Physics (PHY)
- General Education Course

Introduces nonscience majors to applications of physics in life. Emphasizes conceptual understanding of basic principles in classical and modern physics. Recommended for science students with no high school physics.
Pre-req: (MTH 121 or MTH 127 or MTH 130 or MTH 130E or MTH 229 or MTH 229H or MTH 203 or MTH 121B) or MTH 130H and PHY 101L (may be taken concurrently).


An algebra-based overview of well-established topics studied as part of a major in physics, including classical physics, special relativity, quantum mechanics, particle physics, and cosmology.

First half of an introduction to physics for life-science students, using algebra and vectors by triangles: force, energy, particle dynmaics, rotation, fluids, waves, thermal phenomena.
Pre-req: (MTH 127 and MTH 122) or (MTH 130 and MTH 122) or MTH 132 or (MTH 140 and MTH 122) or MTH 229 or MTH 229H or MTH 140H and PHY 202 (may be taken concurrently).


Second half of an introduction to physics for students of natural (life) sciences, using algebra and vectors by triangles: E&M fields, circuits; ray optics, interference; atoms, nuclei.
Pre-req: (PHY 201 with a minimum grade of C and PHY 202 with a minimum grade of C) and PHY 204 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of C.


First half of an introduction to physics for students of physical science or engineering, using calculus and vectors by components: force, energy, particle dynamics, rotation, fluids, waves, thermodynamics.
Pre-req: (MTH 229 (may be taken concurrently) or MTH 229H (may be taken concurrently)) and PHY 202 (may be taken concurrently).

Second half of an introduction to physics for students of physical science or engineering, using calculus and vectors by components: E&M fields, circuits; ray optics, interference; atoms, nuclei.
Pre-req: MTH 230 (may be taken concurrently) and PHY 204 (may be taken concurrently) and (PHY 201 with a minimum grade of C or PHY 211 with a minimum grade of C) and PHY 202.

A study of Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic waves, radiation theory, optical phenomena, and electrodynamics. 3 lec.
Pre-req: PHY 300.
Introduction to some of the most important tools and techniques in scientific computing, including object-oriented design, version control, and MPI for high-performance computing.
Pre-req: MTH 229 with a minimum grade of D or MTH 229H with a minimum grade of D or IST 163 with a minimum grade of D.
Physical principles underlying the mechanisms by which living organisms survive, adapt, grow. Will enhance writing skills and strategies. 2 lec - 2 lab. (PR: PHY 203 or 213, and PHY 204)
Pre-req: PHY 203 (may be taken concurrently) or PHY 213 (may be taken concurrently) and PHY 204.
Laboratory exercises on modern physics topics encompassing both experiments of historic significance and current applications. To be taken with Physics 320, or equivalent.
A course on using numerical methods and computer programming languages for solving complex physics problems and for the simulation of various physical processes. 2 lec-2 lab.
Pre-req: PHY 213 with a minimum grade of D and PHY 330 with a minimum grade of D and (PHY 445 with a minimum grade of D or PHY 446 with a minimum grade of D) and MTH 231 with a minimum grade of D.
This is the second part of a two-semester introduction to quantum mechanics. Emphasis is on applications of quantum theory including approximation techniques and the study of more realistic quantum systems.
Pre-req: PHY 442 or CHM 442.
Developments in producing and detecting correlated photon pairs has enabled implementation of undergraduate laboratories demonstrating fundamental quantum mechanical principles. This laboratory also incorporates fundamental solid state and materials science experiments.
Pre-req: PHY 425 (may be taken concurrently) and PHY 442 (may be taken concurrently).
An introduction to theory of orthogonal functions, curvilinear coordinate systems, vector and tensor fields, and their applications in physics. Problems are drawn from different areas of physics. 3 lec.
Pre-req: PHY 203 or PHY 213 and MTH 231.
A second semester of a full year course on methods of solving problems in physics: calculus of variations, ordinary and partial differential equations, and special functions with real physics problems.
Pre-req: PHY 445.
By permission of department chairman.
By permission of department chairman.
By permission of department chairman.
By permission of department chairman.

To give a capstone expeience to physics majors in their junior or senior years by applying the principles of physics to the solution of real life problems. (PR: CSD 203, or 218 and lab).
