*PHY 261 and PHY 301-302 cannot be used to meet the requirements of a physics minor.
**The advanced laboratory requirement can be satisfied by a physics elective course which includes a laboratory.
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Courses
PHY 101-102. General Physics (3) and (3).
A course in the fundamentals of physics, including mechanics, heat, sound, magnetism, electricity, optics and modern physics. Prerequisite: one year of college mathematics (may be taken currently). Three lecture hours weekly for one year.
PHY 103-104. General Physics Laboratory (1) and (1).
This course is required to complete the initial college physics sequence. One laboratory period each week for one year.
PHY 105-106. General Physics with Calculus (3) and (3).
A calculus based course in general physics. The first semester is devoted to quantitative problem solving primarily in the context of classical mechanics. The second semester is devoted primarily to electromagnetic theory and optics. Prerequisites or corequisites: MATH 151-152 .
PHY 201. Heat and Wave Physics (3).
Temperature, heat, transfer processes, kinetic theory, wave motion and superposition, acoustics, geometrical and physical optics. Prerequisites: PHY 101-102;
MTH 145-146.
PHY 203. Modern Physics (3).
An introductory course in the theory and classical experiments that form the basis of modern atomic and nuclear physics. Prerequisite: PHY 101-12; MTH 145-146.
PHY 210. Circuit Analysis (3).
A study of A.C. and D.C. circuit analysis methods. Analysis of linear and active circuits. Application of these methods includes a study of circuits containing resistance, capacitance, inductance, diodes, transistors, operational amplifiers and integrated circuits. Analysis of periodic and non-periodic signals and use in measurement and control systems. Prerequisites: PHY 101-192; MTH 145. Three lecture hours weekly.
PHY 215. Statics (3).
A course in that branch of mechanics which deals with particles or bodies in equilibrium under the action of forces or torques. It embraces the composition and resolution of forces, the equilibrium of bodies under balanced forces, and such properties of bodies as center of gravity and moment of inertia. Prerequisites: PHY 101-102; MTH 145-146.
PHY 231. The Tools of Experimental Physics (1).
An intermediate laboratory course to acquaint the student with the apparatus and equipment of contemporary experimental research. The course is designed to achieve a thorough understanding and appreciation of the capabilities of these instruments in the hands of a sophisticated user. Prerequisite: PHY 101-192 or equivalent. One laboratory period weekly for semester.
PHY 261 (CSC 206). C /C++ Programming and Applications (3).
See course description for CSC 206.
PHY 301-302. Mathematical Physics (3) and (3).
A survey of advanced applied mathematics with application to the solution of physical problems. Emphasis is on classical analytical techniques. In addition, selected topics in elementary numerical analysis are covered. Assignments require computer-generated solutions. Prerequisites: PHY 261 or equivalent, MTH 145-146. Three lecture hours weekly.
PHY 303-304. Electricity and Magnetism (3) and (3).
An advanced undergraduate course using vector algebra and calculus in treating electrostatic and electromagnetic fields, direct an alternating currents, electric and magnetic properties of matter and electromagnetic waves. Prerequisites: PHY 101-192, 203; MTH 145-146, 245.
PHY 305. Thermodynamics (3).
A study of the relationship between heat, work and the properties of physical systems. Prerequisites: PHY 101-192; MTH 145-146, 245.
PHY 307. Introductory Quantum Mechanics (3).
An introductory presentation of the development of the Schroedinger Wave Equation and its application to the solution of physical problems. Prerequisites: PHY 203, 303, 321; MTH 245.
PHY 311. Analog Electronics (4).
A course in scientific (as opposed to consumer) analog electronics. Topics include use of electronic test equipment, circuit theory, analog applications of discrete passive and active devices, and analog integrated circuits. Op-amp applications (amplifiers, adders, integrators, differentiators, active inductors, oscillators, active filters, etc.) are the primary interest. Other integrated circuits such as voltage regulators, function generators, multipliers, and phase locked loops may be introduced as time allows. Prerequisites: PHY 101-192 and MTH 145-146. Three lecture hours and one three-hour laboratory period weekly.
PHY 312. Digital Electronics (4).
A course in scientific (as opposed to consumer) digital electronics. Topics include use of electronic test equipment, digital applications of discrete passive and active devices, digital integrated circuits (gates, decoders, flip-flops, counters, shift-registers, digital memory, clocks), and analog/digital hybrids such as comparators, analog switches, and gates with Schmitt trigger inputs. Applications include bus interfacing, multiplexing, wave shaping, digital-to-analog conversion, and analog-to-digital conversion. Prerequisites: None. Three lecture hours and one three-hour laboratory period weekly.
PHY 321-322. Analytical Mechanics (3) and (3).
An advanced undergraduate course treating mechanics in the Newtonian, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations with applications. Prerequisites: PHY 101-192; MTH 145-146, 245.
PHY 331. Experimental Determination of Physical Constants (1).
