Physics Department
- Course Descriptions
PHY 101 Introductory Astronomy A descriptive course covering our solar system, stars, and galaxies. In addition the course traces the development of scientific thought from early civilization to the present day. Night viewing is required. (Three one-hour lectures. Prereq.: MPG 2. Fall, spring)
PHY 103 Conceptual Physics
An introductory course (with a hands-on intuitive approach) in which the applications, problems, and experiments are selected to illustrate fundamental principles of physics. (Two three-hour lectures/laboratories. Prereq.: MPG 3. Spring)
SCI 106 Introductory Meteorology
A survey of the basic principles of Earth’s weather and climate. Topics include winds, fronts, cyclones, clouds and precipitation, thunderstorms, tornados and hurricanes, climate and climate change, global warming, and ozone depletion. (Three one-hour lectures, one two-hour laboratory. Prereq.: MPG 2. Fall, spring)
SCI 110 Natural Science I
The first semester of a two-semester survey of natural science. This course focuses on the nature of science and major concepts of physics and chemistry. Laboratory work stressing experimentation and measurement will include the use of computers and electronic sensors. (Three one-hour lectures, one three-hour laboratory. Prereq.: MPG 3)
SCI 111 Natural Science II
The second semester of a two-semester survey of natural science. This course focuses on major concepts of earth science and biology. Laboratory work will complement lectures and will include the use of computers and electronic sensors. (Three one-hour lectures, one three-hour laboratory. Prereq.: SCI 110)
PHY 114 Earth Science for Elementary Education Teachers
A practical and hands-on approach to earth and space science for students admitted to the elementary education program. Topics covered include the solar system and the origin of Earth; the structure of Earth including plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, and minerals and rocks; the hydrologic cycle and the effect of water on the planet; and the changing climate of Earth. (Two three-hour laboratory/lecture periods. Prereq.: elementary education major and MPG 3. Fall, spring)
PHY 116 Introduction to Physics
An algebra-based introductory course in which the applications, problems, and experiments are selected to illustrate fundamental principles and provide a broad survey of physics. (Three one-hour lectures, one three-hour laboratory. Prereq.: MPG 3. Fall)
PHY 119 Physics for the Fine Arts
A scientific study of sound, light, and the mechanics of structures and the human body relating to music, the visual arts, and theatre. Explores the physics of phenomena and perception fundamental to these disciplines. (Three one hour lectures, one three-hour laboratory. Prereq.: MPG 3. Fall)
PHY 121 General Physics I
A rigorous study of classical physics including mechanics and wave motion. Designed for physics, pre-engineering, and other specified majors. (Three one-hour lectures, one three-hour laboratory. Prereq.: MAT 145 or concurrent registration. Fall)
PHY 122 General Physics II
A rigorous study of classical physics including thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, and optics. Designed for physics, pre-engineering, and other specified majors. (Three one-hour lectures, one three-hour laboratory. Prereq.: PHY 121, ENL 111, MAT 146 or concurrent registration. Spring)
PHY 245 Modern Physics
An introduction to modern physics from a historical and experimental perspective. Relativity, atomic, molecular, nuclear, and solid state physics. This course develops the experimental foundations and need for quantum mechanics. (Three one-hour lectures, one two-hour laboratory. Prereq.: PHY 122. Fall)
PHY 261 Electronics
AC and DC circuits, analog electronics, digital electronics, and the analysis and use of microprocessors and microcomputer systems. (Three one-hour lectures, one three-hour laboratory. Prereq.: PHY 116 or 122; and MAT 146. Spring: cross-listed with computer science)
PHY 320 Introduction to Space Science
A survey of Earth’s space environment including solar, planetary, magnetospheric, ionospheric, and upper atmospheric physics (solar dynamics, magnetic storms, particle precipitation, aurora, and related topics). (Three one-hour lectures. Prereq.: PHY 245. Spring)
