Undergraduate

PHYS 1101. Introductory Physics I. (S) (3) Corequisite: PHYS 1101L. Introduction to the fundamental principles of natural phenomena. Topics will be selected from traditional classical subjects (e.g., Newtonian mechanics, electromagnetism) and more recent developments (e.g. nuclear physics, quantum physics) in order to illustrate the logical structure of modern science. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

PHYS 1101L. Introductory Physics I Laboratory. (S) (1) Corequisite: PHYS 1101. Laboratory investigations illustrating experimental techniques and fundamental principles of natural phenomena. Three laboratory hours each week. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

PHYS 1102. Introductory Physics II. (S) (3) Corequisite: PHYS 1102L; Prerequisite: PHYS 1101. A continuation of PHYS 1101. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

PHYS 1102L. Introductory Physics II Laboratory. (S) (1) Corequisite: PHYS 1102; Prerequisite: PHYS 1101L. A continuation of PHYS 1101L. Three laboratory hours each week. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

PHYS 1130. Introduction to Astronomy. (S) (3) Historical beginnings of astronomy. Motions of celestial bodies. Introduction to space science. The solar system. Optical and radio astronomy. Structure and evolution of stars. Galaxies, cosmology. Three lecture hours each week. If taken together with 1130L, the combination can be counted toward the general degree requirements in natural science. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

PHYS 1130L. Introduction to Astronomy Laboratory. (S) (1) Prerequisite or corequisite: PHYS 1130. Experimental investigations relating to the acquisition of and interpretation of astronomical data. One three-hour laboratory each week. (Fall, Spring) (Evenings)

PHYS 2101. Physics for Science and Engineering I. (S) (3) Prerequisite: MATH 1241. Corequisite: PHYS 2101L, MATH 1242. First semester of a two semester calculus-based introductory sequence in general physics with topics selected from kinematics and dynamics of particles, momentum, work, energy, conservation laws, mechanics of rigid bodies, heat, thermodynamics, fluids, electricity and magnetism, wave motion and sound, geometrical and physical optics. Three lecture hours and one recitation hour each week. (Fall, Spring, Summer) (Evenings)

PHYS 2101L. Laboratory I. (S) (1) Corequisite: PHYS 2101. Experiments selected from mechanics, heat, electricity and magnetism, wave motion and optics. Use of the computer for organizing, graphing and analyzing data. Two laboratory hours each week. (Fall, Spring, Summer) (Evenings)

PHYS 2102. Physics for Science and Engineering II. (S) (3) Prerequisite: PHYS 2101 with a grade of C or better, and MATH 1242. Continuation of PHYS 2101. Three lecturer hours and one recitation hour each week. (Fall, Spring, Summer) (Evenings)

PHYS 2102L. Laboratory II. (S) (1) Prerequisite: PHYS 2101L. Corequisite: PHYS 2102. Continuation of PHYS 2101L. Two laboratory hours each week. (Fall, Spring, Summer) (Evenings)

PHYS 2181. Electronics and Microcomputer Interfacing. (4) Prerequisites: PHYS 2102 and 2102L (or PHYS 1102) with a grade of C or better, and MATH 1242. Study of analog and digital electronics and microcomputer interfacing, including logic gates, counters, decoders, flip-flops, latches, memories, operational amplifiers, analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters, IEEE-488, RS-232C and current loop interfaces, interrups, BASIC programming, and microcomputer input-output techniques. Six lecture/laboratory hours per week. (Spring)

PHYS 3000. Topics in Physics. (S) (1-4) Prerequisite: consent of department. Special topics which are introductory in nature. May not be applied toward the degree requirements for "additional hours at the 3000/4000 level" without approval of the departmental Undergraduate Studies Committee. May be repeated. (On demand)

PHYS 3101. Topics and Methods of General Physics. (S) (4) Prerequisite: PHYS 2102 (or PHYS 1102) with a grade of C or better, and MATH 1242. Exercises and problems to further explore topics in PHYS 2101 and 2102 with emphasis on understanding of physical concepts and developing computer methods of explorationand solution using Mathematics and Excel. (Spring)

PHYS 3121. Classical Mechanics I. (3) Prerequisites: PHYS 3101 (or EEGR 3121 or ESGR 2142) with a grade of C or better, and MATH 2171. Corequisite: MATH 2241. First course of a two-semester sequence treating particle dynamics, the motion of systems of particles, rigid body motion, moving coordinate systems. Lagrange's equations, Hamilton's equations and small oscillations. (Fall)

PHYS 3141. Introduction to Modern Physics. (3) Prerequisite: PHYS 2102 (or PHYS 1102) with a grade of C or better, MATH 1241. Corequisite: MATH 1242. Special relativity, kinetic theory, quantization of charge, light, and energy, the nuclear atom, electron waves, molecular and solid state physics, statistical physics, and an introduction to the physics of atoms. (Fall)

PHYS 3151. Thermal Physics. (3) Prerequisites: PHYS 3141 with a grade of C or better, CHEM 1251 and 1251L, MATH 2241. An introduction to heat, thermodynamics, kenetic theory, and statistical physics. Topics include classical thermodynamics, classical and quantum theory of specific heats, Maxwell-Boltzmann, Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein distributions. Three lecture hours a week. (Spring) (Alternate years)

