College Bulletin 2025-2026
Physics and Astronomy
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Faculty
CACEY STEVENS BESTER, Associate Professor of Physics
MICHAEL R. BROWN, Morris L. Clothier Professor of Physics2
DAVID H. COHEN, Professor of Astronomy3
CATHERINE H. CROUCH, Professor of Physics, and Chair
BENJAMIN D. GELLER, Associate Professor of Physics1
ERIC L. N. JENSEN, Professor of Astronomy3, and Dean of Academic Success
CAROLYN RAITHEL, Assistant Professor of Physics
HILLARY L. SMITH, Associate Professor of Physics
TRISTAN SMITH, Associate Professor of Physics1
PATRICK BANNER, Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics
JEFFREY HYDE, Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics
BRIAN ZANGER, Visiting Assistant Professor of Astronomy
PAUL JACOBS, Instrumentation Technician
MARY ANN KLASSEN, Senior Laboratory Lecturer
ERIC NOVAK, Project Scientist II for Smith Materials Lab
PETER REESE, Scientific Instrumentation Maker & Machine Shop Supervisor
KRISTEN RECINE, Laboratory Lecturer1
JESUS RIVERA, Astrophysics Laboratory Lecturer and Observatory Manager
CAROLYN WARFEL, Administrative Coordinator
1 Absent on leave, fall 2025
2 Absent on leave, spring 2026
3 Absent on leave, 2025-2026
The Physics and Astronomy Department teaches the concepts and methods that lead to an understanding of the fundamental laws governing the physical universe.
Emphasis is placed on quantitative, analytical reasoning, as distinct from the mere acquisition of facts. Particular importance is also attached to laboratory work because physics and astronomy are experimental and observational sciences.
Involvement in research is a major component in the education of scientists. The department offers a number of opportunities for students to participate in original research projects, conducted by members of the faculty, on campus.
Department faculty conduct research on materials for renewable energy, granular media, liquid crystals, plasma, physics education, and in observational, theoretical, and computational astrophysics and cosmology.
The department operates the Peter van de Kamp Observatory for student and faculty research, plus several small telescopes for instructional use. The observatory is equipped with a 61-cm reflecting telescope, a high-resolution spectrograph, and a CCD camera for imaging and photometry. A monthly visitors’ night at the observatory is announced on the department website.
Additional information is available at https://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy.
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The Academic Program
In order to receive a degree from Swarthmore as a physics, astrophysics, or astronomy major, a student must complete the requirements described below. This document provides some sample plans of study.
In the Physics and Astronomy Department, many junior and senior level offerings are taught in a seminar format. All prospective majors and minors in the department should realize this when planning programs. The seminars are open to all students, both honors and course majors and minors. First Course Recommendations
PHYS 003. General Physics I : Motion, Forces, and Energy is the normal entry point to all three majors in our department and is also recommended for engineering students. It is the first semester of a two-semester calculus-based survey of classical physics. PHYS 003L. General Physics I: Motion, Forces, and Energy with Biological and Medical Applications is the entry point for a two-semester calculus-based sequence designed specifically to make connections between physics and the life sciences for biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, and pre-medical students. It covers broadly the same physics topics as PHYS 003. If a student in PHYS 003L becomes interested in majoring or minoring in physics, PHYS 003L may be substituted for PHYS 003 after consulting with the department chair. We offer a physics placement test for students who have taken high school physics, to determine whether they should take PHYS 003 or if their background is appropriate for them to place out and begin in PHYS 005. The placement test is made available to all incoming first-year students over the summer before matriculation. Students interested in physics, astronomy, astrophysics, or engineering who have taken physics in high school and have a solid foundation in solving problems with calculus are urged to take the placement test before the specified summer deadline. Note that the test can only be taken once so students should review before taking the test. Students who wish to take the test for the first time later in their time at Swarthmore should email physics@swarthmore.edu to arrange to take the test, usually during the break between semesters or the summer. By College policy, students seeking pre-matriculation credit on their transcript for PHYS 003 must provide an AP score of 5 on the Physics C-Mechanics test, or an IB physics score of 6 or 7, as well as a suitable placement test score. (Consult placement test information to determine whether the placement test is needed in addition to the AP
score.) Placement does not require an AP or IB score, only credit. PHYS 005. The World of Particles and Waves introduces and explores in some depth optics and quantum mechanics - two key theories of modern physics and astronomy. It also welcomes non-majors interested in learning this material at a moderately mathematical level. For non-majors interested in a less mathematical course, Astronomy 1 is recommended. In general, majors cannot replace Physics 005 (or most other major requirements) with AP credit or college courses taken during high school. Core Programs
