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Course Offerings
(Abbreviations are described below)
PHY 107 Introductory Astronomy (3)I,II
Information about the solar system, stars, galaxies, and the universe; main methods by which this information has been acquired; how basic laws of physics have led to theories about cosmic processes, structure, and history. Some history of astronomy for better understanding modern views and demonstrating cultural impact of astronomical ideas. No formal science or mathematics prerequisites.
Offered Each Semester
PHY 108 Astronomy (1) I,II
Laboratory sessions to acquaint the student with basic phenomena, methods, and instrumentation important in astronomy.
Offered Each Semester
PHY 127 Sound and Music (3) OD
Basic course on the nature of sound, covering the generation, propagation and detection of sound, with particular applications to music: P:MTH 135 or 137 or IC.
Offered on Demand
PHY 137 Light, Color, and Lasers (3)
A basic course on the nature of light and its applications: sources of light; wave-particle duality; lasers and holography; images and illusions; special effects; color variables and color vision. The subject of light is used as a basis to explore a wide range of physical phenomena and to examine the goals, methods and limitations of science. Since the essential characteristics of light are embodied in the postulates of relativity and quantum theory, light is seen to lie at the foundation of modern scientific thought. Course features many classroom demonstratrations. No formal science or mathematics prerequisites.
Offered on Demand
PHY 147 Einstein and Modern Physics (3) OD
Historical and philosophical study of the reciprocal influences between Albert Einstein and the social and scientific communities of his time, including his changing attitude toward pacifism, his relationship to the Zionist movement, his philosophy of knowledge, his relationship with other scientists, and his basic contributions to science. No formal science or mathematics prerequisites.
Offered on Demand
PHY 157 Energy in Modern Society (3) OD
This course uses fundamental physical principles to develop an understanding of energy and the various sources of energy available for our use. We investigate historical trends in the production, transportation and consumption of energy as well as projections for future energy use. The effects of energy policy are considered. No formal science or mathematics prerequisites.
Offered on Demand (Fall 2010)
PHY 187 Conceptual Physics (2) I
Basic physics concepts and principles in areas of motion, force and energy, liquids and gases, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, light, sound, and x-ray and nuclear radiations, with examples from daily life as illustrations. Includes practice in numerical solution of simple physics problems. P: MTH 135 or 137 or IC. No formal science prerequisites.
Offered every year in the Fall Semester
PHY 191 Exploring the Frontiers of Physics (1) I,II
A survey of the current research frontier in the physical sciences. Each week, faculty will introduce and lead a discussion on a contemporary research field, focusing on the scientific and social significance. No formal math or science pre-requisites, intended for students interested in pursuing careers in the physical sciences.May be repeated up to 4 times.
Offered each Semester.
PHY 195 Selected Topics in Physics (1-6) OD
A physics project or special study in physics outside the normal curricular boundaries. P: DC.
Offered on Demand
PHY 205 Laboratory for Physics I (1) I,II
Laboratory course co-requisite with all general physics I courses (PHY 201, PHY 213, and PHY 221).
Offered Each Semester
PHY 206 Laboratory for Physics II (1) I,II
Laboratory course co-requisite with all general physics II courses (PHY 202, PHY 214, and PHY 222).
Offered Each Semester
PHY 213 Physics for Physical Science I (3) I,II
First semester of the general physics sequence. Lecture, discussion, laboratory. Topics include kinematics, Newton's laws of motion, conservation of momentum and energy, rotational dynamics, thermodynamics, and fluids. Basic calculus used. Background of HS Physics or PHY 187 strongly recommended. CO: MTH 245 or 141 or IC.
Offered Each Semester
PHY 214 Physics for Physical Science II (3) I,II
Continuation of PHY 211. Topics indlude oscillations, waves, optics, electricity and magnetism, DC and AC circuits, modern physics. Basic calculus used. P: PHY 211, MTH 245 or 141 or IC.
Offered Each Semester
PHY 301 Modern Physics (3) I
An introduction to relativity and quantum physics. Special theory of relativity; quantization of electrical charge, energy and light; Bohr model of the atom; wave aspect of particles; wave-particle duality; Schroedinger equation in one dimension; applications of relativity and quantum theory in atomic, nuclear, and elementary particle physics. P: PHY 212; MTH 246.