PHYS 3281. Advanced Laboratory in Waves and Optics. (2) Prerequisites: PHYS 2102 and 2102L (or PHYS 1102) with a grade of C or better, and MATH 1242. Selected laboratory work in physical optics. Areas of study include properties of light sources and detectors; interferometry; fiber optics; optical retardation; and dispersion. Emphasis on the development of sound laboratory techniques, methods of data analysis, and the writing of formal laboratory reports. Three hours of laboratory each week. (Fall)

PHYS 3285. Advanced Experimental Physics. (W) (3) Prerequisites: PHYS 3121 and 3141 with a grade of C or better. (Spring)

PHYS 3400. Internship in Community Education and Service. (3) Prerequisites: junior standing, acceptance into the internship program and approval by the Physics Department. A project oriented, service-learning internship with cooperating community organizations. Does not count as credit toward departmental requirements in physics. May be repeated once with permission of the department. This course is offered on a Pass/No Credit basis. (On demand)

PHYS 3590. Physics Cooperative Work Experience. (0) Prerequisites: junior standing and consent of department. Registration in PHYS 3590 is required of Co-Op students during each of the semesters they are working. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

PHYS 3900. Senior Project. (2-3) Prerequisites: senior standing and consent of the faculty member overseeing the project; PHYS 3285. Independent investigation under the supervision of faculty member on a project that is approved by the departmental Undergraduate Studies Committee. (On demand)

Undergraduate/Available for Graduate Credit

Courses indicated by * may be applied toward the 30 hours of coursework required for the master's degree in Physics.

PHYS 4000. Selected Topics in Physics. (1-4) (1-4G) Prerequisite: consent of department. Advanced special topics. May not be applied toward the degree requirements for "additional hours at the 3000/4000 level" without approval of the departmental Undergraduate Studies Committee. May be repeated. (On demand)

PHYS 4140. Nuclear Physics. (3) (3G) Prerequisites: PHYS 3141 with a grade of C or better, and MATH 2171. A study of the nucleus, radioactivity, nuclear reactions, fission, fusion, interactions of radiation with matter and measurement of radiation. (Spring) (Alternate years)

PHYS 4181. Solid State and Semiconductor Physics Laboratory. (3) (3G) Prerequisite: PHYS 4241 or ESGR 3131 or consent of instructor. Laboratory in solid state physics and semiconductor device physics, including electrical and photoconductivity; fluorescence, photoluminescence and Raman Scattering; semiconductor device characteristics; superconductivity; and the Hall Effect. Six laboratory hours each week. (On demand)

*PHYS 4222. Classical Mechanics II. (3) (3G) Prerequisite: PHYS 3121, MATH 2241.

PHYS 4231. Electromagnetic Theory I. (3) (3G) Prerequisites: For physics majors, PHYS 3121 with a grade of C or better; Others: consent of the instructor, MATH 2771, MATH 2241. Corequisite: MATH 2242. (Spring)

PHYS 4232. Electromagnetic Theory II. (3) (3G) Prerequisites: PHYS 4231 with a grade of C or better. (Fall)

PHYS 4241. Modern Physics I. (3) (3G) Prerequisites: For physics majors, PHYS 3141 with a grade of C or better; Others: consent of the instructor; MATH 2241 and 2171. The first semester of a two semester sequence providing a senior-level treatment of physical systems at the level of atoms. Topics selected for Realativity, quantum phenomena, ionic and covalent bonding in molecules, electrical, thermal, and magnetic properties of solids, Mazwellian and Boltzmann distributions, solutions of the one-dimensional Schrodinger wave equation, the hydrogen atom and spin, the helium atom, atomic and molecular spectra. (Fall)

PHYS 4242. Modern Physics II. (3) Prerequisite: PHYS 4241. A continuation of PHYS 4241. (Spring)

PHYS 4271. Waves and Optics. (3) (3G) Prerequisites: PHYS 2102 with a grade of C or better, senior standing, and MATH 2171. Exceptions by consent of the instructor.

Topics include the mathematics of wave motion, light as an example of an electromagnetic wave, the superposition of periodic and non-periodic waves, and selected topics from geometrical and physical optics. (Fall)

PHYS 4281. Advanced Laboratory in Modern Optics. (3) (3G) Prerequisite: PHYS 4271 or consent of the instructor. Laboratory in modern optics. Characteristics of light sources and detectors; interferometry; fiber optics and fiber optics sensors; holography; heterodyned optical signals. Emphasizing sound techniques, methods of data analysis, and written laboratory reports. Credit cannot be obtained for both PHYS 3281 and PHYS 4281. Six hours each week. (Fall)

PHYS 4800. Investigations. (1-2) (1-2G) Prerequisite: junior standing. An independent investigation on a topic approved by the department Undergraduate Studies Committee. May be repeated for up to four hours credit. No more than two credit hours may be applied toward the degree requirements for "additional hours at the 3000/4000 level". (On demand)

