COURSES in PHYSICS

*Courses listed as a "General Education Labatory Science Course" have no pre-requisites.  All science courses with laboratories count toward the required 6-semester hours of general education credit.

For a summary of Geology & Physics Deptartment Gen. Ed. Lab. Science Courses click here.

• Introduces the underlying physical principles of energy generation and consumption. Topics include the atomic and subatomic structure of matter, forms of energy, energy conservation, thermodynamics, heat engines, electromagnetic induction, radioactivity, nuclear reactors, nuclear fusion, solar radiation, solar collectors, gravitational force, and tidal power. Knowledge is achieved using scientific inquiry methods - conceptual understanding, laboratory exercises, and activities developing the skills for quantitative evaluation of processes.
  Fufills General Education Lab Science Requirements.
  Prerequisite: None.
  Syllabus (PDF document)

• An introduction to engineering graphics focusing on the materials, language and conventions of drawing, including planar, oblique sectional and isometric drawing. Additional topics address descriptive geometry, plotting, and nomograms, as well as mechanical, architectural, structural, electrical, electronic and topographic drawing. Also incorporated are an introduction to computer spreadsheets and two-dimensional Computer-Aided-Design (CAD).
  Prerequisite: None.
  Syllabus (Word document)

• The student is introduced to the current understanding of the physical universe in terms of fundamental principles of physics. Basic concepts are studied and related to common phenomena and applications found in everyday life as well as more exotic phenomena one may come across in the news or popular-science media. In the laboratory component of this course the student will gain hands-on experience with principles of physics and use of the scientific method. Fulfills general education natural science requirement. Course has 2 hours lecture and 2 hours lab per week.
  Fufills General Education Lab Science Requirements. (For more info click here. )
  Prerequisite: None.

• Introductory mechanics, heat and sound. The mechanics of solids, liquids and gases; thermometry; calorimetry; heat transfer, the production and nature of sound waves, including musical sounds. Fall semester each year, and summer sessions of even years. Course has 3 hours lecture and 3 hours lab per week.
  Prerequisite: MATH113.

• Introductory magnetism and electricity, reflection and refraction; optical instruments, spectra, and interference. Spring semester each year, and summer sessions of even years. Course has 3 hours lecture and 3 hours lab per week.
  Prerequisite: PHYS130 or permission of instructor.

• An introduction to Meteorology through the systematic study of the atmosphere including composition and structure. Analysis of the laws and underlying principles of the atmospheric change and motion. The origin and development of weather features and their significance in weather forecasting. Study of global weather features and climate and climate change. Course has 2 hours lecture and 2 hours lab per week.
  Fufills General Education Lab Science Requirements.
  Prerequisite: None.
  Syllabus (Word document)

• An introduction to the methods and discoveries of astronomy focussing on the solar system. Course has 2 hours lecture and 2 hours lab per week.
  Fufills General Education Lab Science Requirements.
  Prerequisite: None.
  Syllabus (Word document)

• Presents the methods and discoveries of astronomy focussing on stars, galaxies and cosmology. Course has 2 hours lecture and 2 hours lab per week.
  Fufills General Education Lab Science Requirements.
  Prerequisite: None.
  Syllabus (Word document)

• Mechanics, heat, and sound, from a calculus and vector approach. Course has 3 hours lecture and 3 hours lab per week.
  WE - Fulfills Writing Emphasis General Education Overlay
  Prerequisite: MATH141.
  Syllabus (Word document)

• Optics, electricity and magnetism, including some topics from modern physics, from a calculus and vector approach. Course has 3 hours lecture and 3 hours lab per week.
  Prerequisite: PHYS170.
  Syllabus (Word document)

• An intermediate course in heat. More intensive development of basic concepts and principles in the study of the properties of gases and in thermodynamics. Temperature measurements, expansivity, specific heats, thermal conductivity of solids and liquids, thermal properties of gases, changes of phase, and heat engines.
  Prerequisite: PHYS130 or 170.

• The physics of electronic components and devices, and study of circuits utilizing them. Includes circuits, amplifiers, power supplies, oscillators, and operational amplifiers. Course has 3 hours lecture and 3 hours lab per week.
  Prerequisites: PHYS131 or 171 and MATH113
  Syllabus (Word document)

• Supervised experience in development and supervision of physics laboratory activities. Will include opportunity to design, develop, and to construct laboratory and demonstration apparatus in physics, and to conduct laboratory classes under direct supervision of a physics faculty member. Offered by individualized instruction.
  Syllabus (Word document)

• An introduction to modern physics: atomic structure and spectra, radiation, wave and particle aspects of matter, quantum theory, radioactive decay, nuclear reactions, nuclear structure, elementary particles. Course has 3 hours lecture and 3 hours lab per week.
  WE - Fulfills Writing Emphasis General Education Overlay
  Prerequisites: PHYS131 or 171 and MATH243.
  Syllabus (Word document)

• An intermediate course in optics. Geometrical and physical optics, reflection and refraction at surfaces, lenses, interference and diffraction, elementary spectroscopy and polarization of light. Applications to the study of optical instruments. Course has 3 hours lecture and 3 hours lab per week.
  Prerequisites: PHYS131 or 171 and MATH243.
  Syllabus (Word document)

• An intermediate course in mechanics with emphasis on mathematical principles and methods. Uses the vector calculus. Statics, dynamics, energy principles, oscillatory motion, and central force motion.
  Prerequisites: PHYS130 or 170 and MATH142.

• A continuation of PHYS330. Variational methods, Lagrange and Hamilton equations, non-inertial reference frames, relativity, rigid bodies, coupled oscillators, and wave equations.
  Prerequisite: PHYS330.
  Co-requisite: MATH244.

• This course will provide an introduction to the mathematical techniques of theoretical physics. This introduction will include the partial differential equations and boundary value problems associated with wave motion, the diffusion of heat and quantum mechanical probability, and electromagnetic potentials and fields.

• An advanced undergraduate level introduction to the principles, formalism and results of quantum mechanics; including: historical background, Schroedinger equations, particle in box, harmonic oscillator, one dimensional crystals, hydrogen atom, angular momentum, light, introduction to perturbation theory.
  Prerequisites: PHYS315 and MATH244.

• An intermediate course in general electricity and magnetism. Electric and magnetic field theory, DC and AC circuits, capacitance, inductance and electrical measurement techniques.
  Prerequisites: PHYS131 or 171 and MATH243.

An intermediate course in electromagnetic field theory, emphasizing the mathematics of vector fields and methods of their solution. Solutions of Poisson's and Laplace's equations, dielectrics, magnetostatics, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic radiation.
Prerequisites: PHYS370 and MATH244. Spring semester, even years.

• Independent study and research under the direction of the Physics staff. For advanced students, who may register for the course more than once. Each semester.
  Prerequisite: permission of instructor, Department chairperson, Dean of Arts and Science and Vice President for Academic Affairs. (See regulations for Independent Study.)

• Experimental work drawn from all areas of physics, including areas of current research interest. Sophisticated experimental methods and analysis will be used, with emphasis on independence and individual initiative in the selection, planning, and execution of experimental problems. A student may register more than once.
  Prerequisites: PHYS315 and permission of the instructor. Spring semester, odd years.

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