| Subject | Number | Title | Hours | Catalog Description | General Education Category |
| PHYS | 104 | Problem-Solving Workshop for Introductory Physics I | 1 hours. | A workshop where small groups of students work together to solve problems using computers. The problems are similar to, and sometimes more challenging than, those given in Physics 105/106. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. PHYS 104 is the companion course for the PHYS 105 lecture. Must enroll concurrently in PHYS 105 and PHYS 106. | |
| PHYS | 105 | Introductory Physics I - Lecture | 4 hours. | A non-calculus course. One-dimensional and two-dimensional kinematics; Newton?s laws; momentum; work and energy; torque and angular momentum; rotational dynamics; universal gravitation; oscillations; waves; physical optics; special relativity. Credit is not given for PHYS 105 if the student has credit in PHYS 141. Students may obtain one additional hour of credit by concurrently registering in PHYS 104. Prerequisite(s): High school algebra and trigonometry. | Natural World - No Lab course. |
| PHYS | 106 | Introductory Physics I - Laboratory | 1 hours. | One-dimensional and two-dimensional kinematics; Newton?s laws; momentum; work and energy; torque and angular momentum; rotational dynamics; universal gravitation; oscillations; waves; physical optics; special relativity. Credit is not given for PHYS 106 if the student has credit for PHYS 141. Laboratory course. Prerequisite(s): High school algebra and trigonometry. | Natural World - With Lab course. |
| PHYS | 107 | Introductory Physics II - Lecture | 4 hours. | Non-calculus course. Electrostatics; electric current; magnetism; Faraday?s law; Maxwell?s relations; electromagnetic radiation; introduction to quantum mechanics; the Heisenberg uncertainty principle; Bohr model; nuclear physics; particle physics. Credit is not given for PHYS 107 if the student has credit for PHYS 142. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in PHYS 105 and Grade of C or better in PHYS 106. | Natural World - No Lab course. |
| PHYS | 108 | Introductory Physics II - Laboratory | 1 hours. | Electrostatic; electric current; magnetism; Faraday's law; Maxwell's relations; electromagnetic radiation; optics, introduction to quantum mechanics, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle; Bohr model; nuclear physics; particle physics. Credit is not given for PHYS 108 if the student has credit for PHYS 142. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in PHYS 105 and Grade of C or better in PHYS 106. | Natural World - With Lab course. |
| PHYS | 112 | Astronomy and the Universe | 4 hours. | Astronomy in the context of the scientific process, history and current events. Covers the Solar System, stars and galaxies and the origin and fate of the universe. | Natural World - With Lab course. |
| PHYS | 116 | Energy for Future Decision-Makers | 3 hours. | Survey of energy sustainability and environmental issues. All energy forms of production, sources, storage, and uses; their environmental implications on a global scale within the scientific, technological, political, economic, and social context. Recommended background: High school algebra. | Natural World - No Lab course. |
| PHYS | 121 | Natural Sciences - The Physical Universe | 4 hours. | Physical laws and the nature of matter in the evolving universe. Students may obtain one additional hour of credit by concurrently registering in PHYS 122. Prerequisite(s): High school algebra. | Natural World - With Lab course. |
| PHYS | 122 | Problem-Solving Workshop for Natural Sciences -The Physical Universe | 1 hours. | A workshop where small groups of students work together to solve problems similar to, but more challenging than, the problems given in PHYS 112 or PHYS 121. Must enroll concurrently in PHYS 112 or PHYS 121. | |
| PHYS | 141 | General Physics I (Mechanics) | 4 hours. | Kinematics, vectors, Newton?s laws of motion; linear momentum, impulse collisions; work and kinetic energy; potential energy, conservation of energy; rotational kinematics and energy; rotational dynamics, static equilibrium; simple harmonic motion. Credit is not given if the student has credit in PHYS 105 or PHYS 106. Students may obtain one additional hour of credit by concurrently registering in PHYS 144. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in MATH 180. | Natural World - With Lab course. |
| PHYS | 142 | General Physics II (Electricity and Magnetism) | 4 hours. | Electrostatics; electric currents; d-c circuits; magnetic fields; magnetic media; electromagnetic induction; a-c circuits; Maxwell?s equations; electromagnetic waves; reflection and refraction; interference. Credit is not given for PHYS 142 if the student has credit in PHYS 107 or PHYS 108. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in MATH 181 and Grade of C or better in PHYS 141 or consent of the instructor. | Natural World - With Lab course. |