Graduate and Advanced Undergraduate

PHYS 5000. Selected Topics in Physics. (0-4) (0-4G) Prerequisite: consent of department. Selected advanced topics in physics. May be repeated with approval of the department. (On demand)

PHYS 5210. Theoretical Physics. (3) (3G) Prerequisite: consent of department. Topics include: Matrices, power series, solutions to ordinary and partial differential equations, Hilbert space, Fourier integrals, boundary value problems, Green's functions, and complex analysis. (Fall)

PHYS 5211. Fundamentals of Modern Optics. (3) (3G) Prerequisite: PHYS 4241 or consent of department. Wave nature of light, basic semiconductor properties, light sources, light detectors and modulators, optical waveguides, optical systems with applications, and selected topics in non-linear optics. (Fall)

PHYS 5220. Computational Methods in Physics. (3) (3G) Prerequisite: consent of department. Use of computers in solving physics problems including computational and mathematical methods to solve problems in classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, nuclear physics, optics, and solid state physics. Computer solutions include numerical methods of integration, solving differential equations, curve fitting, and statistical analysis in physics. (On demand)

PHYS 5281. Modern Optics Laboratory. (3) (3G) Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Selected experiments in such modern optics areas as fiber optic, holography, spectroscopy, and fourier optics. Six laboratory hours each week. (Spring)

Graduate Only

PHYS 6121. Classical Dynamics. (3G) Prerequisite: PHYS 4222. Variational principles and Lagrange's equations. Hamilton's principles and mechanics of particles. The two body central force problem. Rigid body motion. Small oscillations and the eigenvalue equation. (Spring) (Alternate years)

PHYS 6131. Classical Electromagnetism I. (3G) Prerequisite: PHYS 4232. Electrostatic and boundary value problems. Multipole expansions, dielectrics and magnetostatics. Maxwell's equations, time varying fields and conservation laws. Plane electromagnetic waves and wave propagation. Wave guides and resonant cavities. Simple radiating systems. Scattering and diffraction theory. (Fall) (Alternate years)

PHYS 6132. Classical Electromagnetism II. (3G) Prerequisite: PHYS 6131. Special theory of relativity. Dynamics of relativistic particles and electromagnetic fields. Charged particle collisions and scattering. Radiation by moving charges. Bremsstrahlung, virtual quanta, and beta decay theory. Multipole expansion and fields. Radiation damping. Self fields of particles. Scattering and absorption of radiation by a bound system. (On demand)

PHYS 6141. Quantum Theory I. (3G) Prerequisite: PHYS 4242. Non-relativistic wave mechanics. The Schrodinger equation, linear harmonic oscillator and WKB approximation. Central forces and angular momentum. The hydrogen atom. (Fall) (Alternate years)

PHYS 6142. Quantum Theory II. (3G) Prerequisite: PHYS 6141. Scattering theory, linear vector spaces, spin, two level systems. Quantum dynamics, symmetry operations, bound state and time-dependent pertubation theory. Theory of scattering, angular momentum, and identical particles. (On demand)

PHYS 6201. Fourier Optics and Holography. (3G) Prerequisite: PHYS 4271 or consent of department. Principles of scalar, Fresnel, and Fraunhofer diffraction theory. Coherent optical imaging systems, optical filtering, optical data processing, and holography. Application of Fourier optics and holography. (Fall)

PHYS 6211. Quantum Electro-Optics. (3G) Prerequisite: PHYS 4271 or consent of department. Theory of laser oscillation, optical resonators, interaction of radiation and atomic systems, giant pulsed lasers, laser systems. Wave propogation in non-linear media, modulation of optical radiation, noise in optical detection and generation. Interaction of light and sound. Laser types and applications including the free-electron laser. (Spring)

PHYS 6251. Statistical Physics. (3G) Prerequisite: PHYS 3151 or consent of department. Classical and quantum statistical mechanics. Statistical thermodynamics. Ensembles, partition functions, fluctuations, ideal Fermi and Bose gas systems. (On demand)

PHYS 6261. Nuclear and Particle Physics. (3G) Prerequisite: PHYS 4140 or consent of department. Properties of nuclei, nuclear models, and interactions. Nuclear reactions, fission, and fusion. Alpha, beta, and gamma decay. One and two particle states. Relativistic kinematics, principle of invariance, quantum numbers, elementary particles and models. (On demand)

PHYS 6271. Advanced Solid State Physics. (3G) Prerequisite: consent of department. Crystal structure. Electromagnetic, electron, mechanical, and elastic wave interactions with crystals. Theory of X-ray diffraction. Energy band theory of metals and semiconductors. Optical properties of solids, phase transitions, and amorphous solids. Quantum mechanics of covalent bonding, phonon excitation, and thermal energy. (On demand)

PHYS 6900. Physics Thesis Research. (0-4G) Prerequisite: consent of department. Research for the thesis. A student must enroll for a cumulative minimum of six hours credit but may receive no more than 10 hours credit. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

PHYS 7999. Graduate Residence. (0G) Prerequisite: consent of thesis adviser. Required of all graduate students not enrolled in other courses who are working on or defending theses and/or are scheduled for comprehensive examinations. (Fall, Spring)