Non-technical courses:

These may be entirely non-mathematical, or may require basic algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.

• PHY-103. Acoustical Foundations of Music(same as MUS-103). A study of the relevant concepts of physics as applied to the acoustical aspects of music reproduction, listening environments, and hearing. A lecture and laboratory  module for general education. (2 hours credit)
• ESC-115. Descriptive Astronomy. Problems in astronomy will be presented on a fundamental level and will serve to demonstrate how scientific principles are established, how these principles are sometimes revised or disproved by new data and methods, and how observations of the universe can be used by people to learn more about their place in the cocmos. A lecture and laboratory course. (4 hours credit)

Introductory courses:

These have some mathematics pre-requisite, and serve to introduce students to all other physics.

• PHY-150. Introductory Physics I: Mechanics and Heat. The study of motion, forces which change motion and both mechanical and heat energy. Four hours of lecture and one 3-hour laboratory per week. (5 hours credit)
• PHY-151. Introductory Physics II: Electricity, Magnetism, Optics, and Modern Physics. The study of fundamental concepts of electrostatics, electric currents, dc and ac circuits, magnetism, geometrical and physical optics, relativity, atomic and nuclear physics. Four hours of lecture and one 3-hour laboratory per week. (5 hours credit)
• PHY-170. General Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics. Physics with calculus for science and engineering majors; beginning course for physics majors. The study of motion, forces, energy, and entropy. Four hours of lecture and one 3-hour laboratory per week. (5 hours credit)
• PHY-171. General Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism. A continuation of physics with calculus for science and engineering majors. The study of electrostatics, electrical currents, dc and ac circuits, and magnetism. Four hours of lecture and one 3-hour laboratory per week for nine weeks. (3 hours credit)
• PHY-172. General Physics III: Wave Motion and Optics. A continuation of physics with calculus for science and engineering majors. The study of fundamental concepts of wave phenomena, geometric and physical optics. Four hours of lecture and one 3-hour laboratory per week for six weeks. (2 hours credit)

Advanced courses:

These are mostly, but not entirely, for physics majors. They have at least calculus, and usually calculus-based introductory physics as pre-requisite.

• PHY-270. Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences I. Mathematical methods useful for upper division physical science courses. Multivariable calculus, vector calculus, linear algebra, and probability distributions. (3 hours credit)
• PHY-271. Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences II. A continuation of PHY-270. Differential equations, Fourier analysis, and boundary value problems. (3 hours credit)
• PHY-300. Physics Seminar. Seminar focusing on current topics at the frontiers of physics. (1 hour credit for the entire year. May be taken twice for credit.)
• PHY-305. Modern Physics I. Introduction to special relativity, quantum theory, atomic structure and spectra. (3 hours credit)
• PHY-306. Modern Physics II. Introduction to molecular structure, solid state physics, properties of nuclei, radioactivity, particle physics, and statistical mechanics. (3 hours credit)
• PHY-310. Optics and Spectroscopy. Introduction at the intermediate level to geometrical optics, physical optics, and spectroscopy. (3 hours credit)
• PHY-330. Statistical Mechanics. Introduction to statistical mechanics covering classical and quantum statistical mechanics. Included will be connections with classical thermodynamics. Quantum statistics will include investigations of thermal properties of solids and low temperature phenomena. (3 hours credit)
• PHY-340. Analytical Mechanics. Statics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies; Newtonian, Lagrangian, and Hamiltonian description of systems; vibrating systems including normal modes. (3 hours credit)
• PHY-370. Experimental Physics. Introduction to experimental methods in physics, including techniques of data reduction and analysis using classic experiments from the history of physics. (2 hours credit)
• PHY-390. Health Physics I. Introductory health physics course covering atomic and nuclear physics, the interaction of ionizing radiation with matter, radiation dosimetry, radiation protection, instrumentation, and measurement techniques. A lecture and laboratory course. (4 hours credit)
• PHY-391. Health Physics II. Introduction to the applied physics technology and functional medical applications of x-rays, radio nuclides, ultrasound beams, computed tomographic scanners, and magnetic resonance imaging units in diagnostic and therapeutic medicine. (3 hours credit)
• PHY-420. Selected Topics in Physics(Subtitle). A study of a topic in much greater depth than is done in the more general courses, or a topic of current importance not covered in the general course offerings. Credit hours to be determined by the nature of the topic, with a maximum of 3 semester hours for a given subtitle (or 4 hours credit for a lecture and laboratory course). May be taken for a maximum of 8 hours credit.
• PHY-440. Electromagnetic Theory. Electrostatics, magneto statics, electrodynamics, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves. (3 hours credit)
• PHY-450. Introduction to Quantum Mechanics. Introduction to the concepts and formal operations of quantum mechanics. Mathematical formalisms, applications to various systems, and philosophical implications of quantum mechanical descriptions of systems will be investigated. (3 hours credit)
• PHY-460. Research in Physics. Training in the techniques of basic research in physics and related areas and application of this training to a research project of current importance. May be spread over several semesters. Variable credit(1-3 credits per semester): one hour of credit for each three hours per week of research activity. (May be taken for up to 6 hours credit.)

Degree requirements

Minor in Physics:

At least 18 semester hours in physics: PHY-170/171/172, 305/306, and 370.

Bachelor of Arts in Physics:

At least 29 semester hours in physics: PHY-170/171/172, 270, 300(twice), 305/306, 310, 340, and 370; plus MAT-191/192. Successful completion of senior comprehensive examination.

Bachelor of Science in Physics:

At least 38 semester hours in physics: PHY-170/171/172, 270/271, 300(twice), 305/306, 330, 340, 370, 440, and 450; plus MAT-191/192 and CHM-111/112. Successful completion of senior comprehensive examination.

Departmental Honors:

Grade point average within the department of at least 3.25, and satisfactory completion of a research project, including preparation of a paper suitable for publication or presentation at an appropriate scientific meeting.