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Course Descriptions
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.
Prerequisites: None.
Credits: 1
PHY 104 Special Topics
A special interest course for the non-science liberal arts student on an introductory-level physics topic not covered in a regular physics course. (Does not count toward the major or minor, or the lab science requirement.)
Prerequisites: Determined by the topic.
Credits: 1 or 1/2
PHY 105 Adventures in Physics
A one-semester course for the non-science liberal arts student that investigates the world from the viewpoint of a physicist. Topics will vary and will be announced prior to registration. Partially fulfills the college laboratory science requirement, but does not count toward a physics major or minor. Three class periods and one laboratory each week.
Prerequisites: None.
Credits: 1
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. The lab will introduce data acquisition and analysis techniques. Three class periods and one laboratory each week. This course is offered in the fall semester.
Prerequisites: MAT 111 or 110 (or concurrent registration).
Credits: 1
PHY 112 General Physics II
An introduction to the fundamental concepts concerning fluids, waves, optics, electricity, and magnetism. Three class periods and one laboratory each week. This course is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisite: PHY 111.
Credits: 1
PHY 177 Special Topics
A special interest course on an introductory-level physics topic not covered in regular physics courses. This course is offered in the fall semester.
Prerequisites: Determined by the topic.
Credits: 1 or 1/2
PHY 178 Special Topics
A special interest course on an introductory-level physics topic not covered in regular physics courses. This course is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisites: Determined by the topic.
Credits: 1 or 1/2
PHY 209 General Physics III
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. The lab will introduce the methodology of experimental design, numerical techniques for solving differential equations, and the writing of scientific papers using LaTeX software. Three class periods and one laboratory each week. This course is offered in the fall semester.
Prerequisites: PHY 112 and MAT 112 (or concurrent registration).
Credits: 1
PHY 210 Modern Physics
An 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.
Prerequisites: PHY 112 and MAT 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 one laboratory each week. This course is offered in the fall semester of even-numbered years.
Prerequisite: PHY 112.
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 fall semester of odd-numbered years.
Prerequisites: PHY 209 and 210.
Credits: 1
PHY 277 Special Topics
A special interest course covering at an intermediate-level a physics topic not covered in regular physics courses. This course is offered in the fall semester. Student input as to the course topic will be sought prior to fall registration.
Prerequisites: Determined by the topic.
Credits: 1 or 1/2
PHY 278 Special Topics
A special interest course covering at an intermediate-level a physics topic not covered in regular physics courses. This course is offered in the spring semester. Student input as to the course topic will be sought prior to spring registration.
Prerequisites: Determined by the topic.
Credits: 1 or 1/2
PHY 287 Independent Study
This course is offered in the fall semester.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and department chair.
Credits: 1 or 1/2
PHY 288 Independent Study
This course is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and department chair.
Credits: 1 or 1/2
PHY 302 Electron Microscopy (CHE 302)
Electron microscopes employ a focused beam of highly energetic electrons to examine sample morphology and topography on a very fine scale. This information is essential to the characterization of a wide range of biological and inorganic specimens including microorganisms, cells, crystals, metals, microelectronics, and nanomaterials. The initial classroom portion of this course focuses on fundamental topics in instrument design, applications, limitations, and sample preparation methods. Subsequent laboratory work involves hands-on instrument training and a substantial microscopy project.
Prerequisite: Junior or senior major in physics/chemistry.
Credits: 1/2
PHY 310 Classical Mechanics
Advanced topics in classical mechanics, including harmonic motion and Lagrangian mechanics. This course is offered in the fall semester.
Prerequisites: PHY 111 and MAT 224.
Credits: 1
PHY 314 Electrodynamics
Advanced explorations in understanding and applying Maxwell’s equations. This course is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisites: PHY 112 and MAT 224 and 225.
Credits: 1
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: PHY 210 and MAT 223 and 224.
Credits: 1
PHY 377 Advanced Special Topics in Physics
Special interest course covering one of a selection of advanced physics topics including: atomic physics, nuclear physics, quantum field theory, advanced electrodynamics, advanced quantum mechanics, advanced classical mechanics, or other topics proposed by students. This course is offered in the fall semester. Student input as to the course topic will be sought prior to fall registration.
Prerequisite: PHY 210.
Credits: 1 or ½
PHY 378 Advanced Special Topics in Physics
Special interest course covering one of a selection of advanced physics topics including: atomic physics, nuclear physics, quantum field theory, advanced electrodynamics, advanced quantum mechanics, advanced classical mechanics, or other topics proposed by students. This course is offered in the spring semester. Student input as to the course topic will be sought prior to spring registration.
Prerequisite: PHY 210.
Credits: 1 or 1/2
PHY 381 Advanced Laboratory
Students will participate in a broad range of experiments that cover major research areas in contemporary physics, including atomic, molecular, and optical physics, condensed matter physics, and nuclear and particle physics. Advanced measurement and data analysis techniques will be used. All experiments will be planned, executed, and presented according to current professional standards. This course is offered in the fall semester.
Prerequisite: PHY 210.
Credits: 1/2
PHY 382 Advanced Laboratory
A continuation of PHY 381. This course is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisite: PHY 381.
Credits: 1/2
PHY 387 Advanced Independent Study
This course is offered in the fall semester.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and the department chair.
Credits: 1 or 1/2
PHY 388 Advanced Independent Study
This course is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and the department chair.
Credits: 1 or 1/2