PHYSICS (PH)

PH 100 Introduction to Astronomy 4 cr
This is a descriptive survey course of elementary astronomy intended for both non-science and science majors. Topics covered include a description of the celestial sphere, techniques for measuring and classifying stars, stellar evolution, white dwarfs, black holes, neutron stars, galaxies, and Big Bang cosmology.

PH 103 Concepts of Physics 4 cr
A descriptive overview of the entire field of physics, including the concepts of scalars and vectors, Newton's laws, energy conservation, rotational motion, heat and thermodynamics, electricity, atomic and nuclear physics, relativity, and elementary particle physics. This course is intended to provide the non-scientist with substantial insight into the physical behavior of matter and energy. Extensive demonstrations accompany the presentation of material to illustrate key concepts.

PH 111 Non-Calculus-Based Physics I 5 cr
First quarter of a three-quarter introductory course in algebra/trigonometry-based physics with laboratory. This course covers the fundamentals of mechanics: One dimensional and two dimensional motion, vectors, Newton's laws of motion, work and energy, momentum and collisions, circular motion, rotational motion, and properties of solids and fluids. Fee. Prerequisite: 21 ACT score on Mathematics or MA 171, or its equivalent.

PH 112 Non-Calculus-Based Physics II 5 cr
Second quarter of a three-quarter introductory course in algebra/trigonometry-based physics with laboratory. This course covers the laws of thermodynamics, kinetic theory of matter, simple harmonic motion, wave motion, electrostatics, DC circuits, RC circuits, and magnetic fields and forces. Fee. Prerequisite: PH 111.

PH 113 Non-Calculus-Based Physics III 5 cr
Third quarter of a three-quarter introductory course in algebra/trigonometry-based physics with laboratory. This course covers Faraday's Law, AC circuits, geometrical optics, interference and diffraction of light, the special theory of relativity, quantum physics, and atomic and nuclear physics. Fee. Prerequisite: PH 112.

PH 200 Observational Astronomy 2 cr
A laboratory course dealing with activities in observational astronomy, including observation by telescope, methods of astronomical photography and laboratory exercises on the solar system, stars, and galaxies. Prerequisite: PH 100.

PH 215 Calculus-Based Physics I 5 cr
First quarter of a three-quarter introductory course in calculus-based physics with laboratory. This course covers the fundamentals of mechanics: one dimensional and two dimensional motion, vectors, Newton's laws of motion and their applications, work and energy, momentum and collisions, circular motion, rotational motion, and properties of solids and fluids. Fee. Prerequisite: MA 132 or 278.

PH 216 Calculus-Based Physics II 5 cr
Second quarter of a three-quarter introductory course in calculus-based physics with laboratory. This course covers simple harmonic motion, wave motion, the laws of thermodynamics, kinetic theory of gases, electrostatic field and Gauss' law, electric potential, DC circuits, and magnetic fields. Fee. Prerequisite: PH 215.

PH 217 Calculus-Based Physics III 5 cr
Third quarter of a three-quarter introductory course in calculus-based physics with laboratory. This course covers Ampere's law, Faraday's law and inductance, Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic waves, AC circuits, geometrical optics, interference and diffraction of light, special relativity, quantum physics, and atomic and nuclear physics. Fee. Prerequisite: PH 216.

PH 235 Survey of Physics Topics Using Calculus 5 cr
Selected topics in general and technical physics, primarily for science majors and minors. This course is intended to upgrade credit from the algebra/trigonometry-based sequence to equivalent credit for the PH 215 sequence. Prerequisites: MA 132 or 278. PH 113 must be taken either as a corequisite or a prerequisite.

PH 294 Directed Studies: Variable Content Lab 1 cr
A directed studies course to substitute for a laboratory credit for students who have successfully completed a calculus or algebra-based physics lecture course at another university without the laboratory. Students taking this course must get the approval of the Physics Department Chair. This course may be taken up to three times (once for each of the missing laboratories). Prerequisite: Approval by the Physics Department Chair and prior completion of the corresponding lecture course.

PH 300 Introductory Astrophysics 4 cr
Application of the principles of physics to the study of astronomical phenomena. Topics include celestial mechanics, stars and stellar evolution, the Milky Way and other galaxies, and cosmological models. Prerequisite: PH 217.

PH 331 Modern Physics I 3 cr
First in a three-quarter sequence that surveys important topics in physics developed in the twentieth century. Topics include special relativity, photoelectric effect, Compton scattering, Bohr model of the hydrogen atom and a survey of problems from the wave formulation of quantum mechanics. The survey of wave mechanics includes the introduction and solution of the Schroedinger wave equation for one dimensional systems such as the infinite square well, barriers, and the harmonic oscillator. The three dimensional Schroedinger equation for the hydrogen atom is discussed. Prerequisite: MA 233 and either PH 113 or PH 217.

PH 332 Modern Physics II 3 cr
Second in a three-quarter sequence that surveys important topics in physics developed in the twentieth century. Topics include atomic structure, electron spin and LS coupling, fine structure, multi-electron atoms, atomic periodicity and the atomic shell model, particle symmetries and the helium atom, molecular physics, quantum statistics, and solid state physics. Prerequisites: PH 331 and MA 234.

PH 333 Modern Physics III 3 cr
Third in a three-quarter sequence that surveys important topics in physics developed in the twentieth century. Topics include properties of nuclei and nuclear periodicity, interaction of ionizing radiation with matter, radioactive decay, nuclear reactions, and many topics in elementary particles. Prerequisite: PH 332.

