Course Descriptions | Current Courses | Catalog

The Physics Department offers a full of array of classes to satisfy Physics, Engineering Physics, Computational Physics, and Pre-Engineering degree requirements. 

Courses are offered on a rotating schedule, so it is important to plan ahead! Degree plans are available online as well as in the Physics office. The Physics Department also cooperates with the Computer Science, Chemistry, and Mathematics Departments to complete degree requirements.

Course Descriptions

PHYS 101 Astronomy (3-0-3), fall, spring, Maymester.  Covers history, development, observational techniques, solar, planetary, stellar, galactic, and cosmological aspects of astronomy.  Requires some observation and lab work.  Does not fulfill lab science requirements (see PHYS 105).  May be used to satisfy Science University Core requirements for non-science majors.

PHYS 102 Physical Science (3-0-3), on demand.  Topics include scientific methods, matter and energy, laws of motion, light, basic relativity theory, structure of the atom, nuclear power and processes, chemical reactions, and others.  Applications to societal issues such as pollution, energy resources, medicines, and consumer goods will also be mentioned.  May be used to satisfy Science University Core requirements for non-science majors.

PHYS 105 Physics Laboratory for Teachers (0-2-1), fall.  For those needing more laboratory work than provided in PHYS 101, e.g., teacher certification students.  Experience with telescopes, photometer, and spectroscopes as related to astronomy.  Laboratory experiences may be tailored to student’s needs and interests.  Prerequisite: MATH 120.  May be used to satisfy laboratory requirements for teacher certification for non-science majors.

PHYS 110 General Physics I (3-0-3), fall, summer.  Principles of mechanics, heat, and sound.  An algebra-based physics course, designed primarily for liberal arts and pre-medical and pre-dental students.  Concurrent enrollment in PHYS 111 is highly suggested.  Prerequisite: MATH 121.

PHYS 111 General Physics Laboratory I (0-2-1), fall, summer.

PHYS 112 General Physics II (3-0-3), spring, summer.  Electricity, magnetism, light, biophysics, and some modern physics.  Concurrent enrollment in PHYS 113 is highly suggested.  Prerequisite: credit for PHYS 110.

PHYS 113 General Physics Laboratory II (0-2-1), spring, summer.

PHYS 120 Engineering Physics I (3-0-3), fall.  Mechanics of particles, rigid bodies, fluids, and wave motion.  Concurrent enrollment in PHYS 121 is required.  Prerequisite: calculus or concurrent enrollment in MATH 185.

PHYS 121 Engineering Physics Laboratory I (0-3-1), fall.  Concurrent enrollment in PHYS 120.
Engineering Physics Homepage

PHYS 122 Engineering Physics II (3-0-3), spring.  Heat, thermodynamics, electricity, and magnetism.  Concurrent enrollment in PHYS 123.  Prerequisites: PHYS 120/121.

PHYS 123 Engineering Physics Laboratory II (0-3-1), spring.  Concurrent enrollment in PHYS 122.

PHYS 230 Modern Physics (3-0-3), fall.  Special relativity, invariance principles, foundations of quantum mechanics, atomic spectra, molecular physics, nuclear physics, and elementary particles.  Laboratory emphasizes atomic and nuclear physics.  Concurrent enrollment in PHYS 231.  Prerequisite: PHYS 122/123.

PHYS 231 Modern Physics Laboratory (0-3-1), fall.  Concurrent enrollment in PHYS 230.

PHYS 319 Acoustics (3-0-3), on demand.  Wave motion and sound production, sound reception, speech production, hearing, auditorium and room acoustics, and musical instruments.  Same as COMP 319.  Designed for speech, music, and other non-science majors.

PHYS 340 Introduction to Electronics (2-0-2), spring.  Basic electrical measurements and devices, introductory electronics.  Emphasis on lab work.  Intended for those who will use electronic instruments and methods in their profession.  Concurrent enrollment in PHYS 341.  Prerequisites: calculus or concurrent enrollment in MATH 186.  Same as ENGR 340.

PHYS 341 Introduction to Electronics Laboratory (0-3-1), spring.  Concurrent enrollment in PHYS 340.  Same as ENGR 341.

PHYS 342 Instrumentation (2-0-2), fall.  The study and use of the microprocessor in laboratory instrumentation and control.  Topics include hardware, interfacing problems, and microprocessor control.  Laboratory features computer hardware.  Concurrent enrollment in PHYS 343.  Prerequisites: PHYS 340/341.

PHYS 343 Instrumentation Laboratory (0-3-1), fall.  Concurrent enrollment in PHYS 342.

PHYS 362 Optics (3-0-3), every third semester.  Light, lenses, aberrations, diffraction, interference, polarization, resolving power, coherence, Fourier transforms, spectroscopy.  Concurrent enrollment in PHYS 363 is required.  Prerequisites: PHYS 122/123; MATH 186.

PHYS 363 Optics Laboratory (0-6-2), every third semester.  Concurrent enrollment in PHYS 362.

PHYS 371 Classical Mechanics (3-0-3), every third semester.  Vector methods of static systems of forces, couples and moments, particle dynamics, rigid body dynamics, work, kinetic and potential energy, momentum and the conservation laws, and Hamilton and Lagrangian methods.  Prerequisites: PHYS 230/231; MATH 361.

PHYS 378 History and Philosophy of Science (3-0-3), spring.  A study of Newtonian physics, evolution, thermodynamics, quantum theory, relativity, and the impact of these sciences on religion, philosophy, literature, the arts, and the social sciences.  Same as PHIL 378.  May be used to satisfy Science University Core requirements for non-science majors.

