A State University for the
21st Century
Physics
Course Descriptions
Phys 100 (F, S, SS)
5 hrs. cr. Fundamentals of Physical Science
Basic concepts in the fields of physics, chemistry,
geology and astronomy will be presented as time permits. Emphasis on a
detailed picture of energy and its uses, including an understanding of
both mechanical and thermal efficiencies and the limitations that these
efficiencies place on our world. Central to the course will be a working
ability in applying some of the basic laws of nature to specific problems.
Lecture and demonstration periods. Prerequisite: Math ACT of 16 or higher
or Math 20 with a grade of C or better.
Phys 101 (F, S, SS) 5 hrs. cr.
Physical Science for Elementary Teachers
Basic concepts in the field of physical science. Central to the course
will be a working ability in applying some of the basic laws of nature
to specific problems. Four lecture and demonstration periods and one three-hour
lab per week. Prerequisite: Math 111.
Phys 102 (F, S, SS) 1 hr. cr.
Physical Science Laboratory
Experiments related to topics studied in Physics 100
will be conducted. One three-hour lab per week. Prerequisite or co-requisite:
Physics 100.
Phys 151 (F, S, SS) 5 hrs. cr.
Elementary College Physics I
Mechanics, rotational dynamics, properties of matter,
heat, wave motion and sound. Four hrs. lecture, one 2-hr. lab per week.
Prerequisite: Math 140.
Phys 152 (S) 4 hrs. cr.
Elementary College Physics II
Electricity, circuits, magnetism, optics, relativity,
radioactivity, and nuclear reactions. Three hours of lecture and one 2-hr.
lab per week. Prerequisite: Phys 151.
Phys 160 (F, S) 3 hrs. cr.
General Physics I
Introductory study of physics covering vector techniques,
geometrical and trigonometrical applications in physics, kinematics and
dynamics of particles in one, two, and three dimensions, and an introduction
to work and energy. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: Math
140; co-requisite: Math 150.
Phys 270 (F, S) 5 hrs. cr.
General Physics II
Introductory study of energy, momentum, kinematics
and dynamics of rigid bodies, equilibrium, fluids, waves, and a study of
heat and temperature. Four hrs. lecture, one 3-hr. lab/recitation class
per week. Prerequisite: Math 150, Phys 160; co-requisite: Math 250.
Phys 298 (F, S) 1-3 hrs. cr.
Selected Topics in Physical Science
Special topics in physical science not normally offered in other courses.
Prerequisite or co-requisite: Math 130 or equivalent.
Phys 300 (Demand) 3 hrs. cr.
Astronomy
Study of our solar system and universe including the
following topics: the solar system, Kepler+s laws, celestial coordinates
and observing. Hertzprung-Russell diagrams, stellar evolution, pulsars,
black holes, nebulae, galaxies and cosmology. Three lectures per week.
(Does not count toward a physics major.) Prerequisite: Phys 100 or equivalent
and one year high school algebra.
Phys 301 (F) 4 hrs. cr.
Modern Physics
Special theory of relativity, wave-particle experiments,
introductory quantum mechanics and nuclear physics. Prerequisite: Phys
280. Co-requisite: Math 260.
Phys 312 (SS) 3 hrs. cr.
Statics
Principles of mechanics as applied to problems of
engineering in which the structures under consideration are in static equilibrium.
Three lectures per week. Prerequisite: Phys 160.
Phys 322 (S, Even) 3 hrs. cr.
Classical Mechanics
Kinematics and dynamics of particles and systems of
particles including the harmonic oscillator, potential functions, conservative
fields of force, accelerated reference frames, energy, gravitation and
rigid bodies. Three hrs. lecture per week. Prerequisite: Phys 270, Co-requisite:
Math 322 or permission of instructor.
Phys 341 (S, Odd) 4 hrs. cr.
Thermal Physics
Temperature, transfer of heat, laws of thermodynamics,
entropy, enthalpy, reversibility and irreversibility, thermal properties
of materials, change of phase, use of thermo tables and introduction to
heat transfer. Four hrs. lecture per week. Prerequisite: Phys 270; co-requisite:
Math 260.
Phys 372 (S) 4 hrs. cr.
Electronic Circuits
Ohm s law, Kirchhoff s laws, Nodal analysis, mesh analysis, Thevenin s
and Norton s theorems, superposition, inductors and capacitors, source-free
RL and RC circuits, RLC circuits. Complex variables and their application
to steady-state AC circuits. Two 3-hr. lectures and lab per week. Prerequisite:
Phys 280, Co-requisite: Math 260.
Phys 381 (Demand) 3 hrs. cr.
Intermediate Physics Laboratory (Writing Intensive)
Experiments in classical and modern physics, including
wave phenomena, heat transfer, electrical measurements, optics, photoelectric
effect and radioactivity. Two 3-hr. lab per week. Prerequisite: Phys
301 or permission of instructor.
Phys 401 (F, Odd) 4 hrs. cr.
Electricity and Magnetism
Electrostatic forces, electric fields, electric potential,
properties of conductors and dielectrics, magnetic fields, magnetic properties,
induced electromotive force, Maxwell+s equations and electromagnetic waves.
Four hrs. lecture per week. Prerequisites: Math 260 and Phys 280.
Phys 452 (Demand) 3 hrs. cr.
Quantum Mechanics
Time independent Schroedinger equation, eigenfunctions,
expectation values, differential operators, perturbation theory, multielectron
atoms and applications to solid state physics. Three hrs. lecture per week.
Prerequisite: Phys 301 and Math 322.
Phys 480 (Demand) 3 hrs. cr.
Selected Topics in Physics and Engineering
One or more of the following topics for further study:
solid state physics, optics, nuclear physics, advanced mechanics, quantum
mechanics, circuit analysis, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics heat transfer
and mechanics of materials. Open to students having a minimum of 18
hrs. of physics and permission of instructor.
Phys 498 (F, S) 1-3 hrs. cr.
Seminar
Topics of current interest by the student from the
areas of physics and engineering. Secondary education majors will be required
to present several lecture-demonstration programs illustrating the basic
concepts in physics at the secondary level. Open to students having
a minimum of 18 hrs. of physics and permission of instructor.
Phys 499 (F, S) 1-3 hrs. cr.
Independent Study
Independent Study Course structured by the adviser
with approval of the department head. Prerequisite: Advanced standing
with a GPA of 3.0 in the major field. Registration must be approved by
the adviser, department head and school dean.
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