As part of the Liberal Studies Program, students are required to take a course that satifies the Experiential Learning Requirement Students generally take these courses in their junior year, and they can take a course from within their major field or from another department or program. The Physics Department offers two courses that satisfy this requirement that are appropriate for physics majors: Physics 380, Experimental Physics, and Physics 398, Reading and Research.

Physics 380 is an advanced laboratory course in which students learn experimental techniques, perform experiments in atomic, laser, and nuclear physics, and read and discuss articles on the design and philosophy of experiments. Physics 380 is offered in the Spring Quarter in alternate years. (The next offering will be Spring Quarter 2005). Physics 398 is an independent study course in which students work in close collaboration with a faculty member on a research project. Students interested in taking Physics 398 should consult with their faculty advisor or the chair of the department.