Physics: Course Descriptions
PHY-110 Physics of Everyday Phenomena
Designed to develop an understanding of the phenomena of our everyday life via the laws of physics. The emphasis is not on problem solving but on encouraging students to understand and appreciate their environment from a new perspective. Includes topics in mechanics and other physics subfields such as thermal physics, electrical phenomena. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PHY-155 Special Topics
Special Topics course. See department for details.
Credits: 1.00
PHY-160 Energy & the Environment
In order to live, humans require energy, and methods of energy production significantly affect the environment in which humans live. This course examines fundamental thermodynamic concepts such as energy and power and then explores the comparative environmental costs and benefits, including potential long term consequences, of producing energy from various sources such as fossil fuels, nuclear reactors, wood burning, solar panels, wind turbines, etc. Methods of estimation and risk assessment are emphasized so that meaningful comparisons between energy sources and their environmental consequences can be made. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PHY-195 Independent Study
See department for details.
Credits: 1.00
PHY-202 Introductory Physics I
The first semester of an algebra-based sequence in physics. Topics included Newtonian mechanics, work, momentum, and energy. The lab component includes computer based experiments in mechanics. Satisfies Natural Science core requirement. Prerequisite: MATH 125. 4 hours.
Credits: 4.00
PHY-204 Introductory Physics II
The second semester of an algebra-based sequence in physics. Topics include heat and thermodynamics; electricity and magnetism; sound and light waves. The laboratory component includes computer based experiments in heat and thermodynamics; electric circuits. Satisfies Natural Science core requirement. Prerequisite: PHY 202 or PHY 232 with a "C-" or better. 4 hours.
Credits: 4.00
PHY-232 Gen Physics I-Workshop Phys I
An introductory course in physics (calculus- based) for science and pre-engineering students. First term includes Newtonian mechanics. This course is an inquiry-based, laboratory-oriented course. Satisfies Natural Sciences core requirement. Co-requisite: MATH 226. 4 hours.
Credits: 4.00
PHY-242 General Physics Ii-Workshop Physics II
A continuation of PHY 232 including electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, and nuclear physics. Satisfies Natural Science core requirement. Prerequisite: MATH 226, PHY 232 or PHY 202. All with "C-" or better. 4 hours.
Credits: 4.00
PHY-310 Relativity
An introduction to Einstein's special and general theories of relativity, with emphasis on the special theory. Topics include the principle of relativity, space-time effects of the Lorentz transformations, relativistic energy and momentum, Minkowski diagrams, the equivalence principle, the geometry of space-time, and gravity. Prerequisite: PHY 202 or 232, MATH 226. 3 hours. Alternate years. 2005-2006.
Credits: 3.00
PHY-322 Modern Physics With Health Applications
A project-orientated course taught in a workshop environment that covers important topics in modern physics with applications to human health. Topics include the Bohr theory of the atom, wave/particle duality, atomic and nuclear physics, and an introduction to Schrodinger's equation. Projects may include nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, neutron activation analysis, and magnetic resonance imaging. Prerequisite: PHY 204 or 242 with a "C-" or better. Co-requisite: MATH 227. 4 hours. Alternate years. 2005-2006.
Credits: 4.00
PHY-325 Modern Topics in Physics
This course investigates the physics of phenomena that significantly affect the environment in which humans live such as methods of energy production, global climate change, and transport of pollutants. Topics include aspects of thermodynamics, elementary spectroscopy, nuclear physics, and fluid dynamics as they relate to environmental issues. The course explores alternatives to society's current dependence on fossil fuels such as nuclear energy, solar and wind energy, bio-fuels, and hydrogen. Methods of estimation and risk assessment are emphasized so that meaningful comparisons between energy sources and their environmental consequences can be made. Prerequisite: CHEM-230 and MATH-226, each with minimum grade of C-; or PHY-232 or PHY-204, with minimum grade of C-. 4 hours.
Credits: 4.00
PHY-332 Waves and Optics
A course on the mathematical description of waves with application to optics. Topics will include wave addition, an introduction to Fourier analysis, laws of geometric optics, image formation, optical systems, interference and diffraction, polarization, lasers, and an introduction to transform optics including holography. The laboratory component will include selected experiments in wave motion, geometric optics, and physical optics. Prerequisite: PHY 204 or PHY 242 with a "C-" or better. Co-requisite: MATH 227. 4 hours. Alternate years.
