Paradigms in Physics: A new upper-division curriculum

We describe a new curriculum for the final two years of a B.S. program in Physics. Case studies in the junior year provide concrete examples or Paradigms as pillars to support systematic Capstone lectures in the senior year. In each of nine three-week Paradigms, the junior progresses from a descriptive lower-division understanding to an advanced analysis of a topic defined by phenomenon rather than discipline. Students generally view the new format with favor. They are better at visualization and make important connections among physics disciplines. Independent assessment is ongoing.