Courses in Physics

PHYS 100. Energy in Today's World. 3 cr. Basic energy concepts; energy sources and processes; projected depletion of present resources; role of conservation, research, and development; alternatives and prospects for the future. 2 hrs lec, 2 hrs lab per wk. GDR:NS

PHYS 101. General Physics. 5 cr. Fundamental principles of physics for a general audience; for students in elementary education, general education, communicative disorders, and physical education. 2 hrs lec, 1 hr disc, 4 hrs lab per wk. GDR:NS

PHYS 111. Seminar: Introduction to Physics. 1 cr; pass/fail. For students interested in a physics major/minor. Topics include careers, areas of current research, and library research techniques. Does not count toward physics requirements of natural science major.

PHYS 115. Acoustics. 4 cr. Multidisciplinary introduction to the principles of acoustics integrating information from physics, music, communicative disorders, and psychology.  Topics include waves, sound, speech, hearing, resonance, harmonics, analysis and systhesis of sounds.  Applications to speech production and music/musical instruments.  3 hrs lec, 2 hrs lab per wk. Does not count toward physics requirements of natural science major. Prereq: Math 100 or equiv recommended. GDR:NS

PHYS 150. University Physics I. 5 cr. Mechanics, heat, and sound. 3 hrs lec, 1 hr disc, 3 hrs lab per wk. Prereq: Math 120, or con reg, or cons instr. GDR:NS

PHYS 201. Applied Principles of Physics I. 4 cr. Topics in mechanics, heat, and sound. 2 hrs lec, 1 hr disc, 3 hrs lab per wk.  Prereq: Math 100 or equiv, or cons instr. For natural resources students.

PHYS 202. Applied Principles of Physics II. 3 cr. Topics in electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics. 2 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab per wk. Prereq: 201 or equiv, or cons instr. For natural resources students.

PHYS 203. College Physics I. 5 cr. Mechanics, heat, and sound. For students in general education, biology, premedical and related fields. 3 hrs lec, 1 hr disc, 3 hrs lab per wk. Prereq: 1 yr high school algebra and 1 yr high school geometry, or equiv. GDR:NS

PHYS 204. College Physics II. 5 cr. Light, electricity and magnetism, and topics in modern physics. For students in general education, biology, premedical and related fields. 3 hrs lec, 1 hr disc, 3 hrs lab per wk. Prereq: 203 or equiv, or cons instr. GDR:NS

PHYS 250. University Physics II. 5 cr. Electricity, magnetism, and optics. 3 hrs lec, 1 hr disc, 3 hrs lab per wk. Prereq: 150, Math 121 or con reg or cons instr. GDR:NS

PHYS 300. Modern Physics. 3 cr. Special relativity, quantization, Bohr atom, matter waves, solutions to the one-dimensional Schroedinger equation, nuclear physics. Prereq: 250 or cons instr.

PHYS 315. Computational Physics. 3 cr. Solving problems in physics using numerical methods, programming and data manipulation software. 2 hr lec, 3 hrs lab per wk. Prereq: 250 or cons instr.

PHYS 325. Electricity and Magnetism I. 3 cr. Introduction to theory of electrostatics; potentials and fields; dielectrics. Prereq: 250, Math 220 and 222 or cons instr.

PHYS 326. Electricity and Magnetism II. 3 cr. Magnetostatics; magnetic properties of materials; Maxwell's equations; electromagnetic radiation. Prereq: 325.

PHYS 335. Advanced Mechanics. 3 cr. Vectors; rectilinear and curvilinear motions, including simple harmonic and damped vibrations; rotation of rigid bodies; Lagrangian mechanics. Prereq: 250, Math 220 and 222 or cons instr.

PHYS 370. Electronics. 4 cr. Theory, application, and practice of analog and digital electronics. 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab per wk. Prereq: 202 or 204 or 250 or cons instr.

PHYS 381. Selected Topics. 1-3 cr. Advanced coursework in astrophysics, optics, or solid state physics. Timetable lists topic. May repeat under different subtitles. Prereq: Cons instr.

PHYS 388. Research Participation. 1-4 cr. Investigate current problems in physics; 3-12 hrs lab per wk. For physics majors/minors. May repeat for 4 cr max. Prereq: Cons research supervisor.

PHYS 405. Quantum Mechanics (formerly 425 and 426). 3 cr. In-depth study of Schroedinger’s equation, the harmonic oscillator, angular momentum, the hydrogen atom, and Dirac formalism, spin, approximation methods, selection rules, transitions, and multi-electron atoms. Prereq: 300, Math 220 and 222 or cons instr.

PHYS 435. Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics. 3 cr. Introduction to laws of thermodynamics and their explanation by statistical mechanics. Applications to gases, liquids, solids; boson and fermion systems; phase and chemical equilibrium. Prereq: 250, Math 222.

PHYS 470. Experimental Physics (formerly 450). 2 cr. Experiments and laboratory practice in electricity, magnetism, optics; atomic, nuclear, and solid state physics. 1 hr lec, 3 hrs lab per wk. Prereq: 300 or cons instr.

PHYS 496. Independent Study. 1-4 cr. Planned study to supplement preparation in area of specialization; regular scheduled conferences with staff supervisor. For physics majors/minors. Prereq: Cons chair.

PHYS 499. Special Work. Upperclass physics majors or minors may arrange for independent study with cons chair. Credit based on scope of project.

PHYS 796. Independent Study. 1-4 cr. Planned study to supplement preparation in area of specialization. Prereq: Maturity to work independently; must supplement current graduate work.