Undergraduate Course Catalog 2006-2007

College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

» http://www.ceps.unh.edu

Physics (PHYS)

Chairperson: Dawn C. Meredith
Professor: L. Christian Balling, Amitava Bhattacharjee, John R. Calarco, Edward L. Chupp, John F. Dawson, Olof E. Echt, James M.E. Harper, Jochen Heisenberg, F. William Hersman, Joseph Hollweg, Richard L. Kaufmann, Martin A. Lee, Eberhard Möbius, James M. Ryan, Harvey K. Shepard, Roy B. Torbert, John J. Wright
Research Professor: Terry Forbes, Philip A. Isenberg, R. Bruce McKibben, Charles W. Smith III
Associate Professor: Benjamin D. Chandran, James Connell, Lynn M. Kistler, Mark L. McConnell, Dawn C. Meredith, Joachim Raeder
Research Associate Professor: Charles J. Farrugia, Antoinette B. Galvin, Vania K. Jordanova, Clifford Lopate, Jack M. Quinn, Bernard J. Vasquez
Assistant Professor: Silas Robert Beane III, Per Berglund, Maurik Holtrop, Karsten Pohl
Research Assistant Professor: Yuri E. Litvinenko, Chung-Sang Ng

Physics is concerned with the properties of matter and the laws that describe its behavior. It is an exact science based on precise measurement, and its objective is the kind of understanding that leads to the formulation of mathematical relationships between measured quantities. As a fundamental science, its discoveries and laws are basic to understanding in nearly all areas of science and technology. Advances in such diverse fields as medical instrumentation, solid state electronics, and space research have relied heavily on the application of basic physical laws and principles.

Students interested in the study of physics at the University of New Hampshire will find a strong interaction between research and academic programs. Undergraduates have participated in research studies ranging from nuclear scattering experiments at major particle accelerators to astrophysical studies of the solar system using space probes. These experiences have proven beneficial to engineering and physics students alike. The department has its own library, which provides a comfortable, inviting atmosphere for study and relaxed reading.

The suggested programs that follow are indicative of the flexibility available to students, whether they are preparing for graduate work in physics, industrial opportunities, governmental research, secondary-level teaching, or a general education that might utilize the fundamental knowledge of physics.

Several undergraduate degree programs are offered through the Department of Physics. The B.S. degree is designed for students who wish to work as professional physicists or engineers; the interdisciplinary option allows for students to combine physics with other disciplines. The B.A. degree is designed for students who want a strong background in physics but also want a broad liberal education. A minor in physics allows a student to combine an interest in physics with another major.

Physics related degrees are also offered in other departments. For those students with strong interests in both math and physics, the Department of Mathematics offers a B.S. interdisciplinary option in physics. For those interested in a career as a middle or high school educator in both physics and chemistry, the Department of Chemistry offers a B.A. in chemistry and physics teaching.

Interested students are encouraged to contact the department for further information. More detailed information is also on the physics department Web page at www.physics.unh.edu.

Minor in Physics
The minor in physics consists of five courses in physics. All students must take PHYS 407, 408, and 505, including labs. Two other physics courses at the 500 level or above must be chosen in consultation with the student’s physics minor adviser.

Bachelor of Arts, Chemistry and Physics Teaching
For information, see Chemistry.

Physics Major, Bachelor of Arts

This degree provides an opportunity for a broad and liberal education, which in some cases may be sufficient for graduate work. A judicious choice of electives may also prepare students for interdisciplinary programs that require proficiency in a restricted area of physics.

Requirements
1. Satisfy general education and writing requirements.
2. Satisfy bachelor of arts degree requirements.
3. PHYS 400, 407-408, 505, 506, 508, 615, 616, 701, 703, 705. Note that MATH 425, 426, and MATH 525, 526 or MATH 527, 528 are prerequisites for some of the courses. A total of 40 credits is required.

In the following table, “Electives” include general education courses, writing intensive courses, language courses required for the B.A., and free choice electives.

