2012-2013 (Academic Catalog)

Course Descriptions
100N. Concepts in Physics. 4 semester hours. Introduction to the principles of physics. Topics are selected from areas of classical and contemporary physics and technology such as Newtonian mechanics, digital and analog technology, astronomy, cosmology, modern physics and relativity.
Prequisite: Appropriate level on the Math Placement Exam. Every year.

101. Concepts in Physics with Laboratory. 5 semester hours. Same as Physics 100 but with a laboratory. Prerequisite: Appropriate level on the Math Placement Exam. Every year.

102B. Physics through Experimentation. 4 semester hours. Introduction to topics selected from classical and contemporary physics. Topics explored with both laboratory and lecture techniques, which are interwoven.  Prerequisite: Appropriate level on the Math Placement Exam. Every year.

107N. Astronomy. 4 semester hours. Concentration on the nature of sky observations, the methods for making them, and the physical bases for understanding them. Topics discussed are the solar system, stars and their evolution, galaxies, cosmology, and instrumentation. Observatory sessions are anticipated. Every year.

200B. Mechanics and Waves. 5 semester hours. Study of classical mechanics and acoustic waves. Topics include kinematics, statistics dynamics, work and energy, impulse and momentum, and acoustical wave phenomena. One three-hour lab session per week.
Prerequisite: Placement into Mathematics 201. which is a suggested co-requisite. High school physics is desirable. Every year.

205. Topics in Classical and Modern Physics. 5 semester hours. Continuation of Physics 200. Topics include thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, light, and modern physics. One three- hour lab per week.  Prerequisite: Physics 200. Every year.

213. Thermodynamics and Optics. 2 semester hours. Introduction to thermodynamics, geometric optics, and physical optics. Among the topics included are the ideal gas, thermodynamic processes, multi-lens systems, and diffraction theory.
Prerequisite: Physics 200; Mathematics 202 is suggested as a corequisite. Every year.

214. Intermediate Physics Laboratory. 1 semester hour.  An experimental study of lens systems, the diffraction and interference of single- and multi-slit gratings, and the thermodynamic properties of matter. Some modern physics experiments will be included as well.
Prerequisite: Physics 200; Physics 213 is required as a corequisite. Every year.

215. Special Relativity and Applications. 2 semester hours.  Introduction to Einstein's special theory of relativity including the kinematics and dynamics of rapidly moving objects and the apparent paradoxes. A redefinition of the concepts of energy and momentum. Applications may include the Compton effect and elementary nuclear physics. Prerequisite: Physics 200; Mathematics 202 is suggested as a corequisite. Every year.

218. Introductory Electromagnetism. 5 semester hours. Introduction to electric fields, magnetic fields, and DC and AC circuits. The laboratory will emphasize both passive and active electric circuits and such instruments as oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, and signal generators. One three-hour lab per week. Prerequisite: Physics 200; Mathematics 202 is required as a corequisite. Every year.

220. Modern Physics. 5 semester hours. An introduction to quantum mechanics with applications from atomic, molecular, condensed matter, nuclear, and elementary particle physics. One three-hour lab per week. Prerequisite: Physics 218. Co-requisite: Physics 215. Writing intensive. Every year.

311. Classical Mechanics. 4 semester hours. Analytical study of the dynamics of particles, rigid bodies, and vibrating systems. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian techniques are included.
Prerequisites: Physics 220 and 218. Mathematics 212 and 215 recommended. Every year.

312. Wave Phenomena. 4 semester hours.

Unified treatment of the general properties of waves, including the mathematical representation of mechanical and electromagnetic waves, refraction, propagation, interference, diffraction and geometrical optics. Prerequisites: Physics 220 and 214. Mathematics 212 and/or 215 recommended. Alternate years.

313. Electronics. 2 semester hours. Practical course in electronics for science majors. Topics include the use of solid-state devices in digital and analog circuits. The laboratory will involve the use of standard electronic instrumentation.  Prerequisite: Physics 218. With laboratory. Every year.

320. Computational Physics. 2 semester hours. Introduction to numerical methods in physics using the FORTRAN programming language. Prerequisites: Physics 220, Mathematics 202, and Computer Science 150. Alternate years.

321. Signal Processing. 2 semester hours. Study of Fourier methods, with emphasis on digital signal processing, digital data acquisition, and digital analysis systems. Prerequisites: Physics 218 and Mathematics 202. Alternate years.

325. Topics in Contemporary Physics. 2 semester hours. Topics courses in astrophysics, atomic physics, condensed matter physics, elementary particle physics, nuclear physics, plasma physics, and biomedical physics are offered to provide breadth in contemporary physics. Each course addresses the current state of these fields. Courses may be taught from a research perspective with the possibility of either an experimental or theoretical component or both. A student desiring a specific topic should petition the Physics Department. Prerequisites: Physics 213, 214, and 220 or permission of the instructor. Every year. This course may be repeated for credit.

330. Statistical and Thermal Physics. 4 semester hours. Statistical mechanics approach to the study of many particle systems. Topics include the Maxwellian distributions, classical and quantum physics, entropy, heat, and thermodynamics. Prerequisites: Physics 311 and Mathematics 212. Alternate years.

332. Electromagnetism. 4 semester hours. Mathematical theory of electric and magnetic fields. Emphasizes three-dimensional boundary value problems for evaluating the physical behavior of electric and magnetic fields. Maxwell's equations are developed in both the differential and the integral forms and are used in the analysis of electromagnetic phenomena. Prerequisites: Physics 213, 214, and 311 and Mathematics 212. Every year.

350. Advanced Physics Laboratory. 1 semester hour.

A laboratory course emphasizing experimental design, laboratory techniques, analysis and interpretation of data, and written reports of experiments. A variety of advanced physics experiments will be performed. Prerequisite:  Physics 220. Every year. This course may be repeated for credit.

360. Junior Seminar. 1 semester hour. Year course. Every year.

380. Topics. 1-4 semester hours. Offered on demand.

410. Mathematical Physics. 4 semester hours. Introduction to the mathematical techniques used in physics, such as complex variables, vector and tensor analysis, group theory, Green's functions, and the calculus of variations. Prerequisites: Physics 311 and Mathematics 212 and 215. Alternate years.

411. Quantum Mechanics. 4 semester hours. In depth study of quantum mechanics with an emphasis on simple systems and the operator approach as applied to the harmonic oscillator and angular momentum. Applications such as perturbation theory are included. Prerequisite: Physics 311. Writing intensive. Every year.

460. Senior Seminar. 1 semester hour. Year course. Every year.

490. Independent Study. Variable credit. Offered on demand.

491. Internship. Variable credit. Reserved for supervised research during summers or while off campus.

498. Senior Thesis. Variable credit. Writing intensive. Offered on demand.

499. Senior Honors Thesis/Project. Variable credit. Writing intensive. Prerequisite: 3.5 GPA and permission of the Department Chair. Offered on demand.