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Course Descriptions
Astronomy
AST 300 Astronomy: Our Glimpse of the Cosmos 3 hrs. (Gen. Ed. TS)
Various scientific views of the cosmos; how modern astronomy has enlightened and broadened these views. Relationships between man, technology and the universe through scientific knowledge of planets, stars, galaxies, and the cosmos will be investigated. Experimental discoveries in astronomy are examined, analyzed, and discussed. Prerequisite: junior standing; a basic science course.
AST 310 Astronomy and Astrophysics 3 hrs.
Scientific and contemporary study of broad range of astronomy and astrophysical topics: overview of the universe, superclusters of galaxies, stars, planetary systems, and subsystems of objects. An analytical presentation of special topics: stellar evolution, quasistellar objects, black holes, and cosmological concepts. May be used as a technical elective for science and engineering majors. Prerequisites: junior standing; one year of analytical science.
Physics
PHY 100 Fundamental Physics Concepts 4 hrs. (Gen. Ed. FS)
Algebra based course for students with minimal physics background. Topics introduced include Newton's laws of motion, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, optics, and atomic theory. Emphasis is on basic physical principles. Includes laboratory.
PHY 107 General Physics I 4 hrs. (Gen. Ed. FS)
Algebra and trigonometry based introductory physics course which covers Newtonian mechanics and conservation laws; fluid statics and dynamics; vibrations, waves, and sound; laws of thermodynamics. Includes laboratory. Prerequisites: high school physics or PHY 100.
PHY 108 General Physics II 4 hrs (Gen. Ed. FS)
Continuation of PHY 107. Electric and magnetic fields; electromagnetic induction; electromagnetic waves; geometrical and physical optics; the special theory of relativity; quantum theory; atomic physics; and nuclear and particle physics. Includes laboratory. Prerequisites: PHY 107; MTH 115.
PHY 110 University Physics I 4 hrs. (Gen. Ed. FS)
A calculus-based introductory physics course for scientists and engineers that covers Newton's laws of motion; conservation laws for momentum, energy, and angular momentum; fluid statics and dynamics; laws of thermodynamics. Includes laboratory. Prerequisite: high school physics or PHY 100; MTH 115 or 121.
PHY 123 Physical Science, Basis for a Technical Society 3 hrs (Gen. Ed. FS)
A course for non-science students who with minimal preparation in mathematics and science. Emphasizes basic concepts from the physical sciences and their significance for a scientifically literate society. Topics in physics, chemistry, computing, energy, and astronomy will be covered from an applications perspective. Students with prior college physics courses may not register for this course.
PHY 199 Physics Seminar for New Physics Majors 1 hr.
Orientation for students interested in a physics career. Prerequisites: freshman or sophomore standing; physics major or minor.
PHY 201 University Physics II 4 hrs (Gen. Ed. FS)
Continuation of PHY 110 covering electric fields and DC circuits; magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction and AC circuits; oscillations and waves, Maxwell's equations; and geometrical and physical optics. Includes laboratory. Prerequisites: PHY 107 and permission of instructor or PHY 110. Corequisite: MTH 116 or 122.
PHY 202 Applied Quantum Physics 3 hrs. (Gen. Ed. FS)
An introduction to relativity and relativistic mechanics; quantum theory with applications to atomic and molecular physics; condensed matter physics; nuclear and particle physics. Prerequisite: PHY 201. Corequisite: MTH 223; PHY 350 "Applied Quantum Physics Laboratory", required of physics majors but optional for all other majors.
PHY 301 Classical Mechanics 3 hrs.
Particle kinematics; Newtonian mechanics; classical gravitation; Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics; linear oscillations; nonlinear oscillations; central force and planetary motion; collisions between particles; motion in noninertial systems. Corequisite: MTH 224. Prerequisite: PHY 201.
PHY 303 Quantum Physics 3 hrs.
Foundations of quantum theory: deBroglie’s postulate, Bohr model of the atom, and the Schrodinger equation; applications of quantum theory to atoms, solids, nuclei, and particles; relativity. Corequisite: PHY 350, "Applied Quantum Physics Laboratory". Prerequisite: PHY 201.
PHY 305 Electricity and Magnetism 3 hrs.
Introduction to vector calculus, electrostatics in vacuum and dielectrics including boundary value problems, method of images, steady currents, and magnetostatics in vacuum, magnetic materials. Prerequisites: PHY 201; MTH 224.
PHY 306 Electromagnetic Waves 3 hrs.
Plane electromagnetic waves in vacuum, polarizable materials, and conductors; reflection and refraction, guided waves, and radiation of electromagnetic waves. Prerequisite: PHY 305.
