Requirements for a Bachelor of Science with a Major in Physics: PHYS 251, 253, 254, 304, 306, 309, 312, 317, 321; CHEM 105, 106; MATH 191, 192, 291; CSCI 170 or 210; MATH 320; two semester credits in both Advanced Laboratory and Experimental Research.

Since interdisciplinary fields such as biophysics, medical electronics, geophysics and oceanography are very active areas, students are urged to obtain a broad science background.

Requirements for a Bachelor of Science Teaching Major in Physics (7–12): 32–35 semester credits including the following: ENGR 110 or CSCI 210; PHYS 251, 253, 254, 304, 306, 309, 312, 317, 321, 329. Education courses required for a teaching major are found in the Education Department section.

Requirements for a Teaching Minor in Physics (7–12): 30 semester credits including ENGR 110 or CSCI 210; PHYS 251, 253, 254, 306, 312, 317; seven hours of physics electives.

Course Descriptions
+PHYS 110. Physics of Sound and Light 3 credits
Waves and oscillations, vibrating systems, hearing and vision, light, lenses, atmospheric phenomena, lasers, compact discs. For non-science majors. Lectures and laboratory sessions.

+PHYS 160. Concepts in Electronics 3 credits
Electrical quantities, simple DC circuits, magnetism, motors and generators, AC circuits, radio and television communications, digital and analog electronic devices. For non-science majors. Lectures and laboratory sessions.

+PHYS 201. Principles of Physics 4 credits
Forces and motion, energy and waves, electricity and magnetism and light and optics with emphasis on topics of particular importance for students in fields such as occupational therapy, bio-psychology, and athletic training. Does not meet the requirements for professional programs in medicine, dentistry and physical therapy. Three lectures and one lab per week.

+PHYS 203. College Physics I 4 credits
For majors in biology, health sciences and liberal arts. Principles of mechanics, thermodynamics, waves, acoustics, and fluids. Three lectures and one lab per week. Prerequisite: MATH 151.

PHYS 204. College Physics II 4 credits
For majors in biology, the health sciences and the liberal arts. Principles of electricity magnetism, optics, modern physics, and elementary particles. Three lectures and one lab per week. Prerequisite: PHYS 203.

+PHYS 251. General Physics I: Mechanics 4 credits
Calculus-based physics course for majors in engineering and the physical sciences. Introduction to mechanics, rotational motion, and fluids. Three lectures and one laboratory per week. Prerequisite: MATH 191. Co-requisite: MATH 192.

PHYS 253. General Physics II: Thermodynamics, Electricity and Magnetism 3 credits
Heat and thermodynamics, electrical and magnetic properties of matter, AC and DC circuits, electrical fields and particles, magnetic fields induction, Maxwell’s equations and introduction to electronics. Three lectures and one laboratory per week. Prerequisites: MATH 192, PHYS 251.

PHYS 254. General Physics III: Introduction to Optics and Modern Physics 3 credits
Physical and geometrical optics, relativity, atomic physics, quantum mechanics and nuclear physics. Two lectures and one laboratory per week. Prerequisites: MATH 192, PHYS 253.

PHYS 304. Electromagnetic Theory 3 credits
Static and time-dependent electric and magnetic fields. Ferromagnetic materials, Maxwell’s Equations, boundary value problems, transmission lines, wave guides, and radiation. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite: PHYS 253. (Same as ENGR 320)

PHYS 306. Electronics 3 credits
For science and engineering majors. Digital circuits and design techniques, transistor and diode circuits, operational amplifiers, filters and signal sampling. Two lectures, one laboratory period per week. Prerequisite: PHYS 204 or 253, or consent of instructor.

PHYS 309. Theoretical Physics: Mechanics 3 credits
Principles of Newtonian mechanics; particle dynamics, simple harmonic motion, central forces; statics and dynamics of rigid bodies; elasticity; Lagrange equations; the mechanics of continuous media. Three lecture periods per week. Prerequisites: PHYS 251, MATH 291.

PHYS 312. Optics 3 credits
Geometrical optics: image formation, optical systems, thick lens theory, aberrations; wave optics; superposition, coherence, interference, diffraction, dispersion, polarization. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite: PHYS 254.

WI-PHYS 317. Modern Physics 3 credits
Spectroscopy, x-rays, photoelectric effect, introduction to quantum mechanics, special relativity, natural and induced radioactivity, nuclear energy levels and structure, nuclear reactions, shielding, accelerators, and reactors. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite: PHYS 204 or 254.

PHYS 321. Statistical Physics and Thermodynamics 3 credits
Introduction to classical and quantum statistics; thermodynamic laws, energy, entropy and equilibria, cyclic and noncyclic processes; applications to chemical and engineering problems. Prerequisite: PHYS 204 or 251. (Same as ENGR 312 and IE 312)

PHYS 325. Advanced Laboratory 1–6 credits
Individual experiments in mechanics, thermodynamics, optics, and atomic, nuclear and modern physics. Experiments usually scheduled to relate to material in 300-level courses in which students are enrolled. May be repeated.

PHYS 329. Experimental Research 1–3 credits
Individual research projects selected by student. Design and installation of experimental apparatus will be involved. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

PHYS 401. Physics Internship 1–3 credits
Work experience in industrial, government or non-profit institutions in which physics, computing or engineering is used. Permission of department chair required. Summary report required. Prerequisite: Junior or senior class standing in physics or engineering physics with at least nine hours of 300-level physics or engineering courses.

PHYS 403. Advanced Topics in Physics 1–3 credits
Elements of quantum mechanics, relativity, solid state physics, and other areas of physics are selected according to student and faculty interests. Prerequisite: Nine hours of 300-level physics courses.

1999-2001 Catalog List of Departments