Physics Minor - Undergraduate - 2012 University Catalog
You are viewing the 2012 University Catalog. Please see the newest version of the University Catalog for the most current version of this program's requirements.
PHYSICS MINOR
Complete 18 semester hours-19 semester hours, including the following 2 requirement(s):
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Complete the following 3 courses:
PHYS 191 University Physics I (3 hours lecture, 2 hours lab) 4 PHYS 192 University Physics II (3 hours lecture, 2 hours lab) 4 PHYS 240 Electricity and Magnetism (3 hours lecture, 2 hours lab) 4 -
Complete 1 of the following options:
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OPTION A
Complete the following 2 requirements:
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Complete the following course:
PHYS 210 Mechanics (3 hours lecture, 2 hours lab) 4 -
Complete 1 course from:
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OPTION B
Complete 2 courses from the following:
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Course Descriptions:
PHYS191: University Physics I (3 hours lecture, 2 hours lab)
This one-semester calculus-based course including laboratory is a study of the principles of physics and some applications to society's problems. Topics covered include mechanics, thermodynamics, fluids, and harmonic motion. 4 sh.
Prerequisites: MATH 122 is prerequisite or co-requisite.
PHYS192: University Physics II (3 hours lecture, 2 hours lab)
Calculus-based course. Study of some principles of physics and some applications to society's problems. Topics include: wave motion, sound and noise pollution, optics, electricity, lasers, nuclear theory, radiation, nuclear reactors, waste disposal. 4 sh.
Prerequisites: MATH 221 is prerequisite or corequisite.
PHYS204: Selected Topics in Contemporary History of Science (3 hours lecture)
A study which will consider the most important discoveries of the twentieth century that are changing our world and the events leading to the inventions. These concepts will be related to twentieth century idealism, materialism, and ideas of progress. No prior knowledge of science of mathematics is assumed and the course could be used as a sequential to PHYS 104 History of Science. 3 sh.
PHYS205: Scientific Principles of Technology (2 hours lecture, 2 hours lab)
The practical implications of physical concepts on technology will be studied, emphasizing how technical machines work. 3 sh.
PHYS210: Mechanics (3 hours lecture, 2 hours lab)
Classical mechanics: Kinematics, Newton's laws, impulse and momentum, statics, work and energy, oscillations, general motion, central force motion, non-inertial frames, system of particles, methods of handling data. 4 sh.
Prerequisites: PHYS 191.
PHYS240: Electricity and Magnetism (3 hours lecture, 2 hours lab)
Basic principles of electromagnetism: Coulomb's law and general techniques in electrostatics, currents and their associated magnetic field, electromagnetic induction and magnetic properties of materials. Foundations of Maxwell's equations (without detailed solutions). Laboratory experiments. 4 sh.
Prerequisites: PHYS 192. MATH 222 is a prerequisite or corequisite.
PHYS242: Circuit Theory (2 hours lecture, 2 hours lab)
Introduces basic methods in circuit analysis and design. Topics include linear electric circuits and their response, circuit theorems, filters, Fourier analysis of different inputs and outputs, and transmission lines. 3 sh.
Prerequisites: PHYS 192 or PHYS 194 and MATH 221.
PHYS245: Electronics and Digital Circuits (2 hours lecture, 2 hours lab)
An introduction to the principles of amplifiers, waveform generators, and digital circuits, with emphasis on the use of commonly available integrated circuit packages. 3 sh.
Prerequisites: PHYS 192 or 194.
PHYS247: Microprocessors and Their Applications (2 hours lecture, 2 hours lab)
One semester course providing an introduction to the principles, operations and applications of microprocessors including experiment control and data manipulation. 3 sh.
Prerequisites: PHYS 192 or 194.
PHYS280: Astronomy (3 hours lecture, 2 hours lab)
Application of physical laws to the earth as a planet; nature of the other planets; orbital motion and space flight; origin of the solar system; the birth, life and death of a star galactic structure; and cosmology. Meets the University Writing Requirement for majors in Physics. 4 sh.
Prerequisites: PHYS 191, 192 or PHYS 193, 194.
PHYS310: Advanced Mechanics (3 hours lecture)
Classical mechanics; transformations, oscillators, generalized motion; Lagrange's equations; Hamilton's equation; small oscillations; wave propagation. (Offered alternate years.) Meets the University Writing Requirement for majors in Physics. 3 sh.
Prerequisites: MATH 222, and 420, and PHYS 210.
PHYS322: Digital Communications (2 hours lecture, 2 hours lab)
Digital communications will focus on the conversion of information into digital structure and the transmission of information within networks comprised of intelligent machines and humans. 3 sh.
Prerequisites: PHYS 122.
