An introduction to the scientific enterprise: the course will treat selected issues in physics, their historical development and their effect on literature, philosophy and society at large. Topics might include Newtonian mechanics, optics, quantum physics and electromagnetism. Lectures, demonstrations, discussion, occasional laboratories. Intended for non-science majors.

An introduction to optics, the science of light and color. A broad range of topics will be examined. Subject matter may include: rainbows and the color of the sky, vision and the eye, optical instruments, photography, wave aspects of light, lasers and holography. A background in physics or mathematics is not necessary.

An introduction to mechanics and thermodynamics emphasizing applications to biological systems. Topics include Newton's laws of motion, equilibrium, torques, forces, conservation principles, work, energy, power, rotating systems, oscillations, temperature, heat transfer, laws of thermodynamics, fluid statics and dynamics. Intended for non-majors. Algebra and trigonometry are needed. Recommended: MATH 115 or equivalent high school mathematics. Fall and Spring.

An introduction to electricity and magnetism, wave phenomena, atomic and nuclear physics emphasizing applications to biological systems. Topics include electric and magnetic forces and fields, direct and alternating current circuits, light, sound, optical instruments, relativity, quantum physics, atomic spectra, nuclear physics, radioactivity. Intended for non-majors. Fall and Spring.

An introduction to some forensics techniques, and the physics behind the techniques. The forensic techniques will also be discussed in context of the criminal justice system. Forensic topics such as ballistics, structural failure, blood spatter and spectrometry will be covered. Physics background will include motion, forces, energy, momentum, waves, light, and nuclear physics. Recommended: Math 115 or equivalent.

Relationships between music and physics. Sound sources and modes of oscillation, sound as a wave phenomenon and the characterization of sound; scales and keyboard temperament, auditorium and room acoustics; the physics of musical instruments and particular tone color effects in these instruments; electronic sound production, recording and electronic music synthesis. Intended for non-science majors.

An introduction to the field of engineering and the processes and principles engineers use. Engineering will be explored and practiced through solving problems and completing projects. The place of engineering in society and the types of engineering will also be discussed. Recommended: Math 115 or equivalent. Spring.

An introduction to nuclear radiation in the environment from natural and man-made sources. Topics include fundamentals of nuclear structure, stability, effects of radiation on matter, radiation detection, characteristics of natural, industrial, medical, and military radiation sources, environmental mobility, and radiation protection practices and policies. Recommend Math proficiency, high school biology, chemistry, or physics.

A survey of the basic principles involved in understanding the earth’s weather and climate. Topics include winds, fronts, cyclones, clouds and precipitation, thunderstorms, tornadoes and hurricanes, climate and climate change, global warming and ozone depletion. Prerequisite: Math proficiency. Corequisite: PHYS 187L.

Mechanics: vectors, Newton's laws, work, energy, rigid body statics and dynamics. A calculus-based course that emphasizes analytical reasoning and problem-solving techniques. Laboratory places stress on data acquisition and analysis. Prerequisite: concurrent registration in MATH 119. Fall.

Electric and magnetic fields and their sources, electric potential and electro-magnetic induction. DC and AC circuit elements and circuits. Electromagnetic waves. Emphasis on problem solving. A laboratory is included. Spring.

Thermodynamics and waves. Kinetic theory and the laws of thermodynamics are developed from a mechanical point of view. Temperature, entropy and heat engines. Wave phenomena (sound and light) are developed from a unified point of view. Geometrical optics. Fall.

Introduction to digital electronics at the integrated circuit level; logic families, gates, counters, registers and memories.

C++ and Fortran language fundamentals with examples from numerical analysis. Topics may include scientific data analysis and curve fitting, simulation of physical systems and numerical algorithms for integration and matrix manipulation. .

An introduction to computer-aided design (CAD) software for designing and testing mechanical parts and systems. Students will learn to design and test solutions to mechanical engineering problems. Topics include creating solid bodies from 2D sketches, finite element analysis of structural integrity, and 3D printing of design prototypes. Fall.

Supervised reading or research at the lower-division level. Permission of department chair required. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. Not available to first-year students.

An introduction to solving complex problems in interdisciplinary topics which will be drawn from mathematics, computer science,and physics. Students will work in groups and present their results. Prerequisite: admission to Women in STEM program

This course will apply basic calculus to topics on (1) linear and rotational kinematics, (2) forces, potential energy, fields, and potential, (3) conservation laws, (4) oscillations and waves, (5) electricity and magnetism, or (6) optics, kinetic theory, and modern physics. Must have completed PHYS 320 and 332 or 3 years high school science teaching experience.

