Department of Physics
Interim
Chair and Professor: Wells
Professors: Dale, Shropshire
Associate Professors: Cole,
Tatar
Research Associate Professors:
Chouffani, Dimitrov, Forest, Hunt
Assistant Professor: McNulty
Research Assistant Professor:
Y. Kim
Senior
Lecturer: Hackworth
Lecturer: Bernabee
Adjunct Faculty:
Bergett, DeVeaux, Gesell, Harker,
Harris, Hill, Jones, Nigg, Roney
Affiliate Faculty: Bergett, Blackburn, DeVeaux, Franckowiak, Gesell, Harker,
Harris,
Hill, Jones, K. Kim, Millward, Nigg,
Roney
Emeriti: Beezhold, Harmon,
Parker, Vegors
Degree Options in Physics
Students who wish to major in physics will take courses which will
prepare them for industrial or governmental positions or for graduate
study in
physics or allied fields.
The department offers three undergraduate degree programs as well
as a minor in physics. The Associate of Science, Bachelor of Arts, and
the minor are designed for students who desire a flexible program so
they can develop interdisciplinary competence. The Bachelor of Science
degree places greater emphasis on physics and is
designed to prepare students for careers in physics or a
closely
allied profession. These programs consist of a set of required core
courses
plus a selection of courses in a particular field. The core courses
include
the basic physics and mathematics courses which serve as a foundation
for
more advanced study. A student planning to do graduate work in physics
should elect to complete the B.S. physics degree.
The common objectives for students of our undergraduate programs
in
physics include developing: (1) broad, fundamental technical skills and
knowledge, (2) strong communication skills, and (3) the capability to
think critically and work independently. Each of these objectives has a
"level" that is appropriate
for the degree.
For the A.S. degree in physics, the learning objectives
are to achieve a hands-on core competence that is appropriate for a
wide range of applied technical fields. This includes the general
education goals of a B.S.
degree, plus knowledge
of general physics, calculus, and general chemistry. The
communication objectives at this level are writing and speaking skills
that meet the needs of a
within-a-work-group setting. Our expectations are that these
students will
obtain critical thinking skills and an ability to work independently at
the technician level.
For the B.A. degree in physics, the technical
objectives are mastery of calculus,
ordinary differential equations, linear algebra, general physics,
modern
physics, and student-selected areas of classical mechanics, quantum
mechanics,
electromagnetism and methods of nuclear measurements. For the
B.S. degree
in physics, the technical objectives are the learning goals of the B.A.
degree, plus additional hands-on research
laboratory experience
and further knowledge in solid-state physics, statistical physics,
nuclear
physics, optics and the conduct of research. The communication
objectives at the B.A. and B.S. levels are writing and speaking skills
that are sufficient to represent themselves and their organizations at
regional or national scientific meetings. Our expectations are
that these students will obtain critical
thinking skills and an ability to work independently at a level that
will
require minimal or modest supervision of either management or a more
senior
scientist.
Associate
of Science in Physics
Bachelor of Arts in Physics
Bachelor of Science in Physics
Minor
in Physics
Associate of Science in Physics
Students seeking an Associate of Science degree in Physics must
complete the following:
General Education Goals for the
Bachelor of Science* variable
CHEM 1111,1111L General Chemistry I, and Lab 5 cr
CHEM 1112,1112L General Chemistry II, and Lab 4 cr
MATH 1170 Calculus I 4 cr
MATH 1175 Calculus II 4 cr
MATH 2275 Calculus III 4 cr
PHYS 2211,2213 Engineering Physics I and Lab 5 cr
PHYS 2212,2214 Engineering Physics II and Lab 5 cr
Electives to bring total to 64 cr variable
TOTAL: 64 cr
* The number of credits required
for the General Education requirements varies depending on the student's
performance on proficiency or placement tests in English, foreign
languages, and mathematics.
Bachelor of Arts in Physics
The following courses are required in addition to the General Education
Requirements for the B.A. degree:
MATH 1170 Calculus I 4 cr
MATH 1175 Calculus II 4 cr
MATH 2275 Calculus III 4 cr
MATH 3360 Differential Equations 3 cr
At least 24 credits of Physics, including:
PHYS 2211-2212 Engineering Physics 8 cr
OR
PHYS 1111-1112 General Physics 6 cr
PHYS 2213-2214 Engineering Physics Laboratory 2 cr
OR
PHYS 1113-1114 General Physics Laboratory 2 cr
PHYS 3301 Modern Physics 3 cr
AND
11-13 credits of electives (depending upon the introductory sequence) with
at least 6 credits of 4000-level courses (PHYS 4492 cannot be counted toward the latter requirement).
