I really want to major in physics at a top liberal arts school (Amherst, Williams, Pomona). I like how these schools have strong focus on undergrad and that faculty are hired for their teaching ability and not just their research ability. The small class sizes are also something that I am fan of. All this said I feel like most liberal arts schools are known for good humanity’s programs rather than science. My question is will a physics degree from one of these schools be looked down on, or not given as much credit as a degree from a similar course rigor research university? Thanks!
Check the junior/senior level physics offerings and how often they are offered. Expected courses:
classical and relativistic mechanics
electromagnetism (often 2 semesters)
quantum mechanics (often 2 semesters)
statistical and thermal physics
junior/senior level physics lab
junior/senior level physics electives
Physics is a liberal art of course.
Among their general academic attributes across the arts and sciences, Amherst and Williams are additionally notable for being among the few schools that have produced Apker Award recipients, the highest recognition for undergraduate research in physics.
@ryanroos,
Within the past 10 years, Wesleyan and Williams have been awarded two Apker Awards in physics.
Wesleyan’s physics prize was won against much bigger schools since the Apker is divided into two tracks, one for Ph.D-granting institutions and one for non-Ph.D-granting institutions.
Colgate 2007
Haverford 2008
Mt Holyoke 2009
Wellesley 2009
Williams 2010
Wesleyan 2010
Augustana 2011
Franklin & Marshall 2012
Wesleyan 2013
Loyola Univ MD 2014
Williams 2015
University of San Diego
Ph.D institutions.
University of Michigan 2007
University of Pennsylvania 2008
Princeton 2011
Princeton 2012
RIT 2013
University of Minnesota 2014
Caltech 2015
MIT 2016
If you’re interested in pursuing a Ph.D, using data from the National Science Foundation, the following schools produced the highest percentage of graduates who eventually go on to earn a Ph.D. in physics.
Caltech
Reed
Swarthmore
Lawrence
Carleton
Haverford
Williams
MIT
CO School of Mines
Grinnell
Amherst
Princeton
Wabash
College of Wooster
Gustavus
Vassar
Kenyon
Rice
Bryn Mawr
University of Rochester.
Physics is an uncommon major, even at large research universities. For example, at Michigan, which has 29,000 undergraduate students, only has 150 or so undergraduate Physics majors (Freshmen-Seniors), and another 100 Physic graduate students (both MS and PhD). Michigan Physics department has 70 full time faculty members (not including research professions or lecturers). So we are looking at a 3:1 student to faculty ratio. The labs are world class and accessible to all students. The research opportunities are excellent too. For Physics majors, I would recommend research universities.
Regarding the Apker Award, it has only been in place since 1978 and less than 100 students have been distinguished with the award, so I’ve attached the link the Award as its profiles all the awardees since inception including many from liberal arts colleges - five that weren’t included above are Hamilton, Harvey Mudd, Oberlin, Middlebury and Swarthmore amongst others https://www.aps.org/programs/honors/awards/apker.cfm
Echoing @Alexandre 's point, Wesleyan graduated 17 physics degrees in 2015-2016 according the College Navigator(11 majors and 6 graduate students.) If you extrapolate that over four years, that’s about 68 students altogether. The department has thirteen full-time professors or a student:faculty ratio of 5:1
You can find numbers of students who graduate with a particular major on Niche. Click on “See all majors.”
@circuitrider, that mirrors Hamilton College’s results on College Navigator from the NCES (National Center for Education Statistics) with 13 Physics graduates. When combined with Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geological Sciences, Math and Neuroscience it totals 28% of the undergraduate degrees awarded; if add in Psychology - Research and experimental it totals 33.5%, so agree STEM is a big focus at many LAC’s. At Hamilton, Math is the largest STEM major with 31 graduates or 6% of total.
Why don’t you apply to Harvey Mudd instead of Pomona? Best of both worlds, if you can get in.
Maybe some of these links will be helpful:
https://www.aip.org/sites/default/files/statistics/rosters/PhyRost15.3.pdf
https://www.aip.org/sites/default/files/statistics/undergrad/bachdegrees-p-10.pdf
https://www.aip.org/sites/default/files/statistics/undergrad/bachreport-p-04.pdf
Thank you all for the responses, they were very helpful!
@ryanroos Where did you end up applying? And have you enrolled at one?
@Daorys99 I am actually a sophomore so I don’t know yet but my focus has shifted to wanting to be an engineer now. I’m still looking for the small style of school just now for schools that offer engineering majors.