PHYSICS (PHY)


PHY 1101. Conceptual Physics I/(4).F.


An introductory survey of ideas of mechanics,
electricity, magnetism, relativity and quantum
physics. Lecture three hours, laboratory two
hours. Corequisite: MAT 1010 or 1020 or 1025.
(NUMERICAL DATA) (CORE: NATURAL SCIENCES)
(ND Prerequisite: Passing the math placement test
or successful completion of MAT 0010.)




PHY 1102. Conceptual Physics II/(4).S.


An introductory survey of ideas of wave motion,
sound, light and color. Lecture three hours,
laboratory two hours. Prerequisite: PHY 1101.
(NUMERICAL DATA) (CORE: NATURAL SCIENCES)
(ND Prerequisite: Passing the math placement test
or successful completion of MAT 0010.)




PHY 1103-1104. General Physics/(4-4).F-S. 


A study of the basic principles of physics
including mechanics, thermodynamics, sound,
electricity and magnetism, optics and modern
physics. Corequisite for PHY 1103: MAT 1020 or MAT
1025 or equivalent. Lecture three hours,
laboratory two hours. (NUMERICAL DATA)
(CORE: NATURAL SCIENCES)
(ND Prerequisite: Passing the math placement test
or successful completion of MAT 0010.)




PHY 1150-1151. Analytical Physics/(5-5).F-S. 


An analytical and quantitative treatment of
physics at a somewhat more advanced level than the
1103-1104 sequence. Intended primarily for
students majoring in the natural sciences,
mathematical sciences and pre-engineering. Topics
covered include mechanics, heat, light, sound,
electricity, magnetism and quantum phenomena.
Corequisite: For PHY 1150: MAT 1110; For PHY 1151:
MAT 1120. Lecture four hours, laboratory three
hours. (NUMERICAL DATA) (CORE: NATURAL
SCIENCES)
(ND Prerequisite: Passing the math placement test
or successful completion of MAT 0010.)




PHY 2010-2020. Intermediate Physics I-II/
(4-4).F-S.


A study of basic formulations and concepts in
classical physics including mechanics, static and
dynamic electricity and magnetism. Calculus and
vector methods are used. Intended primarily for
students majoring or minoring in physics.
Prerequisites: PHY 1104 or 1151 and for PHY 2010:
MAT 1120; for PHY 2020: MAT 2130. Lecture four
hours.




PHY 2210. Physics Laboratory Techniques and Data
Analysis/(2).S.


A course designed for physics majors emphasizing
experimental techniques, measurements, data and
error analysis, experimental planning and
evaluation, and report writing. Intermediate
classical experiments with both oral and written
reports. Lecture one hour, laboratory two hours.
Corequisite: PHY 2020. (WRITING)




PHY 2500. Independent Study/(1-4).F;S.




PHY 2700.* Computer Interfacing/(3).F.


An introduction to the basic principles of
computer interfacing and machine language
programming. Topics to be covered include analog
to digital, digital to analog, voltage to
frequency conversion, data transmissions and
applications of these topics using departmental
microcomputers. Prerequisites: PHY 1104 or 1151.
*Offered in even-numbered years.




PHY 3000. Microcomputer Methods in Physics/(2).S.


A course designed to acquaint the student with the
uses of microcomputers in physics calculations.
Applications will be selected from the areas of
mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermal
physics, optics and modern physics. Prerequisites:
PHY 1151, MAT 1120; Corequisite: PHY 2010.
(COMPUTER)




PHY 3010. Classical Mechanics/(3).F.


A study of classical problems in mechanics. Topics
include motion in noninertial reference frames,
particle systems and collisions, rigid bodies, and
Lagrangian mechanics. Prerequisite: PHY 2010,
corequisite: MAT 3130.




PHY 3011. Classical Mechanics II/(3).On Demand.


A continuation of PHY 3010, Classical Mechanics I.
This course covers advanced applications of
Lagrange's equations, Hamilton's equations, an
introduction to the mechanics of continuous media,
elementary tensor algebra, and the rotation of a
rigid body in space. Prerequisites: PHY 3010, MAT
3130 and permission of instructor.




PHY 3020. Electromagnetic Fields and Waves/(3).S.


A study of electromagnetic theory, including the
solution of electrostatics problems using
Laplace's equation, fields in dielectric media,
magnetic fields of steady and varying currents,
and the development and application of Maxwell's
equations. Prerequisites: PHY 2020, MAT 3130.