Offered Each Semester
PHY 302 Modern Physics Laboratory (1) I
Laboratory work designed to acquaint the student with the quantization of electrical charge, energy and light, and the wave aspect of particles. 3L CO: PHY 301.
Offered every year in the Fall Semester
PHY 303 Electronics Laboratory (1) I
Basic laboratory in electronics. Experiments include an introduction to measuring instruments, solid state components, and digital and logic circuits. 3L. P: PHY 212.
Offered every year in the Fall Semester
PHY 331 Physical Optics (3) II
Mathematical representation of waves; interference, diffraction and polarization; coherence and incoherence; lasers; Fourier analysis and synthesis. P: PHY 212; MTH 246.
Offered every year in the Spring Semester
PHY 332 Optics Laboratory (1) II
Experiments in geometrical and physical optics; interferometry; lasers and holography; analytical methods based on optical principles. 3L. CO: PHY 331.
Offered every year in the Spring Semester
PHY 351 Physics in Medicine (3) AY
A review of basic physics as it applies to radiation and the human body followed by an overview of major topics in the field of medical physics: x-rays and their used in medical imaging, physics of nuclear medicine imaging, ultrasound imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, radiation thereapy for cancer, and radiation biology. Certified Writing Course. P: PHY 212 or IC.
Offered every other year in the Fall Semester. (2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, Spring 2008, 2009 )
PHY 353 Introduction to Biological Physics(3) AY
An introduction to the application of physics to the microscopic world of the living cell. Topics include: Diffusion, fluid dynamics at low Reynolds-number, thermodynamics of microscopic systems, chemical and entropic forces, self-assembly of ordered structures, mechanical properties of macromolecules, molecular motors, pumps, and machines, and nerve impulses. P: PHY 212; P: MTH 246. Certified Writing Course.
Offered every other year in the Spring Semester. (2009, 2010, Next offered in Spring 2011)
PHY 471 Classical Mechanics (3) II
Review of particle dynamics, the harmonic oscillator, rigid body mechanics, generalized coordinates, introduction to Lagrange's and Hamilton's equations. P: PHY 212. CO: MTH 347 or IC.
Offered every year in the Spring Semester
PHY 481 Electricity and Magnetism (3) I
Development of Maxwell's equations; Laplace's and Poisson's equations and boundary value problems; electromagnetic waves. P: PHY 212; MTH 347.
Offered every year in the Fall Semester
PHY 491 Seminar (1) I, II
Undergraduate seminar. Training in the organization and presentation of papers on advanced topics in physics. P: DC. May be repeated to a limit of three hours.
Offered Each Semester
PHY 493 Directed Independent Readings (1-3) I,II
A readings project under the guidance of a member of the faculty. Credit by arrangement. P: IC. May be repeated to a limit of six hours.
Offered Each Semester, make contact with faculty before enrolling
PHY 495 Directed Independent Study (1-3) I, II
A study project under the guidance of a member of the faculty. Credit by arrangement. P: IC. May be repeated to a limit of six hours.
Offered Each Semester, make contact with faculty before enrolling
PHY 497 Directed Independent Research (1-3) I,II
A research project under the guidance of a member of the faculty. Credit by arrangement. P: IC. May be repeated to a limit of six hours.
Offered Each Semester, make contact with faculty before enrolling
PHY 521 Electronics for Scientists (3) OD
Kirchhoff's laws. Supernodes. Thevenin's and Norton's theorems. Supermesh. Source transformations. Laplace transforms in circuit analysis. Phasors. Two-port systems. Solutions to homogeneous and non-homogeneous linear systems. AC and DC circuit response. Computer-assisted modeling of circuits P:PHY 212.
Offered on demand (2003, 2005, ...)
PHY 522 Electric Circuits(3) AY
Kirchoff's Laws. Solutions to homogeneous and non-homogeneous linear systems in electronics. AC and DC circuit response. Computer-assisted modeling of circuits.P: IC.
Offered every other year (2005...)
