Requirements & Courses
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Major or Teaching Major Requirements
Thirty-six credits which must include:
- PHY-121, 122, 212, 221, 312, 321, 323, 421; and either 333, 380, 399, 480, 499, 500 or AST-225;
- Required Cognates (16 cr): MTH-121,122, 210, 211.
CSC-120 and MTH-310 are highly recommended for the major.
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Minor or Teaching Minor Requirements
Twenty-four credits which must include:
- PHY-121, 122, 212, and 221;
- Eight credits from Physics and Astronomy courses numbered 200 or above;
- Required Cognates (8 cr): MTH-121 and MTH-122
Note: Most upper level PHY courses also require MTH-210.
Courses
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PHY112.Physics of the Human Body I4 creditsPrerequisite: MTH-112, 113, or 121 or PermissionFirst half of an introductory course on general physics with examples drawn from applications to the human body. Uses algebra and trigonometry, but not calculus. Physical principles are used to explain body functions such as muscles and human motion, with topics including mechanics, rotation, and conservation laws. Laboratory. Course fee.
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PHY113.Physics of the Human Body II4 creditsPrerequisite: PHY-112Second half of the introductory class started in PHY112. Uses algebra and trigonometry, but not calculus. General physical principles are introduced and used to explain body functions including: hearing and acoustics, vision and optics, and electric forces and signaling. Laboratory. Course fee.
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PHY121.Introduction to Physics I4 creditsPrerequisite: MTH-113 or MTH-121 previously or concurrentlyCalculus-based treatment of one and two-dimensional mechanics, vectors, force, work, energy, momentum, torque, and static equilibrium. Offered every Fall. Laboratory. Course fee.
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PHY122.Introduction to Physics II4 creditsPrerequisite: PHY-121Continuation of PHY 121. Topics include oscillations and waves, sound, electricity and magnetism, optics, and basic thermodynamics. Offered every Winter. Laboratory. Course fee.
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PHY212.Mechanical Systems4 creditsPrerequisite: PHY-121 and MTH-121Rotational kinematics, dynamics, and advanced static equilibrium; fluids and introduction to thermal physics. Offered Winter, Even numbered years)
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PHY221.Modern Physics4 creditsPrerequisite: PHY-121Survey of fundamentals of modern physics; special relativity, atomic physics, nuclear physics, and introductory quantum wave mechanics. Laboratory. Course fee.
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PHY225.Astrophysics4 creditsPrerequisite: PHY-221Study of the physics of stellar constituents of the universe: distances, magnitudes, colors, spectra and motions of stars; multiple and variable stars; stellar structure and evolution, star clusters, structure and rotation of the Milky Way galaxy, galaxies and cosmology.
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PHY299.Physics Independent Study1 creditPrerequisite: PermissionPlanned program of study. Topic selected by instructor and student.
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PHY312.Dynamics4 creditsPrerequisite: PHY-122 and MTH-211Study of motion. Includes particle dynamics, central force motion, rigid body motion, Lagrange’s and Hamilton’s equations of motion. (Offered Fall, Even numbered years)
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PHY321.Advanced Electromagnetism4 creditsPrerequisite: PHY-122, MTH-210Study of electric and magnetic fields. Introduces and uses vector calculus. Includes integral and differential forms of Maxwell’s equations; electric, scalar and vector potentials; radiation; and electric and magnetic properties of matter. (Offered Fall, Odd numbered years)
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PHY323.Thermal/Statistical Physics4 creditsPrerequisite: PHY-122, PHY-221 and MTH-210Study of thermodynamics as seen and derived from a quantum statistics perspective. Includes first, second and third laws of thermodynamics; kinetic theory of gasses; Maxwell-Boltzman statistics; thermal equilibrium; and fluctuations and irreversibility. (Offered Winter, Odd numbered years)
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PHY333.Optics4 creditsPrerequisite: PHY-122Study of geometric and physical optics. Includes mirror and lens systems, apertures and stops, photography, fiber optics, Fourier techniques, interference and diffraction, limits of resolution, optical image processing, electro optics, lasers and holography. Laboratory. Course fee.
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PHY380.Topics in Physics4 creditsPrerequisite: One year college physics - Must be completed prior to taking this course.Study of topic of current or historical importance chosen by instructor. Prerequisites vary with selections. May require instructor permission.
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PHY399.Physics Independent Study1 creditPrerequisite: PermissionPlanned program of study. Topic selected by instructor and student.
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PHY421.Quantum Mechanics4 creditsPrerequisite: PHY-221, MTH-210; MTH-310 is recommendedStudy of wave and matrix mechanics, the harmonic oscillator, the hydrogen atom and angular momentum and spin. (Offered Winter, Even numbered years)
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PHY431.Advanced Electromagnetism4 CreditsStudy of electromagnetic waves and systems. Includes transmission lines, waveguides, antennas, and microwave networks. (Offered Winter, Even-numbered years.)
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PHY480.Topics in Physics4 creditsPrerequisite: May require PermissionStudy of topic of current or historical importance chosen by instructor. Prerequisites vary with selections.
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PHY499.Physics Independent Study1 creditPlanned program of study. Topic selected by instructor and student. Requires instructor permission.
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PHY500.Senior Thesis2-4 creditsPrerequisite: PermissionPlanned program of research performed on campus or as part of research group at major university or national laboratory. Course fee.
