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Undergraduate
PHYS 100. College Physics I. 4 hours. Mechanics; heat; sound. Prerequisite: MATH 113 College Algebra or MATH 110 College Algebra with Review or MATH 126 Pre-Calculus. Concurrent enrollment required in PHYS 130 Elementary Physics Laboratory I. Closed to students with credit in PHYS 104 Engineering Physics I.
PHYS 101. College Physics II. 4 hours. Electricity; magnetism; optics. Prerequisite: PHYS 100 College Physics I. Concurrent enrollment required in PHYS 131 Elementary Physics Laboratory II. Closed to students with credit in PHYS 105 Engineering Physics II.
PHYS 102. Undergraduate Seminar. 1 hour. Survey of current research areas in physics and related technologies with emphasis on local research activities. For science, engineering, and engineering technology majors. Recommended to be completed prior to completing PHYS 104 Engineering Physics I and PHYS 105 Engineering Physics II. May be repeated.
PHYS 104. Engineering Physics I. 4 hours. Mechanics; heat; sound. For science, engineering, and engineering technology students. Prerequisite: MATH 150 Calculus I. Concurrent enrollment required in PHYS 130 Elementary Physics Laboratory I. Closed to students with credit in PHYS 100 College Physics I.
PHYS 105. Engineering Physics II. 4 hours. Electricity; magnetism; optics. For science, engineering, and engineering technology students. Prerequisite: PHYS 104 Engineering Physics I or PHYS 100 College Physics I and MATH 150 Calculus I. Concurrent enrollment required in PHYS 131 Elementary Physics Laboratory II. Closed to students with credit in PHYS 101 College Physics II.
PHYS 130. Elementary Physics Laboratory I. I hour. Experiments in mechanics; heat; sound. Concurrent enrollment required in PHYS 100 College Physics I or PHYS 104 Engineering Physics I.
PHYS 131. Elementary Physics Laboratory II. 1 hour. Experiments in electricity; magnetism; optics. Concurrent enrollment required in PHYS 101 College Physics II or PHYS 105 Engineering Physics II.
PHYS 220. Engineering Mechanics I-Statics. 3 hours. Study of forces, couples, vector mathematics, rigid body equilibrium, structures, distributed forces, geometric properties, beam analysis, friction, virtual work and stability of equilibrium. Prerequisites: MECET 121 Engineering Graphics I, MATH 150 Calculus I, (or concurrent) and PHYS 104 Engineering Physics I.
PHYS 240. Introductory Physics Topics. 1-3 hours. Lecture or seminar in selected introductory topics of physics.
PHYS 260. Historical Geology. 5 hours. Lecture/Laboratory. Introduction to the geologic evidence of the history of life on Earth. Topics include: Geologic time, paleontology and the fossil record, stratigraphy and the major tectonic and rock-forming events. Prerequisites: PHYS 160/165 Physical Geology/Laboratory.
PHYS 264. Environmental Geology. 4 hours. Lecture/Laboratory. Mechanisms and consequences of natural disasters, human interaction with the environment particularly with respect to natural resource exploitation. Prerequisites: PHYS 160/165 Physical Geology/Laboratory.
PHYS 479. Techniques for Teaching Physics. 3 hours. Techniques. methods, and course content used in teaching physics in the secondary school. Offered by the Department of Physics. To be taken before the professional semester. Prerequisites: Admission to teacher education and PSYCH 357 Educational Psychology.
PHYS 500. Mathematical Physics. 3 hours. Mathematical methods in classical and modern physics. Prerequisites: MATH 253 Calculus III and PHYS 105 Engineering Physics II. May be taken for honors.
PHYS 502. Computational Physics. 3 hours. Use of computational techniques in solving problems in mechanics, electricity and magnetism, electronic circuits, optics and modern physics. Prerequisites: PHYS 105 Engineering Physics II and MATH 253 Calculus III. May be taken for honors.
PHYS 504. Solid State Electronic Devices. 3 hours. Electronic conduction in metals and semiconductors, the PN junction, Ohmic and Rectifying contacts, Zener diodes, tunnel diodes, bipolar transistors, multi-junction devices, field effect transistors, introduction to integrated circuits. Prerequisites: PHYS 105 Engineering Physics II and MATH 253 Calculus III. May be taken for honors.
