Physics
 

PHYS 1111K Introductory Physics I

3-3-4

Prerequisite: MATH 1113
An introductory course which will include material from mechanics, thermodynamics, and waves. Elementary algebra and trigonometry will be used. Laboratory exercises supplement classroom work.
 

PHYS 1112K Introductory Physics II

3-2-4

Prerequisite: PHYS 1111K or PHYS 2211K
An introductory course which will include material from electromagnetism, optics, and modern physics. Elementary algebra and trigonometry will be used. Laboratory exercises supplement classroom work.
 

PHYS 2211K Principles of Physics I

3-3-4

Prerequisite: MATH 2253
An introductory course which will include material from mechanics, thermodynamics, and waves. Elementary differential calculus will be used. Laboratory exercises supplement classroom work. This course may be substituted for PHYS 1111K in any curriculum, but credit will not be allowed for both PHYS 1111K and PHYS 2211K.
 

PHYS 2212K Principles of Physics II

3-2-4

Prerequisites: MATH 2254, PHYS 2211K
An introductory course which will include material from electromagnetism, optics, and modern physics. Elementary differential and integral calculus will be used. Laboratory exercises supplement classroom work. This course may be substituted in any curriculum for PHYS 1112K, but credit will not be allowed for both PHYS 1112K and PHYS 2212K.
 

PHYS 3210 Intermediate Mechanics

4-0-4

Prerequisites: MATH 2306, PHYS 2211K
A survey of Newtonian dynamics of particles and systems of particles, including Lagrange’s equations, central force systems, and the theory of small vibrations.
 

PHYS 3220 Electromagnetism I

3-0-3

Prerequisites: MATH 2255, PHYS 2212K
A survey of fundamental principles of electricity and magnetism, including electrostatic fields, magnetic fields of steady currents, and time-dependent electromagnetic fields.
 

PHYS 3230K Optics

2-3-3

Prerequisite: PHYS 2212K
A study of geometric and physical optics. The laboratory exercises supplement the classroom work.
 

PHYS 3410K Electronics Laboratory

1-3-2

Prerequisite: PHYS 2212K
A study of discrete and integrated circuits that are commonly found in the physics laboratory.
 

PHYS 3500K Introduction to Computational Physics

1-3-2

Prerequisite: PHYS 2212K
An introduction to computational physics problem solving, primarily using Windows-based MathCad but also including an introduction to Maple. Topics include equation solving, the use of vectors and matrices, 2-D and 3-D graphics, differential equation solving, simple programming, and the analysis and simulation of physical processes. Both numeric and symbolic methods are covered.
 

PHYS 3710 Modern Physics

4-0-4

Prerequisite: PHYS 1112K or PHYS 2212K
An introduction to the concepts and calculations involved in understanding the structure of matter and the world of the quantum. Topics include the Planck theory of radiation, particle/wave duality, Schrodinger equation solutions for simple potentials, and properties of the one-electron atom. Applications of quantum principles to atomic, molecular, and nuclear structure are also considered as time permits.
 

PHYS 3720L Modern Physics Laboratory

0-3-1

Prerequisite: PHYS 3710 or concurrently
A selection of experiments from Modern Physics that complement the material in PHYS 3710, Modern Physics.
 

PHYS 3730 Relativity

2-0-2

Prerequisite: PHYS 1112K or PHYS 2212K
A thorough exposition of the principles of Special Relativity and an introduction to the General Theory of Relativity.
 

PHYS 3901-3905 Special Topics

variable credit-1 to 5 hours

Prerequisite: Junior standing
Special topics selected by the department. Offered on a demand basis.
 

PHYS 4210 Quantum Physics

4-0-4

Prerequisite: PHYS 3710
A systematic development of quantum mechanical laws, emphasizing solutions to Schrodinger’s equation.
 

PHYS 4220 Electromagnetism II

3-0-3

Prerequisite: PHYS 3220
A study of electromagnetic fields in matter, and of electromagnetic waves and their propagation. Emphasis will be given to calculational techniques.
 

PHYS 4230 Thermal Physics

4-0-4

Prerequisite: PHYS 2212K
A study of the principles of thermal equilibrium, physical statistics, irreversible processes, and the approach to equilibrium.
 

PHYS 4240 Solid State Physics

2-0-2

Prerequisite: PHYS 3710
Application of quantum mechanics to molecules and solids including such topics as molecular bonding, spectra of diatomic molecules, binding forces and bonding theory in solids, and application to solid state devices.
 

PHYS 4410K Advanced Measurements Laboratory

1-3-2

Prerequisite: PHYS 3410K
An introduction to instrument control, data acquisition, and data analysis of the type used in research labs. The student will then incorporate these techniques in the design of experiments important to classical and/or contemporary physics. This course will be writing intensive and will require extensive formal reports.
 

PHYS 4430 Capstone Physics Project

1-0-1

Prerequisite: Approved petition for graduation
Students will complete a capstone physics project during the last year on campus. The content and subject of this project will be negotiated between the student and the faculty supervisor of the project.
 

PHYS 4901-4905 Special Topics

variable credit-1 to 5 hours

Prerequisite: PHYS 1112K or PHYS 2212K
Special topics selected by the department. Offered on a demand basis.