PHYSICS
College of Arts and Sciences
PHYS 1010 UNDERSTANDING THE PHYSICAL WORLD Three hours lecture, Two hours
lab (4)
Motion, energy, properties of matter, heat, and sound. The approach is conceptual and
non-mathematical. The role of physics in the understanding of everyday experiences in our
technological society. Laboratory is to be taken concurrently.
PHYS 1020 UNDERSTANDING THE PHYSICAL WORLD Three hours lecture, Two hours
lab (4)
Electricity and magnetism, light, atomic and nuclear physics, and relativity. Physics 1010 is NOT a
prerequisite. The approach is conceptual and non-mathematical. The role of physics in the
understanding of everyday experiences in our technological society. Laboratory is to be taken
concurrently.
PHYS 1200 INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY Three hours lecture, Two hours lab (4)
The subjects of astronomy such as the stars, pulsars, quasars, galaxies, black holes, stellar
evolution theories, the solar system; tools and methods of astronomy including light and other
radiation, telescopes, and spectrometry. Laboratory is to be taken concurrently.
GENERAL PHYSICS is offered at two mathematical levels. One level (2010 and 2020) uses
algebra and trigonometry. The other level (2110 and 2120) uses calculus ideas and notation and
has calculus as a corequisite. The algebra and trigonometry level satisfies the requirements for
preprofessional students in medicine and dentistry. The calculus-based sequence is taught for
physics majors and minors and students in preengineering and Engineering Technology. It is
recommended for mathematics or computer science majors.
PHYS 2010 GENERAL PHYSICS Four hours lecture and demonstration, Two hours lab (5)
Prerequisite: College Algebra
The elements of mechanics, including physical measurement, linear and circular motion, simple
harmonic motion, fluids and heat. Applications of conservation laws to technological and
biological systems are considered. Algebra is used extensively. Trigonometry and vectors are
developed and used as needed. Laboratory is to be taken concurrently.
PHYS 2020 GENERAL PHYSICS Four hours lecture and demonstration, Two hours lab (5)
Prerequisite: 2010
Optics, electricity and magnetism, the atom, and the nucleus. Laboratory is to be taken
concurrently.
PHYS 2110 GENERAL PHYSICS Four hours lecture and demonstration, Two hours lab (5)
Corequisite: Calculus
The same topics as covered in 2010. The mathematical level involves algebra and trigonometry
and in addition calculus ideas, notation and techniques. Laboratory 201L is to be taken
concurrently.
PHYS 2120 GENERAL PHYSICS Four hours lecture and demonstration, Two hours lab (5)
Prerequisite: 2110
The continuation of 2110 which covers the same general topics as 2020. The mathematical level
involves more use of calculus than 2110. Laboratory 202L is to be taken concurrently.
PHYS 3010 INTERMEDIATE MECHANICS (3)
Prerequisite: 2120 or permission of the instructor
Kinematics and dynamics of particles in three dimensions. The mathematical level involves vector
notation and equations written in differential form with the solutions to be obtained by integration
and other methods.
PHYS 3020 INTERMEDIATE MECHANICS (3)
Prerequisite: 3010
A continuation of 3010 leading to and including an introduction to Lagrange's and Hamilton's
methods of solution of the motions of a system.
PHYS 3030 ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM (3)
Prerequisite: 2120 or permission of the instructor
Electric and magnetic field theory; direct currents and electrical measurements. Integral calculus
and vectors are used extensively.
PHYS 3040 ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM (3)
Prerequisite: 3030
A continuation of 3030 including AC circuits and Maxwell's equations.
PHYS 3100 OPTICS Three hours lecture and demonstration (3)
Prerequisite: One year of general physics
Reflection and refraction, the eye, telescopes and microscopes, lasers, interference, diffraction, and
polarization.
PHYS 3700 INTRODUCTION TO MODERN PHYSICS (3)
Prerequisite: 2120 or permission of instructor
Relativity, quantization of radiation, matter waves, early atomic models, Schroedinger's wave
mechanics.
PHYS 370L SEMINAL EXPERIMENTS IN MODERN PHYSICS Three hours Laboratory (1)
Prerequisite: 2120 or permission of instructor
Photoelectric effect, Compton effect, Planck's constant, black body radiation, Franck-Hertz
experiment, electron diffraction, atomic emission spectra, Millikan oil drop experiment, Bragg
scattering, e/m ratio for the electron, and/or other modern experiments.
PHYS 3800 ATOMS, MOLECULES, AND SOLIDS (3)
Prerequisite: 3700
One-electron atoms, angular momentum quantization, x-rays, optical excitations, quantum
statistics, molecules, crystal structure, free-electron model of metals, band theory, semiconductors,
magnetic properties of solids
PHYS 3900 NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE PHYSICS (2)
Prerequisite: 3700
Nuclear structure models, nuclear reactions, elementary particles, the standard model, and
interaction theories
PHYS 390L RADIOACTIVITY LABORATORY Three hours laboratory (1)
Prerequisite: 2120, Organic Chemistry, or permission of the instructor
Experiments studying the characteristics of radioactivity, radioisotopes, and detection devices.
PHYS 4010 QUANTUM MECHANICS (3)
Prerequisite: 3800 or permission of the instructor
Schroedinger's treatment of one and three dimensional systems. The mathematical level involves
the extensive use and solution of differential equations.
PHYS 411L, 412L ADVANCED PHYSICS LAB Three hours laboratory (1 each)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Experiments in electricity and magnetism, optics, waves, and modern physics. Laboratory
techniques are stressed along with the concepts under investigation.
PHYS 415L RESEARCH EXPERIENCE Four hours laboratory (2)
Prerequisite: Six hours of upper division physics and permission of instructor
Research activities agreed on by the student and instructor which may emphasize lab techniques or
data acquisition and analysis. Written and oral reports are required.
PHYS 435L ELECTRONICS LAB Three hours laboratory (1)
Prerequisite: One year of college physics or permission of instructor
Experiments involving Ohm's Law, power supplies, amplifiers, and oscillators.
PHYS 437L DIGITAL ELECTRONICS LAB Three hours laboratory (1)
Prerequisite: One year of college physics or permission of the instructor
Experiments demonstrating how simple gates, counters, and other digital components can be
combined to form the basis of modern calculators, computers, and other electronic devices.
PHYS 4810 THEORETICAL MECHANICS (3)
Prerequisite: 3020
Mechanics for those who expect to do graduate studies. Vector calculus, matrices, and differential
equations are freely used.
PHYS 4830 THEORETICAL ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM (3)
Prerequisite: 3040
Electromagnetic fields for those planning to continue study at the graduate level. The mathematical
level is similar to that of 4810.
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