Physics (PHYS)
PHYS 102 Explorations in Physics 3 Credits (3,0)
Survey of elementary physics concepts. Topics include mechanics, heat, light, sound, electricity, magnetism, and modern physics.
PHYS 113 Introductory Physics I 3 Credits (3,0)
Survey course covering Newton's Laws, projectile motion, energy, and momentum. Emphasis on problem-solving logic. Not applicable to engineering degrees.
PHYS 113L Introductory Physics I Laboratory 1 Credit (0,1)
Hands-on experiments in mechanics, covering force, momentum, and torque. Complements Introductory Physics I.
PHYS 116 Foundations in the Sciences 3 Credits (3,0)
Non-mathematical survey course for non-technical majors. Focus on core scientific principles and their relation to daily life.
PHYS 117 Introductory Physics II 3 Credits (3,0)
Covers fluid mechanics, properties of matter, thermodynamics, wave motion, sound, simple harmonic motion, kinetic theory, basic electromagnetic theory, and elementary circuits. Not applicable for credit toward degrees in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Space Physics, Astronomy, or Aircraft Engineering Technology.
PHYS 117L Introductory Physics II Laboratory 1 Credit (0,1)
Lab experiments in fluids, thermodynamics, and wave motion. Complements Introductory Physics II.
PHYS 123 Science of Flight 3 Credits (3,0)
Explores natural science principles and their application to flight. Topics include aerodynamics, aircraft control, propulsion, hydraulics, materials, atmospheric phenomena, and environmental impacts.
PHYS 150 Physics with Calculus I 3 Credits (3,0)
First in a calculus-based sequence on classical mechanics. Topics include vectors, kinematics, Newton's Laws, work-energy principles, momentum, torque, and rotational motion.
PHYS 160 Physics with Calculus II 3 Credits (3,0)
Second in a calculus-based sequence on classical mechanics. Topics include rotational motion, harmonic motion, waves, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and optics.
PHYS 161 Physics with Calculus I and II 4 Credits (4,0)
Covers vectors, kinematics, Newtonian mechanics, work-energy, momentum, rotational motion, gravitation, harmonic motion, and waves using calculus.
PHYS 199 Special Topics in Physics 1-6 Credit (1-6,0)
Individual, independent, or directed studies of selected topics in physics.
PHYS 226 Physics I 3 Credits (3,0)
Calculus-based mechanics course covering kinematics, Newton's Laws, momentum, work-energy principles, rotational kinematics, torque, gravitation, and orbital motion.
PHYS 226L Physics I Laboratory 1 Credit (0,1)
Experiments involving force, energy, momentum, torque, etc.
PHYS 227 Physics II 3 Credits (3,0)
Calculus-based exploration of fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, harmonic motion, waves, acoustics, and optics.
PHYS 227L Physics II Laboratory 2 Credits (0,6)
Hands-on experiments in wave motion, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, and geometric optics. Conducted in weekly three-hour sessions.
PHYS 228 Physics III 3 Credits (3,0)
Covers electromagnetism, including static electricity, Gauss's Law, Ohm's Law, circuits, magnetism, EM waves, and the nature of light.
PHYS 228L Physics III Laboratory 1 Credit (0,1)
Experiments in thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, and optics. Complements Physics III coursework.
PHYS 230 Introduction to Space Weather 3 Credits (3,0)
Examines the societal and technological impacts of solar activity on Earth's near-space environment. Emphasizes solar-Earth relationships and technological effects.
PHYS 232 Computational Methods in the Physical Sciences 3 Credits (3,0)
Focuses on computational techniques to solve complex physics problems. Includes data reduction, error analysis, and graphical representation.
PHYS 250 Physics with Calculus III 3 Credits (3,0)
Final course in a three-part calculus-based classical mechanics sequence. Topics include electromagnetism, electric fields, Gauss's Law, circuits, and cyclotrons.
PHYS 250L Physics with Calculus III Laboratory 1 Credit (0,1)
Lab experiments complementing topics from Physics I, II, and III. Covers kinematics, energy, rotational motion, thermodynamics, circuits, optics, and error analysis.
PHYS 250W Physics with Calculus III Laboratory 2 Credits (0,2)
Lab experiments complementing topics from Physics I, II, and III. Covers kinematics, energy, rotational motion, thermodynamics, circuits, optics, and error analysis.
PHYS 290 Physics Laboratory Practicum 0 Credits (0,0)
Non-credit practicum requiring students to manage a laboratory, including experiment preparation, discussions, and grading reports.
PHYS 299 Special Topics in Physics 1-6 Credit (1-6,0)
Individual, independent, or directed studies of selected topics in physics.
PHYS 303 Modern Physics 3 Credits (3,0)
Covers modern physics concepts such as electromagnetic scattering, relativity, wave-particle duality, quantum theory, x-rays, lasers, and nuclear reactions.
