PHYS – Physics
Courses Offered
Lower Divison | Upper Divison | Graduate
PHYSICS LABORATORY FEES: A $40 laboratory fee is charged to all students enrolling in a physics course with an associated laboratory or a physics laboratory.
Lower Division
PHYS 101 INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS (3-2-4)(F/S)(DLN). A broad survey ofbasic physics concepts and principles including motion, energy, electricity, magnetism, light, relativity, atoms, fission and fusion. Some examples will be related to social applications. A one-semester core course that uses some basic algebra.
PHYS 104 PLANETS AND ASTROBIOLOGY (3-2-4)(F/S)(DLN). Emphasis is on our solar system, the origin of chemical abundances, and astronomical requirements for the development of life; extra-solar planetary systems, and the search for life in the universe. Requires evening labs and/or planetarium visits.
PHYS 105 STARS AND COSMOLOGY (3-2-4)(F/S)(DLN). An exploration of star formation and evolution, black holes, galaxies, and cosmology. Explores how the ideas of Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking, and others form our understanding of the universe. Requires evening labs and/or planetarium visits.
PHYS 106 RADIATION PHYSICS (2-0-2)(F). Fundamental concepts involving electricity, magnetism, formation of electromagnetic radiation and radioactivity. Includes basic circuitry of x-ray machine and introduction to radiation dose. COREQ: RADSCI 226 or PERM/INST.
PHYS 111-112 GENERAL PHYSICS (3-3-4)(F/S)(DLN). Mechanics, sound, heat, light, magnetism and electricity. This course satisfies the science requirement for the bachelor of arts and bachelor of science curricula and may be taken by forestry, pre-dental and pre-medical students. Recommended background: high school physics or PHYS 101. PREREQ: for PHYS 111: MATH 144 or MATH 147 or satisfactory placement score into MATH 170. PREREQ: for PHYS 112: PHYS 111.
PHYS 125 INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS colloquium (1-0-1). Informal seminars introducing current areas of interest in physics, introduction to the physics faculty, requirements for graduation, jobs and graduate school. Intended for new physics majors, but open to all interested students. (Pass/Fail.)
PHYS 211 PHYSICS I WITH CALCULUS (4-1-4)(F/S)(DLN with PHYS 211L). Kinematics, dynamics of particles, statics, momentum, rotational motion, gravitation, introductory wave motion, heat and thermodynamics. Recommended background: high school physics or PHYS 101. PREREQ: MATH 170. COREQ: MATH 175, PHYS 211L.
PHYS 211L PHYSICS I WITH CALCULUS LAB (0-3-1)(F/S)(DLN with PHYS 211). Lab to be taken with PHYS 211. Basic experiments in mechanics, wave motion, and heat. COREQ: PHYS 211.
PHYS 212 PHYSICS II WITH CALCULUS (4-1-4)(F/S)(DLN with PHYS 212L). Coulombs law, fields, potential, magnetism, induced emf, simple circuits, geometrical optics, interference, diffraction, and polarization. PREREQ: MATH 175, PHYS 211. COREQ: PHYS 212L.
PHYS 212L PHYSICS II WITH CALCULUS LAB (0-3-1)(F/S)(DLN with PHYS 212). Lab to be taken concurrently with PHYS 212. Basic experiments in electricity, magnetism, and optics. COREQ: PHYS 212.
PHYS 295 RESEARCH IN PHYSICS (1-4 credits)(F/S). Individual research project carried out by the student in collaboration with a supervising member of the physics faculty. May be repeated for up to 5 credits maximum.
Upper Division
PHYS 301 ANALOG ELECTRONICS (2-6-4)(F)(CID). Exploration of basic electronic test instrumentation and some of the more common discrete semiconductor devices and integrated circuits. Devices such as diodes, silicon controlled rectifiers, transistors, operational and instrumentation amplifiers, voltage regulators, timers, and analog-to-digital converters are utilized in simple electronic circuits for rectification, amplification, waveform creation, and other applications. Effective presentation and interpretation of technical data is stressed through written lab reports and oral communication projects. PREREQ: PHYS 212L.
PHYS 307 INTRODUCTION TO BIOPHYSICS (3-3-4)(F)(Even Years). Application of physical principles and techniques to the study of biological systems. Stresses examples relevant to cellular and molecular biology and to biomedical research. PREREQ: BIOL 191, CHEM 112, MATH 160, and PHYS 112 or 212 with labs; or PERM/INST.
PHYS 309 INTRODUCTORY MODERN PHYSICS WITH APPLICATIONS (3-0-3)(F/S). Key concepts and applications of quantum physics with examples from chemistry, materials science, engineering, applied physics, and nanotechnology. PREREQ: MATH 275, PHYS 212. COREQ: PHYS 309L.
PHYS 309L INTRODUCTORY MODERN PHYSICS LAB (0-3-1)(F/S). Lab to be taken concurrently with PHYS 309. Hands-on experiments and computer simulations applying the principles of modern physics. PREREQ: MATH 275, PHYS 212L; COREQ: PHYS 309.
PHYS 311 MODERN PHYSICS (3-0-3)(F). Further topics in modern physics, including introductions to relativity, nuclear physics, elementary particles, and cosmology. PREREQ: PHYS 309.
