Physics Major: Materials Science Option B.S.

Program Overview

What is the materials science option in physics?

The materials science option in the physics degree program prepares students for a wide variety of opportunities in high-demand industrial fields such as microelectronics, advanced materials synthesis and design, and thin film engineering. Students gain a foundation in classical and modern physics while also studying materials synthesis and properties.

Why study physics at UNH?

This program offers introductory physics in a lecture and studio format – an active learning environment that includes group work and labs. The style allows for a coherent, connected and supportive experience. You’ll get hands-on training in materials characterization techniques such as diffraction, electron microscopy, scanning probe microscopy, and photoelectron spectroscopy. You’ll also have many research opportunities with physics faculty and research scientists, working on projects funded by NASA, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Education, Department of Defense, National Institutes of Health and other agencies and organizations. You’ll learn how to approach, analyze and solve complex problems as you develop new technologies, methods and theories that will prepare you for a range of careers in research, engineering and education.

Potential careers

Accelerator operator
Aerospace sciences
Applied optics
Engineering research
Fluids engineering and research
High school physics teacher
Materials research
Medical physics
Physical sciences technician
Software engineering
Systems engineering

Find Courses

View Course Catalog

Contact

Karsten Pohl

Website: Full profile: FindScholars@UNH

PROFESSOR

Department of Physics
DeMeritt Hall 237A
9 Library Way
Durham, NH 03824

Phone: (603) 862-2669
Email: Physics

Curriculum & Requirements

Program Objectives

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 for the Program

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
University Discovery requirements ¹
Bachelor of Science requirements
Physics 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:
PHYS 795 & PHYS 799	Independent Study and Thesis
or PHYS 798	Senior Project
Mechanical Engineering:
ME 561	Introduction to Materials Science	4
ME 730	Mechanical Behavior of Materials	4
ME #760	Physical Metallurgy I	4
Mathematics:
MATH 425	Calculus I	4
MATH 426	Calculus II	4
Select one of the following options: ²		12
Option A:
MATH 525	Linearity I
MATH 526	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
or IAM 550	Introduction to Engineering Computing
Electives in Option
Select three courses of the following:
ME #731	Fracture and Fatigue Engineering Material
ME 761	Diffraction and Imaging Methods in Materials Science
ME 795	Special Topics
PHYS 718	Condensed Matter Physics
Chemistry:
CHEM 403	General Chemistry I	4
or CHEM 405	Chemical Principles for Engineers

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.

The Department generally recommends MATH 645 Linear Algebra for Applications over MATH 545 Introduction to Linear Algebra for physics majors, but the best option, when possible, is MATH 525 Linearity I-MATH 526 Linearity II.

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.