Physics (PHYS)

Head of Department: Professor William C. Stwalley
Department Office: Room 101, Physics Building

For major requirements, see the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of this Catalog.

1010Q. Elements of Physics

(101Q) Either semester. Four credits. Three class periods and one 2-hour laboratory period. Recommended preparation: MATH 1010 or the equivalent. Not open for credit to students who have passed PHYS 1201, 1401, 1501 or 1601. 

Basic concepts and applications of physics for the non-science major.  Scientific principles and quantitative relationships involving mechanics, energy, heat and temperature, waves, electricity and magnetism, and the theory of the atom are covered.  A laboratory provides hands-on experience with the principles of physics. CA 3-LAB.

1020Q. Introductory Astronomy

(154Q) Either semester. Three credits. Recommended preparation: MATH 1010 or equivalent. Not open to students who have passed PHYS 1025Q.

A basic introductory astronomy course without laboratories, including principles of celestial coordinate systems and telescope design; applications of fundamental physical laws to the sun, planets, stars and galaxies; evolution of stars, galaxies and the universe; recent space probe results, modern cosmology, astrobiology. Night observing sessions are an integral part of the course. CA 3.

1025Q. Introductory Astronomy with Laboratory

(155Q) Either semester. Four credits. Three class periods and one 2-hour laboratory period. Recommended preparation: MATH 1010 or equivalent. Not open to students who have passed PHYS 1020Q.

A basic introductory astronomy course including principles of celestial coordinate systems and telescope design; applications of fundamental physical laws to the sun, planets, stars and galaxies; evolution of stars, galaxies and the universe; recent space probe results, modern cosmology, astrobiology. Basic quantitative laboratory techniques relevant to astronomy. Night observing sessions are an integral part of the course.  CA 3-LAB.

1030Q. Physics of the Environment

(103Q) Either semester. Three credits. Recommended preparation: MATH 1010 or the equivalent. Not applicable to any requirement that specifies a course in "general physics." 

Concepts of physics applied to current problems of the physical environment: energy, transportation, pollution. No previous knowledge of physics is assumed. CA 3.

1035Q. Physics of the Environment with Laboratory

(104Q) Either semester. Four credits. Three class periods and one 2-hour laboratory period. Recommended preparation: MATH 1010 or the equivalent. No previous knowledge of physics is assumed. Not open for credit to students who have passed PHYS 1030Q. 

Concepts of physics applied to the physical environment, particularly to current problems related to energy, transportation, and pollution. These relationships will be further explored in the laboratory section.
CA 3-LAB.

1050. Inquiry-Based Physics

(105) Second semester. Four credits. One class period and three 2-hour laboratory periods. Best

 Selected topics from physics, with an emphasis on a depth of understanding. Provides background for teaching physical science as a process of inquiry, and develops scientific literacy. Particularly for pre-service elementary school teachers.

1075Q. Physics of Music

(107Q) First semester. Four credits. Three class periods and one 2-hour laboratory period. Recommended preparation: MATH 1010 or equivalent.

Basic principles of physics and scientific reasoning will be taught in the context of the production and perception of music, emphasizing the historic and scientific interplay between physics and music. Basic quantitative laboratories pertaining to sound, music, and waves. No previous knowledge of physics or music is assumed. CA 3-LAB.

1201Q-1202Q. General Physics

(121Q-122Q) Either semester. Four credits each semester. Three class periods and one 3-hour laboratory period. Prerequisite: MATH 1060 or 1110 or 1120 or passing score on the Calculus Placement Survey or equivalent. PHYS 1201 not open for credit to students who have passed PHYS 1401, 1501 or 1601. PHYS 1202 not open for credit to students who have passed PHYS 1402, 1502 or 1602. PHYS 1201 required for PHYS 1202. 

Basic facts and principles of physics. The laboratory offers fundamental training in precise measurements. CA 3-LAB.

1230. General Physics Problems

(123) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PHYS 1202 and MATH 1122 or 1132, both of which may be taken concurrently. Not open for credit to students who have passed PHYS 1501 or 1601. 

Problems, emphasizing applications of calculus, dealing with topics in general physics.  Intended for those students who have taken or are taking PHYS 1202 and who desire to have a calculus-based physics sequence equivalent to PHYS 1401-1402.