An intermediate laboratory course to exercise the student in the historic experiments for measuring fundamental physical constants. Emphasis is on creative experimental arrangements and techniques rather than on apparatus and instruments. Prerequisite: PHY 231. One laboratory period weekly for one semester.
PHY 332. Experimental Apparatus Construction Techniques and Sample Preparation (1).
An intermediate laboratory course to train the student in the construction of specialized equipment necessary for a specific research problem. The student is also given experience in the deposition of thin films, various procedures for preparing crystals and other sample preparation techniques. Prerequisite: PHY 231. One laboratory period weekly for one semester.
PHY 390-399. Independent Study.
A student who wishes to pursue an independent study project for academic credit must submit, prior to registration, a proposed plan of study that includes the topic to be studied and goal to be achieved, the methodology to be followed, schedule of supervision, end product, evaluation procedure and number of credits sought. The proposal must be approved by the supervising faculty member, the department chair and the academic dean. It will be kept on file in the assistant academic vice president's office.
PHY 395. Scientific Literature (1).
An introduction to literature sources in science, to include science citation index, abstracts, books, American and foreign journals, reference works, and on-line search of scientific literature. This course is a prerequisite/co-requisite for PHY 441. One lecture per week for one semester.
PHY 403. Physical Optics (3).
An intermediate course in physical optics, designed for senior physics majors, treating interference, diffraction, absorption, polarization and other aspects of electromagnetic wave phenomena. Prerequisite: PHY 303.
PHY 405. Statistical Physics (3).
This course deals with statistical methods applied to systems of particles, statistical thermodynamics and the statistical treatment of quantized systems. Applications to diverse topics such as ideal and non-ideal gases, black body radiation, metallic conduction and magnetic effects are developed. Prerequisites: PHY 321-322,303-304, 307.
PHY 407. Solid State Physics (3).
Structure and binding of solids, electrical, magnetic and optical properties. Prerequisites: PHY 307.
PHY 408. Nuclear Physics (3).
Problems of nuclear forces, structure and stability, nuclear reactions. Prerequisite: PHY 307.
PHY 431-432. Advanced Laboratory Experiments (1) and (1).
An advanced laboratory course for senior physics majors. The experiments relate to advanced physics topics or to advanced experimental techniques. One laboratory period weekly for one year.
PHY 441-442. Research Projects in Physics (1-3) and (1-3).
A laboratory course designed to apply the principles and techniques of experimental and/or theoretical physics to a senior project. The student engages in one or more research projects under the direction of one of the staff. One equivalent laboratory period per credit weekly for one year. Prerequisite/co-requisite: PHY 395.
PHY 490-499. Physics Internship (1-6).
Participation in a field learning experience related to the area of physics. The student will report as required to the faculty member assigned to supervise this field experience and is expected to evaluate the experience and relate it to his or her academic program. Three hours of field work per week for 14 weeks will be required to generate one credit. Prerequisite: junior standing and permission of the department chair.
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PHYSICAL SCIENCE
PHS 115. Survey of Physical Science (3).
A survey of physical science with topics selected from, but not limited to: energy, nature of matter, electricity, nuclear science, geology, astronomy, meteorology. No prerequisites. Three lecture hours weekly.
PHS 120. Astronomy (3).
A survey of modern astronomy. Planets, stars, galaxies and the present scientific view of the universe and its origin are discussed. No prerequisites. Three lecture hours weekly.
PHS 128. Cosmology: The Science of the Physical Universe (3).
Participants in this course will engage in a tour of the universe as we presently understand it and gain a much broader understanding of where we live. They will consider the scientific evidence available regarding the origin and future of the universe. They will consider the implications of this knowledge, and they will consider the questions that this knowledge raises. They will also see the process by which scientific knowledge is established, and they will encounter the limitations of the present state of our knowledge.
PHS 130. Everyday Optics: Seeing Nature (3).
Principles of classical physics, especially optics, are used to understand why we see things the way we do. Light and color are understood from a fundamental physics perspective and then applied to examples from outdoors (skies, rainbows, light phenomena, shadows, etc.) and from interior scenarios (seeing three-dimensionally, color printing, and more). Relationships to other aspects of classical physics will be developed as needed.
PHS 135. Science Fiction and Contemporary Physics (3).
Taking its motivation from recent works in science fiction, this course asks what aspects of science fiction can be supported by classical physics, and what future inventions may be allowed by contemporary physics. Subjects covered include classical physics versus special effects, special and general relativity, black holes, and wormholes in space-time, matter and anti-matter, holographic projection and more.
PHS 275. Photography and Photometry (3).
This course explores those aspects of physics which relate to photography. Photography and photometry cover the basic properties of light, ray optics, photographic films and the visible spectrum, light polarization, lens optics, and the relationship of color film to light source. It also covers the camera and its components, film exposure and development, and black and white printing. It is designed to provide students with an understanding of the relationship between physics and photography, as well as experience with basic black and white processes. No prerequisites. Two lecture hours and two laboratory hours weekly. The student is required to have a 35-mm camera with manual control operations.