PHYS 510. Analytical Mechanics I. 3 hours. Newtonian Mechanics, motion of systems of particles, moving coordinate systems, central force motion. Prerequisites: PHYS 500 Mathematical Physics. May be taken for honors.
PHYS 512. Electricity and Magnetism I. 3 hours. Vector calculus, coordinate systems and transformations, electrostatic fields, Boundary Value Problems, Magnetostatics, Magnetic Forces, materials and devices, Maxwell's Equations. Prerequisites: PHYS 500 Mathematical Physics. May be taken for honors.
PHYS 514. Applied Thermodynamics. 3 hours. Heat, temperature, laws of thermodynamics and their applications. Prerequisite: PHYS 104 Engineering Physics I. May be taken for honors.
PHYS 516. Modern Physics. 3 hours. Relativity, atomic, nuclear, high energy, solid state physics. Prerequisites: MATH 155 Calculus II and PHYS 105 Engineering Physics II. May be taken for honors.
PHYS 518. Physical Optics. 3 hours. Huygen's principle; interference; diffraction; polarization and crystal optics; electromagnetic theory of light. Prerequisites: MATH 253 Calculus III and PHYS 105 Engineering Physics II. May be taken for honors.
PHYS 522. Engineering Mechanics II--Dynamics. 3 hours. Principles of dynamics. Particle mechanics, equations of motion, displacement. velocity, acceleration, dynamics of rigid bodies, dynamics of machines. Prerequisite: PHYS 220 Engineering Mechanics I--Statics.
PHYS 530. Intermediate Physics Laboratory (____). 3 hours. Experiments in electricity and magnetism; thermodynamics; atomic and nuclear physics; optics. Prerequisite: PHYS 105 Engineering Physics II. May be repeated if subject matter is different each time. May be taken for honors.
PHYS 532. Electronic Circuits I. 3 hours. A.C., D.C. circuitry, diode and transistor theory, transistor amplifiers, amplifier and feedback circuits, oscillators, digital electronics, microprocessors. Prerequisite: PHYS 105 Engineering Physics II. May be taken for honors.PHYS 533. Electronic Circuits II. 3 hours. Digital to analog and analog to digital converters, transducers and applications to computer interfacing, feedback and control by computers. Prerequisite: PHYS 532 Electronic Circuits I. May be taken for honors.
PHYS 540. Topics in Physics (____). 1-3 hours. Lecture or seminar in specialized area of physics. Prerequisites: MATH 553 Differential Equations and PHYS 105 Engineering Physics II. May be repeated if subject matter is different. May be taken for honors.
PHYS 541. Topics in Astronomy (____). 1-3 hours. Lecture, seminar, or laboratory studies in specialized areas of Astronomy. May be repeated if subject matter is different. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
PHYS 542. Topics in Earth Science (____). 1-3 hours. Lecture, seminar, laboratory, and/or field studies in a specialized area of Earth Science. May be repeated if subject matter is different. Prerequisites: PHYS 160/165 Physical Geology/Laboratory.
PHYS 560. Field Studies in Earth and Space Science. 2-3 hours. Lecture/Laboratory. Measuring and describing orientation of rocks and their relationship to the environment. Include meteorological and astronomical measurements. Prerequisites: PHYS 160/165 Physical Geology/Laboratory.
PHYS 569. Laboratory Assistant Practicum. 2 hours. For students intending to teach physics or general science in secondary schools. Assisting in preparation and instruction in one of several physics or physical science laboratories. A minimum of four hours assisting per week is required. Prerequisite: Students must be enrolled in the teacher education curriculum; permission of instructor.
PHYS 575. Introductory Astrophysics. 3 hours. Celestial mechanics, photometry, stellar and planetary astronomy, radio and space probe astronomy. Prerequisite: PHYS 101 College Physics II or PHYS 105 Engineering Physics II. May be taken for honors.
PHYS 579. Supervised Student Teaching and Follow-Up of Teachers. 2 hours.
Departmental representatives will visit each student teacher during the professional semester. Additionally, departmental representatives will follow up with each area student during the first year of teaching with assistance and support. Concurrent enrollment in the professional semester is required. Offered on a Pass-Fail basis only.
PHYS 591. Physics Project. 1-3 hours. Project in classical or modern physics. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. May be repeated. May be taken for honors.