PH 341 Electricity and Magnetism I 3 cr
First of a three-quarter sequence in electromagnetism. Topics include a review of vector analysis, Coulomb's law, Gauss' law, calculation of the scalar potential, electric fields in matter, the Biot-Sarvart law, Ampere's law, and the vector potential. Prerequisites: Either Ph 113 or PH 217; and MA 234.

PH 342 Electricity and Magnetism II 3 cr
Second of a three-quarter sequence in electromagnetism. Topics include magnetostatics in matter, electrodynamics, Faraday's law, inductance, Maxwell's correction to Ampere's law, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic wave propagation in free space and in materials, reflection and transmission at interfaces, wave guides and electromagnetic radiation. Prerequisites: PH 341 and MA 331.

PH 343 Electricity and Magnetism III 3 cr
Third of a three-quarter sequence in electromagnetism. Topics include a continuation of radiation theory, optical dispersion, and electrodynamics extended to the special theory of relativity. Prerequisites: PH 342.

PH 345 Classical and Modern Optics 5 cr
A study of the field of optics including geometrical optics, matrix methods for treating geometrical optics including mirrors and refracting surfaces, laser basics and their application, wave equations, interference of light, optical interferometry, Fresnel and Fraunhofer diffraction and holography. Prerequisites: Either PH 113 or PH 217; and MA 132.

PH 353 Electronics 4 cr
This course is intended to provide a theoretical and practical background in electronics. Topics include AC circuits, diode circuits, single stage amplifiers, op-amps and feedback, and digital electronics. This course is not intended to satisfy the technical elective requirements for Electrical Engineering. Prerequisite: Either PH 112 or PH 216; and MA 132.

PH 363 Physical Mechanics I 3 cr
First course in a three-quarter sequence in classical mechanics. Topics include motion of particles in one dimension, one dimensional motion theorems, harmonic oscillations, damped oscillations, forced oscillations, kinematics in multiple dimensions, momentum and energy theorems, the central force problem, motion under inverse square law forces, planetary orbital motion and Rutherford scattering. Prerequisites: Either PH 216 or PH 235; and MA 234.

PH 364 Physical Mechanics II 3 cr
Second course in a three-quarter sequence in classical mechanics. Topics include conservation theorems for multi-particle systems and their applications, collisions, coupled-harmonic oscillators, rigid body rotation about a fixed axis, moving and rotating coordinate systems, Lagrange's equation and applications. Prerequisites: PH 363 and MA 331.

PH 365 Physical Mechanics III 3 cr
Third course in a three-quarter sequence in classical mechanics. Topics include a continuation of applications of Lagrange's equation, Hamiltonian formulation, inertia and stress tensors, rotations of rigid bodies and the theory of small oscillations. Prerequisite: PH 364.

PH 381 Experimental Physics I 2 cr
This is the first in a three-quarter sequence. Methods and techniques of experimental physics are studied with selected experiments and an emphasis on report writing. This course concentrates on experiments in classical mechanics. Prerequisites: PH 331 (or taken concurrently).

PH 382 Experimental Physics II 2 cr
The second in a three-quarter sequence in the methods and techniques of experimental physics. This course concentrates on laboratory experiments in atomic and molecular physics. Prerequisite: PH 332 (or taken concurrently).

PH 383 Experimental Physics III (W) 2 cr
The third course in a three-quarter sequence in the methods and techniques of experimental physics. A number of experiments in the area of nuclear physics will be performed and analyzed. A written report for each experiment that clearly and precisely explains the experiment's theory, technique and analysis is required. Prerequisite: PH 333 (or taken concurrently).

PH 390 Special Topics 3-5 cr
Topics of current interest not available in regularly scheduled courses. This course may be repeated once for credit when content varies.

PH 447 Elementary Quantum Mechanics 4 cr
A single-quarter course designed to introduce physics students to the wave mechanics formulation of quantum mechanics. Topics include a review of probability and statistics, introduction to Hilbert space and Hilbert space operators, the quantum state and observables, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, time evolution of the quantum state, application of the Schroedinger equation to one dimensional square wells, one dimensional harmonic oscillators, the free particle, the rigid rotator, and the solution of the hydrogen atom. Prerequisites: MA 331 and either PH 331 or CH 333.

PH 461 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics I 3 cr
First course in a two-quarter sequence in thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. Topics include simple thermodynamic systems, work, heat and the first law of thermodynamics, ideal gases, the second law of thermodynamics, entropy, enthalpy, Helmhotz and Gibb's functions, TdS equations, heat capacity, and introductory statistical mechanics. Prerequisites: PH 216 and MA 234.

PH 462 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics II 3 cr
Second course in a two-quarter sequence in thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. Topics include a continuation of statistical mechanics, higher order phase transitions, chemical equilibrium, heterogeneous systems, Thomson effect, cryogenics, nuclear magnetism and the third law of thermodynamics. Prerequisite: PH 461.

PH 494 Directed Studies 2-6 cr
Directed research under the supervision of a faculty member. Topics generally coincide with the research interest of the supervising faculty member. Areas of directed research may include atomic collisions, atom trapping, experimental general relativity, experimental molecular spectroscopy, and experimental particle physics. Prerequisite: Permission of the department chair.

Courses of Instruction

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