All Tracks

Year

Fall

Spring

1 Introduction to Phys.** Exploring Majoring in Phy Calculus I General Chemistry I

Calculus Physics I w/Lab** Calculus II General Chemistry II

2 Calculus Physics II w/Lab

Calculus III

Modern Physics Computer Programming Ordinary Differential

Equations

Traditional Physics Track

3

FALL ONLY COURSES Modern Physics Mathematical Physics Optics w/Lab Modern Physics Lab

SPRING ONLY COURSES Quantum Mechanics Classical Mechanics Electronics for Scientists

w/Lab Physics Electives***

4 FALL ONLY COURSES Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics Electricity & Magnetism Physics Electives***

SPRING ONLY COURSES Physics Research & Seminar Advanced Physics Lab Physics Electives***

The Field of Physics

Physics is the most fundamental science. The core areas of physics include: mechanics (motion, forces, and energy); heat, sound, and light; electricity and magnetism; relativity and quantum mechanics.

Modern areas of physics research include: astrophysics and general relativity; atomic, molecular, and optical physics; bio- and medical physics; condensed matter physics (e.g.,

magnetism, semiconductors, superconductors); nuclear physics; particle physics; and plasma physics.

The UNF B.S. physics programs focus on preparing graduates for employment in a wide array of technical and nontechnical fields. Traditional physics majors are encouraged to enhance their major with a minor in complementary applied fields, such as engineering, computer science, or business. Other students may choose to study astrophysics, physics: materials, pre-medical physics or one of the four engineering physics tracks. Some may want to enter the physics teaching option. The Physics Internship, International Exchange and Teaching Apprenticeship programs may be of interest to some.

Graduates may desire to continue their studies in graduate or professional school. The problem solving skills learned by physics majors are

attractive to numerous employers since they provide an excellent background for many careers in industry.

Physics Curriculum It is important for prospective physics majors to take the full complement of mathematics, science and computer courses while in high school. Prospective majors are encouraged to discuss their plans with the department chair, a UNF physics professor or the Physics advisor. There are eight tracks in the physics major to choose from: Traditional, Astrophysics, Materials, Pre-Medical and Engineering Physics (electrical, mechanical, computing and civil). Those desiring to teach high school physics should choose the physics teaching option: a physics major with a minor in education. Below is a recommended schedule of mathematics and science courses for the traditional track:*

*See the UNF Physics homepage for details on all the eight physics tracks and the physics teaching option.

**Students scoring less than 3 on the high school AP physics exam must take Introduction to Physics (PHY 1020) before enrolling in Calculus Physics I.

***Choose from Astrophysics I , Astrophysics II, Solid State Physics, Nuclear Physics and Advanced Quantum.

Other Opportunities There are many avenues for research and other work while attending UNF. The UNF faculty engage in research in astrophysics and particle physics, solid state physics, geophysics, biophysics and sensor physics. Other work includes tutoring and assisting faculty with grading. The department offers a Physics Internship Program, a Physics Teaching Apprenticeship Program, an Honors-in-the Physics Major and an Exchange Program with a university in France. A chapter of the National Physics Honor Society [Sigma Pi Sigma (ΣΠΣ)], Society of Physics Students (SPS) and Astronomy Club are active on campus. Several grants (e.g., Hercules Scholarship, Shacter Scholarship, Summer Student Research Grant, Teaching Apprenticeship Grant) are available to physics majors. Some research groups have summer salary support for undergraduate research.

About the University of North Florida The University of North Florida (UNF) was founded in 1965. The University offers undergraduate degrees in most all fields of study and has grown to more than 16,000 students. The 1,300 acre campus is situated on a wooded wildlife sanctuary with beautiful nature trails and lakes. UNF is seven miles from the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean and about 12 miles from downtown Jacksonville. The metropolitan area is home to about 1.3 million with a diverse industrial, cultural and recreational base. The city provides opportunities for student employment within the Physics Internship program as well as after graduation. Admission to UNF as a freshman is selective. UNF also has an active Honors Program that may interest prospective physics majors.

