Full-Time Faculty: Kenneth Scherkoske, Chair; Daniel F. Dempsey, James C. Lauffenburger, H. David Sheets.

The Physics program provides a strong background in the scientific skills of analysis and experimentation which will allow a broad choice of career opportunities. Options in Engineering-Physics and Physics-Computer Science prepare students for immediate entry into applied physics careers in industry, while the Physics major is a preparation for further study in graduate physics and related areas such as oceanography, geophysics, patent law, medicine, engineering, and astronomy. The specific goal for majors is a thorough knowledge of basic physical science and the mathematical and experimental application of this basis to the study of natural phenomena. Other offerings are intended to give non-majors an appreciation of the relation between science and the world they live in.

Admission

For admission to the advanced program, a student should have completed, with a grade of at least C, General Physics (PHY 223, 224, 225) and mathematics through Differential Equations (MAT 222).

Physics Curriculum:

1.	ENG 101, ENG 102, PHI 101, RST 101	(4 courses)	(12)
2.	Area Studies: Two courses from each of these areas: II, III, IV, V, VI, VIII	(12 courses)	(36)
	Major course requirements:	(18 courses)
	PHY 223-224	General Physics for
		Physical Science Majors	(10)
	PHY 225	General Physics III	(5)
	PHY 226	Basic Electronics	(4)
	PHY 330	Electricity and Magnetism I	(3)
	PHY 331	Electricity and Magnetism II	(3)
	PHY 332	Statistical and Thermal Physics	(3)
	PHY 350	Advanced Laboratory
		(two semesters)	(2)
	PHY 443	Classical Mechanics	(3)
	PHY 447	Quantum Mechanics	(3)
	PHY 449	Nuclear Physics Lab	(1)
	PHY 499	Independent Study	(1)
	CHM 111-112	General Chemistry	(10)
	CSC 107	Computer Programming for Science2	(4)
	MAT 111-112	Calculus I and II	(8)
	MAT 211	Calculus III	(4)
	MAT 222	Differential Equations	(4)
	MAT 335-336	Mathematical Analysis for Physicists	(8)
4. Electives: Computer Science courses are highly recommended,
	as are PHY 301, PHY 400, 450.	(4 courses)	(12)
	Total	(38 courses)	(136)

Recommended Schedule:

Fall		Spring
Freshman Year
ENG 101	3	ENG 102	3
CHM 111	5	CHM 112	5
MAT 111	4	MAT 112	4
CSC 1072 or AS	4 or 3	PHY 223	5
Total	16 or 15	Total	17
Sophomore Year
PHI 101	3	RST 101	3
MAT 211	4	MAT 222	4
PHY 224	5	PHY 225	5
AS	3	PHY 226	4
AS or CSC 1072	3 or 4	AS	3
Total	18 or 19	Total	19
Junior or Senior Year
PHY 330	3	PHY 331	3
PHY 350	1	PHY 350	1
MAT 335	4	MAT 336	4
AS	3	AS	3
AS	3	AS	3
AS	3	Elective	3
Total	17	Total	17
Senior or Junior Year
PHY 332	3	PHY 447	3
PHY 443	3	PHY 499	1
PHY 449	1	Elective	3
AS	3	AS	3
AS	3	AS	3
Elective	3	Elective	3
Total	16	Total	16
Total	15	Total	136

Other Programs

Dual majors can be formed with almost any other course of studies. Specialized “single major” programs such as Engineering-Physics and Physics-Computer Science are also available (see below).

Engineering-Physics

This program is designed for those students who plan to seek industrial employment in either engineering or applied physics. In addition to providing a thorough exposure to the fundamentals of undergraduate physics, the Engineering-Physics curriculum supplements those courses with such applied courses as: Computer Programming for Science and Engineering, Engineering Design, Solid State Physics, Optics, and an Internship. The first two years of this program are the same as the Engineering curriculum.

Physics-Computer Science

This program leads to a BA degree in Physics-Computer Science. Students follow the Physics curriculum with the following changes. Add: CSC 110, CSC 111, CSC 212, CSC 213, CSC 253, CSC 281, CSC 310, CSC 330, CSC 351, and CSC 395. Delete: CHM 111-112, CSC 107, PHY 332, PHY 447, PHY 449, and PHY 499. Internships (PHY 475 and PHY 476) are suggested as senior-year electives, as are CSC electives.

