/ Physics Department

Courses

Our courses include research opportunities with our faculty, experiments in one of our state-of-the-art labs and classroom learning.

As a student of physics at Hope, you’re offered the chance to work closely with our small team of professors, both in our research labs and the classroom. We take cues from you our electives are determined by asking our students what they want to learn. These electives can include courses in anything from optics to cosmology to the physics of sustainable energy, among many others.

I came to Hope to learn how to use research instrumentation. My experience as an accelerator operator has helped me connect the classroom to the laboratory.
—Elizabeth Lindquist ’18

View full course information in the catalog 

Possible Course Plans

Physics Major – Industry and Research interests

The list below will help students get a rough idea of the type of courses physics majors will take during a typical four-year program at Hope College. However, since each student has a different background and different goals for the future, the exact details are different for each student. Please contact a physics faculty member to discuss the possibilities and plan a program that best meets your needs while also satisfying the degree requirements at Hope.

YOUR FRESHMAN YEAR

Fall

Spring

YOUR SOPHOMORE YEAR

Fall

Spring

Declare your major as soon as appropriate, continue general education electives, explore research, internship and off-campus options in physics.

YOUR JUNIOR AND SENIOR YEARS

Consider if you want to pursue graduate school in physics or another field or pursue employment immediately after college. Select upper-level elective coursework from the options below based on your post-graduate possibilities.

Fall

Spring

Physics Major – Health and Medicine Interests

Students interested in careers in medical physics or health physics should follow the suggestions for a physics major, but should consult with physics faculty when selecting electives in order to choose courses most relevant to their interests.

Students interested in careers as medical researchers or medical doctors should work with the following course plan, adapting it in consultation with physics faculty and the health professions advisor.

YOUR FRESHMAN YEAR

Fall

Spring

YOUR SOPHOMORE YEAR

There are two common timelines for those interested in attending medical school to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). Some students take it after their third year at Hope while others take it after their fourth year at Hope. Consult with the health professions advisor to determine which option works best for you. This will define help you decide among the course options listed below.

Fall

Choose 1 from:

Spring

Choose 1 from:

 YOUR JUNIOR AND SENIOR YEARS

Select upper-level elective coursework from the options below based on your prior coursework and when you plan to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).

Fall

Spring

Physics Education Major or Minor – High school education interests

Secondary physics educators are in high demand, second only to secondary mathematics educators. All physics education majors complete a physics major and a minor in a different discipline; all physics education minors complete a physics minor and a major in a different discipline. This prepares them to teach in both fields. Both majors and minors also complete coursework that leads to a secondary education teaching certificate.

View physics education course plans and worksheets at the education department website.

Research

We recommend getting involved in collaborative research as soon as you can. We’ll help pair you with our faculty to conduct original research. You’ll not only learn something new, but be part of contributing new knowledge to the field of physics. Our research courses are elective-based (0–2 credits).

Hope CollegePhysics Department

VanderWerf Hall27 Graves PlaceRoom 204Holland, MI 49423

workP. 616.395.7510