| PH 130 Introductory Physics |
3 semester hours |
| A lecture-laboratory crash course is designed for the students with no high school physics, and who would like to major in science, mathematics or engineering. It covers the concepts of physics, units, and selected topics from mechanics, electricity and magnetism. |
| PH 224 An Introduction to Earth Science |
3 semester hours |
| This course is designed for Education majors only. Topics include earth as a part of the universe, atmosphere, weather, climate, geologic structures and the earth's interior, ocean waters and environment, plate tectonics, earth resources, the earth history, the unified theory of earth. |
| PH 228 An Introduction to Astronomy |
3 semester hours |
| The principles of physics are applied to gain knowledge about planets, stars, galaxies and the universe. |
| PH 230 Physical Science |
3 semester hours |
| This lecture-demonstration-laboratory course is designed to provide nonscience majors the concepts and principles of the physical aspects of natural sciences. The hands-on experiments will give students a feeling for the workings of sciences. The topics are selected from physics, chemistry, astronomy, geology or meteorology. The role of physical sciences and technology in the framework of contemporary society is emphasized. |
| PH 240 Physical Science (For Honors only) |
3 Semester hours |
| The course offers in-depth review of the basic scientific principles and concepts of the physical world. This includes the concepts of matter, motion, forces, and energy and their applications in every day life. Students are expected to possess strong algebra skills. The class is highly laboratory and project oriented. |
| PH 241 General Physics I |
4 semester hours |
| Fundamental principles of physics based on elementary algebra and trigonometry. It covers vectors, laws of motion, concepts of work and energy, elastic properties of matter, waves and sound, and thermodynamics. This course has a laboratory component. |
| PH 242 General Physics II |
4 semester hours |
| This course is a continuation of PH 241. Topics include electrostatics, magnetism, geometrical and physical properties of light, some topics in modern physics. This course has a laboratory component. |
| PH 251 College Physics I |
3 semester hours |
| The beginning of a sequence designed for physics and others who require a calculus-based introductory physics. The topics include kinematics, dynamics including waves and sound, and heat and thermodynamics. |
| PH 251L College Physics I Laboratory |
1 semester hour |
| Experiments in mechanics, waves, sound, and heat. To be taken concurrently with PH 251. |
| PH 252 College Physics II |
3 semester hours |
| The course is the continuation of College Physics I. Includes the study of electric and magnetic fields; DC and AC circuits, electromagnetic waves, and optics. |
| PH 252L College Physics II Laboratory |
1 semester hour |
| It covers experiments in electricity, magnetism and light. |
| PH 261 Electronic Circuits and Devices |
3 semester hours |
| The beginning of the sequence of electronics and computer based scientific instrumentation. It reviews the principles of electricity and magnetism, and applies circuit theorems to DC and AC circuits, and introduces active elements, amplifiers, oscillators, filters and power supplies. |
| PH 261L Electronics Laboratory |
1 semester hour |
| Experiments involving the principles of physics using electronics and electromagnetic devices. They include the combinations of L, R, C circuits, diodes, transistors, operational amplifiers, transducers and sensors. |
| PH 311L Intermediate Laboratory I |
2 semester hours |
| A practical course for physics majors to learn advanced measurement techniques and scientific report writing used by physicists. Measurement of physical constants and vertification of basic principles of physics (mechanics, thermodynamics, optics, etc.) is done using computer networked physics laboratory and modern sensors and transducers. |
| PH 320 Mathematical Physics |
3 semester hours |
| A treatment of several topics in mathematics of special importance in physics. The topics include vector and tensor analysis, integration in complex plane, boundary value problems, partial differential equations, orthogonal functions and Fourier Transform methods. Emphasis on the physical interpretation of problem solution. |
| PH 331 Mechanics I |
3 semester hours |
| A study of mechanics using Newton's laws of motion, including velocity and acceleration in various coordinate systems, simple harmonic motion, damped harmonic motion and forced harmonic resonance, constrained motion of a pendulum; Kepler's laws of planetary motion and dynamics of systems of many particles. |
| PH 332 Mechanics II |
3 semester hours |
| It is the continuation of Mechanics I, including a discussion of |
| mechanics of rigid bodies in two and three dimensions; physical pendulum, LaGrange's and Hamilton's equation of motion; dynamics of oscillating systems of coupled harmonic oscillators. |
| PH 333 Thermodynamics |
