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• Physics Minor

Physics

Department Web Site

G. S. Iannacchione, Head
Professors: P. K. Aravind, T. H. Keil, G. D. J. Phillies, L. R. Ram-Mohan, A. A. Zozulya
Associate Professors: N. A. Burnham, G. S. Iannacchione, R. S. Quimby
Assistant Professors: R. Garcia, S. A. Koehler, I. Stroe
Research Professor: D. F. Nelson
Director of Physics Education: C. A. Koleci

Mission Statement

The Physics Department provides education in physics to both undergraduate and graduate students and contributes to the growth of human knowledge through scholarly work.

Program Educational Objectives

The physics department educates students with a program characterized by curricular flexibility, student project work, and active involvement of students in their learning. Through a balanced, integrated curriculum stressing the widely applicable skills and knowledge of physics, we provide an education that is strong both in fundamentals and in applied knowledge, appropriate for immediate use in a variety of fields as well as graduate study and lifelong learning.

Program Outcomes

We expect that physics graduates:

1. Know, understand, and use a broad range of basic physical principles.
2. Have an understanding of appropriate mathematical methods, and an ability to apply them to physics.
3. Have demonstrated oral and written communications skills.
4. Can find, read, and critically evaluate selected original scientific literature.
5. Have an ability to learn independently.
6. Understand options for careers and further education, and have the necessary educational preparation to pursue those options.
7. Have acquired the broad education envisioned by the WPI Plan.
8. Are prepared for entry level careers in a variety of fields, and are aware of the technical, professional, and ethical components.
9. Are prepared for graduate study in physics and/or other fields.

Program Distribution Requirements for the Physics and Engineering Physics Majors

The normal period of residency at WPI is 16 terms. In addition to the WPI requirements applicable to all students (see WPI Degree Requirements), completion of a minimum of 10 units of study is required in the areas of mathematics, physics, and related fields as follows:

Physics

Requirements	Minimum Units
1. Mathematics (Note 1).	3
2. Physics (including the MQP) (Notes 2, 3).	5
3. Other subjects to be selected from mathematics, science, engineering, computer science, and management (Note 3).	2

Notes:

1. Mathematics must include at least 2/3 unit of mathematics at the level of MA 3000 or higher.
2. ES 3001 and CH 3510 count as physics courses.
3. Either item 2 or 3 must include at least 1/3 unit from each of the five principal areas of physics: mechanics, experimental physics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, and thermal and statistical physics. This core distribution requirement is satisfied by successfully completing at least one course from each of the following five sets of courses: PH 2201 or 2202 (mechanics); PH 2651 or 2601 (experimental physics); PH 2301 or 3301 (electromagnetism); PH 3401 or 3402 (quantum mechanics); ES 3001, CH 3510 , or PH 4206 (thermal and statistical physics); or other courses approved by the department Program Review Committee following petition by the student.

Engineering Physics

1. Same requirements as PHYSICS, with the addition that the 10 units must include 2 units of coordinated engineering and other technical/scientific activities. The 2-unit program must be formulated prior to final year of study by the student in consultation with the academic advisor, and must be certified prior to the final year by the departmental Program Review Committee.

Physics and Engineering-Physics Program

For a student entering the study of physics, there is a natural progression of subjects which provide a foundation for advanced work within physics and engineering-physics programs. This constitutes a core sequence which embodies the following indispensable basic areas of study: classical mechanics, electromagnetism, a survey of modern physics, statistical and quantum physics, and laboratory experimental methods. Because the language of the exact sciences is mathematics, there is a parallel core sequence of mathematics courses normally taken either as preparation for or concurrently with the physics courses with which they are paired in the list presented below. In the following table → indicates that the mathematics course is strongly recommended; ↔ indicates that concurrent study is acceptable.

MA 1021 Calculus I	↔	PH 1110 Mechanics
MA 1022 Calculus II	↔	PH 1120 Electricity and Magnetism
MA 1023 Calculus III	↔	PH 1111 Mechanics
MA 1024 Calculus IV	↔	PH 1121 Electricity and Magnetism
MA 1023 Calculus III	↔	PH 1130 Introduction to 20th Century Physics
MA 1024 Calculus IV	↔	PH 1140 Oscillations and Waves
MA 2051 Differential Equations	↔	PH 2202 Intermediate Mechanics II
MA 2071 Linear Algebra	→	PH 2651 Physics Laboratory
MA 2251 Vector/Tensor Calculus	→	PH 2301 Electromagnetic Fields I
MA 4451 Boundary Value Problems	↔	PH 3301 Electromagnetic Theory
	→	PH 3401 Quantum Mechanics I PH 4206 Statistical Physics

Physics and engineering-physics students should also reserve part of their undergraduate experience for developing perspective in a range of other science and engineering disciplines. A few of the many possibilities are illustrated by the following examples.

