DEPARTMENT MAIN OBJECTIVES
- Act as a source of insight into the nature and history of the science of physics for the general student
- Provide training in the elements of physics for secondary school science teachers
- Give a thorough background in general physics for the science or technology major, whatever his speciality
- Provide the physics major with a firm, effective foundation for professional advancement, graduate study, and
a successful career as research scientist.
MAJOR AND MINOR REQUIREMENTS
Physics Major
- Minimum of forty credit hours in physics
| To Include |
- Minimum three-semester sequence in calculus
- Must pass departmental comprehensive examination (prerequisite for graduation)
Physics Minor
- Minimum of eighteen credit hours in physics
| To Include |
TYPICAL PROGRAM IN PURE PHYSICS
FRESHMAN YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER SECOND SEMESTER
Course No. Cr. Course No. Cr.
------------------------------------ -----------------------------------
Discovery in Physics PHYS 145 3 Quan Res in Physics PHYS 150 3
Trigonometry MATH 140 3 Calculus I MATH 264 4
Freshman English ENGL 110 3 Freshman English ENGL 111 3
Biology BIOL 104 4 Science Elective 4
Physical Education PHED 1 Computer Science CMPS 140 3
Freshman Seminar FRMN 110 1 or
Elective . 3 260
Freshman Seminar FRMN 111 1
------------------------------------ -----------------------------------
TOTAL 18 TOTAL 18
SOPHOMORE YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER SECOND SEMESTER
Course No. Cr. Course No. Cr.
----------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Intermediate Phys I PHYS 251 5 Intermediate Phys II PHYS 252 5
Calculus 11 MATH 265 4 Calculus III MATH 364 4
Literature ENGL 201- Literature ENGL 201-
205 3 205 3
Foreign Language FOLG 100 3 Foreign Language .. FOLG 101 3
Prin of Health . HLTH 110 2
----------------------------------- -------------------------------------
TOTAL 17 TOTAL 15
JUNIOR YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER SECOND SEMESTER
Course No. Cr. Course No. Cr.
------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
Experimental Phys I PHYS 341 3 Experimental Phys II PHYS 342 3
Adv. Mechanics I PHYS 416 3 Adv. Mechanics II PHYS 417 3
Modern Physics PHYS 271 3 Science Elective PHYS 4
Matbmafical Physics PHYS 311 3 Electives 6
History HIST 114 3 History HTST 115 3
Arts Elective 3
------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
TOTAL 18 TOTAL 19
Senior Year
FIRST SEMESTER SECOND SEMESTER
Course No. Cr. Course No. Cr.
------------------------------------ -----------------------------------
Advanced EM Theory I PHYS 425 3 Adwnced EM Theory II PHYS 426 3
Thermodynamics PHYS 345 3 Political Science POLS 3
Quan Phys(optional) PHYS 435 3 Social Science 3
Philosophy Elective HUMN 3 Elective 6
Soc Sci Electiw 3 Foreign Language FOLG 3
------------------------------------ -----------------------------------
TOTAL 15 TOTAL 18
COURSES
101-102. PHYSICAL SCIENCE
- 4 credit hrs. (Lec 3 hrs & Lab 2 hrs)
- A survey course in physical science treatingte most basic principles, concepts, and
developments in physics,
astronomy, chemistry and geology. This course is not intended for students who plan to
major in one of the physical sciences and cannot be substituted for the basic course in
any of these fields.
141-142. ELEMENTS Of PHYSICS
- 4 credit hrs (Lec 2 hrs; Lab. & Rec 4 hrs)
- An introduction to the basic concepts, principles and models in physics. Prerequisite:
Mathematics 130 or equivalent.No previous course in physics is necessary.
145. DISCOVERY IN PHYSICS (Credit, 3 Hours) (Lecture, 2 hours; Recitation, 2 boom).
A review and an extension of the fundamentals in algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. These notions am
applied to study vectors, static equilibrium, kinematics, and the dynamics of a single particle.
- Corequisite: Mathematics 140.
150. QUANTITATIVE REASONING IN PHYSICS
- 3 credit hrs (Lec 2 brs; Rec 2)
- A rigorous study of the dynamics of a system of particles, energy and momenta consena-
tion laws, gravitation, and their applications.
