Undergraduate Course Catalog 2015-2016
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
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Physics (PHYS)
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Chairperson: Mark L. McConnell
Professor: L. Christian Balling, Per Berglund, John R. Calarco, Benjamin D. Chandran, Olof E. Echt, F. William Hersman, Maurik Holtrop, Lynn M. Kistler, Martin A. Lee, Mark L. McConnell, Eberhard Möbius, Karsten Pohl, Joachim Raeder, James M. Ryan, Harlan E. Spence, Roy B. Torbert
Research Professor: Charles J. Farrugia, Antoinette B. Galvin, Philip A. Isenberg, Charles W. Smith III, Bernard J. Vasquez
Associate Professor: James Connell, Kai Germaschewski, Marc R. Lessard, Dawn C. Meredith, Nathan A. Schwadron, Karl Silfer
Research Associate Professor: Peter Forbes Bloser, Harald A. Kucharek, Clifford Lopate
Assistant Professor: David Mattingly, Patricia H. Solvignon
Research Assistant Professor: Ju-Chin Huang, Noé Lugaz
Physics is concerned with the properties of matter and the laws that describe its behavior. 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 frequently participate 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 is located in DeMeritt Hall (completed in 2008) and Morse Hall. Both buildings are equipped with state-of-the-art research facilities and laboratories. DeMeritt Hall also houses the physics library, classrooms, and a number of open and comfortable meeting areas, which provide an inviting atmosphere for study, interaction, and collaboration.
The suggested programs that follow are indicative of the flexibility available to students, whether they are preparing for graduate work in physics or astronomy, 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 options in chemical physics, materials science, and astronomy allow 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 arts 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.
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. Two other four-credit physics courses must be chosen in consultation with the student’s physics minor adviser.
Physics Major, Bachelor of Arts
This program provides an opportunity for a broad and liberal education, which in some cases may be sufficient for graduate work. This program can also be excellent preparation for middle and high school physics teachers, pre-med and pre-law students, and those wishing to pursue a technical career in industry. Because there are fewer required courses than for a B.S., you have time to pursue other academic interests. A judicious choice of electives may also prepare students for interdisciplinary programs that require proficiency in a specialized area of physics.
Requirements
- Satisfy the University Discovery Program requirements. Note that no physics course can satisfy these requirement for a physics major. The rationale behind this is that a course in physics does not broaden the education of a physics major.
- Satisfy bachelor of arts degree requirements.
- PHYS 400, 407-408, 505, 506, 508, 605, 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 capstone experience is required of all physics majors during their senior year. The Physics Department encourages students to write a senior thesis (PHYS 799) for their capstone experience. Other options include independent study research projects (PHYS795 or INCO 590) or a special project as part of senior lab (PHYS 705). All capstone experiences must be approved by the undergraduate committee during the student's penultimate semester.
In the following table, “electives” include Discovery courses, writing-intensive courses, language courses required for the B.A., and free choice electives.
Suggested Curriculum for B.A. in Physics
First 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 (QR) | 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 | 18 or 16 | 18 or 16 |
Junior Year
| Abbreviation | Course Number | Title | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHYS | 616 | Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Physics II | 4 | - |
| PHYS | 701 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I | 4 | - |
| PHYS | 703 | Electricity and Magnetism | - | 4 |
| PHYS | 605 | Experimental Physics I | - | 5 |
| Electives | 8 | 8 | ||
| Total | 16 | 17 |
Senior Year
| Abbreviation | Course Number | Title | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHYS | 705 | Experimental Physics II | 4 | - |
| PHYS | 508 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics | 4 | - |
| Elective | 8 | 16 | ||
| Total | 16 | 16 |
Bachelor of Science in Physics
The bachelor of science degree in physics prepares students for professional work as physicists, and is the first step toward graduate work in physics. It is also excellent preparation for graduate programs in medicine, law, or engineering, as well as for technical jobs in industry. The required courses are those typically necessary for admission to graduate study in physics or astronomy. The interdisciplinary options require fewer physics courses combined with a concentration in another area (chemistry or materials science). The astronomy option emphasizes courses that help prepare a student for advanced studies in astronomy.
Requirements
- Satisfy the University Discovery requirements. Note that no physics course can satisfy these requirement for a physics major. The rationale behind this is that a course in physics does not broaden the education of a physics major.
- Satisfy University bachelor of science requirements.
- Minimum physics requirements: PHYS 400, 407, 408, 505, 506, 508, 605, 615-616, 701, 702, 703, 704, 705; two electives selected from 708, 710, 712, 718, 720, 764, MATH 747, MATH 753, and MATH 754.
- Chemistry: CHEM 403-404 or 405
- Mathematics: MATH 425-426, and 525-526. Instead of 525-6, students may take three courses: 528, 527, and either 545 or 645. (The Department generally recommends 645 over 545 for physics majors, but the best option, when possible, is 525-6.)
- Computer Science: CS 410
- 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.
- A capstone experience is required of all physics majors during their senior year. The Physics Department encourages students to write a senior thesis (PHYS 799) for their capstone experience. Other options include independent study research projects (PHYS795 or INCO 590) or a special project as part of senior lab (PHYS 705). All capstone experiences must be approved by the undergraduate committee during the student’s penultimate semester.
Physics electives
In the following table, “electives” include Discovery 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, and are in general offered every other year.
