Chairperson: Nicole J. Moore
Professors: E. Aver, J. Bierman, J. Byrne (Emeritus), A. Greer, E. Kincanon
Associate Professors: C. Fink, A. Fritsch, M. Geske, N. Moore
Senior Lecturer: H. Hoeck-Mills
Lecturer: B. Parris
Senior Lab Specialist: J. Kemper
Lab Specialists: D. Buckley, L. Stevens
Students pursuing Physics have a choice of attaining the following degrees:
Bachelor of Science, Physics majorBachelor of Arts, Physics Major
The Bachelor of Science in Physics is designed to prepare students for graduate study and careers in physics or closely related fields in STEM. Students are expected to declare their major in Physics in their first year of study. All students must declare a concentration. The five disciplinary concentrations share a common broad base of physics classes, with specialization occurring during the final years of study. The two interdisciplinary concentrations include substantial coursework in at least two other disciplines in addition to physics coursework, so specialization must occur sooner in order to facilitate timely completion.
The Bachelor of Arts in Physics is designed for students who do not intend to pursue further study in physics or closely related fields, although they may plan to pursue graduate studies in education, law, business, social sciences, the arts, or the humanities. It should be declared no later than the beginning of the second year of study and does not require a concentration. It offers a greater degree of flexibility than the Bachelor of Science, which enables students to pursue a second major, a teaching certification, or other interests.
The concentrations, as well as the B.A., allow students to closely align their course of study with their interests and career aspirations, whether that includes graduate or professional school or entering the workforce directly after their time at Gonzaga. Students who declare late, switch between concentrations, or plan to study abroad may be accommodated by arrangement with the department.
Lower and upper division courses are designed for students to gain proficiency in hands-on, experimental physics and theoretical physics. Majors in Physics will also acquire a familiarity with scientific computation and the use of computers to model and solve physical problems. Summer research opportunities within the department, as well as with other programs, such as Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) programs, are encouraged.
More information is available on the Physics website and the department's MyGU website.
Lower Division
Algebra-based introductory physics. Mechanics, including Newton's laws, conservation laws, fluids, oscillations and waves. Five hours of lecture with experimental demonstrations and problems. Not accepted as a pre-requisite for any advanced work. Fall.
Equivalent:
PHYS 111 - OK if taken since Fall 2023
Taken concurrently with or after the lecture course PHYS 101. Three hours of laboratory. Fall.
Prerequisite:
PHYS 101 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
PHYS 111L - OK if taken since Fall 2023
Algebra-based introductory physics. Thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and optics. Five hours of lecture with experimental demonstrations and problems. Not accepted as pre-requisite for any advanced work. Spring.
Prerequisite:
PHYS 101 Minimum Grade: D
or PHYS 103 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
PHYS 112 - OK if taken since Fall 2023
Taken concurrently with or after the lecture course PHYS 102. Three hours of laboratory. Spring.
Prerequisite:
(PHYS 101L Minimum Grade: D
or PHYS 103L Minimum Grade: D)
and PHYS 102 Minimum Grade: D
or PHYS 103L Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
PHYS 112L - OK if taken since Fall 2023
Calculus-based introductory physics. Mechanics, including Newton's laws, conservation laws, fluids, oscillations, and waves. Five hours of lecture with experimental demonstrations and problems. MATH 157 (Calc I) may be taken prior to or concurrently. Fall and Spring.
Prerequisite:
MATH 157 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
PHYS 121 - OK if taken since Fall 2023
Taken concurrently with or after the lecture course PHYS 103. Three hours of laboratory. Fall and Spring.