Credits: 4.00
PHY-355 Special Topics
See department for course description.
Credits: 1.00
PHY-364 Electronics
The basic principles underlying circuit analysis and the operation of analog and digital electronic devices, including: diodes; transistors; op-amps; logic gates; multivibrators; counters; registers; memories; and A/D and D/A converters. Prerequisite: MATH 125, PHY 204 or 242, with a C- or better. 4 hours. Alternate years. 2005-2006.
Credits: 4.00
PHY-376 Engineering Mechanics: Statics
Presentation, discussion, and application of the principles of static mechanics to problems in physics and engineering including: force analysis, equilibrium in two and three dimensions, trusses and frames, internal forces, centroids, and cables. Special emphasis is given to problem- solving techniques. Prerequisite: PHY 232 or PHY 202, MATH 226, with "C-" or better. 3 hours. Alternate years.
Credits: 3.00
PHY-380 Classical Mechanics: Dynamics
Presentation and discussion of the kinematics and dynamics of single particles and systems of particles, both in inertial and non-inertial frames of reference. In addition to the standard analytical techniques, approximation techniques and a computer algebra system will be used for problem solving. Several mechanical systems will be studied experimentally and computationally. Prerequisites: PHY 204 or 242, and MATH 227, with C- or better. 4 hours. Alternate years.
Credits: 4.00
PHY-384 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Presentation, discussion, and application of the laws of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics including gas behavior, equations of states, phase transformations, kinetic theory, probability distributions, ensembles, and the partition function. Prerequisites: PHY 204 or PHY 242 and one upper division course in Physics, MATH 227, all with C- or better. 4 hours. Alternate years.
Credits: 4.00
PHY-395 Independent Study
See department for details.
Credits: 1.00
PHY-420 Quantum Mechanics
An introduction to quantum mechanics and its application to: free particles, barriers, the simple harmonic oscillator, the hydrogen atom, angular momentum, spin, and identical particle systems. A computer algebra system will be utilized for problem solving and visualization. Prerequisite: PHY 322 or PHY 332, MATH 228 or MATH 311 with "C-" or better. 4 hours. Alternate years. 2005-2006.
Credits: 4.00
PHY-460 Electric & Magnetic Fields
Development of the nature and mathematical description of electric and magnetic fields in free space and material media, including: Maxwell's equations, electrostatics, magnetostatics, dielectrics, and solutions of Laplace's and Poisson's equations. Prerequisite: PHY 322 or PHY 332, MATH 228 all with C- or better. 4 hours. Alternate years.
Credits: 4.00
PHY-475 Internship
See department for details.
Credits: 1.00
PHY-480 Physics Capstone Seminar I
The physics seminar portion of PHY 490. (See description of PHY 490). Co-requisite: Senior standing as a physics major, and research or an internship in physics. 1 hour.
Credits: 1.00
PHY-482 Physics Capstone Seminar II
The physics seminar portion of PHY 492. (See the description of PHY 492). Co-requisite: Senior standing as a physics major, and research or an internship in physics. 1 hour.
Credits: 1.00
PHY-490 Physics Capstone I
The capstone course involves a weekly seminar and a year long research project. In the weekly seminar, students learn how to make presentations and how to do "on-the-spot" problem solving. Emphasis is on the integration of concepts learned throughout the undergraduate physics curriculum. There will also be outside speakers on current physics research. The other portion of the capstone experience is a year long research project, including weekly meetings in which students discuss their ongoing research projects. The research project will comprise 2 credits of the course. Co-Requisite: Senior standing as a physics major. 3 hours.
Credits: 3.00
PHY-492 Physics Capstone II
A continuation of Physics 490. At the end of Physics 492 students with give final oral presentations on their research project or their internship, and submit their research/internship paper. Prerequisite: Physics 490 with "C-" or better. 3 hours. Wiener.
Credits: 3.00
PHY-495 Physics Research
Student-conducted individual research project. 1-3 hours.
Credits: 1.00