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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. 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.

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 Engineering Physics

Advisors: all Physics and Optical Engineering faculty members.

Minor in Astronomy
Eligibility: Students in any major degree program

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

Required Courses

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

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.

Minor in Theoretical Physics

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

Advisors: all Physics and Optical Engineering faculty members.

*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. EP406 Semiconductor Devices and Fabrication -- 3R-3L-4C W Pre: PH405 or consent of instructor.

3. EP410 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

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.