Physics Courses

Courses numbered below 100 are suitable for students who are not natural science majors. They may not be counted toward a major or minor in physics.

NatSc 30. Introduction to Environmental Science

4 hours
An introduction to environmental science that provides an interconnected grounding in the natural sciences. Topics include energy, ecosystems, photosynthesis, biodiversity, population dynamics, air pollution, water pollution, radon/radioactivity, and hazardous waste. Laboratory activities, computer exercises, guest speakers, and multimedia presentations will also be a part of the course. When possible, the course will be team taught by faculty from at least two of the three natural science departments: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Three lectures per week. One three-hour lab per week.

10. Astronomy

4 hours
An introductory course on the solar system, stars, and galaxies. Three lectures per week. One laboratory per week. Prerequisite(s): One year of high school algebra or permission of the instructor. (Normally offered each semester.)

20. Introduction to Meteorology

4 hours
A survey of and explanation of weather and climate phenomena in terms of the physical characteristics and processes of the atmosphere. Three lectures per week. One laboratory per week. Prerequisite: One year of high school algebra or permission of the instructor.

53. Earth Science

4 hours
A survey of geology and geophysics. Topics include characteristics of minerals and rocks, plate tectonics, Earth’s interior, Earth history and time scales, surface processes, and ocean processes. Three lectures per week. One laboratory per week.

54. Energy and the Global Environment

3 hours
A course covering some of the most critical problems facing the world today—those relating to the production, distribution, and use of energy. Text material may be supplemented with films, video tapes, and guest speakers. Three lectures per week.

55. Energy and the Global Environment Lab

1 hour
Laboratory experiments associated with Physics 54. One laboratory per week. Corequisite: Physics 54.

100. Physics in Modern Society

1 hour
Applications of physics and technology and their impact on the individual, society, and the environment. One hour of discussion/recitation per week. Corequisite(s): Physics 101 or 102.

101. Principles of Physics I

4 hours
The principles of classical mechanics, energy and motion designed for majors in the natural sciences. Algebra and trigonometry will be used in descriptions and problems. Three two-hour workshop sessions per week. Corequisite(s): Mathematics 50 or permission of the instructor. (Normally offered each fall semester.)

102. Principles of Physics II

4 hours
A continuation of Physics 101 with emphasis on waves, sound, electricity, magnetism, and electronics. Three two-hour workshop sessions per week. Prerequisite(s): Mathematics 50 or permission of the instructor. (Normally offered each spring semester.)

111. General Physics I

4 hours
An introduction to classical mechanics, energy and motion designed for majors in the natural sciences. Elements of calculus will be used in descriptions and problems. Three two-hour workshop sessions per week. Corequisite(s): Mathematics 60 or 105 or permission of the instructor.

112. General Physics II

4 hours
A continuation of Physics 111 with emphasis on waves, sound, electricity, magnetism, and electronics. Three two-hour workshop sessions per week. Prerequisite(s): Mathematics 60 or 105 or permission of the instructor.

121. Electronic Measurements

4 or 5 hours
An integrated treatment of analog and digital circuits and measurements using the techniques of solid state electronics and integrated circuits. Emphasis is placed on laboratory techniques. Three lectures per week. One or two laboratories per week. Prerequisite(s): Physics 102 or 112, and Mathematics 105. (Normally offered each fall semester.)

130. Computer Architecture and Interfacing

4 hours
A first course in the levels of architecture of a modern computer, from digital logic, through circuits and register level components, to programming. Topics include data representation, memory organization, input/output control, interfacing, and communication. Three lectures per week. One laboratory per week. Prerequisite(s): Physics 121 or Computer Science 40 or permission of the instructor.

140. Introduction to Health Physics

4 hours
An introduction to health physics with emphasis on the practical aspects of radiation detection, protection, and regulation. Basic interaction of radiation with matter, biological effects of radiation, radiation dosimetry, and radiation protection regulations will be covered. Laboratory experience includes radiation spectroscopy, radiation dosimetry, environmental radiation monitoring, and radiation protection program design. Three lectures per week. One laboratory per week. Prerequisite(s): Physics 101 or 111 or permission of the instructor.

162. Introduction to Modern Physics

4 or 5 hours
An introduction to modern physics with emphasis on atomic and nuclear physics. Both analytical and experimental techniques will be used. Basic principles of physics and wave mechanics will be applied to atomic and nuclear models. The practical aspects of atomic and nuclear radiation detection and safety will also be covered. Three lectures per week. One or two laboratories per week. Prerequisite(s): Physics 102 or 112, and Mathematics 106 or permission of the instructor. (Normally offered each spring semester.)

