Physics Senior Theses

Every physics student is required to submit a portfolio, senior thesis, or capstone project to demonstrate their mastery of their chosen area of study.

B.A. in Physics

Students pursuing a B.A. in Physics are required to complete a portfolio of work that represents their four-year growth as physicists. These portfolios are developed and curated by the student through a sequence of portfolio courses. These courses encourage problem-solving skill development in traditional physics domains, computational modeling of diverse phenomena, data analysis, as well as career skills. Each student completes a comprehensive résumé, engages in informational interviews with alumni working in the field, and begins the process of network building for career exploration.

B.S. in Physics

Students pursuing a B.S. in Physics are required to complete the Senior Thesis or capstone project. Some of the projects Carthage physics majors have created for this requirement include: 

• “Writing A Fluid Solver From First Principles”
• “The Effects of Limb Darkening on the Measurements of the Physical Properties of Exoplanets”
• “Principal Component Analysis of Diffuse Interstellar Band Carriers”
• “Quad-copter Design and Control Using PID Methodology”
• “Remote sensing of Carbonate based Minerals: A Literature Study of Remote Sensing Technologies”
• “Advancements in the Modal Propellant Gauging Experiment”
• “Entangled State Purity in CHSH Inequality Tests”
• “Correcting for Limitations in Temperature Sensing Response Time”
• “Aerodynamic Properties of a Model Airfoil”
• “Material Advancement in Prosthetic Limb Development”
• “Onset of Normal-Field Instability in a Ferrofluid in Microgravity”
• “Structural Finite Element Analysis”
• “Creating a Module for Implementation in Secondary Physics Classroom”
• “Investigating Vocal Formant Frequencies and Bandwidths Using a Two-Cavity Model of the Vocal Tract”
• “The Earth’s Electric Field”
• “Microgravity Fuel Gauging Using Modal Analysis”
• “The Difference in Friction Between GF-4 and GF-5 Engine Oil”
• “An Analysis of Spectral Absorption Line Asymmetries in HD 175156”