PHY 531 Quantum Mechanics (3) I
Wave-packet representation of particles; development of the formalism of non relativistic quantum mechanics; applications to the harmonic oscillator, the hydrogen atom, square-well potential, and scattering. P: PHY 301; 471.
Offered every year in the Fall Semester
PHY 541 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (3) II
Laws of thermodynamics, thermodynamic variables, thermodynamic potentials; kinetic theory, distribution functions, classical and quantum statistics. P: PHY 212 or CHM 341; MTH 246.
Offered every year in the Spring Semester
PHY 547 Albert Einstein: Foundation of 20th Century Physics (3) OD
A study of the scientific ideas of Albert Einstein and their influence on twentieth-century physics. Treatment of the evolution of these ideas along with his involvement in movements such as pacifism and Zionism. No formal math or science courses.
Offered on Demand (2005...)
PHY 551 Mathematical Physics (3) OD
Mathematical methods for the representation of physical processes in space and time. Fourier and other complete representations; vector calculus; tensors and matrices. Selection and emphasis on topics keyed to needs of students enrolled. P: PHY 212; MTH 347.
Offered on Demand
PHY 553 Computational Physics (3) OD
An introduction to the computational methods most often employed within applied and theoretical physics. Each computational method is introduced in the context of a specific type of physics problem. Examples are drawn from a variety of subfields of physics including; classical, atomic, nuclear and thermodynamics. Topics include: Taylor series expansions and error estimation, numerical solutions of differential equations, solving systems of linear and/or non-linear equations, numerical solutions to partial differential equations, numerical integration techniques, Monte Carlo methods, and the Metropolis algoritm.
Offered on Demand
PHY 558 Relativity: The Special and General Theories (3) OD
Review of classical relativity (frames of reference); Einstein's special theory of relativity (length contraction, time dilation, mass dependence on speed, E = mc2); Einstein's general theory of relativity (gravity, equivalence of gravitation and acceleration, deflection of light, time effects). P: PHY 212; MTH 246.
Offered on Demand
PHY 559 Gravitation and Cosmology (3) OD
This course will be an introduction to Standard Big Bang Cosmology utilizing Einstein's General Theory of Relativity. Topics in relativity will include tensor analysis, Reimannian geometry, and the Einstein Equation. Topics in cosmology will include the Friedman-Robertson-Walker metric, the age of the Universe, Dark Matter and Dark Energy, and early Universe thermodynamics. P: PHY 301.
Offered on Demand
PHY 561 Nuclear Physics (3) AY
Application of elementary quantum mechanical theory and relativity to the study of nuclear structure, radioactive decay, and nuclear models. P: PHY 531.
Offered every other year in the Spring Semester (2004,2006...)
PHY 562 Nuclear Instruments and Methods (2) AY
Laboratory work in nuclear physics designed to teach the methods and procedures of experimental nuclear physics at an advanced level and to familiarize the student with modern research equipment and its use. 3L. P: PHY 301 and 302.
Offered every other year in the Fall Semester (2003, 2005, ...)
PHY 563 High Energy Nuclear Physics (1) OD
Students will read and discuss original journal articles related to the historical development of high energy physics. P:PHY 212; MTH 246; or IC.
Offered on Demand
PHY 571 Solid State Physics (3) OD
Introduction to the theory of the solid state based on quantum mechanics. Crystal structure and symmetry, lattice dynamics, free electron model, and band theory of solids. P: PHY 531.
Offered On Demand (2003, 2005, 2007, ...)
PHY 572 Solid State Laboratory (1) OD
Laboratory work in solid state physics including x-ray crystallography. 3L. CO: PHY 571 or IC.
Offered every other year in the Spring Semester (2005, 2007, ...)
PHY 581 Advanced lab I (1) I
Advanced laboratory work in physics designed to teach the methods of experimental research in physics. Students will work in collaborative teams on two open-ended experiments, each lasting six weeks, drawn from any physics subfield. Students will also develop a research proposal to be executed in PHY 582, Advanced Laboratory II. P: PHY 302, 303, and 332.
