PHY 101 Astronomy: Fundamentals and Frontiers
An introductory course intended for the non-science liberal arts student.
Historical and philosophical ideas will be stressed as well as the
experimental concepts and methods used in astronomy. A good working
knowledge of algebra, plane geometry, and trigonometry is required.
Satisfies half of the laboratory science requirement. Three class periods
and one laboratory each week. This course is offered in the fall semester.
Credits: 1
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PHY 111 General Physics I
An introduction to classical mechanics for physics and other science
majors. Topics include Newton's laws of motion, conservation laws, and
rotational dynamics. Three class periods and one laboratory each week.
This course is offered in the fall semester.
Prerequisite: Mathematics 111 (or concurrent registration) or permission
of instructor.
Credits: 1
|
PHY 112 General Physics II for Science Majors
Selected topics in wave physics, optics, and electromagnetism for students
not planning to take additional courses in the department. Students
intending to major or minor in physics must take Physics 113 instead of
Physics 112. Three class periods and one laboratory each week. This course
is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisite: Physics 111.
Credits: 1
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PHY 113 General Physics II for Physics Majors & Minors
An introduction to thermal physics and special relativity. Topics include
the laws of thermodynamics, statistical nature of entropy, Lorentz
transformations, equivalence of mass and energy. (While this course is
required for a physics major or minor, it may be taken by an interested
student who meets the prerequisites.) Three class periods and one
laboratory each week. This course is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisite: Physics 111 and Mathematics 112 (or concurrent registration).
Credits: 1
|
PHY 114 General Physics III
An introduction to electrodynamics, optics, and wave physics. Three class
periods and one laboratory each week. This course is offered in the fall
semester.
Prerequisite: Physics 113 and Mathematics 112.
Credits: 1
|
PHY 210 Modern Physics
Historical introduction to quantum theory with applications to atomic,
solid state, nuclear, and particle physics. Three class periods and one
laboratory each week. This course is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisite: Physics 114 and Mathematics 223 (or concurrent
registration).
Credits: 1
|
PHY 220 Electronics
Introduction to analog and digital electronics. Fundamentals of DC and AC
circuits, transistors, and amplifiers will be covered. Includes 1 lab per
week. This course is offered in the spring semester, offered alternate
years.
Prerequisite: Physics 114.
Credits: 1
|
PHY 230 Thermal Physics
Introduction to thermal and statistical physics. The laws of
thermodynamics are studied from microscopic and macroscopic perspectives.
Quantum statistical mechanics will be developed and applied to blackbody
radiation, fermionic and bosonic systems. This course is offered in the
spring semester, alternate years.
Prerequisite: Physics 210.
Credits: 1
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PHY 277 Special Topics
Special interest course. One or one-half course credit each semester.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Credits: 1/2
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PHY 278 Special Topics
Special interest course. One or one-half course credit each semester.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Credits: 1/2
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PHY 287 Independent Study
Independent Study. One or one-half course credit each semester.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Credits: 1/2
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PHY 288 Independent Study
Independent study. One or one-half course credit each semester.
Prerequiste: Permission of instructor.
Credits: 1/2
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PHY 310 Classical Mechanics
Advanced topics in classical mechanics, including harmonic motion and
Lagrangian mechanics. This course is offered in the fall semester.
Prerequisite: Physics 114 (or permission of instructor) and Mathematics
224.
Credits: 1
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PHY 314 Electrodynamics
Advanced explorations in understanding and applying Maxwell’s equations.
This course is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisites: Physics 114 and Mathematics 224 and 225.
Credits: 1
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PHY 315 Quantum Mechanics
Introduction to quantum mechanics. Topics include Dirac notation,
postulates of quantum mechanics, and applications to important physical
systems. This course is offered in the fall semester.
Prerequisites: Physics 210 and Mathematics 223 and 224.
Credits: 1
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PHY 316 Advanced Topics in Quantum Mechanics
Applications of quantum mechanics, including the general theory of angular
momentum, identical particle systems, perturbation theory, atom-photon
interactions, and Bell’s theorem. This course is offered in the spring
semester.
Prerequisite: Physics 315.
Credits: 1
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PHY 381 Advanced Laboratory
Labs investigating various topics in physics. Advanced measurement and
data analysis techniques will be studied. May be taken multiple times.
Prerequisite: Physics 210.
Credits: 1/2
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