190. Selected Topics

1, 2, 3, or 4 hours
A course designed to treat subject matter not covered in other departmental courses. The title, content, and credit hours will be determined by current mutual interests of faculty and students. This course may be offered to meet a requirement for a major only by approval of the department chair. Prerequisite(s): To be determined by the instructor.

209. Electromagnetic Theory

3 hours
A development of Maxwell’s equations from basic principles with the object of achieving a macroscopic description of the electric and magnetic properties of matter, including a relativistic description of electromagnetic fields and their interaction with charged particles. Vector calculus is developed and used as needed. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite(s): Physics 102 or 112, Mathematics 106, and computer programming skills or permission of the instructor. Corequisite(s): Mathematics 204 or 224 or permission of the instructor.

210. Optics

3 hours
The study of the production, transmission, diffraction, interference, refraction, polarization, and absorption of electromagnetic radiation. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite(s): Physics 102 or 112, Mathematics 106, and computer programming skills or permission of the instructor. Corequisite(s): Mathematics 204 or 224 or permission of the instructor.

229. Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering

3 hours
Topics may include: Laplace transform and applications; series solution of differential equations, Bessel’s equation, Legendre’s equation, and special functions; matrices, eigenvalues and eigenfunctions; vector analysis and applications; boundary value programs and spectral representations; Fourier series and Fourier integrals; and solution of partial differential equations of mathematical physics. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite(s): Math 224 or permission of instructor.

241. Classical Mechanics I

3 hours
A theoretical treatment of classical mechanics of particles and systems of particles with emphasis on the conservation laws of energy, momentum, and angular momentum. Particular topics in Newtonian, celestial, and continuum mechanics are studied. Vector calculus is developed and used as needed. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite(s): Physics 101 or 111, Mathematics 106, and computer programming skills or permission of the instructor. Corequisite(s): Mathematics 204 or 224 or permission of the instructor.

242. Classical Mechanics II

3 hours
A continuation of Physics 241 involving the use of LaGrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms. Matrix methods are used in the study of rigid body motion, oscillation theory, and the theory of relativity. The mechanics of continuous media are also investigated. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite(s): Physics 241 and computer programming skills or permission of the instructor.

251. Introduction to Quantum Physics I

3 hours
An introduction to quantum theory, statistical physics, and atomic spectra and properties. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite(s): Physics 162, Mathematics 204 or 224, and computer programming skills or permission of the instructor.

252. Introduction to Quantum Physics II

3 hours
A continuation of Physics 251 that treats phenomena in atomic, molecular, nuclear, solid-state, and high-energy physics as applications of the principles of microscopic physics. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite(s): Physics 251 and computer programming skills or permission of the instructor.

261. Thermal Physics

3 hours
A theoretical treatment of macrophysics. The basic principles of thermodynamics and kinetic theory, and statistical mechanics and information theory will be developed and applied to topics of current interest. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite(s): Physics 101 or 111, Mathematics 106, and computer programming skills or permission of the instructor. Corequisite(s): Mathematics 204 or 224 or permission of the instructor.

262. Fluid Dynamics

3 hours
A theoretical treatment of non relativistic continuum fluid dynamics that emphasizes incompressible viscous flow phenomena, particularly those from within the field of geophysics. Prerequisite(s): Physics 101 or 111, Mathematics 106, and computer programming skills or permission of the instructor. Corequisite(s): Mathematics 204 or 224 or permission of the instructor.

281. Advanced Laboratory

1 or 2 hours
An advanced laboratory in which students extend and amplify the work of other courses. Work may be chosen in electrical measurements, physical optics, modern physics, or other areas of mutual interest. Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor and approval of the department chair. (Normally offered each semester.)

290. Selected Topics

1, 2, 3, or 4 hours
A course designed to treat subject matter not covered in other departmental courses. The title, content, and credit hours will be determined by current mutual interests of faculty and students. Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor and approval of the department chair.

295. Independent Study

1 or 2 hours
Individual projects of a creative nature for qualified physics students. Projects may be of a theoretical or experimental nature. Independent study may not duplicate courses described in the catalog. Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor and approval of the department chair. (Normally offered each semester.)

297. Physics Internship

3-8 hours
On-the-job training for physics majors in situations that satisfy the mutual interests of the student, the supervisor, and the instructor. The student will arrange for the position in accordance with the guidelines established by the department. P/F only. Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor and approval of the department chair. (Normally offered each semester.)