PHYSICS COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
| 1370 Mathematical Methods in Physics |
3:3:0
|
Mathematics applied to physics
problems,
graphical analysis, vector operations, fields, and potentials.
Prerequisite:
Registration
in or credit for MATH 2413.
| 1311 Descriptive Astromony |
3:3:0
|
A survey of facts and an
introduction
to important astronomical theories. The solar system, stars,
nebulae,
and star systems.
| 1401 General Physics, Mechanics and Heat |
4:3:2
|
Designed for majors in the
physical
or natural sciences. Emphasis is placed upon understanding and
application
of basic physical laws.
Prerequisite: MATH 1316
or high school trigonometry.
| 1402 General Physics, Sound, Light, Heat, Magnetism |
4:3:2
|
A continuation of PHYS 1401.
Prerequisite: PHYS
1401.
| 1405 Conceptual Physics |
4:3:2
|
Designed for
non-science/non-engineering
majors. The basic interactions in nature, how things move and
why,
are studied.
| 1407 Conceptual Physics |
4:3:2
|
Designed for
non-science/non-engineering
majors. Topics covered are heat, vibrations and waves,
sound,
light.
Prerequisite: NONE.
PHYS 1405 is NOT a pre-requisite for PHYS 1407.
| 2170 Supplemental Laboratory |
1:0:3
|
Designed to allow a transfer
student
to make up one laboratory deficiency at the introductory level.
Prerequisite: Departmental
approval is required to enroll.
| 2425 Calculus Based Physics I |
4:3:3
|
Mechanics, vibrations, heat.
Prerequisite: Registration
in or credit for MATH 2414 and permission of department chair.
| 2426 Calculus Based Physics II |
4:3:3
|
Electricity, Magentism, sound
waves,
optics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2425
and registration in or credit for MATH 2414.
| 3310 Physics Experiments |
3:1:6
|
Selected experiments in
mechanics,
electromagnetics, waves and nuclear physics which reach beyond the
scope
of introductory laboratories.
Prerequisite: 8 hours of
introductory physics including a laboratory component.
| 3350 Waves and Modern Physics |
3:3:0
|
Conservation laws; special
relativity;
quantum effects; atomic structure; X-rays, nuclear and solid state
physics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2426
or 1401,1402 and MATH 2415.
| 3380 Electricity and Magnetism |
3:3:0
|
Electrostatic fields;
potential;
capacitance; dielectrics; electromagnetic waves. Maxwell's
equations;
conduction in gases; thermoelectricity.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2426
or 1401, 1402 and credit or registation in Differential Equations.
| 3390 Statistical Physics |
3:3:0
|
Temperature and thermomerty;
internal
energy, entropy, and thermodynamic potentials; introduction to the
kinetic
theory of gases and the Maxwell-Boltzmann, Bose-Einstein and
Fermi-Dirac
statistics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 3430,
Differential Equations and credit or registration in Modern Physics.
| 3430 Analytical Mechanics |
4:3:3
|
Use of vector notation in
formulating
and applying Newton's laws and the principles of momentum and
energy.
Dynamics of particles and rigid bodies emphasized. Statistics
treated
briefly.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2426
or 1401, 1402 and credit for, or registration in Differential Equations.
| 3450 Wave and Modern Physics |
4:3:3
|
Conservation laws; special
relativity;
quantum effects; atomic structure; X-rays, nuclear and solid state
physics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2426
or 1401, 1402 and MATH 2415.
| 3460 Electrical Measurements |
4:2:4
|
Theoretical and practical
definitions
of electrical units; data handling and analysis; precision DC
measurement
of resistance, potential difference and current; galvanometer
characteristics;
AC bridge measurement of self and mutual inductance, capacitance and
frequency;
magnetic measurements.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2426
or 1401, 1402 and MATH 2415.
| 4101, 4201, 4301 Special Topics in Physics |
1-3:A:0
|
Topics in undergraduate
mechanics,
electromagnetism, energy conversion or particle physics. Library
work and conferences with a staff member. Student may repeat the
course for credit when the area of study is different.
| 4210 Research I |
2:0:6
|
Introduction to Physics
Research.
Starting a research investigation, defining a problem, conducting
literature
searches, assembling resources and initiating a project.
Prerequisite:
Modern Physics and PHYS 3430 or 3380.
| 4220 Research II |
2:0:6
|
Introduction to Physics
Research.
Completing a project started in PHYS 4210. Completing the project
and writing a report in publication form.
Prerequisite: PHYS 4210
| 4320 Introductory Quantum Mechanics |
3:3:0
|
SBasic concepts of quantum
mechanics.
Schroedinger's equation; wave functions.
Prerequisite: PHYS 3430,
Modern Physics and Differential Equations.
| 4480 Optics |
4:3:3
|
Physical and Quantum
Optics.
Propagation of light; interference; diffraction; optics of solids;
thermal
radiation and light quanta; optical spectra; lasers.
Prerequisite: Modern
Physics
and Differential Equations.