Physics  

PHYS 400 - Freshman Seminar
Credits: 1.00
An informal reading and discussion course to introduce students to the general culture of physics, including career possibilities, historical and philosophical aspects of physics, current research at UNH and elsewhere, and physics in the news. Topics will vary based on interests of the class. Students in their first year as physics majors (either as freshmen or transfers) are strongly encouraged to take this class. Cr/F.

PHYS 401 - Introduction to Physics I
Credits: 4.00
Broad survey of classical and modern physics. Designed to enable students to appreciate the role of physics in today's society and technology. Emphasis on the fundamental laws of nature on which all science is based, with some examples of interest to biologists. Knowledge of high school algebra, geometry, and trigonometry essential. Special fee. Lab.

PHYS 402 - Introduction to Physics II
Credits: 4.00
Broad survey of classical and modern physics. Designed to enable students to appreciate the role of physics in today's society and technology. Emphasis on the fundamental laws of nature on which all science is based, with some examples of interest to biologists. Knowledge of high school algebra, geometry, and trigonometry essential. Prereq: PHYS 401 or the equivalent. Special fee. Lab.

PHYS 404 - Introduction to Space Science
Credits: 4.00
Students are exposed to the theoretical, analytical, and practical aspects of research in the modern astrophysics, solar, planetary, and space plasma physics. Basic principles of physics are tied to research projects that students pursue working in small groups, using complex engineering and numerical simulation models, and becoming members of actual research teams. Cr/F.

PHYS 406 - Introduction to Modern Astronomy
Credits: 4.00
Descriptive coverage of contemporary astronomical and astrophysical techniques with a review of current knowledge and theories concerning the solar system, galaxies, and the universe. Recommended for liberal arts and beginning science students. Knowledge of high school algebra is assumed. Special fee. Lab.

PHYS 407 - General Physics I
Credits: 4.00
Introductory course emphasizing motion, forces, energy, momentum, rotation, and oscillations. Recommended for the student specializing in science and engineering. Students in the Honors section must be co-enrolled in MATH 425H so that strong connections can be made between math and physics. 407H students work in groups in every class meeting. Prereq: thorough knowledge of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry; May not receive credit for both PHYS 401 and 407. Pre- or Coreq: MATH 425. Special fee. Lab.

PHYS 407H - Honors/General Physics I
Credits: 4.00
See description for PHYS 407.

PHYS 408 - General Physics II
Credits: 4.00
Introductory course emphasizing waves, sound, heat, electricity and magnetism. Recommended for students specializing in science and engineering. Students in the honors section must be co-enrolled in MATH 426H so that strong connections can be made between math and physics. 408H students work in groups in every class meeting. Prereq: PHYS 407. May not receive credit for both PHYS 402 and 408. Pre- or Coreq: MATH 426. Special fee. Lab.

PHYS 408H - Honors/General Physics II
Credits: 4.00
See description for PHYS 408.
Co-requisites: MATH 426H

PHYS 412 - Technical Physics
Credits: 4.00
Introductory course emphasizing the fundamentals of mechanics, heat, electricity, and other subjects underlying modern machinery and instruments. Recommended for Thompson School students. Prereq: algebra and trigonometry. Lab.

PHYS 444 - Myths and Misconceptions About Nuclear Science
Credits: 4.00
The discoveries of nuclear physics have spawned the nuclear power plant and bomb, but also many far reaching, though less recognized applications of nuclear science in medicine, research, and our everyday lives. This course will examine the underlying physics of nuclear science, the resulting technological applications and dangers, and some of the implications for public policy. In the process we will dispel many of the popular myths and misconceptions that surround nuclear science and radiation in the public's mind and the media. You may be surprised! Topics will be wide ranging and inherently interdisciplinary. They will include nuclear stability and radioactivity, natural sources of radioactivity, the effects of radiation on living things, particularly people, nuclear medicine, nuclear science in fields such as biology, archeology, geology and engineering, nuclear chain reactions, nuclear reactors and energy, nuclear accidents, radioactive waste, nuclear weapons and proliferation, nuclear energy in stars, and the origin of the elements. Be prepared to actively participate.

PHYS 505 - General Physics III
Credits: 3.00
Electromagnetic waves, geometrical and physical optics, relativity, atomic physics, elementary quantum mechanics, molecular physics, and nuclear physics. Prereq: PHYS 408.

