Concentrators in Physics may be divided into three general groups.

First, there are those who wish to become physicists. They plan ultimately to work for a doctor's degree, and, if successful, to enter the teaching profession. In other words, they are interested, in physics as a science, not as a means for making a living. There are one or two of them in every class.

In the second group are those who study physics from all engineering standpoint. These students specialize in courses on electrical communication, which are given as engineering courses. They hope eventually to obtain positions as engineers or research physicists in large corporations.

The Third Group

The third group is composed of students who wish to satisfy their scientific curiosity, but do not intend to relate their knowledge of physics directly to their life's work. It is for the benefit of these last that the following description of the department is written.

Seniors concentrating in physics must take two three-hour general examinations in the autumn. These examinations cover an elementary knowledge of light, heat, mechanics, sound, electricity, and atomic physics. The student prepares himself for them partly by a judicious selection of courses for the Sophomore and Junior years, and partly by work under the direction of his tutor.

The purpose of these general examinations is to relieve the student of the burden of keeping in his head an array of elementary facts, and allow him to specialize during Senior year in any branch of physics which appeals to him. In May he must take a divisional examination covering the particular work that he has been doing. He is not required to write a thesis.

Laboratory Work

Many courses in physics involve laboratory work as well as lectures. After performing each experiment, the student must submit a detailed written report. The preparation of this report generally takes much more time than the actual performance of the experiment. The laboratory work is interesting and instructive in some courses, while in others in consists only in turning knobs and reading meters. There is a "tutorial laboratory" where the student may, on his own initiative, investigate anything which interests him.

Enthusiasm Often Concealed

All the teachers in the department are enthusiastic about their subject, though some of them conceal the fact as much as possible when delivering a lecture. Two or three of the men, however, are stimulating to listen to; they do not conceal their enthusiasm. In most courses the student is treated as an intelligent person. Problems are assigned, but failure to hand them in does not necessarily have any effect on the final grade. In some courses, however, high school methods are still employed by the instructors.

As to a particular selection of courses, it is impossible to advise the Freshman what to take next year. Most Sophomores in the department take Mathematics 2, Physics 1, and either Physics 2a or 3a. The curriculum to be followed, however, largely depends on the preferences of the individual.