1300. Physics for the Health Sciences

(127) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: MATH 1120 and 1121, or MATH 1131, or MATH 1151. Not open for credit to students who have passed PHYS 1230, 1401, 1402, 1601, 1602, 1501, or 1502.

Survey of the principles of physics and their application to the health sciences. Basic concepts of calculus are used. Examples from mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, fluids, waves, and atomic and nuclear physics.

1401Q-1402Q. General Physics with Calculus

(131Q-132Q) Either semester. Four credits each semester. Three class periods and one 3-hour laboratory period. Recommended preparation for PHYS 1401: MATH 1121 or 1131. Prerequisite for PHYS 1402: PHYS 1401. Recommended preparation for PHYS 1402: MATH 1122 or 1132.  PHYS 1401 is not open for credit to students who have passed PHYS 1501 or 1601. PHYS 1402 not open for credit to students who have passed 1502 or 1602. PHYS 1401 may be taken for not more than 2 credits, with the permission of the instructor, by students who have received credits for PHYS 1201. PHYS 1402 may be taken for not more than 2 credits, with the permission of the instructor, by students who have received credit for PHYS 1202. 

Quantitative study of the basic facts and principles of physics. The laboratory offers fundamental training in physical measurements. Recommended for students planning to apply for admission to medical, dental or veterinary schools and also recommended for science majors for whom a one year introductory physics course is adequate. CA 3-LAB.

1501Q. Physics for Engineers I

(151Q) Either semester. Four credits. Three class periods and one 3-hour laboratory period. Recommended preparation: PHYS 1010 or secondary school physics; and CE 2110, as well as either MATH 2110 or 2130, which may be taken concurrently. Not open for credit to students who have passed PHYS 1401 or 1601. PHYS 1501 may be taken for not more than 2 credits, with the permission of the instructor, by students who have received credit for PHYS 1201. 

Basic facts and principles of physics. Elementary concepts of calculus are used. Classical dynamics, rigid-body motion, harmonic motion, wave motion, acoustics, relativistic dynamics, thermodynamics. CA 3-LAB.

1502Q. Physics for Engineers II

(152Q) Either semester. Four credits. Three class periods and one 3-hour laboratory period. Prerequisite: PHYS 1501. Not open for credit to students who have passed PHYS 1402 or 1602. PHYS 1502 may be taken for not more than 2 credits, with the permission of the instructor, by students who have received credit for PHYS 1202. 

Electric and magnetic fields, electromagnetic waves, quantum effects, introduction to atomic physics. CA 3-LAB.

1530. General Physics Problems for Engineers

(125) Either semester. Four credits. Three class periods and one 1-hour recitation period. Prerequisite: PHYS 1202 and MATH 1122 or 1132, both of which may be taken concurrently. Not open for credit to students who have passed PHYS 1230, 1501 or 1601. 

Problems, emphasizing applications of calculus, dealing with topics in general physics. Intended for those students who have taken or are taking PHYS 1202 and who desire to have a calculus-based physics sequence equivalent to PHYS 1501-1502 or 1601-1602.

1600Q. Introduction to Modern Physics

(140Q) First semester. Four credits. Three class periods, one recitation period and one 3-hour laboratory period. Recommended preparation: MATH 1010 or equivalent and MATH 1060, which may be taken concurrently, or passed the Calculus Placement Survey.

Quantitative exploration of the structure of matter, including gas laws, electric and magnetic forces, the electron, x-rays, waves and light, relativity, radioactivity, and spectra. Recommended for prospective Physics majors. CA 3-LAB.

1601Q. Fundamentals of Physics I

(141Q) Second semester. Four credits. Three class periods and one 3-hour laboratory period. Recommended preparation:  MATH 1121 or 1131 or 1151, any of which may be taken concurrently. MATH 1151 is preferred for Physics majors. Not open for credit to students who have passed PHYS 1401 or 1501. May be taken for not more than three credits, with the permission of the instructor, by students who have received credit for PHYS 1201. 

Fundamental principles of mechanics, statistical physics, and thermal physics. Basic concepts of calculus are used. This course is recommended for prospective Physics majors. CA 3-LAB.

