Physics, B.S.

Major Requirements

The Physics B.A. consists of nine physics courses and five mathematics courses. The Physics B.S. requires an additional 12 credits of physics electives. The Physics B.A. and the Physics B.S. requirements include the completion of a minimum of 54 and 66 credits, respectively, in courses that satisfy major requirements. All program requirements can be met within the 124 credit numerical requirement, with room for several free electives. 

Physics

• PHY 2211 - Physics I Credits: 4 (grade of B or better required)
• PHY 2212 - Physics II Credits: 4 (grade of B or better required)
• PHY 2241 - Introduction to Quantum Physics Credits: 4
• PHY 3304 - Thermal Physics Credits: 4 or (MEN 3030  and MEN 3032 ) 
• PHY 3311 - Analytical Mechanics I Credits: 4
• PHY 4412 - Quantum Mechanics I Credits: 4
• PHY 4451 - Advanced Laboratory Credits: 4
• 8 credits of additional Physics or STEM coursework chosen from the following:

                    PHY courses numbered 2500 or higher

                    AST1101H (Introduction to Astronomy, Honors)

                    MTH courses numbered 2221 or higher

                    EEN, GEN, CEN, MEN, CHM, or BIO courses numbered 2000 or higher

                    EEN1200 (Digital Fundamentals)

                    CSC courses numbered 2500 or higher

                    The Physics Department may approve other courses on a case by case basis

Additional Requirements

(normally 68 credits): Physics B.A. requirements plus 12 additional credits of physics-related electives chosen from among the following:

• Additional upper division Physics courses

• AST 1101 - Introduction to Astronomy Credits: 4

• Upper division courses from other departments approved by the Physics Department

Interdepartmental Contract Majors

The fundamental nature and quantitative aspects of physics make it a natural framework for the construction of a wide range of interdisciplinary “interdepartmental contract majors.” Students interested in this option should discuss the possibilities with a member of the physics department.

Education Certification

The Physics B.A. or B.S. with a double major in Education provides Merrimack students the opportunity to graduate with initial licensure to teach physics in grades 8-12. Students interested in a teaching career should connect with an advisor from the School of Education as soon as possible.

Embedded Controller Concentration

Embedded controllers are the relatively small, inexpensive, low power microprocessors found in a vast array of devices ranging from mobile phones to washing machines to automobiles. Students who complete this concentration will have learned how to design, build, and test simple embedded controller systems. The necessary programming and circuitry principles and techniques learned along the way are valuable in their own right.

• CSC 1610 - Problem Solving with Java Credits: 4
• EEN 1200 - Digital Fundamentals Credits: 4
• EEN 2270 - Embedded Microprocessors Credits: 4

• EEN2270 requires knowledge of both analog and digital circuits. The analog circuit requirement is met by PHY2212. The digital circuit requirement is satisfied by either EEN1200 (normally required as a pre-requisite but which can be taken as co-requisite with instructor approval) or by permission of the instructor pending completion of the assigned background reading on digital circuits.