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Physics Course Descriptions
The laws and rules that govern nature and the physical universe are beautiful yet mysterious. Physics is the science that tries to find these laws by observation, measurement, and testing of hypotheses. The course traces the development of the scientific method and work that forms the basis for studying mechanics, waves, sound, light, and electricity. Includes laboratory. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite: completion of the University Mathematics Requirement or concurrent enrollment in a mathematics or statistics course that has MATH-15x Finite Mathematics as a prerequisite.
General physics as defined as the study of the properties and interactions of matter and energy using scientific methodology. Covers a full range of subjects in classical mechanics and in thermodynamics, including lab experiments in mechanics, heat, and sound. Usually offered every fall. Prerequisite: MATH-170 or equivalent.
General physics as defined as the study of the properties and interactions of matter and energy using scientific methodology. Uses calculus-based mathematical methods in solving physical problems. Covers a full range of subjects in classical mechanics and thermodynamics, including lab experiments in mechanics, heat, and sound. Usually offered every fall. Prerequisite: MATH-221, may be taken concurrently.
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic.
In an interactive lab/lecture environment, students have the opportunity to explore topics in electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and modern physics. Emphasis is placed on inquiry-based activities that utilize these topics as a foundation for understanding current technological advancements. Usually offered every fall. Prerequisite for General Education credit: CHEM-100 or CHEM-110 or PHYS-100 or PHYS-105 or PHYS-110.
Incorporates the standard subjects in electricity and magnetism (fields, potentials, DC and AC circuits, electromagnetic waves), geometrical and physical optics, and an introduction to quantum physics. Includes lab experiments in electricity, magnetism, light, and sound. Usually offered every spring. Prerequisite for General Education credit: CHEM-100 or CHEM-110 or PHYS-100 or PHYS-105 or PHYS-110.
Uses calculus-based mathematical methods in solving physical problems. Incorporates the standard subjects in electricity and magnetism (fields, potentials, DC and AC circuits, electromagnetic waves), geometrical and physical optics, and an introduction to quantum physics. Includes lab experiments in electricity, magnetism, light, and optics. Usually offered every spring. Prerequisite for General Education credit: CHEM-100 or CHEM-110 or PHYS-100 or PHYS-105 or PHYS-110.
Theories of the formation of the universe, its structure and evolution over time. Stars, planets, and galaxies are born and change over the years; supernovae, neutron stars, pulsars, black holes, quasars, and solar systems are formed. Usually offered every term. Prerequisite for General Education credit: CHEM-100 or CHEM-110 or PHYS-100 or PHYS-105 or PHYS-110.
Study of science as a tradition that shaped and was shaped by the Western world. This is a course about science--how scientific thought, practice, and culture developed. It explores changing concepts in the physical sciences from their earliest roots to modern times, and discusses the interaction between the physical sciences and other aspects of society. Usually offered every fall. Prerequisite for General Education credit: GOVT-105 or HIST-115 or JLS-110 or PHIL-105 or RELG-105.
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic.
Properties of sound, speech and music, reflection and diffraction. Open-air theaters, sound-absorptive materials and special constructions, and principles of room acoustics and design. Noise control, reduction of air-borne and solid-borne noise, and control of noise in ventilating systems, sound-amplification systems, and auditoriums. Usually offered alternate falls. Prerequisite: PHYS-200, PHYS-205, or PHYS-210.
Fundamentals of basic analog electronic components and circuits. Components examined include: resistors, capacitors, inductors, rectifiers, transformers, triodes, and transistors. Quantities examined include: voltage, resistance, current, inductance, capacitance, reactance, and impedance. Circuit analysis involves application of Ohm146s Law and Kirchhoff146s rules. Circuits include: DC, AC, tuned, rectifier, and simple amplifying circuits. Usually offered every fall. Prerequisite: PHYS-200, PHYS-205, or PHYS-210.
Continuation of analog electronics with an introduction to switching circuits and the fundamentals of digital electronics (TTL and diode logic). Components include semiconductor devices, operational amplifiers, ICs, D/A and A/D converters. Circuits include: multiple transistor amplifiers, transistor switching, oscillators, gates, and flip-flops. Usually offered every spring. Prerequisite: PHYS-312.
Experiments to accompany ATEC-312. Experiments include: DC circuits, resistance, capacitance, inductance, AC circuits, rectifiers, vacuum tubes, transistors, and amplifying circuits. Usually offered every fall. Must be taken concurrently with PHYS-312.
Experiments to accompany ATEC-313. Experiments include: transistor characteristics, multiple transistor amplifiers, operational amplifiers, oscillators, gates, flip-flops, D/A and A/D conversion, and circuits using ICs. Usually offered every spring. Must be taken concurrently with PHYS-312.
The physics of waves is required to understand sound, light, and electronic information transfer. Starting with resonance phenomena, Fourier analysis, and basic wave equations, the course builds to an understanding of acoustic and optics. Laboratory activities are integrated into lectures. Usually offered every spring. Prerequisite: PHYS-200, PHYS-205, or PHYS-210, or permission of instructor.
Electrons, protons, and structure of matter: a historic view. The Rutherford-Bohr atom and elements of quantum mechanics and their applications to atomic, nuclear, and solid state physics. Usually offered every spring. Prerequisite: PHYS-200, PHYS-205, or PHYS-210, or permission of instructor.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor and department chair.
Prerequisite: permission of department chair and Cooperative Education office.
Topics vary by section, may be repeated for credit with different topic.
Vector analysis. Newton's laws and dynamics of particles. Harmonic oscillator. Conservative systems. Gravitational forces and potential. Central fields and the motions of planets and satellites. Relativity. Elements of mathematical physics. Usually offered alternate falls. Prerequisite: MATH-313 (which may be taken concurrently), and PHYS-365, or permission of instructor.
Lectures and laboratory with selected experiments to accompany advanced courses in mechanics, electricity and magnetism, acoustics, optics, and modern physics. Students plan and complete experiments that fit their background and previous training. Usually offered alternate springs. Prerequisite: PHYS-370 or permission of instructor.
Electrostatics, potential theory, magnetic fields, Faraday and Ampere's laws, dielectric magnetic media, and Maxwell's equations. Usually offered every alternate springs. Prerequisite: MATH-313 and PHYS-365.
Wave mechanics, Schroedinger equation, potential barriers and potential wells, harmonic oscillator, operators, eigenfunctions, eigenvalues, degeneracies, angular momentum, hydrogen atom. Usually offered every alternate springs. Prerequisite: MATH-321 and PHYS-370, or permission of instructor.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor and department chair.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor and department chair.
