Physics/Physical Science (PHYS)

A grade of C or better is required for prerequisite courses. 

PHYS 110  Astronomy (GT-SC2)  3(3-0)  

Fall, Spring.
Solar system, including motions of the planets, eclipses, and satellite exploration; classification and evolution of stars; clusters, nebulae, galaxies and the expanding universe.
Prerequisite: MATH 096.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Satisfactory placement score.
(Gen Ed: ST, GT-SC2)

PHYS 110L  Astronomy Lab (GT-SC1)  1(0-2)  

Fall, Spring.
Laboratory course to accompany PHYS 110.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: PHYS 110 strongly recommended as prerequisite.
(Gen Ed: ST, GT-SC1)

PHYS 140  Light, Energy, & the Atom (GT-SC2)  3(3-0)  

As Needed.
A non-mathematical approach to light, energy sources, conservation, atoms, nuclei and nuclear radiation. Emphasis on phenomena encountered in everyday life or that affect public policy.
Prerequisite: MATH 096.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Satisfactory placement score.
(Gen Ed: ST, GT-SC2)

PHYS 140L  Light, Energy and the Atom Lab (GT-SC1)  1(0-2)  

As Needed.
Optional laboratory to accompany PHYS 140. Experiments in light, solar energy, atomic and nuclear physics with emphasis on qualitative understanding of observations.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: PHYS 140 strongly recommended as co-requisite.
(Gen Ed: ST, GT-SC1)

PHYS 150  (CHEM 150)  Elementary Concepts in Phys & Chem  4(3-2)  

Spring.
Hands-on standards-based approach to understanding basic concepts of physics and chemistry. Integrated lecture, lab and discussion periods.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Acceptance into Teacher Education Program.

PHYS 201  Principles of Physics I (GT-SC2)  3(3-0)  

Fall, Spring, Summer.
Motion, forces, conservation of energy and momentum, wave motion, sound and heat. For engineering, technology, life sciences, and other interested students.
Prerequisite: MATH 120.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Satisfactory math placement exam score. PHYS 201L strongly recommended as co-requisite.
(Gen Ed: ST, GT-SC2)

PHYS 201L  Principles of Physics Lab I (GT-SC1)  1(0-2)  

Fall, Spring, Summer.
Principles of Physics Lab I.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: PHYS 201 strongly recommended as corequisite.
(Gen Ed: ST, GT-SC1)

PHYS 202  Principles Of Physics II (GT-SC2)  3(3-0)  

Fall, Spring.
Electrostatics, electromagnetism, light, atomic and nuclear physics.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: PHYS 201L strongly recommended as corequisite.
(Gen Ed: ST, GT-SC2)

PHYS 202L  Principles Of Physics II Lab (GT-SC1)  1(0-2)  

Fall, Spring.
Principles Of Physics II Lab.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: PHYS 202 strongly recommended as corequisite.
(Gen Ed: ST, GT-SC1)

PHYS 221  General Physics I  4(4-0)  

Spring.
Newtonian mechanics, including linear and rotational dynamics, momentum, energy, gravitation, fluid mechanics, wave motion and thermodynamics. Uses the calculus and vector notation.
Prerequisite: MATH 126.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: PHYS 221L strongly recommended as corequisite.
(Gen Ed: ST, GT-SC2)

PHYS 221L  General Physics I Lab (GT-SC1)  1(0-2)  

Spring.
This course is the laboratory component of PHYS 221.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: PHYS 221 strongly recommended as corequisite.
(Gen Ed: ST, GT-SC1)

PHYS 222  General Physics II  4(4-0)  

Fall.
Electrostatics, electromagnetism, elementary circuits, electrical oscillations, geometrical optics and the wave aspects of light.
Prerequisite: PHYS 221.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: PHYS 222L strongly recommended as corequisite.
(Gen Ed: ST, GT-SC2)

PHYS 222L  General Physics II Lab (GT-SC1)  1(0-2)  

Fall, Spring.
General Physics II Lab.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: PHYS 222.
Registration Information: None.
(Gen Ed: ST, GT-SC1)

PHYS 291  Special Topics  (1-4 V)  

As Needed.
Special Topics.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Repeatable (99).

PHYS 293  Seminar  1(1-0)  

As Needed.
The student attends at least 11 Physics Seminar presentations or other approved presentations and then presents a public seminar presentation on some approved physics-related topic.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Repeatable (99).

