2009-2010 UNIVERSITY CATALOGUE

PHYS - Physics and Astronomy

100 Physical Science
4 crs (3-2). F, Sp, Su.
GE-IIE; LS
No credit if taken after PHYS 110, PHYS 111, PHYS 211, or
PHYS 231
A conceptual study of physics using ideas of force and energy to understand motion, properties of matter, sound, light, and electricity and magnetism.

115 Survey of Astronomy
3 crs (3-0). F, Sp, Su.
GE-IIE
No credit if taken after PHYS 226 or PHYS 229
A one-semester presentation of our current understanding of the universe, including the solar system, birth and death of stars, unusual phenomena such as black holes and quasars, evolution of galaxies and the universe, and our link with the cosmos.

211 General Physics
5 crs (4-2). F, Sp.
GE-IIE; LS
No credit if taken after PHYS 231
Fundamental principles of mechanics, heat, wave motion, and sound. Designed for students who desire a one-year non-calculus course in physics. Proficiency with algebraic operations is expected.

212 General Physics
4 crs (3-2). F, Sp.
GE-IIE; LS
P: PHYS 211
No credit if taken after PHYS 232
A continuation of Phys 211 including topics in optics, electricity, magnetism, and modern physics.

226 Astronomy-Solar System
4 crs (3-2). F.
GE-IIE; LS
Three years high school mathematics assumed. Some night observing required.
The physical nature of the solar system, including earth motions, celestial coordinates, time, telescopes, moon, planets, sun, and origin of solar system.

229 Astronomy-Stars and Galaxies
4 crs (3-2). Sp.
GE-IIE; LS
P: Three years of high school mathematics assumed.
PHYS 226 is not a prerequisite. Some night observing
required.
The physical nature of the universe, including stellar evolution, multiple and variable stars, the Milky Way galaxy, other galaxies, and origin of the universe.

231 University Physics I
5 crs (4-2). F, Sp.
GE-IIE; LS
P: MATH 114 or concurrent registration
Physics for science and engineering students, including the study of mechanics, simple harmonic motion, and wave motion.

232 University Physics II
5 crs (4-2). F, Sp.
GE-IIE; LS
P: PHYS 231; MATH 215 or concurrent registration
A continuation of Physics 231, including the study of electricity, magnetism, and optics.

281 Topics in Physics
3 crs (3-0).
GE-IIE
Topics in physics and astronomy investigated at a level suitable for nonscience majors, as well as science majors.

291 Special Topics
1-3 crs.
Not for GE
Content will be determined by the interests of students and faculty. May contain lecture or lab.

301 Introduction to Materials Characterization: Scanning Electron Microscopy
1 cr (1-2). Sp.
Not for GE
Cross-listed with MSCI 301
P: PHYS 211 or 231, and one science course that counts
toward a science major
Credit may not be earned in both PHYS 301 and MSCI 301
Current theories and methods in scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Preparation of samples, operation of scanning electron microscopes and data analysis.

302 Introduction to Materials Characterization: X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy
1 cr (1-2). Sp.
Not for GE
Cross-listed with MSCI 302
P: PHYS 211 or 231, and one science course that counts
toward a science major
Credit may not be earned in both PHYS 302 and MSCI 302
Current theories and methods in x-ray photoelectrons spectroscopy. Sample preparation, operation and data analysis.

303 Introduction to Materials Characterization: X-ray Diffraction
1 cr (1-2). Sp.
Not for GE
Cross-listed with MSCI 303
P: PHYS 211 or 231, and one science course that counts
toward a science major
Credit may not be earned in both PHYS 303 and MSCI 303
Current theories and methods in x-ray diffraction. Sample preparation, operation and data analysis.

304 Introduction to Materials Characterization: Atomic Force Microscopy
1 cr (1-2). Sp.
Not for GE
Cross-listed with MSCI 304
P: PHYS 211 or 231, and one science course that counts
toward a science major
Credit may not be earned in both PHYS 304 and MSCI 304
Current theories and methods in atomic force microscopy. Sample preparation, operation of atomic force microscope and data analysis.

305 Introduction to Materials Characterization: X-ray Fluorescence
1 cr (1-2). Sp.
Not for GE
Cross-listed with MSCI 305
P: PHYS 211 or 231, and one science course that counts
toward a science major
Credit may not be earned in both PHYS 305 and MSCI 305
Current theories and methods in x-ray florescence spectroscopy. Preparation of samples, operation of x-ray spectrometers and data analysis.

306 Introduction to Materials Characterization: Transmission Electron Microscopy
1 cr (1-2). Sp.
Not for GE
Cross-listed with MSCI 306
P: PHYS 211 or 231; PHYS/MSCI 301 and 303
Credit may not be earned in both PHYS 306 and MSCI 306
Current theories and methods in transmission electron microscopy. Sample preparation, operation and data analysis.

307 Introduction to Materials Characterization: Nanoindentation
1 cr (1-2). Sp.
Not for GE
Cross-listed with MSCI 307
P: PHYS 211 or 231, and one science course that counts
toward a science major
Credit may not be earned in both PHYS 307 and MSCI 307
Current theories and methods in nanoindentation analysis. Sample preparation, operation and data analysis.

308 Science of Musical Sound
3 crs (3-0).
GE-IIE
Physical concepts related to production of tones and speech. Application to musical instruments and auditorium acoustics, with experimental demonstrations of vibrational phenomena and electronic sound analysis and synthesis. No prior physics or university mathematics assumed.

315 The Mysterious Universe
3 crs (3-0). F, Sp.
GE-IIE
A view of the world as revealed by contemporary physical thought. Topics include size and origin of universe, ultimate nature of matter; modern ideas of space, time and energy; possibilities of extraterrestrial life; and values and limitations of science.

