James P. Jacobs, Chair
Physics is considered to be the most fundamental of all the disciplines
in the natural sciences. In physics we try to describe and understand
a myriad of physical phenomena ranging from subatomic to cosmological
scales by quantifying the relationships among different physical
quantities. Not only does physics have its own merit as a challenging
but exciting scientific endeavor, it provides the basis for understanding
underlying processes in astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology,
computer science, engineering, and even in behavioral sciences.
Applications of physics are virtually unlimited: computers, communications,
energy production, medical technology, and space flight, to name
just a few.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers a range of physics
courses from introductory to advanced undergraduate level in both
experimental and theoretical physics with computational methods
in mind. In addition, we offer introductory to advanced astronomy
and astrophysics courses in which astronomical applications of
physics are emphasized. These courses deal with the Universe,
from the solar system to clusters of galaxies, both theoretically
and observationally.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers the Bachelor of
Arts degree with a major in physics. Graduates with this degree
are prepared for further study in physics or related fields at
the masters or Ph.D. level, as well as a wide variety of technical
positions in industry. In addition, the department offers two
other degree paths which combine a solid background in the study
of physics with in-depth study in other fields. These options
allow for specialization in related fields and provide appropriate
background for certain employment opportunities and for continued
graduate or professional study:
Astronomy: The astronomy option provides a thorough
study of astronomy and astrophysics as well as a solid background
in physics and mathematics. Graduates from this program have gone
on to graduate programs in astronomy and astrophysics while others
have found career opportunities at national astronomical observatories.
Computational Physics: The computational physics
option provides a thorough study of computer science and computational
physics as well as a solid background in physics and mathematics.
Graduates from this program have gone on to graduate programs
in physics and computer science while others have found career
opportunities in technical fields.
Special Degree Requirements
Refer to graduation requirements listed previously in the catalog.
See index.
All majors must meet the Upper-division Writing Expectation by
successfully completing an upper-division writing course from
the approved list in the Academic Policies and Procedures section
of this catalog. See index.
Bachelor of Arts with a major in Physics
Thirty eight credits in physics must be earned for the Bachelor
of Arts degree with a major in physics. Required courses in physics
are: 221N 222N or 121N 122N (221N 222N strongly recommended),
301, 322, 341, 371 (372 strongly recommended), 414 (415 strongly
recommended), 441, 461, and 480. Mathematics 152, 153, 251, and
311 also must be taken.
Physics majors must satisfy successfully the general education
requirements including the following requirement in Foreign Language/Symbolic
Systems: Completion of the second semester of a foreign language
or demonstration of equivalent skill in a foreign language in
testing administered by the Counseling Center and Department of
Foreign Languages and Literatures, and completion of at least
one computer science language course (CS 131, 203, or 204).
Recommended courses in other departments include Mathematics
317, 412, 418.
Bachelor of Arts with a major in Physics: Astronomy Option
During their first two years, students in the astronomy option
should take ASTR 131N, 132N, 134N, 135N, PHYS 221N-222N (normally
during the sophomore year), and MATH 152, 153, and 251 (MATH 121,
if necessary).
Forty-one credits in astronomy and physics courses are required
for the B.A. degree in physics with astronomy option. Required
course in physics are: 221N 222N, 480 plus at least two of the
following course sequences: 322 323, 371 372, 414-415, or 341
461 plus at least one additional upper-division physics course
from this list. Required astronomy courses are: 131N, 132N, 134N,
135N, 353, 363, and 364 (351 and 362 recommended). MATH 152, 153,
251, and 311 also must be taken. Foreign language requirements
must be met as set forth above under Bachelor of Arts with a major
in Physics.
Bachelor of Arts with a major in Physics: Computational Physics
Option:
The purpose of the computational physics option is to provide
a thorough background in both physics and computer science and
to inculcate a deeper understanding of their goals and methods.
A student earns the computational physics option by completing
at least 50 credits in the two disciplines, 30 of these credits
in physics courses and 20 of these in computer science courses.