- Prerequisite: Physics 145 or equivalent
- Corequisite: Mathematics 264.
201-202. EARTH SCIENCE I AND 11
- 4 credit hrs (Lec 3 brs & Lab 2 hrs)
- Study of earth with emphasis on its internal constitution and processes that affect it. History
of earth including the development of the atmosphere and life. Elementary study of gravitational, magnetic,
seismic, electrical and thermal properties of the earth.
206. INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMY
- (Credit, 4 Hours) (Lecture, 2 hours, Lab., 3 hours).
- A descriptiw course in fundamental principles of the solar and stellar systems
- Prerequisite: Mathematics 140 m equivalent.
221-222. GENERAL PHYSICS
- (Credit, 5 Hours each semester). (Lecture, 3 hours; Lab., 2 hours; Problem solving session, 2 hours).
- An introduction to the basic concepts, principles, and models in classical physics intended for science
and engineering majors. Skills in the elementary theoretical and experimental methods of physics are developed
while studying such topics as mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, waves and optics.
- Prerequisite: Mathematics 264 for Physics 221, and Mathematics 265 fm Physics 222.
251-252. INTERMEDIATE PHYSICS I AND II
- (Credit, 5 Hours each semester) (Lecture, 3 boom; Lab., 2 boom; Recitation, 2 hours).
- A systematic presentation of the principles and methods of classical physics intended for physics majors.
Theoretical and experimental skills will be developed though the study of classical mechanics (a review),
thermodynamics (including elementary statisti-cal physics), electricity, magnetism, electromagnetic phenomena,
wave phenomena, optics, special relativity, and through the application of mechanics and electrodynamics theory.
- Prerequisite: Physics 145, 150 or departmental permission.
- Corequisite: Mathematics 265.
271. MODERN PHYSICS
- (Credit, 3 Hours).
- A study of selected phenomena in solid state, molecu-
lar, atomic, and nuclear physics and quantum optics and their explanation on the basis of current
physical theory. This course is designed as a sequel to Physics 221-222,
- Prerequisites: Physics 221222 or Physics 141-142 along with departmental permission
- Corequisite: Mathematics 265.
281-282. RADIATION PHYSICS I AND 11
- (Credit, 4 Hours).
- Interaction of radiation with matter, nuclear energy, x-radiation, principles of
radiation protection and exposure, public health, radia-
tion instrumentation and measurement.
- Prerequisites: Physics 251-252 or Physics 221-222 or Physics 141-142.
311. MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS
- (Credit, 3 Hours)
- Method of formulating and solving physical problems that involve
the use of mathematical tools such as coordinate systems and transforma-tion, Fourier wrks and
orthogonal functions, complex variables, ordinary differential equations,
matrices and partial differential equations.
- Prerequisite: Physics 222 or 252, Mathematics 265.
- 332. THE PHYSICS OF WAVES
- (Credit, 3 Hours)
- A course of varying content an topics selected from the classical theory of waves
and its applications in optics and acoustics.
- Prerequisite: Physics 251-252 or 221-222 with departmental permission.
341-342. EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS I AND II
(Credit, 3 viwis earh semeter) (Lecture, I hour; Lab., 5 hours).
- A course in the techniques of experimental physics, including a selection of ftperi-
ments involving radiation physics and quantitative evaluations of physical phenomena.
- Prerequisite: Ten hours of introductory physics.
345. THERMODYNAMICS AND STATISTICAL MECHANICS
- (Credit, 3 Hours).
Macmscopic ther-modynamics, kinectic theory, transport phenomena,probability, and classical statistical
mechanics with applications to equilibrium phenomena.
- Prerequisites: Physics 251-252 and 311 or equiva-
lent.
381-382. BIOPHYSICS I AND 11
- (Credit, 5 Hours each semester). Applications of physical princi-
pies and instrumentation in biophysical measurements, Biological hazards associated with ioniz-
ing, radiation, main features of safety in the field of radiation, environmental hazards.
- Prerequisites: Physics 251-252, Physics 221-222, or equivalent.
400. COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS
- (Credit, 3 Hours).
