Physics Courses

Physics

Courses

Physics

• PHYS 106 - Earth and Space Science

  ---

  This introductory-level course covers basic concepts of earth and space science, and the consequences of these scientific principles. The course consists of a survey of the processes that take place on Earth, in the atmosphere, or in space, along eith the techniques scientists use in studying these systems, and some history of the field.

  PHYS 106A - Earth & Space Science: Physical Geology (GE4) 

  PHYS 106B - Earth & Space Science: Meteorology (GE4) 

  PHYS 106C - Earth & Space Science: Astronomy (GE4) 
  
  Credits:4 cr
  
  

• PHYS 106A - Earth & Space Science: Physical Geology (GE4)

  ---

  A study of the structure and composition of the Earth, the rocks that form its crust and the geological processes that have shaped and are shaping its surface such as water, wind and ice. Laboratory study of common rocks, minerals and fossils is included. A laboratory is included. Possible field trips. (3-2)
  
  Credits:4 cr
  
  General Education: Category 4  
  
  
• PHYS 106B - Earth & Space Science: Meteorology (GE4)

  ---

  An examination of the wonders and science of the atmosphere that surrounds us. Topics include: description and causes of the local weather and climate, how weather forecasts are made, thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards and other violent weather, climate change and the effect of weather on human activities. (4-0)
  
  Credits:4 cr
  
  General Education: Category 4  
  
  
• PHYS 106C - Earth & Space Science: Astronomy (GE4)

  ---

  A descriptive study of the methods and principles of modern astronomy. Topics include: planets, moons, asteroids, comets, meteors, sun, stars, nebulae, galaxies, cosmology and subjects of current interest such as quasars, pulsars and black holes. (4-0)
  
  Credits:4 cr
  
  General Education: Category 4 
  
  
• PHYS 107 - Our Physical World (GE4)

  ---

  A survey of the universe and the laws that govern it. This course will introduce the students to the scientific method, physical principles, and applications of these principles that are interesting and relevant to modern society. The course also may include historical, cultural, and environmental aspects of physics. The student must be comfortable with simple algebra skills. A laboratory is included. (3-2)
  
  Credits:4 cr
  
  General Education: Category 4  
  
  
• PHYS 111 - General Physics I (GE4)

  ---

  Introductory physics without using calculus. Concept of vectors, one and two dimensional motion of a particle, Newton’s laws of motion, law of gravitation, conservation laws of linear momentum, angular momentum and energy, ideal gases, heat and thermodynamics are treated systematically with emphasis in practical applications. Recommended for majors in biology and health sciences. (4-0)
  
  Requisites: MATH 140. (Required, Previous).
  
  Credits:4 cr
  
  General Education: Category 4 
  
  
• PHYS 111L - General Physics I Lab (GE4)

  ---

  Experiments related to topics covered in PHYS 111. (0-3)
  
  Requisites: PHYS 111 (Required, Concurrent).
  
  Credits:1 cr
  
  General Education:
  Category 4
    
  
  
• PHYS 112 - General Physics II

  ---

  Continuation of PHYS 111  . Coulomb’s Law, the concept of electrical fields, electric current and Ohm’s Law, magnetic fields due to electric currents, the force on a current in a magnetic field. Some ideas in modern physics such as relativity and quantum theory are introduced. (4-0)
  
  Requisites: PHYS 111. (Required, Previous).
  
  Credits:4 cr
  
  
• PHYS 112L - General Physics II Lab

  ---

  Experiments related to topics covered in PHYS 112. (0-3)
  
  Requisites: PHYS 112 (Required, Concurrent).
  
  Credits:1 cr
  
  
• PHYS 150 - Physics for Health Sciences

  ---

  An introduction to basic physics concepts for students interested in occupations in health field. Topics will include mechanics, fluids, heat, sound, light, electricity, magnetism and nuclear physics. Students will use basic algebra in this course.
  
  Requisites: MATH 082 or satisfactory score on math placement test. (Required, Previous).
  
  Credits:4 cr
  
  
• PHYS 190 - Selected Topics

  ---

  Topics will be selected from modern physics, mathematical physics, solid state physics or computer physics. Other interesting topics may be offered upon request from the students.
  
  Requisites: Instructor permission. (Required, Previous).
  
  Credits:1-4 cr
  
  
• PHYS 211 - Analytical Physics I (GE4)

  ---

  Introductory college physics using calculus, mechanics, wave motion, thermodynamics and kinetic theory of gases. Recommended for majors in physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering and technology. (4-0)
  
  Requisites: MATH 161. (Required, Previous).
  
  Credits:4 cr
  
  General Education: Category 4  
  
  
• PHYS 211L - Introductory Physics I Lab (GE4)

  ---

  Experiments related to topics covered in PHYS 211  . (0-3)
  
  Requisites: PHYS 211 (Required, Concurrent).
  
  Credits:1 cr
  
  General Education: Category 4  
  
  
• PHYS 212 - Analytical Physics II

  ---

  Continuation of PHYS 211  . Electricity and magnetism, optics and modern physics. (4-0)
  
  Requisites: MATH*162 and PHYS 211. (Required, Previous).
  