The following courses are required: Physics 221N 222N, 301, 331,
341, 371, 414, and 480 (PHYS 372, 441, and 415 recommended); Computer
Science 131 132, 331, 332, and six credits of CS electives selected
from courses numbered 200 and above (CS 231, 335, and 415E recommended);
Mathematics 152 153, 225, 251, 311 and 325 (MATH 305, 341, and
471 recommended). Foreign language requirements must be met as
set forth above under Bachelor of Arts with a major in Physics.
Teacher Preparation in Physics
Major Teaching Field of Physics: For an endorsement in the major
teaching field of Physics, a student must complete the following
course requirements: 34 credits in Physics including Physics 121N
122N or 221N 222N, 301, 322 323, 328, 341, 371, 414, and 461.
Also required are Astronomy 131N 132N; Mathematics 152 153, 158,
241 or 341, and 251; Computer Science 131 or 201 or 203; Curriculum
& Instruction 426, Chemistry 151N and 485; Biology 101N or
103N or 120N or 121N; and Geology 100N and 301. Students also
must gain admission to Teacher Education and Student Teaching
and meet the requirements for certification as a secondary teacher
(see the School of Education section of this catalog).
Minor Teaching Field of Physics: For an endorsement in the minor
teaching field of Physics, a student must complete Physics 121N
122N or 221N 222N, 322 323, 328, 341 and 371. Also required are
Astronomy 131N or 132N; Biology 101N or 103N or 120N or 121N;
Chemistry 151N, 485; Mathematics 152 153, 158, 241or 344, 251;
and Computer Science 131 or 201 or 203. Students also must gain
admission to Teacher Education and Student Teaching and meet the
requirements for certification as a secondary teacher (see the
School of Education section of this catalog).
Suggested Course of Study
Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Physics
For physics majors with four years of college preparatory mathematics
or exemption from MATH 121 by examination:
First Year |
Autumn |
Spring |
CS 131 Fundamentals of Computer Science |
- |
3 |
*ENEX 101 Composition |
3 |
- |
MATH 152 153 Calculus I, II |
4 |
4 |
PHYS 221N 222N Fundamentals of Physics |
5 |
5 |
Electives and General Education |
3 |
3 |
Total |
15 |
15 |
*Semester of enrollment depends on beginning letter of student's
last name.
Second Year |
Autumn |
Spring |
MATH 251 Calculus III |
4 |
- |
PHYS 301 Vector Analysis |
- |
3 |
PHYS 322 323 Optics |
2 |
2 |
PHYS 341 Fundamentals of Modern Physics |
3 |
- |
Foreign Language* |
5 |
5 |
Electives |
|
|
Total |
15 |
15 |
*Can be waived with two years of foreign language in high school.
Third Year |
|
|
MATH 311, 412 Differential Equations |
3 |
3 |
PHYS 371-372 Mechanics |
3 |
3 |
PHYS 414-415 Electromagnetism |
3 |
3 |
PHYS 441 Modern Exp Phys Lab |
- |
3 |
PHYS 446 Thermo & Stat Mech |
(3) |
- |
PHYS 463 Selected Topics |
- |
(3) |
Electives and General Education |
3-6 |
0-3 |
Total |
15 |
15 |
Fourth Year |
|
|
PHYS 446 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics |
(3) |
- |
PHYS 461 Quantum Mechanics I |
3 |
- |
PHYS 463 Selected Topics or 462 Quantum Mechanics II
|
- |
3 |
PHYS 480 Senior Seminar |
1 |
- |
Electives and General Education |
|
|
Total |
15 |
15 |
For physics majors with fewer than four years of college preparatory
mathematics (students who begin MATH 152 in the second semester
use this suggested course of study for physics courses):
First Year |
Autumn |
Spring |
ASTR 131N 132N Elementary Astronomy |
3 |
3 |
CS 131Fundamentals of Computer Science |
- |
3 |
*ENEX 101 Composition |
3 |
- |
MATH 121 Precalculus |
3 |
- |
MATH 152 Calculus I |
- |
4 |
Foreign language+ |
5 |
5 |
Elective |
1 |
- |
Total |
15 |
15 |
* Semester of enrollment depends on beginning letter of student's
last name.
