Physics Major (B.A.)
https://physics.unh.edu/content/ba-physics
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.
| 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 |
| 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 | ||
| Independent Study and Thesis | ||
or PHYS 798 | Senior Project | |
| 1 | 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. |
| 2 | 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, "electives" include Discovery courses, writing-intensive courses, language courses required for the B.A., and free-choice electives.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| PHYS 400 | Freshman Seminar | 1 |
| PHYS 407 | General Physics I | 4 |
| MATH 425 | Calculus I | 4 |
| Elective | 8 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 408 | General Physics II | 4 |
| MATH 426 | Calculus II | 4 |
| ENGL 401 | First-Year Writing | 4 |
| Elective | 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 |
| Elective | 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 |
| Elective | 8 | |
| Credits | 16-18 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYS 616 | Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Physics II | 4 |
| PHYS 701 | Quantum Mechanics I | 4 |
| Electives | 8 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 703 | Electricity and Magnetism I | 4 |
| PHYS 605 | Experimental Physics I | 5 |
| Electives | 8 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYS 705 | Experimental Physics II | 4 |
| PHYS 508 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | 4 |
| Elective | 8 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Elective | 16 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 130-134 | |