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

The Physics program provides a strong background in the scientific skills of analysis and experimentation that will provide a student with 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 within which they live.

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 (or PHY 223a/MAT 115-PHY 223b/MAT 118) - 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 350-351	Advanced Laboratory	(2)
	PHY 443	Classical Mechanics	(3)
	PHY 447	Quantum Mechanics	(3)
	PHY 449	Nuclear Physics Lab	(1)
	PHY 498	Senior Project	(1)
	CHM 111-112	General Chemistry	(10)
	CSC 107	Computer Programming for Science2	(4)
	MAT 111-112 or MAT 117/PHY 223a-MAT 118/PHY 223b	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 or MAT 117/PHY 223a	4 or 6	MAT 112 or MAT 118/PHY 223b	4-7
CSC 1072 or AS	4 or 3	PHY 223 or PHY 223b/MAT 118	5-7
Total	15-18	Total	15-17
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	AS	3
AS	3	AS	3
AS	3	AS	3
AS	3	Elective	3
Total	17	Total	16
Senior or Junior Year
PHY 332	3	PHY 447	3
PHY 443	3	PHY 499	1
PHY 449	1	Elective	3
MAT 336	4	AS	3
AS	3	AS	3
Elective	3	Elective	3
Total	17	Total	16
		Total	136

Other Programs
Physics Minor: The physics minor requires seven courses, which are to be distributed as follows.
Four Required Courses:

• PHY 223 (or PHY 223a,b)/224 General Physics I, II (10)
• PHY 225 General Physics III (5)
• MAT 211 Calculus III (4)
• Three courses selected from the following two groups. At least one of these three must be selected from Group I.

Group I:

• PHY 330 Electromagnetism I (3)
• PHY 331 Electromagnetism II (3)
• PHY 332 Statistical and Thermal Physics (3)
• PHY 443 Classical Mechanics (3)
• PHY 447 Quantum Mechanics (3)

Note: (i) PHY 331 requires PHY 330 as a prerequisite.
(ii) MAT 336  is strongly recommended for PHY 447.

Group II:

• PHY 226 Basic Electronics (4)
• PHY 360 Scientific Modeling (4)
• Two of PHY 350, 351, 449 Advanced Lab (2)
• MAT 222 Differential Equations (4)
• MAT 335 Mathematical Analysis for Physicists I (4)
• MAT 336 Mathematical Analysis for Physicists II (4)
• CHM 301 Classical Physical Chemistry (5)

Note: If CHM 301 is used for Group II, PHY 332 cannot be used for Group I.

Dual majors can be formed with almost any other course of studies. The specialized "single major" program Physics-Computer Science is also available (see below).

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 498. 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's 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: 2003 - 2005

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 131 Earthquakes:  Seismology and Society   3
The science behind earthquakes; their causes, locations, frequency, and measurement; and their affects on geography, human structures, and society.(AS I)

PHY 201-202 General Physics  10
For biological-science students. Newtonian mechanics, heat and thermodynamics, electricity, light, and atoms. Some calculus. Lecture, recitation, and laboratory.  Prerequisites: MAT 109 or equivalent. A grade of C- or higher in PHY 201 is required to continue in PHY 202.

PHY 223-224 General Physics for Physical Science Majors  10
Calculus-based physics course and related laboratory. PHY 223: Newtonian mechanics with applications. PHY 224: electricity and magnetism.  Prerequisites: MAT 111. A grade of C- or higher in PHY 223 is necessary to continue in
PHY 224.

PHY 223a/MAT 117 Calculus I and II
Integrated with General Physics I   6
Lectures and related laboratory integrate the topics covered in MAT 111, 112 and PHY 223. Topics include: Coordinate systems, vector and matrix algebra, quadratic curves, scalar and vector functions of one variable, limits, continuity, differentiation, the definite integral; systems of physical units, motion in space, Newton's laws and linear momentum.  Five hours of lecture and one hour of lab per week.  (AS I and AS VII)

PHY 223b/MAT 118 Calculus I and II
Integrated with General Physics I   7
Integrated continuation of PHY 223a/MAT 117.   Fundamental theorem of calculus, relative and absolute extrema, curve sketching, parametric and polar equations, arc length, volumes of solids, techniques of integration, power series; angular momentum, torque, work, energy.  Eight hours of lecture, one hour of lab per week.  (AS I and AS VII)  Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in PHY 223a/MAT 117 is required to continue in PHY 223b/MAT118.

PHY 225 General Physics III  5
Calculus-based physics course and related laboratory.  Fluids, mechanical waves and sound, heat and thermodynamics, geometric and physical optics, relativity, and introductory quantum physics.   Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in PHY 224 is required to continue in PHY 225.

PHY 226 Basic Electronics  4
Circuit analysis, power supplies, semiconductor physics, operational amplifiers, digital electronics. Integrated circuit techniques. Includes laboratory work each week.  Prerequisite: A grade of C- or higher in PHY 224 is required.

PHY 301 Optics  3
Geometric optics, interference, diffraction, fiber optics, laser system design, holographic and speckle metrology, and non-linear optical phenomena.  Prerequisites: 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.
2003-2004 only

PHY 331 Electromagnetism II  3
Primary topic : electromagnetic waves in free-space and matter, beginning with the Maxwell equations. Additional topics: radiation and special relativity.  Prerequisite: PHY 330.
2003-2004 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.
2004-2005 only

PHY 350-351 Advanced Laboratory  2
Advanced experiments such as mechanical oscillations, holography, spatial filtering, spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, low-temperature measurements, and bubble chamber analysis.  Prerequisite: PHY 225.

PHY 360 (SCI 360) Scientific Modeling   3
An introduction to the use of computer models to develop understanding in a scientific context.  This course is intended for students in any scientific or mathematical discipline, and focuses on the principles involved in using and interpreting computer models.  The course is divided into three main sections; dynamical modeling, structural modeling and computer-based statistical methods.  Problems will be drawn from biology, biochemistry, chemistry, geology and physics.
Prerequisites: MAT 111 and a one-year introductory science sequence (in computer science, chemistry, biology or physics).

PHY 400 (MAT 400) Mathematics-Physics Reading Group  1
Study of a book on recent developments in mathematics and physics. 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.
2004-2005 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: MAT 336 is strongly recommended.
2004-2005 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. 2004-2005 only

PHY 475-476 Engineering/Physics Internship  1-3
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 498 Senior Project  1-3
A one-semester research project done under the supervision of a faculty member.  Prerequisite: Senior standing in physics and permission of department chair.

PHY 499 Independent Study  3
Prerequisite: Permission of department chair.

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1 Area I 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.