PHYS 100 Conceptual Physics - 3 credits
The basic principles of physics are covered in a descriptive (non mathematical) manner.
designed for students not majoring in the natural sciences or those needing a very basic
background in physics. Prerequisite: none. On sufficient demand.

PHYS 100L Conceptual Physics Laboratory - 1 credit
Taken concurrently with PHYS 100. Two hours of laboratory.

PHYS 101 General Physics I - 3 credits
Mechanics, heat, and sound. Three hours of lecture with experimental demonstrations and problems. Not accepted as a prerequisite for any advanced work. Prerequisite: high school algebra and trigonometry. Fall.

PHYS 101L General Physics I Lab - 1 credit
Taken concurrently with the lecture course (PHYS 101 ). Two hours of laboratory. Fall.

PHYS 101R General Physics I Recitation - 0 credits
Must be taken concurrently with PHYS 101. Fall.

PHYS 102 General Physics II - 3 credits
Light, electricity, and modern physics. Three hours of lecture with experimental demonstrations and problems. Not accepted as prerequisite for any advanced work. Prerequisite: PHYS 101 . Spring.

PHYS 102L General Physics II Lab - 1 credit
Taken concurrently with the lecture course (PHYS 102). Two hours of laboratory. Spring.

PHYS 102R General Physics II Recitation - 0 credits
Must be taken concurrently with PHYS 102. Spring.

PHYS 103 Scientific Physics I - 3 credits
Classical mechanics: dynamics, waves, and fluids. Three hours of lecture with experimental demonstrations and problems. Prerequisite: MAT 157 . Fall and Spring.

PHYS 103L Scientific Physics I Lab - 1 credit
Taken concurrently with the lecture course (PHYS 103 ). Two hours of laboratory. Fall and Spring.

PHYS 103R Scientific Physics I Recitation- 0 credits
Must be taken concurrently with PHYS 103. Fall and Spring.

PHYS 110 Introduction to Astronomy - 3 credits
This course is designed for the non science major. A wide range of topics is covered in order to give an overview of what is currently known about the structure and evolution of the universe. Most areas of observational and theoretical astronomy do not go beyond basic high school algebra. Prerequisite: none.  Spring.

PHYS 110L Introduction to Astronomy Lab - 1 credit
This laboratory familiarizes students with the constellations, methods in amateur astronomy, and an introduction to current methods in experimental astronomy. The course meets once weekly for two hours with a majority of the lab work done outside the classroom. Mathematics involved does not go beyond basic algebra and trigonometry. Prerequisite: none. Spring.

PHYS 125 Physics of Sound and Music- 3 credits
The nature of vibrations and waves will be studied and investigated at the introductory level.  Vibrations,
properties of waves, addition of waves and the resulting wave phenomena wil be covered with an emphasis
on their relationship to sound production and interpretation via the ear.  This class is designed for non-science
majors.  The required mathematics will not exceed high school algebra and trigonometry.  Prerequisite: none.  Fall.

PHYS 125L Physics of Sound and Music Lab - 1 credit
This lab is optional with the concurrent enrollment in PHYS 125.  The course will further investigate topics
from PHYS 125 involving the behavior of waves.  The required mathematics will not exceed high school
algebra and trigonometry.  Fall.

PHYS 130 Time - 3 credits
This course presents a survey of physics with time as the unifying concept. Topics covered include mechanics, conservation laws, special relativity, thermodynamics, and chaos. This course is designed for non science majors. Prerequisite: none.  Fall.

PHYS 150 Applying the Scientific Method - 3 credits
Teaches the scientific method by applying it to current and familiar topics.  Students move from relatively easy
topics of investigation (e.g. chances of being in an auto accident next year) to more in-depth investigations (e.g.
whether global warming is a real phenomenon).Summer, on demand.

PHYS 170H Honors Physics - 3 credits
Key physical theories and principles will be discussed from historical, societal, and physical perspectives. Prerequisite: high school algebra and Honors program or permission. On sufficient demand.

