PHYS - Physics

A grade of “C-” or above in prerequisite courses is required.

PHYS 101 General Physics

Prerequisite: Level III placement on the Basic Math Skills Inventory or MATH 120. Credit by exam. An introduction to the principles of physics: kinematics, mechanics, rotational motion, mechanical waves, sound and thermodynamics; the development of physical laws; application to practical problems.

Credits

4.0

Core

Scientific Thought-Lab

Offered

Fall Semester

PHYS 102 General Physics

Prerequisite: PHYS 101. Credit by exam. A continuation of PHYS 101. Wave motion, electricity, magnetism, static and time varying fields, light and optical phenomena, lenses; application to practical problems.

Credits

4.0

Core

Scientific Thought-Lab

Offered

Spring Semester

PHYS 203 Introductory Physics I

Prerequisite: MATH 201 or concurrent enrollment in MATH 201. Credit by exam. Open to students who have not had PHYS 101. Topics essentially identical to those in PHYS 101, although this is a more analytical course that is primarily for majors in the sciences and mathematics. Physical laws and theories developed by application of calculus. Designed to prepare students for advanced work in the physical sciences.

Credits

4.0

Core

Scientific Thought-Lab

Offered

Fall Semester

PHYS 204 Introductory Physics II

Prerequisites: PHYS 203 and MATH 202, or concurrent enrollment in MATH 202. Credit by exam. Open to students who have not had PHYS 102. Continuation of PHYS 203. Topics essentially identical to those in PHYS 102, but continuing the analytical approach and use of calculus.

Credits

4.0

Core

Scientific Thought-Lab

Offered

Spring Semester

PHYS 222 Introduction to Modern Physics

Prerequisites: PHYS 101, PHYS 102 or PHYS 203, PHYS 204 and MATH 201, MATH 202. A study of selected topics from atomic theories of matter, atomic spectra, special relativity, solid state and nuclear physics.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Fall Semester (Odd Years)

PHYS 223 Analog & Digital Electronics

Prerequisites: PHYS 204. Analog and digital circuits including diodes, transistors, mathematical circuit analysis, operational amplifiers, digital logic gates, flip-flops, registers, counters, analog-to-digital converters, digital-to-analog converters, and development of the central processing unit (CPU).

Credits

4.0

Offered

As Needed

PHYS 270 Physical Science Literature

Prerequisite: PHYS 203. An introduction to the literature in the physical sciences. Database searches and journal article critiques will allow students to develop an understanding of the chemical, biochemical, and physics literature, which can then be applied in their future coursework.

Credits

3.0

Cross Listed Courses

Also offered as CHEM 270

Offered

Spring Semester

PHYS 324 Mechanics

Prerequisites: PHYS 101, PHYS 102 or PHYS 203, PHYS 204, and MATH 201, MATH 202. A mathematical study of statics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies including work and energy, stability of equilibrium, motion under the action of a central force, fixed axis rotation and oscillatory motion.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Spring Semester (Even Years)

PHYS 325 Electricity & Magnetism

Prerequisites: PHYS 101, PHYS 102 or PHYS 203, PHYS 204 and MATH 201, MATH 202. Topics chosen from among electrostatics, Gauss’ law, dielectrics, steady current, magnetic field of a current, motion of a charge in a magnetic field, electromagnetic induction, Maxwell’s equations, magnetic material, Poynting vector and electromagnetic radiation.

Credits

3.0

Offered

Fall Semester (Even Years)

PHYS 327 Optics

Prerequisites: PHYS 204. Geometrical and wave optics including interference, diffraction, polarization, scattering, and other phenomena of light; optical spectroscopy. Lab activities will include classic optics experiments and introduction to lasers, photon scattering, and Fourier optics.

Credits

4.0

Offered

As Needed

PHYS 335 Teaching Assistantship in Physics

May be repeated for a maximum of 4 credits. An opportunity for qualified students to assist in PHYS 101, PHYS 102, PHYS 203 and/or PHYS 204 by tutoring students, correcting problem sets and/or helping set up equipment for the laboratory in these courses. Assistants work under the supervision of the physics faculty and are selected by the department. Grading is on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Credits

1.0 - 2.0

Offered

Either Semester

PHYS 350 Topics in Advanced Physics

Prerequisites: PHYS 222 An introduction to medium energy (nuclear) and high energy (particle) physics. Discussion of the nuclear model, nucleon-nucleon forces, the Standard model, quarks, leptons, and bosons. Fenyman diagrams, symmetry and conservation laws.

Credits

3.0

Offered

As Needed

PHYS 351 Advanced Physics Laboratory

Prerequisites: PHYS 222. The course provides an opportunity for making measurements with complex physics equipment to learn both classical and modern physics experiments. The student will gain practice in communicating results in both written and oral formats.

Credits

2.0

Offered

As Needed

PHYS 375 Independent Study

Prerequisites: 6 credits of 200-level coursework in physics, and permission of the department. Independent study, reading and problems in a selected field of physics.

Credits

1.0 - 3.0

Offered

Both Semesters and Summer

PHYS 397 Special Topics

An upper-level special topics course offered at the discretion of the department. The content and methods vary with the interest of students and faculty members

Credits

3.0

Offered

As needed

PHYS 431 Quantum Mechanics

Prerequisites: PHYS 351. Introduction to quantum mechanics, atomic and molecular structure and spectroscopy.

Credits

3.0

Cross Listed Courses

Also offered as CHEM 431

Offered

Fall Semester

PHYS 432 Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics

Prerequisite: PHYS 431. A continuation of PHYS 431. A study of statistical methods, thermodynamics and kinetics.

Credits

3.0

Cross Listed Courses

Also offered as CHEM 432

Offered

Spring Semester

PHYS 433 Quantum Mechanics Laboratory

Prerequisites: Concucurrent enrollment in PHYS 431 or permission of the instructor. Investigation of atomic and molecular structure and spectroscopy in a series of laboratory experiments and computer-based exercises.

Credits

1.0

Cross Listed Courses

Also offered as CHEM 433

Offered

Fall Semester

PHYS 434 Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics Laboratory

Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in PHYS 432 or permission of the instructor. Principles of statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, and kinetics are investigated in a series of experiments and computer-based simulations.

Credits

1.0

Cross Listed Courses

Also offered as CHEM 434

Offered

Spring Semester