Courses


PHYS 100 Conceptual Physics 3.00 credits
The basic principles of physics are covered in a descriptive (non-mathematical) manner. Designed for students not majoring in the natural sciences or those needing a very basic background in physics. Fall or Spring.
 
PHYS 100L Conceptual Physics Laboratory 1.00 credit
Taken concurrently with PHYS 100. Two hours of laboratory.
 
Concurrent: PHYS 100
PHYS 101 General Physics I 4.00 credits
Algebra-based introductory physics. Mechanics, fluids, and sound. Three hours of lecture with experimental demonstrations and problems. Not accepted as a prerequisite for any advanced work. Fall.
 
PHYS 101L General Physics I Lab 1.00 credit
Taken concurrently with the lecture course PHYS 101. Three hours of laboratory. Fall.
 
Concurrent: PHYS 101
PHYS 102 Gen Physics II 4.00 credits
Algebra-based introductory physics. Heat, light, electricity, magnetism, and modern physics. Three hours of lecture with experimental demonstrations and problems. Not accepted as prerequisite for any advanced work. Spring.
 
Prerequisite: PHYS 101 Minimum Grade: D or PHYS 103 Minimum Grade: D
PHYS 102L General Physics II Laboratory 1.00 credit
Taken concurrently with the lecture course PHYS 102. Three hours of laboratory. Spring.
 
Prerequisite: PHYS 101L Minimum Grade: D or PHYS 103L Minimum Grade: D or PHYS 103L Minimum Grade: D
Concurrent: PHYS 102
PHYS 103 Scientific Physics I 3.00 credits
Calculus-based physics. Classical mechanics: dynamics, waves, and fluids. Three hours of lecture with experimental demonstrations and problems. Fall and Spring.
 
Prerequisite: MATH 157 Minimum Grade: D
Concurrent: PHYS 103R
PHYS 103L Scientific Physics I Lab 1.00 credit
Taken concurrently with the lecture course PHYS 103. Three hours of laboratory. Fall and Spring.
 
Concurrent: PHYS 103
PHYS 103R Scientific Physics I Recite .00 credits
Must be taken concurrently with PHYS 103 with the same instructor. Fall and Spring.
 
Concurrent: PHYS 103
PHYS 110 Intro to Astronomy 3.00 credits
This course is designed for the non-science major. A wide range of topics is covered in order to give an overview of what is currently known about the structure and evolution of the universe. Most areas of observational and theoretical astronomy do not go beyond basic high-school algebra.
 
PHYS 110L Intro to Astronomy Lab 1.00 credit
This laboratory familiarizes students with the constellations and methods in amateur astronomy. The course meets once weekly for two hours with a majority of the lab work done outside the classroom. Mathematics involved does not go beyond basic algebra and trigonometry.
 
Concurrent: PHYS 110
PHYS 121 Symmetry 3.00 credits
An introduction to symmetry and the role it plays in governing physical phenomena. Topics covered include classical mechanics, electromagnetism, optics, and relativity. This course is specifically designed for non-science majors. Mathematics will be at the level of high-school algebra and trigonometry.
 
PHYS 121L Symmetry Lab 1.00 credit
PHYS 121L is optional with concurrent enrollment in PHYS 121. It will consist of experiments and activities involving symmetry concepts, and is designed to familiarize the student with the quantitative methods one uses to make and test predictions in a scientific manner.
 
PHYS 123 Physics in Society & Culture 3.00 credits
Basic principles of physics are covered in a descriptive (non-mathematical) manner. Designed to satisfy the core science requirement for students not majoring in the natural sciences. Summer.
 
PHYS 123L Physics in Society lab 1.00 credit
Taken concurrently with PHYS 123. Two hours of laboratory.
 
Concurrent: PHYS 123
PHYS 125 Physics of Music and Sound 3.00 credits
The nature of vibrations and waves will be studied and investigated at the introductory level. Vibrations, properties of waves, addition of waves and the resulting wave phenomena will be covered with an emphasis on their relationship to sound production and interpretation via the ear. This class is designed for non-science majors. The required mathematics will not exceed high school algebra.
 
PHYS 125L Physics of Sound and Music Lab 1.00 credit
PHYS 125L is optional with concurrent enrollment in PHYS 125. The course will further investigate topics from PHYS 125 involving the behavior of waves. The required mathematics will not exceed high school algebra and trigonometry.
 
PHYS 140 Intro Geophysics 3.00 credits
This course will look at the basic principles of geophysics. Topics examined include earthquakes, tsunamis, land formations and erosion, geological exploration, and global warming. Mathematics is kept at a minimal level.
 
Concurrent: PHYS 140L
PHYS 140L Intro Geophysics Lab 1.00 credit
This is a lab course to accompany PHYS 140. Experiments involve examination of crater formation, angle of repose, wave motion, rock classification, and buoyancy.
 
Concurrent: PHYS 140
PHYS 150 Applying Scientific Method 3.00 credits
Teaches the scientific method by applying it to current and familiar topics. Students move from relatively easy topics of investigation (e.g., the chances of being in an auto accident next year) to more in-depth investigations (e.g., whether global warming is a real phenomenon).
 
PHYS 185 Spec Topic 1.00 - 4.00 credits
Topic to be determined by instructor.
 