PHYS340: Advanced Electricity and Magnetism (3 hours lecture)
Dielectric materials; image calculations; Laplace's equation; magnetic materials and flux; A.C. networks; nonsinusoidal AC; transients and pulses; electromagnetic radiation. (Offered alternate years.) 3 sh.
Prerequisites: MATH 420.
PHYS341: Electronic Fundamentals (2 hours lecture, 2 hours lab)
Circuit conditions; analysis of electronic concepts, theoretically and experimentally. 3 sh.
Prerequisites: PHYS 205.
PHYS350: Optics (3 hours lecture, 2 hours lab)
Propagation of light, optical components, instruments and photometry. Interference, diffraction and polarization with elements of spectroscopy. (Offered alternate years.) Meets the University Writing Requirement for majors in Physics. 4 sh.
Prerequisites: PHYS 240.
PHYS377: Mathematical Physics (3 hours lecture)
Vector analysis, complex variables, ordinary and partial differential equations, matrices. (Not offered every year.) 3 sh.
Prerequisites: 2 years of physics and MATH 222.
PHYS380: Observational Astronomy (3 hours lecture, 2 hours lab)
Observational techniques for the Moon, planets, satellites of other planets, asteroids, comets, stars, star clusters, and galaxies. 4 sh.
Prerequisites: PHYS 191, PHYS 192 or PHYS 193, PHYS 194.
PHYS430: Computer Simulations of Physical Systems (3 hours lecture)
This course applies computer techniques and numerical analysis to model physical systems. Simulations and calculations will be done of falling bodies, gravitational orbits, scattering, oscillations, electrical circuits, molecular dynamics, Monte Carlo techniques, chaos, and quantum systems. 3 sh.
Prerequisites: MATH 221, PHYS 191, PHYS 192, and CMPT 183.
PHYS446: Micro-Computer Technology (3 hours lecture)
Manufacturing, design and consumer product application of computer technology will be emphasized. Hands-on experience with micro computers, plotters, digitizers, printers and other peripherals will aid the student in developing an appreciation for the less publicized applications of the computer. Software, firmware and hardware will be illustrated and discussed, especially as related to interfacing. Numerical controlled machining and robotics will also be studied. 3 sh.
Prerequisites: PHYS 240 and CMPT 184.
PHYS460: Modern Physics (3 hours lecture, 2 hours lab)
Special relativity, kinetic theory of matter; quantization of electricity, light and energy; nuclear atom; elementary quantum mechanics and topics on solid state. (Offered alternate years.) 4 sh.
Prerequisites: PHYS 210, 240.
PHYS462: Nuclear Physics (3 hours lecture, 2 hours lab)
Nuclear radiation; radioactive decay; detectors; nuclear spectroscopy and reactions; theories and models; fission, fusion, reactors; and application of radioisotopes. (Offered alternate years.) Meets the University Writing Requirement for majors in Physics. 4 sh.
Prerequisites: PHYS 210, 240.
PHYS464: Quantum Mechanics (3 hours lecture)
Shroedinger's wave equation, its application and interpretation; Pauli exclusion principle and spectra. (Offered alternate years.) 3 sh.
Prerequisites: PHYS 460.
PHYS468: Fluid Mechanics (3 hours lecture)
Mechanics of continuous media, liquids and gases; stress, viscosity, Navier-Stokes and Euler Equations, exact solutions, potential flow, circulation and vorticity, dimensional analysis and asymptotic models, boundary layers, stability theory and applications to industrial and environmental problems. Cross listed with MATH 468. 3 sh.
Prerequisites: PHYS 210 or MATH 222.
PHYS470: Solid State Physics (3 hours lecture)
Properties of solid state matter are developed from the quantum mechanics of atoms and molecules. (Not offered every year.) 3 sh.
Prerequisites: PHYS 460.
PHYS480: Astrophysics (3 hours lecture)
The laws of physics applied to planetary structure, stars and their evolution in time, the interstellar medium, galaxies, and large-scale structure of the universe. 3 sh.
Prerequisites: PHYS 191, 192 or PHYS 193, 194; PHYS 280; MATH 221. Prerequisite or corequisite: STAT 401.
PHYS490: Literature Research in Physics (2 hours lecture)
Student considers topics in physics and gains facility in literature research techniques: topics in pure physics or related to physics education. Students intending to enroll in laboratory research in physics should use PHYS 490 to provide the literature research related to his/her laboratory problem. (Not offered every year.) 2 sh.
Prerequisites: At least 16 credit hours of physics beyond PHYS 192.
PHYS495: Laboratory Research in Physics
Solution of a laboratory problem research in pure physics or in physics education. Written report required. (Not offered every year.) 1 - 4 sh.
Prerequisites: At least 16 credit hours of physics beyond PHYS 192.
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