  Credits:4 cr
  
  
• PHYS 212L - Introductory Physics II Lab

  ---

  Experiments related to topics covered in PHYS 212  . (0-3)
  
  Requisites: PHYS 212 (Required, Concurrent).
  
  Credits:1 cr
  
  
• PHYS 290 - Selected Topics

  ---

  Topics will be selected from modern physics, mathematical physics, solid-state physics or computer physics. Other topics may be offered upon request from the students.
  
  Requisites: Instructor permission. (Required, Previous).
  
  Credits:1-4 cr
  
  
• PHYS 301 - Theoretical Mechanics

  ---

  To show the mathematical structure of Newtonian physics and the physical interpretation of the mathematical solution. Topics included are: elements of Newtonian physics, linear motion of a particle, motion of a particle in two or three dimensions and the motion of a system of particles. (4-0)
  
  Requisites: PHYS 212. (Required, Previous).
  
  Credits:4 cr
  
  
• PHYS 302 - Electricity & Magnetism

  ---

  DC and AC circuits, Maxwell’s equations, electrostatics, magnetostatics and introduction to electrodynamics. 
  
  Requisites: PHYS 212 . (Required, Previous).
  
  Credits:3 cr
  
  
• PHYS 309 - Introduction to Modern Physics

  ---

  Relativity, particle and wave properties, atomic, structure, quantum mechanics, atomic nucleus and nuclear transformation. (4-0)
  
  Requisites: PHYS 112 or PHYS 212, and MATH 162. (Required, Previous).
  
  Credits:4 cr
  
  
• PHYS 312 - Thermodynamics

  ---

  Laws of thermodynamics and elements of kinetic theory of gases. (3-0)
  
  Requisites: PHYS 112 and MATH 162 or PHYS 212. (Required, Previous).
  
  Credits:3 cr
  
  
• PHYS 313 - Mathematical Methods

  ---

  Topics selected from vector analysis, Fourier series, special functions & partial differential equations, complex variables, Laplace transforms and Fourier transforms, with emphasis on physical and engineering applications. (3-0)
  
  Requisites: MATH 262 or instructor permission. (Required, Previous).
  
  Credits:3 cr
  
  
• PHYS 320 - Junior Laboratory

  ---

  Experiments designed to illustrate basic principles of physics and the application of current physics laboratory techniques. (1-3)
  
  Requisites: PHYS 309 or instructor permission. (Required, Previous).
  
  Credits:2 cr
  
  
• PHYS 332 - Modern Optics & Holography

  ---

  Diffraction and interference, Fourier optical transformations, optical information processing, holography, rainbow holography and applications, holographic interferometry and fiber optics. (2-3)
  
  Requisites: PHYS 112 or PHYS 212, and MATH 161 (Required, Previous).
  
  Credits:3 cr
  
  
• PHYS 400 - Senior Laboratory

  ---

  Experiments in physical optics and modern physics. (1-3)
  
  Requisites: PHYS 309 or instructor permission. (Required, Previous).
  
  Credits:2 cr
  
  
• PHYS 402 - Physical Optics

  ---

  Optical image formation, diffraction and interference of light, light polarization; optical transformations, interaction of light with matter.
  
  Requisites: PHYS 212. (Required, Previous).
  
  Credits:3 cr
  
  
• PHYS 403 - Intro to Quantum Mechanics

  ---

  Wave mechanics, Schroedinger equation, hydrogen atom, angular momentum, perturbation theory and applications. Recommended for students planning graduate study. (3-0)
  
  Requisites: MATH 262, PHYS 309 (Required, Previous). | PHYS 301 (Required, Concurrent).
  
  Credits:3 cr
  
  
• PHYS 404 - Solid State Physics

  ---

  Structural and physical properties of solids, band theory of metals, semiconductors and applications. (3-0)
  
  Requisites: PHYS 309 (Required, Previous).
  
  Credits:3 cr
  
  
• PHYS 432 - Intro to Fourier Optics

  ---

  Covers topics of the scalar wave theory of light, Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffractions, optical Fourier transform, optical filtering and paraxial and theory of holography.
  
  Requisites: PHYS 212. (Required, Previous).
  
  Credits:3 cr
  
  
• PHYS 442 - Laser Physics & Optoelectronics

  ---

  Principle of lasers, laser spectra, optoelectronics devices, light modulators, display devises, fiber optics, optical communication systems.
  
  Requisites: PHYS 212 (Required, Previous).
  
  Credits:3 cr
  
  
• PHYS 490 - Selected Topics

  ---

  Topics will be selected from modern physics, mathematical physics, solid-state physics or computer physics. Other topics may be offered upon request from the students.
  
  Requisites: Instructor permission. (Required, Previous).
  
  Credits:1-4 cr
  
  
• PHYS 491 - Special Topics

  ---

  A departmental seminar in a subject area not currently listed in the catalog. A descriptive title will appear on the course schedule and the transcript.
  
  Requisites: As listed in the course schedule. (Required, Previous).
  
  Credits:1-4 cr
  
  
• PHYS 497 - Senior Research

  ---

  Research project for majors in various degree programs.
  
  Requisites: Instructor permission. (Required, Previous).
  
  Credits:1-4 cr