Requirements and Curriculum
Note: This information reflects the requirements and curriculum printed in the 2007-08 course catalog.
Requirements
Required for a major
The program is determined for each student on an individual basis with the approval of his or her major adviser from the physics faculty. The major consists of physics 181,182, 281, 282, 311, 312 and three additional full courses numbered above 300.
Two of these additional courses must be chosen from 361, 364 and 411. In addition, coursework equivalent to math 151, 152, 240 and 351 is required. Students beginning the math sequence above 151 need not receive credit for the courses skipped, only to complete coursework through the math 351 level. Further supporting courses in mathematics, computer science, and other sciences are desirable.
Each program is designed to meet the needs and special interests of the student, and interdisciplinary study is encouraged in order to obtain a broad base for the major. Programs with emphasis in applied physics, engineering, astrophysics, biophysics, energy resources and environmental sciences, geophysics, history of science, teacher preparation, business-science, and technical writing are indicative of the many broad areas that may be developed for the student. Students interested in teaching should see the education department for secondary minor requirements.
Required for a minor
Eighteen hours in courses numbered above 150, excluding 185.
Required for a second teaching area
Twenty-four hours in physics courses numbered above 150, excluding 185.
Advanced Placement Credit
Students with exceptional preparation in physics (a thorough calculus-based course) may begin in physics 182 or 281 after consultation with a member of the physics faculty. Students earning a grade of B- or above in this higher numbered course will receive credit for 181 and (when appropriate) 182.
Curriculum
112 Energy and the Physical World 4 hours
The unifying theme of energy molds the study of the physical concepts of motion, gravitation, electromagnetism, heat, radiation, and nuclear physics. Solar, wind, nuclear, tidal, hydroelectric, and thermal electric energy conversion processes are also included. This course is intended for the general student with no special background in mathematics or science. (Same as environmental studies and science 112.) (NWL)
114 Sound and Musical Acoustics 4 hours
Intended for the student who has a special interest in the acoustical phenomena associated with music, speech, and psychology. The physical basis of sound, its production and detection, with applications to speech, hearing, music, and acoustics of musical instruments and buildings. No special background in mathematics is assumed. (NWL)
139, 239, 339, 439 Special Topics Credit arr.
151, 152 General Physics 4, 4 hours
An investigation of the important principles of physics, including recent developments. Designed for the arts major as well as students majoring in one of the sciences. This course meets the basic requirements in physics for preprofessional students in health related fields, including medicine. Topics include mechanics, energy, fluids, heat, wave motion, electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and nuclear physics. Although this is a non-calculus course, the foundation of physics is mathematical modeling of the physical world. Thus, a basic working knowledge of algebra and trigonometry is assumed and will be further developed as the course proceeds. Graphical and statistical analysis is employed throughout the laboratory component. A student may not receive credit for both 151 and 181, nor for both 152 and 182. Prerequisite for 152: 151 or 181 or consent of instructor. (NWL, Quant)
181 Classical Physics I 4 hours
An introduction to the ideas of physics. Topics include Newtonian mechanics, energy, work, oscillations and fluid dynamics. The laboratory work focuses on measurement and observation to enhance conceptual understanding of the material. The laboratory component is integral to the curriculum and is not offered as a separate course. Physics 181 is the first of a four-semester sequence of courses designed for physics and pre-engineering students. Physics 181 and 182 are also appropriate for students majoring in other physical sciences. Pre-/corequisite: mathematics 151. (NWL)
182 Classical Physics II 4 hours
This course continues the discussion of physical ideas begun in Physics 181. Topics include optics, electricity and magnetism, electromagnetic waves and electric circuits. The laboratory work focuses on measurement and observation to enhance conceptual understanding of the material. Prerequisite: 181 or 151. Pre-/corequisite: mathematics 152. (NWL)
185 First-year Seminar 4 hours
A variety of seminars for first-year students offered each January term.
238 Statics 4 hours
Analysis of static equilibrium problems for engineering structures. Involves vectors and scalar treatment of coplanar and noncoplanar force systems. Particle and rigid body equilibrium, area and mass moments of inertia, equivalent force systems, distributed forces, friction, internal forces. Offered alternate years. Prerequisites: 151 or 181, mathematics 151.
281 Modern Physics I 4 hours
An introduction to thermodynamics and statistical physics, special relativity as well as elementary topics in quantum physics. The history and development of experimental and theoretical work in the physics of the 20th century will be strongly emphasized. The laboratory work emphasizes experimental technique, problem solving and data analysis, and is integral to the curriculum. Topics of investigation in the laboratory will include a number of important experiments drawn from the history and development of modern physics. Students are encouraged to alter or extend many of the experiments and engage in projects. Prerequisite: 182 or 152 and mathematics 152. (NWL)
282 Modern Physics II 4 hours
A continuation of Modern Physics I with applications of quantum physics to nuclear, atomic, solid state, elementary particle physics and astrophysics. Topics of investigation in the laboratory will include a number of classic experiments drawn from the history and development of modern physics. Students are expected to alter or extend many of the experiments and engage in projects. The course includes instruction in scientific writing. Prerequisite: 281.