| PHYS | 144 | Problem-Solving Workshop for General Physics I (Mechanics) | 1 hours. | A workshop where small groups of students work together using computer simulations to solve problems similar to, but more challenging than, the ones given in PHYS 141. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. Must enroll concurrently in PHYS 141. | |
| PHYS | 145 | Problem-Solving Workshop for General Physics II (Electricity and Magnetism) | 1 hours. | A workshop where smaller groups of students work together with the instructor to enhance their problem-solving skills by solving additional problems both similar to, as well as more challenging than, problems given in Physics 142. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. Requires concurrent registration in PHYS 142. | |
| PHYS | 215 | Mathematical Methods for Physicists | 4 hours. | Applications of mathematical methods to physics problems. Vector calculus, linear algebra, ordinary differential equations of first and second Fourier series. Students may obtain one additional hour of credit by concurrently registering in PHYS 216. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in MATH 210. | |
| PHYS | 216 | Problem-Solving Workshop for Mathematical Methods for Physicists | 1 hours. | A workshop where groups of students work together to solve mathematical physics problems using Maple. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. Extensive computer use required. Taught in a computer lab. Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent registration in PHYS 215. Recommended to be taken concurrently with PHYS 215. | |
| PHYS | 244 | General Physics III (Modern Physics) | 3 hours. | Special theory of relativity. Particle-wave duality. Uncertainty principle; Bohr model; introduction to quantum mechanics; Schroedinger equation; hydrogen atom; many-electron atoms. Introduction to nuclear and particle physics. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in PHYS 107 and Grade of C or better in PHYS 108; or Grade of C or better in PHYS 142. | |
| PHYS | 245 | General Physics IV (Heat, Fluids, and Wave Phenomena) | 4 hours. | Thermodynamic laws and processes; kinetic theory of gases; hydrostatics and fluid flow; general wave phenomena; acoustics; geometrical optics; physical optics. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in PHYS 142; or grade of C or better in both PHYS 107 and PHYS 108. Recommended background: MATH 220. | |
| PHYS | 391 | Physics Seminar | 1 hours. | Preparation and presentation by students of talks on topics of current interest in physics. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. May be repeated to a maximum of 4 hours. Prerequisite(s): Senior standing. | |
| PHYS | 392 | Physics Research | 2 TO 4 hours. | Research under the close supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisite(s): Approval of the department. | |
| PHYS | 393 | Special Problems | 2 TO 4 hours. | Special problems or reading in modern physics under individual arrangement with a faculty member. Prerequisite(s): Approval of the department. | |
| PHYS | 401 | Electromagnetism I | 4 hours. | Vector calculus; electrostatic fields in vacuum; solution of electrostatic boundary-value problems; electrostatic fields in material media; electrostatic energy; electric currents. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 142 and PHYS 215; or approval of the department. | |
| PHYS | 402 | Electromagnetism II | 4 hours. | Magnetic fields of steady currents and magnetic materials; electromagnetic induction; magnetic energy; slowly-varying currents; a-c circuits; Maxwell's equations; electromagnetic waves; bounded regions; special relativity. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 401. | |
| PHYS | 411 | Quantum Mechanics I | 4 hours. | Wave particle duality; wave functions; Schroedinger equation; mathematical structure of quantum mechanics; operators and observables; matrix representation of operators; three dimensional Schroedinger equation. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 215 and PHYS 244 and PHYS 245; or approval of the department. Recommended background: MATH 220. | |
| PHYS | 412 | Quantum Mechanics II | 4 hours. | This is the second semester of a two-semester undergraduate level sequence on the concepts and methods of Quantum Mechanics and their applications. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 411; or approval of the department. | |
| PHYS | 421 | Modern Physics: Atoms and Molecules | 4 hours. | Hydrogenic atoms, electron spin, external fields, multi-electron atoms, diatomic molecules, line widths, photons, radiation from atoms and other electromagnetic processes, positrons, positronium, elastic electron scattering. Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent registration in PHYS 411. | |
| PHYS | 425 | Modern Optics | 4 hours. | Review of electromagnetic wave theory and introductory optics; advanced geometrical optics; Fourier transforms and optics; interference and diffraction; solar cells and LEDs; laser cavities and gain media; introduction to nonlinear and fiber optics. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 244; or graduate standing; or approval of the department. | |
