Physics

D. T. PETKIE, HEAD; Q. WEN, ASSOCIATE HEAD

PROFESSORS: P. K. Aravind, N. A. Burnham, G. S. Iannacchione, D. C. Medich, R. Murenzi, D. T. Petkie, L. R. Ram-Mohan, L.V. Titora, S. A. Zekavat, A. A. Zozulya

ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS: Q. Wen, K. Wu

ASSISTANT PROFESSORS: W.C. McCarthy, R. Trubko

ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS OF TEACHING: R. Kafle, I. Stroe

ASSOCIATE TEACHING PROFESSOR: H. Kashuri

ASSISTANT TEACHING PROFESSORS: S. Kadam, B. Pollard, K. Berglund

ASSISTANT RESEARCH PROFESSOR: K. Friedman

INSTRUCTOR OF PHYSICS: T. P. Noviello

ASSOCIATED FACULTY: F. Bernardi (MA), N.A. Deskins (CHE), C. Furlong (ME), D. Lados (ME), B. Tilley (MA), Y. Liu (ME)

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:

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

The Department of Physics at WPI offers:

the Bachelor of Science degree in Physics;
the Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Physics;
a Minor in Physics;
a Minor in Astrophysics

The second digit in physics course numbers is coded as follows .

1 — General physics
2 — Theoretical mechanics, statistical physics, kinetic theory, etc .
3 — Electricity and magnetism, electromagnetic theory
4 — Quantum mechanics
5 — Particular topics
6 — Laboratory

INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS SEQUENCE

The introductory physics sequence has four-course topics: classical mechanics (PH 1110/PH 1111), Electricity and Magnetism (PH 1120/PH 1121), Modern Physics (PH 1130), and Oscillations and Waves (PH 1140). Each course includes a laboratory component.

Students should take either PH 1110 or PH 1111, but not both; similarly, either PH 1120 or PH 1121, but not both. The primary difference between the PH 1110-PH 1120 option and PH 1111-PH 1121 is that the material in PH 1111- PH 1121 is treated somewhat more formally and rigorously than in PH 1110-PH 1120, thus presuming a better-than-average mathematics background. The recommended mathematics background for each course is indicated in the respective course description and should be considered carefully in each case.

Because the topics covered in the two mechanics and the two electricity and magnetism courses are the same, it is possible to cross over from one sequence to the other. For example, PH 1120 could be taken after PH 1111, or, upon consulting with the course instructor, PH 1121 could be taken after successful completion of PH 1110. Finally, it should be noted that any combination of the first two introductory courses provides adequate preparation for both of the remaining courses in Modern Physics (PH 1130), and Oscillations and Waves (PH 1140).

The courses in classical mechanics and electricity and magnetism are regarded as essential preparation for many fundamental engineering courses as well as for further work in physics. PH 1130 gives a first introduction to modern physics and is designed to provide a context for the appreciation of present-day advances in physics and high-technology applications. PH 1140 deals in depth with oscillating systems, a topic area of fundamental importance in physics, and whose engineering applications span the range from electromagnetic oscillations to the mechanical vibrations of machinery and structures.

PHYSICS AND APPLIED PHYSICS PROGRAMS ADVISING

Because the normal period of residency at WPI is 16 terms (four terms for four years), there is a potential for 16 units total while the minimum graduation requirement is 15 units. The difference is a WPI-wide 1 unit (3 courses) of free-electives. The general WPI requirements of 4-units must include the Humanities and Arts requirement (2 units), the Interactive Qualifying Project – IQP (1 unit), the Social Sciences (2/3 unit), and Physical Education (1/3 unit). For PH and PHA students, a minimum of 10 units in the program is required, leaving an additional 1-unit of physics electives. Thus, a great deal of flexibility exists in custom crafting the curriculum.

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 applied physics programs. This constitutes a core sequence which embodies the following indispensable basic areas of study: classical mechanics, electro-magnetism, 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 Modern 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 3206 Statistical Physics PH 3401 Quantum Mechanics I

Physics and applied physics students should also reserve part of their undergraduate experience to develop perspectives 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 1101 or CS 1102 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.
Join the Teacher Preparation Program and be armed with leading-edge educator skills and a mastery of physics to become a new kind of teacher -a teacher who engages and challenges students and makes a difference by educating the next generation of STEM leaders. See the Teacher Preparation Program or visit www.wpi.edu/+teach.

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.

Recommended and Related Courses Outline

Majors

Minors

Classes

PH 1110: General Physics—Mechanics

Department