The department offers the B.S. and B.A. degrees and a minor in physics, and the B.S. degree and a minor in earth sciences.
The program in physics offers courses to meet the needs of: 1) students desiring to pursue physics-related industrial or governmental careers, 2) students desiring to continue their education in advanced graduate programs, 3) students desiring a physics major as preparation for science teaching in secondary schools, 4) students needing courses in physics as part of their major program, and 5) students not majoring in the sciences, but desiring a general knowledge of physics.
The Bachelor of Science degree in physics consists of at least 39 credit hours of physics, which must include PHY 161/161L/162/162L, 305/306, 300(twice), 340, 355, 365, 430, and at least three other physics courses numbered above 300. In addition, MAT 293 Multivariable Calculus and MAT 330 Introduction to Differential Equations, and CHM 111/112 General Chemistry I/II are required. Successful completion of a senior comprehensive examination is also required.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in physics consists of at least 29 credit hours in physics, which must include PHY 161/161L/162/162L, 305/306, 300(twice), and at least four other courses which are either physics offerings numbered above 300, or ESC 115 Descriptive Astronomy. In addition, MAT 293 Multivariable Calculus and MAT 330 Introduction to Differential Equations, and at least 8 credit hours of lab science courses outside of physics (i.e. BIO, CHM, ENV, or ESC) are required. Successful completion of a senior comprehensive examination is also required.
A minor in physics consists of at least 17 credit hours in physics,
which must include PHY 161/161L
/162/162L, 305/306, and one other physics course numbered above 300.
The courses MAT 191/192 Calculus I/II are required for all physics degrees. The courses PHY 141/141L/142/142L may never be used to fulfill any physics degree requirement. Students wishing to pursue a major or minor in physics should confer with the department chair as soon as this decision is made in order to plan a program of studies. A physics major should ideally complete PHY 161/161L/162/162L and MAT 191/192 during the freshman year, and PHY 305/306 and MAT 293/330 during the sophomore year.
The program in earth sciences offers courses to meet the needs of: 1) students preparing for employment in earth science-related occupations such as geosciences, meteorology, oceanography, etc., 2) students desiring to go on to advanced graduate training in an earth science-related area, 3) students who want to pursue a career in education as a science teacher, or are not majoring in the sciences but desire a general knowledge of the earth sciences, who may select courses from ESC 105, 110, 115.
The Bachelor of Science degree in earth sciences consists of 38 credit hours: ESC 105, 110, 115, 200, and 220, and 18 hours from courses numbered 300 or above. In addition, two semesters of introductory chemistry and two semesters of introductory physics are required. Successful completion of a senior comprehensive examination is required.
The minor in Earth Sciences consists of ESC 105, either 110 or 115, one course numbered 200 or above, and two courses numbered 300 or above for a total of five courses containing at least 18 credit hours.
Majors may attain Departmental Honors in physics or earth sciences by fulfilling the following requirements: 1) attaining a grade point average of at least 3.5 in all courses taken in the department, and 2) satisfactorily completing a research project, including preparation of a paper suitable for publication in a scientific journal and/or presentation at a scientific meeting.
PHYSICS(PHY)
101. Everyday Physics
Prerequisite: SCI 105 or consent of instructor.
Commonplace objects and events are studied from a scientific point
of view. These may include sports, amusement rides and other vehicles,
household objects, ice and steam, musical instruments, electronic devices,
light, weather, toys, and weapons. A lecture and laboratory module for
general education. Three hours of lecture and a three-hour lab per week
for eight weeks. (2 credit hours)
103. Acoustical Foundations of Music
(same as MUS 103)
Prerequisite: SCI 105 or consent of instructor.
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. Three hours of lecture and
a three-hour lab per week for eight weeks. (2 credit hours)
141. Introductory Physics I: Mechanics and Heat
Prerequisite: MAT 133 or equivalent. Co-requisite: PHY 141L.
Algebra-based physics: the study of motion, forces, mechanical and
heat energy. Three hours of lecture per week. (3 credit hours)
141L. Introductory Physics I Lab
Co-requisite: PHY 141.
Laboratory component for PHY 141: one 3-hour session per week. (1 hour
credit)
142. Introductory Physics II: Electricity, Magnetism, and
Optics
Prerequisites: MAT 133 or equivalent, and PHY 141. Co-requisite: PHY
142L.
Continuation of PHY 141: the study of electrostatics, electric currents,
dc and ac circuits, magnetism, geometrical and physical optics. Three hours
of lecture per week. (3 credit hours)
142L. Introductory Physics II Lab
Co-requisite: PHY 142.