In the spirit of a liberal arts education, we believe that a physics, astrophysics, or astronomy major can be beneficial and stimulating to students with a wide range of long-term interests and goals. The physics curriculum and the astronomy curriculum listed below both provide excellent training in quantitative reasoning and independent problem solving, skills that are applicable in a wide variety of arenas (law, medicine, science journalism, public policy). Since all of the fundamental areas are covered, the physics curriculum is also excellent preparation for a career in a scientific field related to physics, such as engineering or teaching physics in high school. The astronomy curriculum is excellent preparation for teaching astronomy at the high school level, or working as a telescope operator or data analyst. Many students in our department do double majors. Students considering PhD work in any of physics, astrophysics, and astronomy are encouraged to take more advanced courses and seminars than the minimum required and to consult with faculty about which advanced work is most relevant for their particular interests. For students considering PhD work in astronomy, the astrophysics major is normally recommended. Requirements typically completed in the first two years
• All majors: Physics 3, 4, 5, 6, and 64 (0.5 credits). • Physics majors also typically take Physics 63 (0.5 credits) in the sophomore or junior fall. • Astrophysics majors usually also take Astro 16; they may also take Astro 14 and/or Astro 61 (though neither of these meet any requirements for the Astrophysics major). • Astronomy majors usually also take Astro 16, and may also take Astro 14 or Astro 61. Physics Major Requirements
For students pursuing graduate study, all four of PHYS 107 (or PHYS 113), PHYS 111, PHYS 112, and PHYS 114 will make the student’s application particularly strong. Note: Carefully review the following conditions on the “two of” list: Students who place out of Physics 3 are required to take Physics 70 instead, and the “two of” list then includes Physics 111. Likewise students who place out of Physics 4 are required to take Physics 80 instead, and the ”two of” list includes Physics 112. Also note that taking Phys 107 before Physics 81 is recommended. Astronomy Major Requirements
Astrophysics Major Requirements
In addition to the Physics core requirements listed above: - ASTR 061 *
- ASTR 016
- Two Astronomy 100-level (one of which can also be the fourth 100-level Phys or Astr for the Physics requirements)
Not required for Astrophysics major: PHYS 063, PHYS 081, and PHYS 082 Note:
* Half-credit course
# ENGR 006 and PHYS 003 together may be substituted for PHYS 007. In some cases, with permission from the department, PHYS 003 alone may be substituted for PHYS 007.
§ In some cases, with permission from the department, PHYS 004 and a placement test may be substituted for PHYS 008
† PHYS 083 is an alternative to PHYS 081 and 082 for students to meet the advanced lab requirement if they will also take ENGR 072 Other Requirements
Seniors not in the Honors Program must complete a comprehensive exercise, which is intended both to encourage review and synthesis and to allow students to demonstrate mastery of fundamentals studied during all four years. In addition, all students must satisfy the College distribution requirements and the 20-course rule. Advanced Laboratory Program
In the junior and senior years, all physics majors must take PHYS 081 and PHYS 082. Enrollment in each of these laboratories will appear on the student’s transcript with a letter grade for 0.5 credit for each semester. PHYS 081, 082 together count as a “writing course” for collegiate graduation requirements. Students with credit for ENGR 072 may replace PHYS 081, 082 with PHYS 083, which is an advanced lab experience without an electronics component. Applying for Majors
A student applying to become either a course major in physics or astronomy should have completed or be completing PHYS 005 and either PHYS 004 , PHYS 006 or PHYS 008 . To be accepted as a major, the applicant must have received grades of C+ or better in Physics, Astronomy, and Math courses. A student applying to become an honors physics major should normally have completed or be completing PHYS 008 . To be accepted into the Honors Program with a physics major, the average grade should be a B or better. Grades in math courses should be at a similar level. A student applying to become an astrophysics major in course or in honors should have completed or be completing PHYS 008 and ASTR 016 or ASTR 014 . In addition, applicants for the Honors Program in either astrophysics or astronomy must normally have an average grade in physics and astronomy courses of B or better. Since almost all advanced work in physics and astronomy at Swarthmore is taught in seminars where the student participants share the pedagogical responsibility, an additional consideration in accepting (retaining) majors is the presumed (demonstrated) ability of the students not only to benefit from this mode of instruction but also to contribute positively to the seminars. Grades in prior courses are the best criteria in admitting majors, since they tend to indicate reliably whether or not the student can handle advanced work at Swarthmore levels without being overwhelmed. However, constructive participation in classes and laboratories is also considered. Note:
* Half-credit course
# ENGR 006 and PHYS 003 together may be substituted for PHYS 007. In some cases, with permission from the department, PHYS 003 alone may be substituted for PHYS 007.