Offered every other year in the Fall Semester
PHY 582 Advanced Lab II (1) II
Advanced laboratory designed to teach the methods of experimental research in physics. Students will work in collaborative teams to complete a project of their own design, including literature review, design and execution of the experiment, data analysis (including statistical testing) and a written report. Students will participate in mock peer-review. P: Phy 581
Offered every year in the Spring Semester
PHY 585 Teaching of Physics (3) I
Objectives and functions of the teaching of science in terms of secondary-school learning experiences. Attention is directed to the selection, organization, and presentation of meaningful materials; selection, use and evaluation of textbooks and related aids. Specific application of course material to physics through independent projects. Meets concurrently with EDU 445. Students are expected to complete all of the course work of EDU 445 and complete an additional independent project. CO: EDU 341 and 342.
Offered on demand
PHY 587 Laser Physics (3) OD
A thorough review of the essential optical and physical principles needed for understanding laser characteristics, operation and design. Topics include the principle of detailed balance, absorption, stimulated emission, gain, obtaining population inversions, pumping requirements, laser cavity modes, Gaussian beams, laser resonators, Q-switching, mode-locking, and an overview of specific laser systems including gas-tube and solid-state lasers. P: PHY 301, 302.
Offered on demand (2005, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2014)
PHY 591 Seminar in Engineering (3) AY
A series of lectures, dicussions and engineering speakers to assist pre-engineers to define more clearly their professional goals by acquainting them with diversified career options available to engineers. Topics include: engineering career exploration and development; cooperative education and internships; and job search, resume writing and interviewing techniques. P: IC.
Offered every other year (2005, 2007...)
PHY 595 Special Topics (3) OD
A course treating physics topics of special interest. The course will be subtitled in the schedule of classes, and may be repeated under different subtitles. P: IC.
Offered on Demand.
PHY 611 Classical Mechanics (Core Course) (3) AY
Variational principles, Lagrange's equations, two-body central force motion, rigid body motion, transformations, small oscillations.
Offered every other year (2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, ...)
PHY 621 Electromagnetic Theory (Core Course) (3) AY
Electromagnetic fields, application of Maxwell's equations to electromagnetic waves and their interaction with matter.
Offered every other year (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, ...)
PHY 631 Quantum Mechanics I (Core Course) (3) AY
Development of the formalism of quantum mechanics with applications to simple systems.
Offered every other year (2005, 2007, 2009)
PHY 632 Quantum Mechanics II (3) OD
Applications of quantum mechanics to current fields of interest. P: PHY 631.
Offered on Demand
PHY 641 Statistical Mechanics (Core Course) (3) AY
Review of thermodynamics, classical and quantum statistical theory, applications to current fields of interest.
Offered every other year (2004,2006, 2008, ...)
PHY 652 Advanced Mathematical Methods (3) OD
Small oscillations, transformations, special functions, boundary value problems. P: MTH 347.
Offered on Demand
PHY 790 Research Methods (2) OD
Introduction to current research in Physics.
Offered on Demand
PHY 791 Graduate Seminar (1) I , II
Oral presentation and critical discussion of subjects in physics or related fields by invited speakers, faculty, and graduate students.
Offered Each Semester
PHY 793 Directed Independent Readings (1-3) I, II
Directed readings in areas of special interest to the faculty, such as the following; astrophysics, atomic physics, cosmology, medical physics, nuclear physics, particle physics, solid state physics, surface physics, statistical mechanics, foundations of physics, biophysics. P: IC.
Offered Each Semester, make contact with faculty before enrolling
PHY 795 Directed Independent Study (1-3) I, II
Advanced study in a specific area of interest to the faculty. P: IC.
Offered Each Semester, make contact with faculty before enrolling
PHY 797 Directed Independent Research (1-3) I, II
An independent research project under the guidance of a member of the faculty. Weekly conferences. Written report of work required at the end of each semester. P: IC.
Offered Each Semester, make contact with faculty before enrolling
PHY 799 Master's Thesis (1-3) I, II
Research in connection with the preparation of the Master's thesis. Students must register for this course in any term in which they are engaged in formal preparation of the master's thesis; however, six credit hours are the maximum applicable toward the degree. P: IC.
Offered Each Semester, make contact with faculty before enrolling
Abbreviation List
AY - Offered in alternate (every-other) years
OD - Offered on demand
P - Prerequisite
IC - Instructors Consent
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