PHY 3021. Electromagnetic Fields and Waves
II/(3).On Demand.


A continuation of PHY 3020, Electromagnetic Fields
and Waves I. This course covers applications of
Maxwell's Equations including the propagation of
plane electromagnetic waves in free space and
other media, the general principles of guided
waves, and the radiation of electromagnetic waves
including a discussion of the electric dipole
antenna. Prerequisites: PHY 3020 and permission of
instructor.




PHY 3140. Environmental Physics/(3).F.


A study of the physical principles underlying
current environmental problems and issues such as
global climate change and ozone depletion, and an
examination of possible mitigating technologies.
Other topics include the interaction of
electromagnetic radiation and planetary
atmospheres, radiative forcing, the greenhouse
effect and the increased concentration of
greenhouse gases in the earth's atmosphere, the
paleoclimate of the earth and global climate
change, alternative energy sources, and the
viability of nuclear power. Prerequisite: PHY 1104
or 1151. (CROSS-DISCIPLINARY)




PHY 3210-3211. Modern Physics I-II/(3-3).F-S.


An introduction to the theories and experiments of
20th century physics: special relativity;
wave-particle duality; atomic structure; natural
and artificial radioactivity. Elementary results
from quantum theory will be applied to the solid
state and the nucleus. Descriptive treatment of
frontier topics such as particle physics,
accelerators and superconductivity. Prerequisite:
PHY 1151 or corequisite PHY 2010. Lecture three
hours.




PHY 3230. Thermal Physics/(3).S.


A study of the laws of thermodynamics and their
applications. An introduction to kinetic theory
and statistical mechanics is included.
Prerequisites: PHY 1104 or 1151, and MAT 2130.
Lecture three hours.




PHY 3350. Physical Science Investigations/(3).On
Demand.


A course primarily for elementary education majors
who choose their academic concentration in
science. Simple demonstrations and laboratory
experiments will emphasize a conceptual approach
to the physical ideas usually introduced in the
elementary science curriculum. Lecture two hours,
laboratory two hours.




PHY 3400. Physics Instruction Practicum/(3).F.


An introduction to the practical aspects of
teaching high school physics. Some of the topics
covered include current educational issues,
resources required for laboratories, construction
and presentation of physics demonstrations,
classroom presentations and the use of computers
in the classroom. The course includes guest
speakers, field trips, projects (individual and
group) and classroom presentations. Lecture two
hours, laboratory two hours. Prerequisite: PHY
1104 or PHY 1151 or consent of the instructor.




PHY 3500. Independent Study/(1-4).F;S.




PHY 3520. Instructional Assistance/(1).F;S.


A supervised experience in the instructional
process on the university level through direct
participation in a classroom situation. Grading
will be on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis
only. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing. May
be repeated for a total credit of three semester
hours. Required of all physics majors seeking the
B.S. degree and teaching licensure in physics.




PHY 3530-3549. Selected Topics/(1-4).On Demand.


For example: Energy/(2), a survey course designed
to provide an understanding of energy options on
personal, national and global levels. The course
explores fossil and nuclear fuel reserves,
electric power production, and various energy
alternatives, particularly solar energy. No
prerequisite.




PHY 3560. Undergraduate Research/(1-3).On Demand.


The student will participate in on-going
faculty-directed research projects. This will
include involvement in the solution of a
theoretical problem, or in the design of an
experiment, acquisition of the data, reduction and
analysis. The work may also include presentation
of the results in scholarly publications or at
professional meetings. May be repeated for a total
credit of up to four semester hours.




PHY 3630. Digital Electronics/(3).F.


A study of the basic concepts and circuits based
on Boolean algebra as applied to modern-day
digital equipment, especially microprocessors.
Emphasis will be placed on integrated circuits TTL
and CMOS sequential and combinational logic
circuits and will include: gates, flip-flops,
counters, shift-registers, multiplexers, decoders,
and ROMS. Elements of digital logic design
including simplification by Boolean algebra will
be covered. The laboratory will consist of
building TTL and CMOS circuits and examining their
electrical and logic properties. Corequisite: PHY
2010 or consent of instructor. Lecture two hours,
laboratory three hours.




PHY 3730. Analog Circuit Analysis/(3).F.