Principles of mechanics including (1) linear and rotational kinematics, (2) forces, potential energy, fields, and potential, and (3) conservation laws. Onsite laboratory experiences include experiments on data analysis, the acceleration of gravity, projectile motion, Archimedes’ Principle, rotational dynamics, the ballistic pendulum, and two-body collisions. Prerequisite: 3 years high school science teaching experience or education major who has completed PHYS 320 and PHYS 332.

Topics include oscillations and waves, electricity and magnetism, and laboratory experiments. Prerequisite: 3 years high school science teaching experience or education major who has completed PHYS 320 and PHYS 332.

Topics include optics, kinetic theory, modern physics, and laboratory experiments. Prerequisite: 3 years high school science teaching experience or education major who has completed PHYS 320 and PHYS 332.

Introduction to the ideas and mathematics of quantum theory. Bohr atom, kinetic theory, black body radiation, quantum mechanics in the Schrödinger representation. Applications of quantum mechanics to selected topics in atomic, molecular or other areas of modern physics. Spring.

C++ and Fortran language fundamentals with examples from numerical analysis. Topics may include scientific data analysis and curve fitting, simulation of physical systems and numerical algorithms for integration and matrix manipulation. Identical to PHYS 222 except for additional required programming project.

Experimentation for sophomores. Quantitative measurements and analysis of data. Research approach is emphasized. May be repeated for credit when different experiments are done.

Circuit theory, transistors, amplifiers, laboratory test equipment and integrated circuits.

The dynamics of particles and systems. Gravitational theory, particle oscillations, Hamilton's principle, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics, central force motion, rigid body motion, collisions, non-inertial reference frames, coupled oscillations. Fall.

Electrostatic potentials and fields in vacuum and dielectric media, magnetic vector potentials and fields in vacuum and magnetic materials, electrostatic and magnetic energies, slowly varying currents. Spring.

Foundations of thermodynamics and applications. Spring.

Foundations of statistical mechanics. Applications to condensed matter systems, classical and quantum gases. Spring.

Foundations of quantum theory, wave packets, Schrödinger's equation in one dimension, raising and lowering operators. Formal structure of quantum mechanics. Angular momentum and the hydrogen atom. Spring alternating years.

A continuation of 339, 341 and 346. Topics could include advanced Hamiltonian and Lagrangian mechanics, tensors, eigenvalue problems, small oscillation; Maxwell's equations, wave equation, radiation, antennas, waveguides; matrix methods in quantum mechanics, spin, perturbation theory, transitions, many-electron atoms. Spring.

Applications of the interaction of radiation with matter to nuclear detection techniques. Current measurement methods for charged and uncharged radiation.

An introduction to the MATLAB programming language through the study of applications relevant to engineering and physics. The applications covered will be drawn from areas such as statics, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer. Spring.

Study of optical phenomena with emphasis on the needs of the experimentalist. Topics may include optical systems design, spectrum analysis, image processing, holography.

Topics will be selected from the following in advanced analog and digital circuitry: active filters, precision circuits, low noise techniques, high frequency techniques, advanced microprocessor circuits, scientific instrumentation.

The concepts and principles presented in 191 through 320 will be used to study specific areas of physics not available elsewhere in the curriculum. Subject matter will come from such areas as elementary particle, condensed matter, nuclear, atomic, molecular physics and cosmology. Topics will be announced.

Fundamental structure and properties of nuclei. Nuclear reactions, models and decay. Examples taken from current medical and industrial applications.

Selected topics in astrophysics. Such subjects as general relativity, cosmology, stellar formation and evolution and galaxies will be studied.

Physics at the smallest known length scale. Topics will include relativistic particle decay, construction of baryons and mesons from quarks, the four fundamental interactions and corresponding gauge particles, the vision and consequences of grand unified theories, the cosmic onion.

Foundations and application of the special and general theories of relativity. Topics covered may include: relativistic kinematics, structure of flat space-time, curvature and topologies of general space-times, Schwarzschild and Friedman solutions, cosmology, black holes and gravitational radiation.

An introduction to geometrical and physical optics: matrix optics, interferometry, thin films, Fourier optics, spatial filtering, holography.

Space physics is the study of plasma which fills the space between the Sun and planets of our solar system. The course will include an introduction to plasma physics, followed by a study of the atmosphere of the Sun, the solar wind, the Earth's magnetosphere, auroras, and space weather.

Research and experimentation for juniors. Topics selected by the student in consultation with a faculty member. May be repeated for credit when different experiments are done.

Supervised reading or research at the upper-division level. Permission of department chair and completion and/or concurrent registration of 12 credits within the department required. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. Not available to first-year students.

Individualized experimental or theoretical projects for seniors. Fall.

Oral and written report based on the work done in 372 or 374. Spring.

Individualized engineering design project for seniors. Fall.

Solving complex problems in interdisciplinary topics which will be drawn from mathematics, computer science, and physics. Students will work in groups and present their results.