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Physics

The physics curriculum is designed to develop a strong foundation in classical and modern physics, which will serve as a basis for future specialization, for additional study at the graduate level, and for design and development work in industrial laboratories. The curriculum emphasizes basic physical concepts, and includes extensive work in mathematics and related areas.

Physics

The physics curriculum is designed to develop a strong foundation in classical and modern physics, which will serve as a basis for future specialization, for additional study at the graduate level, and for design and development work in industrial laboratories. The curriculum emphasizes basic physical concepts, and includes extensive work in mathematics and related areas. Laboratory facilities are available for work in optics, acoustics, X-ray diffraction, nuclear physics, and solid-state physics. Course topics included in the curriculum are Many Particle Physics, Physical Optics, Biophysics, Biomedical Optics, Theoretical Mechanics, Electromagnetism, Celestial Mechanics, Acoustics, Microsensors, Semiconductor Materials and Devices, X-rays and Crystalline Materials, Electro-Optics, and Laser Physics.

The Physics program places an emphasis on laboratory courses with a hands-on approach. The students have the opportunity to take a variety of courses in disciplines such as math and chemistry allowing them to tailor their education. The Physics curriculum is flexible enough that one can double major in computer science, mathematics, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. National interest in our program has been generated by our basic physics courses that use new methodologies of teaching such as studio format lectures.

We have a wide range of research programs accessible to undergraduates including areas such as: Astronomy, Solid State Devices, Electro-optics, Non-linear Optics, X-ray absorption, Semiconductor Materials and Devices, Magnetics, Chaos, Lasers, Fiber Optics, Holography, Microsensors. In addition, we are very successful in placing our students in summer internship positions with various research facilities such as NASA, Argonne National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratory, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, and CSPAAR.

Physics Student Learning Outcomes  

Fundamental Knowledge: Demonstrate a broad working knowledge base in physics.

Problem Solving: Demonstrate competency in applying the skills and knowledge necessary for scientific solutions to mathematical, scientific, and engineering problems. 

Experiments: Design and conduct experiments and interpret and analyze acquired data while demonstrating understanding of the underlying scientific theory, method, and process.

Modeling: Formulate questions and produce an appropriate physical model to represent and describe real-world physics problems.

Ethics: Explain professional and ethical responsibility to the field and public and behave with integrity and accountability.

Communication:  Communicate effectively, accurately, and succinctly scientific problems and solutions to a range of audiences via appropriate methods.

 

PHYSICS

SUMMARY OF GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR PHYSICS MAJORS

  1. All the courses listed above by the number.
  2. The program must be approved by the advisor.
  3. Eleven credits of physics courses, besides those listed by number. At least one of these credits must be directed research (PH290 or PH490).
  4. Twenty credits of technical electives of which at least eight must be in courses other than physics courses (cannot include ECE340).
  5. Cross reference for the following courses:
    ECE340 and ECE341 for PH316 and PH317
    ES202 and ES204 for PH235
  6. Sixteen credits of free electives (cannot include ECE340).
  7. Thirty-six credits of humanities or social sciences courses. The distribution of these courses must meet the requirements of the Department of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts.
  8. A technical elective is any RHIT course in biology, biomathematics, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, or physics.
  9. A free elective is any course offered at RHIT.
Course by Subjects Hours
Physics Course work 
Physics Electives* 
Chemistry and Mathematics Course work** 
Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts (Standard requirement) 
Technical Electives† 
Free Electives†† 
Miscellaneous and OE450††† 
Total
57
11
43
36
20
16
9
192
     
*Listed below are the PH elective courses, from which a physics major is required to take 11 hours.
        