PHY 320 Optics 3 hrs.
Geometrical optics; matrix methods, mirrors, lenses, fibers, thick optics, optical instruments; physical optics including interference, diffraction, polarization, lasers, and holography. Prerequisites: PHY 202 or equivalent. Corequisite for all physics majors and minors: PHY 350, "Optics Laboratory".
PHY 345 Radiation Biology 3 hrs.
Role of ionizing radiation in the biological and medical sciences: production, detection, and measurement of radiation, physically and biologically; interaction of radiation with matter at molecular, cellular, whole body, and whole population levels; applications of radiation as a useful and experimental tool. Cross-listed as BIO 345. Prerequisites: PHY 108; MTH 115 or 121; C or better in BIO 124.
PHY 350 Advanced Physics Experiments 1-2 hrs.
Laboratory: design of experiments and techniques of measurement, particularly electronic instrumentation, in investigating fundamental relationships in all areas of physics. One three- hour laboratory session per week per credit hour required. May be repeated for maximum of 4 hrs. credit. Sections of this course may provide a lab component for PHY 202, 303, and 320. Consent of Department Chair.
PHY 361 Electronics 3 hrs.
Electronic principles with application to measurement devices utilized in science research. Self-paced instruction and laboratory work. Prerequisites: PHY 201 or 108; MTH 116 or 122.
PHY 402 Advanced Classical Mechanics 3 hrs.
A theoretical study of coupled oscillations, dynamics of rigid bodies, continuous systems, and advanced relativistic mechanics. Hamilton-Jacobi theory introduced as a precursor to quantum mechanics. Prerequisite: PHY 301.
PHY 467 Statistical and Thermal Physics 3 hrs.
A rigorous theoretical treatment of classical thermodynamics with applications of the first and second laws, and an introduction to statistical mechanics including quantum statistics, canonical and grand canonical ensembles, general properties of the partition function, applications of statistical mechanics to fluid and solid systems, and the Ising model. Prerequisites: PHY 202 or 303, 301; knowledge of a programming language; consent of instructor.
PHY 501 Quantum Mechanics I 3 hrs.
Inadequacies of classical physics when applied to problems in atomic and nuclear physics. Development of mathematical formalism used in basic quantum theory, with applications to simple models of physical systems. Prerequisites: PHY 202 or 303; PHY 301, 306; consent of instructor. MTH 207 recommended.
PHY 502 Quantum Mechanics II 3 hrs.
The mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics with applications to problems of electron spin and many particle systems will be studied along with the development of approximation techniques with applications to complex physical systems. Prerequisite: PHY 501.
PHY 510 Topics in Experimental Physics 3 hrs.
An investigation of the experimental techniques used in the study of physics principles; detailed evaluations of recent experimental physics. Emphasis on laboratory measurements, including laboratory practice at local and regional research sites. Prerequisites: any 300 - 500 level undergraduate course with laboratory; consent of instructor.
PHY 539 Topics in Theoretical Physics 3 hrs.
Topics of special interest which may vary each time course is offered. Topic stated in current Academic Handbook. Prerequisites: PHY 301, 306, 501; or consent of instructor.
PHY 541 Physics for Nurse Anesthetists 2 hrs.
Numerical and graphical analysis of data; basic mechanics including Newton’s laws and gas laws; hydrostatics and hydrodynamics; energy conservation principles; thermal physics; electricity and magnetism; and solubility and transport processes. Prerequisites: Only students in the Nurse Administered Anesthesia Program may register.
PHY 545 Biophysics 3 hrs.
Applications of physics principles and methods to investigation of biological systems. Emphasis on physical environmental effects on biological systems. Cross listed as BIO 545. . Cross-listed as BIO 545. Prerequisites: PHY 108 or 201; senior standing; or consent of instructor. PHY 345 recommended.
PHY 555 Independent Readings 1-3 hrs.
Individually assigned reading assignments of relevant topics in physics or astronomy. Prerequisites: senior or graduate standing; background appropriate to the study; consent of instructor.
PHY 563 Special Problems in Physics 1-3 hrs.
Qualified students work on an individually assigned problem and prepare oral and written reports on the problem solution. Approved for off-campus programs when required. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hrs. credit. Prerequisites: physics preparation sufficient for the problem; consent of instructor and Department Chair.
PHY 568 Condensed Matter Physics 3 hrs.
Introduction to the physics of the solid state and other condensed matter especially for students of physics, materials science, and engineering; structure of crystals; molecular binding in solids, thermal properties, introduction to energy band structure and its relation to charge transport in solids, semiconductors, superconductivity. Prerequisites: PHY 202 or 303; MTH 224; and consent of instructor.