Engineering Physics Major (B.S.)
https://www.unh.edu/program/bachelor-science/engineering-physics
The goal of the UNH BSEP program is to produce broadly-trained engineers who can provide solutions to today’s challenging problems in support of a technologically evolving society. The core of the program is based on interdisciplinary training, complemented with a deeper understanding of the physical principles needed to support careers in engineering, engineering research or, perhaps, further training in systems engineering. The program balances depth and breadth in skill development; flexibility and functionality are what drive the program in the sense that 1) the particular focus is based on the student’s interests, and 2) the breadth of the course selection is guided by the post-graduation goals of the student (e.g., employment versus graduate school).
Degree Requirements
Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits
Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at UNH
Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral*
Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements
Foreign Language Requirement: No
All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.
Major Requirements
A student must have a minimum grade of C in each 400- or 500-level courses that are part of the core requirements and an overall grade-point average of 2.33 in these courses in order to continue in the program.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements (all tracks) | ||
| CHEM 403 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| or CHEM 405 | Chemical Principles for Engineers | |
| IAM 550 | Introduction to Engineering Computing | 4 |
| or CS 410C | Introduction to Scientific Programming/C | |
| or CS 410P | Introduction to Scientific Programming/Python | |
| MATH 425 | Calculus I | 4 |
| or MATH 425H | Honors/Calculus I | |
| MATH 426 | Calculus II | 4 |
| or MATH 426H | Honors/Calculus II | |
| MATH 527 & MATH 528 | Differential Equations with Linear Algebra and Multidimensional Calculus | 8-12 |
| or MATH 525 & MATH 526 | Linearity I and Linearity II | |
| PHYS 400 | Physics Seminar I | 1 |
| PHYS 407 | General Physics I | 4 |
| or PHYS 407H | Honors/General Physics I | |
| or PHYS 407S | General Physics I Studio | |
| PHYS 408 | General Physics II | 4 |
| or PHYS 408H | Honors/General Physics II | |
| or PHYS 408S | General Physics II Studio | |
| PHYS 505 | General Physics III | 3 |
| PHYS 506 | General Physics III Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS 508 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 615 | Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 616 | Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Physics II | 4 |
| PHYS 703 | Electricity and Magnetism I | 4 |
| Capstone | 4 | |
| PHYS 797 | Senior Design Project | 4 |
| Additional courses for Aerospace Track | ||
| ECE 541 | Electric Circuits | 4 |
| ECE 548 | Electronic Design I | 4 |
| ME 608 | Fluid Dynamics | 3 |
| ME 743 | Satellite Systems, Dynamics, and Control | 3-4 |
| or PHYS 712 | Space Plasma Physics | |
| Aerospace track electives in major: | ||
| Select five courses from the following: | ||
| CS 417 | From Programs to Computer Science | 4 |
| CS 419 | Computer Science for Engineers and Scientists | 4 |
| CS 501 | Professional Ethics and Communication in Technology-related Fields | 4 |
| or PHIL 424 | The Future of Humanity: Science, Technology, and Society | |
| or PHIL 447 | A.I., Robots, and People | |
| CS 659 | Introduction to the Theory of Computation | 4 |
| ECE 543 | Introduction to Digital Systems | 4 |
| ECE 562 | Computer Organization | 4 |
| ECE 583 | Designing with Programmable Logic | 6 |
| ECE 633 | Signals and Systems I | 3 |
| ECE 634 | Signals and Systems II | 3 |