PHYS 610. Analytical Mechanics II. 3 hours. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics, rigid body motion, mechanics of continuous media. Prerequisite: PHYS 510 Analytical Mechanics I. May be taken for honors.
PHYS 612. Electricity and Magnetism II. 3 hours. Maxwell's equations, time-varying electric and magnetic fields, electromagnetic wave propagation, transmission lines, wave guides and antennae. Prerequisite: PHYS 512 Electricity and Magnetism I. May be taken for honors.
PHYS 691. Senior Research Project. 2 hours. Individual research project. Oral and written presentations by student. Prerequisite: Senior standing.
PHYS 699. Senior Review and Assessment. 1 hour. Capstone course for undergraduate physics majors along with exiting assessment. Prerequisite: Senior standing.
Senior-Graduate
PHYS 714. Statistical Thermodynamics. 3 hours. Distribution functions; statistical methods applied to radiation and matter. Prerequisite: PHYS 514 Applied Thermodynamics or CHEM 593 Physical Chemistry I.
PHYS 716. Introductory Quantum Mechanics. 3 hours. Atomic spectra, special theory of relativity and the origins of quantum theory. Wave mechanics, the square well, barrier potentials, harmonic oscillator, and hydrogen atom. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. May be taken for honors.
PHYS 730. Advanced Physics Laboratory (____). 3 hours. Experiments in: Atomic and nuclear physics; x-rays; solid state physics; electromagnetic phenomena. Prerequisite: PHYS 530 Intermediate Physics Laboratory (___) or other junior-senior level laboratory work. May be repeated if subject matter is different each time. May be taken for honors.
PHYS 740. Advanced Topics in Physics (____). 1-3 hours. Lecture or seminar in specialized areas of physics. May be repeated if subject matter is different each time. May be taken for honors.
PHYS 741. Special Topics (____). 1-3 hours. Selected topics in the physical sciences. Primarily for education majors. May be repeated if subject matter is different.
PHYS 742. Solid State Physics. 3 hours. Theoretical and experimental aspects of solid state physics. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. May be taken for honors.
PHYS 744. X-Rays. 3 hours. Diffraction methods for crystal structure; general scattering theory and scattering from gases, liquids, and amorphous solids. Extensions to small angle x-ray methods, light, and neutron scattering. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. May be taken for honors.
PHYS 746. Solar Energy. 3 hours. Basic concepts of solar energy including theoretical and experimental aspects of Photo Voltaics and Solar Cell Design. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. May be taken for honors.
PHYS 750. Surface Physics. 3 hours. Fundamental principles and applications of Scanning Electron, Atomic Force, Scanning Tunneling, and Auger Microscopies. Prerequisite: PHYS 516 Modern Physics.
PHYS 754. Vacuum Systems and Thin Films. 3 hours. Laboratory. Basic concepts of vacuum gauges and chamber design, including introduction to physical vapor deposition using thermal and electron beam sources. May be taken for honors.
PHYS 760. History and Philosophy of Science. 3 hours. Introduction to modern views about the nature of science with a survey of major changes and contributors to development of epistemology and empirical techniques in the physical and life sciences. Prerequisites: PHYS 100 College Physics I/PHYS 101 College Physics II or PHYS 104 Engineering Physics I/PHYS 105 Engineering Physics II, and PHYS 516 Modern Physics.
Graduate
PHYS 810. Classical Mechanics. 3 hours. Lagrangian, Hamiltonian, and Poisson formulation of mechanics.
PHYS 812. Electromagnetic Theory. 3 hours. Electrostatics, Magnetostatics, time-varying fields. Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic wave propagation.
PHYS 816. Quantum Mechanics. 3 hours. Non-relativistic quantum theory; operator formalism; perturbation and a variety of methods.
PHYS 830. Graduate Physics Laboratory. 3 hours. Selected experiments in modern physics.
PHYS 832. Experimental Design in the Physical Sciences. 3 hours. Incorporation of parametric, systematic, and statistical error analysis, instrumental uncertainties, and logic into the design and planning of experiments in physics, chemistry, and engineering. Prerequisites: PHYS 516 Modern Physics and PHYS 530 Intermediate Physics Laboratory (___).
PHYS 840. Graduate Topics in Physics (____). 3 hours. Lecture or seminar in specialized areas of physics. May be repeated if subject matter is different each time.