3 semester hours |
| A study of thermodynamic systems making use of equations of state. The first, second, and third laws of thermodynamics. Includes a discussion of engineering applications, along with kinetic theory and statistical mechanics. |
| PH Ed 360 Special Methods |
3 semester hours |
| The course covers the procedures, practices and contents of physics in secondary schools. In particular, the methods instructional planning, teaching, classroom evaluation and professional laboratory are covered. The course does not count toward concentration in physics. |
| PH 361 Digital Electronics and Applications |
3 semester hours |
| The second course in the sequence of electronics and computer based instrumentation is designed for physics and other science and engineering majors who require the skills to handle digital instruments and computer interfacing in their respective areas. The course includes digital logic, logic circuits, flip-flops, timers, shift registers, memories, D/A and A/D converters, and data acquisition. |
| PH 361L Digital Electronics Laboratory |
1 semester hour |
| The laboratory course includes the design of digital electronics and applications to testing and measuring instruments. |
| PH 364 Transducers and Sensors |
3 semester hours |
| This is a course in fundamentals of transducers, sensors and actuators used by scientists and engineers in modern test and measurement of physical quantities, such as displacement, time, temperature, force, pressure and electromagnetic radiation. |
| PH 364L Transducer-Sensor Laboratory |
1 semester hour |
| The laboratory includes the application of sensors in measurements of displacement, temperature, force, radiation, etc. |
| PH 430 Biophysics |
3 semester hours |
| Topics considered include the levels of organization within biological systems, flow of energy in living things with an introduction to thermodynamics systems, utilized in biological research; and an introduction to the physical techniques used in the study of biological systems. |
| PH 431 Electromagnetism I |
3 semester hours |
| An intermediate course in the study of electric fields and electric potentials; electric current and magnetic fields; solutions to Maxwell's equations; plane waves, polarization, propagation in media, refraction and dispersion. |
| PH 432 Electromagnetism II |
3 semester hours |
| A continuation of Electricity and Magnetism I, including the study of electromagnetic induction, linear networks, dielectric and magnetic materials, Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic waves. |
| PH 434 Optics |
3 semester hours |
| A study of the basic principles of physical and geometrical optics and the techniques of measurement of both classical and modern optics. For science majors. |
| PH 435 Modern Physics I |
3 semester hours |
| An introduction to quantum mechanics, covering the Schrodinger equation, tunneling phenomena, the hydrogen atom, multi-electron atoms, and a survey of statistical mechanics. |
| PH 436 Modern Physics II |
3 semester hours |
| Applications of the theory set forth in Modern Physics I to more specialized areas. It includes the physics of atoms and the study of nuclear and particle physics. |
| PH 438 Materials Science |
3 semester hours |
| This introductory course covers the crystalline structure of solids, specific heat and lattice vibrations, free electron theory of metals, band theory, and nonpolar semiconductors. |
| PH 439L Advanced Laboratory |
2 semester hours |
| An advanced laboratory course for physics majors which includes project-like experiments in electricity, magnetism, optics, atomic and nuclear physics. |
| PH 461 Embedded Microcontrollers in Physics |
3 semester hours |
| This is a basic lecture and laboratory course in embedded microcontroller systems, which introduces computer architecture, hardware and instruction set, assembly level programming, and simple application of physical measurements and instrument control. It provides a good foundation and develops skills for computer interfacing and data acquisition. |
| PH 462 Microcomputer Based Instrumentation |
3 semester hours |
| This is a lecture and laboratory course, which covers microcomputer based instruments covering the principles of physics. The experiments include multichannel analyzers, multichannel data acquisition systems and other computer based instruments. It introduces methods of controlling and performing measurements using a PC and software such as LAB-PC and Lab Windows. |
| PH 498 Senior Project |
1 semester hour |
| Independent research problem is investigated by senior physics majors. It may be done on or off campus. Permission of the physics department head and research laboratory manager is required to submit a short thesis of the work carried out by the student. |
| PH 499 Senior Seminar |
1 semester hour |
| Requires physics majors to write a research paper based on senior project (PH 498) (and on a pre-approved latest topic of physics) and make an oral presentation. PowerPoint presentation file is submitted to the head of the physics department |