PHYS 325 SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING (3-3-4)(F). Methods and practice of computing and computer modeling with emphasis on science and engineering. Topics include scientific visualization, simulation of complex systems, numerical solutions of systems of differential equations, supercomputing and parallel processing. Computer programming experience required. PREREQ: PHYS 212.
PHYS 330 OPTICS (3-0-3)(S). Geometrical and physical optics, including lenses, fiber optics, Fourier optics, polarization, interference, diffraction, lasers, and holography. PREREQ: PHYS 309. COREQ: PHYS 330L.
PHYS 330L OPTICS LABORATORY (0-3-1)(S). Laboratory to be taken concurrently with PHYS 330. Experiments in optics, including optical systems, thick lenses, interference, diffraction, Fourier optics, image processing, and holography. COREQ: PHYS 330.
PHYS 341 MECHANICS (4-0-4)(S). An upper-division course that approaches classical mechanics with the aid of vector calculus and differential equations. Numerical techniques and computer applications will be used. PREREQ: MATH 333 and PHYS 211.
PHYS 381 ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY (4-0-4)(F). Electrostatic and magnetostatic fields, including potentials, Gauss’s law, solutions of Laplace’s equation, dielectrics, vector potentials, magnetization, and an introduction to Maxwell’s equations. PREREQ: MATH 275, MATH 333, PHYS 212.
PHYS 382 ELECTRODYNAMICS (4-0-4)(S). Application of Maxwell’s equations to electrodynamics, including the stress tensor, wave equation, guided waves, radiation, and special relativity. PREREQ: PHYS 381.
PHYS 395 RESEARCH IN PHYSICS (1-4 credits)(F/S). Individual research project carried out by the student in collaboration with a supervising member of the physics faculty. May be repeated for up to 5 credits maximum.
PHYS 400 CONCEPTIONS IN PHYSICS FOR TEACHERS (3-0-3)(S)(FF). Nature of the conceptions of physical phenomena today’s students bring to physics/physical science classes and implications of these conceptions for developing new understandings from the research in physics learning. Attention given to evidence concerning how, why, and under what circumstances students develop new understandings of the phenomena. PREREQ: PHYS 111 and PHYS 112 or PHYS 211 and PHYS 212 and upper-division standing or PERM/INST.
PHYS 405 ASTROPHYSICS (3-0-3)(F)(Odd Years). Techniques and topics of modern astrophysics. Material is selected from the interaction of light with matter, solar system formation, main sequence star structure and evolution, degenerate stars and black holes, galaxy formation, and cosmology. PREREQ: PHYS 309; or PERM/INST.
PHYS 412 INTERMEDIATE QUANTUM MECHANICS (4-0-4)(F). Fundamentals, including properties and solutions of the Schroedinger equation, operators, angular momentum, electron spin, identical particles, perturbations, and variational principle. Applications, such as tunneling, orbitals, magnetic resonance, and nanoscale effects. PREREQ: PHYS 309.
PHYS 415 SOLID STATE PHYSICS (3-0-3)(S). Quantum physics applied to understanding the properties of materials, including semiconductors, metals, superconductors, and magnetic systems. PREREQ: PHYS 309.
PHYS 422 ADVANCED TOPICS (1-4 credits)(F/S)(Offered on demand). Selected advanced topics from physics and applied physics, such as astrophysics, biophysics, device physics, magnetic materials, nanoscale physics, or medical physics. May be repeated for credit. PREREQ: Upper-division standing and PERM/INST.
PHYS 423 PHYSICAL METHODS OF MATERIALS CHARACTERIZATION (3-0-3)(F). Physical principles and practical methods used in determining the structural, electronic, optical, and magnetic properties of materials. Optical, electron, and scanning microscopies, diffraction, surface analysis, optical spectroscopy, electrical transport, and magnetometry. PREREQ: PHYS 309 or PERM/INST.
PHYS 432 THERMAL PHYSICS (4-0-4)(F). Foundations and applications of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, including temperature, entropy, heat capacity, chemical potential, and free energies. Applications to gasses, paramagnets, chemical systems, electrons, photons, phonons, and superfluids. PREREQ: PHYS 309.
PHYS 436 SOFT MATTER (3-0-3)(S)(Odd years). Introduction to the physical principles underlying the properties and behaviors of soft matter, including polymers, gels, colloids, and liquid crystals. Examples of soft matter include glues, paints, soaps, rubber, foams, gelatin, milk, and most materials of biological origin. Recommended preparation: PHYS 309. PREREQ: MATH 275, PHYS 212, and either CHEM 322 or MSE 308 or PHYS 432.
PHYS 481 ADVANCED PHYSICS LAB (1-6-3)(S). An advanced laboratory course designed to acquaint students with the concepts of modern physics, laboratory techniques, and measurements. PREREQ: PHYS 309L.
PHYS 482 SENIOR PROJECT (0-6-2)(S). 1 or 2 credits depending on the project. Elective. A sophisticated library or laboratory project in some area of physics. PREREQ: PHYS 481.
PHYS 495 RESEARCH IN PHYSICS (1-4 credits)(F/S). Individual research project carried out by the student in collaboration with a supervising member of the physics faculty. May be repeated for up to 5 credits maximum.
PHYS 499 PHYSICS SEMINARS (1-0-1)(S)(FF). A culminating experience for physics majors. Provides practice in the search and critical assessment of research articles and current trends in physics. Communications of results for variety of audiences is emphasized. PREREQ: Senior status and PHYS 311.