These courses satisfy the general education physical science requirement. Some do not have any math prerequisites; others do.
PHYS 105 Introduction to Physics (4)
Basic principles, history, and applications of physics. A minimum of mathematics used. Not for Physics majors. GEPS.
PHYS 201 General Physics I (5)
Mechanics, wave motion, and heat. Lab. Prereqs.: algebra and trigonometry or instructor approval. GEPS-L.
PHYS 202 General Physics II (5)
Continuation of 201. Electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics. Prereq.: PHYS 201. GEPS-L.
PHYS 203 Physics I: Mechanics (5)
Calculus-based physics. Mechanics, wave motion, and thermodynamics. Lab Prereq. or coreq.: MATH 201. GEPS-L.
PHYS 204 Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism (5)
Calculus-based physics; electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics. Lab Prereqs. or coreqs.: PHYS 203, MATH 202. GEPS-L.
PHYS 230 Astronomy (4)
Planets and solar system; types and characteristics of stars; our galaxy and its relation to the observable universe. Some lab work and star observations. GEPS-L.
Honors Courses
These courses are available to students enrolled in the Honors Program.
HONR 320 Fundamentals of Cosmological Thought (4)
Follows the evolution of Western Civilization’s ideas about the nature and origins of the universe, starting with the ancient Greeks and ending with modern astrophysics. GEPS.
HONR 320 Seeing the Invisible: Art and Physics (4)
Interdisciplinary seminar. GEPS.
Lower-Division Courses for Science Majors
The calculus-based courses PHYS 203 and PHYS 204 are required for physics and math majors. We also recommend them for chemistry, computer science, and biology majors who have taken calculus. The PHYS 201 and PHYS 202 courses are algebra-based, and are recommended for students who have not taken calculus.
PHYS 201 General Physics I (5)
Mechanics, wave motion, and heat. Lab Prereqs.: algebra and trigonometry or instructor approval. GEPS-L.
PHYS 202 General Physics II (5)
Continuation of 201. Electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics. Prereq.: PHYS 201. GEPS-L.
PHYS 203 Physics I: Mechanics (5)
Calculus-based physics. Mechanics, wave motion, and thermodynamics. Lab Prereq. or coreq.: MATH 201. GEPS-L.
PHYS 204 Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism (5)
Calculus-based physics; electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics. Lab Prereqs. or coreqs.: PHYS 203, MATH 202. GEPS-L.
Upper-Division Core Courses
PHYS 322 Electricity and Magnetism (4)
Theory of electric and magnetic fields, current electricity, electromagnetic waves, and Maxwell’s equations at an intermediate level. Prereqs.: PHYS 202 or 204; MATH 202.
PHYS 342 Analytical Mechanics (4)
Topics from Newtonian mechanics, using vector methods and introduction to Lagrange formulation. Problem solving emphasized. Prereqs.: PHYS 201 or 203; MATH 202. Also MATH 342.
PHYS 360 Modern Physics (5)
Introduces modern physics: special relativity, atomic structure, quantum theory, the solid state, and the nucleus. Includes a laboratory component. Prereqs. or coreqs.: MATH 202; PHYS 202 or 204.
PHYS 368 Quantum Mechanics (4)
Introduces quantum systems using the Schrödinger equation, operators, and Dirac notation. Prereqs.: PHYS 202 or 204; MATH 202.
PHYS 390 Physics Seminar (1)
This course consists of attendance and participation in weekly meetings and seminars. Topics include: research methods, literature review, and career and graduate school opportunities. Students will be guided through the process of selecting a senior project, conducting relevant literature searches and preparing a senior project proposal. Students will participate in a journal club in which they find a research article to review and present to the class. Credit/no credit only. Upper Division standing.
PHYS 499 Senior Project (1-4)
Culminating activity required by majors in all departments. Papers/theses/projects researched, prepared, and written under the guidance of a faculty member. Comprehensive exams or recitals required in some departments. Academically, students must be in Good Standing to enroll in 499. Prereqs.: PHYS 202 or 204; MATH 202.
Upper-Division Electives
PHYS 311 Electronics for Scientists (4)
Instrumentation and circuitry most often used in contemporary experimentation. Solid state devices including integrated circuits. Lab Prereq.: PHYS 202 or 204.
PHYS 350 Optics (4)
Principles of physical optics at an intermediate level. Includes diffraction, interference polarization, and some geometrical optics. Lab Prereq.: PHYS 202 or 204.
PHYS 365 Astrophysics (4)
Introduction to modern astrophysics for physicists. Covers fundamentals of celestial mechanics, relativity, stellar spectra, galaxy dynamics and cosmology. Prereq.: PHYS 202 or 204.
PHYS 370 Statistical and Thermal Physics (4)
Introductions to statistical and thermal physics for physicists. Covers first and second laws of thermodynamics, entropy, heat engines and refrigerators, and quantum statistics. Prereq.: PHYS 202 or 204.
PHYS 380 Solid State Physics (4)
Introduction to solid state physics. Covers crystals, reciprocal lattices, phonons, semi-conductors, metals and magnetism. Prereq.: PHYS 202 or 204.
PHYS 399 Independent Study (4)
Student-designed courses approved by a faculty member. Prior approval of goals, objectives, procedures, and assessment plan as directed in the Independent Study Manual is required. May be taken multiple times with a different topic for credit.
PHYS 409 Selected Topics in Physics (4)
Topics not covered in other courses. May be taken twice for credit.