UNF Physics Faculty Tenure-Track • Professor and Department Chair James L. Garner,

Ph.D. (Ohio State University), Theoretical Solid State Physics. On sabbatical fall 2016

• Terry Presidential Professor and Acting Chair (fall 2016), Lev Gasparov, Ph.D. (Institute for Solid State Physics, Moscow), Experimental Solid State Physics

• Terry Presidential Professor Thomas Pekarek, Ph.D. (Purdue University), Experimental Solid State Physics. Director, Helium Liquefier Facility

• Associate Professor Jane MacGibbon, Ph.D. (University of Cambridge), Theoretical Astrophysics

• Associate Professor Gregory Wurtz, Ph.D. (University of Technology, Troyes, France), Experimental Solid State Physics

• Assistant Professor Daniel Santavicca, Ph.D. (Yale University), Experimental Solid State Physics

• Assistant Professor Maitri Warusawithana, Ph.D. (University of Illinois), Experimental Solid State Physics

• Assistant Professor Chris Kelso, Ph.D. (University of Chicago), Theoretical Astrophysics. SPS Advisor

• Assistant Professor Jason Haraldsen, Ph.D. (University of Tennessee), Theoretical Solid State Physics

• Assistant Professor John Hewitt, Ph.D. (Northwestern University), Experimental Astrophysics. Astronomy Club Advisor

Lecturers • Senior Lecturer John Anderson, Ph.D. (Harvard

University), Biophysics. Director, Science and Culture Initiative. Director, Physics Teaching Apprenticeship Program. On sabbatical fall 2016

• Senior Lecturer Nirmal Patel, Ph.D. (Sardar Patel University, India), Experimental Solid State Physics. Director, SEM/Electron Beam Lithography Facility

• Lecturer Barry Albright, Ph.D. (University of California, Riverside), Geology and Paleontology

• Lab Manager & Instructor Grace Bossé, Ph.D. (Johns Hopkins University), Experimental Solid State Physics

• Lab Lecturer Lawrence Mao, B.S. (San Francisco State University), Astronomy and Physics Lab Instructor, Astronomy Advisor

Emeritus • Associate Professor Dennis L. Gay, Ph.D. (Florida State

University), Experimental Nuclear Physics • Professor Jay S. Huebner, Ph.D. (University of California,

Riverside) Experimental Solid State Physics, Electronics, Biophysics, and Sensor

2016-17 Visitors Dr. Karl Pezdirtz, Dr. Berik Uzakbaiuly, Dr. Jamila Douari, Mr. Jim Montgomery, and Mr. Dan Legett

Physics at UNF Studying physics at UNF is highlighted by • High quality instruction • Research opportunities • Internship Program • Teaching Apprenticeship Program • Exchange Program in France • On- and off-campus job opportunities • Small class size • Personal attention given by instructors and staff • Financial assistance options Faculty and staff are happy to answer any questions you may have about the physics program at the University of North Florida and can also arrange tours of the department. Major Research Instruments Helium Liquefier Facility Atomic Force Microscopes Femtosecond Pulsed Laser Scanning Electron Microscope (with electron beam lithography) Photolithography Instrument Raman Spectrometer SQUID Magnetometer PPMS Dual Chambers Molecular Beam

Epitaxy System Thermal and Electron Thin Film Deposition Systems High-end Computer Cluster Contact Information Trevor Cheatham, Office Manager Department of Physics Science and Engineering (Bldg. 50), Room 2600 University of North Florida 1 UNF Drive Jacksonville, FL 32224 (904) 620-2729 Webpage:www.unf.edu/coas/physics

Facebook.com/UNFPhysicsDepartment @UNFPhysics

2016-17

Physics Department Goal The University of North Florida

Department of Physics aspires to become the best undergraduate physics department

in the State of Florida and an undergraduate program of national acclaim.

Eight Concentrations Traditional Physics

Astrophysics Pre-Medical Physics Physics: Materials

Engineering Physics (Electrical, Mechanical, Computing, and

Civil)

Options Traditional Physics + Education Minor Traditional Physics + Business Minor