Department of Physics
Undergraduate Physics Courses
The student should verify information in this section with the official university catalog.
1110 (PHYS 1105) Elementary Physics Laboratory. (0-2) This course explores and illustrates some of the basic principles covered in PHYS 1310 and 1320. This lab should be taken as you take the second semester of the sequence, PHYS 1310 and 1320.
1140 (PHYS 1111) Introductory Laboratory in Astronomy. (0-2) An introductinon to the constellations, the uses of telescopes, and other material releating to the study of stars and planets. This course is designed to be taken with Physics 1340 or 1350 for those students desiring a laboratory course.
1310 (PHYS 1305) Elementary Physics. (3-0) A non-mathematical survey of mechanics, properties of matter, heat and sound. These topics are described in a conceptual way with applications relating to the world around us. The laboratory experience may be obtained in a separate one-hour credit lab (PHYS 1110). PHYS 1310 and 1320 are designed for the liberal arts student. The order in which they are takn is not important. They are not recommended for pre-engineering students or majors and minors in science. The laboratory experience is recommended with the second course.
1320 (PHYS 1307) Elementary Physics. (3-0) A non-mathematical survey of electricity, magnetism, light, relativity, and atomic and nuclear physics. These topics are described in a conceptual way with applications relating to the world around us. The laboratory experience may be obtained in a separate one-hour credit lab (Phys 1110). PHYS 1310 and 1320 are designed for the liberal arts student. The order in which they are takn is not important. They are not recommended for pre-engineering students or majors and minors in science. The laboratory experience is recommended with the second course.
1340 (PHYS 1311) Astronomy: Solar System. (3-0) A study of the solar system. Topics included are a study of the sun, the planets and their satellites, the comets, and other components of the solar system. Some aspects of telescopes and ancient astronomy will be included also.
1350 (PHYS 1312) Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies. (3-0) A study of the universe beyond the solar system. Topics included are a study of the stars and star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, and an introduction to some aspects of cosmology.
1410 (PHYS 1401) General Physics I. (3-2) This course is the first of a two semester sequence which is a survey of the basic laws and principles of physics and includes the topics of mechanics and heat. Emphasis is on solutions to physics problems; a knowledge of algebra and basic trigonometry is essential. PHYS 1410 and 1420 are designed for those students whose program requires technical physics but who are not pre-engineering students or majors or minors in physics. Prerequisite: credit in MATH 1315 with a grade of "C" or higher. MATH 1317 is recommended.
1420 (PHYS 1402) General Physics II. (3-2) This is the second course in a two semester sequence which is a survey of the basic laws and principles of physics and includes the topics of waves, electricity and magnetism, and light. PHYS 1410 and 1420 are designed for those students whose program requires technical physics but who are not pre-engineering students or majors or minors in physics. Prerequisites: PHYS 1410; MATH 1315 with a grade of "C" or higher. MATH 1317 is recommended.
1430 (PHYS 2425) Mechanics. (3-3) This course covers the principles of classical mechanics through problem solving and laboratory investigations. PHYS 1430, 2425 and 2435 are designed for students majoring in physics and for pre-engineering students. Credit for both PHYS 1410 and 1430 cannot be given. Corequisites: MATH 2471.
2425 (PHYS 2426) Electricity and Magnetism. (3-3) A study of the field of electricity and magnetism for physics majors and minors. PHYS 1430, 2425 and 2435 are designed for students majoring in physics and for pre-engineering students. Credit in both Physics 1420 and Phys 2425 cannot be given. Prerequisites: Phys 1430. Corequisites: Math 2472.
2435 (PHYS 2427) Waves and Heat. (3-3) A study of the fields of wave motion, sound, light and modern physics at a beginning level for physics majors and minors. Prerequisites: PHYS 2425 and MATH 2472.
3301 Musical Acoustics. (3-0) A survey of the physics of sound and acoustic measurement. Special emphasis will be placed on sound production, propagation, and perception as applied to music. Prerequisites: PHYS 1410 and 1420 or equivalent.
3312 Modern Physics. (3-0) An introduction to the foundations of modern physics, including the following topics: relativistic mechanics, kinetic theory of matter, quantization of charge, light and energy, the atom, wave nature of particles, and the Schroedinger equation. Prerequisite: Phys 2435. Corequisite: PHYS 3411.