- This course is geared toward the utilization of
the computer to solve physics pmblems. Intermediate and advanced undergraduate topics in me-
chanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, and mathematical Physics
are covered in conjunction with simulation and numerical solution methods of key physics equa-
tions.
- Prerequisite: Physics 311 or equivalent.
411. ADVANCED MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS
- (Credit, 3 Hours). Application oi probability and statistics, partial differential equations,
special functions, and integral equations to selected prob-
lems in pf"ics.
- Prerequisite: Physics 311 or equivalent.
416-417. ADVANCED MECHANICS I AND 11
- (Credit, 3 Hours each semester).
- Mechanics of one particle and a system of particles, Lagrange's equation, rigid body motion,
relativistic mechanics,
mechanics of continuous media, Hamiltonian mechanics, theory of small osciallations and field
theory.
- Prerequisites: Physics 251-252, or Physics 221-222 and departmental permission
- Corequisite: Physics 31 1 for 416. Prerequisite for Physics 41 7 is Physics 416.
425-426. ADVANCED ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY I AND 11
- (Credit, 3 Hours each semester).
Electmstatics, magnetostatics, electric current and circuits,eletmmagnetic induction, Max"ll's
equations, electrical and magnetic properties of matter, electromagnetic waves and their radiation,
propagation, reflection, and diffraction, charged particle dynamics and relativistic effects.
- Prerequisite: Physics 311.
435. QUANTUM PHYSICS I
- (Credit, 3 Hours).
- Review of the classical foundations of quantum theory, interpretation of some crucial experimental
results, and the mathematical (mmutati(M of quantum mechanics.
- Prerequisites: Physics 271, 311 and 417.
436. QUANTUM PHYSICS 11 - (Credit, 3 Hours).
- Application of elementary quantum mechanics and
elementary quantum statistical mechanics to realistic systems in solid state, molecular, atomic, and
nuclear physics.
- Prerequisite: Physics 435.
441-442. ADVANCED PHYSICAL MEASUREMENTS
- (Credit, 3 Hours each semester) (Lecture, 1 hour, Lab., 6 hours).
- Advanced laboratory techniques with special emphasis on electmnics, solid
state devices, electromagnetic radiation,
radioactivity, and the utilization of analog and digital
computers.
- Prerequisites: Physics 341-342.
462. SPACE PHYSICS
- (Credit, 3 Hours).
- A course of varying content on topics selected from
atmospheric physics, the physics of space flight and exploration, and theoretical astrophysics.
- Prerequisites: Physics 416 and 425.
472. SOLID-STATE PHYSICS
- (Credit, 3 Hours).
- A study of solid-state phenomena including crystal
structure, thermal, electrical, and magnetic pmperties of solids, electron emission from metals and
semiconductor using simple theoretical models.
- Prerequisites Physics 345.
491. SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN PHYSICS
- (Credit, 1 Hour).
- A course for advanced students on lected topics and mperimental and theoretical physics.
Projects associated with the current depart-
mental research can be undertaken by qualified studerft. Schedule is arranged according to
varying content of the course.
492. SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN PHYSICS
- (Credit, 2 Hours).
- A course for advanced students on selected topics and experimental and theoretical physics.
Projects associated with the current departmental research can be undertaken by qualified students.
Schedule is arranged according to varying content of the course.
493. SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN PHYSICS
- (Credit, 3 Hours).
- A course for advanced students on selected topics and experimental and theoretical physics.
Projects associated with the current
departmental research can be undertaken by qualified students. Schedule is arranged according to
varying content of the course.
494. SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN PHYSICS
- (Credit, 3 Hours).
- A course for advanced students on selected topics and experimental and theoretical physics.
Projects associated with the current
departmental research can be undertaken by qualified students. Schedule is arranged according to
varying content of the course.
495. SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN PHYSICS
- (Credit, 3 Hours).
- A course for advanced students on selected topics and experimental and theoretical physics.
Projects associated with the currentdepartmental research can be undertaken by qualified students.
Schedule is arranged according to varying content of the course.
496. SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN PHYSICS
- (Credit, 3 Hours).
- A course for adwnced students on selected topics and experimental and theoretical physics.
Projects associated with the currentdepartmental research can be undertaken by qualified students.
Schedule is arranged according to varying content of the course.
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