PHY - Physics
In recent years, "follow the science" has been a popular catchphrase but what does it mean? What is "the science"? This course discusses the scientific foundations of the modern world and how we as informed citizens can best approach the weighty decisions that the modern world demands.
Credit Hours: 4
This course provides an introduction to the Python programming language and the LaTeX typesetting system for students with little to no programming experience. This course is designed to prepare you for upper-level coursework in the physical sciences.
Spartan Studies:
UTAMPA 200
Credit Hours: 2
A non-calculus course intended primarily for CNHS majors. Topics include kinematics, Newton’s laws of motion, linear and angular momentum, work and energy, gravity, oscillations and waves, sound and fluids. Lecture and laboratory.
Spartan Studies:
NSD with PHY 200L
Credit Hours: 4
Prerequisites
MAT 170. Concurrent:
PHY 200L
The laboratory component of
PHY 200.
Credit Hours: 0
Prerequisites
Concurrent:
PHY 200
A continuation of General Physics I. Topics include, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism and induction, DC and AC circuits, and optics. Lecture and laboratory.
Spartan Studies:
NSD with PHY 201L
Credit Hours: 4
Prerequisites
PHY 200. Concurrent:
PHY 201L
The laboratory component of
PHY 201.
Credit Hours: 0
Prerequisites
Concurrent:
PHY 201
This is the first of a two-course sequence in calculus-based general physics. Topics covered include translational and rotational kinematics, Newton's laws of motion and gravitation, work and energy, linear and angular momentum, periodic motion and waves, sound, fluids, and thermodynamics. Must be completed with a grade of “C” or better to count toward the physics major and minor. Lecture and laboratory.
Spartan Studies:
NSD with PHY 205L
Credit Hours: 4
Prerequisites
MAT 170 or equivalent. Concurrent:
PHY 205L
Corequisites
MAT 260.
The laboratory component of
PHY 205.
Credit Hours: 0
Prerequisites
Concurrent:
PHY 205
This is the second of a two-course sequence in calculus-based general physics. Topics covered include electricity, magnetism, optics, relativity, and selected topics in modern physics. Lecture and laboratory.
Spartan Studies:
NSD with PHY 206L
Credit Hours: 4
Prerequisites
MAT 260,
PHY 205 with a grade of "C" or better.
Corequisites
PHY 206L
The laboratory component of
PHY 206.
Credit Hours: 0
Prerequisites
Concurrent:
PHY 206
This course is an intermediate-level course that covers much of the mathematics that will be used in the upper-division physics courses. Topics covered include infinite and power series, complex variables, linear algebra, vector analysis, differential equations, and Fourier analysis as applied to a variety of physics problems. Must be completed with a grade of “C” or better to count toward the physics major and minor. Lecture only.
Credit Hours: 4
Prerequisites
PHY 205 and
PHY 206 (with a grade "C" or better).
Students choose a project in consultation with physics faculty members. Requires laboratory or computational research and satisfactory progress on the research project. May be repeated for one credit a semester for a total of four hours of general credit. Graded on a satisfactory/ unsatisfactory basis.
Credit Hours: 1
Prerequisites
PHY 307 and permission of instructor.
This course is an introduction to the physics of the twentieth century. Topics include a study of the special theory of relativity, an introduction to the general theory of relativity, a survey of the experimental basis of quantum physics, and Schrödinger's quantum mechanics, as well as topics selected from atomic and molecular physics, solid-state physics, nuclear and elementary particle physics and cosmology. Must be completed with a grade of “C” or better to count toward the physics major and minor. Lecture only.
Credit Hours: 4
Prerequisites
MAT 260,
PHY 201 or
PHY 206 (with a grade "C" or better).
This course is an intermediate-level course in classical mechanics. Topics include: Newtonian mechanics, oscillatory motion, central-force motion, variational calculus, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics, dynamics of systems of particles and rigid bodies, and non-linear systems. Must be completed with a grade of “C” or better to count toward the physics major and minor. Lecture only.
Credit Hours: 4
Prerequisites
PHY 307 (with a grade "C" or better).
This course is an introduction to the theory and application of electromagnetism. Topics include: electric fields produced by charge distributions, electrostatic potential, electrostatic energy, magnetic forces and fields produced by currents and by magnetic dipoles, introduction to Maxwell's equations, electromagnetism in matter and electromagnetic waves. Must be completed with a grade of “C” or better to count toward the physics major and minor. Lecture only.
Credit Hours: 4
Prerequisites
PHY 307 (with a grade "C" or better).
This course is an advanced physics laboratory in which the design and execution of experiments, as well as the analysis and presentation of data and results are emphasized. Students will develop a working knowledge of the conventions of writing scientific papers. Experiments can include topics in astrophysics, atomic and nuclear physics, electronics, optics and mechanics. Must be completed with a grade of “C” or better to count toward the physics major and minor.
Credit Hours: 4
Prerequisites
PHY 307 (with a grade "C" or better).
This course is an intermediate-level introduction to quantum theory and statistical mechanics. Topics covered include the Schrödinger equation, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, solution of the hydrogen atom, and quantum mechanics in three dimensions. Must be completed with a grade of “C” or better to count toward the physics major and minor. Lecture only.
Credit Hours: 4
Prerequisites
PHY 307 (with a grade "C" or better).
The goal of this course is to introduce students to computational methods used in modeling physical systems in physics, astronomy, and related fields. Students will primarily use the Python programming language to solve physical problems numerically. Must be completed with a grade of “C” or better to count toward the physics major and minor. Lecture only.
Credit Hours: 4
Prerequisites
PHY 307 (with a grade "C" or better).
This course is an introductory course on Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics. These two subjects provide simple and powerful tools to study complex systems: large numbers of particles and many degrees of freedom. Topics covered include: the basics of probability theory, statistical description of mechanical systems, the laws of thermodynamics and entropy, the microcanonical and canonical ensembles, and ideal and real gases. Must be completed with a grade of “C” or better to count toward the physics major and minor. Lecture only.
Credit Hours: 4
Prerequisites
PHY 307 (with a grade "C" or better),
PHY 360 (with a grade "C" or better)
Students in this course will conduct independent, in-depth literature analysis and research on a current topic in physics or astronomy. A presentation and final report are required.
Credit Hours: 2
Prerequisites
Senior standing in physics; permission from instructor
Students with junior or senior standing choose a project in consultation with physics faculty members. Requires laboratory or computational research and a written report and oral presentation presented to and reviewed by the physics faculty. May be repeated for a total of four hours of credit. This is a graded course. Must be completed with a grade of “C” or better to count toward the physics major and minor.
Credit Hours: 1-4
Prerequisites
PHY 307 with a grade of "C" or better
A lecture and/or laboratory course offered at the discretion and availability of the physics faculty. Topics may include modern issues in physics, advanced topics in classical mechanics, electromagnetism and quantum mechanics, astrophysics, materials physics and other related subjects. Must be completed with a grade of “C” or better to count toward the physics major and minor.
Credit Hours: 1-4