Courses

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 100. Two hours of laboratory. Offered upon sufficient demand.

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.

Taken concurrently with or after the lecture course PHYS 101. Three hours of laboratory. Fall.

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.

Taken concurrently with or after the lecture course PHYS 102. Three hours of laboratory. Spring.

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.

Taken concurrently with or after the lecture course PHYS 103. Three hours of laboratory. Fall and Spring.

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.

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 and trigonometry. Offered upon sufficient demand.

PHYS 110L is optional with concurrent enrollment in PHYS 110. It will consist of experiments and activities further investigating the topics of PHYS 110 involving astronomical measurements and analysis. The required mathematics will not exceed high school algebra and trigonometry. Two hours of laboratory. Offered upon sufficient demand.

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. Offered upon sufficient demand.

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. Two hours of laboratory. Offered upon sufficient demand.

This course looks 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. Offered upon sufficient demand.

Lab course to accompany PHYS 140. Experiments involve examination of crater formation, angle of repose, wave motion, rock classification, and buoyancy. Two hours of laboratory. Offered upon sufficient demand.

Topic to be determined by instructor.

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.

Topic to be determined by instructor.

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

Taken concurrently with or after the lecture course PHYS 204. Three hours of laboratory. Fall and Spring.

Special relativity, development and an introduction to quantum mechanics and other selected topics. Spring.

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

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.

Usually taken concurrently with PHYS 205, this course looks at laboratory examples of topics covered in PHYS 205. Spring, odd years.

Directed reading in approved topics. Requires completion of a form, departmental approval and cannot be registered for via ZAGWEB.

Survey of mathematical techniques used in upper division physics courses. Fall.

Particle and rigid body statics and dynamics in a rigorous vectorial calculus treatment. A fundamental introduction to theoretical physics. Spring, even years.

Electrical and magnetic phenomena leading to a development of Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic field theory. Fall, even years.

Treatment of optical phenomena using the three major models for light: rays, waves, and photons. Spring, odd years.

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.

Topic to be determined by faculty.

Undergraduate research assistantships are opportunities for student to earn a stipend while performing independent research in the laboratory of a Physics faculty member.

A continuation of PHYS 301 and extension to dynamics of particles, rigid bodies, and fluids by the use of Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms. Fall, even years.

A continuation of PHYS 306; a study of advanced topics in E&M. Spring, odd years.

Study of experimental and theoretical aspects of nuclear interactions as they apply to nuclear structure and elementary particle characteristics. Spring, even years.

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.

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.

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.

Development of techniques to represent and solve the Schrödinger equation for various potential energy functions and measurements in quantum mechanical systems. Fall, odd years.

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.

Directed reading in advanced topics. Requires completion of form and department permission.

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.