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.

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

Summary of Graduation Requirements for Physics Major

  1. Fifty-six (56) of the credits listed below by the number, with one credit in PH 490 .
  2. Fourteen credits of physics courses, besides those listed by number. 
  3. The program must be approved by the advisor.
  4. Twenty credits of technical electives of which at least eight must be in courses other than physics courses (cannot include ECE 340).
  5. Cross reference for the following courses:
    ECE 340 and ECE 341 for PH 316 and PH 317
    ES 312andES 214for PH 235
  6. Twelve credits of free electives (cannot include ECE 340).
  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 at or above 200 level in biology, biomathematics, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, or physics.
  9. A free elective is any course offered at RHIT.
Physics Course work 56
Physics Electives 114
Chemistry and Mathematics Course work 243
Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts (Standard requirement)36
Technical Electives 320
Free Electives 412
Miscellaneous Courses 511
Total Hours192
1

Listed below are the PH elective courses, from which a physics major is required to take 11 hours.

2

Chemistry and Mathematics Course work (43 hours)

3

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 ECE 340 Electromagnetic Fields).

4

A physics major may take twelve credit hours of free electives, which may include any offered at RHIT.

5

Miscellaneous Courses

Listed below are the Physics Core Courses (56 hours):

PH 111Physics I4
PH 112Physics II4
PH 113Physics III4
PH 200Career Preparation1
PH 235Many-Particle Physics4
PH 255Foundations of Modern Physics4
PH 290Directed Research2
or PH 490 Directed Research
PH 292Physical Optics4
PH 314Theoretical Mechanics I4
PH 316Electric & Magnetic Fields4
PH 317Electromagnetism4
PH 325Adv Physics Laboratory I4
PH 327Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics4
PH 401Introduction to Quantum Mechanics4
PH 405Semiconductor Materials & Applications4
PH 499Physics Ethics & Communication1
Total Hours56

Listed below are the Physics Thesis or Capstone Courses (14 hours):

PH 496Senior Thesis2
PH 497Senior Thesis4
PH 498Senior Thesis2
PH Electives 16
Or
PH 425Advanced Physics Lab II4
PH Electives 110

Note: The Physics thesis option is intended for students who complete a substantive research project in this field. Students wanting to pursue the Senior Thesis option must find a faculty advisor (from the Physics, Optical Engineering and NanoEngineering 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 a total number of 8 credit hours over the three-quarter sequence. Students working on a Senior Thesis will write and submit the thesis to the department and give an oral research presentation as part of PH499. 

1

PH elective courses are any courses at or above 200 level with the PH, OE or NE designation that are not named required courses

Chemistry and Math Courses (43 hours):

MA 111Calculus I5
MA 112Calculus II5
MA 113Calculus III5
MA 221Matrix Algebra & Differential Equations I4
MA 222Matrix Algebra & Differential Equations II4
MA 330Vector Calculus4
MA 336Boundary Value Problems4
MA 371Linear Algebra I4
CHEM 111General Chemistry I3
CHEM 111LGeneral Chemistry I Lab1
CHEM 113General Chemistry II3
CHEM 113LGeneral Chemistry II Laboratory1
Total Hours43

Miscellaneous Courses

RHIT 100Foundations for Rose-Hulman Success1
EM 104Graphical Communications2
OE 450Laser Systems & Applications4
Computing Elective 4
Total Hours11

Second Major in Physics

 Listed below are the Physics Second Major Courses (72 hours) :

PH 111Physics I4
PH 112Physics II4
PH 113Physics III4
PH 235Many-Particle Physics4
PH 255Foundations of Modern Physics4
PH 292Physical Optics4
PH 314Theoretical Mechanics I4
PH 316Electric & Magnetic Fields4
PH 317Electromagnetism4
PH 325Adv Physics Laboratory I4
PH 327Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics4
PH 401Introduction to Quantum Mechanics4
PH 405Semiconductor Materials & Applications4
PH 425Advanced Physics Lab II4
OE 450Laser Systems & Applications4
PH Electives 112
1

PH elective courses are any courses at or above 200 level with the PH, OE or NE designation, except for the NE majors, who need to take PH courses for their PH electives. 

Below is a sample plan of study that illustrates one way to achieve the program requirements. Any given student's plan of study may differ based on a variety of factors (e.g., advanced credit, placement exams, adding a minor). Enrolled students will work with their academic advisor; utilize the degree audit/planner to create a specific plan of study.

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman
FallHours
EM 104 Graphical Communications 2
MA 111 Calculus I 5
PH 111 Physics I 4
PH 111L Physics I Lab 0
HUM H190 First-Year Writing Seminar 4
RHIT 100 Foundations for Rose-Hulman Success 1
 Hours16
Winter
MA 112 Calculus II 5
CHEM 111 General Chemistry I 3
CHEM 111L General Chemistry I Lab 1
PH 112 Physics II 4
PH 112L Physics II Lab 0
Computing Elective 1 4
 Hours17
Spring
MA 113 Calculus III 5
CHEM 113 General Chemistry II 3
CHEM 113L General Chemistry II Laboratory 1
PH 113 Physics III 4
PH 113L Physics III Lab 0
HSSA Elective 4
 Hours17
Sophomore
Fall
MA 221 Matrix Algebra & Differential Equations I 4
PH 235 Many-Particle Physics 4
PH 292 Physical Optics 4
Free Elective 2 4
 Hours16
Winter
MA 222 Matrix Algebra & Differential Equations II 4
PH 200 Career Preparation 1
PH 255 Foundations of Modern Physics 4
HSSA Elective 4
Select one of the following: 4
MA 373
 Applied Linear Algebra for Engineers  
MA 371
 Linear Algebra I 3  
 Hours17
Spring
MA 330 Vector Calculus 4
Tech Elective 4
PH 314 Theoretical Mechanics I 4
HSSA Elective 4
 Hours16
Junior
Fall
MA 336 Boundary Value Problems 4
PH 316 Electric & Magnetic Fields 4
Physics Elective 2
HSSA Elective 4
PH 290
or PH 490
 Directed Research
or Directed Research
 1
 Hours15
Winter
PH 317 Electromagnetism 4
PH 401 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics 4
ENGL H290 Technical & Professional Communication 4
Technical Elective 2 4
 Hours16
Spring
OE 450 Laser Systems & Applications 4
PH 325 Adv Physics Laboratory I 4
PH 327 Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics 4
HSSA Elective 4
 Hours16
Senior
Fall
HSSA Elective 4
PH 405 Semiconductor Materials & Applications 4
Technical Elective 2 4
Free Elective 4
*For Thesis Track - additionally take PH 496 (see Requirements page for more details on selecting the Thesis Option)
  
 Hours16
Winter
PH 425
or PH 497
 Advanced Physics Lab II (for Non-Thesis Track only)
or Senior Thesis
 4
HSSA Elective 4
Technical Elective 2 4
Free Elective 2 4
 Hours16
Spring
Select one of the following: 4
Physics Elective (for Non-Thesis Track only)
  
or PH 498 (Thesis Track)
  
Technical Elective 2 4
PH 499 Physics Ethics & Communication 1
Physics Elective 4
PH 490 Directed Research 1
 Hours14
 Total Hours192
1

Computing elective: ME 123 Computer Programming or CSSE 120 Introduction to Software Development

2

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

3

MA 371 Linear Algebra I (F or S) can be substituted for MA 373 Applied Linear Algebra for Engineers (W)

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.