Prerequisite:
PHYS 103 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
PHYS 121L - OK if taken since Fall 2023
This course is an integrated course and lab experience satisfying the Core Scientific Inquiry requirement. The course is designed and intended for non-science majors. The topics will be developed conceptually, with the required mathematics not exceeding high school algebra and trigonometry. The specific content will vary with instructor. The course title in Zagweb will identify the focus of the lecture course material. The integrated, open lab experience focuses on developing an understanding of the scientific method and the processes of science, including measurement, modeling, and analysis. The lab experience includes hands-on activities and experiments highlighting the covered processes and delivered in an open lab time format. The lab will be open and staffed on Tuesdays and Thursdays for students to come in and complete that week's lab on their own schedule. Fall and Spring.
Equivalent:
PHYS 105 - OK if taken since Fall 2023
Introductory astronomy. An overview of the celestial objects found within the universe, such as stars, planets, and galaxies. For physics majors and PHYS 105 does NOT fulfill the Core Scientific Inquiry requirement. Annually, upon sufficient demand.
Equivalent:
PHYS 104 - OK if taken since Fall 2023
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. Offered upon sufficient demand.
Equivalent:
PHYS 100 - Taken before Summer 2023
Taken concurrently with PHYS 106. Two hours of laboratory. Offered upon sufficient demand.
Concurrent:
PHYS 106
Equivalent:
PHYS 100L - Taken before Summer 2023
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. Offered upon sufficient demand.
Taken concurrently with PHYS 107. Two hours of laboratory. Offered upon sufficient demand.
Concurrent:
PHYS 107
Algebra-based introductory physics. Mechanics, including Newton's laws, conservation laws, fluids, oscillations, and waves. Five hours of lecture with experimental demonstrations and problems. Not accepted as a pre-requisite for any advanced work. Fall.
Equivalent:
PHYS 101 - Taken before Summer 2023
Taken concurrently with or after the lecture course PHYS 111. Three hours of laboratory. Fall.
Prerequisite:
PHYS 111 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
PHYS 101L - Taken before Summer 2023
Algebra-based introductory physics. Thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and optics. Five hours of lecture with experimental demonstrations and problems. Not accepted as pre-requisite for any advanced work. Spring.
Prerequisite:
PHYS 111 Minimum Grade: D
or PHYS 121 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
PHYS 102 - Taken before Summer 2023
Taken concurrently with or after the lecture course PHYS 112. Three hours of laboratory. Spring.
Prerequisite:
(PHYS 111L Minimum Grade: D
or PHYS 121L Minimum Grade: D)
and PHYS 112 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
PHYS 102L - Taken before Summer 2023
Calculus-based introductory physics. Mechanics, including Newton's laws, conservation laws, fluids, oscillations, and waves. Five hours of lecture with experimental demonstrations and problems. Fall and Spring.
Prerequisite:
MATH 157 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
PHYS 103 - Taken before Summer 2023
Taken concurrently with or after the lecture course PHYS 121. Three hours of laboratory. Fall and Spring.
Prerequisite:
PHYS 121 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
PHYS 103L - Taken before Summer 2023
Calculus-based introductory physics. Thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and optics. Five hours of lecture with experimental demonstrations and problems. MATH 258 Calculus & Analytic Geometry II, may be taken prior to or concurrently. Fall and Spring.
Equivalent:
PHYS 204 - Taken before Summer 2023
Taken concurrently with or after the lecture course PHYS 122. Three hours of laboratory. Fall and Spring.
Prerequisite:
(PHYS 103L Minimum Grade: D
or PHYS 121L Minimum Grade: D)
and (PHYS 122 Minimum Grade: D
or PHYS 204 Minimum Grade: D)
Equivalent:
PHYS 204L - Taken before Summer 2023
Development of tools useful for success in the study of physics, as well as an understanding of the discipline and the resources available to students at Gonzaga. Fall, odd years.
Topics to be determined by instructor.
Directed study in approved topics. Requires completed form and departmental approval. Cannot be registered for via ZagWeb.