DC and AC circuit analysis, discrete passive and
active components. Included are diodes,
transistors and operational amplifiers. Thevenin's
and Norton's theorems. Use of common electronic
instrumentation. Lecture two hours, laboratory
three hours. Corequisite: PHY 2010 or consent of
instructor.




PHY 3850. Environucleonics/(3).On Demand.


A study of the interaction of atomic and nuclear
radiation with Man and his environment--with
special emphasis on the technology of measurement
and criteria for evaluation. Discussions of basic
radiation properties and radiation detection as
well as special analysis techniques such as
neutron activation and X-ray fluorescence will be
integral to the course. Prerequisite: PHY 1104 or
1151. Lecture three hours.




PHY 3851. Environucleonics Laboratory/(1).On
Demand.


Laboratory investigation and skills development
aligned with the methods of Physics 3850. Basic
detection involving GM, gas flow and scintillation
detector systems, pulse height analysis,
statistical tests and treatment of data,
utilization of neutron activation and X-ray
fluorescence will be featured. Field trips may be
required. Corequisite or prerequisite: PHY 3850.
Laboratory three hours.




PHY 4210. Methods of Experimental Physics/(3).F.


Measurement theory, analysis, interpretation and
evaluation of data, experiment design and
scientific report writing. A limited number of
advanced laboratory experiments will be performed
which illustrate important concepts and methods.
Literature searches, written reports and some oral
reports will be required. Lecture two hours,
laboratory two hours. Prerequisite: PHY 2210.
(WRITING; SPEAKING)




PHY 4510. Senior Honors Research and Thesis/(3).On
Demand.


Independent in-depth research and preparation of a
thesis on a significant topic in physics, directed
by a member of the Department of Physics and
Astronomy faculty. A thesis is presented orally
and in writing to the department. Course grade
assigned by the departmental honors committee.
Required for graduation with honors in physics. A
student who completes this course with a grade of
B and who graduated with a GPA of 3.5 in physics
courses will be graduated with "honors" in
physics; with a grade of A and a GPA of 3.7 in
physics a student will be graduated with "highest
honors" in physics. Prerequisites: GPA of at least
3.5 overall and 3.5 in physics courses. Approval
of proposed research topic and methods by
departmental honors committee, and assignment of
research thesis advisor during the semester prior
to enrollment in this course. Corequisite: PHY
4640. Open only to majors in physics during their
final undergraduate semester.




PHY 4620. Optics/(4).S.


A study of classical and modern optical phenomena
including geometrical, Fresnel and Fourier optics,
lasers, fiber optics and optoelectronic devices.
Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours.
Prerequisite: MAT 3130. Corequisite: PHY 3020.
[Dual-listed with PHY 5620.]




PHY 4635. Advanced Microprocessor Interfacing and
Robotics/(4).S.


A study of digital and analog circuits necessary
to interface transducers and robotic manipulative
devices to microprocessors. Lecture three hours,
laboratory three hours. Prerequisite: PHY 3730.
Corequisite: PHY 4735. [Dual-listed with PHY
5635.]




PHY 4640. Quantum Mechanics/(3).S.


A study of the Schroedinger equation and its
solutions for various common potentials.
Prerequisites: PHY 3010, 3210, and MAT 3130.
[Dual-listed with PHY 5640.]




PHY 4735. Microprocessors/(3).S.


A study of the architecture and instruction sets
of common microprocessors. Interfacing
microprocessors to memory, input/output and
support integrated circuits will be covered with
an emphasis on techniques used in common
microcomputers. The laboratory consists of
interfacing and programming microcomputers using
assembly and high level languages. Lecture two
hours, laboratory three hours. Prerequisite: PHY
3630. (COMPUTER) [Dual-listed with PHY 5735.]




PHY 4820. Medical Physics/(3).S.


A study of the application of the basic principles
of physics to a selection of medical topics
involving human body characteristics and functions
and to instrumentation used to diagnose and treat
illness and injury. Prerequisite: PHY 1104 or
1151. Lecture three hours. [Dual-listed with PHY
5820.]




PHY 4880. Special Topics in Physics/(3).On Demand.


A course devoted to a single topic.




PHY 4900. Internship/(3-12).F;S.


Supervised work in applied physics in an
industrial or other laboratory setting. Students
must obtain approval of the departmental
internship coordinator prior to enrolling. Graded
on S/U basis only. [Dual-listed with PHY 5900.]