311 Advanced Laboratory I 2 hours
An introduction to linear circuits, including transistors and other solid state devices, techniques of electrical measurement, and application of electrical measurement techniques in experiments in modern physics. Prerequisite: 282.
312 Advanced Laboratory II 2 hours
The emphasis of this course is the laboratory study of the principles of experimental design, procedures and analysis. Students design and perform a number of experiments from several branches of physics. The course includes instruction in scientific writing. Students write experimental reports and deliver oral presentations of their results. Prerequisite: 311.
352 Mechanics of Materials 4 hours
Application of Newtonian mechanics to deformable solids, development of equations of elasticity in rectangular and curvilinear coordinates. Stress and strain, torsion, determinate and indeterminate problems, bending and deflection of beams, two-dimensional problems, variational methods and energy principles, fracture, fatigue. Recommended for students considering future study in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, engineering mechanics, or materials science. Offered every three years. Prerequisite: 281. Pre/corequisite: mathematics 351.
354 Astrophysics 4 hours
A general, intermediate course on the physics of astronomical objects. Includes introduction to descriptive astronomy. Topics include celestial mechanics, structure of and evolution of stars and topics taken from galactic astronomy and cosmology. Offered every three years. Prerequisite: 281.
357 Optics 4 hours
Optical systems and their application to instrumentation in the sciences, wave theory of light, polarization, coherence and interference, diffraction, radiation, lasers, and holography. Offered every three years. Prerequisite: 182.
359 Thermal Physics 4 hours
Concepts of entropy, temperature and thermodynamics. An emphasis on classical and quantum statistics with applications to a wide variety of physical systems. Offered every three years. Prerequisite: 181.
361 Classical Mechanics 4 hours
This course presents kinematics and dynamics of particles using Newtonian, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian techniques. Topics include conservation laws, central force motion, oscillations and normal mode analysis, small oscillations, rotating rigid bodies and motion in non-inertial reference frames. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: 281. Pre-/corequisite: mathematics 240.
364 Electricity and Magnetism 4 hours
A study of electric and magnetic fields leading up to Maxwell’s equations and their applications. The topics include the electrostatic and magnetostatic fields in vacuum and in matter, scaler potentials, vector potentials, electrodynamics and electromagnetic waves. Offered alternate years in spring. Prerequisite: 281. Pre-/corequisite: mathematics 351.
369 Numerical Physics 4 hours
This course focuses on approaches to complex physical situations that are not practically solvable using analytical methods. The numerical methods and physical problems studied are applicable to several branches of physics including astrophysics, atomic physics, thermal physics, fluid mechanics, and condensed matter physics. Prerequisite: 281. Pre-/corequisite: mathematics 240
380 Internship 1, 2 or 4 hours
On-the-job learning experience relating to fields of physics or engineering. The plan must be presented for departmental approval before the experience begins. Normally 12 hours of physics above 150 will be required.
389 Directed Research 1, 2 or 4 hours
Directed research involves students in research projects under the supervision of department faculty. Recommended for students who expect to attend graduate school in physics or engineering. With the approval of the department, students may register for more than one semester (cumulative total may not exceed 4 semester hours). Prerequisites: approval of the research director and the department head. Normally 12 hours of physics above 150 will be required.
395 Independent Study 1, 2, or 4 hours
401 Particle and Nuclear Physics 4 hours
This course is intended to introduce students to the properties and interactions of nuclei and elementary particles. Attention will be paid both to the historical experimental development of these related fields as well as their theoretical aspects. Students will be introduced to nuclear properties including stability, structure and reactions, radioactivity and applications of fission and fusion. Among topics in particle physics that will be addressed are the quark model of hadrons, charged-lepton and neutrino physics, the strong and weak interactions, symmetries and conservations laws and experimental methods in particle physics. Offered every three years. Prerequisite: 282. Pre-/corequisite: mathematics 351.
411 Quantum Mechanics 4 hours
This course provides an introduction to the theory of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics. Both the conceptual and formal structure of the theory are discussed. A brief review of the experimental basis for quantization motivates the development of the Schrödinger wave equation. The principles of wave mechanics are then applied to various one dimensional problems, including the harmonic oscillator. The properties of angular momentum are developed and applied to central potentials in three dimensions. Matrix mechanics and spin angular momentum are also discussed, allowing for a complete treatment of the physics of hydrogen-like atoms. Prerequisite: physics 282. Pre-/corequisite: mathematics 351.