Chemical kinetics. Molecular synthesis. Laser Physics. If your heart鈥檚 starting to beat a little faster, you鈥檙e (a) in the minority of people who actually have a clue what these are and (b) probably ready for the rigors of a major in chemical physics. The chemical physics major is concerned with the behavior of matter at molecular and nuclear scales. You鈥檒l focus on the behavior and structure of molecules and the unique characteristics of small molecular systems. Research topics will include the dynamics of chemical reactions and intermolecular forces such as the strong, weak, electromagnetic, and gravitational. These forces are the basics of quantum theory, which you鈥檒l really dig into as you simultaneously master a great deal of math and statistics.
As a chemical physics major, you鈥檒l learn the vocabularies and philosophies of two distinct fields鈥攑hysical chemistry and atomic/molecular physics鈥攁nd how to communicate effectively within and between them. You鈥檒l learn how chemistry and physics affect and inform each other, and how the research and developments in one field have influenced those in the other. You鈥檒l learn how to integrate information, how to engage in effective problem solving, and how to design and participate in research projects. And those three terms we mentioned in the beginning? Yeah, those will be there, too.
As in any scientific major, you鈥檒l study the research from both the past and the present, and you鈥檒l gain a strong foundation in both the theoretical and practical knowledge of the field. Expect a great deal of computer work.
Atoms, Molecules, Spectroscopy
Inorganic Chemistry
Kinetics and Thermodynamics
Laser Physics
Materials Chemistry
Modern Physics and Mechanics
Organic Chemistry
Quantum Chemistry and Physics
Solid State Physics
Vector Calculus
Since the field of chemical physics involves so much science, try to take courses in biology, chemistry, and physics. Also important are math courses such as calculus and analytic geometry, and computer science courses. And don鈥檛 forget English鈥攁s a scientist you鈥檒l need exceptional reading and writing skills.
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