PHYS 881. Orientation to College Teaching. 3 hours. Laboratory work in the classroom situation; work with instrumental aids; involvement in curriculum development, test construction, and classroom instruction.
PHYS 882. Guided Inquiry for Science Fairs and Demonstrations. 3 hours. How to guide and encourage secondary school students in research projects in the physical sciences. Emphasizes important distinctions between simply building a technical demonstration and actually following the scientific method. Recommended for secondary school teachers. Prerequisites: PHYS 100 College Physics I/PHYS 101 College Physics II or PHYS 104 Engineering Physics I/PHYS 105 Engineering Physics II, PHYS 130 Elementary Physics Laboratory I/PHYS 131 Elementary Physics Laboratory II, and PHYS 516 Modern Physics.
PHYS 890. Research and Thesis. 1-6 hours each semester. May be repeated. No more than six hours applies toward the master’s degree, except when additional hours are determined by the Department to be required to complete the thesis and its defense.
PHYS 891. Research Problem. 1-6 hours each semester. May be repeated. No more than six hours applies toward the master’s degree, except when additional hours are determined by the Department to be required to complete the problem and report.
PHYS 893. Research Grant Proposal Writing. 3 hours. Introduction to fundamental techniques for obtaining research funding, including both government and private sources, types of solicitations, rules, strategies, and proposal formats. Prerequisite: PHYS 516 Modern Physics.
General Education
These courses have no science or mathematics prerequisites and may be taken by students whose degree programs do not call for specific physics or chemistry courses.
PHYS 114. Physical Science Laboratory for Teachers. 1 hour. Current techniques in science education are emphasized to expand and enhance the science content proficiency of future educators. Prerequisite: PHYS 171 Physical Science and PHYS 172 Physical Science Laboratory.
PHYS 160. Physical Geology. 3 hours. Introduction to earth materials, minerals, and rock of earth's surface and interior. Dynamic geological processes including plate tectonics, Volcanism and Mountain Building, Glaciation and other gradational processes, weathering and erosion.
PHYS 162. Physical Oceanography. 3 hours. A descriptive study of ocean currents and circulation, structure and composition of sea water, ocean floor morphology and sedimentation, tides, waves, and coastal processes.
PHYS 163. Physical Oceanography Laboratory. 1 hour. Exercises, activities and experiments to accompany the corequisite PHYS 162 Physical Oceanography.
PHYS 165. Physical Geology Laboratory. 2 hours. Examination of mineral properties and rock identification, study of landforms and structural geology, seismic data manipulation, and interpretation of geologic, aerial, and topographic maps.
PHYS 166. Meteorology. 3 hours. A descriptive survey of atmospheric science integrating the concepts of weather patterns, climate, atmospheric composition and structure, pressure, wind, and impact of pollution.
PHYS 167. Meteorology Laboratory. 1 hour. Exercises, activities and experiments to accompany the corequisite PHYS 166 Meteorology.
PHYS 171. Physical Science. 3 hours. The principles of mechanics, electricity and magnetism, atomic science, earth and space science. Three hours of lecture will be accompanied by two hours of hands-on laboratory experiences weekly. Concurrent enrollment required in PHYS 172 Physical Science Laboratory. Closed to students majoring or minoring in the physical sciences or having had PHYS 371 The Physical World.
PHYS 172. Physical Science Laboratory. 1 hour. Concurrent enrollment in PHYS 171 Physical Science required. Closed to students majoring or minoring in Physics or Chemistry.
PHYS 175. Descriptive Astronomy. 3 hours. The solar system, stellar astronomy, the galaxy, cosmology. Corequisite: PHYS 176 Astronomy Laboratory.
PHYS 176. Astronomy Laboratory. 1 hour. Practical experiments related to astronomy. Light and optics, spectra, mechanics, magnetism, radioactivity; sky observations of constellations, planets, stars and galaxies. Corequisite of either PHYS 175 Descriptive Astronomy or PHYS 375 Solar System Astronomy.
PHYS 375. Solar System Astronomy. 3 hours. Formation and evolution of the Sun and planets, study of interiors, surfaces, and atmospheres of planets, moons, and Sun. Sun-star connection, stellar groupings, cosmology. Corequisite: PHYS 176 Astronomy Laboratory. |
