Physics Major (B.A.)

https://ceps.unh.edu/physics/program/ba/physics-major

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.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
University Discovery Program requirements ¹
Bachelor of Arts Degree requirements
PHYS 400	Freshman Seminar	1
PHYS 407	General Physics I	4
PHYS 408	General Physics II	4
CS 410P	Introduction to Scientific Programming/Python	4
or IAM 550	Introduction to Engineering Computing
PHYS 505 & PHYS 506	General Physics III and General Physics III Laboratory	4
PHYS 508	Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics	4
PHYS 605	Experimental Physics I	5
PHYS 615	Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Physics I	4
PHYS 616	Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Physics II	4
PHYS 701	Quantum Mechanics I	4
PHYS 703	Electricity and Magnetism I	4
PHYS 705	Experimental Physics II	4
Capstone: ²		2-8
PHYS 795 & PHYS 799	Independent Study and Thesis
or INCO 790 & PHYS 799	Advanced Research Experience and Thesis
or PHYS 798	Senior Project
Total Credits		48-54

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.

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 Thesis) for their capstone experience. Other options include independent study research projects (PHYS 795 Independent Study or INCO 590 Student Research Experience) or a special project as part of senior lab (PHYS 705 Experimental Physics II). All capstone experiences must be approved by the undergraduate committee during the student's penultimate semester.

Note that MATH 425 Calculus I, MATH 426 Calculus II, and MATH 525 Linearity I, MATH 526 Linearity II or MATH 527 Differential Equations with Linear Algebra, MATH 528 Multidimensional Calculus are prerequisites for some of the courses.

Suggested Curriculum for B.A. in Physics

In the following table, "other required courses" include Discovery courses, writing-intensive courses, language courses required for the B.A., and free-choice electives.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credits
PHYS 400	Freshman Seminar	1
PHYS 407	General Physics I	4
MATH 425	Calculus I	4
Other Required Courses		8
	Credits	17
Spring
PHYS 408	General Physics II	4
MATH 426	Calculus II	4
ENGL 401	First-Year Writing	4
CS 410P or IAM 550	Introduction to Scientific Programming/Python or Introduction to Engineering Computing	4
	Credits	16
Second Year
Fall
PHYS 505 & PHYS 506	General Physics III and General Physics III Laboratory	4
MATH 525 or MATH 527	Linearity I or Differential Equations with Linear Algebra	4-6
Other Required Courses		8
	Credits	16-18
Spring
PHYS 615	Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Physics I	4
MATH 526 or MATH 528	Linearity II or Multidimensional Calculus	4-6
Other Required Courses		8
	Credits	16-18
Third Year
Fall
PHYS 616	Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Physics II	4
PHYS 701	Quantum Mechanics I	4
Other Required Courses		8
	Credits	16
Spring
PHYS 703	Electricity and Magnetism I	4
PHYS 605	Experimental Physics I	5
Other Required Courses		8
	Credits	17
Fourth Year
Fall
PHYS 705	Experimental Physics II	4
PHYS 508	Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics	4
Other Required Courses		4
Capstone		4
	Credits	16
Spring
Other Required Courses		12
Capstone		4
	Credits	16
	Total Credits	130-134