PHYS 303L Modern Physics Laboratory 1 Credit (0,3)
Hands-on experiments in atomic and nuclear physics, including spectroscopy, particle analysis, x-ray analysis, and laser applications.
PHYS 303P Modern Physics Laboratory 2 Credits (0,6)
Hands-on experiments in atomic and nuclear physics, including spectroscopy, particle analysis, x-ray analysis, and laser applications. Advanced data analysis techniques will be introduced including linear and non-linear data fitting, chi-square, and error matrix methodologies, to present scientific results in a credible manner.
PHYS 319 Introduction to Particle Physics and Relativity 3 Credits (3,0)
Provides an overview of particle physics and relativity. Topics include GPS applications, medical technology, special relativity, and quantum theory basics.
PHYS 320 Classical Mechanics I 3 Credits (3,0)
Covers mechanics fundamentals, particle systems, gyroscopic motion, and Lagrangian/Hamiltonian formulations. Students develop basic computer programs.
PHYS 322 Classical Mechanics II 3 Credits (3,0)
Advanced mechanics topics including celestial mechanics, rigid bodies, non-inertial motion, coupled oscillations, and special relativity.
PHYS 330 Electricity and Magnetism I 3 Credits (3,0)
Focuses on electrostatics, electric fields, electrostatic energy, currents, magnetic fields, and Maxwell's equations.
PHYS 331 Electricity and Magnetism II 3 Credits (3,0)
Advanced exploration of electromagnetic radiation, culminating in the relativistic formulation of electrodynamics. Topics include waveguides, potentials, and radiation.
PHYS 350 Quantum Mechanics 3 Credits (3,0)
Covers Schrodinger equation, step potentials, harmonic oscillators, hydrogen atoms, spin, and scattering theory.
PHYS 380L Optics Laboratory 3 Credits (0,3)
Hands-on experiments in geometrical and physical optics, including spectroscopy, diffraction, lasers, and interferometers.
PHYS 399 Special Topics in Physics 1-6 Credit (1-6,0)
Individual, independent, or directed studies of selected topics in physics.
PHYS 400L Senior Physics Laboratory I 3 Credits (0,3)
Focuses on advanced laboratory techniques involving topics in modern physics, optics, and electromagnetics. Students maintain logbooks and present findings.
PHYS 405 Atomic Nuclear Physics 3 Credits (3,0)
Explores multielectron atoms, radiative transitions, nuclear stability, nuclear reactions, and nuclear forces, with emphasis on theoretical models.
PHYS 410 Space Physics I 3 Credits (3,0)
Structure of the neutral and ionized atmosphere, solar electromagnetic radiation, photoionization, ionosphere and magnetosphere, solar disturbances, satellite orbit decay, long-distance communication, composition, thermodynamics, and processes of near-Earth space.
PHYS 411 Space Physics II 3 Credits (3,0)
Plasma physics applied to planetary magnetospheres; solar wind, magnetohydrodynamics, planetary atmospheres and ionospheres, auroral dynamics, magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling, space radiation environment, and satellite missions.
PHYS 412 Particle Physics and Cosmology I 3 Credits (3,0)
Explores particle physics and general relativity. Topics include the Standard Model, conservation laws, relativity, and quantum scattering theory.
PHYS 413 Particle Physics and Cosmology II 3 Credits (3,0)
Advanced cosmology and general relativity, covering the Big Bang, dark matter, dark energy, and quantum cosmology.
PHYS 415 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics 3 Credits (3,0)
Basic thermodynamics, entropy, kinetic theory, molecular velocity distributions, Maxwell-Boltzmann statistics, Bose-Einstein statistics, Fermi-Dirac statistics, microcanonical and canonical ensembles.
PHYS 425 General Relativity 3 Credits (3,0)
Advanced coverage of Einstein's theory of general relativity, tensor analysis, solar system dynamics, gravity waves, and quantum mechanics applications in gravitation.
PHYS 435 Solid State Theory 3 Credits (3,0)
Introduction to solid state physics. Crystalline structure, X-ray scattering, phonons (acoustic and optical), Brillouin zones, Umklapp processes, the free electron Fermi gas, energy bands, Bloch waves, Fermi surfaces, semiconductors and transistors, transport phenomena, optical absorption.
PHYS 490 Senior Thesis I 3 Credits (2,3)
First semester of a senior research project for Space Physics students, culminating in a research paper with faculty supervision.
PHYS 491 Senior Thesis II 3 Credits (1,6)
Completion of senior research project with final research paper following scientific publishing standards.
PHYS 499 Special Topics in Physics 1-6 Credit (1-6,0)
Individual, independent, or directed studies of selected topics in physics.