PHYS 170HL Honors Physics Laboratory - 1 credit
Laboratory to accompany PHYS 170H.

PHYS 204 Scientific Physics II - 3 credits
Thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and optics. Three hours of lecture with experimental demonstrations and problems. Prerequisite: PHYS 103 and MAT 258 . Fall and Spring.

PHYS 204L Scientific Physics II Lab - 1 credit
Taken concurrently with the lecture course (PHYS 204 ). Two hours of laboratory. Fall and Spring.

PHYS 204R Scientific Physics II Recitation- 0 credit
Taken concurrently with the lecture course PHYS 204 . Fall and Spring.

PHYS 205 Twentieth Century Physics - 3 credits
Special relativity, development and introduction to quantum mechanics. Prerequisite: PHYS 204. Spring.

PHYS 217 Modern Physics Lab - 1 credit
Taken concurrently with PHYS 205, this course looks at laboratory examples of topics covered in PHYS 205. Spring.

PHYS 290A-E Sophomore Directed Reading - 1-3 credits
Directed reading in approved topics. Prerequisite: permission.
 
 

PHYS 301 Intermediate Mechanics - 3 credits
Particle and rigid body statics and dynamics in a rigorous vectorial calculus treatment. A fundamental introduction to theoretical physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 204, MAT 259 concurrently.  Fall.

PHYS 306 Electricity and Magnetism - 3 credits
Electrical and magnetic phenomena leading to a development of Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic field theory. Prerequisite: PHYS 204 and MAT 259 .  Fall of even years.

PHYS 307 Physical Optics - 3 credits
Classical electromagnetic theory applied to optical phenomena. Prerequisite: PHYS 306 or its equivalent.   Spring of odd years.

PHYS 310 Intermediate Laboratory - 2 credits
This course will discuss the major analytic techniques used in experimental physics through experiments in mechanics, heat, electromagnetism and modern physics and will apply these techniques to classic experiments. Prerequisite: PHYS 204L.  Fall.

PHYS 402 Advanced Mechanics - 3 credits
A continuation of PHYS 301 and extension to dynamics of particles, rigid bodies, and fluids by the use of Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms. Prerequisite: PHYS 301.  Spring of even years.

PHYS 407 Electricity and Magnetism II - 3 credits
A continuation of PHYS 306; a study of advanced topics in E&M for graduate school preparation.  Prerequisite: PHYS 306.  Spring of odd years.

PHYS 409 Nuclear and Particle Physics - 3 credits
Study of experimental and theoretical aspects of nuclear interactions as they apply to nuclear structure and elementary particle characteristics. Prerequisite: PHYS 204.  Fall of even years.

PHYS 410 Advanced Laboratory- 2 credits
Advanced topics in experimental physics.Prerequisite: PHYS 310 .

PHYS 450 Statistical Physics - 3 credits
Study of thermal properties from microscopic and statistical viewpoints. Topics include: probability distributions, entropy, density of states, blackbody radiation. Prerequisite: PHYS 204. Fall of odd years.

PHYS 464 Introduction to Quantum Physics - 3 credits
Atomic spectra, Planck's hypothesis, photoelectric effect, Bohr theory, de Broglie waves, Schroedinger wave equation and its application to the hydrogen atom, angular momentum. Prerequisite: PHYS 204, MAT 260 .  Fall of odd years.

PHYS 465 Quantum Physics - 3 credits
Advanced topics in quantum physics. Prerequisite : PHYS 464.  Spring of even years.

PHYS 490 Directed Reading - 1-3 credits
Directed reading in advanced topics. Prerequisite: permission.

PHYS 491 Senior Projects - 2 credits
This course satisfies the senior year requirement for the Applied Physics major.  Prerequisite: permission.  On sufficient demand.

PHYS 499 Comprehensive - 0 credit
Required of all majors in their senior year. Prerequisite: permission.

PHYS 666 Physics of Spam - 3 credits
The physics of spam. The statics and dynamics of spam. Prerequisite: permission.