Laboratory component for PHY 142: one 3-hour session per week. (1 hour
credit)
161. General Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics
Co-requisites: MAT 191 and PHY 161L.
Physics with calculus for majors in the physical sciences and engineering:
the study of motion, forces, energy, heat and entropy. Three hours of lecture
per week. (3 credit hours)
161L. General Physics I Lab
Co-requisite: PHY 161.
Laboratory component for PHY 161: one 3-hour session per week. (1 hour
credit)
162. General Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism, Wave Motion
and Optics
Prerequisite: PHY 161. Co-requisites: MAT 192 and PHY 162L.
Continuation of PHY 161: the study of electrostatics, electrical currents,
dc and ac circuits, and magnetism, wave phenomena, geometric and physical
optics. Three hours of lecture per week. (3 credit hours)
162L. General Physics II Lab
Co-requisite: PHY 162.
Laboratory component for PHY 162: one 3-hour session per week. (1 hour
credit)
300. Physics Seminar
Prerequisite: junior or senior status.
This is a weekly, one-hour seminar focusing on current topics at the
frontiers of physics. Each student must make at least one presentation
each semester. May be taken up to four times for credit, but only two credit
hours may be applied toward the physics major. (1 credit hour)
305. Modern Physics I
Prerequisites: MAT 192 and PHY 162.
Introduction to special relativity, quantum theory, atomic structure
and spectra. Three hours of lecture per week. (3 credit hours)
306. Modern Physics II
Prerequisite: PHY 305.
Continuation of PHY 305: Introduction to molecular structure, solid
state physics, properties of nuclei, radioactivity, particle physics, and
statistical mechanics. Three hours of lecture per week. (3 credit hours)
320. Physical Optics
Prerequisites: MAT 192 and PHY 162.
Intermediate level optics, including the electromagnetic nature of
light, thermal and coherent sources, interference phenomena, holography,
polarization, Fourier transform spectroscopy, and nonlinear optics. The
adjective
physical in the title of this course emphasizes its foundation
in electromagnetic theory, as opposed to geometrical optics, where
the primary goal is to understand how optical instruments function, using
ray tracing techniques. Three hours of lecture and a 3-hour laboratory
per week. (4 credit hours)
330. Statistical Mechanics
Prerequisites: MAT 293 and 330, and PHY 306.
Introduction to statistical mechanics covering classical and quantum
statistics, and connections with thermodynamics. Quantum statistics will
include investigations of thermal properties of solids and low temperature
phenomena. Three hours of lecture per week. (3 credit hours)
340. Analytical Mechanics
Prerequisites: MAT 293 and 330, and PHY 162.
Statics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies; Newtonian, Lagrangian,
and Hamiltonian description of systems; vibrating systems including normal
modes. Three hours of lecture per week. (3 credit hours)
355. Electromagnetic Theory
Prerequisites: MAT 293 and 330, and PHY 162.
Electrostatics, magnetostatics, electrodynamics, Maxwell's equations,
electromagnetic waves. Three hours of lecture per week. (3 credit hours)
365. Mathematical Physics
Prerequisites: MAT 293 and 330, and PHY 162.
Mathematical methods useful in upper-division physics courses are explored.
Topics may include probability distributions, linear algebra, complex variables,
waves and Fourier analysis, orthogonal functions, partial differential
equations, chaotic dynamics, and group theory. Three hours of lecture per
week. (3 credit hours)
370. Experimental Physics
Prerequisite: PHY 306.
Introduction to experimental techniques including computerized data
acquisition, data analysis, analog and digital electronics and instrumentation.
Students will also learn the LabVIEW programming language. Three hours
of lecture and three hours of laboratory work per week. (4 credit hours)
385. Computational Physics
Prerequisites: MAT 293 and 330, and PHY 162.
Students will use scientific programming languages to create algorithms
and perform numerical calculations in the areas of linear algebra, differentiation
and integration, and random event generation. Three hours of lecture and
a three-hour computer lab per week. (4 credit hours)
420. Selected Topics in Physics(Subtitle)
Prerequisite: to be determined by the instructor.
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 course offerings
of the department. Credit hours depend on the topic, with a maximum of
4.
430. Nonlinear Physics
Prerequisite: PHY 340.
This course discusses nonlinear phenomena in physical systems and how
these nonlinear effects are analyzed. Three hours of lecture and a three-hour
lab per week. (4 credit hours)
450. Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
Prerequisites: MAT 293 and 330, and PHY 306.