The First-Year Seminar (FYS) introduces new Gonzaga students to the University, the Core Curriculum, and Gonzaga’s Jesuit mission and heritage. While the seminars will be taught by faculty with expertise in particular disciplines, topics will be addressed in a way that illustrates approaches and methods of different academic disciplines. The seminar format of the course highlights the participatory character of university life, emphasizing that learning is an active, collegial process.
Survey of mathematical techniques used in upper-division physics courses. Fall.
Prerequisite:
PHYS 122 Minimum Grade: D
or PHYS 204 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
PHYS 300 - Taken before Summer 2023
Calculus-based introductory physics. Thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and optics. Five hours of lecture with experimental demonstrations and problems. MATH 258 Calculus and Analytical Geometry II may be taken prior to or concurrently. Fall and Spring.
Pre-requisite: MATH 258 and PHYS 103
Equivalent:
PHYS 122 - OK if taken since Fall 2023
Taken concurrently with or after the lecture course PHYS 204. Three hours of laboratory. Fall and Spring.
Prerequisite:
PHYS 103L Minimum Grade: D
and PHYS 204 Minimum Grade: D
and PHYS 204 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
PHYS 122L - OK if taken since Fall 2023
Special relativity, development and an introduction to quantum mechanics and other selected topics. Spring.
Prerequisite:
PHYS 204 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
PHYS 224 - OK if taken since Fall 2023
An introduction to computational physics. Students will be introduced to many of the basic ideas, algorithms, and tools used by physicists to solve problems. Techniques learned here will be used in most upper level courses. Fall, even years.
Pre-requisite: MATH 258 and PHYS 103
Equivalent:
PHYS 325 - OK if taken since Fall 2023
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, even years.
Prerequisite:
PHYS 204L Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
PHYS 222 - OK if taken since Fall 2023
Usually taken concurrently with PHYS 205, this course looks at laboratory examples of topics covered in PHYS 205. Spring, odd years.
Prerequisite:
PHYS 205 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
PHYS 205L - Successful completion
PHYS 217L - Successful completion
PHYS 217L - Successful completion
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. Fall, even years.
Prerequisite:
PHYS 122L Minimum Grade: D
or PHYS 204L Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
PHYS 210 - Taken before Summer 2023
Special relativity, development, and an introduction to quantum mechanics and other selected topics. Spring.
Prerequisite:
PHYS 122 Minimum Grade: D
or PHYS 204 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
PHYS 205 - Taken before Summer 2023
Development of tools useful for success in the practice of physics, as well as an understanding of the discipline and the opportunities available to students during and after their time at Gonzaga. Fall, even years.
Topics to be determined by instructor.
Directed study in approved topics. Requires completed form and departmental approval. Cannot be registered for via ZagWeb.
Upper Division
Survey of mathematical techniques used in upper division physics courses. Fall.
Prerequisite:
PHYS 204 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
PHYS 201 - OK if taken since Fall 2023
Particle and rigid body statics and dynamics in a rigorous vectorial calculus treatment. A fundamental introduction to theoretical physics. Spring, even years.
Prerequisite:
PHYS 300 Minimum Grade: D
or (MATH 259 Minimum Grade: D
and MATH 260 Minimum Grade: D
and PHYS 204 Minimum Grade: D)
Electrical and magnetic phenomena leading to a development of Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic field theory. Fall, even years.
Prerequisite:
PHYS 300 Minimum Grade: D
or (MATH 259 Minimum Grade: D
and MATH 260 Minimum Grade: D
and PHYS 204 Minimum Grade: D)
Equivalent:
PHYS 322 - OK if taken since Fall 2023
Treatment of optical phenomena using the three major models for light: rays, waves, and photons. Spring, odd years.
Prerequisite:
PHYS 300 Minimum Grade: D
or (PHYS 204 Minimum Grade: D
and MATH 259 Minimum Grade: D
and MATH 260 Minimum Grade: D)
Equivalent:
PHYS 452 - OK if taken since Fall 2023
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, odd years.
