Course Descriptions

Please refer to the current Academic Bulletin for the most updated list of course descriptions for this major.

PHYS 102 Physics and the Arts
3 Semester Credit Hours

Analyses of the physics of light and sound and how our eyes and ears detect them. Understanding the physics of light and sound is intended to increase the appreciation for works of art and music, and may even stimulate the artists and musicians among the students to deepen their knowledge of their media, of how people interface with them, and perhaps improve their art/music. Students will only be required to do simple computations, including fractions and very elementary high school algebra.

PHYS 103 Astronomy
3 Semester Credit Hours

This course will generally introduce the student to various astrophysical concepts and theories which describe, scientifically, our known universe. Emphasis will be placed on observational astronomy – i.e., the student will routinely examine astronomical objects (e.g., planets and stars) through a high-quality computerized telescope. Additionally, we will examine rare meteorites (Martian, lunar, etc.) on a daily basis. Some topics will be explained in mathematical terms, but there are no prerequisites for the course.

PHYS 111 Introductory General Physics I
3 Semester Credit Hours

Mechanics, heat and sound are studied. Derivations and applications of simple formulas using algebra and trigonometry are stressed. Problem solving is a basic part of the course. Three hours lecture per week. Co-requisite: PHYS 112. Offered in the Fall.

PHYS 112 Introductory General Physics I Laboratory
1 Semester Credit Hours

Co-requisite: PHYS 111, three hours laboratory per week.

PHYS 121 Introductory General Physics II
3 Semester Credit Hours

A continuation of Physics 111. Electricity, magnetism, light and selected topics of modern physics are studied. Derivations and applications of simple formulas using algebra and trigonometry are stressed. Problem solving is a basic part of the course. Three hours lecture per week. Offered in the Spring. Prerequisite: PHYS111, PHYS112. Co-requisite: PHYS 122.

PHYS 122 Introductory General Physics II Laboratory
1 Semester Credit Hour

Co-requisite: PHYS 121, three hours laboratory per week.

PHYS 211 General Physics I
3 Semester Credit Hours

Mechanics, heat and sound are studied. Derivations and applications of formulas using calculus are stressed. Problem solving is a basic part of the course. Three hours lecture per week. Offered during the Fall of even-numbered years. Co- requisite/Prerequisite: MATH 121 concurrently. Co-requisite: PHYS 212

PHYS 212 General Physics I Laboratory
1 Semester Credit Hour

Co-requisite: PHYS 211, three hours laboratory per week.

PHYS 221 General Physics II
3 Semester Credit Hours

A continuation of Physics 211. Electricity, magnetism, light and selected topics of modern physics are studied. Derivations and applications of formulas using calculus are stressed. Problem solving is a basic part of the course. Three hours lecture per week. Offered during the Spring. Prerequisite: PHYS 211/212. Co-requisite: PHYS 222.

PHYS 222 General Physics II Laboratory
1 Semester Credit Hour

Co-requisite: PHYS 221, three hour laboratory per week.

PHYS 301 Electricity and Magnetism
3 Semester Credit Hours

An intermediate course in electricity and magnetism, which includes electric fields, special methods of solutions of electrostatics, energy, force potentials, magnetic fields, electromagnetic waves, and radiation. Prerequisite: PHYS 221/222 and MATH 222. Offered as required.

PHYS 302 Mechanics
3 Semester Credit Hours

An intermediate course in mechanics, which includes particle dynamics, rigid bodies, conservative force fields, theory of small oscillations, and the special theory of relativity. Prerequisite: PHYS 221/222 and MATH 222. Offered as required.

PHYS 307 Reading in Physics
1-3 Semester Credit Hours

Special topics in physics are assigned by the instructor. The student should expect his readings to include historical concepts, philosophical implications, and modern trends in physics. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

PHYS 308 Modern Physics
4 Semester Credit Hours

Introduction to the special theory of relativity, elementary concepts of quantum mechanics, and selected topics in atomic and nuclear physics. The standard modern physics experiments will be performed. Three hours lecture and 2-hours laboratory per week. Co-requisite/Prerequisites: PHYS 221/222 and MATH 222. Offered as required.

PHYS 340 Electronics
4 Semester Credit Hours

Includes the study of basic circuits, filters, the fundamentals of transistors, power supplies, amplifiers, and selected special circuits. Three hours lecture and two hours laboratory per week. Prerequisite: PHYS 221/222. Offered as required.

PHYS 342 Heat and Thermodynamics
4 Semester Credit Hours

Theoretical and experimental aspects of physical chemistry with emphasis on chemical thermodynamics and quantum theory of atomic structure. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. Cross-listed with CHEM 342. Prerequisites: CHEM 132, CHEM 122 and MATH 221. Offered every Fall.

PHYS 400 Physics Directed Student Research
1-3 Semester Credit Hours

An opportunity for the upper-level physics or engineering student to carry-out research-library, laboratory and/or field, under the direction of a physics faculty member. Students must complete a departmental statement of intention before registration. Prerequisite: PHYS 308 or permission of instructor.

PHYS 401 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
3 Semester Credit Hours

Introduction to quantum mechanics with emphasis on the Schrödinger equation and its applications. Prerequisites: PHYS 308 and MATH 301. Offered as required. May be substituted with CHEM 343.

PHYS 403 Special Topics in Physics
3 Semester Credit Hours

Enrichment topics in experimental or theoretical physics are assigned by the instructor. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.