<p>Hiya everyone, I'm thinking about enrolling in Wash U this fall as a physics major. I know the school's great in English and medicine and the like but when I visited I wasn't really able to find out much about physics there. Does anyone happen to know if they have a strong program and/or where their graduates might go?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance for your all's help!</p>
<p>Have you talked to anyone in the department? From their website:</p>
<p>Faculty advisors are accessible and ready to help if you have
questions about pursuing a major in physics. If you would like to
set up an appointment with an advisor, please call the department
office or e-mail us.
phone: (314) 935-6276
e-mail: <a href=“mailto:getstarted@physics.wustl.edu”>getstarted@physics.wustl.edu</a></p>
<p>Last year we spent about an hour on the phone with one of their profs when my D was considering WashU.</p>
<p>Hi. I might be of service. I am an engineer who has taken two intro physics courses here. Our physics department is definitely respectable; some amazing physicists have been professors here (Compton for example), and even still, our physics department does a fairly good job. On the other hand, its not our star department. My courses were both taught by the same professor, and they were excellent. If you do come here, make absolutely sure to take 197 over 117, and to get Bernatowicz (who is awesome). Any specific questions?</p>
<p>Dr. Trousil is the other professor for 197 (DEFINITELY better than 117) an she’s also really good. In general, my impression is that physics grads tend to choose grad school over going straight into industry when they graduate, and that many are able to get into better grad schools (physics-wise) than WashU’s own. I talked to Dr. Trousil when I was visiting WashU as a prefrosh, and she was actually really helpful at answering questions - you could try contacting her through the physics website I think. :)</p>
<p>LOL I was just reviewing Compton’s Effect for AP Physics B when I saw this post. Nice to know 
BTW, I’ve heard from you guys and some other people from WashU that 197/198 are the courses to go instead of 117/118. However, if I’m on the premed track, the requirements say I only need 117/118. Do people take 197/198 anyways and can it replace 117/118, and is it recommended? (I will be taking the AP Physics B test as well.)</p>
<p>Can2010- yes, 197/198 are the same as 117/118 in terms of requirements. It can and will replace 117/118.</p>
<p>To repeat what everyone else has said, take the 190 series. A lot more homework, but the class is actually an enjoyable class (as opposed to the 110 series, which is just torture, so I’ve heard).</p>
<p>Note: looking at the ap credit policy, physics B won’t actually test you out of either 117/197 or 118/198 because it’s not calculus based. However, since you’re premed you wouldn’t want to test out anyway.</p>
<p>Can you tell me what are the Star Departments at Washu?</p>