Associate Professors William E. Dollhopf,
Daniel Fleisch, Elizabeth George, Chair, and Paul Voytas
Assistant Professor David T. Lee
Requirements for Major (B.A.)
Required in Physics (37 credits)
Physics 200, 213, 214, 215, 218, 220, 311, 312, 313, 360, 460, a
senior thesis, and four additional semester hours taken at the 300-level
or above.
Required in Related Departments
Mathematics 201, 202, and either Mathematics 212 or 215; either
Computer Science 150 or a chemistry course taken at the 121 level or
above, with Chemistry 162 suggested.
Requirements for Major (B.S.)
Required in Physics (47 credits)
Physics 200, 213, 214, 215, 218, 220, 311, 312, 313, 360, 460, a
senior thesis, and 14 additional semester hours taken at the 300 level
or above, including two semester hours of research.
Required in Related Departments
Mathematics 201, 202, 212 and 215; Computer Science 150;
Chemistry 121 and 162.
Recommended for the Major
Physics 320, 321, 325, 330, 332, 410, and 411; Computer Science
250; Mathematics 360.
Requirements for Minor
Required in Physics
Physics 200, 215 and 12 additional semester hours taken at the 200
level or above.
Required in Related Departments
Mathematics 201 (Mathematics 202 is suggested).
Special Programs in Physics
Engineering — See Engineering.
Introduction to the principles of physics. Topics are selected from areas of classical and contemporary physics and technology such as Newtonian mechanics, digital and analog technology, astronomy, cosmology, modern physics and relativity. Prerequisite: Appropriate level on the Math Placement Exam. Every year.
101. Concepts in Physics with Laboratory. 5 semester hours.Same as Physics 100 but with a laboratory. Prerequisite: Appropriate level on the Math Placement Exam. Every year.
102. Physics through Experimentation. 4 semester hours.Introduction to topics selected from classical and contemporary physics. Topics explored with both laboratory and lecture techniques, which are interwoven. Prerequisite: Appropriate level on the Math Placement Exam. Every year.
107N. Astronomy. 4 semester hours.Concentration on the nature of sky observations, the methods for making them, and the physical bases for understanding them. Topics discussed are the solar system, stars and their evolution, galaxies, cosmology and instrumentation. Observatory sessions are anticipated. Every year.
200B. Mechanics and Waves. 5 semester hours.Study of classical mechanics and acoustic waves. Topics include kinematics, statics, dynamics, work and energy, impulse and momentum, rotational motion and acoustical wave phenomena. One three-hour lab per week. Prerequisite: Placement into Mathematics 201, which is suggested as a co-requisite. High school physics is desirable. Every year.
205. Topics in Classical and Modern Physics. 5 semester hours.Continuation of Physics 200. Topics include thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, light and modern physics. One three-hour lab per week. Prerequisite: Physics 200. Every year.
213. Thermodynamics and Optics. 2 semester hours.Introduction to thermodynamics, geometrical optics and physical optics. Among the topics included are the ideal gas, thermodynamic processes, multi-lens systems and diffraction theory. Prerequisite: Physics 200; Mathematics 202 is suggested as a co-requisite. Every year.
214. Intermediate Physics Laboratory. 1 semester hour.An experimental study of lens systems, the diffraction and interference of single and multi-slit gratings, and the thermodynamic properties of matter. Some modern physics experiments will be included as well. Prerequisite: Physics 200; Physics 213 is required as a co-requisite. Every year.
215. Special Relativity and Applications. 2 semester hours.Introduction to Einstein’s special theory of relativity including the kinematics and dynamics of rapidly moving objects and the apparent paradoxes. A redefinition of the concepts of energy and momentum. Applications may include the Compton effect and elementary nuclear physics. Prerequisite: Physics 200; Mathematics 202 is suggested as a corequisite. Every year.