| PHYS | 431 | Modern Physics: Condensed Matter | 4 hours. | Crystal structures; interatomic binding; lattice vibrations; thermal and magnetic properties; quantum statistical mechanics; free electron theory of metals; electronic band theory; semiconductors and insulators; superconductivity. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 411 and PHYS 461; or consent of the instructor. | |
| PHYS | 441 | Theoretical Mechanics | 4 hours. | Review of Newtonian mechanics; non-inertial reference systems; gravitation and central forces; moment of inertia tensors; rigid body motion; Euler?s equations; Lagrangian mechanics; generalized coordinates; Hamilton?s equations; coupled oscillators. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 142 and PHYS 215; or approval of the department. | |
| PHYS | 450 | Molecular Biophysics of the Cell | 4 hours. | Introduction to force, time energies at nanometer scales; Boltzmann distribution; hydrodynamic drag; Brownian motions; DNA, RNA protein structure and function; sedimentation; chemical kinetics; general aspects of flexible polymers. Same as BIOE 450. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 245 or the equivalent; or approval of the department. | |
| PHYS | 451 | Modern Physics: Nuclei and Elementary Particles | 4 hours. | Accelerators, detectors, symmetries, conservation laws, leptons, weak interactions, electroweak theory, strong interactions, hadrons, nuclear forces, systematics and reactions, nuclear models, nuclear astrophysics, quarks, quantum chromodynamics. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 411. | |
| PHYS | 461 | Thermal and Statistical Physics | 4 hours. | Thermal equilibrium (Zeroth Law); thermodynamic states (First Law); irreversibility; entropy (Second Law); thermodynamic potentials and properties; phase transitions; kinetic theory of gases; classical statistical mechanics. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 245; or approval of the department. | |
| PHYS | 469 | The Learning and Teaching of Physics | 4 hours. | Provides teacher candidates with the foundations and experiences necessary for teaching physics in secondary schools. For those currently teaching, it will also provide tools and background to improve their physics instruction. 4 hours. Same as CI 469. Extensive computer use required. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 244; or approval of the department. | |
| PHYS | 470 | Educational Practice with Seminar I | 6 hours. | The first half of a two-segment sequence of practice teaching, including seminar, to meet certification requirements for teaching in grades six through twelve. Graduate credit only with approval of the department. Prerequisite(s): Good academic standing in a teacher education program, completion of 100 clock hours of pre-student-teaching field experiences, and approval of the department. | |
| PHYS | 471 | Educational Practice with Seminar II | 6 hours. | The second half of a two-segment sequence of practice teaching, including seminar, to meet certification requirements for teaching in grades six through twelve. Graduate credit only with approval of the department. Prerequisite(s): Good academic standing in a teacher education program, completion of 100 clock hours of pre-student-teaching field experiences, credit or concurrent registration in PHYS 470, and approval of the department. | |
| PHYS | 481 | Modern Experimental Physics I | 4 hours. | Theory and experimental use of linear circuits, semiconductor devices, amplifiers, oscillators. Techniques and experiments in atomic, molecular and solid-state physics. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 244. Requires concurrent registration in PHYS 499. | |
| PHYS | 482 | Modern Experimental Physics II | 4 hours. | Techniques and experiments in nuclear and particle physics. Gamma-gamma correlations, muon lifetime, Compton scattering, alpha particle scattering. Computer-based experimentation. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 481; or approval of the department. | |
| PHYS | 491 | Special Topics in Physics | 1 TO 4 hours. | Selected topics of current interest in Physics. May be repeated. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 215 and sophomore standing or above; or approval of the department. | |
| PHYS | 494 | Special Topics in Physics Teaching | 2 TO 4 hours. | Seminar on various topics related to the teaching of physics. Subjects are announced. May be repeated. Students may register in more than one section per term. Supervised teaching practice included. Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing or approval of the department. | |
| PHYS | 499 | Survey of Physics Problems | 1 hours. | Problem-solving techniques applied to the variety of undergraduate physics topics. No graduation credit for graduate students. Grade of C or better required to graduate with an undergraduate degree in physics. Co-requisite(s):Concurrent registration in PHYS 481. |