PHYS-2120 General Physics II–Fa, Sp 4 hours Basic concepts of electricity and magnetism, light, and optics using calculus. This is the second of a three-course sequence intended for students in the physical sciences and engineering programs. Topics include electricity, magnetism, Maxwell’s equations, DC and AC circuits, geometrical and physical optics. Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisites: MATH-1720 Calculus II; PHYS-2110 General Physics I. (Fee: $100) PHYS-2130 General Physics III–Fa 2 hours Basic concepts of thermodynamics and modern physics using calculus. This is the third of a three-course sequence intended for students in the physical sciences programs. Topics include heat and thermodynamics, relativity theory, quantum theory, atomic and nuclear physics. Prerequisites: MATH-1720 Calculus II; PHYS2120 General Physics II; PHYS-2120 may be co-enrolled with permission of instructor. PHYS-3110 Intermediate Physics Laboratory–Sp 2 hours Designed to reinforce concepts of the advanced physics courses and develop critical research and analysis skills. This course will focus on library, research, and laboratory skills for planning, setup, documentation, analysis using the scientific method. Selected software will be introduced and used to collect data, analyze results, and document findings. Laboratory experience includes such topics as oscillatory motion and waves, mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, and quantum mechanics. Prerequisite: PHYS-2130 General Physics III. (Fee: $100) PHYS-3310 Theoretical Mechanics–Sp 3 hours Derivation of the motion of a point object through threedimensional space. Topics include an advanced treatment of Newtonian mechanics in three dimensions, oscillatory motion, accelerated frames of reference, central forces, and an introduction to Lagrangian mechanics. Prerequisites: PHYS-2120 General Physics II; MATH-2740 Differential Equations; MATH-2740 may be co-enrolled with permission of instructor. (even years) PHYS-3330 Acoustics–Fa 3 hours This course will study the generation, transmission and reception of sound. Topics include wave propagation through the air, resonance conditions for strings, bars, membranes and air cavities, acoustic filters, measurement and human perception of sound. Applications will be made to musical instruments, room acoustics, microphones, and speakers. Prerequisites: MATH-2710 Differential Equations; PHYS-2110 General Physics I. (even years) PHYS-3350 Thermal Physics–Sp 3 hours Study of the relationship between energy and matter through the use of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. Topics include the laws of thermodynamics, heat, work, entropy, phase transformations, statistical distributions, and kinetic theory. Prerequisite: PHYS-2130 General Physics III. (odd years) PHYS-3410 Electromagnetic Theory–Fa 3 hours Electricity and magnetism from an advanced viewpoint using the methods of vector calculus. Topics include electrostatics, Gauss’ Law, Poisson’s equation, Laplace’s equation, dielectric media, electric currents, and magnetostatics. Prerequisites: PHYS2120 General Physics II; MATH-2710 Calculus III. (odd years) PHYS-3510 Modern Physics–Sp 3 hours Introduction to relativity theory, quantum theory, including Schrodinger’s Equation and its basic applications, and atomic structure. Prerequisite: PHYS-2130 General Physics III. PHYS-3810 Research in Physics–Fa 2 hours Students participate in research projects under the direction of a faculty member. The projects could be experimental or computational depending on the instructor’s expertise. Students will learn fundamentals of the methodology, collect data in the lab or by running programs, then analyze results, and present their findings. Prerequisite: PHYS-3110 Intermediate Physics Laboratory, and 3 hours of another 3000- or 4000-level physics course; Corequisite: If the 3000- or 4000-level prerequisite course is not satisfied, a corequisite course of the same level would be satisfactory. (Fee: $150) PHYS-4110 Advanced Physics Laboratory–Sp 2 hours The advanced laboratory experience is designed to reinforce concepts of the advanced physics courses and to develop critical research design, documentation, analysis, and presentation skills. The advanced laboratory provides additional experience in optical, radiation, wave, advanced mechanics, advanced electromagnetism, advanced thermodynamics, and quantum mechanics. During this semester the students will be conducting their advanced laboratory project, collecting data, and documenting results. Laboratory skills for planning, setup, documentation, analysis, and briefing using the scientific method will be emphasized. Prerequisite: PHYS-3110 Intermediate Physics Laboratory. (Fee: $100) PHYS-4210 Mathematical Methods for Physicists–Fa 3 hours Advanced mathematical methods used in the solution of physics problems. Topics include curvilinear coordinates, vector analysis, and solutions to partial differential equations using Fourier, Bessel and Legendre functions. Prerequisites: MATH-2710 Calculus III; MATH-2740 Differential Equations. (odd years) PHYS-4520 Quantum Mechanics–Fa 3 hours An introduction to the principles and theory of quantum mechanics including: the wave function, the time-independent Schrodinger’s Equation, mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics, quantum mechanics in three dimensions, and systems of identical particles. Prerequisite: PHYS-3510 Modern Physics. (even years) PHYS-4800 Senior Seminar–Physics–Fa, Sp 1 hour A presentation of the basic principles of the major disciplines of the sciences with a focus on the interrelationships of the science disciplines to each other. Students present a paper from library or laboratory research in their area of physics with a focus on integration. Each student must obtain approval of the topic from their advisor and seminar instructor and must set the date of presentation before enrolling in the course. A paper and oral presentation are required that include the background, setup, data collection, analysis, and conclusions from their research. The student must also attend a minimum of 10 seminars during the senior year. Guest lecturers and faculty members may present papers at the invitation of the instructor. Prerequisites: Senior status; PHYS-3110 Intermediate Physics Laboratory; attendance of a minimum of 10 seminars during the sophomore and junior years; permission of instructor. PHYS-4880 Topics in Physics 1–3 hours Study of topics of interest from modern and classical physics such as quantum theory, relativity, statistical mechanics, lasers, solid state physics, advanced classical mechanics, advanced electromagnetic theory, optics, and atmospheric physics. Prerequisites: PHYS-2130 General Physics III; MATH-2710 Calculus III. PHYS-4900 Independent Study in Physics 1–3 hours Independent research in the various branches of physics and allied fields of application. Submission and approval of a research proposal must precede registration. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. (Fee: $25/hour) 2025–26 Undergraduate Academic Catalog Page 289 Course Descriptions PHYS-2120 – PHYS-4900
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