Undergraduate Programs in Physics and Engineering Physics
Overview
The Department of Physics and Engineering Physics offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees in physics,
and to the B.S. in Engineering Physics degree. All programs provide a critical core understanding of physics and culminate in a
two semester senior thesis.
The B.A. degree in physics prescribes a thorough undergraduate physics curriculum while retaining flexibility to engage in a
breadth of courses in the arts and sciences. Students are expected to show proficiency in a second language and to
complete a concentration (atleast 12 credit hours) in a field outside of their major. This degree option is particularly
well suited as part of an education or
pre-medical program.
The B.S. degree in physics provides a strong foundation in physics and mathematics in preparation for a technical
or scientific career. Students pursuing the B.S. degree enroll in a more rigorous set of technical classes than for the
B.A. degree. The B.S. degree requires two advanced special topics courses in Physics. These courses have been incorporated
to allow students flexibility in their junior and senior years to focus on specific fields of Physics. The B.S. degree in
Physics provides a broad based technical major and is very adaptable for students in pre-professional programs
(medical, law, etc.) and for education majors.
Students from all colleges may minor in physics. Such a minor consists of Phys 2053 and 2063 with their associated laboratories, Phys 2073, and at least six hours of physics at the 4000 level.
Degrees offered:
Course descriptions:
1001 (1 hour) The World of Physics
An introduction to the profession, culture, and discipline of physics. Primarily for those intending, or considering, a career in physics or engineering physics.
1003 (3 hours) The Liberal Art of Physics
Selected ideas drawn from classical and modern (relativity and quantum) physics and astronomy that have most influenced human history, culture, and economy, including the historical and cultural context in which the ideas developed. Emphasis on concepts common to all physical sciences. Not intended for premedical students.
1011 (1 hour) Introductory Physics Laboratory I
Experiments in mechanics, wave motion, heat, and sound. Non-Calculus based. Corequisite: Phys 1013.
1013 (3 hours) Introductory Physics I
Mechanics, wave motion, and heat. Primarily for students not majoring in engineering or physical sciences. Prerequisites: Math 1164 or equivalent.
1021 (1 hour) Introductory Physics Laboratory II
Experiments in electricity, magnetism, and light. Corequisite: Phys 1023.
1023 (3 hours) Introductory Physics II
Electricity, magnetism, light, and modern physics. Continuation of Phys 1013. Prerequisite: Phys 1013.
1093 (3 hours) Astronomy
Astronomy from the earth to the limits of the observable universe. Includes the history of astronomy and how the scientific method came to be applied to it; the laws of physics and how they apply to astronomy; descriptions of celestial objects; and scientific theories of the origin, and scientific theories of the origin, evolution, and operation of the universe.
2051 (1 hour) General Physics I Laboratory
Experiments in mechanics, wave motion, and heat. Corequisite: Phys 2053.
2053 (3 hours) General Physics I
Mechanics, wave motion, and fluids. Primarily for science and engineering students. Prerequisite: High School calculus (Math 2014 recommended). Corequisite: Math 2014.
2061 (1 hour) General Physics II Laboratory
Experiments in magnetism, electricity, and light. Prerequisite or corequisite: Phys 2063.
2063 (3 hours) General Physics II
Magnetism, electricity, and light. Continuation of Phys 2053. Prerequisite: Phys 2053. Corequisite: Math 2024.
2071 (1 hour) General Physics III Laboratory
Experiments in atomic, molecular, and nuclear physics; electrical, magnetic, and optical properties of materials; and laser physical optics. Prerequisite or corequisite: Phys 2073.
2073 (3 hours) General Physics III
Introduction to the theories and applications of atomic, nuclear, quantum, relativistic, and solid state physics with applications. Prerequisite: Phys 2063. Corequisite: Math 2024.
3023 (3 hours) Introduction to Electromagnetics
Maxwell's equations and fundamental concepts in electromagnetism in differential and integral vector form. Wave propagation in free space, material media, and on transmission lines. Basic concepts of static and quasistatic electric and magnetic fields, and magnetic circuits. Prerequisite: EE 2003.
3043 (3 hours) Statistical and Thermal Physics
Classical and statistical descriptions of thermodynamics. Essentials of probability and statistics, kinetic theory of gasses, statistical mechanics, temperature, equations of state, heat, internal energy, entropy, reversibility and distribution functions. Prerequisites: Phys 2073 and Math 3073.