PHY/MAT 327 Special Functions of Mathematical Physics
Special functions encountered in physics. Partial differentiation, partial differential equations, Fourier series, series solution of differential equations, Legendre, Bessel, and other orthogonal functions, vector calculus, applied linear algebra (e.g., matrix multiplication, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, special matrices, determinants), and functions of a complex variable. (Three one-hour lectures. Prereq.: PHY 122 or consent of instructor, MAT 245 or equivalent. Spring: cross-listed with mathematics)
PHY 351 Mechanics I
Classical mechanics in terms of Newtonian, Lagrangian, and Hamiltonian formalisms. Topics include conservation principles, single particle motion, gravitation, oscillations, central forces, and two-particle kinematics. (Three one-hour lectures. Prereq.: PHY 122, MAT 247 or PHY 327. Fall)
PHY 352 Mechanics II
Classical mechanics in terms of Newtonian, Lagrangian, and Hamiltonian formalisms. Topics include dynamics of rigid bodies, systems of particles, and noninertial reference frames. (Three one-hour lectures. Prereq.: PHY 122, PHY 351, MAT 247 or PHY 327. Spring)
PHY 362 Electromagnetic Fields I
The classical electromagnetic field theory is developed using vector calculus. Topics include electrostatics, solution of Laplace’s and Poisson’s equations, and electric properties of materials. (Three one-hour lectures. Prereq.: PHY 122, MAT 247 or PHY 327. Fall)
PHY 363 Electromagnetic Fields II
The classical electromagnetic field theory is developed using vector calculus. Topics include magnetostatics, magnetic properties of materials, and electromagnetic radiation based on Maxwell’s equations. (Three one-hour lectures. Prereq.: PHY 362, MAT 247 or PHY 327. Spring)
PHY 395 Comprehensive Laboratory I (.5 course)
Students work in small groups on advanced experiments from various physics subfields (including modern physics, electronic instrumentation, magnetism, and optics) with a focus on the role of experiments, interpretation of data, and scientific communication. Incorporates an introduction to LabVIEW software for computerized data acquisition and experiment control. (One three-hour laboratory and an occasional one-hour seminar per week. Prereq.: junior or senior standing or consent of instructor. Fall)
PHY 396 Comprehensive Laboratory II (.5 course)
A continuation of PHY 395. A thorough exploration of interface hardware and software design (LabVIEW) for computer-controlled experiments followed by application of these techniques to advanced experiments in high vacuum physics and technology, modern optics, biophysics, and other areas. (One three-hour laboratory and an occasional one-hour seminar per week. Prereq.: PHY 395, junior or senior standing or consent of instructor. Spring)
PHY 420 Plasma Physics
Fundamentals of plasma physics including waves, instabilities, drifts, plasma drifts, particle motion, electric and magnetic fields, Boltzmann equation, magnetohydrodynamics, transport, and applications to laboratory and space plasmas. (Three one-hour lectures. Prereq.: PHY 362, 363 or concurrent registration)
PHY 430 Introduction to Solid State Physics
Topics in solid state physics including various theories of metals, crystal lattices, band structure and Fermi surfaces, phonons, semiconductors and magnetism. The conditions and consequences of the solid state of materials will be explored at a very detailed level, taking realistic parameters of materials into account. (Three one-hour lectures. Prereq.: PHY 351, PHY 362; PHY 486 strongly recommended. Fall)
PHY 486 Quantum Physics
A development from first principles, including de Broglie’s postulates, the Schroedinger equation, operators, wave functions, expectation values, and approximation methods. Applications include potential wells and barriers, the harmonic oscillator, and the hydrogen atom. (Three one-hour lectures. Prereq.: PHY 245, 351. Spring)
Internships and Independent Study Courses:
PHY 199 Internship
PHY 299 Directed Study
PHY 399 Internship
PHY 499 Independent Study/Research
Open to juniors and seniors with departmental approval.