§ In some cases, with permission from the department, PHYS 004 and a placement test may be substituted for PHYS 008
† PHYS 083 is an alternative to PHYS 081 and 082 for students to meet the advanced lab requirement if they will also take ENGR 072 Honors Major Preparations
Honors majors must meet the requirements for the major as described above, and select three of the following preparations, plus their prerequisites.
Physics:
Analytical Dynamics (PHYS 111 ),
Electrodynamics (PHYS 112 ),
Statistical Physics (PHYS 114 ),
Quantum Theory (both PHYS 107 and PHYS 115 )
Honors Thesis (PHYS 180 )
Note: In some cases, elective seminars may be used as physics honors preparations. Astrophysics:
Any of the seminars from the astronomy program,
plus:
Analytical Dynamics (PHYS 111 ),
Electrodynamics (PHYS 112 ),
Statistical Physics (PHYS 114 ),
Quantum Theory (both PHYS 107 and PHYS 115 )
Honors Thesis (ASTR 180 ) Note: must include at least one seminar each from astronomy and physics. Astronomy:
Research Techniques in Observational Astronomy (ASTR 121 ),
Stars and Stellar Structure (ASTR 123 ),
The Interstellar Medium (ASTR 126 ), Honors Thesis (ASTR 180 ). Note: In some cases, elective seminars may be used as honors preparations. Note: External examination for honors major programs includes two or three 3-hour written examinations on the chosen preparations, plus two or three 30-45 minute oral examinations on the chosen preparations, plus one 45-60 minute oral examination on the honors thesis (for thesis writers). Honors Minor Preparations
Physics Minor: One of the following seminars PHYS 111 , PHYS 112 , PHYS 114 , PHYS 115 Astronomy or Astrophysics Minors: One of the following seminars ASTR 121 , ASTR 123 , ASTR 126 Note: External examination for honors minor programs includes one three-hour written examination on the chosen preparations, plus one 30-45 minute oral examination on the chosen preparations. Independent Work
Physics, astrophysics, and astronomy majors are encouraged to undertake independent research projects, especially in the senior year, either in conjunction with one of the senior seminars, or as a special project for separate credit (PHYS/ASTR 094). Members of the physics or astronomy faculty are willing to suggest possible projects and to supervise one of these if the student chooses to pursue it. Students completing work under PHYS/ASTR 094 are required to submit final written and oral reports of their work to the department. In preparation for independent experimental work, prospective physics majors are strongly urged to take the required 0.5 credit course PHYS 063, Procedures in Experimental Physics, during their fall semester of their sophomore year, which will qualify them to work in the departmental shops. There are usually many opportunities for students to receive financial support to work with faculty members on research projects during the summer. Thesis
Students may do a theoretical or experimental research thesis representing the results of independent work done under the supervision of a faculty member. This thesis will usually cover work begun in the summer after the junior year and completed during the senior year. A thesis is optional for all students in the Honors Program. Study Abroad
With proper planning, study away from Swarthmore for one or two semesters is possible while majoring in physics, astronomy, or astrophysics. However, the sequential nature of the Physics and Astronomy curricula makes careful planning for study abroad a necessity. The important point is to begin planning at an early stage. This allows students (1) to make sure courses not available abroad are taken at Swarthmore, and (2) to find out well in advance what physics and astronomy courses are available in the various study abroad programs. With careful planning, it is completely feasible to complete a physics major without taking physics abroad (e.g. if one is studying in a non-English-speaking country). Teacher Certification
We offer teacher certification in physics through a program approved by the state of Pennsylvania. For further information about the relevant set of requirements, contact the Educational Studies Department chair, the Physics Department chair, or visit the Educational Studies Department website at www.swarthmore.edu/educationalstudies.xml. Physics Seminars
There are four one-credit physics seminars offered on a regular basis, regardless of faculty leaves. These are PHYS 107 , PHYS 111 , PHYS 112 , and PHYS 114 . In addition, one or two one-credit elective physics seminars are offered each year. Physics Laboratory Program
Astronomy Seminars
Students interested in upper-level work in astronomy are encouraged to also consult Haverford’s course schedule since the two astronomy programs actively work to offer complimentary topics |
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