+Can be waived with two years of foreign language in high school.
Second Year |
Autumn |
Spring |
MATH 153-Calculus II |
4 |
- |
MATH 251-Calculus III |
- |
4 |
PHYS 221N-222N-Fundamentals of Physics |
5 |
5 |
PHYS 301-Vector Analysis |
- |
3 |
Electives or General Education |
6 |
3 |
Total |
15 |
15 |
Third Year |
|
|
MATH 311, 412-Differential Equations |
3 |
3 |
PHYS 322-323 Optics |
2 |
2 |
PHYS 341-Fundamentals of Modern Physics |
3 |
- |
PHYS 371-372- Mechanics |
3 |
3 |
PHYS 441 Modern Exp Phys Lab |
- |
3 |
PHYS 446 Thermo & Stat Mech |
(3) |
- |
PHYS 463 Selected Topics |
- |
(3) |
Electives and General Education |
1-4 |
1-4 |
Total |
15 |
15 |
Fourth Year |
|
|
PHYS 414-415 Electromagnetism |
3 |
3 |
PHYS 446-Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics |
(3) |
- |
PHYS 461-Quantum Mechanics I |
3 |
- |
PHYS 463-Selected Topics or 462 Quantum Mechanics II |
- |
3 |
PHYS 480 Senior Seminar |
1 |
- |
Electives and General Education |
5-8 |
9 |
Total |
15 |
15 |
Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Physics and an Option in Astronomy
First Year |
Autumn |
Spring |
ASTR 131N-132N Elementary Astronomy |
3 |
3 |
ASTR 134N-135N Elementary Astronomy Laboratory |
1 |
1 |
CS 101 Introduction to Programming or ENEX 101 Composition* |
3 |
- |
CS 131 Fundamentals of Computer Science |
- |
3 |
MATH 121 Precalculus |
4 |
- |
MATH 152 Calculus I |
- |
4 |
Foreign language+ or General Education |
5 |
5 |
Total |
16 |
16 |
* ENEX 101 is required unless exempted by testing. Semester of
enrollment depends on beginning letter of student's last name.
+Can be waived with two years of foreign language in high school.
Second Year |
Autumn |
Spring |
MATH 153, 251 Calculus II, III |
4 |
4 |
PHYS 221N-222N Fundamentals of Physics with Calculus* |
5 |
5 |
General Education |
6 |
6 |
Total |
15 |
15 |
*Students who are ready for calculus in their first year could
take PHYS 221N-222N in their first year instead of a foreign language.
Third Year |
|
|
ASTR 351 Planetary Science or ASTR 362 Observational
Astronomy* |
3 |
- |
ASTR 353 Galactic Astrophysics and Cosmology* |
- |
3 |
MATH 311 Ordinary Differential Equations |
3 |
- |
PHYS 301 Vector Analysis |
- |
3 |
PHYS 322-323 Optics |
2 |
2 |
PHYS 341 Fundamentals of Modern Physics |
3 |
- |
General Education or electives |
3 |
6 |
Total |
14 |
14 |
Fourth Year |
|
|
ASTR 363-364 Stellar Astronomy and Astrophysics* |
3 |
3 |
PHYS 371-372 Mechanics or PHYS 371-372 Mechanics or PHYS
461-462 Quantum Mechanics |
3 |
3 |
PHYS 480 Senior Seminar |
1 |
- |
General Education or electives |
8 |
9 |
Total |
15 |
15 |
*Upper-division astronomy courses can be taken in a different
order, as they are offered only in alternate years.
Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Physics with an Option in Computational
Physics
First Year |
Autumn |
Spring |
CS 131-132 Fundamentals of Computer Science |
3 |
3 |
ENEX 101 Composition* |
3 |
- |
MATH 152-153 Calculus I, II |
4 |
4 |
PHYS 221N-222N Fundamentals of Physics with Calculus |
5 |
5 |
General Education |
- |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
15 |
15 |
* Semester of enrollment depends on beginning letter of student's
last name.
Second Year |
Autumn |
Spring |
CS 231 Computer Architecture/Assembly Language* |
3 |
- |
MATH 225 Discrete Math |
3 |
- |
MATH 251 Calculus III |
- |
4 |
PHYS 301 Vector Analysis |
- |
3 |
PHYS 331 Introduction to Computational Physics |
- |
(3) |
PHYS 341 Fundamentals of Modern Physics |
3 |
- |
Foreign language+ or General Education |
5 |
5 |
General Education or electives |
1 |
0-3 |
Total |
16 |
16 |
+Can be waived with two years of foreign language in high school.
Third Year |
|
|
CS 331-332 Data Structures and Algorithms |
3 |
3 |
MATH 311 Ordinary Differential Equations |
3 |
- |
MATH 325 Discrete Math II |
- |
3 |
PHYS 331 Introduction to Computational Physics |
- |
(3) |
PHYS 371-372 Mechanics* |
3 |
3 |
PHYS 441 Modern Experimental Physics Laboratory* |
- |
3 |
General Education or electives |
6 |
0-3 |
Total |
15 |
15 |
Fourth Year |
|
|
CS 335 Theory of Programming Languages* |
- |
3 |
CS 415E Computers, Ethics, and Society* |
- |
3 |
PHYS 414-415 Electromagnetism* |
3 |
3 |
PHYS 480 Senior Seminar |
1 |
- |
General Education or electives |
|
|
Total |
15 |
15 |
* CS and PHYS courses marked with * are recommended. Other courses
in physics and computer science can be substituted for them.
Requirements for a Minor
To earn a minor in physics the student must complete PHYS 121N-122N
or 221N-222N; PHYS 371-372; and six credits from PHYS 301, 322-323,
341, 414, 415, 446, or 461-462.
Courses
U=for undergraduate credit only, UG=for undergraduate or graduate
credit, G=for graduate credit. R after the credit indicates the
course may be repeated for credit to the maximum indicated after
the R.
Astronomy (ASTR)
U 131N Elementary Astronomy I 3 cr. Offered
autumn. Prereq., high school algebra and geometry. An introduction
to historical and solar system astronomy.
U 132N Elementary Astronomy II 3 cr. Offered
spring. Prereq., high school algebra and geometry. An introduction
to stars, stellar evolution, galaxies, and the universe.
U 134N Elementary Astronomy Laboratory I 1 cr.
Offered autumn. Prereq. or coreq., ASTR 131N Laboratory exercises
in observational and solar system astronomy.
U 135N Elementary Astronomy Laboratory II 1 cr.
Offered spring. Prereq. or coreq., ASTR 132N. Laboratory exercises
in stellar and galactic astronomy.
U 195 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-6) Offered
intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors,
experimental offerings of new courses or one-time offerings of
current topics.
U 198 Cooperative Education Experience Variable cr.
(R-10) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of department.
Extended classroom experience which provides practical application
of classroom learning during placements off campus. Prior approval
must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Center for
Work-Based Learning.
UG 351 Planetary Science 3 cr. Offered autumn
even-numbered years. Prereq., PHYS 221N or 121N and MATH 150 or
152. Same as GEOL 309. Physical and geological characteristics
of planets, satellites, asteroids, comets, and meteoroids, with
an emphasis on comparative planetology.
UG 353 Galactic Astrophysics and Cosmology 3 cr.
Offered spring odd-numbered years. Prereq., ASTR 132N, PHYS 222N,
MATH 251. The nature of the Milky Way galaxy and other galaxies,
galactic evolution, the large scale structure of the universe,
active galaxies and quasars, and cosmology, including the early
universe.