3053 (3 hours) Methods of Mathematical Physics in Physical Sciences
Broad introduction to analytical techniques used in upper-level physics courses. Various approaches to problems in optics and waves, electromagnetism, quantum theory, thermodynamics, and statistical mechanics will be covered. Prerequisites: Phys 2073, Math 3073.
3072 (2 hours) Senior Physics Laboratory
A senior level-course in experimental physics with experiments in vacuum techniques, solid state physics, atomic and laser physics. Prerequisites: Phys 2073, 2071.
3112 (2 hours) Physics Instrumentation Laboratory
Project and design in engineering physics. Stresses use of discrete and integrated circuitry in both digital and analog signal acquisition and processing. Construction of a project is included. Prerequisites: EE 2003, 2001.
3122 (2 hours) Instrumentation Methods Laboratory
Project and design sequence. Stresses design, evaluation, calibration, and application of electronic instrumentation. Statistical techniques used for experimental design and analysis of data are developed. A variety of experiments applying modern data acquisition methods are included. Prerequisite: Phys 3112.
4003 (3 hours) Classical Mechanics
Newtonian mechanics; linear oscillators, damped oscillators and resonance; variational calculus and Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics; central force motion; collisions; rigid body dynamics; coupled oscillators; vibrating strings; computer applications. Prerequisites: Phys 3053, Math 3073.
4033 (3 hours) Quantum Mechanics I
Introductory quantum mechanics. Solutions of the time-independent Schroedinger equation in 3 dimensions. Angular momentum and identical particles. Prerequisites: Phys 3053, Math 3073.
4043 (3 hours) Quantum Mechanics II
Continuation of Physics 4033. Approximation techniques and applied topics in nuclear, solid state, and high energy physics. Prerequisite: Phys 4033.
4063 (3 hours) Electricity and Magnetism
Study of static electric fields in free space and in matter, and the analogous treatment of magnetic fields, leading to a discussion of electromagnetic induction and Maxwell's equations. Introduction to electromagnetic waves and radiation from moving charges. Prerequisite: Phys 3053.
4073 (3 hours) Electromagnetic Waves and Optics
Electromagnetic radiation, interaction of electromagnetic waves with matter, interference, diffraction, black body radiation, lasers and geometrical optics. Prerequisite: Phys 4063 or EE 3023 and Phys 3053.
4102-4201 (3 hours) Engineering Physics Project I and II
The student selects a project or topic for research and is assigned a faculty advisor. An engineering design report describing the project and proposing a solution must be submitted prior to completion of Phys 4102. The plan of action is executed, and a final report is submitted prior to completion of Phys 4201. Prerequisite: Senior standing in engineering physics or permission of physics chair.
4503 (3 hours) Solid State Physics
Crystal structure, Brillouin zones, crystal binding, imperfections in crystals, phonons, free electron Fermi gas, Wiedemann-Franz law, nearly free electrons, Bloch functions, Kronig-Penney model, concept of band gap, semiconductors and superconductors, and magnetic materials. Prerequisite or corequisite: Phys 4033.
4523 (3 hours) Fundamentals of Photonics
Classical and quantum description of light. Beam optics, photon optics, statistical optics, lasers, photon sources and detectors and nonlinear optics. Prerequisite: Phys 3023, Phys 4063, or EE 3023 and Phys 3053.
4563 (3 hours) Astrophysics
Investigates the physics of stellar evolution and cosmology. Particular attention will be paid to models of stellar life cycles including energy production and stellar nucleosynthesis, models of stellar corpses and supernovae, the Big Bang model and cosmic nucleosynthesis. Prerequisites: Phys 3053, Math 3073.
4861-3 (1-3 hours) Special Topics
4871-3 (1-3 hours) Research and Physics Literature
Individual or group studies on special topics. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
4971-3 (1-3 hours) Undergraduate Research
Individual research projects under the supervision of a faculty member. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
4981-3 (1-3 hours) Senior Thesis
Capstone individual research project to develop, advance and describe a system of current interest in physics. Coordinated by a physics faculty member. Thesis includes written and oral presentations of the completed work. Typically taken as 3 credits total over two semesters. Prerequisite: Senior standing in Physics (B.S. or B.A.) and permission of instructor.
4991-3 (1-3 hours) Independent Study
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.