Suggested Curriculum for B.S. in Physics
First 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 (QR) | 4 | 4 |
| CHEM | 403, 404 | General Chemistry (PS) | 4 | 4 |
| or CHEM | 405 | Chem. Principles for Engineers (PS) | 4 | |
| ENGL | 401 | First-Year Writing (WS) | - | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | (4 if no CHEM 404) | ||
| 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 |
| PHYS | 605 | Experimental Physics I | - | 5 |
| MATH | 525 | Linearity I | ||
| or MATH | 528 | Multidimensional Calculus | 6 or 4 | - |
| MATH | 526 | Linearity II | ||
| or MATH | 527, 645 | Differential Equations, Linear Algebra | - | 6 or 8 |
| CS | 410 | Introduction to Scientific Programming | 4 | - |
| Elective | - | 4 | ||
| Total | 18 or 16 | 18 or 20 |
Junior Year
| Abbreviation | Course Number | Title | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHYS | 616 | Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Physics II | 4 | - |
| PHYS | 701 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I | 4 | - |
| PHYS | 702 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics II | - | 4 |
| PHYS | 703 | Electricity and Magnetism I | - | 4 |
| Electives | 8 | 8 | ||
| Total | 17 | 16 |
Senior Year
| Abbreviation | Course Number | Title | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHYS | 704 | Electricity and Magnetism II | 4 | - |
| PHYS | 705 | Experimental Physics II | 4 | - |
| Elective | 8 | 12 | ||
| Total | 16 | 16 |
Physics Electives
| Abbreviation | Course Number | Title | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHYS | 708 | Optics | 4 /even yrs | |
| PHYS | 710 | Astrophysics | 4 /odd yrs | |
| PHYS | 712 | Physics of the Ionosphere | 4 /even yrs | |
| PHYS | 718 | Condensed Matter Physics | 4 /odd yrs | |
| PHYS | 720 | Nuclear & Particle Physics | 4 /even yrs | |
| PHYS | 764 | General Relativity | 4 /even yrs | |
| MATH | 747 | Nonlinear Dynamics & Chaos | 4 | |
| MATH | 753 | Numerical Methods I | 4 | |
| MATH | 754 | Numerical Methods II | 4 |
Chemical Physics Option, Bachelor of Science in Physics
- Satisfy the University Discovery requirements. Note that no physics course can satisfy these requirement for a physics major. The rationale behind this is that a course in physics does not broaden the education of a physics major.
- Satisfy University bachelor of science requirements.
- Physics requirements: PHYS 400, 407-408, 505-506, 508, 605, 615, 616, 701, 702, 703, 705
- Chemistry: CHEM 403, 404, 683-686, 762, 763, 776
- Mathematics: MATH 425-426, and 525-526. Instead of 525-6, students may take three courses: 528, 527, and either 545 or 645. (The Department generally recommends 645 over 545 for physics majors, but the best option, when possible, is 525-6.)
- Computer Science: CS 410
- Electives in Option: Two courses selected from CHEM 547/9, MATH 646, PHYS 718, PHYS 795, PHYS 799
- 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.
Materials Science Option, Bachelor of Science in Physics
This option combines courses from the Physics and other departments to provide training in physics and materials science, an area that has proven industrial demand. In addition to the core courses in classical and modern physics, the students will take six courses in which they will study materials synthesis and properties and get hands-on training in materials characterization techniques, such as diffraction, electron microscopy, scanning probe microscopy, and photoelectron spectroscopy. Two semesters of thesis work in a research lab complement the training in the classroom. Students completing this program will have a wide variety of career opportunities to pursue, for example, in microelectronics, advanced materials synthesis and design, and thin film engineering. Alternatively, they are qualified for postgraduate programs in condensed matter physics or materials science.
Requirements
- Satisfy the University Discovery requirements. Note that no physics course can satisfy these requirements for a physics major. The rationale behind this is that a course in physics does not broaden the education of a physics major.
- Satisfy University bachelor of science requirements.
- Physics requirements: PHYS 400, 407-408, 505-506, 508, 605, 615-616, 701, 703, 705, 795 (4 credit hours), 799 (4 credit hours)
- Mechanical Engineering: ME 561, 730, 760
- Mathematics: MATH 425-426 and 525-526. Instead of 525-6, students may take three courses: 528, 527, and either 545 or 645. (The Department generally recommends 645 over 545 for physics majors, but the best option, when possible, is 525-6.)
- Computer Science: CS 410
- Electives in Option: three courses selected from MATH 646, ME 731, 761, 762, 763, 795, PHYS 718
- Chemistry: 403-404 or 405
- 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.
Astronomy Option, Bachelor of Science in Physics
Requirements
- Satisfy the University Discovery requirements. Note that no physics course can satisfy these requirement for a physics major. The rationale behind this is that a course in physics does not broaden the education of a physics major.
- Satisfy University bachelor of science requirements.
- Physics requirements: PHYS 400, 406, 407-408, 505, 506, 508, 605, 615-616, 701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 710, 795 (4 credit hours), 799 (4 credit hours)
- Chemistry: CHEM 403-404 or CHEM 405
- Mathematics: MATH 425-426, and 525-526. ) Instead of 525-6, students may take three courses: 528, 527, and either 545 or 645. (The Department generally recommends 645 over 545 for Physics majors, but the best option, when possible, is 525-6.)
- Computer Science: CS 410
- Electives in Option: choose one course from PHYS 708, PHYS 712, PHYS 720, PHYS 764
- 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.