UG 362 Observational Astronomy 2 cr. Offered
autumn even-numbered years. Prereq., ASTR 132N, PHYS 222N. Telescopes
and instrumentation for the determination of the positions, brightness,
colors and other properties of stars; particular attention to
photoelectric photometry. Includes observational and computational
problems.
UG 363 Stellar Astronomy and Astrophysics I 3 cr.
Offered autumn odd-numbered years. Prereq., ASTR 132N, MATH 251,
and PHYS 222N; PHYS 341 recommended. Detailed application of physical
laws to determine the nature of the stars; analysis of stellar
spectra and atmospheres; solar astrophysics; structure of stars
and their evolution.
UG 364 Stellar Astronomy and Astrophysics II 3 cr.
Offered spring even-numbered years. Prereq., ASTR 363. Continuation
of ASTR 363.
U 395 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-6) Offered
intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors,
experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of
current topics.
U 398 Cooperative Education Experience Variable cr.
(R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of department.
Extended classroom experience which provides practical application
of classroom learning during placements off campus. Prior approval
must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Center for
Work-Based Learning.
Physics (PHYS)
U 121N Fundamentals of Physics I 5 cr. Offered
autumn and spring. Prereq., working knowledge of high school algebra
and trigonometry. Mechanics, sound, and heat. For non-physical
science majors. Satisfies medical school requirements. Credit
not allowed for both PHYS 121N-122N and 221N-222N.
U 122N Fundamentals of Physics II 5 cr. Offered
autumn and spring. Prereq., PHYS 121N. Electricity, magnetism,
light, and modern physics. Credit not allowed for both PHYS 121N-122N
and 221N-222N.
U 141N Relativity: From Galileo to Einstein and Beyond
3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., working knowledge of high
school physics and high school calculus, or consent of instr.
Modern theoretical study of space, time, the principle of relativity,
and its implications. Analysis of apparent paradoxes, and applications
to particle physics.
U 195 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-6) Offered
intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors,
experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of
current topics.
U 198 Cooperative Education Experience Variable cr.
(R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of department.
Extended classroom experience which provides practical application
of classroom learning during placements off campus. Prior approval
must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Center for
Work-Based Learning.
U 221N Fundamentals of Physics with Calculus I 5 cr.
Offered autumn. Prereq. or coreq., MATH 152 or equiv. This course
satisfies medical and technical school requirements in general
physics. Mechanics, sound, and heat. Credit not allowed for both
PHYS 221N-222N and 121N-122N.
U 222N Fundamentals of Physics with Calculus II 5 cr.
Offered spring. Prereq., PHYS 221N and coreq., MATH 153. Heat,
electricity, magnetism, and light. Credit not allowed for both
PHYS 221N-222N and 121N-122N.
U 251 Laboratory Arts 1 cr. (R-2) Offered intermittently.
Prereq., PHYS 222N and upper-division standing in physics. Elements
of glass blowing, machine shop practice and electronic construction
techniques.
UG 301 Vector Analysis 3 cr. Offered spring.
Prereq. or coreq., PHYS 222N and MATH 251. Selected topics in
vector algebra and vector calculus, with examples from applications
in physics.
UG 322 Optics I 2 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq.,
PHYS 222N. And coreq., MATH 251. Topics in light and optics at
the intermediate level, with laboratory.
UG 323 Optics II 2 cr. Offered spring. Prereq.,
PHYS 322. Continuation of PHYS 322. Topics in light and optics
at the intermediate level, with laboratory.
UG 328 Methods of Teaching Physics 2 cr. Offered
spring odd-numbered years. Prereq., PHYS 222N or 122N. Lectures
topics, demonstrations and laboratory experiments used in contemporary
approaches to the teaching of high school and introductory college
physics.
U 331 Introduction to Computational Physics 3 cr.
Offered spring even-numbered years. Prereq., PHYS 222N; coreq.,
any upper-division PHYS course (301 or higher). Solution of advanced
problems in physics using computational methods. Students will
learn a variety of numerical methods, including FORTRAN programming
techniques.
