Majors & Degrees Computation and Data Physics Track

The computation and data physics track provides students with a strong foundation in core physics principles coupled with courses in computer science that provide a robust literacy for solving computational problems in the physical sciences. Students who follow this track are well-suited for a variety of technical careers, most notably those in software engineering and related fields. Students graduate with a B.S. in Physics in the computation and data physics track. 

"Data runs the world now, and Westmont is keeping competitive in preparing students for industry by creating a new computational and data physics track offering that allows students to learn the skills that are valuable to all engineering / physics jobs today. I get increasingly excited as I read line-by-line down the courses in the new Computational and Data Physics B.S. Track because I use the skills from these courses in my everyday job and would have been all in on this major had it been available during my time at Westmont".

— Sarah Reed (‘19, Engineering Physics)

Sample Schedule

FALL (17 credits)
  • PHY 21: General Physics I (4)
  • PHY 22: General Physics Lab I (1)
  • MA 9: Calculus I (4)
  • CS 10: Design and Implementation of Solutions to Computational Problems (4)
  • General Education (4)
SPRING (18)
  • PHY 23: General Physics II (4)
  • PHY 24: General Physics Lab II (1)
  • MA 10: Calculus II (4)
  • CS 030 Abstract Models for Concrete Problems Using Java (4)
  • General Education (4)
  • PEA 32: Fitness for Life (1)
MAYTERM
  • Suggested Mayterm: GE Elective (4) on campus or abroad
SUMMER
  • Suggested research with Westmont faculty or REU
FALL (17)
  • PHY 25: Modern Physics (4)
  • MA 19: Multivariable Calculus (4)
  • CS 015 Discrete Mathematics (4)
  • General Education (4)
  • PEA elective (1)
SPRING (17)
  • PHY 26: Modern Physics Lab. (1)
  • PHY 40: Differential Equations (4)
  • CS 120 Space, Time, and Perfect Algorithms (4)
  • General Education (8)
SUMMER
  • Suggested research with Westmont faculty, internship or REU
Fall (17)
  • PHY 150: Electricity and Magnetism OR PHY-121 Quantum Mechanics I(4)
  • Recommended: CS 150 Topics in Computer Science: Human Factors (4)
  • General Education (8)
  • PEA Elective (1)
Spring (16)
  • PHY 131 Classical Mechanics (4) OR PHY 160 Thermodynamics (4) 
  • PHY 105: Computational Physics (4)
  • General Education (8)
SUMMER
  • Suggested research with Westmont faculty, internship or REU
Fall (13)
  • PHY 150: Electricity and Magnetism OR PHY-121 Quantum Mechanics I(4)
  • PHY-198: Research (1) OR CS/PHY/EN Internship (1) 
  • General Education (8)
Spring (14)
  • CS 116 Artificial Intelligence (4) OR one of CS 125, CS 128, CS130 
  • PHY 195: Senior Seminar (1)
  • PHY 170 Adv. Lab (1)
  • General Education (8)