PHYS 379 Philosophy, Religion, and Science (3-0-3), on demand.  A study of the relations of God, humans, and nature from the perspectives of philosophy, religion and science.  Emphasis on the mutual impacts of science and religion.  Same as PHIL 379.  May be used to satisfy Science University Core requirements for non-science majors.

PHYS 385 Math of Physics and Engineering (3-0-3), every third semester.  Partial differential equations and boundary value programs, orthogonal functions, complex variables, Green’s functions, and matrix theory.  Prerequisite: MATH 361.

PHYS 388 Network Analysis (3-0-3), every third semester.  Active and passive electrical networks, time and frequency domains, Fourier and Laplace transform techniques, and some non-linear circuits.  Prerequisite: MATH 361.  Same as ENGR 388.

PHYS 432 Electricity and Magnetism (3-0-3), every third semester.  Electronics magneto-statics, circuit, theory, Maxwell’s equations, electromagnetic field theory, dielectrics, displacement current, current density, Poynting vector, scalar, and vector potentials.  Prerequisites: PHYS 230/231; MATH 286.

PHYS 461 Nuclear Physics (3-0-3), every third semester.  Nuclei and nuclear constituents; symmetries and conservation laws; electromagnetic, weak, and hadronic interactions; nuclear models.  Prerequisite: PHYS 230/231.

PHYS 472 Solid State Physics (3-0-3), every third semester.  Crystal symmetry and structures, elastic properties of solids, crystal bonding, lattice dynamics, and specific heat, optical, and electrical properties of solids.  Prerequisite: PHYS 230/231.

PHYS 481 Thermodynamics (3-0-3), every third semester.  The laws of thermodynamics, kinetic theory of gases, entropy, enthalpy, ensembles, statistical methods, and applications.  Prerequisites: PHYS 230/231; MATH 361.

PHYS 482 Topics in Physics (3-0-3),* on demand.  Studies in topics or techniques of current interest in physics and astronomy.

PHYS 482.02 Electricity and Magnetism II (3-0-3),every third semester.  An advanced course in E&M covering topics including: theory topics in field transforms and representations; electromagnetic fields for rectangular, spherical, and cylindrical geometries; Bessel functions and Legendre polynomials; a single sinusoidally driven dipole radiator; reading, interpreting, and presenting selected elements from research literature.

PHYS 491 Quantum Mechanics (3-0-3), every third semester.  A beginning course in Quantum Mechanics covering wave mechanics, Fourier methods, Hamilton’s equation and Schroedinger’s equation and applications, barrier problems, harmonic oscillator, angular momentum, atomic and molecular Physics, perturbation, and scattering theory.  A writing-intensive course.  Prerequisites: PHYS 230/231; MATH 361.

PHYS 493 Theoretical Physics (3-0-3), every third semester.  Vector techniques of mechanics, matrix operations, symmetry and group theory, generalized coordinates, plasmas, and electromagnetic fields.  Prerequisite: PHYS 230/231.

PHYS 499 Research (3-0-3),* by arrangement.  Research problems in physics and astronomy.  Consult the faculty member with whom the student wishes to work for details.

Current Courses

PHYS-101-01    Astronomy

Donald Isenhower          MWF        10:00-10:50        WALL 200

PHYS-101-02    Astronomy

Rusty Towell       MWF    9:00-9:50          WALL 200

PHYS-102-01    Physical Science

Michael Sadler              MWF        12:00-12:50        FOSTER 350

PHYS-112-01    General Physics II

Paul Morris                 TR        9:30-10:50        FOSTER 417

PHYS-113-L1    General Physics Lab II

Paul Morris                 M          2:00-3:50         FOSTER 355

PHYS-112-L2    General Physics Lab II

Paul Morris                 T          3:00-4:50         FOSTER 355

PHYS-113-L3    General Physics Lab II

Paul Morris                 W          2:00-3:50         FOSTER 355

PHYS-113-L4    General Physics Lab II

Paul Morris                 R          3:00-4:50         FOSTER 355

PHYS-122-01    Engineering Physics II

Paul Schulze               MWF     10:00-10:50     FOSTER 350

PHYS-123-L1    Engineering Physics Lab I

Paul Schulze               M           2:00-4:50        FOSTER 356

PHYS-123-L2    Engineering Physics Lab II

Paul Schulze               T           3:00-5:50        FOSTER 356

PHYS-123-L3    Engineering Physics Lab II

Paul Schulze               W           2:00-4:50        FOSTER 356

PHYS-355-01    Introduction to Electronics

Rusty Towell              TR         8:00-9:20        FOSTER 350

PHYS-336-L1    Intro to Electronics Lab

Rusty Towell              W          2:00-4:50        FOSTER 327

PHYS-336-L2    Intro to Electronics Lab

Rusty Towell              R          3:00-5:50        FOSTER 327

PHYS-379-01    Philosophy, Religion, and Science

Paul Morris and Frederick Aquino          TR         12:00-1:20        BIBLE 120

PHYS-385-01    Math of Physics and Engineering

Donald Robbins              TR           1:30-2:50        FOSTER 350

PHYS-432-01     Electricity and Magnetism

Jeff Arrington             TR         9:30-10:50      FOSTER 350

PHYS-482-01    Topics in Physics

Donald Isenhower               MWF      1:00-1:50       FOSTER 350

PHYS    Quantum Mechanics

Paul Morris            MWF      10:00-10:50       FOSTER 350