PHYS 198 Lab Methodology .00 - 1.00 credits
 
PHYS 199 Special Topics 3.00 - 4.00 credits
 
PHYS 199L Special Topics Lab .00 - 1.00 credits
 
Concurrent: PHYS 199
PHYS 204 Scientific Physics II 3.00 credits
Calculus-based physics. Thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and optics. Three hours of lecture with experimental demonstrations and problems. Fall and Spring.
 
Prerequisite: PHYS 103 Minimum Grade: D and MATH 258 Minimum Grade: D
Concurrent: PHYS 204R
PHYS 204L Scientific Physics II Lab 1.00 credit
Taken concurrently with the lecture course PHYS 204. Three hours of laboratory. Fall and Spring.
 
Prerequisite: PHYS 103L Minimum Grade: D
Concurrent: PHYS 204
PHYS 204R Scientific Physics II Recite .00 credits
Taken concurrently with the lecture course PHYS 204 with the same instructor.
 
Prerequisite: PHYS 103 Minimum Grade: D
Concurrent: PHYS 204
PHYS 205 Modern Physics 3.00 credits
Special relativity, development and an introduction to quantum mechanics and other selected topics. Spring of odd years.
 
Prerequisite: PHYS 204 Minimum Grade: D
PHYS 210 Intro to Linear Electronics 2.00 credits
This course is primarily a laboratory in which students learn basic concepts of linear electronics and laboratory techniques through passive components, DC and AC applications, use of test equipment, operational amplifiers, basic transistor circuits, and more. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory exercise per week. Spring of even years.
 
Prerequisite: PHYS 204L Minimum Grade: D
PHYS 217 Modern Physics Lab 2.00 credits
Usually taken concurrently with PHYS 205, this course looks at laboratory examples of topics covered in PHYS 205. Spring of odd years.
 
PHYS 290 Sophomore Directed Reading 1.00 - 3.00 credits
Directed reading in approved topics. Requires completion of a form, departmental approval and cannot be registered for via ZAGWEB.
 
PHYS 300 Mathematical Methods 3.00 credits
Survey of mathematical techniques used in upper division physics courses. Fall.
 
Prerequisite: PHYS 204 Minimum Grade: D
PHYS 301 Intermediate Mechanics 3.00 credits
Particle and rigid body statics and dynamics in a rigorous vectorial calculus treatment. A fundamental introduction to theoretical physics. Spring of even years.
 
Prerequisite: PHYS 300 Minimum Grade: D or (MATH 259 Minimum Grade: D and MATH 260 Minimum Grade: D)
PHYS 306 Electricity and Magnetism 3.00 credits
Electrical and magnetic phenomena leading to a development of Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic field theory. Fall of even years.
 
Prerequisite: PHYS 300 Minimum Grade: D or (MATH 259 Minimum Grade: D and MATH 260 Minimum Grade: D)
PHYS 307 Physical Optics 3.00 credits
Classical electromagnetic theory applied to optical phenomena. Spring of odd years.
 
Prerequisite: PHYS 306 Minimum Grade: D
PHYS 310 Intermediate Laboratory 2.00 credits
This course will discuss the major analytic techniques used in experimental physics through experiments in mechanics, heat, electromagnetism, and modern physics, and will apply these techniques to classic experiments. Fall of odd years.
 
Prerequisite: PHYS 204L Minimum Grade: D
PHYS 390 Directed Study 1.00 - 4.00 credits
Topic to be decided by faculty.
 
PHYS 402 Advanced Mechanics 3.00 credits
A continuation of PHYS 301 and extension to dynamics of particles, rigid bodies, and fluids by the use of Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms. Fall of even years.
 
Prerequisite: PHYS 301 Minimum Grade: D
PHYS 407 Electricity & Magnetism II 3.00 credits
A continuation of PHYS 306; a study of advanced topics in E&M for graduate school preparation. Spring of odd years.
 
Prerequisite: PHYS 306 Minimum Grade: D
PHYS 409 Nuclear and Particle Physics 3.00 credits
Study of experimental and theoretical aspects of nuclear interactions as they apply to nuclear structure and elementary particle characteristics. Spring of even years.
 
Prerequisite: PHYS 205 Minimum Grade: D
PHYS 450 Statistical Physics 3.00 credits
Study of thermal properties from microscopic and statistical viewpoints. Topics include: probability distributions, entropy, density of states, black body radiation. Fall of odd years.
 
Prerequisite: PHYS 204 Minimum Grade: D
PHYS 464 Intro to Quantum Physics 3.00 credits
The development of the Schrödinger equation and its application to various potential energy functions. Fall of odd years.
 
Prerequisite: PHYS 205 Minimum Grade: D and PHYS 300 Minimum Grade: D
PHYS 468 Solid State Physics 3.00 credits
An introduction to the quantum-mechanical description of solid materials and their behaviors.
 
Prerequisite: PHYS 464 Minimum Grade: D
PHYS 490 Directed Reading 1.00 - 4.00 credits
Directed reading in advanced topics. Requires completion of form, and department permission.
 
PHYS 499 Senior Project .00 - 3.00 credits
May be undertaken by B.S. physics majors in their senior year. Permission from department required.