| ECE 649 | Embedded Microcomputer Based Design | 6 |
| ECE 652 | Electronic Design II | 6 |
| MATH 539 | Introduction to Statistical Analysis | 4 |
| or MATH 644 | Statistics for Engineers and Scientists | |
| MATH 645 | Linear Algebra for Applications | 4 |
| MATH 647 | Complex Analysis for Applications | 4 |
| or MATH 788 | Complex Analysis | |
| ME 441 | Introduction to Engineering Design and Solid Modeling | 4 |
| ME 603 | Heat Transfer | 3 |
| ME 646 | Experimental Measurement and Data Analysis | 4 |
| ME 670 | Systems Modeling, Simulation, and Control | 4 |
| ME 705 | Thermal System Analysis and Design | 4 |
| ME 706 | Renewable Energy: Physical and Engineering Principles | 3 |
| ME 707 | Analytical Fluid Dynamics | 4 |
| ME 712 | Waves in Fluids | 3 |
| ME 743 | Satellite Systems, Dynamics, and Control | 3 |
| ME 747 | Experimental Measurement and Modeling of Complex Systems | 4 |
| ME 786 | Introduction to Finite Element Analysis | 4 |
| PHYS 605 | Experimental Physics I | 5 |
| PHYS 701 | Quantum Mechanics I: Foundations, Quantum Information, and Quantum Computing | 4 |
| PHYS 702 | Quantum Mechanics II: Applications to Continuous Systems | 4 |
| PHYS 704 | Electricity and Magnetism II | 4 |
| PHYS 705 | Experimental Physics II | 4 |
| PHYS 708 | Optics | 4 |
| PHYS 710 | Astrophysics I | 4 |
| PHYS 711 | Astrophysics II | 4 |
| PHYS 712 | Space Plasma Physics | 4 |
| PHYS 718 | Quantum Materials | 4 |
| PHYS 720 | Nuclear Physics | 4 |
| PHYS 764 | General Relativity and Cosmology | 4 |
| Additional Courses for the Engineering Research track | ||
| ECE 541 | Electric Circuits | 4 |
| ECE 543 | Introduction to Digital Systems | 4 |
| ECE 548 | Electronic Design I | 4 |
| PHYS 704 | Electricity and Magnetism II | 4 |
| or PHYS 708 | Optics | |
| Engineering Research track electives in major: | ||
| Select five courses from the following: | ||
| CS 417 | From Programs to Computer Science | 0 |
| CS 419 | Computer Science for Engineers and Scientists | 4 |
| CS 501 | Professional Ethics and Communication in Technology-related Fields | 4 |
| or PHIL 424 | The Future of Humanity: Science, Technology, and Society | |
| or PHIL 447 | A.I., Robots, and People | |
| CS 750 | Machine Learning | 4 |
| ECE 562 | Computer Organization | 4 |
| ECE 583 | Designing with Programmable Logic | 6 |
| ECE 633 | Signals and Systems I | 3 |
| ECE 634 | Signals and Systems II | 3 |
| ECE 647 | Random Processes and Signals in Engineering | 3 |
| ECE 649 | Embedded Microcomputer Based Design | 6 |
| ECE 652 | Electronic Design II | 6 |
| ECE 653 | Electronic Design III | 6 |
| MATH 539 | Introduction to Statistical Analysis | 4 |
| or MATH 644 | Statistics for Engineers and Scientists | |
| MATH 645 | Linear Algebra for Applications | 4 |
| MATH 647 | Complex Analysis for Applications | 4 |
| or MATH 788 | Complex Analysis | |
| ME 441 | Introduction to Engineering Design and Solid Modeling | 4 |
| ME 561 | Introduction to Materials Science | 4 |
| ME 608 | Fluid Dynamics | 4 |
| ME 670 | Systems Modeling, Simulation, and Control | 4 |
| ME 706 | Renewable Energy: Physical and Engineering Principles | 3 |
| ME 712 | Waves in Fluids | 3 |
| ME 743 | Satellite Systems, Dynamics, and Control | 3 |
| PHYS 605 | Experimental Physics I | 5 |
| PHYS 701 | Quantum Mechanics I: Foundations, Quantum Information, and Quantum Computing | 4 |
| PHYS 702 | Quantum Mechanics II: Applications to Continuous Systems | 4 |
| PHYS 704 | Electricity and Magnetism II | 4 |
| PHYS 705 | Experimental Physics II | 4 |
| PHYS 708 | Optics | 4 |
| PHYS 710 | Astrophysics I | 4 |
| PHYS 711 | Astrophysics II | 4 |
| PHYS 718 | Quantum Materials | 4 |
| PHYS 720 | Nuclear Physics | 4 |
| PHYS 764 | General Relativity and Cosmology | 4 |
Sample Degree Plan
This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.