Bachelor of Science in Physics
The following courses are required in addition to the General Education
Requirements for the B.S. Degree:
CHEM 1111,1111L General Chemistry I, and Lab 5 cr
CHEM 1112,1112L General Chemistry II, and Lab 4 cr
MATH 1170 Calculus I 4 cr
MATH 1175 Calculus II 4 cr
MATH 2275 Calculus III 4 cr
MATH 3360 Differential Equations 3 cr
MATH 4421,4422 Advanced Engineering
Mathematics I and II 6 cr
OR
MATH 4461,4462 Introduction to Mathematical
Physics I and II 6 cr
PHYS 2211,2212 Engineering Physics 8 cr
PHYS 2213,2214 Engineering Physics Laboratory 2 cr
PHYS 3301 Modern Physics 3 cr
PHYS 3313 Intermediate Laboratory I 2 cr
PHYS 4403,4404 Advanced Modern Physics 6 cr
PHYS 4416 Radiation Detection and Measurement 3 cr
OR
PHYS 4414 Electronic Instrumentation
and Measurement 3 cr
PHYS 4421,4422 Electricity and Magnetism 6 cr
PHYS 4483 Theoretical Mechanics 4 cr
PHYS 4492 Colloquium in Physics 1 cr
Plus 6 additional 4000-level PHYS credits
Minor in Physics
MATH 1170 Calculus I 4 cr
MATH 1175 Calculus II 4 cr
MATH 2275 Calculus III 4 cr
MATH 3360 Differential Equations 3 cr
PHYS 2211-2212 Engineering Physics 8 cr
PHYS 3301 Modern Physics 3 cr
PHYS 4403 Advanced Modern Physics 3 cr
IN ADDITION: Physics electives approved by
the department 4 cr
Physics Courses
PHYS 1100 Essentials of Physics 4 credits. A
survey of basic physics principles; motion, gravitation, electricity
and magnetism, light, atoms and nuclei. Includes lecture,
demonstrations
and elementary problem solving. COREQ: MATH 1108 or equivalent. F, S
PHYS 1101 Elements
of Physics 3 credits.
A survey of basic physics principles; motion, gravitation, electricity
and magnetism, light, atoms and nuclei. Includes lecture,
demonstrations, elementary problem solving. With PHYS
1101L, satisfies Goal 5 of the General Education Requirements.
PREREQ: Permission of the College of Technology. COREQ:
MATH 1108 or equivalent; PHYS 1101L. F,
S
PHYS 1101L
Elements of Physics Laboratory 1
credit. Laboratory-based application of PHYS 1101, to
demonstrate basic physics
principles; motion, gravitation, electricity and magnetism, light,
atoms and
nuclei. With PHYS 1101,
Satisfies Goal 5 of the General Education Requirements. PREREQ:
Permission of the College
of Technology. COREQ: MATH 1108 or equivalent; PHYS
1101. F, S
PHYS 1103 Tools for Scientists I 1
credit. Personal computer, Internet and WWW, and HP graphics
calculator
applications in
the sciences. Familiarizes students with the capabilities of these
computing tools. Emphasizes problems frequently encountered in science
and engineering courses. D
PHYS 1111 General Physics I 3 credits. Introductory
physics course for students in scientific and technical fields,
particularly the biological sciences; mechanics, wave motion,
thermodynamics. PREREQ: MATH 1143 or MATH 1147 or equivalent. F
PHYS 1112 General Physics II 3 credits. Introduction
to optics, electricity and magnetism and selected topics from atomic
and nuclear physics. PREREQ: PHYS 1111 or equivalent, and MATH 1143 or
MATH 1147 or equivalent. S
PHYS 1113 General Physics I Laboratory 1
credit. Demonstrating principles of physics. COREQ: PHYS 1111. F
PHYS 1114 General Physics II Laboratory
1
credit. Demonstrating principles of physics. PREREQ: PHYS 1113.
COREQ: PHYS 1112. S
PHYS 1152 Descriptive Astronomy 3
credits.
Survey of the historical and modern observation of the sky. Physical
relationships in the solar system; planets, satellites, comets, etc.,
and theories of the creation of the universe and life in the universe.
With PHYS 1153, satisfies Goal 5 of the General Education Requirements.
