Physics is the science that has as its objective the formulation and verification of laws or relationships among the different physical quantities. Some of the most important of these quantities are mass, time, length, force, energy, momentum, electric charge, electric field strength, entropy and wavelength. These quantities and the relations among them, which we call laws, have been found to serve in and to explain a wide range of phenomena such as occur in mechanics, heat, electricity, magnetism, light, atomic and nuclear physics and in such related subjects as engineering, biophysics, meteorology and geophysics. In addition, the subject of philosophy is profoundly influenced both by the methods and development of physics.
The department also offers a variety of courses in astronomy. These courses are designed to provide a good background in the related fields of mathematics and physics and to include a thorough preparation in astronomy and astrophysics.
Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in physics, a Bachelor of Arts degree in physics and astronomy and a Bachelor of Arts degree in physics-computer science are offered.
Refer to graduation requirements listed previously in the catalog. See index.
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, 314 (315 strongly recommended), 322, 341, 371 (372 strongly recommended), 441 and 452. Mathematics 152, 153, 158, and 251 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 311, 312.
The entering freshman students interested in working toward this degree would normally have had the high school mathematics courses which would prepare them for enrollment in Mathematics 121 during the autumn semester of the freshman year. If they have four years of college preparatory mathematics, including high school trigonometry, or can pass an examination which will exempt them from Mathematics 121, they should initially enroll in Calculus I. During the first two years of college, the student in the combined major should take Calculus I, II, III and Applied Differential Equations. The student should also enroll in the introductory astronomy sequence, Astronomy 131N-132N. In addition, they should enroll in as many electives and non-major courses satisfying departmental graduation requirements as course scheduling permits. Foreign language requirements must be met as set forth above under Bachelor of Arts with a major in Physics. The prospective major in physics and astronomy will normally not take any physics courses until the second year. During the sophomore year, students should enroll in Physics 221N-222N.
Thirty-nine credits in astronomy and physics courses are required for the B.A. degree with a major in physics and astronomy, in addition to the general requirements for graduation. The thirty-nine credits should include Physics 221N-222N plus at least two of the following course sequences: Physics 314-315, 322-323, 371-372, or 452-453. In addition, Astronomy 131N-132N, 351-352, 363-364, and one additional astronomy course of the student's choice are required.
The purpose of the combined program is to provide a thorough background in both allied disciplines and to inculcate a deeper understanding of their goals and methods. A student can offer a combined major by completing at least 58 credits in the two disciplines, 29 of these credits in physics courses and 29 of these in computer science courses. The following courses are required: Physics 221N-222N, 301, 314-315, 371-372 and 341; Computer Science 131-132, 231-232, 331, 332, 335, 475, and 477; Mathematics 152-153, 225, 251, 311, and 325. Beyond the required mathematics courses, Math 344, 347, and 471 are strongly recommended. Also required is one course from Chem 334 or For 220. Moreover, the student must complete two academic semesters of a foreign language at the University.
Students expecting to enroll in the program must meet the admission requirements of the computer science major. See computer science.
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 Phys 121N-122N or 221N-222N, 301, 314, 322-323, 328, 341, 371 and 452. Also required are Astr 131N-132N; Math 152-153, 158, 241 or 344, and 251; CS 131 or 201 or 203; C&I 426, Chem 151N and 485; Biol 101N or 103N or120N or 121N; and Geol 100N and 201. 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 Phys 121N-122N or 221N-222N, 322-323, 328, 341 and 371. Also required are Astr 131N or 132N; Biol 101N or 103N or 120N or 121N; Chem 151N, 485; Math 152-153, 158, 241or 344, 251; and CS 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).
For physics majors with four years of college preparatory mathematics or exemption from Math 121 by examination:
First Year
Second Year
Third Year
Fourth Year
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
Second Year
Third Year
Fourth Year
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, 314-315, 322-323, 341, 446, or 452-453.
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.
U 131N Elementary Astronomy I 3 cr. Prereq., high school algebra and geometry. Solar system astronomy.
U 132N Elementary Astronomy II 3 cr. Prereq., high school algebra and geometry. A survey of normal and variable stars, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies, quasars, pulsars, neutron stars, black holes, and other topics.
U 134N Elementary Astronomy Laboratory I 1 cr. Prereq. or coreq., Astr 131N. Laboratory exercises in solar system astronomy.
U 135N Elementary Astronomy Laboratory II 1 cr. Prereq. or coreq., Astr 132N. Laboratory exercises in stellar and galactic astronomy.
U 150 The Search for Life in the Universe 2 cr. Prereq., Astr 131N. Offered alternate years. A survey of exobiology with emphasis on the astronomical evidence regarding prospective life sites in the solar system and elsewhere.
U 195 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-6) 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) 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 Cooperative Education Office.
U 233 Galaxies and Cosmology 3 cr. Prereq., Astr 132N. Offered alternate years. Distribution of stars, nebulae, and interstellar matter of the Milky Way Galaxy and properties of other galaxies, clusters of galaxies, and quasars. The origin and fate of the Universe.
UG 351 Planetary Astronomy 3 cr. Prereq., Astr 131N, Phys 222N or 122N. Offered alternate years. Physical and geological characteristics of planets, satellites, asteroids, comets, and meteoroids, with an emphasis on comparative planetology.