• Chemistry (CH 1010, 1030); Material Science (ES 2001). Choosing appropriate materials is often crucial in the development of new experimental techniques that can further our knowledge of physical phenomena. Conversely, the studies of physicists have had profound effects on the development of new materials.
• Electronics, both analog (ECE 2201 and 3204, and digital (ECE 2022). Electronics pervades the modern laboratory. It is valuable to learn electronic principles and designs as they are applied in modern "on-line" experimental data collection and data reduction systems.
• Computer science (CS 1001 or CS 1002 and CS 2301). Physics students will need to make skillful use of computers in present and future experimental data processing, theoretical analyses, and the storing, retrieving and displaying of scientific information.
• Engineering courses related to science. Some basic knowledge in areas such as heat transfer, control systems, fluid mechanics, stress analysis and similar topics will prove to be of great benefit to the physicist called upon to apply professional knowledge to practical engineering problems.

Building on this core and topical subject coverage, physics students are in a position to turn in any number of directions within the range of physics studies, depending on individual interests and career objectives. Six illustrative examples are outlined below. In each case the outline includes a list of recommended and related courses followed by a sampling of project opportunities in the respective areas. Selection of specific courses and projects should be determined by students' interests and the guidance of their academic advisors and the engineering-physics coordinator. For courses outside of the physics department, students are advised to discuss the prerequisites with the instructor.

1. Physics

Recommended Courses
PH 3402 Quantum Mechanics II
PH 4201 Advanced Classical Mechanics
PH (IS/P) Selected Readings in Physics

Related Courses
ECE 2311 Continuous-Time Signal and System Analysis
ECE 2312 Discrete-Time Signal and System Analysis
ECE 3801 Advanced Logic Design
ES 3011 Control Engineering I
PH 2510 Atomic Force Microscopy
PH 3501 Relativity
PH 3502 Solid State Physics
PH 3503 Nuclear Physics
PH 3504 Optics
PH (IS/P) Modern Optics
PH 511 (Graduate) Classical Mechanics
MA 4291 Applicable Complex Variables

2. Computational Physics.

Recommended Courses
MA 3257 Numerical Methods for Linear and Non-Linear Systems
MA 4411 Numerical Solutions of Differential Equations
PH (IS/P) Numerical Techniques in Physics

Related Courses
PH 3402 Quantum Mechanics II
PH 3502 Solid State Physics
MA 3457/CS 4033 Numerical Methods for Calculus and Differential Equations
MA 4291 Applicable Complex Variables
CS 1101 Introduction to Program Design
CS 2011 Introduction to Computer Organization and Assembly Language
CS 2301 Systems Programming for Non-Majors
CS 4731 Computer Graphics
ECE 2311 Continuous-Time Signal and System Analysis
ECE 2312 Discrete-Time Signal and System Analysis
ECE 3801 Advanced Logic Design
ES 3011 Control Engineering I

3. Optics

Recommended Courses
PH 3504 Optics
PH 2501 Photonics
PH 2502 Lasers

Related Courses
PH 3402 Quantum Mechanics II
PH 3502 Solid State Physics
MA 4291 Applicable Complex Variables
AR/ID 3150 Light, Vision, and Understanding
ECE 2311 Continuous-Time Signal and System Analysis
ECE 2312 Discrete-Time Signal and System Analysis
ES 3011 Control Engineering I

4. Electromagnetism

Recommended Courses
PH (IS/P) Modern Optics
PH (IS/P) Selected Readings in Electromagnetism

Related Courses
PH 3402 Quantum Mechanics II
PH 3502 Solid State Physics
PH 3503 Nuclear Physics
PH 3504 Optics
PH 533 (Graduate) Electromagnetic Theory
PH 514/5 (Graduate) Quantum Mechanics
MA 4291 Applicable Complex Variables
ECE 2311 Continuous-Time Signal and System Analysis
ECE 2312 Discrete-Time Signal and System Analysis
ES 3011 Control Engineering I

5. Nuclear Science And Engineering

Recommended Courses
PH (IS/P) Nuclear Physics Applications
PH 3503 Nuclear Physics

Related Courses
PH 3402 Quantum Mechanics II
PH 3501 Relativity
ME 4832 Corrosion and Corrosion Control
ECE 3801 Advanced Logic Design
ES 3011 Control Engineering I

6. Thermal Physics

Recommended Courses
ES 3001 The Statistical Development of Classical Thermodynamics
ES 3004 Fluid Mechanics
PH (IS/P) Selected Readings in Thermal Physics

Related Courses
ES 3003 Heat Transfer
ES 3011 Control Engineering I
ME 3410 Compressible Flow
PH 3502 Solid State Physics
PH 3504 Optics
ME 4429 Thermodynamic Applications and Design

7. Biophysics

Recommended Courses
ES 3001 The Statistical Development of Classical Thermodynamics
PH 4206 Statistical Physics
ME/BME 4504 Biomechanics
ME/BME 4606 Biofluids
PH (IS/P) Review of Biophysics

Related Courses
ES 3004 Fluid Mechanics
CH 4110 Biochemistry I
CH 4120 Biochemistry II
CH 4160 Membrane Biophysics
BME 2504 Foundations in Biomechanics
BME 3504 Experimental Biomechanics
BB 2550 Cell Biology

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Last modified: February 05, 2009 17:50:47