Prerequisite:
PHYS 204L Minimum Grade: D
Particle and rigid body statics and dynamics in a rigorous vectorial calculus treatment. A fundamental introduction to theoretical physics. Spring, even years.
Prerequisite(s): (PHYS 201 or (MATH 259 and MATH 260)) and PHYS 122
Equivalent:
PHYS 301 - Taken before Summer 2023
Electrical and magnetic phenomena leading to a development of Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic field theory. Fall, even years.
Prerequisite(s): (PHYS 201 or (MATH 259 and MATH 260)) and PHYS 122
Equivalent:
PHYS 306 - Taken before Summer 2023
Study of thermal properties from microscopic and statistical viewpoints. Topics include: probability distributions, entropy, density of states, black body radiation. Spring, odd years.
Prerequisite:
PHYS 122 Minimum Grade: D
or PHYS 204 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
PHYS 450 - Taken before Summer 2023
Development of techniques to represent and solve the Schrödinger equation for various potential energy functions and measurements in quantum mechanical systems. Fall, odd years.
Prerequisite(s): PHYS 224 and (PHYS 201 or (MATH 259 and MATH 260))
Equivalent:
PHYS 464 - Taken before Summer 2023
An introduction to computational physics. Students will be introduced to many of the basic ideas, algorithms, and tools used by physicists to solve problems. Techniques learned here will be used in most upper-level courses. Spring, odd years.
Prerequisite(s): MATH 258 and PHYS 121
Equivalent:
PHYS 208 - Taken before Summer 2023
Topics to be determined by instructor.
Directed study in approved topics. Requires completed form and departmental approval. Cannot be registered for via ZagWeb.
Undergraduate research assistantships are opportunities for student to earn a stipend while performing independent research in the laboratory of a Physics faculty member.
Study of experimental and theoretical aspects of nuclear interactions as they apply to nuclear structure and elementary particle characteristics. Spring, even years.
Prerequisite:
PHYS 205 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
PHYS 454 - OK if taken since Fall 2023
Study of biological systems using first principles, tools, and models from physics. Topics may include diffusion, membrane potentials, models of neural dynamics, information processing in biological systems, and other selected biophysics topics. Spring, even years. Upon sufficient demand.
Prerequisite:
(CPSC 121 Minimum Grade: D
or ENSC 192 Minimum Grade: D)
and PHYS 300 Minimum Grade: D
or (PHYS 204 Minimum Grade: D
and MATH 260 Minimum Grade: D)
Equivalent:
PHYS 456 - OK if taken since Fall 2023
Study of the global evolution of the universe, including the expansion rate of the universe, big bang nucleosynthesis, the cosmic microwave background radiation, inflation, relativity, and other selected astrophysics topics. Spring, even years. Upon sufficient demand.
Prerequisite:
PHYS 300 Minimum Grade: D
or (MATH 259 Minimum Grade: D
and MATH 260 Minimum Grade: D
and PHYS 204 Minimum Grade: D)
Equivalent:
PHYS 455 - OK if taken since Fall 2023
Extension of techniques and concepts of Quantum Mechanics to systems with greater complexity, such as the inclusion of relativistic effects and the behavior of identical particles. Spring, even years.
Prerequisite:
PHYS 324 Minimum Grade: D
The Core Integration Seminar (CIS) engages the Year Four Question: “Imagining the possible: What is our role in the world?” by offering students a culminating seminar experience in which students integrate the principles of Jesuit education, prior components of the Core, and their disciplinary expertise. Each section of the course will focus on a problem or issue raised by the contemporary world that encourages integration, collaboration, and problem solving. The topic for each section of the course will be proposed and developed by each faculty member in a way that clearly connects to the Jesuit Mission, to multiple disciplinary perspectives, and to our students’ future role in the world.
Study of thermal properties from microscopic and statistical viewpoints. Topics include: probability distributions, entropy, density of states, black body radiation. Fall, odd years.
