Physics course offerings
PHYS 101 Concepts of Physics
This course is an introduction to selected concepts and theories of physics, presenting their origin in connection with specific persons and events and their development into their present forms. Topics include the Copernican revolution, Newtonian dynamics, electromagnetic theory, the theory of relativity and the quantum theory of microscopic matter. Emphasis will be given to concepts that have broad applications to phenomena of common experience. Consists of lectures, demonstrations and laboratory experiments. No mathematical background beyond high school algebra will be assumed. A student who has received credit for PHYS 111 or PHYS 121 may not take PHYS 101 for credit without the registrar's consent. Fulfills General Education Area 4 - Natural Science Requirement. Infrequently offered course.
PHYS 111 Fundamentals of Physics 1
This course is an introductory course that presents the student with the fundamental concepts of physics. This algebra-based course assumes no previous physics experience and will include the study of kinematics (including vectors), Newton's laws, mechanical energy, rotational motion and waves. Consists of lectures and one laboratory period per week. Working knowledge of basic trigonometry and advanced high school algebra will be assumed. Fall semester. Fulfills General Education Area 4 - Natural Science Requirement.
PHYS 112 Fundamentals of Physics 2
This course is a continuation of PHYS 111, completing a full-year introductory sequence on the fundamental concepts of physics. Topics include thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, optics and introduction to modern physics, including quantum concepts and radioactivity. Consists of lectures and one laboratory period per week. Prerequisite: PHYS 111. Spring semester.
PHYS 121 General Physics 1
Intended mainly for physical science majors, this introductory course presents a unified view of the fundamental principles of physics. Conceptual development and problem-solving skills are emphasized. Topics include vectors, kinematics, Newtonian dynamics, the conservation laws, oscillatory motion and waves. Consists of lectures and one laboratory period per week. First semester calculus and working knowledge of trigonometry and advanced high school algebra will be assumed. Prerequisite: MATH 131 or equivalent. Fall semester. Fulfills General Education Area 4 - Natural Science Requirement.
PHYS 122 General Physics 2
This course if a continuation of PHYS 121, completing a full-year introductory sequence required of chemistry majors and pre-engineering students as well as physics majors. Topics include thermodynamics, electric and magnetic fields and their interaction with matter, electromagnetic waves, physical and geometrical optics and introduction to modern physics including quantum concepts and radioactivity. Consists of lectures and one laboratory period per week. Prerequisites: PHYS 121 and MATH 131. Spring semester.
PHYS 141 Astronomy
The course is designed to provide a survey of astronomy with emphasis on the underlying physical principles. The student will learn about the scientific method and developments that have enabled our current understanding of the dynamic universe. Main topics include the cycles of the sky, the history of astronomy, the stars, the Milky Way galaxy and the solar system. Group projects will pick up additional topics such as galaxies, cosmology and details of the solar system planets. Laboratories with hands-on activities will be an important component of the course. Some lab periods will meet in the evening for astronomical observations. No mathematical background beyond basic high school algebra will be assumed. Fulfills General Education Area 4 - Natural Science Requirement.
PHYS 211 Classical Mechanics
This course is an intermediate treatment of Newtonian mechanics. Topics include equations of motion and their solutions, conservation laws, systems of particles, central force motion and an introduction to Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics. Consists of lectures and one laboratory period per week. Prerequisites: PHYS 122 and MATH 132. Spring semester, alternate years.
PHYS 225 Analog Circuits
This is an introductory course in linear circuit analysis, converting DC circuits, AC circuits and properties of basic circuit components. Consists of lectures and one laboratory period per week. Prerequisites: PHYS 122 and MATH 132. Alternate years.
PHYS 241 Modern Physics
This course is a survey of the essential experimental and theoretical development of 20th century physics. Topics include special relativity, wave-particle duality, Bohr atom, basic quantum mechanics, radioactivity, nuclear reactions and particle physics. Consists of lectures and one laboratory period per week. Prerequisites: PHYS 122 and MATH 132. Fall semester, alternate years.
PHYS 311 Thermal Physics
This course is an intermediate treatment of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics from a modern point of view. Topics include temperature, heat, entropy, irreversible processes, the general laws of thermodynamics, canonical distribution, equipartition theorem, the ideal gas law and an introduction to quantum statistics. Prerequisite: PHYS 241. Alternate years.
PHYS 321 Electricity and Magnetism
This course is a study of the classical electromagnetic theory. Topics include electrostatics, magnetostatics and an introduction to electrodynamics. Vector calculus will be introduced and extensively used. Prerequisites: PHYS 122 and MATH 233. Alternate years.
PHYS 325 Digital Circuits
This course is an introduction to modern electronics--applications of circuits to measurement, control and processing of signals. Experiments are performed that demonstrate how integrated circuits function in these applications. Prerequisite: PHYS 225. Alternate years.
PHYS 341 Nuclear Physics
This course deals with the detailed structure of the atomic nucleus. Topics include nuclear forces, nuclear reactions (fission, fusion and radioactive decay) and the quark structure of the proton and neutron. Prerequisites: PHYS 241 and MATH 233.
PHYS 411 Quantum Mechanics
This course is an intermediate treatment of the principles and methods of quantum mechanics. Topics include: the Schroedinger equation, the harmonic oscillator, the hydrogen atom and applications to atomic and nuclear physics. The operator method will be introduced and used. Prerequisites: PHYS 211 and PHYS 241. Alternate years.
PHYS 489 Special Topics
This course is designed for the study of subject material of special interest. The organization, methodology and objectives will be determined by the instructor. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing and consent of instructor.
PHYS 490 Independent Study
This course is designed to allow students to pursue, on an individual basis, an area of study such as solid state physics and astrophysics. The methodology and objectives will be mutually agreed upon by the faculty member and the student. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing, and prior consultation with and consent of the instructor.
PHYS 492 Directed Research
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