PHYS 301  Analytical & Orbital Mechanics  4(4-0)  

Fall, Even.
Statics & dynamics of particles & rigid bodies. Conservation principles, minimum principles, accelerated coordinate systems, Lagrangian & Hamiltonian methods. Applications to astrodynamics & oscillations applications.
Prerequisite: MATH 325 and MATH 337 and PHYS 221.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: None.

PHYS 321  Thermodynamics  3(3-0)  

Spring, Odd.
Introduction to thermodynamic laws and principles, entropy, kinetic theory and statistical mechanics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 221.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: None.

PHYS 322  Advanced Laboratory - Thermo  1(0-2)  

Fall, Even.
Teaches how and why experimental physics is done through experiments related to thermodynamics and energy; good record keeping, data analysis, modeling and reporting of results.
Prerequisite: MATH 242 and PHYS 321.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Repeatable (2).

PHYS 323  General Physics III  4(4-0)  

Fall, Even.
Introduction to special relativity, kinetic theory, quantization, wave mechanics, atomic structure, nuclear physics and spectroscopy.
Prerequisite: MATH 224 and PHYS 222 and PHYS 222L.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: PHYS 323 Lab strongly recommended.

PHYS 323L  General Physics III Lab  1(0-2)  

Spring.
Teaches how and why experimental physics is done through representive experiments related to PHYS 323 topics; techniques of good record keeping, data analysis, modeling, instrumentation and presentation of results.
Prerequisite: MATH 242.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: PHYS 323 strongly recommended as corequisite.

PHYS 341  Optics  3(3-0)  

Fall, Odd.
Geometrical optics, interference, diffraction, polarization of light, optical properties of materials, optical sources including lasers, and holography.
Prerequisite: MATH 325 and PHYS 222 and PHYS 222L.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: None.

PHYS 342  Advanced Laboratory-Optics  1(0-2)  

Fall, Odd.
Develops skills, experience and independence in experimental research design, modeling, data analysis, instrumentation and presentation of results through experiments related to PHYS 341.
Prerequisite: MATH 242 and PHYS 341.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Repeatable (2).

PHYS 431  Electricity & Magnetism  4(4-0)  

Spring, Even.
Mathematical treatment of electrostatics, currents, magnetism, electromagnetic induction, Maxwell's equations and electrodynamics.
Prerequisite: MATH 325 and MATH 337 and PHYS 222 and PHYS 222L.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: None.

PHYS 432  Advanced Laboratory-Electricity and Magnetism  1(0-2)  

Spring, Even.
Develops skills, experience and independence in experimental research design, modeling, data analysis, instrumentation and presentation of results through representative experiments related to PHYS 431.
Prerequisite: MATH 242 and PHYS 431.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Repeatable (2).

PHYS 441  Quantum Mechanics  4(4-0)  

Spring, Odd.
Wave packets, operators, the Schroedinger equation, eigenstates, angular momentum, spin, magnetic moments, Heisenberg formulation.
Prerequisite: MATH 325 and MATH 337 and PHYS 323 and PHYS 323L.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: None.

PHYS 480  Practicum in Laboratory Instruction  1(0-2)  

As Needed.
Participation in laboratory instruction under the guidance of a staff member. Includes instruction on laboratory safety.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Repeatable (2).

PHYS 491  Special Topics  (1-4 V)  

As Needed.
Special Topics.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Repeatable (99).

PHYS 492  Research  1(0-2)  

As Needed.
Research.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Eight credits in upper-division PHYS courses. Repeatable (99).

PHYS 493  Seminar  1(1-0)  

As Needed.
Class members report on recently published work or on their own research in physics or applied physics.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Advanced standing with a major or minor in physics. Repeatable (2).

PHYS 495  Independent Study  (1-2 V)  

As Needed.
Independent Study.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Junior or senior standing. Permission of department chair. Repeatable (99).

PHYS 498  Internship  (1-6 V)  

As Needed.
Work experience using the discipline of physics under the direction of the selected organization and a faculty member.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Junior or senior standing. Permission of department chair. Repeatable (99).

PHYS 499  Thesis Research  1(1-0)  

As Needed.
Students write a research paper describing their own research.
Prerequisite: None.
Corequisite: None.
Registration Information: Senior standing. Repeatable (99).