PHY - Physics

What is science, and how do the physical sciences help us understand the way the world works? Students will learn to create scientific models of natural phenomena and formulate scientific explanations with computer and hands-on laboratory activities while exploring topics such as energy and electromagnetism. Students will also learn practical applications of science and technology along with ways science is represented in the media.

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.

Algebra-based physics with life science focus. Vectors, kinematics, Newtonian mechanics, statics, dynamics. Offered each fall semester.

Algebra-based physics with life science focus. Sound, waves, optics, electricity and magnetism. Offered each spring semester.

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. Offered every semester.

Calculus-based physics. Electricity and magnetism; Maxwell's equations, circuits. Offered every semester.

For special lower-division projects or research. Content, credit, and fee to be arranged. Available as needed.

Laboratory course to accompany PHY 201. One three-hour laboratory each week. Offered each fall semester. Fee: $60 per semester.

Laboratory course to accompany PHY 202. One three-hour laboratory each week. Offered each spring semester. Fee: $60 per semester.

Laboratory course to accompany PHY 204. Offered every semester. Fee: $60.

Laboratory course to accompany PHY 205. Offered every semester. Fee: $60

Content and credit to be arranged. Available as needed.

In this course students will learn to use Python to model physical problems relevant to the fields of mathematics, science, and engineering, and will learn about relevant applications in these fields. The course is for students who have programming experience in other languages or those who have never programed before but want to learn Python. This elective course is offered primarily as a summer course offering.

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.

Special relativity, quantum theory, atomic and nuclear physics. Offered each spring semester.

Geometrical and physical optics, imaging and aberrations; interference, diffraction, and polarization; applications to instrumentation and lasers. Offered spring semester of odd years.

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.

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.

For special upper-division projects or research. Content, credit, and fee to be arranged. Available as needed.

Instruction in electronic circuits and computer software, circuit design, and device physics for use in data acquisition and instrument control. Offered fall semester of even years. Fee: $120.

Laboratory course to accompany PHY 322 for non-majors. Experiments in geometric and physical optics. Offered spring semester of odd years. Fee: $60.

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.

Credit arranged.

Kinematics and dynamics of classical 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.

Electric and magnetic fields and potentials, their interactions with matter, and Maxwell's equations. Offered fall semester of even years.

Experimental basis for the quantum theory and the fundamental ideas of non-relativistic and relativistic quantum mechanics. Offered fall semester of odd years.

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.

Lattices and crystal structures; mechanical, thermal and electrical properties. Offered on an occasional basis.

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.

For special upper-division projects or research. Content, credit, and fee to be arranged. Fee: $60 per credit.

Laboratory work in atomic and nuclear physics; electricity and magnetism, modern physics, and undergraduate experimental research. Offered spring semester of even years. Fee: $120.

Laboratory course to accompany PHY 322 for Physics majors. Laboratory work in geometric and physical optics including independent projects and analysis. Offered spring semester of odd years. Fee: $120.

Offered as needed.

Offered as needed.

Offered as needed.

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.

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.