Course Course Title Hours
PH 215
PH 231
PH 241
PH 250
PH 265
PH 270
PH 290
PH 302
PH 310
PH 315
PH 322
PH 402
PH 404
PH 407
PH 410
PH 440
PH 460
PH 470
PH 480
PH 490
PH 496+
PH 497+
PH 498+
PH 499
PH 512
PH 514
PH 530
PH 537
PH 538
Introduction to Chaos 
Observational Astronomy 
Physics of Stars
Planets and Galaxies
Fundamentals of Nuclear Physics
Special Topics in Physics
Directed Research 
Biophysics 
Intro to Relativity 
Theoretical Mechanics II
Celestial Mechanics and Solar 
Introduction to Atomic Physics 
Acoustics 
Solid State Physics
General Relativity  
X-rays and Crystalline Materials
Directed Study 
Directed Research
Seminar
Directed Research 
Senior Thesis
Senior Thesis
Senior Thesis
Physics Ethics and Communication 
Methods of Mathematical Physics
Quantum Mechanics
Advanced Acoustics
Advanced Image Processing
Introduction to Neural Networks
2
4
4
4
4
Arranged
Arranged
4
2
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
Arranged
Arranged
Arranged
Arranged
Arranged
Arranged
Arranged
4
4
4
4
4
4
+Students wanting to pursue the Senior Thesis option must find a faculty advisor (from the Physics and Optical Engineering Faculty) by the Fall Term of their Senior Year. At that time, the thesis topic should be decided and the research plan developed. Students in the thesis option should enroll in Senior Thesis courses for each of the three terms of their Senior Year  for a total number of 8 credit hours over the three quarter sequence. Students working on a Senior Thesis will present their thesis near the end of the Spring Term of their Senior Year.

**Math and Chemistry Courses:
            
Course Course Title Hours
MA 111
MA 112
MA 113 
MA 221
MA 222
MA 330
MA 336 
MA 371 
CHEM 111
CHEM 113
Total
Calculus I 
Calculus II 
Calculus III
Matrix Algebra and Differential Equations I 
Matrix Algebra and Differential Equations II
Vector Calculus
Boundary Value Problems
Linear Algebra 
General Chemistry I 
General Chemistry II 
 
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
43
 
†Twenty credits of technical electives are required for a physics major, of which at least eight must be in courses other than physics courses (cannot include ECE340).
        
††A physics major may take sixteen credit hours of free electives, which may include any of the electives mentioned above or any other course offered at RHIT.
        
†††Miscellaneous Courses
            
Course Course Title Hours
RHIT 100 
EM 104 
OE 450 
 
Total
Foundations for Rose-Hulman Success
Graph Comm.
Laser System and Applications
Computing Elective
 
1
2
4
2
9
        

Physics Thesis Option:
The Physics thesis option is intended for students who complete a substantive research project in this field. To complete this thesis option, a student must:
- Pass a minimum of 8 combined credit hours of PH496, PH497, and PH498.
- Perform research in the above classes that involves the same research project and is completed under the direction of a departmental faculty mentor.
- Write and submit the thesis to the department and perform an oral research presentation as part of PH499.  Successful completion of the Physics thesis will be noted on the student’s transcript.
- Upon successful completion of the thesis in PH499, 4 of the thesis credits can be used for a course substitution for PH425 and up to 4 thesis credits may be used for one Physics elective.


The course requirements and advisors for Minors in Physics, Astronomy, Solid State Physics/Materials Science, and Optical Engineering are listed below. Successful completion of a minor is indicated on the student’s grade transcript. A student interested in pursuing a minor should consult with the appropriate advisor.

Minor in Physics
Eligibility: Students in any major degree program except for Physics and NanoEngineering

Advisors: all Physics and Optical Engineering faculty members.

Required courses:
             
Course Course Title Prerequisite Course(s) Hours
PH 325 Advanced Laboratory I PH 113 4
         
Plus 4 credit hours from the following courses:
PH 235 Many-Particle Physics 4
PH 255 Foundations of Modern Physics 4
Plus 12 credit hours from the following courses:
             
Course Course Title Hours
PH 270/470* Special Topics in Physics  ARR
PH 290/490* Directed Research  ARR
PH 310 Introduction to Relativity PH 113 2
PH 314 Theoretical Mechanics I PH 112 and MA 222 4
PH 316 Electric and Magnetic Fields PH 113 and MA 221 or MA 222 4
PH 327 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics PH 235 4
PH 401 Quantum Mechanics PH 255 or PH 265 4
PH 405 Semiconductor Materials & Applications  PH 255 4
PH 425 Advanced Physics Lab II PH 325 4
PH 460* Directed Study  ARR

*A maximum of 4 credit hours can be taken from these categories.