Students are recommended (but not required) to take MATH 425H Honors/Calculus I and PHYS 407H Honors/General Physics I in their first semester and MATH 426H Honors/Calculus II and PHYS 408H Honors/General Physics II in their second semester, if eligible to take calculus first semester. Non-Honors versions of these courses will also satisfy the requirements for either Engineering Physics option.
Aerospace Track
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| PHYS 407H | Honors/General Physics I | 4 |
| MATH 425H | Honors/Calculus I | 4 |
| PHYS 400 | Physics Seminar I | 1 |
| ENGL 401 | First-Year Writing | 4 |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 408H | Honors/General Physics II | 4 |
| MATH 426H | Honors/Calculus II | 4 |
| CHEM 405 | Chemical Principles for Engineers | 4 |
| IAM 550 | Introduction to Engineering Computing | 4 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYS 505 | General Physics III | 3 |
| PHYS 506 | General Physics III Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS 508 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | 4 |
| MATH 528 | Multidimensional Calculus | 4 |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 615 | Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Physics I | 4 |
| MATH 527 | Differential Equations with Linear Algebra | 4 |
| Elective in Major | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYS 616 | Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Physics II | 4 |
| ME 608 | Fluid Dynamics | 3 |
| ECE 541 | Electric Circuits | 4 |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 703 | Electricity and Magnetism I | 4 |
| ECE 548 | Electronic Design I | 4 |
| Elective in Major | 3-4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYS 797 | Senior Design Project | 2 |
| Elective in Major | 3-4 | |
| Elective in Major | 3-4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16-18 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 797 | Senior Design Project | 2 |
| ME 743 or PHYS 712 | Satellite Systems, Dynamics, and Control or Space Plasma Physics | 3-4 |
| Elective in Major | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 17-18 | |
| Total Credits | 128-132 | |
Engineering Research Track
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| PHYS 407H | Honors/General Physics I | 4 |
| MATH 425H | Honors/Calculus I | 4 |
| CHEM 405 | Chemical Principles for Engineers | 4 |
| PHYS 400 | Physics Seminar I | 1 |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 408H | Honors/General Physics II | 4 |
| MATH 426H | Honors/Calculus II | 4 |
| IAM 550 | Introduction to Engineering Computing | 4 |
| ENGL 401 | First-Year Writing | 4 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYS 505 | General Physics III | 3 |
| PHYS 506 | General Physics III Laboratory | 1 |
| MATH 528 | Multidimensional Calculus | 4 |
| ECE 541 | Electric Circuits | 4 |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 615 | Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Physics I | 4 |
| MATH 527 | Differential Equations with Linear Algebra | 4 |
| ECE 548 | Electronic Design I | 4 |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYS 508 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 616 | Classical Mechanics and Mathematical Physics II | 4 |
| Elective in Major | 3-4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 703 | Electricity and Magnetism I | 4 |
| ECE 543 | Introduction to Digital Systems | 4 |
| Elective in Major | 3-4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYS 797 | Senior Design Project | 2 |
| PHYS 704 or PHYS 708 | Electricity and Magnetism II or Optics | 4 |
| Elective in Major | 3-4 | |
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 17-18 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 797 | Senior Design Project | 2 |
| Elective in Major | 3-4 | |
| Elective in Major | 3-4 | |
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 16-18 | |
| Total Credits | 128-133 | |
Program Learning Outcomes
Students are expected to achieve the outcomes below upon graduation.- Students will master the fundamentals of a broad set of physics subjects (e.g., mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, optics).
- Students will have a solid understanding of mathematics (e.g., calculus, differential equations, linear algebra).
- Students will be able to solve physics and engineering problems using computational methods.
- Students will have excellent knowledge of the principles and practice of their chosen engineering disciplines.
- Students will be able to use physical principles to design systems, apparatuses, experiments or models; collect and analyze data; and develop conclusions.
- Students will be able to identify and solve complex engineering and physics problems by applying physical principles and mathematical tools.
- Students will be able to communicate technical content effectively to a range of audiences.