PHYS 506 - General Physics III Laboratory
Credits: 1.00
Structured laboratory experience in optics and modern physics. Coreq: PHYS 505. Special fee. Lab.
Co-requisites: PHYS 505

PHYS 508 - Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Credits: 4.00
Classical and statistical approach to thermodynamics, kinetic theory. Prereq: PHYS 505. Coreq: MATH 526 or MATH 528.
Co-requisites:

PHYS 605 - Experimental Physics I
Credits: 5.00
Circuit design with passive and active elements including transistors and operational amplifiers; electrical measurements for experimental physics; digital electronics, microprocessors, and interfacing techniques. Prereq: PHYS 408, 505; MATH 525 or 527. Lab.

PHYS 615 - Introduction to Mathematical Physics
Credits: 4.00
Application of mathematical analysis to physics, including complex numbers, multiple integrals, vector analysis, and Fourier series. Prereq: PHYS 407, MATH 525 or MATH 527. Coreq: MATH 526 or MATH 528.

PHYS 616 - Physical Mechanics
Credits: 4.00
Analytical treatment of classical mechanics covering the dynamics of particles and rigid bodies, at intermediate level. Prereq: PHYS 407, 615.

PHYS 701 - Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I
Credits: 4.00
Nonrelativistic Schroedinger equation, the hydrogen atom, applications to atomic and nuclear structure. Prereq: PHYS 505, 615, 616.

PHYS 702 - Introduction to Quantum Mechanics II
Credits: 4.00
See description for PHYS 701.

PHYS 703 - Electricity and Magnetism I
Credits: 4.00
Foundation of electromagnetic theory; electrostatics, dielectric theory, electromagnetism, magnetic properties of matter, alternating currents, Maxwell's field theory. Prereq: PHYS 408, 615, 616.

PHYS 704 - Electricity and Magnetism II
Credits: 4.00
See description for PHYS 703.

PHYS 705 - Experimental Physics II
Credits: 4.00
Modern physics experiments and special project problems assigned to individual students. Prereq: PHYS 605; senior standing in physics. Lab. Writing intensive.

PHYS 708 - Optics
Credits: 4.00
Geometrical optics, electromagnetic theory of light, interference, diffraction, polarization, related phenomena and nonlinear optics. Prereq: PHYS 505, 615, 616. Lab.

PHYS 710 - Introduction to Modern Astrophysics
Credits: 4.00
Review of the sun, stars, Milky Way, external galaxies, and expansion of the universe. Recent discoveries of radio galaxies, quasi-stellar objects, cosmic black-body radiation, x rays, and gamma rays precede a discussion of Newtonian and general relativistic cosmological models, steady-state/big-bang theories, and matter-antimatter models. Prereq: PHYS 505, 615, 616.

PHYS 712 - Physics of the Ionosphere
Credits: 4.00
Introduces basic plasma physics using a case study of the Earth's ionosphere and its connection to both the upper atomosphere and to the Earth's magnetosphere. Topics include single particle motion, fluid and kinetic descriptions of ionospheric plasma, wave propagation, and instabilities. Prereq: PHYS 408; PHYS 703 or ECE 603;/or permission.

PHYS 718 - Introduction to Solid State Physics
Credits: 4.00
Theory and experiment underlying the behavior of solids. Transport theory, surface studies, and the interaction of radiation and matter. Operation of semiconducting and superconducting devices and lasers. Prereq: PHYS 505, 615, 616.
Co-requisites: PHYS 701

PHYS 720 - Nuclear Physics
Credits: 4.00
Nuclear phenomenology, reactions, models, radiation, interaction of radiation with matter; accelerators; properties and interactions of elementary particles; symmetries and symmetry breaking; standard model. Prereq: PHYS 702, 704.

PHYS 791 - Special Topics
Credits: 4.00
Any selected topics not covered sufficiently in a general course may be studied. May be repeated to a maximum of 8 credits.

PHYS 795 - Independent Study
Credits: 1.00 to 8.00
Individual project under direction of a faculty adviser. Prereq: department permission.

PHYS 799 - Thesis
Credits: 4.00
Students work under the direction of a faculty sponsor to plan and carry out independent research resulting in a written thesis. Required for honors-in-major. Restricted to seniors. Prereq: permission. May be repeated to 8 credits. Writing intensive.