2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog

PHYS 100. Introduction to Astronomy. (3).

An introduction to the solar and stellar objects in our visible universe.

PHYS 100L. Introduction to Astronomy Lab. (1).

Includes identification of constellations and planets, use of telescopes, analysis of astronomical data and field trips. Laboratory, 2 hours/week. Prerequisite or corequisite: PHYS 100.

PHYS 110. Physical Science for Liberal Art Majors. (4).

An introduction to physical science that includes fundamental forces in nature, conservation laws, energy transport, waves and the language of science. Emphasizes an explanation of everyday experiences and phenomena by asking questions about fundamental scientific concepts.

PHYS 110L. Physical Science Liberal Arts Majors Lab. (0).

PHYS 120. Musical Acoustics. (4).

Explores musical sound from a physics perspective. Basic physical principles underlying the production, transmission and perception of musical sound. Vibrations, waves, elementary acoustics with applications to a wide range of musical topics. Spectral analysis of waveforms. Studio format class equivalent to 3 hours lecture + 2 hours lab per week.

PHYS 201. Mechanics and Thermodynamics-Algebra. (4).

This algebra-based introductory course covers the mathematical description of motion, Newton's Laws, linear and circular motion, oscillatory motion and waves. Topics from thermodynamics include heat transfer, ideal gas laws, cyclic processes and entropy. Lecture, 3 hours/week; Laboratory, 2 hours/week. Prerequisite: MATH 151 or equivalent. (fall).

PHYS 201L. Mechanics and Thermodynamics- Lab. (0).

PHYS 202. Electricity, Magnetism, Optics -Algebra. (4).

This algebra-based introductory course covers electrostatics, DC and AC electric currents, magnetism, Maxwell's equations, and geometric and physical optics. Lecture, 3 hours/week; Laboratory, 2 hours/week. Prerequisite: PHYS 201, PHYS 211 or permission of the instructor. (spring).

PHYS 202L. Electricity, Magnetism, & Optics - Lab. (0).

PHYS 209. Energy and Society. (4).

This introductory course is a discussion and empirical examination of the science of energy, its production, distribution, and consumption. Energy efficiency of automobiles and buildings. Energy production using fossil fuels, alternative energy, and renewable sources. Issues of economics, distribution and development. Students enrolled in the class MUST concurrently enroll in the corresponding laboratory course, PHYS 209L. Prerequisite: MATH 110 or equivalent.

PHYS 209L. Energy and Society Lab. (0).

PHYS 211. Mechanics and Thermodynamics-Calculus. (5).

This calculus-based introductory course covers the mathematical description of motion, Newton's Laws, linear and circular motion, oscillatory motion and waves. Topics from thermodynamics include heat transfer, ideal gas laws, cyclic processes and entropy. Lecture, 4 hours/week; Laboratory, 2 hours/week. Prerequisite or corequisite: MATH 251. (fall).

PHYS 211L. Mechanics and Thermodynamics-Lab. (0).

PHYS 211S. Supplmental Inst: PHYS 211. (0).

This is the Supplemental Instruction Blackboard Platform attached to PHYS 211. As a student enrolled in this section, you are automatically enrolled in the attached Supplemental Instruction Blackboard Platform. Supplemental Instruction (SI) is an academic support program designed to improve student success in challenging foundation courses. SI is a well-researched program that has been shown to improve students' letter grades by a half to a full grade, with consistent participation. With the SI model, a SI Leader (a student who has successfully completed the course with a B+ or better in the past, and who has an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher) is embedded into the course, attending all course meetings. The SI Leader then facilitates the scheduling and running of group SI study sessions throughout the week. There will typically be three one hour SI Sessions or two 90 minute SI Sessions per week. The SI Blackboard Platform is hosted by your SI Leader, who will utilize it to take confidential attendance at SI Sessions, to make general announcements to the class members, and to share helpful resources and study materials for SI Sessions. Participation in the SI study sessions is completely optional and always free, and you may come to as many or as few sessions as you would like over the semester. Your course professor does not receive any information about attendance, so you can be certain that your participation will be kept confidential.

PHYS 212. Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics -. (5).

This calculus-based introductory course covers electrostatics, DC and AC electric currents, magnetism, Maxwell's equations and geometric and physical optics. Lecture, 4 hours/week; Laboratory, 2 hours/week. Prerequisites: PHYS 211 (recommended) or PHYS 201; prerequisite or corequisite: MATH 252. (spring).

PHYS 212L. Electricity, Magnetism & Optics Lab. (0).

PHYS 282. Selected Topics. (1-4).

PHYS 282C. ST:. (1-4).

Select Topic approved to fill core requirement.