1602Q. Fundamentals of Physics II

(142Q) First semester. Four credits. Three class periods and one 3-hour laboratory period. Recommended preparation: PHYS 1601, and MATH 1122 or 1132 or 1152, any of which may be taken concurrently. MATH 1152 is preferred for Physics majors. Not open for credit to students who have passed PHYS 1402 or 1502. May be taken for not more than three credits, with the permission of the instructor, by students who have received credit for PHYS 1202. 

Fundamental principles of electromagnetism, optics and wave propagation.  Basic concepts of calculus are used. Recommended for prospective Physics majors. CA 3-LAB.

2200C. Computational Physics 

(220C) Second semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one 2-hour laboratory period. Prequisite: PHYS 1230 or 1402 or 1502 or 1530 or 1602 and MATH 2410, any of which may be taken concurrently; or instructor consent.

A basic introduction to numerical and mathematical methods required for the solution of physics problems using currently available scientific software for computation and graphics.

2300. The Development of Quantum Physics

(230) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PHYS 1230 or 1530 or PHYS 1402 or 1602 or PHYS 1502, which may be taken concurrently; or PHYS 1202 with consent of instructor.

The inadequacies of classical physical concepts in the submicroscopic domain. The revision of physical principles that led to special relativity and modern quantum theory. Application to topics chosen from atomic and molecular physics, solid state physics, nuclear physics and elementary particle physics.              

2501WC-2502C. Laboratory in Electricity, Magnetism, and Mechanics
(258WC-259C) Both semesters. Three credits each semester. One class period, one 3-hour laboratory period, and additional assignments on the theoretical interpretation of experiments. One hour lecture per week. Time by arrangement. A written presentation of methods and results is required for each experiment. Prerequisites: First semester, PHYS 1201 or 1401 or 1501 or 1601; Second semester, PHYS 1202 or 1402 or 1502 or 1602. Both semesters prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800.  

Experiments with mechanical phenomena. Experiments with electric and magnetic phenomena, including their interaction with matter. The handling of experimental data. The use of computers in experimental physics.

3101. Mechanics I

(242) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PHYS 1602; or, with consent of instructor, PHYS 1230 or 1530 or 1402 or 1502 or 3103; MATH 2110 or 2130, which may be taken concurrently.

Newton's Laws of motion applied to mass points, systems of particles, and rigid bodies.

3102. Mechanics II

(246) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: MATH 2410 or 2420 and PHYS 3101 or CE 2120.

Further applications of Newton's Laws; continuous media; Lagrange's and Hamilton's formulation of dynamics.

3103. Intermediate Physics I

(209) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PHYS 1402 or 1502 or 1602 or, with consent of instructor, PHYS 1202. 

Classical mechanics, electricity, and magnetism.

3104. Intermediate Physics II

(210) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PHYS 1402 or 1502 or 1602 or, with consent of instructor, PHYS 1202. 

Kinetic theory, introduction to quantum mechanics.

3150. Electronics

(256) Second semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one 3-hour laboratory period. Prerequisite: PHYS 1230, 1402,1502 or 1602 or instructor consent. 

The principles of devices and their applications to instrumentation in science and engineering. Rectification, filtering, regulation, input and output impedance, basic transistor circuits, operational amplifiers, preamplifiers for photodiodes and other transducers, logic gates, and digital circuits.

3201. Electricity and Magnetism I

(255) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PHYS 1602; or, with consent of instructor, PHYS 1230 or 1530 or 1402 or 1502 or 3104; MATH 2110 and 2410, or 2130 and 2420. 

Properties of electric and magnetic fields; direct and alternating current circuits.

3202. Electricity and Magnetism II

(257) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PHYS 3201. 

Mathematical theory of the electromagnetic field; electric and magnetic properties of matter.

3300. Statistical and Thermal Physics

(271) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PHYS 1230 or 1530 or 1402 or 1502 or 1602; MATH 2110 and 2410, or 2130 and 2420.

The laws of thermodynamics and their microscopic statistical basis; entropy, temperature, Boltzmann factor, chemical potential, Gibbs factor, and the distribution functions.

3401-3402. Introductory Quantum Mechanics

(261-262) Both semesters. Three credits each semester. Prerequisite: PHYS 2300; MATH 2110 and 2410, or 2130 and 2420. 

Elementary principles of quantum mechanics; applications to electrons, atoms, molecules, nuclei, elementary particles, and solids.

