PHYSICSAssociate Professors Barghouty, Grant, Munley; Teaching Associate 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, 370, 499; MATH 121, 122; 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; MATH 121, 122, 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) 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) 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) 201 General Physics I A calculus-based, rigorous introduction to classical mechanics, wave
phenomena, thermodynamics, and kinetic theory. (1) 202 General Physics II Continuation of 201; electricity and magnetism, light, and some applications
of classical physics. (1) 203 General Physics III Continuation of 201-202 series concentrating on special and general
relativity, quantum theories, and selected applications. (1) 315 Experimental Physics Experiments in topics in advanced physics. Theory of data analysis.
(1) 350 Electricity and Magnetism I Electrostatics, magnetism, direct current circuits. (1) 370 Thermal Physics Thermal behavior of systems; energy and entropy; equations of state;
changes of phase; elements of continuum and statistical approaches. (1) 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) 450 Electricity and Magnetism II Alternating current circuit theory, Maxwells equations, and electromagnetic
radiation. (1) 451 Advanced Laboratory Advanced techniques in experimental measurement and design offered to
students particularly interested in experimental physics. (1) 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) 453 Electronics Circuit and network theory, AC circuits, diodes, transistors, and modern
electronic devices. (1) 454 Quantum Mechanics Origins of quantum theory, Schoedinger equation, centrosymmetric potentials,
angular momentum, scattering, perturbation theory, and radiation. (1) 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) 495, 496, 497 Honors Project A program of independent study culminating in a paper, artistic creation,
or performance. 499 Special Topics A course offered in various formats designed to give students instruction
in a subject not regularly offered. (1) |