Suggested Pathways (These involve no "unused" prerequisite PH credit hours):

  • Experimental Physics: PH255, PH325, PH401, PH405, PH425
  • Modern Physics: PH255, PH270/470/290/490 (2cr), PH310, PH325, PH401, PH405
  • Classical Physics: PH235, PH314, PH316, PH325, PH327

 

Minor in Astronomy
Eligibility: Students in any major degree program

Advisors: Drs. Ditteon, Duree, Kirkpatrick, McInerney and Syed

Required Courses

Course Course Title Hours
PH 231 Observational Astronomy 2
PH 241 Physics of Stars 4
PH 250 Planets and Galaxies 4
PH 431 or PH 490 Adv. Observational Astronomy or Directed Study 2

It is recommended, but not required, that the required courses be taken in the order listed above.

Plus eight hours of:
PH 270 Special Topics in Physics 2
PH 310 Introduction to Special Relativity 2

PH 322

Celestial Mechanics

4

PH 410

General Relativity

4

PH 460 Directed Study 1
PH 470 Special Topics in Physics 2
PH 290/490 Directed Research 1

The optional courses must be on a topic approved by one of the astronomy advisors.

Normally, only one credit of directed research or directed study is taken each quarter. Directed study and directed research may be repeated (4 hours maximum) and must be on a topic approved by one of the astronomy advisors.

 

Minor in Solid State Physics/Materials Science
Eligibility: Students in any degree program, except students who are working for the Semiconductor Materials and Devices Certificate.

Advisors: Dr. Bunch, Dr. McInerney, Dr. Moloney, Dr. Siahmakoun, Dr. Syed, Dr. Wagner

Required courses:
             
Course Description Hours
PH 405 Semiconductor Materials and Applications 4
EP 406 Semiconductor Devices and Fabrication 4
ME 328/CHE 315 Materials Engineering/Material Science & Engineering 4
         
Plus at least two of:
             
Course Description Hours
OE 360 Opto-mechanics and Optical Materials 4
EP 330 Material Failure 4
PH 407 Solid State Physics 4
EP 408 Microsensors 4
PH 440 X-Rays and Crystalline Materials 4
PH 490/ME 490 Directed Research 4
ME 302 Heat Transfer 4
ME 417 Advanced Materials Engineering 4
     

 

Minor in Optical Engineering
Eligibility: Students in any degree program,  except Optical Engineering.

Advisors: Drs. Bunch, Ditteon, Duree, Granieri, Joenathan, Lepkowicz, Siahmakoun, Wagner, F. Berry, and Black.

Required courses:
             
Course Description Hours
OE 280
PH 292 
OE 295
Paraxial Optics
Physical Optics
Optical Systems
4
4
4
         
Plus at least two* courses from one of the areas listed below:
             
Lens Design Area
OE 360
OE 415 
OE 480 
OE 490
Optical Materials and Opto-mechanics
Optical Engineering Design I
Lens Design and Aberrations
Directed Research (4 Credits Only)
4
4
4
4
 
Photonics/Electro-optics Area
Course Description Hours
OE 360
OE 415 
OE 450 
OE 485 
OE 490 
OE 493
Optical Materials and Opto-mechanics
Optical Engineering Design I
Laser Systems and Applications
Electro-optics and Applications
Directed Research (4 Credits Only)
Fundamentals of Optical Fiber Communications
4
4
4
4
4
4
             
Image Processing Area
Course Description Hours
OE 360 Optical Materials and Opto-mechanics  
OE 415 
OE 490
Optical Engineering Design I 
Directed Research (4 Credits Only)
4
4
OE 437/ECE 480    Introduction to Image Processing
PH 537/ECE 582    Advanced Image Processing
4
4

 

Minor in Theoretical Physics

Eligibility: Students in any major degree program, except Physics and NanoEngineering.

Advisors: all Physics and Optical Engineering faculty members.