UG 352 Solar Astrophysics 3 cr. Prereq., Astr 132N, Phys 222N, Math 251. Offered alternate years. The physics of the interior, atmosphere, and activity of the sun, and how we observe the sun using the Department's solar telescope.
UG 362 Observational Astronomy 3 cr. Prereq., Astr 132N, Phys 222N. Offered alternate years. Telescopes and instrumentation for the determination of the positions, brightnesses, colors and other properties of stars; particular attention to photoelectric photometry. Includes observational and computational problems.
UG 363 Stellar Astronomy and Astrophysics 3 cr. Prereq., Astr 132N, Math 158 and 251, and Phys 222N. Offered alternate years. Detailed application of physical laws to determine the nature of the stars; analysis of stellar spectra; structure of stars and their evolution; galactic structure and cosmology.
UG 364 Stellar Astronomy and Astrophysics 3 cr. Prereq., Astr 363. Offered alternate years. Continuation of Astr 363.
U 395 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-9) 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) 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 Cooperative Education Office.
PhysicsU 104N Physics of Energy 3 cr. Study of various energy sources and the problem of energy frugality in order to understand public policy and environmental issues. Basic understanding of governing physics principles is emphasized.
U 105N Physics of Music and Hi-Fidelity 3 cr. Study of waves, sound and electricity as applied to music and hi-fidelity. Not appropriate towards general physics requirement in any major.
U 121N General Physics 5 cr. 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 General Physics 5 cr. Prereq., Phys 121N. Electricity, magnetism, light, and modern physics. Credit not allowed for both Phys 121N-122N and 221N-222N.
U 195 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-6) 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) 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 Cooperative Education Office.
U 221N General Physics 5 cr. Prereq. or coreq., calculus. 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 General Physics 5 cr. Prereq., Phys 221N. Electricity, magnetism, light, and modern physics. Credit not allowed for both Phys 221N-222N and 121N-122N.
U 251 Laboratory Arts 1 cr. (R-2) 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. Prereq. or coreq., Phys 222N and Math 251. Selected topics in vector algebra and vector calculus, with examples from applications in physics.
UG 314 Electricity 3 cr. Prereq, Phys 301. Electricity and magnetism at the intermediate level.
UG 315 Electricity 3 cr. Prereq., Phys 314. Continuation of Phys 314. Electricity and magnetism at the intermediate level.
UG 322 Light 2 cr. Prereq., Phys 222N and coreq., Math 251. Topics in light and optics at the intermediate level, with laboratory.
UG 323 Light 2 cr. 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. Prereq., Phys 222N or 122N. Offered alternate years. Lectures topics, demonstrations and laboratory experiments used in contemporary approaches to the teaching of high school and introductory college physics.
UG 341 Fundamentals of Modern Physics 3 cr. Prereq., one year of general physics. 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 3 cr. Prereq., Phys 301 and Math 158 and 251. Topics in classical mechanics at the intermediate level.
UG 372 Mechanics 3 cr. Prereq., Phys 371. Continuation of Phys 371. Topics in classical mechanics at the intermediate level.
U 395 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-9) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
U 399 Honors Physics Variable cr. (R-6) Prereq., consent of instr. Independent research in topics of current interest in physics.
UG 441 Modern Experimental Physics Laboratory I 2 cr. Prereq., Phys 222N. Experiments in electronics, modern physics, spectroscopy, and laser science. Emphasis on hands-on laboratory techniques suitable for research scientists.
UG 442 Modern Experimental Physics Laboratory II 2 cr. Prereq. or coreq., Phys 441. 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. Prereq., Phys 222N and Math 158 and 251. Offered alternate years. Topics in thermodynamics and statistical mechanics.
UG 452 Quantum Physics of the Atom 3 cr. Prereq., Phys 341 and Math 251. Introduction to quantum mechanics. Topics include Schroedinger equation, piecewise constant potential, harmonic oscillator, hydrogen atom, angular momentum theory, electron spin.
UG 453 Selected Topics in Modern Physics 3 cr. (R-6) Prereq., Phys 452. Offered alternate years. 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 473 Quantum Mechanics 3 cr. Prereq., Phys 452. Offered alternate years. Advanced topics in quantum mechanics including linear vector spaces and Dirac notation, quantum dynamics, time-dependent perturbation theory, and scattering theory.
UG 495 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-9) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
G 514 Electrodynamics 3 cr. Prereq., Phys 315 and 372. Offered alternate years. Electricity and magnetism at the advanced level.
G 515 Electrodynamics 3 cr. Prereq., Phys 514. Offered alternate years. Electricity and magnetism at the advanced level.
G 554 Nuclear Physics 3 cr. Prereq., Phys 453 and 473. Offered alternate years. Nuclear physics at the advanced level.
G 555 Nuclear Physics 3 cr. Prereq., Phys 554. Offered alternate years. Nuclear and particle physics at the advanced level.
G 573 Quantum Mechanics 3 cr. Prereq., Phys 473. Offered alternate years. Quantum mechanics at the advanced level.
G 574 Quantum Mechanics 3 cr. Prereq., Phys 573. Offered alternate years. Quantum mechanics at the advanced level.
G 595 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-9) 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) Prereq., consent of instr. Research in selected physics topics.
G 598 Cooperative Education Experience Variable cr. (R-9) 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 Cooperative Education Office.
G 599 Thesis Variable cr. (R-9) Thesis preparation and execution.
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