UG 341 Fundamentals of Modern Physics 3 cr. Offered
autumn. Prereq., one year of college physics; coreq., MATH 251.
Includes historical background for development of modern physics
and an introduction to quantum mechanics, atomic and nuclear physics.
Credit not allowed for graduate degree in physics.
UG 371 Mechanics I 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq.,
PHYS 301; coreq., MATH 311. Topics in classical mechanics at the
intermediate level.
UG 372 Mechanics II 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq.,
PHYS 371. Continuation of PHYS 371. Topics in classical mechanics
at the intermediate level.
U 395 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-9) Offered
intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors,
experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of
current topics.
U 396 Honors Physics Variable cr. (R-6) Offered
intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr. Independent research
in topics of current interest in physics.
UG 414 Electromagnetism I 3 cr. Offered autumn.
Prereq, PHYS 301. Electricity and magnetism at the intermediate
level.
UG 415 Electromagnetism II 3 cr. Offered spring.
Prereq., PHYS 414. Continuation of PHYS 414. Electricity and magnetism
at the intermediate level.
U 441 Modern Experimental Physics Laboratory 3 cr.
Offered spring. Prereq., PHYS 222. Advanced experiments in digital
electronics, modern physics, spectroscopy and laser science. Emphasis
on individual initiative in the laboratory and advanced measurement
techniques. This course is recommended for students entering graduate
school in experimental science.
UG 446 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics 3 cr.
Offered autumn odd-numbered years. Prereq., PHYS 341; coreq.,
MATH 311. Topics in thermodynamics and statistical mechanics.
UG 461 Quantum Mechanics I 3 cr. Offered autumn.
Prereq., PHYS 341; coreq., MATH 311. Introduction to quantum mechanics.
Topics include Schroedinger equation, piecewise constant potential,
harmonic oscillator, hydrogen atom, angular momentum theory, electron
spin.
UG 462 Quantum Mechanics II 3 cr. Offered spring
even-numbered years. Prereq., PHYS 461 or consent of instr. Advanced
topics in quantum mechanics including linear vector spaces and
Dirac notation, quantum dynamics, time-dependent perturbation
theory, and scattering theory.
UG 463 Selected Topics in Modern Physics 3 cr.
(R-6) Offered spring odd-numbered years. Prereq., PHYS 461 or
consent of instr.. Studies of a topic in advanced modern physics
including nuclear physics, solid state physics, and quantum optics.
The topic chosen will vary according to instructor.
UG 480 Senior Seminar 1 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq.,
junior or senior standing in physics. Each student will present
a seminar on research performed prior to or during their senior
year.
U 493 Omnibus Variable cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently.
University omnibus option for independent work. See index.
UG 495 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-9) Offered
intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors,
experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of
current topics.
G 595 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-9) Offered
intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors,
experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of
current topics.
G 597 Research 1-6 cr. ( R-9) Offered intermittently.
Prereq., consent of instr. Research in selected physics topics.
G 598 Cooperative Education Experience Variable cr.
(R-9) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of department.
Extended classroom experience which provides practical application
of classroom learning during placements off campus. Prior approval
must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Center for
Work-Based Learning.
G 599 Thesis Variable cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently.
Thesis preparation and execution.
Faculty
Professors
James P. Jacobs, Ph.D., University of Washington, 1991(Chair)
Eijiro Uchimoto, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, 1988
Associate Professors
David B. Friend, Ph.D., University of Colorado, 1982
Andrew S. Ware, Ph.D., University of California, San Diego, 1992
Assistant Professor
John W. Belz, Ph.D., Temple University, 1993
Adjunct Assistant Professors
Brian Igarashi, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,
1995
Svilen D. Kostov, Ph.D., City University of New York, 1998
Adjunct Instructor
Diane S. Friend, M.S., The University of Montana, 2000
Emeritus Professors
Richard J. Hayden, Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1948
Mark J. Jakobson, Ph.D., University of California
Randolph H. Jeppesen, Ph.D., New Mexico State University, 1980