100 Physical Science
4 crs (3-2). F, Sp, Su.
GE-IIE
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,
and light; and electricity and magnetism.
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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.
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211 General Physics
5 crs (4-2). F, Sp.
GE-IIE
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.
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212 General Physics
4 crs (3-2). F, Sp.
P: PHYS 211
GE-IIE
No credit if taken after PHYS 232
A continuation of Phys 211 including topics in optics,
electricity, magnetism, and modern physics.
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226 Astronomy-Solar System
4 crs (3-2). F.
GE-IIE
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.
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229 Astronomy-Stars and Galaxies
4 crs (3-2). Sp.
P: Three years of high school mathematics assumed.
PHYS 226 is not a prerequisite. Some night observing
required.
GE-IIE
The physical nature of the universe, including stellar
evolution, multiple and variable stars, the Milky Way
galaxy, other galaxies, and origin of the universe.
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231 University Physics I
5 crs (4-2). F, Sp.
P: MATH 114 or concurrent registration
GE-IIE
Physics for science and engineering students, including the
study of mechanics, simple harmonic motion, and wave motion.
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232 University Physics II
5 crs (4-2). F, Sp.
P: PHYS 231; MATH 215 or concurrent registration
GE-IIE
A continuation of Phys 231, including the study of
electricity, magnetism, and optics.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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332 University Physics III
3 crs (3-0). F, Sp.
P: PHYS 232 and MATH 215
Not for GE
Physics for science and engineering students, including the
study of fluids, heat, thermodynamics, relativity, and an
introduction to modern physics.
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333 Quantum Physics
3 crs (3-0). Sp.
P: PHYS 332 and MATH 216
Not for GE
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.
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340 Optics
4 crs (3-3). Sp.
P: PHYS 232 and MATH 215
Not for GE
Lecture and laboratory work cover geometrical and physical
optics, image formation, optical instruments, interference,
diffraction, polarization, and modern topics including
lasers.
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350 Electric Circuits
4 crs (3-3). F.
P: MATH 215 and C or better in PHYS 232
Not for GE
Circuit analysis and laboratory measurements. DC networks
and general circuit theorems. Transient and steady state
responses for resistive, inductive, and capacitive circuits.
AC circuits, resonance and transformers. Passive filters,
diodes, rectification, and power supplies.
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360 Electronics
4 crs (3-3). Sp.
P: PHYS 350 or consent of instructor
Not for GE
Description, analysis, and laboratory measurements of
digital and analog devices including transistor amplifiers,
operational amplifiers, oscillators, gates, flip-flops,
analog-digital converters, and microprocessors.
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365 Theoretical Mechanics
4 crs (4-0). F.
P: MATH 216, and a grade of C or better in PHYS 231
Not for GE
Newton's laws, accelerated frames, central-force orbits,
angular momentum of systems, coupled oscillations,
generalized coordinates, and Lagrange's equations.
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375 Electromagnetic Fields
4 crs (4-0). Sp.
P: PHYS 332 and MATH 311
Not for GE
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.
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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
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430 Advanced Laboratory Techniques
2 crs (0-4). F.
P: Two courses from PHYS 340, 350, 360
Not for GE
Laboratory course for students with special interests in
experimental physics. The emphasis is on widely applicable
modern experimental methods.
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440 Fourier Optics
3 crs (2.5-0.5). F.
P: PHYS 340 and MATH 311
Not for GE
See also MATH440
Credit may not be earned in both MATH 440 and PHYS 440
Applications of Fourier analysis to optics. Topics include:
coherency of light, diffraction, wave optical theory of
lenses and imaging, and image processing.
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445 Thermal Physics
4 crs (4-0). F.
P: PHYS 332, PHYS 333, and MATH 216
Not for GE
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.
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465 Quantum Mechanics
3 crs (3-0). Sp.
P: PHYS 333 and 365
Not for GE
A continuation of Phys 333, including Dirac notation,
operator methods, one dimensional potentials, spin and
angular momentum, and the philosophical interpretation of
quantum mechanics.
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475 Mathematical Methods in Physics
3 crs (3-0). F.
P: PHYS 365 and MATH 311; or consent of instructor
Not for GE
An introduction to the mathematical methods in physics with
emphasis on applications in classical mechanics, quantum
mechanics, and electrodynamics.
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485 Senior Seminar
1 cr (1-0). F.
Not for GE
Capstone experience for majors in this department
Limited to liberal arts physics majors
S/U only grade basis
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.
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491 Special Topics
1-3 crs. Sp.
P: PHYS 333 and 365
Not for GE
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.
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495 Directed Study
1-3 crs. F, Sp, Su.
P: PHYS 332; 2.75 GPA in physics
Not for GE
Limited to physics majors or minors
Course may be taken for a maximum of 6 credits
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.
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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
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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.
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