Introduction to the concepts and techniques of quantum mechanics. Mathematical
formalisms, applications to various systems, and philosophical implications
of quantum mechanics will be investigated. Three hours of lecture per week.
(3 credit hours)
460. Research in Physics
Prerequisite: to be determined by the student's research advisor.
Training in the techniques of basic research in physics with application
to a research project of current importance. May be spread over several
semesters. Variable credit(1-3 credits per semester): one credit hour for
each three hours per week of research activity. May be taken for up to
6 credit hours.
EARTH SCIENCES (ESC)
105. Geology
An introductory course in geology, including a study of the structure
and material of the earth's crust: the processes that have given the rocks
and minerals their composition, structure, and distribution; the intrenal
structure of the earth; the energy and forces responsible for earthquakes,
volcanoes, and mountain-building; the forces that have otherwise shaped
the landscape; and a brief history of life on earth as revealed in the
fossil record. A lecture and laboratory course. (4 credit hours)
110. Meteorology
An introductory, basically qualitative approach to the science of weather
and climate. Includes the study of cloud types and their causes; air masses,
their origin and movement; fronts, frontogenesis, and frontal weather;
tornadoes, hurricanes, and other phenomena. A lecture and laboratory course.
(4 credit hours)
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 cosmos. A lecture and laboratory course. (4 credit
hours)
200. Historical Geology
Prerequisite: ESC 105.
Study of the development of geologic ideas, the tectonic evolution
of the continents, the patterns of the paleogeography and stratigraphy,
and the broad measures of the evolution of life. A lecture and laboratory
course. (4 credit hours)
210. Environmental Geology
(Same as ENV 210)
Prerequisite: ESC 105 or consent of the instructor.
This course focuses on the influence that geologic forces have on the
existence and development of physical and biological communities. Topics
include geologic hazards, preservation of natural geologic habitats, and
pertinent political, economical, and social considerations. The course
is designed particularly for students pursuing majors or minors in the
earth sciences, engineering, environmental sciences or other disciplines
requiring specific knowledge of the above described interrelationships.
A lecture and laboratory course. (4 credit hours)
220. Oceanography
(Same as ENV 230)
Prerequisites: CHM 112, and PHY 141 or 161.
The basic principles and concepts needed to give an understanding of
the general makeup of the world's oceans and how they are investigated
by oceanographers. Physical, chemical, biological, and environmental aspects
of oceanography will be presented. A lecture and laboratory course. (4
credit hours)
300. Special Topics in Earth Sciences(Subtitle)
(Same as ENV 300)
Prerequisite: to be determined by the instructor.
A study of a topic in much greater depth than is done in the more general
courses, and in some cases a study of a topic of current importance not
usually covered in the course offerings of the department. Credit hours
to be determined by the nature of the topic, with a maximum of 4 hours
for a given subtitle. May be taken for a maximum of 8 credit hours.
320. Research in the Earth Sciences
Prerequisite: to be determined by the student's research advisor.
Training in the techniques of basic research in the earth sciences,
and application of these techniques to a research project of current interest.
Variable credit of 1-4 hours per semester based on two hours per week of
research activity per credit hour. May be taken for a maximum of 8 credit
hours.
330. Remote Sensing
Prerequisites: ESC 105 and 110, and PHY 141 or 161.
A course that deals with the detection, identification, and analysis
of objects or features through the use of imaging devices located at positions
remote from the subjects of investigation. The visible, infrared, and microwave
regions of the electromagnetic spectrum will receive primary attention,
with particular emphasis on the acquisition and interpretation of aerial
photographs obtained by aircraft and satellite reconnaissance. A lecture
and laboratory course.(4 credit hours)
340. Mineralogy
Prerequisites: CHM 112 and ESC 105.
Crystal morphology and descriptive mineralogy are used to study the
physical and chemical properties of minerals, their identification, and
their ocurrence. A lecture and laboratory course.(4 credit hours)
350. Field Geology
Prerequisites: ESC 105 and 200.
A study of the techniques of gathering data in the field for geologic
applications of map construction, geologic history, and rock, mineral,
and fossil identification. Extensive field work supported by lab work and
lecture.(3 credit hours)
370. Geochemistry
Prerequisites: ESC 105 and 340, and CHM 112.
A study of the chemical systems of rocks and the various agencies by
which chemical changes can be brought about. A lecture and laboratory course.(4
credit hours)