-
Per Berglund
PROFESSOR -
Benjamin D G Chandran
PROFESSOR -
James J. Connell
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR -
Joseph Richard Dwyer
PROFESSOR -
Olof E. Echt
PROFESSOR EMERITUS -
Francois V O Foucart
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR -
Kai K. Germaschewski
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR -
F. William Hersman
PROFESSOR -
Maurik W. Holtrop
PROFESSOR -
Lynn M. Kistler
PROFESSOR -
Marc R. Lessard
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR -
Ningyu Liu
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR -
Elena A. Long
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR -
David M. Mattingly
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR -
Mark L. McConnell
PROFESSOR -
Dawn C. Meredith
PROFESSOR -
Karsten Pohl
PROFESSOR -
Joachim Raeder
PROFESSOR -
James M. Ryan
PROFESSOR -
Nathan A. Schwadron
PROFESSOR -
Karl J. Slifer
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR -
Roy B. Torbert
PROFESSOR -
Jiadong Zang
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
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
Contact
DeMeritt Hall 237A
9 Library Way
Durham, NH 03824
Phone: (603) 862-2669
Email: Physics
Curriculum & Requirements
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.
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 |
1 | 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. |
2 | 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.