PHYSICS

Associate Professors Grant; Teaching Associate Price; Assistant Professors Balasubramanian, Fleenor; Adjunct Research Professor Sihver

The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics requires the student to complete a minimum of 13 course units in physics and related fields. These must include Physics 201, 202, 203, 315, 350, 370, 390, 432, 480, and Mathematics 331. Three additional units chosen from the following with two of these three units at the 400-level: Any 400-level physics course; PHYS 205; MATH 402, 482; CPSC 120, 170; CHEM 110 or 111, 112; BIOL 120, 210. Note: Mathematics 121 and 122 are prerequisites for Physics 201 and 202, respectively.

A Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in physics requires the student to complete a minimum of 9 course units in physics and related fields. These must include: PHYS 201, 202, 203, 315, 370, 480; CHEM 110 or 111, 112 and one unit of Biology (BIOL 120 or above). Note: Mathematics 121 and 122 are prerequisites for Physics 201 and 202, respectively.

Minor in Physics

The minor in Physics requires the student to complete six units of Physics and Mathematics including PHYS 201, 202, 203, 315, Math 122, plus one additional one unit PHYS course at the 300-level or above. Note: Mathematics 121 is a prerequisite for Physics 201.

101 Concepts
Please see description under INQ 250. The Intellectual Inquiry Curriculum was implemented beginning fall term, 2009. Students who completed this course in an earlier term should refer to the 2007-2009 academic catalog for the course description.

103 Fundamental Physics I
Algebra- and trigonometry-based introduction to classical mechanics including the equations of motion, forces, energy, momentum, rotation, fluid dynamics, waves, and sound. (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
Algebra-and trigonometry-based introduction to thermal physics, electricity, magnetism, light, and optics. (May not be taken for credit by students who have completed Physic 202.) (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.; Laboratory: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Physics 103 or Physics 201.

201 Newtonian Mechanics
Calculus-based, introduction to classical mechanics including forces and motion, energy, momentum, rotation, fluid dynamics, waves and sound. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.; Laboratory: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Mathematics 121.

202 Electricity and Magnetism
Calculus-based introduction to electricity, magnetism, light, and optics including interference phenomena. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.; Laboratory: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Physics 201 and Mathematics 122.

203 Modern Physics
Calculus-based introduction to relativity, quantum phenomena, atomic and nuclear structure, and cosmology. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: Physics 202.

205 Research Experience
A research project in physics. May be repeated for credit. (1/2)
Prerequisite: Permission of the Department.

315 Experimental Analysis
Laboratory experiments related to advanced and modern topics in physics. Data analysis, error propagation, and written and oral scientific presentation skills. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk; Laboratory: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Physics 202.

350 Electromagnetic Theory
Developed examination of electrostatics, potential theory, dielectric media, magnetostatics, and an introduction to Maxwell’s equations. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: Physics 202.

370 Thermal Physics
Examination of the thermal behavior of systems, equations of state, phase transitions, and elements of continuum and statistical approaches.(1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Physics 202.

390 Quantum Mechanics
Introductory examination of the wave formulation and notation in solving the time-dependent and time-independent Schrödinger equations including reflection/transmission, barriers, and the hydrogen atom. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Physics 202.

405, 406, 407 Independent Study in Physics
A research project in physics that results in the production of a scholarly paper and an oral presentation. May be repeated for credit. (1/2, 1, 1/2)
Prerequisite: Permission from instructor.

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
Developed examination of central force motion, coupled systems, rigid body motion, and the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: Physics 202 and Mathematics 331.

452 Biophysics
Examination of the role of physical theory, models, and experimental techniques in the study of biological systems. Topics include biomechanics, membrane transport, electromagnetic properties of cells and organisms, and medical instrumentation.(1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Physics 202.

456 Astrophysics
An introduction to the foundational theories and unifying nature of the subject of astrophysics. Principles to be studied include interstellar and radiative theory, stellar formation and evolution sequence, galaxy observations and environments, and cosmology. (1)
Lecture: 3hrs/wk.

457 Physics of Materials
An introduction to the physics of materials including the collective behavior of atoms and molecules, crystal structure, mechanical, electrical, thermal, magnetic properties of metals, electronic materials, composites, and nanostructures. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Physics 202.

458 Optics and Spectroscopy
A theoretical introduction to optical phenomena which includes wave motion, geometric principles, polarization, and inference. A significant amount of the course will also be dedicated to the principles of spectroscopic physics, including both optical and non-optical feature generation. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Physics 202.

480 Senior Seminar: Physics Capstone
Advanced study in selected topics in a seminar format. Scientific presentation skills and review of all areas of physics. (1)
Prerequisite: Permission.

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.