Program Overview

Physics Major (B.S.)

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.

Degree Requirements

• Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits
• Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at UNH
• Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral
• Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements
• Foreign Language Requirement: No

Major Requirements

The following courses are required for the Physics Major (B.S.):

• PHYS 400: Physics Seminar I (1 credit)
• PHYS 407: General Physics I (4 credits)
• PHYS 408: General Physics II (4 credits)
• PHYS 505 & PHYS 506: General Physics III and General Physics III Laboratory (4 credits)
• PHYS 508: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (4 credits)
• PHYS 601: Computational Physics Recitation I (1 credit)
• PHYS 602: Computational Physics Recitation II (1 credit)
• PHYS 605: Experimental Physics I (5 credits)
• PHYS 615: Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Physics I (4 credits)
• PHYS 616: Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Physics II (4 credits)
• PHYS 701: Quantum Mechanics I (4 credits)
• PHYS 702: Quantum Mechanics II (4 credits)
• PHYS 703: Electricity and Magnetism I (4 credits)
• PHYS 704: Electricity and Magnetism II (4 credits)
• PHYS 705: Experimental Physics II (4 credits)
• Select two electives from the following:
  • PHYS 708: Optics (4 credits)
  • PHYS 710: Astrophysics I (4 credits)
  • PHYS 712: Space Plasma Physics (4 credits)
  • PHYS 718: Condensed Matter Physics (4 credits)
  • PHYS 720: Nuclear Physics (4 credits)
  • PHYS 764: General Relativity and Cosmology (4 credits)
  • MATH 747: Introduction to Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos
  • MATH 753: Introduction to Numerical Methods I
• Chemistry:
  • CHEM 403: General Chemistry I (4 credits)
  • or CHEM 405: Chemical Principles for Engineers
• Mathematics:
  • MATH 425 & MATH 426: Calculus I and Calculus II (8 credits)
• Select one of the following options:
  • Option A:
    • MATH 525 & MATH 526: Linearity I and Linearity II
  • Option B:
    • MATH 528: Multidimensional Calculus
    • MATH 527: Differential Equations with Linear Algebra
    • MATH 545: Introduction to Linear Algebra
    • or MATH 645: Linear Algebra for Applications
• Computer Programming:
  • CS 410P: Introduction to Scientific Programming/Python (4 credits)
  • or IAM 550: Introduction to Engineering Computing
• Capstone: 2-8 credits
  • Select from the following:
    • PHYS 795 & PHYS 799: Independent Study and Thesis
    • or INCO 790 & PHYS 799: Advanced Research Experience and Thesis
    • or PHYS 798: Senior Project

Physics Electives

The following physics electives are available:

• PHYS 708: Optics (4 credits)
• PHYS 710: Astrophysics I (4 credits)
• PHYS 712: Space Plasma Physics (4 credits)
• PHYS 718: Condensed Matter Physics (4 credits)
• PHYS 720: Nuclear Physics (4 credits)
• PHYS 764: General Relativity and Cosmology (4 credits)

Sample Degree Plan

A sample degree plan for the Physics Major (B.S.) is provided below:

First Year

• Fall:
  • PHYS 400: Physics Seminar I (1 credit)
  • PHYS 407: General Physics I (4 credits)
  • MATH 425: Calculus I (4 credits)
  • ENGL 401: First-Year Writing (4 credits)
  • CHEM 403 or CHEM 405: General Chemistry I or Chemical Principles for Engineers (4 credits)
• Spring:
  • PHYS 408: General Physics II (4 credits)
  • MATH 426: Calculus II (4 credits)
  • CS 410P or IAM 550: Introduction to Scientific Programming/Python or Introduction to Engineering Computing (4 credits)
  • Discovery Elective (4 credits)

Second Year

• Fall:
  • PHYS 505 & PHYS 506: General Physics III and General Physics III Laboratory (4 credits)
  • PHYS 508: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (4 credits)
  • MATH 528 or MATH 525: Multidimensional Calculus or Linearity I
  • PHYS 601: Computational Physics Recitation I (1 credit)
  • Discovery Elective (4 credits)
• Spring:
  • PHYS 615: Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Physics I (4 credits)
  • PHYS 605: Experimental Physics I (5 credits)
  • PHYS 602: Computational Physics Recitation II (1 credit)
  • Select one of the following two options:
    • (1) For students who took MATH 528:
      • MATH 527 & MATH 645: Differential Equations with Linear Algebra and Linear Algebra for Applications
    • (2) For students who took MATH 525:
      • MATH 526: Linearity II

Third Year

• Fall:
  • PHYS 616: Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Physics II (4 credits)
  • PHYS 701: Quantum Mechanics I (4 credits)
  • Discovery or Major Electives (8 credits)
• Spring:
  • PHYS 702: Quantum Mechanics II (4 credits)
  • PHYS 703: Electricity and Magnetism I (4 credits)
  • Discovery or Major Electives (8 credits)

Fourth Year

• Fall:
  • PHYS 704: Electricity and Magnetism II (4 credits)
  • PHYS 705: Experimental Physics II (4 credits)
  • Discovery or Major Elective (4 credits)
  • Capstone (4 credits)
• Spring:
  • Electives (12 credits)
  • Capstone (4 credits)

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Physics Major (B.S.), students will be able to:

• Master the fundamentals of mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics.
• Use mathematics to solve physics problems.
• Solve physics problems using computational methods.
• Take measurements in a physics lab and analyze measurements to draw valid conclusions.
• Present scientific ideas effectively in both written and oral form.
• Be well prepared for graduate study in physics and related disciplines.
• Be well prepared for technical careers.