Department of Physics
http://www.physics.ncat.edu
Abdellah Amidouch, Chairperson

OBJECTIVES

The Department of Physics will provide North Carolina A&T State University with a comprehensive and robust program of physics designed to educate, train, and prepare a diverse group of students for careers in science, technology, engineering, physics and mathematics. Physics majors at both the undergraduate and graduate levels will learn how to analyze complex phenomena, think critically, solve problems, develop independent learning skills, and use good judgment and practical skills in various laboratory environments. These graduates will be prepared to meet our nation’s scientific workforce needs in state and federal governments, the industrial workplace, research laboratories, higher education, and secondary schools.

DEGREES OFFERED

Physics  – Bachelor of Science

Physics (Environmental Geophysics)  – Bachelor of Science

Physics (Space Science) – Bachelor of Science

Engineering Physics – Bachelor of Science

Interdisciplinary Physics – Bachelor of Science

Physics – Master of Science*

Computational Science and Engineering – Master of Science*

Energy and Environmental Studies – Doctor of Philosophy*

*See the Graduate School Bulletin

GENERAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the general admission requirements of the University, a student must have two units of algebra, one unit of plane geometry, and 1/2 unit of trigonometry.

DEPARTMENTAL REQUIREMENTS courses

Common Courses for All Concentrations (75 hours)

A.	Required Major Core Courses for Physics for All Concentrations (32 hours)

PHYS 241 PHYS 242 PHYS 251 PHYS 252

PHYS 400 PHYS 405  PHYS 406 PHYS 415

PHYS 420 PHYS 430 PHYS 445 PHYS 550

B.	Required Math Courses for Physics for All Concentrations (12 hours)

MATH 131

MATH 132

MATH 231

C.	Required UNST Courses for Physics for All Concentrations (25 hours)

	UNST 100 UNST 110	UNST 120 UNST 130	UNST 140
	Four UNST Elective courses

D.	Required Elective Courses for Physics for All Concentrations (6 hours)

CHEM 106

CHEM 116

GEEN 102

Physics Major - As a major in physics all students in all concentrations must complete 124-128 semester hours of University courses depending on the concentration. Included in the 124-128 semester hours are 75 semester hours of core physics, mathematics, university studies and science electives courses. A minimum grade of “C” must be achieved in all math and physics courses.

Space Science concentration – The concentration in space science must complete 124-128 semester hours of University courses. In this program students can choose electives applicable to space science and technology such as image processing, digital communication, artificial intelligence, aerospace, computational fluid dynamics and Earth System Science. A minimum grade of "C" must be achieved in all math and physics courses.

Environmental Geophysics concentration – The Concentration in environmental geophysics must complete 125 semester hours of University courses. The program is designed to provide international field experience to students, and the senior level geophysics courses are taken at NC State University.

Interdisciplinary Physicist concentration – The concentration in Interdisciplinary physics must complete 124 semester hours of University courses. Students can choose a secondary discipline in biology, chemistry, mathematics, psychology or journalism and mass communication based on interest.

Engineering Physics concentration – The concentration in engineering physics must complete 128 semester hours of University courses. A minimum grade of “C” must be achieved in all math and physics courses.

ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The Department of Physics provides quality instruction, mentoring, and training in order to produce competitive graduates who are trained in the arts of critical thinking, analytical reasoning, independent learning, and problem solving.  The department has strong and active collaborations with major research institutions such as Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Stanford University, the University of Connecticut, and Pennsylvania State University.  Collaborations with national laboratories include the Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics (JILA), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab).  International collaborations include the University of Marseilles in France and the Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia.  More than half of our physics majors participate in summer research at these institutions.

ENRICHMENT FACILITIES

Departmental teaching facilities include smart classrooms, computerized undergraduate laboratories, an astronomy observatory, and a planetarium. The department plays a major role in many interdisciplinary campus research activities and program developments. In addition, the department provides numerous service courses to meet the science, technology, engineering, and mathematical needs for the university’s engineering, science, and non-science programs.

RESEARCH PROGRAMS AND FACILITES

There are five research groups in the department with adequate facilities.

1. Low and Medium Energy Physics: Research carried out on campus and at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, and Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory with support by a grant from the National Science Foundation.

2. Chemical Physics: Experimental and Theoretical: Facilities include: Two 20 Hz ND: YAG Laser two Continuum ND 6000 dye lasers, a UVX: frequency doubling and tracking system. A Continuum Leopard pico second laser with second, third and fourth harmonic generating crystals. Reflectron Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer: with pulsed source and effusive source. Other Accessories include a 35 cm McPherson Monochromator, a SPEX Spectrometer, a Tektronix digital oscilloscope, Le Croy 4 channel, 3GHz with 20 GS/s sampling rate oscilloscope, Box Car averager and gated integrator system (Stanford System), Power Supply (Stanford), Temperature controllers (Omega Engineering), PMT, PMT cooled housing, and optical components. In addition for theoretical and computational work facilities include: Eight paralleled dual- processor Apple Macintosh G5’s (“Big-Mac”), several IBM and SUN servers. The National Science Foundation supports the research.