F, S, Su
PHYS 1153 Descriptive Astronomy
Laboratory
1 credit. Use of astronomical equipment, telescopes, cameras, etc.
With PHYS 1152, satisfies Goal 5 of the General Education Requirements.
F, S, Su
PHYS 2211 Engineering Physics I 4
credits. Mechanics of particles and rigid bodies; kinetic theory
and
thermodynamics; electricity and magnetism; wave motion; optics. COREQ:
MATH 1175. F
PHYS 2212 Engineering Physics II 4
credits. Mechanics of particles and rigid bodies; kinetic theory
and thermodynamics; electricity and magnetism; wave motion; optics.
PREREQ: PHYS 2211. S
PHYS 2213 Engineering Physics I
Laboratory
1 credit. Principles and methods of physical measurement. COREQ:
PHYS 2211. F
PHYS 2214 Engineering Physics II
Laboratory 1 credit. Principles and methods of physical
measurement. COREQ: PHYS 2212. PREREQ: PHYS 2213. S
PHYS 2215 Thermal
Physics 1 credit. Introduction
to thermodynamics and
kinetic theory. Designed for students
who have taken AP Physics C in high school and have not had instruction
in
thermal physics normally covered in Engineering Physics I and II.
COREQ: MATH 1175. D
PHYS 3301 Modern Physics 3 credits. A
one-semester course surveying 20th century physics including elements
of special relativity and quantum mechanics as applied to atoms. A
continuation of the Engineering Physics sequence. PREREQ: PHYS 2212.
COREQ: MATH 3360. F
PHYS 3312 Introduction to Biophysics 4
credits. Survey course designed for pre-medical, pharmacy,
biology, and physical science students covering topics such as the
physics of sensory systems, electromagnetic radiations, and physical
measurement techniques applied to biological problems. PREREQ: CHEM
1112, CHEM 1112L, MATH 1160 or MATH 1170. D
PHYS 3313 Intermediate Laboratory I 2
credits. Modern and historical experiments in atomic physics,
nuclear physics, and optics. COREQ: PHYS 3301 and MATH 3360. F
PHYS 3325 Introduction to Weather and
Climate 3 credits. Introduces the principles that govern weather
and climate, including movements of air masses, genesis of storms,
creation of frontal systems. Provides insight into forecasting
techniques and the effects
of weather and climate on people and societies. PREREQ: CHEM 1112, CHEM
1112L, PHYS
1112 or permission of instructor. F, S, Su, W
PHYS 4400 Practicum in Physical Science
2
credits. Emphasizes design, set-up, equipment, operation, and
administration of physics teaching laboratories, demonstrations and
activities. Introduces pre-designed experiments plus the design and
maintenance of lab equipment. Ideal for Education majors. PREREQ:
Permission of instructor. S
PHYS 4403 Advanced Modern Physics I 3
credits. Study of the elementary principles of quantum mechanics
and an introduction
to atomic, solid state and nuclear physics. Quantum mechanics will be
used
as much as possible. PREREQ: MATH 3360 or equivalent, and PHYS 3301. S
PHYS 4404 Advanced Modern Physics II 3
credits each. Study of the elementary principles of quantum
mechanics and
an introduction to atomic, solid state and nuclear physics. Quantum
mechanics will be used as much as possible. PREREQ: PHYS 4403. F
PHYS 4405 Advanced Physics Laboratory I
2
credits. Experiments in radiation detection and measurement,
nuclear spectroscopy including x-ray and gamma spectroscopies, neutron
activation and ion beam methods. Available to Geology, Engineering,
Health Physics, and Physics majors. PREREQ: Permission of instructor. D
PHYS 4406 Advanced Physics Laboratory II
2
credits. Senior projects providing a capstone to the physics major
curriculum. Written and oral presentation of the project procedures and
results
are required. F, S
PHYS 4408 Error
Analysis for the Physical Sciences 3 credits. Lecture
course with
computation requirements. Topics include: Error propagation,
Probability
Distributions, Least Squares fit, multiple regression, goodness of fit,
covariance and correlations. PREREQ: MATH 3360. AS
PHYS 4409 Introductory Nuclear Physics 3
credits. A course in Nuclear Physics with emphasis upon structural
models, radioactivity, nuclear reactions, fission and fusion. PREREQ:
Knowledge
of elementary quantum mechanics and differential equations or
permission
of instructor. AF
PHYS 4410 Science in American Society 2
credits. Observational basis of science; technology's historical
influences on
scientific developments; perceptions of science in contemporary
America;
tools/strategies for teaching science. Equvalent to GEOL 4410.