Additional Information

Physics majors use a scanning tunneling microscope, high resolution spectroscopy equipment, lasers, fiber optics, high vacuum apparatus, low temperature apparatus, a multi-channel nuclear analyzer and an X-ray spectrometer. They have access to departmental micro-computers and the college main computer system. In addition, a large supply of other equipment is available for students to use as early as their first semester.

The Society of Physics Students offers opportunities for social activities, technical tours, lectures, and other activities.

COURSES: 2001-2003

PHY 120 Physics for Allied Health Professions 3

For athletic training majors. Mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity, waves, and radiation as applied to sports medicine.

PHY 129 Introduction to Astronomy 3

Understanding modern astronomy by using ideas from basic physics. Mathematics minimized. Naming and viewing stars and constellations is included. (AS I)

PHY 130 Introduction to Geology 3

Sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks: erosion and deformation of the earth's crust: earthquakes and the study of seismograph records. Some audio-visual tutorial. (AS I)

PHY 201-202 General Physics 10

For biological-science students. Newtonian mechanics, heat, electricity, light, and atoms. Some calculus. Lecture, recitation, and laboratory.

Prerequisite: MAT 109 or equivalent.

PHY 223-224 General Physics for Physical Science Majors 10

Calculus-based physics course and related laboratory. PHY 223: Newtonian mechanics with applications, heat and thermodynamics. PHY 224: electricity, magnetism, and light.

Prerequisite: MAT 111. A grade of C– or higher in PHY 223 is necessary to continue in PHY 224.

PHY 225 General Physics III 5

Fluids, mechanical waves and sound, geometric and physical optics, introductory quantum physics. Lecture, lab and recitation.

Prerequisite: PHY 224.

PHY 226 Basic Electronics 4

Circuit analysis, power supplies, semiconductor physics, operational amplifiers, digital electronics. Integrated circuit techniques. Includes laboratory work each week.

Prerequisite: PHY 224.

PHY 301 Optics 3

Geometric optics, interference, diffraction, fiber optics, laser system design, holographic and speckle metrology, and non-linear optical phenomena.

Prerequisite: MAT 222 and PHY 224.

PHY 330 Electromagnetism I 3

Static and time-varying classical electric and magnetic fields in free-space and matter.

Prerequisite: PHY 224. 2001-2002 only

PHY 331 Electromagnetism II 3

Primary topic : electromagnetic waves in free-space and matter, beginning with Maxwell equations. Additional topics: radiation and special relativity.

Prerequisite: PHY 330. 2001-2002 only

PHY 332 Statistical and Thermal Physics 3

Develops statistical concepts and methods used to relate macroscopic to microscopic descriptions of many-particle systems.

Prerequisite: PHY 225. 2002-2003 only

PHY 350 Advanced Laboratory 1

Advanced experiments such as mechanical oscillations, holography, spatial filtering, spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, low-temperature measurements, and bubble chamber analysis.

Prerequisite: PHY 225.

PHY 400 (MAT 400) Mathematics/Physics Reading Group 1

Study of a book on recent developments in mathematics and science. Book subject varies. May be taken more than once.

Prerequisite: By permission.

PHY 443 Classical Mechanics 3

One, two, and three dimensional motion of a particle, non-inertial systems, classical scattering, rigid-body motion. Lagrange and Hamilton equations, calculus of variations, oscillations.

Prerequisite: PHY 224. 2002-2003 only

PHY 447 Quantum Mechanics 3

Experimental basis of quantum mechanics, state functions, operators. Schrodinger's equation and applications, parity, perturbation theory, Dirac notation.

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. 2002-2003 only

PHY 449 Nuclear Physics Lab 1

One-semester lab meeting once per week. Experiments study nuclear instrumentation, characteristics of radiation, nuclear spectra, and neutron activation,

Prerequisite: PHY 225. 2002-2003 only

PHY 475 Engineering/Physics Internship 1

Work experience in applied research or engineering at a local firm or academic institution. Students devote approximately 10 hours per week to this activity.

Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing in physics and placement by Physics Department.

PHY 499 Independent Study 1

One semester research project done under the supervision of a staff member.

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1 Area III is automatically fulfilled because this program is in the Natural Sciences. Area VII is fulfilled by the required Mathematics courses in this program.

2 CSC 107 is offered in alternate years only.