Full-Time Faculty: James C. Laffenburger, Chair;
Daniel F. Dempsey, Kenneth D. Scherkoske. H. David Sheets.
The Physics major provides a strong background in the scientific skills of analysis and experimentation and gives students a broad choice of career opportunities. 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 and entry into research and development employment. 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)1 | (36) | |
| 3. | 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 | 16-17 | 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 351 | 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) and PHY 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.
- 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)
(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)
Dual majors can be formed with almost any other course of studies.
Additional Information
Physics majors use high resolution spectroscopy equipment, lasers, fiber optics, high vacuum apparatus, low temperature apparatus, a multi-channel nuclear spectrometer and an X-ray spectrometer. They have access to departmental 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: 2005 - 2007
PHY 120 Physics for Allied Health Professions 3
For athletic training majors. Mechanics, 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 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, electricity and magnetism, optics and atomic physics. 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 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. Prior completion of or concurrent registration for MAT 335 is strongly encouraged. 2005-2006 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. 2005-2006 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. 2006-2007 only
PHY 350-351 Advanced Laboratory 2
Advanced experiments such as experimental instrumentation, holography, spatial filtering, atomic spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, low-temperature measurements, magnetic resonance. 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. Prerequisites: PHY 224, MAT 222. 2006-2007 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. 2006-2007 only
PHY 449 Nuclear Physics Lab 1
One-semester lab meeting once per week. Experiments study nuclear instrumentation, characteristics of radiation and nuclear spectra. Prerequisite: PHY 225
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.
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.