PHYSICS
Associate Professors Barghouty, Grant, Munley; Part-time Senior
Lecturer Price; Adjunct Research Professors Sihver,Tsao
The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics
requires the student to complete a minimum of 14 course
units in physics and related fields.These must include Physics
201, 202, 203, 315, 350, 370, 432, 499, and Mathematics 121,
122, 331.Three additional units chosen from courses listed
within the "career tracks" listed below.Two of these three
units must be at the 400-level. Students are encouraged, but
not required, to complete one of the "career tracks."
Biological Physics Career Track: BIOL 120, 215,
PHYS 451 and 452.
Experimental Physics Career Track: CHEM 111, 112,
PHYS 451 and 453.
Theoretical Physics Career Track: PHYS 450, 454,
MATH 482 and 1 non-core physics course 400-level or
above.
Computational Physics Career Track: PHYS 455,
CPSC 120, 170, MATH 402.
A Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in physics requires
the student to complete a minimum of 11 course units in
physics and related fields.These must include: PHYS 201,
202, 203, 315, 340, 370, 499; MATH 121, 122, 221; CHEM
111, 112 and one unit of Biology (BIOL 115 or above).
Minor in Physics
The minor in Physics requires the student to complete seven
units of Physics and Mathematics including: PHYS 201, 202,
203, 315, 340; MATH 121, 122, 221 plus one additional one
unit PHYS course at the 300-level or above.
101 Concepts
An introduction to concepts of classical and modern physics
designed for students without calculus. (May not be taken for
credit by students who have completed Physics 202.) (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.; Laboratory: 2 1 /2 hrs/wk.
103 Fundamental Physics I
The first half of a full-year elementary physics course using
trigonometry, but not calculus, with emphasis on biological
applications of physics.
(May not be taken for credit by students who have completed Physics
201.) (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.; Laboratory: 3 hrs/wk.
104 Fundamental Physics II
The second half of a full-year elementary physics course using
trigonometry, but not calculus, with emphasis on biological
applications of physics. (May not be taken for credit by students
who have completed Physics 202.) (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.; Laboratory: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Physics 103 or Physics 201.
117 Astronomy
A descriptive study of the universe. (This course cannot be used
to satisfy the General Education requirement in science.) (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
201 General Physics I
A calculus-based, rigorous introduction to classical mechanics,
wave phenomena, thermodynamics, and kinetic theory. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.; Laboratory: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Mathematics 121.
202 General Physics II
Continuation of 201; electricity and magnetism, light, and
some applications of classical physics. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.; Laboratory: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Physics 201 and Mathematics 122.
203 General Physics III
Continuation of 201-202 series concentrating on special and
general relativity, quantum theories, and selected
applications. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: Physics 202 and Mathematics 122.
315 Experimental Physics
Experiments in topics in advanced physics. Theory of data
analysis. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk; Laboratory: 6 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Physics 202 and Mathematics 122.
350 Electricity and Magnetism I
Electrostatics, magnetism, direct current circuits. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: Physics 202.
370 Thermal Physics
Thermal behavior of systems; energy and entropy; equations
of state; changes of phase; elements of continuum
and statistical approaches. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Physics 202.
405, 406, 407 Independent Study in Physics
Advanced physics majors work under the guidance of the
department faculty. ( 1 / 2 ,1, 1 / 2 )
416 Internship
Field experience in a physics-related area such as health
physics in an appropriate industry or business.
Permission of the department. (1)
432 Theoretical Mechanics
Central force motion, coupled systems, rigid body motion,
the Lagrangian formulation. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: Physics 202 and Mathematics 331.
450 Electricity and Magnetism II
Alternating current circuit theory, Maxwell's equations, and
electromagnetic radiation. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: Physics 350.
451 Advanced Laboratory
Advanced techniques in experimental measurement and
design offered to students particularly interested in
experimental physics. (1)
Laboratory: 6 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Physics 315.
452 Biological Physics
The role of physical theory, models, and experimental
techniques in the study of biological systems. Topics
include biomechanics, transport through membranes, feedback
and control, nuclear radiation effects, nuclear medicine,
models of chemoreception, and electrical properties of cells
and organisms. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Physics 202.
453 Electronics
Circuit and network theory,AC circuits, diodes, transistors,
and modern electronic devices. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.; Laboratory: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Physics 202.
454 Quantum Mechanics
Origins of quantum theory, Schoedinger equation,
centrosymmetric potentials, angular momentum, scattering,
perturbation theory, and radiation. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Physics 202.
455 Computational Physics
A first course in scientific computing, the course surveys
techniques for modeling physical systems. Topics include
numerical differentiation, quadrate, ordinary and partial
differential equations, and simulation and approximation
methods. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Physics 202 and Math 331.
495, 496, 497 Honors Project
A program of independent study culminating in a paper,
artistic creation, or performance.
Prerequisite: To qualify for consideration to receive honors in the
major, a student in his/her senior year or in the Summer prior to the
senior year, must work under the guidance of his/her committee.A
written proposal and application must be approved by the committee
and department.A minimum GPA of 3.4 in the major is required.
495 Honors Project is prerequisite for 497 Honors Project. ( 1 / 2 , 1, 1 / 2 )
499 Special Topics
A course offered in various formats designed to give students
instruction in a subject not regularly offered. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.