PHYS 282L. Selected Topics Lab. (0).

PHYS 303. Radiation and Nuclear Physics. (4).

The study of foundations of quantum mechanics, atomic spectra, radioactive emissions, radiation health issues, nuclear reactions and elementary particle physics. Lecture, 3 hours/week; Laboratory, 3 hours/week. Prerequisites: MATH 252; PHYS 202 or PHYS 212.

PHYS 303L. Modern Physics Lab. (0).

PHYS 309. Applied Electronics. (4).

Includes the study of DC and AC circuit analysis, network theorems, digital logic and logic network design, analog circuit design and digital computer interface. Lecture, 3 hours/week; Laboratory, 3 hours/week. Prerequisites: MATH 151; PHYS 202 or PHYS 212 or high school physics. (spring, odd years).

PHYS 309L. Applied Electronics Lab. (0).

PHYS 340. Advanced Experimental Physics. (4).

This course focuses on performing experimentally-based investigations in physics. Students develop skills programming data acquisition interfaces, using advanced equipment and performing data analysis. Important research skills covered include literature searches, experiment design and theory, laboratory techniques, and communication of research through oral presentations and written material. Topics investigated are drawn from multiple areas such as quantum physics, electricity and magnetism, optics and astronomy. Lecture 3 hours/week; laboratory 3 hours/week. PrerequisitesPhys 212 and MATH 252.

PHYS 370. Digital Electronics. (3).

Includes logic, number systems, buses, memory and register design and in-depth architecture. Lecture, 2 hours/week; Laboratory, 3 hours/week. Prerequisite: MATH 151.

PHYS 400. Senior Research Seminar. (4).

Independent study and research, interdisciplinary topic of current interest selected by the participants. Ongoing independent research results are presented for group discussions. Submittal of a research paper is required. Prerequisite: senior standing.

PHYS 410. Classical Mechanics. (4).

Includes the study of single-particle dynamics, reference systems, oscillations, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics. Prerequisites: MATH 261, MATH 265; PHYS 212.

PHYS 415. Statistical Physics and Thermodynamics. (4).

Development of the microscopic basis for fundamental thermodynamic principles and thermal properties cells, heat engines and classical and quantum distribution functions. Pre-requisites: MATH 261, MATH 265; PHYS 212.

PHYS 420. Electrodynamics. (4).

Solution techniques of Maxwell's equations are developed for static and time dependent electric and magnetic fields. Specific topics include: The electrical potential and Laplace's equation, boundary value problems, multipole expansions, electric and magnetic fields in matter, electrodynamics, and the propagation of electromagnetic fields through media. Also includes introduction to special relativity and relativistic electrodynamics. Prerequisites: MATH 261,MATH 265 and PHYS 212. Recommended: PHYS 440.

PHYS 425. Geometric and Physical Optics. (3).

The study of electro-magnetic waves, reflection and refraction, interference, diffraction, Fourier optics, fiber optics and nonlinear effects. Prerequisites: MATH 261, MATH 265; PHYS 212.

PHYS 430. Quantum Physics. (4).

An introduction to quantum theory, beginning with the Schrödinger equation and the statistical interpretation of the wave function. One-dimensional applications, include the harmonic oscillator, square-well potentials and tunneling. Three dimensional applications include, the theory of angular momentum, spin, the hydrogen atom, identical particles, time-independent perturbation theory and the Pauli exclusion principle. Other approximate solution techniques with applications to atoms, molecules, and solids are presented. Prerequisites: MATH 261, MATH 265 PHYS 212. Recommended: PHYS 440.

PHYS 440. Mathematical Methods of Physics. (4).

Mathematics with a focus to meet the needs of students with a major or minor in physics or engineering disciplines. Topics include: complex variables, linear algebra, coordinate transformations, vector analysis, Fourier series and transforms; Laplace transforms, the Dirac delta function, Green functions, calculus of variations and solution techniques for partial differential equations with specific applications to Laplace's equation. Prerequisites: MATH 261 and PHYS 212. Recommended: MATH 265.

PHYS 482. Selected Topics. (1-4).

PHYS 482L. Sel Topics: Lab. (1-4).

PHYS 490. Independent Study. (1-4).

PHYS 492. Internship. (2-4).

PHYS 496. Directed Research. (1-3).

PHYS 497. Departmental Honors. (4).

This course allows academically motivated students the opportunity to explore a research topic of their choosing at a level of depth beyond the one-semester Capstone course. Students will complete two semesters of Physics 497 to satisfy the requirements of the Physics department Honors program. Upon completion of the two semesters, the student will present in a public forum, such as the CLU Festival of Scholars, or equivalent.