PHY - Physics
Survey of major principles and concepts in physical sciences. Emphasis is on the scientific process, computer and laboratory activities, useful applications, and the presentation of science in the media. Offered each spring semester.
3
Introductory study of observations and the application of scientific principles in their interpretation. Deduction of models for the solar system, our local galaxy, and the visible Universe. Offered each fall semester.
3
Algebra-based physics with life science focus. Vectors, kinematics, Newtonian mechanics, statics, dynamics. Offered each fall semester.
3
Corequisites
PHY 271
Algebra-based physics with life science focus. Sound, waves, optics, electricity and magnetism. Offered each spring semester.
3
Prerequisites
PHY 201 or
PHY 204 with a grade of C- or higher.
Corequisites
PHY 272
Calculus-based physics. Kinematics and dynamics of particles, systems of particles, and rigid bodies. Newton's laws for translational and rotational motion, conservation laws of energy, momentum, and linear momentum. This course includes a lab component. Offered every semester.
3
Prerequisites
MTH 201 (or corequisite)
Corequisites
PHY 274,
MTH 201 (or prerequisite)
Calculus-based physics. Electricity and magnetism; Maxwell's equations, circuits. This course includes a lab component. Offered every semester.
3
Prerequisites
MTH 202 (or corequisite),
PHY 204 with a grade of C- or higher
Corequisites
PHY 275,
MTH 202 (or prerequisite)
For special lower-division projects or research. Content, credit, and fee to be arranged. Available as needed.
Variable
Laboratory course to accompany PHY 201. One three-hour laboratory each week. Offered each fall semester. Fee: $60 per semester.
1
Corequisites
PHY 201
Laboratory course to accompany PHY 202. One three-hour laboratory each week. Offered each spring semester. Fee: $60 per semester.
1
Corequisites
PHY 202
Laboratory course to accompany PHY 204. Offered every semester. Fee: $60.
1
Corequisites
PHY 204
Laboratory course to accompany PHY 205. Offered every semester. Fee: $60
1
Corequisites
PHY 205
Content and credit to be arranged. Available as needed.
Variable
Computational techniques for solving physics and chemistry problems as well as for simulating, analyzing, and graphically visualizing physical systems and processes. Offered fall of odd years.
3
Prerequisites
PHY 204 or
PHY 201,
MTH 202
Cross Listed Courses
CHM 303,
MTH 303
Special relativity, quantum theory, atomic and nuclear physics. Offered each spring semester.
3
Prerequisites
PHY 204,
PHY 205,
MTH 201,
MTH 202
Geometrical and physical optics, imaging and aberrations; interference, diffraction, and polarization; applications to instrumentation and lasers. Offered spring semester of odd years.
3
Prerequisites
PHY 201,
PHY 202 or
PHY 204,
PHY 205,
MTH 202
This course introduces the basic concepts and techniques in the study of dynamical systems, including nonlinear ordinary differential equations, difference equations, and systems of equations. Using a wide variety of applications from the physical sciences, we will cover analytical methods such as linear stability, bifurcations, phase plane analysis, limit cycles, Lorenz equations, chaos, iterated maps, period doubling and fractals. Offered spring semester of even years.
3
Prerequisites
MTH 321
Cross Listed Courses
MTH 323
Ordinary differential equations, complex variables and matrices are developed and illustrated through applications in physics with emphasis on examples from the fields of vibrations and waves. Offered each fall semester.
3
Prerequisites
MTH 202,
PHY 204
Cross Listed Courses
MTH 356
For special upper-division projects or research. Content, credit, and fee to be arranged. Available as needed.
Variable
Instruction in electronic circuits and computer software for use in data acquisition and instrument control. Offered fall semester of even years. Fee: $120.
2
Prerequisites
PHY 205,
PHY 356 or
MTH 321
Laboratory work in geometric and physical optics. Offered spring semester of odd years. Fee: $60.
1
Corequisites
PHY 322
Laboratory course to accompany PHY 306. Experiments in acoustic waves, optics, photo electric effect. One three-hour laboratory each week. Offered each spring semester. Fee: $60.
1
Corequisites
PHY 306
Kinematics and dynamics of classicle particles and systems of particles in stationary and moving frames of reference. The equations of Lagrange and Hamilton are introduced. Offered spring semester of odd years.
3
Prerequisites
PHY 202 or
PHY 205
Corequisites
MTH 321
Electric and magnetic fields and potentials, their interactions with matter, and Maxwell's equations. Offered fall semester of even years.
3
Prerequisites
PHY 201,
PHY 202 or
PHY 204,
PHY 205
Corequisites
MTH 321
Experimental basis for the quantum theory and the fundamental ideas of non-relativistic and relativistic quantum mechanics. Offered fall semester of odd years.
3
Prerequisites
MTH 322 or
PHY 356,
PHY 306
Continuation of PHY 411. Topics to include perturbation theory, angular momentum, and scattering theory with application to atomic, solid state, and particle physics. Offered spring semester of even years.
3
Prerequisites
PHY 411
Lattices and crystal structures; mechanical, thermal and electrical properties. Offered on an occasional basis.
3
Prerequisites
PHY 202 or
PHY 205,
MTH 321 or
PHY 356
Fundamentals of statistical mechanics, entropy, partition functions, kinetic theory. Applications to classical and quantized systems. Thermodynamics developed from the basis of statistical mechanics. Offered spring semesters of even years.
3
Prerequisites
PHY 201,
PHY 202 or
PHY 204,
PHY 205,
MTH 321 or
PHY 356
For special upper-division projects or research. Content, credit, and fee to be arranged.
Variable
Laboratory work in atomic and nuclear physics; electricity and magnetism, modern physics, and undergraduate experimental research. Offered spring semester of even years. Fee: $120.
2
Laboratory work in geometric and physical optics including independent projects and analysis. Offered spring semester of odd years. Fee: $120.
2
Academic internships are available for qualified students (3.0 GPA; 3.25 GPA in Physics). Internships provide students with job experience pertinent to the study of Physics. Students may receive an IP (In Progress) grade until the completion of their internship. The internship may be taken for one to three credit hours.
Variable
Research, study, or original work under the direction of a faculty mentor, leading to a scholarly thesis document with a public presentation of results. Requires approval of thesis director, department chair, dean, and the director of the honors program, when appropriate.
Variable
Prerequisites
Senior standing; 3.0 G.P.A. in the thesis area or good standing in the honors program.