1999-2000 Undergraduate Catalog College of Arts and Sciences - Physics

Professor George Burleson, department head
Associate Professor Thor Stromberg, assistant department head

Professors Armstrong, Burleson, Burr (emeritus), Chen (emeritus), Coon, Daw (emeritus), Gibbs, Goedecke (emeritus), Ingraham (emeritus), Kyle, Kunz (emeritus), Liefeld, Miller (emeritus), Ni, Shalaev; Associate Professors Hearn, Stromberg; Assistant Professors Burkardt, Nakotte, Papavassiliou, Pate, Solomatov, Ying

(505) 646-3831

DEGREE: Bachelor of Arts
MAJOR: Physics

DEGREE: Bachelor of Science
MAJOR: Physics
EMPHASIS: Applied Physics
EMPHASIS: Applied Optics
EMPHASIS: Computational Physics
EMPHASIS: Geophysics

DESIGNATED MINORS:
Physics/Classical Mechanics
Computational Physics
Physics/Electromagnetics
General Physics
Geophysics
Physics/Materials
Physics/Optics
Physics/Quantum Mechanics

A bachelor's degree in physics provides the basis for careers in industry, teaching, the military, government, or for study toward advanced degrees in physics or engineering. It should also provide the skills that recipients of physics degrees have listed as among the most important in obtaining their current positions, including problem solving ability, computer skills, mathematical skills, and laboratory skills, as well as knowledge of physics.

Further information about the department can be found on the World Wide Web at <www.physics.nmsu.edu>.

DEGREE: Bachelor of Arts
MAJOR: Physics

The curriculum for the Bachelor of Arts degree is designed for students who would like to have a firm foundation in physics combined with study in another area and greater flexibility in choosing elective courses. The program requires a minor in a second field of study chosen by the student in consultation with an adviser.

Nondepartment Requirements (may not be taken S/U)

MATH 191, 192, 291, Calculus and Analytic Geometry I, II, III (9 credits); MATH 391, Vector Analysis; and MATH 392, Differential Equations

Computer programming: Knowledge of one major computer language such as FORTRAN or C; can be satisfied by C S 157 or C S 167 or E E 162/162L

Minor in a second field from another department (18 credits)

Department Requirements

Electives: Sufficient to bring total number of credits to 128, including 55 upper-division.

DEGREE: Bachelor of Science
MAJOR: Physics

A Bachelor of Science degree in physics at NMSU prepares a student well for graduate study in physics or geophysics, or for a variety of careers in research and teaching. Specialization in one of the emphasis areas should increase employability at the B.S. level.

Nondepartmental Requirements

MATH 191, MATH 192, MATH 291, Calculus and Analytic Geometry I, II, III; MATH 391, Vector Analysis; MATH 392, Differential Equations; plus 3 more math credits at the 300 level or higher. PHYS 495, PHYS 496 can be used to meet this.

Additional mathematics courses as recommended by the adviser

CHEM 111, CHEM 112, General Chemistry I, II, or higher-level courses

C S 157, FORTRAN Programming or C S 167, C Programming or E E 162/162L.

ENGL 218G, Technical and Scientific Communication

COMM 265G, Principles of Human Communications

Departmental Requirements

Six additional credits in physics or geophysics numbered 300 or above.

Electives: Sufficient to bring total number of credits to at least 128, including 55 upper-division.

Students who plan to pursue graduate study in physics or geophysics are strongly advised to take PHYS 452, PHYS455, PHYS 456, PHYS 462, PHYS480, and PHYS 495, plus one or more senior-level courses in optics, nuclear physics, atmospheric physics, condensed matter physics, or geophysics.

Students who plan to seek employment at the B.S. level are advised to take one of the following emphasis area curricula in addition to the general and departmental requirements. The program of study should be chosen by the student in consultation with an adviser. Some recommended courses are listed below.

EMPHASIS: Applied Physics

The program of study in applied physics is planned by the student and the physics adviser and includes classes in electrical and mechanical engineering along with classes in computer science.

EMPHASIS: Applied Optics

EMPHASIS: Computational Physics

EMPHASIS: Geophysics

Students desiring to prepare to be high school physics teachers will find the specific requirements listed under the College of Education chapter. Students taking the electrical engineering scientific option will find the specific requirements listed under "Electrical Engineering." Geophysics courses are offered by the Department of Physics and are listed under "Geophysics" in the course description chapter of this catalog.

Designated Minors

In addition to the regular minor, the department offers several special designated minors, listed under "Academic Majors and Minors" in the "General Information" chapter. Any of these, together with an appropriate degree in another field, should give the student a background that is adequate to pursue graduate study in physics, along with the skills that physics bachelor's degree recipients have rated as among the most important in obtaining their current positions. Further information can be found from the department or from its Web page at <www.physics.nmsu.edu>.