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Bulletins

PHY - Physics

PHY 100 Conceptual Physics

An exploration of physical concepts; their social and philosophical implications; and the utility and limitations of physics for solution of problems in the modern world. The mathematical level will be that of beginning high school algebra. Not intended for potential science majors. This course may be offered in an online or hybrid format. (University Program Group II-B: Quantitative and Mathematical Sciences)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

PHY 127 Table Top Physics

Laboratory experience for students in PHY 100, PHY 110, or PHS 101. Hands-on group laboratory to investigate basic concepts in introductory physics. Satisfies University Program Group II laboratory requirement. Pre/Co-requisite: PHY 100 or 110 or PHS 101. (University Program Group II-B: Quantitative and Mathematical Sciences)

Credits
1(0-2)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

PHY 130QR College Physics I

Mechanics, heat, kinetic theory, and sound. The mathematics used is algebra and trigonometry. The sequences PHY 130-131, PHY 170-171 satisfy minimum requirements for medical and dental schools. Quantitative Reasoning. Recommended: A high school math background that includes a good foundation in algebra and trigonometry, or MTH 109. (University Program Group II-B: Quantitative and Mathematical Sciences)

Credits
4(4-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

PHY 131 College Physics II

A continuation of PHY 130 that covers the topics of electricity, magnetism, optics and modern physics. Prerequisite: PHY 130.

Credits
4(4-0)

Prerequisites

PHY 130

Corequisites

None.

PHY 145QR University Physics I

Normally the first physics course for majors and minors. Mechanics of single and many-particle systems, conservation laws, statistical concepts, and gravitational interaction. Quantitative Reasoning. Pre/Co-requisite: MTH 132.

Credits
4(4-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

PHY 146 University Physics II

Temperature and thermodynamics, electromagnetic interaction, electrical circuits, electromagnetic radiation, and optics. Not open to those with credit in PHY 131. Prerequisite: PHY 145. Pre/Co-requisite: MTH 133.

Credits
4(4-0)

Prerequisites

PHY 145

Corequisites

None.

PHY 170 College Physics Laboratory I

Laboratory experience for PHY 130. Introduction to experimental techniques and the treatment of experimental data via error analysis, graphing, and fitting data to model functions. Satisfies University Program Group II laboratory requirement. Pre/Co-requisite: PHY 130. (University Program Group II-B: Quantitative and Mathematical Sciences)

Credits
1(0-2)

PHY 171 College Physics Laboratory II

Laboratory experience for PHY131. Introduction to techniques and instrumentation for thermodynamic, electrical, magnetic, optical, and nuclear radiation measurements. Prerequisite: PHY 170. Pre/Co-Requisite: PHY 131.

Credits
1(0-2)

Prerequisites

PHY 170

Corequisites

None.

PHY 175 University Physics Laboratory I

Laboratory experience for PHY 145. Introduction to experimental techniques and the treatment of experimental data via error analysis, graphing, least squares fitting, and computational simulations. Satisfies University Program Group II laboratory requirement. Pre/Co-requisite: PHY 145. (University Program Group II-B: Quantitative and Mathematical Sciences)

Credits
1(0-2)

PHY 176 University Physics Laboratory II

Laboratory experience for PHY 146. Introduction to techniques and instrumentation for thermodynamic, electrical, magnetic, optical, and nuclear radiation measurements. Prerequisite: PHY 175. Pre/Co-requisite: PHY 146.

Credits
1(0-2)

Prerequisites

PHY 175

Corequisites

None.

PHY 180 Special Topics in Physics

Special topics not included in standard courses in physics. Course may be taken for credit more than once; total credit not to exceed six hours.

Credits
1-6(Spec)

PHY 212QR Games, Science, and Probability

Introduction to elementary probabilistic concepts by exploring ancient and modern games as they relate to decision making. Simple computations will aid the experimental component. Identical to MTH 212QR and STA 212QR. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Quantitative Reasoning. Prerequisites: MTH 105 or 107 or 109 or 113 or 130 or 132 or 133. (University Program Group II-B: Quantitative and Mathematical Sciences)

Credits
3(2-2)

Prerequisites

MTH 105 or MTH 107 or MTH 109 or MTH 113 or MTH 130 or MTH 132 or MTH 133(University Program Group II-B: Quantitative and Mathematical Sciences)

Corequisites

None.