PREREQ:
Junior standing and permission of instructor. AF
PHYS 4414
Electronic Instrumentation and Measurement 3 credits. Lecture
course with laboratory requirements. Topics include: DC and AC
Electrical Circuits, Analog pulses, Bipolar Transistors, Field Effect
Transistors, Operational amplifiers. PREREQ: PHYS 2212, PHYS 2214, and
MATH 3360. AS
PHYS 4415 Statistical Physics 3 credits.
Topics covered may include kinetic theory, elementary statistical
mechanics, random motion and the theory of noise. Choice of topics will
depend upon the interest of the students and instructor. PREREQ: PHYS
2212 and MATH 3360. AF
PHYS 4416 Radiation Detection and
Measurement 3 credits. Lecture/laboratory course emphasizing
practical measurement techniques in nuclear physics. PREREQ: CHEM 1112,
CHEM 1112L, PHYS 1111, and PHYS
1113 or PHYS 2211 and PHYS 2213. S
PHYS 4421 Electricity and Magnetism I 3
credits. Intermediate course in fundamental principles of
electrical and
magnetic theory. Free use will be made of vector analysis and
differential
equations. PREREQ: PHYS 2212 and MATH 3360. F
PHYS 4422 Electricity and Magnetism II
3
credits. Intermediate course in fundamental principles of
electrical
and magnetic theory. Free use will be made of vector analysis and
differential
equations. PREREQ: PHYS 4421. S
PHYS 4430
Accelerator Physics 3 credits. The
physics of direct voltage
accelerators, betatrons, synchrotrons, linear induction acceleration;
high
current accelerators; electromagnetic particle optics, free electron
lasers,
and synchrotron light sources. PREREQ: PHYS 4422 or permission of
instructor. D
PHYS 4442 Solid State Physics 3 credits.
Introduction
to the field of solid state physics emphasizing the fundamental
concepts. Topics usually covered are crystal structure, x-ray
diffraction, crystal binding energies, free electron theory of solids,
energy bands. PREREQ:
PHYS 3301 and MATH 3360 or permission of instructor. AF
PHYS 4452 Intermediate Optics 3 credits.
Wave theory, e/m waves, production of
light,
measurement of light, reflection, refraction, interference,
diffraction, polarization, optical systems, matrix methods, Jones
vectors, Fourier optics, propagation of e/m waves in materials,
atmospheric optics. PREREQ: PHYS 2212. COREQ: MATH 3360. AS
PHYS 4453 Topics in Astrophysics 2
credits. Applications of upper division physics to astronomy or
cosmology. May
include lab exercise. PREREQ: Permission of instructor. AS
PHYS 4461 Introduction to Mathematical
Physics I 3 credits. Introduction to the mathematics most commonly
used in
physics with applications to and practice in solving physical problems;
includes vector analysis, ordinary and partial differential equations.
PREREQ:
PHYS 2212 and MATH 3360. F
PHYS 4462 Introduction to Mathematical
Physics II 3 credits. Introduction to the mathematics most
commonly used in physics with applications to and practice in solving
physical problems;
includes vector analysis, ordinary and partial differential equations.
PREREQ: PHYS 4461. S
PHYS 4470
Simulations of Particle Interactions with Matter 3 credits. Lecture
course with monte-carlo computation requirements. Topics include:
Stopping
power, interactions of electrons and photons with matter, hadronic
interactions,
and radiation detection devices. PREREQ: MATH 3360, PHYS 3301. AF
PHYS 4481 Independent Problems 1-3
credits.
Students are assigned to, or request assignment to, independent
problems on the basis of interest. May be repeated to a maximum of 6
credits. F,
S
PHYS 4483 Theoretical Mechanics 4
credits.
Detailed study of the motion of particles, satellites, rigid bodies and
oscillating systems. Develop and apply Lagrangian and Hamiltonian
methods. PREREQ: PHYS 2212 and MATH 3360. F
PHYS 4492 Colloquium in Physics 1 credit.
Faculty and student lectures in current research topics in physics.
Open to upper division and graduate students in physics. May be
repeated for up to 4 credits. F, S
PHYS 4497 Workshop 1-2 credits. Workshops
aimed at the development and improvement of skills. Does not satisfy
requirements for a major or a minor. May be repeated. Graded S/U. D
