Undergraduate 2019-2020

College of Natural and Health Sciences

Department of Physics and Astronomy

PHYS 106 Introduction to Spaceflight

Topics to be covered include history of spaceflight, mechanics of propulsion and satellite motion, and living and working in space, and the space shuttle.
3

Course Attribute

LC6-Physical & Life Sciences and GT Physical & Life Sciences

PHYS 220 Introductory Physics I

(4 lecture, 3 laboratory) First semester of algebra-based physics. Areas covered are classical mechanics and heat. A solid understanding of algebra, geometry and trigonometry is necessary to pass this course.
5

Course Attribute

LC6-Physical & Life Sciences and LCLB-Science Lab Course and GT Physical & Life Science

Course Fee

Course Fee Required

PHYS 221 Introductory Physics II

(4 lecture, 3 laboratory) Second semester of algebra-based physics. Areas covered are waves, sound, light, electricity, magnetism, and modern physics. A solid understanding of algebra, geometry and trigonometry is necessary to pass this course.
5

Prerequisites

PHYS 220: with minimum grade of D-

Course Fee

Course Fee Required

PHYS 240 General Physics I

(4 lecture, 3 laboratory) First semester of calculus-based introductory physics. Areas covered are classical mechanics and heat. A solid understanding of algebra, geometry and trigonometry is necessary to pass this course.
5

Prerequisites

May concurrently take MATH 131: with minimum grade of D-

Course Attribute

LC6-Physical & Life Sciences and LCLB-Science Lab Course and GT Physical & Life Science

Course Fee

Course Fee Required

PHYS 241 General Physics II

(4 lecture, 3 laboratory) Second semester of calculus-based introductory physics. Areas covered are waves, sound, light, electricity and magnetism. A solid understanding of algebra, geometry and trigonometry is necessary to pass this course.
5

Prerequisites

PHYS 240: with minimum grade of D- and May concurrently take MATH 132: with minimum grade of D-

Course Fee

Course Fee Required

PHYS 301 Seminar in Physics

Focus on current topics in physics not covered in existing departmental offerings. Oral presentation required. Class attendance mandatory.
1

Repeatable Status

Course is repeatable with a maximum of 2 credit hours

PHYS 320 Mathematical Methods I

Vector calculus, integration techniques, complex variables, ordinary differential equations, and Taylor series. Emphasis on applications to advanced physical sciences and engineering.
3

Prerequisites

MATH 132: with minimum grade of D-

PHYS 321 Elementary Modern Physics

(3 lecture, 3 laboratory) Relativity, atomic and nuclear physics, cosmology, and introduction to quantum mechanics.
4

Prerequisites

PHYS 241: with minimum grade of D-

PHYS 340 Mechanics

Intermediate course in classical mechanics. Reference frames, Newton's Laws, work and energy, oscillatory, central force and rigid body motion, and Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics.
4

Prerequisites

PHYS 241: with minimum grade of D- and (MATH 233: with minimum grade of D- or PHYS 320: with minimum grade of D-)

PHYS 341 Electricity and Magnetism

Intermediate study of classical electromagnetism. Electrostatics, magnetostatics, electric and magnetic fields in matter, electrodynamics, electromagnetic waves, and radiation.
4

Prerequisites

PHYS 241: with minimum grade of D- and (MATH 233: with minimum grade of D- or PHYS 320: with minimum grade of D-)

PHYS 343 Electronics

(3 lecture, 3 laboratory) Analysis of analog and digital circuits.
4

Prerequisites

PHYS 241: with minimum grade of D- and PHYS 320: with minimum grade of D-

PHYS 345 Quantum Mechanics I

Wave functions and probability, Schrodinger equation, Dirac notation and matrix formulation of quantum mechanics.
3

Prerequisites

PHYS 320: with minimum grade of D- and PHYS 321: with minimum grade of D-

PHYS 347 Optics

(3 lecture, 3 laboratory) Geometrical, wave, and physical optics, lenses, mirrors, and optical instruments.
4

Prerequisites

PHYS 241: with minimum grade of D- and MATH 132: with minimum grade of D-

PHYS 355 Computer Applications in Physics

(1 lecture, 2 laboratory) Introduction to MATLAB and LabVIEW, with specific applications to physical problems, simulation of systems, and data acquisition and analysis.
2

Prerequisites

PHYS 241: with minimum grade of D- and (MATH 233: with minimum grade of D- or PHYS 320: with minimum grade of D-)

PHYS 360 Laboratory Physics I

(1 lecture, 3 laboratory) Advanced laboratory skills and methods in physics, including error analysis.
2

Prerequisites

PHYS 241: with minimum grade of D-

PHYS 370 Research I

Independent experimental, computational or theoretical research in physics. Conferences with research advisor and a research proposal are required. (Minimum of 37.5 clock hours per credit hour.)
1- 3

Repeatable Status

Course is repeatable with a maximum of 6 credit hours

PHYS 420 Mathematical Methods II

Boundary value problems, partial differential equations, Laplace and Fourier transforms, special functions, and matrix algebra. Emphasis on applications to advanced physical sciences and engineering.
3

Prerequisites

PHYS 320: with minimum grade of D-

PHYS 422 Directed Studies

Individualized investigation under the direct supervision of a faculty member. (Minimum of 37.5 clock hours required per credit hour.)
1- 3

Course Attribute

Variable Title Course

Repeatable Status

Course is repeatable with no limitations

PHYS 440 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics

Kinetic theory, equations of state, laws of thermodynamics, and applications of statistical mechanics.
4

Prerequisites

PHYS 240: with minimum grade of D- and MATH 132: with minimum grade of D-

PHYS 445 Quantum Mechanics II

Perturbation theory, approximation methods, scattering, many-particle systems, and advanced topics.
3

Prerequisites

PHYS 345: with minimum grade of D-

PHYS 447 Electro-optics

Lasers and atomic theory, holography, fiber optics, and electro-optic devices.
2

Prerequisites

PHYS 347: with minimum grade of D-

PHYS 448 Nuclear and Particle Physics

(3 lecture, 3 laboratory) Nuclear properties and models, radioactive decay, fusion and fission, radiation detection, and elementary particles.
4

Prerequisites

PHYS 321: with minimum grade of D-

PHYS 460 Laboratory Physics II

(1 lecture, 3 laboratory) Advanced laboratory projects.
2

Prerequisites

PHYS 360: with minimum grade of D-

PHYS 470 Research II

Independent experimental, computational or theoretical research in physics. Conferences with research advisor and a paper and oral presentation are required.
1- 3

Prerequisites

PHYS 370: with minimum grade of D-

Repeatable Status

Course is repeatable with a maximum of 6 credit hours

PHYS 495 Special Topics in Physics

Topics of special interest in areas of physics not covered by other courses.
3

Prerequisites

(PHYS 221: with minimum grade of D- or PHYS 241: with minimum grade of D-)

Course Attribute

Variable Title Course

Repeatable Status

ST - Repeatable under different subtitles with no limits on the number of times it can be repeated