3989. Undergraduate Research

(290) Either semester. Credits, not to exceed three each semester, and hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit.

Introduction to original investigation performed by the student under the guidance of a faculty member. The student is required to submit a brief report at the end of each semester.

4093. Foreign Study

(293) Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. May be repeated for credit. Consent of Department Head required, normally to be granted prior to the student's departure. May count toward the major with consent of the advisor. 

Special topics taken in a foreign study program.

4094. Seminar in Current Topics

(291) Either or both semesters. One credit. One class period. To be taken concurrently with any of the following: PHYS 3101, 3102, 3201, 3202, 3401, 3402, 3300 or 4150. Open only with consent of instructor. With a change in content this course may be repeated for credit only once. 

Lectures on topics relevant to current research.

4095. Special Topics

(298) Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. With a change in content, may be repeated for credit. Prerequisites and recommended preparation vary.

4096W. Research Thesis in Physics

(292W) Either semester. Three credits. Hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800. Open only with instructor consent.

Research investigation for the advanced undergraduate. Research and writing of a Thesis are required. Final public presentation is recommended.

4098. Variable Topics

(295) Either semester. Three credits. With a change in topic, may be repeated for credit. Prerequisites and recommended preparation vary.

4099. Independent Study

(299) Either or both semesters. Credits by arrangement, not to exceed 3 each semester. Open only with consent of instructor. With a change of topic, this course may be repeated for credit.

4100. Physics of the Earth's Interior

(277) (Also offered as GEOL 4550.) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PHYS 1230 or 1402 or 1502 or 1602, which may be taken concurrently; MATH 1121 or 1131 or 1151, which may be taken concurrently, not open to students who have taken GEOL 264Q. Cormier

The composition, structure, and dynamics of the Earth's core, mantle, and crust inferred from observations of seismology, geomagnetism, and heat flow.

4130. Fundamentals of Planetary Science

(278) (Also offered as GEOL 4560.) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PHYS 1230 or 1402 or 1502 or 1602, which may be taken concurrently; MATH 1122  or 1132 or 1152, which may be taken concurrently, not open to students who have taken GEOL 266Q. Cormier

Evolution of the solar system, celestial mechanics, tidal friction, internal composition of planets, black-body radiation, planetary atmospheres.

4140. Principles of Lasers

(275) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PHYS 3202 and 3401, or consent of instructor. Recommended preparation: PHYS 4150.

The physics of lasers, including optical pumping and stimulated emission, laser rate equations, optical resonators, Gaussian beam propagation, Q-switching, mode-locking and nonlinear optics. Applications to gas, solid-state and tunable laser systems.

4150. Optics

(281) First semester. Four credits. Three class periods and one 3-hour laboratory period. Recommended preparation: PHYS 3103 or 3201, either of which may be taken concurrently, or instructor consent.

An introduction to geometrical and physical optics. Thick lenses, stops, aberrations, interference, diffraction, polarization.

4210. Introduction to Solid State Physics

(273) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PHYS 1230 or 1530 or 1402 or 1502 or 1602.

Crystal lattices, lattice waves, thermal and electronic properties, imperfections in solids.

4300. Astrophysics and Modern Cosmology

(276) (Also offered as PHYS 6300.) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PHYS 3101 or 3103, PHYS 3104 or 3201, and PHYS 2300; or instructor consent.

Basic principles of contemporary astrophysics; applications to stars, galaxies, and modern cosmology.

4350. Nuclei and Particles

(274) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PHYS 3401 or equivalent. 

Properties of nuclei and particles, conserved quantities, isospin, quark model, Fermi gas model, electroweak interaction, high energy scattering.

4900C. Experimental Physics Design Laboratory 

(285C) Either semester. Three credits. Two 3-hour laboratory periods and additional reading assignments. A written description of the proposed method must be submitted and approved before each experiment, and a subsequent written critical evaluation of each experiment is required. Prerequisite: PHYS 2300, 3101 or 3102, and 3202; PHYS 3401, which may be taken concurrently; and PHYS 2501 or 2502 or ECE 3608 or MSE 4003.

Experiments in modern and classical physics are independently designed, performed, and evaluated. Experiments are chosen from the areas of atomic, solid state and thermal physics, as well as from acoustics and optics. Computers are utilized for control of the experimental process, data acquisition and analysis.