Required Courses:
Course Course Title Prerequisite Course(s) Hours
PH 314 Theoretical Mechanics I PH 112 and MA 222 4
PH 316 Electirc and Magnetic Fields PH 113 and MA 222 4
PH 401 Quantum Mechanics PH 255 or PH 113 and PH 265 4
Plus 8 credit hours from the following courses:
Course Course Title Prerequisite Course(s) Hours
MA 421 Tensor Calculus & Riemannian Geometry MA 330 4
PH 270/470 Special Topics in Physics* ARR
PH 290/490 Directed Research* ARR
PH 310 Introduction to Special Relativity PH 113 2
PH 315 Theoretical Mechanics II PH 314 4
PH 317 Electromagnetism PH 316 4
PH 327 Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics PH 235 4
PH 402 Introduction to Atomic Physics PH 401 4
PH 410 General Relativity PH 310 and MA 421 4
PH 460 Directed Study* ARR

*This is restricted to a maximum of 4 credit hours across the 4 categories.

Students intending to complete this minor should plan for accommodating the prerequisite of the upper-division classes they choose to include int he minor plan of study.

 

 

CERTIFICATE IN SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS AND DEVICES

The Certificate will consist of 20 credit hours of which 12 credit hours will be required courses. Students interested in pursuing this Certificate should see a PHOE certificate advisor ( S. Kirkpatrick, Liptak, McInerney, Siahmakoun, Syed and Wagner). Students taking solid state/material science minor cannot take this certificate.

Required Courses

  1. PH405 Semiconductor Materials and Applications -- 3R-3L-4C F Pre: PH113 or PH255 or PH265 or consent of instructor.

  2. NE406 Semiconductor Devices and Fabrication -- 3R-3L-4C W Pre: PH405 or consent of instructor.

  3. NE410 Intro to MEMS: Fabrication and Applications -- 3R-3L-4C S Pre: JR or SR standing or consent of the instructor. 
       or:
    CHE440 Process Control 4R-0L-4C W Pre: CHE202

Electives

Course Hours Course Title
OE 450 4 Laser Systems and Applications
OE 485 4 Electro-Optics and Applications
PH 330 4 Material Failure
PH 401 4 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
PH 440 4 X-rays and Crystalline Materials
NE 408 4 Microsensors
NE 411 4 Advanced Topics in MEMS
ECE 351 4 Analog Electronics
ECE 551 4 Digital Integrated Circuit Design
ECE 552 4 Analog Integrated Circuit Design
ME 302 4 Heat Transfer
ME 328 4 Materials Engineering
ME 424 4 Composite Materials & Mechanics
ME 415 4 Corrosion and Engineering Materials
CHE 314 4 Heat Transfer
CHE 315 4 Material Science and Engineering
CHE 440 4 Process Control
CHE 441 4 Polymer Engineering
CHEM 441 4 Inorganic Chemistry I
CHEM 451 4 Organic Structure Determination
CHEM 457 4 Synthetic Polymer Chemistry
CHEM 462 4 Physical Polymer Chemistry
MA 381 4 Intro to Probability with Applications to Statistics
MA 487 4 Design of Experiments

Overall aim of the Certificate

A certificate holder will understand how semiconductor devices work, have practical experience in the main stages of device production, have practical experience in the more common forms of device testing and characterization, and have broad understanding of the mechanical and chemical properties of the material used.

A Certificate holder will be well suited for jobs requiring an understanding of semiconductor devices and their production. These jobs include not only those directly related to device fabrication, but also those involved with testing and trouble-shooting electronic equipment and the design of machines that contain electronic equipment. The experience in simple device fabrication that the Certificate provides is particularly useful for future engineers in “process” industries.

Plan of Study

Freshman Open Close
Sophomore Open Close
Junior Open Close
Senior Open Close

Total credits required: 192

NOTES:

* Computing elective: 2 or 4 credit course on computing from the following course: BE 100, CHE 110, CSSE 120, and ME 123. CSSE 120 is required for physics majors who are planning to double major with CSSE, CPE, EE, MA, and ME

**MA 371 (F or S) can be substituted for MA 373 (W)

†Free, Math and technical electives are only suggestions and can change subject to offering. Electives must be approved by PHOE advisor.

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