3. Physics of Materials: Research in low temperature and semiconductor physics. Facilities include: Closed cycle refrigerators, LR-400AC Resistance bridge, tube furnace, AC susceptibility set up, crystal growth setup, water cooled electromagnet (Varian), Lakeshore EM4-HV water cooled electromagnet

4. Physics Education: Research on web-based education and innovative teaching methods and creating a responsive learning environment. The research is supported by a grant from The National Science Foundation and The Department of Education. Space and Earth Science Education development through NASA and NSF grants.

5. Seismic Data Processing Facility: the research in seismic physical modeling, seismic data analysis, subsurface imaging and non-destructive testing using ultrasonic waves. The research is supported by a grants from the National Science Foundation and the Department of Education.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

A knowledge and understanding of the principles of physics not only leads to a profound understanding of the physical world but also supplies the scientist with the insight to develop new and innovative ideas. The technology and devices that influence our daily lives are based upon the discoveries of physics. Theoretical and experimental physicists are on the cutting edge of this exciting and vital progress. They are everywhere: they work in industry, in national laboratories, and on college campuses, and on Wall Street. They are astronauts on the space shuttle. They are astronomers who hunt for new planets beyond our solar system and who are concerned with the origin and evolution of the universe. They are men and women who are interested in how things work and in how things might work. A physics education develops problem-solving skills and provides a firm knowledge of basic science and the ability to apply and adapt that knowledge within the workplace. Owing to their training, physicists excel at solving complex problems, which allows them to seek employment in a surprisingly wide range of academic, government, and industrial settings, well beyond the traditional boundaries of physics.

Total Credit Hours: 124
Physics core requirements: PHYS: 241,251,242,252,405,406,445,400,415,430,420,550

Physics and MATH additional requirements: PHYS 401,416,422; MATH 450

MATH and SCIENCE: MATH 131,132,231; CHEM106, 116, GEEN 102.

UNST: 25 hours: 100,110,120 130,140 + 4 courses UNST Electives

Physics electives: PHYS 520,467,468,465,450, 510,520

Free electives: 18 hours, Foreign language: 6 hours

# PHYS 550 – capstone course

REQUIRED MAJOR COURSES FOR PHYSICS (ENVIRONMENTAL GEOPHYSICS)

In addition to the ones listed for all concentrations the environmental geophysics track has the following additional requirements:

Students spend a senior semester at North Carolina State University in the Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and take the following courses:

CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR PHYSICS (ENVIRONMENTAL GEOPHYSICS)

Total Credit Hours: 125

Physics core requirements: PHYS: 241,251,242,252, 405,406,445,400,415,430,420,550

Geophysics requirements: GEOG 200; AGEN 116; PHYS: 440,300,441; EASC: 201,309,433; CIEN 310, CHEM 107, 117

MATHS and SCIENCE: MATH 131,132,231; CHEM106, 116,GEEN 102.

UNST: 25 hours: 100,110,120 130,140 + 4 courses UNST Electives

# PHYS 550 – capstone course

CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR PHYSICS (SPACE SCIENCE)

Total Credit Hours: 125
Physics core requirements: PHYS: 241,251,242,252,406,445,400,415,430,420,550
Space science requirements: PHYS: 101,280, 440,451,480,500, 490,580; EASC 330

MATHS and SCIENCE: MATH 131,132,231,431,432, CHEM106, and 116, GEEN 102

UNST: 25 hours: 100,110,120 130,140 + 4 courses UNST Electives

Note:  MATH 431 used instead of PHYS 405

** Electives can be taken in three categories:

1. Earth System Science: ESAC: 201, 309,330,622,616,666, 699

2. Electrical Engineering: EELN: 200,300400,650,651,66657,658,674,678,685,686

3. Mechanical Engineering: MEEN: 335,336,337,415,422,416,653,655

4. Other Electives: PHYS: 401,416,450,441,490 ECT 634

# PHYS 550 – capstone course

CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR PHYSICS (INTERDISCIPLINARY PHYSICS)

Total Credit Hours: 124
Disciplinary Electives  (22 credit hours) to be determined by the student’s interest and approved by an advisor in Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics or Psychology

Physics core requirements: PHYS: 241,251,242,252,406,445,400,415,430,420,550,405

MATHS and SCIENCE: MATH 131,132,231, CHEM106, and 116, GEEN 102

UNST: 25 hours: 100,110,120 130,140 + 4 courses UNST Electives

Foreign language requirements: 6 hours

CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR PHYSICS (ENGINEERING PHYSICS)

FRESHMAN YEAR

Total Credit Hours: 128

1.  Studen