Suggested Curriculum for B.A. in Physics

Freshman Year

Abbreviation	Course Number	Title	Fall	Spring
PHYS	400	Freshman Seminar	1	-
PHYS	407-408	General Physics I and II	4	4
MATH	425, 426	Calculus I and II (Group 2)	4	4
ENGL	401	First-Year Writing	-	4
Elective			8	4
Total			17	16

Sophomore Year

Abbreviation	Course Number	Title	Fall	Spring
PHYS	505-506	General Physics III and Lab	4	-
PHYS	615	Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Physics I	-	4
MATH	525	Linearity I
or MATH	527	Differential Equations	6 or 4	-
MATH	526	Linearity II
or MATH	528	Multidimensional Calculus	-	6 or 4
Elective			8	8
Total			16 or 18	16 or 18

Junior Year

Abbreviation	Course Number	Title	Fall	Spring
PHYS	605	Experimental Physics I	5	-
PHYS	508	Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics	-	4
PHYS	616	Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Physics II	4	-
PHYS	701	Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I	-	4
Electives			8	8
Total			17	16

Senior Year

Abbreviation	Course Number	Title	Fall	Spring
PHYS	705	Experimental Physics II	-	4
PHYS	703	Electricity and Magnetism I	-	4
Elective			16	8
Total			16	16

Bachelor of Science in Physics

The bachelor of science degree in physics prepares students for professional work as physicists. The required courses in the standard options are those typically necessary for admission to graduate study in physics. The interdisciplinary options require fewer physics courses combined with a concentration in another area (chemistry or materials science).

Requirements
1. Satisfy general education and writing requirements.
2. Satisfy bachelor of science requirements.
3. Minimum physics requirements: 400, 407-408, 505, 506, 508, 605, 615-616, 701, 702, 703, 704, 705; two physics electives selected from the 700-level physics courses.
4. Chemistry: 403-404 or 405
5. Math: 425-426, and 525-526 or 527-528
6. Computer Science: CS 410
7. By the end of the spring semester of the sophomore year, a student must have a minimum grade of C in each 400- or 500-level course specifically required for the B.S. degree and an overall grade-point average of at least 2.33 in these courses in order to continue in the B.S. program.

Physics electives
In the following table, “Electives” include general education courses, writing intensive courses, physics electives, and free choice electives. Note that physics electives can only be taken in the junior or senior year because of prerequisites.

Suggested Curriculum for B.S. in Physics

Freshman Year

Abbreviation	Course Number	Title	Fall	Spring
PHYS	400	Freshman Seminar	1	-
PHYS	407-408	General Physics I and II	4	4
MATH	425, 426	Calculus I and II (Group 2)	4	4
CHEM	403-404	General Chemistry (Group 3)	4	4
ENGL	401	Freshman English	-	4
Elective			4	-
Total			17	16

Sophomore Year

Abbreviation	Course Number	Title	Fall	Spring
PHYS	505-506	General Physics III and Lab	4	-
PHYS	508	Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics	-	4
PHYS	615	Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Physics I	-	4
MATH	525	Linearity I
or MATH	527	Differential Equations	6 or 4	-
MATH	526	Linearity II
or MATH	528	Multidimensional Calculus	-	6 or 4
CS	410	Introduction to Scientific Programming	4	-
Elective			4	4
Total			16 or 18	16 or 18

Junior Year

Abbreviation	Course Number	Title	Fall	Spring
PHYS	605	Experimental Physics I	5	-
PHYS	616	Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Physics II	4	-
PHYS	701	Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I	-	4
PHYS	703	Electricity and Magnetism I	-	4
Electives			8	8
Total			17	16

Senior Year

Abbreviation	Course Number	Title	Fall	Spring
PHYS	702	Quantum Mechanics II	4	-
PHYS	704	Electricity and Magnetism II	4	-
PHYS	705	Experimental Physics II	-	4
Elective			8	12
Total			16	16

Chemical Physics Option, Bachelor of Science in Physics

1.    Satisfy general education and writing requirements.
2.    Satisfy bachelor of science requirements.
3.    Physics requirements: PHYS 400, 407-408, 505-506, 508, 605, 615, 616, 701, 702, 703, 705.
4.    Chemistry: CHEM 403, 404, 683-686, 762, 763, 776
5.    Mathematics: MATH 425-426, 525-526 or 527-528
6.    Computer Science: CS 410
7.    Electives in Option: Two courses selected from CHEM 547/9, MATH 646, PHYS 718, PHYS 795

Materials Science Option, Bachelor of Science in Physics

1.    Satisfy general education and writing requirements.
2.    Satisfy bachelor of science requirements.
3.    Physics requirements: PHYS 400, 407-408, 505-506, 508, 605, 615-616, 701, 703, 705, 795 (4 credit hours), 799 (4 credit hours).
4.    Mechanical Engineering: 561, 730, 760
5.    Math: 425-426, 525-526, or 527-528
6.    Computer Science: CS 410
7.    Electives in Option: Three courses selected from MATH 646, ME 731, 761, 762, 763, 795, PHYS 718
8.    Chemistry: 403-404 or 405

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