as possible. Other recommended courses include Mathematics 251 (Differential Equations), 261 (Linear Algebra), 311 (Probability Theory), 312 (Mathematical Statistics), 324 (Vector and Advanced Calculus),  370 (Complex Variables). Computer Science 141 (Programming Fundamentals) and 142 (Object-Oriented Programming) also are recommended.

Students planning to pursue graduate study in engineering are strongly encouraged to earn the Pre-Engineering Certificate. Students planning to pursue a dual degree program in engineering should consult with the faculty member who serves as the pre-engineering advisor as early as possible after beginning coursework at Rhodes. Visit the Pre-Engineering advising site for more information.

Physics majors are encouraged to consider study abroad opportunities, and should consult with their academic advisor about suitable options.

When declaring a major in Physics, students must submit an essay to their academic advisor for approval.  This essay should be 250 - 500 words and should include:

1. A statement of your goals in pursuing a physics major;

2. Areas of physics that represent your greatest interests (e.g., astrophysics);

3. A brief description of other academic concentrations you are planning (e.g., a minor in mathematics) and how those areas complement your interests in physics;

4. A description of your plans after graduation.

A total of twenty (20) credits as follows:

1. Physics 111-112 (or 109-110 with departmental approval) and Physics 113-114.
2. Physics 211. 
3. At least one additional 4-credit Physics course at the 200-level or above.
4. Mathematics 122. 

Mathematics 112 (Differential Calculus) should be taken by any student who has not had a course in differential calculus in high school or elsewhere. Mathematics 223 (Multivariable Calculus) is recommended, but not required, and is a prerequisite for many upper-level physics courses.

Note: The College requires that at least four of the courses in the minor be outside the requirements of the student's major or majors and any other minors. Students majoring in Chemistry or Mathematics who intend to minor in Physics should be especially mindful of this requirement.

Physics or Chemistry majors planning for graduate work and/or careers in engineering can earn a Pre-Engineering Certificate from Rhodes by completing the following listed courses. 

For Physics majors interested in mechanical or electrical engineering:

1. Physics 111-112*
2. Mathematics 251, Computer Science 141, Chemistry 120/125L
3. Physics 220*
4. Physics 304 or 307*
5. One approved experiential component, such as: 4 credits of research*, summer research or engineering-related internship

For Physics majors interested in biomedical engineering:

1. Physics 111-112*
2. Mathematics 251, Computer Science 141, Chemistry 120/125L
3. Chemistry 211 or 240 (with instructor permission) or 2^nd semester of general chemistry taken elsewhere
4. Biology 130/131L and 140,141L
5. One approved experiential component, such as: 4 credits of research*, summer research or engineering-related internship
6. Physics 220 is recommended but not required*

For Chemistry majors interested in chemical engineering:  

1. Physics 111-112* and 220.
2. Physics 304 or 307.
3. Mathematics 223 and 251.
4. Computer Science 141.
5. One approved experiential component, such as: 4 credits of research*, summer research or an engineering-related internship.

*also fulfills major requirements