3315 Thermodynamics. (3-0) The fundamental study of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. Prerequisites: PHYS 2435 or 1420, and MATH 3323
3320 Introduction to Mathematical Physics. (3-0) An introduction to mathematical methods of theorectical physics with emphasis on the vectorial-functional approach emphasized n current research literature. Applications will be made to certain fundamental problems of mechanics and electromagnetic field theory. Prerequisite: MATH 3373. Corequisite: PHYS 3323.
3411 Advanced Physics Laboratory. (2-6) Experiments in modern physics, with emphasis on demonstrating quantum effects and introducing nuclear physics. Corequisite: PHYS 3312
3414 Mechanics. (4-0) Fundamentals of classical mechanics focusing on the physical description of the behavior of single and multiple particle systems. Topics include advanced problem-solving strategies for systems with position and velocity-based forces, simple harmonic oscillators, non-inertial reference systems, gravitation and central forces, and rigid body motion. Prerequisite: PHYS 2435.
3416 Applied Electronics. (3-4) Laboratory/lecture course introducing electronic test bench methods for the construction, operation and analysis of important DC/AC circuits utilizing resistors, capacitors, diodes, BJT's, FET's, OpAmps, and analog/digital ICs. The behavior of the circuits will be modeled in SPice, Elementary semiconductor device physics and microfabrication methods will be discussed. Prerequisite: PHYS 2435.
3417 Optics. (3-3) A one-semester survey of geometrical and physical optics accompanied by laboratory experience. Topics convered include electromagnetic waves and their propagation, geometrical optics, polarization, interference, diffraction, Fourier optics, and holography. Prerequisite: PHYS 2435.
4310 Electromagnetic Field Theory I. (3-0) An introduction to the electromagnetic field theory of classical physics for static fields. Topics included will be the electrostatic field, polarization and dielectrics, electrostatic energy, magnetic field of steady currents, magnetostatic energy, and magnetic properties of matter. Prerequisites: MATH 3323 and 3373; PHYS 3320, (or equivalent preparation, with consent of the instructor.)
4311 Condensed Matter Physics. (3-0) Application of physics principles to solid materials. Topics include crystal structure and the reciprocal lattice, including x-ray diffraction, crystal binding and elastic properties, lattice vibrations, energy bands, semiconductors and metals. Prerequisite: PHYS 3312.
4312 Quantum Mechanics, Part I. (3-0) An introductory course on quantum mechanics. Topics include concepts and formulation of quantum mechanics: Hamiltonian operator and Schroedinger equation, harmonic oscillator, matrix formulation of quantum mechanics, uncertainty principle, potential barrier problems, and the hydrogen atom. Prerequisites: MATH 3323; PHYS 3312, 3320, and six additional hours of advanced physics.
4315 Electromagnetic Field Theory II. (3-0) An introduction to the electromagnetic field theory of classical physics for time varying fields. Topics included will be electromagnetic induction, time varying electric and magnetic fields, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic energy, electromagnetic waves and radiation, and a brief introduction to some specialized topics. Prerequisites: PHYS 4310.
4317 Computation Physics. (3-3) Introduction to computational techniques fo problem-solving and research beyond the standart techniques of most physics courses. Numerical, symbolic, and simulation methods applied to modern physics using advanced mathematical software and a high-level programming language. Prerequisites: PHYS 3320 and six additional hours of advanced physics or instructor consent.
4320 Selected Study in Physics. (3-0) Topics are chosen in theoretical and experimental areas of current interest in physics with specific topic to be discussed and agreed upon prior to registration. May be repeated once with a different emphasis and professor for additional credit. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor
4321 Undergraduate Research. (0-9) A research project in physics to be carried out under the supervision of a faculty member by upper division physics majors. Student must contact a faculty member in advance to arrange a topic and specific objective. Course may be repeated only as an elective towards the BS or BA in physics. Prerequisites: Approval of the instructor.
4340 Materials Physics Laboratory. (0-9) A laboratory based course introducing a broad array of materials synthesis and characterization methods. The specific subjects will be coordinated with topics of current interest in the literature and will be chosen by mutual consent of the student and faculty advisor. Prerequisites: PHYS 3416, 3411, and 4311.
4370 Capstone Course. (0-6) Individual research on a topic selected by the student and department chair resulting in a formal paper and seminar.