Undergraduate Course Offerings

PHYS 110     Introductory Astronomy
PHYS 110L   Introductory Astronomy Laboratory
PHYS 120     Fundamentals of Physics
PHYS 120L   Fundamentals of Physics Laboratory
PHYS 171     Introductory Projects in Physics
PHYS 211     College Physics I
PHYS 211L   College Physics I Laboratory
PHYS 212     College Physics II
PHYS 212L   College Physics II Laboratory
PHYS 215    Research for Undergraduates
PHYS 251     University Physics I
PHYS 251L   University Physics I Laboratory
PHYS 251R   University Physics I Recitation
PHYS 252     University Physics II
PHYS 252L   University Physics II Laboratory
PHYS 252R   University Physics II Recitation
PHYS 350     Modern Physics
PHYS 355     Classical Mechanics
PHYS 360     Modern Physics II
PHYS 361     Electromagnetic Theory
PHYS 370     Introduction to Computational Physics
PHYS 411     Optics for Scientists and Engineers
PHYS 411L   Optics for Scientists and Engineers Laboratory
PHYS 413     Lasers for Scientists and Engineers
PHYS 415     Elements of Photonics
PHYS 462     Thermal and Statistical Physics
PHYS 481     Condensed Matter Physics
PHYS 485     Quantum Mechanics I
PHYS 486     Quantum Mechanics II
PHYS 488     Physics Projects I
PHYS 489     Physics Projects II
PHYS 491     Seminar
PHYS 494     Individual Study

PHYS 110: Introductory Astronomy

3 credits, offered every fall

Qualitative survey of the current understanding of the universe including planetary explorations, solar phenomena, stars, black holes, nebulas, galaxies.

PHYS 110L: Introductory Astronomy Laboratory

1 credit, offered every fall

Laboratory course to accompany PHYS 110.


PHYS 120: Fundamentals of Physics

3 credits, offered every semester

Application of physics concepts and principles to the real world. Topics selected from mechanics, heat, optics, electricity, and magnetism.

PHYS 120L: Fundamentals of Physics Laboratory

1 credit, offered every semester

Laboratory course to accompany PHYS 120.

Coreq: PHYS 120.

PHYS 171: Introductory Projects in Physics

1 credit, offered every fall

Basic computer controlled instrumentation for automation and data acquisition.  Design of simple measurement and control projects covering waveforms, temperature measurement and robotics.  Elementary data analysis: curve fitting, Fourier theory and statistics.

PHYS 211: College Physics I

3 credits, offered every semester (including summer)

Beginning course for students without a calculus background. Includes basic principles of bodies at rest and in motion, fluids, vibrations, waves, sound and thermodynamics.

Prereq: MATH 105 or higher.

Topic List

PHYS 211L: College Physics I Laboratory

1 credit, offered every semester (including summer)

Laboratory course to accompany PHYS 211.

Coreq: PHYS 211.

PHYS 212: College Physics II

3 credits, offered every semester (tentatively)

Second course for students without a calculus background. Includes electricity, magnetism, optics and modern physics.

Prereq: PHYS 211.

Topic List

PHYS 212L: College Physics II Laboratory

1 credit, offered every semester (tentatively)

Laboratory course to accompany PHYS 212.

Coreq: PHYS 212.

PHYS 215: Research for Undergraduates

1-3 credits, offered every semester

Special research studies in physics under the supervision of an instructor.

PHYS 251: University Physics I

4 credits, offered every semester

Newtonian mechanics of translational and rotational motion, work, energy, power, momentum, conservation of energy and momentum, periodic motion, waves, sound, heat, and thermodynamics.

Prereq: MATH 165.

Topic List

PHYS 251L: University Physics I Laboratory

1 credit, offered every semester

Laboratory course to accompany PHYS 251.

Coreq: PHYS 251.

Physics 251R: University Physics I Recitation

1 credit, offered every spring

A recitation that complements PHYS 251 with theory and applications.

Coreq: PHYS 251.

PHYS 252: University Physics II

4 credits, offered every semester

Electric charge, field, potential, and current; magnetic field; capacitance; resistance; inductance; RC, RL, LC and RLC circuits; waves; optics.

Prereq: PHYS 251 or ME 222. Coreq: MATH 166.

Topic List

PHYS 252L: University Physics II Laboratory

1 credit, offered every semester

Laboratory course to accompany PHYS 252.

Coreq: PHYS 252.

PHYS 252R: University Physics II Recitation

1 credit, offered every fall

A recitation that complements PHYS 252 with emphasis on theory and applications.

Coreq: PHYS 252.

PHYS 411L: Optics for Scientists & Engineers Laboratory

1 credit, offered every fall

Required laboratory for PHYS/ECE 411. Ten optics experiments plus a major related optics project.

Prereq: PHYS 252. Coreq: PHYS 411. Cross-listed with ECE.

PHYS 489: Physics Projects I

1 credits, offered every fall (and spring on demand)

Capstone experience in physics, part I.

PHYS 489: Physics Projects II

2 credits, offered every spring (and fall on demand)

Capstone experience in physics, part II.

PHYS 491: Seminar

1 credit, offered on demand

Capstone seminar for Physics Education majors.

PHYS 494: Individual Study

1-5 credits, offered on demand

Individual study on a selected topic, supervised by a faculty member.

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