332 University Physics III
3 crs (3-0). F, Sp.
Not for GE
P: PHYS 232 and MATH 215
Physics for science and engineering students, including the study of fluids, heat, thermodynamics, relativity, and an introduction to modern physics.

333 Quantum Physics
3 crs (3-0). Sp.
Not for GE
P: PHYS 332 and MATH 216
Introduction to the experimental and theoretical basis of quantum physics, including particle aspects of radiation, matter waves, Bohr model of the atom, Schrodinger wave mechanics and its application to the hydrogen atom and multi-electron atoms.

340 Optics
4 crs (3-3). Sp.
Not for GE
P: PHYS 232 and MATH 215
Lecture and laboratory work cover geometrical and physical optics, image formation, optical instruments, interference, diffraction, polarization, and modern topics including lasers.

350 Electric and Electronic Circuits
4 crs (3-3). F.
Not for GE
P: MATH 215 and C or above in PHYS 232
Calculators may be required.
General introduction to electrical circuits and electronics including analysis of DC and AC circuits, simple passive filters, diodes, transistors, operational amplifiers, simple digital electronics, and circuit design and construction.

360 Electronics
4 crs (3-3). Sp.
Not for GE
P: PHYS 350 or consent of instructor
Description, analysis, and laboratory measurements of digital and analog devices including transistor amplifiers, operational amplifiers, oscillators, gates, flip-flops, analog-digital converters, and microprocessors.

365 Theoretical Mechanics
4 crs (4-0). F.
Not for GE
P: MATH 216, and a grade of C or above in PHYS 231
Newton’s laws, accelerated frames, central-force orbits, angular momentum of systems, coupled oscillations, generalized coordinates, and Lagrange’s equations.

375 Electromagnetic Fields
4 crs (4-0). Sp.
Not for GE
P: PHYS 332 and MATH 311 or 312
Electric and magnetic fields, dielectric and magnetic properties of materials, and electromagnetic phenomena. Field theory leading to the development of Maxwell’s equations and the plane electromagnetic wave.

380 Introduction to Materials Science
4 crs (4-0). F, odd-numbered years.
Not for GE
Cross-listed with CHEM 380
P: MATH 215 and one of the following: PHYS 332, CHEM 104,
or CHEM 115
Credit may not be earned in both CHEM 380 and PHYS 380
Basic atomic and electronic structure of solids including metals, polymers, ceramics, and semiconductors are studied. Defects, imperfections, x-ray diffraction, and phase diagrams are used as a basis for understanding mechanical/electrical properties.

399 Independent Study - Juniors
1-3 crs.
Not for GE
Minimum junior standing
May be repeated - additional restrictions may apply
Get form from department office

430 Advanced Laboratory Techniques
2 crs (0-4). F.
Not for GE
P: Two courses from PHYS 340, 350, 360
Laboratory course for students with special interests in experimental physics. The emphasis is on widely applicable modern experimental methods.

440 Digital Image Processing
3 crs (2.5-0.5). Sp, even-numbered years.
Not for GE
Cross-listed with MATH 440
P: MATH 215
Credit may not be earned in both MATH 440 and PHYS 440
Applications of Fourier analysis and wavelets to optics and image processing. Topics include: diffraction, wave optical theory of lenses and imaging, wavelets, and image processing.

445 Thermal Physics
4 crs (4-0). F, even-numbered years.
Not for GE
P: PHYS 332, PHYS 333, and MATH 216
No credit if taken after PHYS 334 and PHYS 435
Statistical mechanics and thermodynamics including the laws of classical thermodynamics, equations of state, thermodynamical processes, and applications to classical and quantum mechanical systems.

465 Quantum Mechanics
3 crs (3-0). Sp.
Not for GE
P: PHYS 333 and 365
A continuation of Phys 333, including Dirac notation, operator methods, one dimensional potentials, spin and angular momentum, and the philosophical interpretation of quantum mechanics.

475 Mathematical Methods in Physics
3 crs (3-0). F.
Not for GE
P: PHYS 365 and MATH 311 or 312 ; or consent of
instructor
An introduction to the mathematical methods in physics with emphasis on applications in classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, and electrodynamics.

485 Senior Seminar
1 cr (1-0). F.
Not for GE; CP
P: Limited to liberal arts physics majors
Students need to have completed, or be concurrently pursuing, an adviser approved research project through PHYS 399, 430, 495, or 499, or through an academic or industrial internship, or through another approved means.
Students will report on a research project by giving a seminar and presenting a poster paper. They will take a nationally normed test covering undergraduate physics and will participate in post-graduate planning.

491 Special Topics
1-3 crs. Sp.
Not for GE
P: PHYS 333 and 365
Course may be taken for a maximum of 6 credits
Content will be determined by the interests of students and faculty. Possible topics include astrophysics and solid state physics.

495 Directed Study
1-3 crs. F, Sp, Su.
Not for GE
P: PHYS 332; 2.75 GPA in physics
P: Limited to physics majors and minors
Course may be taken for a maximum of 6 credits
Limit of three credits counted toward major
Get form from department office
Special project or research activity, primarily on campus, and directed by a faculty member. Projects and topics available will be determined by the activities and interests of the faculty.

499 Independent Study - Seniors
1-3 crs.
Not for GE
Minimum senior standing
May be repeated - additional restrictions may apply
Get form from department office

793 Directed Studies
1-4 crs.
May be repeated - additional restrictions may apply
Permits groups of students to study topical areas in an intensive way under the direction of departmental faculty members.