Undergraduate Mission and Goals
Mission
Using a combination of traditional and innovative teaching methods that stress critical thinking, the Department of Physics at Wake Forest University offers all students an opportunity to better understand the workings of the universe in which they live, and prepares them for a variety of professional careers both inside and outside the scientific field. Our faculty members, internationally recognized for their work in gravitational theory, condensed matter physics, nanoscience, and biophysics, advance knowledge and develop technology for the enrichment of humankind. Undergraduate, masters and doctoral students learn and conduct research with the faculty in an environment that emphasizes interdisciplinary study and collaboration. It is this combination of world-class research opportunities offered within the atmosphere of an intimate, top-ranked liberal-arts physics department that makes the Wake Forest Physics program so special.
Goals
In keeping with the University and College mission of faculty and students engaging in teaching and research in classrooms and laboratories, Physics faculty endeavor to engage in teaching and researching with students so that all physics students:
- will be proficient in the fundamental concepts of physics.
- learn to use critical thinking skills to formulate and solve quantitative problems.
- master the scientific method by demonstrating the ability to articulate questions and hypotheses, and then apply physical techniques to answer the questions and/or test the hypotheses.
- demonstrate an ability to apply core physical concepts in practical environments.
- present well-organized, logical and scientifically sound oral and written technical reports.
- understand the variety of career paths and opportunities that are open to students who have majored in physics.
BS Physics Majors
In addition to the goals common to all majors, BS Physics majors will also obtain more advanced knowledge in the areas of classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and quantum mechanics.
Learning Outcomes for the BS Physics Major
- BS students will demonstrate acquisition of content knowledge of basic and intermediate Physics and demonstrate critical thinking skills applying this knowledge to solve quantitative problems.
- BS students will demonstrate familiarity with the scientific method and using it to apply physical concepts to solve problems in practical environments.
- BS students will become proficient in written and oral presentation of scientific work.
- BS students will understand career paths taken by physicists.
BS Biophysics Majors
BS Biophysics majors will also obtain fundamental knowledge in Chemistry and Biology.
Learning Outcomes for the BS Biophysics Major
- BS Biophysics students will demonstrate acquisition of content knowledge of basic and intermediate Physics and demonstrate critical thinking skills applying this knowledge to solve quantitative problems.
- BS Biophysics students will demonstrate familiarity with the scientific method and using it to apply physical concepts to solve problems in practical environments.
- BS Biophysics students will demonstrate acquisition of content knowledge in elementary biology and/or chemistry.
- BS Biophysics students will become proficient in written and oral presentation of scientific work.
- BS Biophysics students will understand career paths taken by Physicists.
BA Physics Majors
In addition to the goals common to all majors, we aim for our BA majors to take full-advantage of the broad liberal arts education offered at Wake Forest University by, for example, double majoring in other fields.
Learning Outcomes for the BA Physics Major
- BA students will demonstrate acquisition of content knowledge of basic and intermediate Physics and demonstrate critical thinking skills applying this knowledge to solve quantitative problems.
- BA students demonstrate familiarity with the scientific method and using it to apply physical concepts to solve problems in practical environments.
- BA students will become proficient in written and oral presentation of scientific work.
- BA students will understand how Physics fits into the students’ liberal arts education and understand career paths taken by Physicists.