Cross Listed Courses

STA 212QR, MTH 212QR

PHY 247QR Introduction to Modern Physics

Introduction to special relativity, atomic structure, and elementary quantum theory; selected topics from major physics fields: Nuclear Physics, Atomic Physics, Solid State Physics, Particle Physics. Quantitative Reasoning. Prerequisites: PHY 146 or PHY 131; MTH 132. Recommended: MTH 133, PHY 277, CPS 190.

Credits
4(4-0)

Prerequisites

PHY 146 or PHY 131; MTH 132

Corequisites

None.

PHY 277 Modern Physics: Experimental Methods and Data Analysis

Modern physics experiments covering topics in quantum physics and relativity. Introduction to the techniques of electron and photon physics, and computational tools for data analysis. Pre/Co-requisite: PHY 247 and CPS 190.

Credits
2(1-3)

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

PHY 280 Special Topics in Physics

Special topics not included in standard courses in physics. Course may be taken for credit more than once; total credit not to exceed six hours. Prerequisites: PHY 145, 175.

Credits
1-6(Spec)

PHY 294 Computation in Physics

Laboratory experience using basic computational tools and techniques that are important in modern physics research. The course expands on physics concepts through numerical experimentation. Prerequisite: PHY 145. Pre/Co-requisite: MTH 133. Recommended: MTH 223.

Credits
1(0-2)

Prerequisites

PHY 145

Corequisites

None.

PHY 312 Introduction to Mathematical Physics

Introduction to mathematical concepts and techniques required to understand classical mechanics, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics. Pre/Co-Requisites: PHY 247QR; MTH 233, 334.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

PHY 322 Intermediate Mechanics

Newtonian mechanics of particles and systems of particles: conservation theorems, gravitation, oscillations, central force motion, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics, and two-particle collisions. Pre/Co- requisites: PHY 247; MTH 233; MTH 334 or MTH 232.

Credits
3(3-0)

PHY 332 Electricity and Magnetism

Electrostatic fields in vacuum and in dielectrics, magnetic fields associated with constant and variable currents, magnetic materials, Maxwell's equations. Prerequisite: PHY 247; MTH 233, 334.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

PHY 247; MTH 233, MTH 334

Corequisites

None.

PHY 380 Special Topics in Physics

Special topics not included in standard courses in physics. Course may be taken for credit more than once; total credit not to exceed six hours. Prerequisites: PHY 247QR.

Credits
1-6(Spec)

PHY 442 Introductory Quantum Theory

Introduction to quantum theory, Schrödinger equation, operators, angular momentum, harmonic oscillator, atomic hydrogen, perturbation theory, identical particles, radiation. Some applications will be considered. Prerequisites: PHY 312, 322, 332.

Credits
4(4-0)

Prerequisites

PHY 312, PHY 322, PHY 332

Corequisites

None.

PHY 450 Thermal Physics

Introduction to equilibrium thermodynamics and elementary statistical mechanics. Prerequisite: PHY 312, PHY 322.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

PHY 312, PHY 322

Corequisites

None.

PHY 480 Special Topics in Physics

Special topics not included in standard courses in physics. Course may be taken for credit more than once; total credit not to exceed six hours. Prerequisite: PHY 332.

Credits
1-6(Spec)

PHY 490 Independent Study

Individual study in an area not covered by regular courses. May be taken for credit more than once; total credit not to exceed six hours. Prerequisite: PHY 332 and permission of instructor.

Credits
1-6(Spec)

Prerequisites

PHY 332 and permission of instructor

Corequisites

None.

PHY 491WI Senior Physics Project

Capstone experience for physics majors. Students enroll during their penultimate semester on campus. Writing Intensive. Prerequisites: PHY 312, 322, 332, 578. Prior permission of instructor.

Credits
3(Spec)

Prerequisites

PHY 312, PHY 322, PHY 332, PHY 578. Prior permission of instructor

Corequisites

None.

PHY 501 Careers in the Physical Sciences

Career planning and job application skills for students in physics, astronomy, or a closely related area. Prerequisite: Completion of at least 20 credit hours of coursework in the physical sciences or mathematics, or admission to the PHY M.S. program.