Prerequisite:
PHYS 204 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
PHYS 323 - OK if taken since Fall 2023
Study of advanced classical and relativistic systems, including orbital mechanics, coupled oscillations, electromagnetic waves, and relativistic transformations. Spring, odd years.
Prerequisite:
PHYS 224 Minimum Grade: D
and PHYS 321 Minimum Grade: D
and PHYS 322 Minimum Grade: D
Treatment of optical phenomena using the three major models for light: rays, waves, and photons. Spring, even years.
Prerequisite(s): (PHYS 201 or (MATH 259 and MATH 260)) and PHYS 122
Equivalent:
PHYS 307 - Taken before Summer 2023
Study of solid materials using both macroscopic and microscopic quantum models from physics. Topics may include early models of solids, mechanical and thermal properties of materials, elasticity, chemical bonding, metals, crystal structure, phonons and vibrational modes, electric conductivity, band gap theory and semiconductors, transistors, magnetic properties of materials, and other selected solid state topics. Fall, odd years.
Prerequisite(s): PHYS 224 and (PHYS 201 or (MATH 259 and MATH 260))
Equivalent:
PHYS 468 - Taken before Summer 2023
Study of experimental and theoretical aspects of nuclear interactions as they apply to nuclear structures and elementary particle characteristics. Fall, odd years.
Prerequisite:
PHYS 244 Minimum Grade: D
or PHYS 205 Minimum Grade: D
Equivalent:
PHYS 409 - Taken before Summer 2023
Study of the global evolution of the universe, including the expansion rate of the universe, big bang nucleosynthesis, the cosmic microwave background radiation, inflation, relativity, and other selected astrophysics topics. Spring, odd years.
Prerequisite(s): (PHYS 201 or (MATH 259 and MATH 260)) and PHYS 122
Equivalent:
PHYS 415 - Taken before Summer 2023
Study of biological systems using first principles, tools, and models from physics. Topics may include diffusion, membrane potentials, models of neural dynamics, information processing in biological systems, and other selected biophysics topics. Fall, even years.
Prerequisite(s): (CPSC 121 or ENSC201 ) and PHYS 122 and (PHYS 201 or MATH 260)
Equivalent:
PHYS 412 - Taken before Summer 2023
Development of techniques to represent and solve the Schrödinger equation for various potential energy functions and measurements in quantum mechanical systems. Fall, odd years.
Prerequisite:
(PHYS 205 Minimum Grade: D
and PHYS 300 Minimum Grade: D)
or (PHYS 205 Minimum Grade: D
and MATH 259 Minimum Grade: D
and MATH 260 Minimum Grade: D)
Equivalent:
PHYS 324 - OK if taken since Fall 2023
Study of solid materials using both macroscopic and microscopic quantum models from physics. Topics may include early models of solids, mechanical and thermal properties of materials, elasticity, chemical bonding, metals, crystal structure, phonons and vibrational modes, electric conductivity, band gap theory and semiconductors, transistors, magnetic properties of materials, and other selected solid state topics. Fall, even years. Upon sufficient demand.
Prerequisite:
(PHYS 205 Minimum Grade: D
and PHYS 300 Minimum Grade: D)
or (PHYS 205 Minimum Grade: D
and MATH 259 Minimum Grade: D
and MATH 260 Minimum Grade: D)
Equivalent:
PHYS 453 - OK if taken since Fall 2023
Topics to be determined by instructor.
Directed study in approved topics. Requires completed form and departmental approval. Cannot be registered for via ZagWeb.
Credit recognition of an internship or research experience, arranged by the student, directly related to the student's Physics Major and/or career plans, where said experience helps the student increase and develop practical physics knowledge and skills. Prior to registration, the student must secure participation in an internship or research experience, identify a faculty supervisor, complete and submit the Physics Department Internship Application form, and receive permission from the Physics Department.
May be undertaken by B.S. Physics Majors in their senior year. Permission from Physics Department required.