Physics (PHY)

Professors Lemley and Velasquez.

Physics deals with the structure and properties of matter, the transformation and propagation of energy and the relationships between matter and energy. Students enrolled in physics can learn physical principles that can be applied to everyday situations and to modern technology from aviation to medical imaging. Students can also learn the consequences of physics in regard to its philosophical implications and social impact such as in theories of cosmology. Students can easily become involved creatively in independent research or obtain internships to prepare them for either graduate school or to enter the work force.

Physics offers a program meeting the needs of students pursuing a variety of study and career options in the physical sciences. Included are students who: anticipate careers as professional physicists in industry, government, or education; plan to pursue graduate study in physics or a related field; seek thorough and comprehensive pre-professional training for the related sciences (medicine, medical physics, radiology, engineering, etc.); plan to engage in secondary science teaching or desire a knowledge of physics as part of their liberal arts experience.

Major: 33 semester hours including PHY 101-102, 216, 227, 228, 331, 332, 391 (Junior level discipline specific communication requirement), and 490 (Senior capstone experience), and one additional 300 level or higher Physics course.

Major Allied Courses: CHM 111-112, MTH 222, MTH 223, and MTH 307. It is strongly suggested that students take a course in Computer Science at the 200 level or higher.

Recommended Electives: CPS 201, CPS 202, MTH 302, and MTH 303.

Minor: 19 semester hours including PHY 101-102, 227, 228, and three additional hours of physics to include one 300 level or higher course. May not use PHY 104 or 215.

Minor Allied Courses: MTH 222, MTH 223, and MTH 307.

100. Introduction to Physical Principles (3 sem. hrs.). Designed for students who need some knowledge in this field but do not wish to take a full-year course in general physics. Some of the most important physical principles and their applications are studied with emphasis on experimental facts upon which these principles are based and on use of the scientific method of deriving them. Students electing to take this course in order to meet their General Education requirement for a laboratory science must take both PHY 100 and PHY 100L in the same semester. (Cannot be included in major.) (Spring only)

100L. Introduction to Physical Principles Laboratory (1 sem. hr.). This course is the laboratory complement to PHY 100 Introduction to Physical Principles. The weekly exercise allows students to more fully explore some of the concepts discussed in the lecture. The laboratory must be taken concurrently with PHY 100. (Cannot be included in the major.) (Spring only)

101-102. General Physics (4 sem. hrs.). A year long sequence that covers the principles and methods of physics with applications to mechanics, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, light and optics and modern physics. This class meets three recitation hours and one 2-hour laboratory period per week. Laboratory must be taken concurrently with the lecture. Recommended for Biology and related majors. Prerequisite: Two years of high school mathematics including algebra (for PHY 101), and C- or higher in PHY 101 for PHY 102. It is strongly recommended that these prerequisites be met no earlier than 2 years prior to enrolling in this class. (Every year)

104. Introduction to Photography (3 sem. hrs.). Provides an introduction to digital photography with an emphasis on the technical aspects of the digital camera. Editing of digital photographs will be done using Adobe Photoshop which will be learned through self-tutorial. Weekly critiques of student work and sample work of various famous photographers will be included. A lab fee will be charged. The class is open to all students. A digital camera is required. This course does not fulfill the Natural Science General Education Requirement and cannot be applied toward any major or minor. Offered in the Physics department unless otherwise noted. This course does fulfill the Arts General Education Requirement.

172. Introduction to Astronomy (3 sem. hrs.). The main areas covered are the solar system, stars, galaxies, cosmology, and possibility of extraterrestrial life. The amount of emphasis placed on each area may vary according to the individual instructor’s interest. (May not be included in Physics major) (Fall and Spring)

216. Electronics (4 sem. hrs.). Analysis of modern electronics including DC and AC circuits, semi-conductor devices, and analog circuits. This class covers diode, transistor, and operational amplifier circuits. Applications include power supplies, amplifying circuits, low-pass filters, and high-pass filters. Prerequisite: C- or higher in PHY 102. (Offered on demand)

227-228. Modern Physics I & II (4 sem. hrs.). Year long sequence that covers the theory of relativity, particle aspects of radiation, quantum theory and its application to atoms and nuclei. This class meets three hours of recitation and 2 hours of lab per week. Prerequisites: C- or higher in PHY 102 and at least concurrent enrollment in MTH 307 (for PHY 227); C- or higher in PHY 227 and MTH 307 (for PHY 228). (Offered on demand)

328. Thermal Physics (3 sem. hrs.). A unified introduction to thermodynamics, statistical mechanics and kinetic theory. Statistical methods, systems of particles, microscopic and macroscopic interpretation of thermodynamic properties, applications of thermodynamics, kinetic theory and quantum statistics. Prerequisites: C- or higher in PHY 228 and MTH 307. (Offered on demand)

331. Electricity and Magnetism (3 sem. hrs.). Study of the sources, properties and effects of electric and magnetic fields, emphasizing a mathematical description of field phenomena in vacuum and material media. Prerequisites: MTH 307 and a C- or higher in PHY 228. (Offered on demand)

332. Mechanics (3 sem. hrs.). Origin and development of classical mechanics, mathematical techniques, conservation laws, orbit theory and rigid-body dynamics. Prerequisite: MTH 307 and a C- or higher in PHY 228. (Offered on demand)

337. Optical Physics (3 sem. hrs.). An introduction to physical optics, quantum theory of light, optical spectra and laser optics. Wave nature of light, interference, diffraction, optics of solids, opto-electronics, light quanta, optical spectra and laser optics. Prerequisites: C- or higher in PHY 228 and MTH 307.

346. Solid State Physics (3 sem. hrs.). Introduction to the physics of solids, crystallography, phonons, band theory, and the origins of magnetism. Semiconductors and superconductors are also discussed. Prerequisites: C- or higher in PHY 228 and MTH 307. (Offered on demand)

370. Internship (4 to 15 sem. hrs.). Qualified students may receive credit for off-campus experience in an industrial or government laboratory. Departmental approval is required.

391. Advanced Laboratory (2 sem. hrs.). Experiments selected from mechanics, heat, acoustics, optics, spectroscopy, electromagnetism, electronics, radioactivity and nuclear physics. Qualified students may select project or research activities with approval of instructor. Six hours of laboratory and library work each week. This is the junior level discipline specific communication requirement for the physics major. Prerequisite: C- or higher in PHY 228 and MTH 307. Open to juniors and seniors. (Offered on demand)

402. Physics Seminar (1 sem. hr.). Student and faculty reports on current areas of research in various fields of physics. Object is to help the student learn how to present technical material and to promote discussion and independent study.

451, 452. Independent Study (1-3 sem. hrs.). With the consent of department chairman, student may do independent work on a program in experimental or theoretical physics.

475, 476. Honors Course (3 sem. hrs.). Permission of chair required.

490. Physics Capstone (2 sem. hrs.). The course is required of all physics majors and is to be taken during the junior or senior year. A laboratory research project performed during the semester is to be written up. Two oral presentations of this work will be given to general student and professional peer groups. Open to juniors and seniors. Prerequisite: C- or higher in PHY 391. This is the senior capstone experience for the physics major.