Credits
1(0-2)

Prerequisites

Completion of at least 20 credit hours of coursework in the physical sciences or mathematics, or admission to the PHY MSprogram

Corequisites

None.

PHY 505 Teaching Chemistry and Physics in the Secondary School

This course exposes pre-service secondary chemistry and physics teachers to theory and practice of teaching in secondary schools, design of instructional units, and safety practices. Must be completed prior to student teaching. Identical to CHM 505. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: CHM 132; PHY 131 or PHY 146; admission into the Teacher Education Program; signed major or minor in chemistry or physics (secondary education); Junior or Senior standing. Graduate students must be enrolled in a teaching master’s program.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

CHM 132; PHY 131 or 146; admission into the Teacher Education Program; signed major or minor in chemistry or physics (secondary education); Junior or Senior standingGraduate students must be enrolled in a teaching master’s program

Corequisites

None.

Cross Listed Courses

CHM 505

PHY 507 Field Experience in Teaching Chemistry/Physics

Supervised experience in high school chemistry and/or physics classes. Identical to CHM 507. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. CR/NC only. Prerequisites: admission into the Teacher Education Program; Junior or Senior standing. Graduate students must be enrolled in a teaching master’s program. Pre/Co-requisite: CHM 505 or PHY 505.

Credits
1(Spec)

Prerequisites

Admission into the Teacher Education Program; Junior or Senior standingGraduate students must be enrolled in a teaching master’s program

Corequisites

None.

Cross Listed Courses

CHM 507

PHY 511 Fundamentals of Quantum Computing

This course introduces the fundamental concepts of quantum information technology and quantum computing. Prerequisites: PHY 247 and junior standing or higher; or graduate standing in Physics.

Credits
2(2-0)

Prerequisites

PHY 247 and junior standing or higher; or graduate standing in Physics.

Corequisites

None.

PHY 517 Computational Physics

Introduction to standard numerical techniques applied to problems in physics, including numerical differentiation and integration, systems of differential equations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and Monte-Carlo simulations. Prerequisites: MTH 233; or graduate standing. Pre/Co- requisites: PHY 322, MTH 334 or MTH 232; or graduate standing. Recommended: Basic knowledge of a programming language such as FORTRAN, Java, C, Python, or others.

Credits
3(2-2)

PHY 552 Nuclear Physics

Radioactive transformations, detection of radiation, methods of producing high-speed particles, nuclear structure, fission, cosmic radiation and applications of radioactivity. Prerequisite: PHY 442 or graduate standing in Physics.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

PHY 442 or graduate standing in Physics

Corequisites

None.

PHY 554 Optics

Geometrical and physical optics, electromagnetic theory of light, interference and diffraction from standpoint of Huygens' principle, Fourier formalism, polarized light, principles and applications of lasers. Prerequisites: PHY 332.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

PHY 332

Corequisites

None.

PHY 556 Solid State Physics

Vibrational and electronic properties of crystalline materials as well as more specialized selected topics such as magnetism, optical, and transport properties. Prerequisites: PHY 442 or graduate standing in Physics. Pre/Co-requisites: PHY 450 or graduate standing in Physics.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

PHY 442 or graduate standing in Physics

Corequisites

None.

PHY 578WI Experimental Physics

Selected experiments utilizing the techniques of modern experimental physics. Writing Intensive. Prerequisites: PHY 277, PHY 322 or graduate standing in Physics. Pre/Co-requisites: PHY 332 or graduate standing in Physics.

Credits
3(1-5)

Prerequisites

PHY 277, PHY 322 or graduate standing in Physics

Corequisites

None.

PHY 580 Special Topics

Special topics not included in standard courses in physics. Course may be taken more than once; total credit not to exceed six hours. Prerequisite: PHY 442 or graduate standing.

Credits
1-9(Spec)

PHY 596 Research Practices in Physics, Astronomy, and Astrophysics

Directed research supervised by a Physics faculty member. Prerequisite: PHY 332 or graduate student standing and permission of advisor.

Credits
1-9(Spec)

Prerequisites

PHY 332 or graduate student standing and permission of advisor.

Corequisites

None.