Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025

College of Natural and Health Sciences

Department of Physics and Astronomy

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

Mutually Exclusive Course

Credit allowed for only one of these courses: PHYS 220 and PHYS 240

Course Attribute

LAS1-Natural &Physical Science and LASL-Natural&Physi Science LAB and GT Natural & Phys Science Lab

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 a minimum grade of D-

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required and 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

Concurrent Prerequisite MATH 131 with a minimum grade of D-

Mutually Exclusive Course

Credit allowed for only one of these courses: PHYS 240 and PHYS 220

Course Attribute

LAS1-Natural &Physical Science and LASL-Natural&Physi Science LAB and GT Natural & Phys Science Lab

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 and Concurrent Prerequisite MATH 132 with a minimum grade of D-)

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required and 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

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

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 a minimum grade of D-

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

PHYS 321 Elementary Modern Physics

Relativity, atomic and nuclear physics, cosmology, and introduction to quantum mechanics.
3

Prerequisites

PHYS 241 with a minimum grade of D-

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

PHYS 323 Elementary Modern Physics Laboratory

(3 Laboratory) Lab course introducing students to error analysis techniques and experiments in modern physics, including atomic physics, radioactivity, and quantum effects.
1

Prerequisites

Concurrent Prerequisite PHYS 321 with a minimum grade of D-

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

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

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

PHYS 341 Electricity and Magnetism I

Intermediate study of classical electromagnetism. Electrostatics, magnetostatics, electric and magnetic fields in matter, and electrodynamics.
3

Prerequisites

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

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

PHYS 342 Electricity and Magnetism II

Continued intermediate study of classical electromagnetism. Electrodynamics continued, electromagnetic waves and radiation, electrodynamics and relativity.
3

Prerequisites

PHYS 341 with a minimum grade of D-

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

PHYS 343 Electronics

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

Prerequisites

(PHYS 241 and PHYS 320 with a minimum grade of D-)

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

PHYS 345 Quantum Mechanics I

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

Prerequisites

(PHYS 320 and PHYS 321 with a minimum grade of D-)

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

PHYS 347 Optics

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

Prerequisites

(PHYS 241 and MATH 132 with a minimum grade of D-)

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

PHYS 355 Computer Applications in Physics

(2 lecture, 2 laboratory) Introduction to MATLAB with specific applications to physical problems, simulation of systems, and data acquisition and analysis.
3

Prerequisites

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

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

PHYS 360 Laboratory Physics

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

Prerequisites

PHYS 323 with a minimum grade of D-

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

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

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

PHYS 401 Supervised Science Teaching

Supervised introduction to college-level physics and astronomy instruction. Students will gain experience in lesson planning, assignment creation, grading, and instruction.
1-2

Special Notes

Consent of the Instructor required

Repeatable Status

Course is repeatable with no limitations

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

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 a minimum grade of D-

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

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

Special Notes

Maximum concurrent enrollment is two times.

Course Attribute

Variable Title Course

Repeatable Status

Course is repeatable with no limitations

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

PHYS 440 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics

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

Prerequisites

(PHYS 240 and MATH 132 with a minimum grade of D-)

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

PHYS 445 Quantum Mechanics II

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

Prerequisites

PHYS 345 with a minimum grade of D-

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

PHYS 447 Electro-optics

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

Prerequisites

PHYS 347 with a minimum grade of D-

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

PHYS 448 Nuclear and Particle Physics

Nuclear properties and models, radioactive decay, fusion and fission, radiation detection, and elementary particles.
3

Prerequisites

PHYS 321 with a minimum grade of D-

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

PHYS 457 Solid State Physics

Introduction to solid state physics, the largest subfield of condensed matter physics. Methods from classical, quantum, and statistical mechanics will be applied to different solid materials to understand their mechanical, electrical, magnetic, and thermal properties. Materials of engineering importance such as semiconductors, superconductors, and magnetic materials will be covered.

3

Prerequisites

PHYS 345 with a minimum grade of D-

Offered

Generally offered Spring Even Years

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

PHYS 460 Laboratory Physics II

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

Prerequisites

PHYS 360 with a minimum grade of D-

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

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 a minimum grade of D-

Repeatable Status

Course is repeatable with a maximum of 6 credit hours

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required

PHYS 495 Special Topics in Physics

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

Prerequisites

(PHYS 221 or PHYS 241 with a 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

Course Fee

Differential Tuition Required