218. Introductory Electromagnetism. 5 semester hours.Introduction to electric fields, magnetic fields, and DC and AC circuits. The laboratory will emphasize both passive and active electric circuits and such instruments as oscilloscopes, digital multimeters and signal generators. One three-hour lab per week. Prerequisite: Physics 200; Mathematics 202 is required as a co-requisite. Every year.
220. Modern Physics. 5 semester hours.An introduction to quantum mechanics with applications from atomic, molecular, condensed matter, nuclear, and elementary particle physics. One three-hour lab per week. Prerequisite: Physics 218. Co-requisite: Physics 215. Writing intensive. Every year.
280. Topics 1-4 semester hours.Offered on demand.
311. Classical Mechanics. 4 semester hours.Analytical study of the dynamics of particles, rigid bodies and vibrating systems. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian techniques are included. Prerequisites: Physics 220. Mathematics 212 and/or 215 recommended. Every year.
312. Wave Phenomena. 5 semester hours.Unified treatment of the general properties of waves, including the mathematical representation of acoustic and electromagnetic waves, refraction, propagation, interference, diffraction and geometrical optics. One three-hour lab per week. Prerequisites: Physics 220 and 214. Mathematics 212 and/or 215 recommended. Every year.
313. Electronics. 2 semester hours.Practical course in electronics for science majors. Topics include the use of solid state devices in digital and analog circuits. The laboratory will involve the use of standard electronic instrumentation. Prerequisite: Physics 218. Every year.
320. Computational Physics. 2 semester hours.Introduction to numerical methods in physics using the FORTRAN programming language. Prerequisites: Physics 220, Mathematics 202 and Computer Science 150. Alternate years.
321. Signal Processing. 2 semester hours.Study of Fourier methods, with emphasis on digital signal processing, digital data acquisition and digital analysis systems. Prerequisites: Physics 218 and Mathematics 202. Alternate years.
325. Topics in Contemporary Physics. 2 semester hours.Topics courses in astrophysics, atomic physics, condensed matter physics, elementary particle physics, and nuclear physics are offered to provide breadth in contemporary physics. Each course addresses the current state of these fields. Courses may be taught from a research perspective with the possibility of either an experimental or a theoretical component or both. A student desiring a specific topic should petition the Physics Department. Co-requisite: Physics 311. Every year. This course may be repeated for credit.
330. Statistical and Thermal Physics. 4 semester hours.Statistical mechanics approach to the study of many particle systems. Topics include the Maxwellian distribution, classical and quantum physics, entropy, heat and thermodynamics. Prerequisites: Physics 311 and Mathematics 212. Alternate years.
332. Electromagnetism. 4 semester hours.Mathematical theory of electric and magnetic fields. Emphasizes threedimensional boundary value problems for evaluating the physical behavior of electric and magnetic fields. Maxwell’s equations are developed in both the differential and the integral forms and are used in the analysis of electromagnetic phenomena. Prerequisites: Physics 311 and Mathematics 212. Every year.
360. Junior Seminar. 1 semester hour.Year course. Every year.
380. Topics. 1-4 semester hours.Offered on demand.
410. Mathematical Physics. 4 semester hours.Introduction to the mathematical techniques used in physics, such as complex variables, vector and tensor analysis, group theory, Green's functions and the calculus of variations. Prerequisites: Physics 311 and Mathematics 212 and 215. Alternate years.
411. Quantum Mechanics. 4 semester hours.In-depth study of quantum mechanics with an emphasis on simple systems and the operator approach as applied to the harmonic oscillator and angular momentum. Applications such as perturbation theory are included. Prerequisite: Physics 311. Writing intensive. Every year.
460. Senior Seminar. 1 semester hour.Year course. Every year.
490. Independent Study. Variable credit.Offered on demand. This course may be repeated for credit.
491. Internship. Variable credit.Reserved for supervised research during summers or while off campus. This course may be repeated for credit.
498. Senior Thesis. Variable credit.Writing intensive. Offered on demand. This course may be repeated for credit.
499. Honors Thesis/Project. Variable Credit.Prerequisite: 3.50 GPA and permission of the Department Chair.
