Mar 28, 2024  
ARCHIVED 2021-22 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
ARCHIVED 2021-22 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Courses of Instruction


 

Physics

  
  • PHY 101 - Introduction to Engineering and Physics (3)

    (Cross-referenced with EGR 101 .)
    Physics is the study of the fundamental structures and interactions in the physical universe, while engineering involves using this knowledge to solve practical problems. This course provides a broad overview of classical and modern physics phenomena and their application to engineering problems. Using examples from everyday life, it is designed to enable students to become aware of the role of physics in society and technology. Emphasis is placed on the fundamental laws of nature on which all natural sciences are based. An exploration of research and career opportunities will be given through laboratory tours, discussions of state-of-the-art developments in science and technology or invited speakers. A discussion of the historical development of physics and engineering science will be provided. In completing the course, the students will learn successful problem solving strategies for studying physics and engineering and strengthen their career goals.  

  
  • PHY 107 - Introductory Physics I (4)


    A course designed to meet the needs of the pre-professional student and the science major as well as providing an introduction to physics for all students. Topics covered include mechanics, thermodynamics, waves, and sound. Students will gain conceptual understanding and ability to use quantitative methods to model physical phenomena of the topics covered.  This course includes laboratory work.

  
  • PHY 108 - Introductory Physics II (4)

    Prerequisite: PHY 107 
    A course designed to meet the needs of the pre-professional student and the science major as well as providing an introduction to physics for all students. Topics covered include electricity and magnetism, electronics, optics, and selected areas of modern physics. Students will gain conceptual understanding of the topics covered and ability to use quantitative methods to model physical phenomena. This course includes laboratory work.

  
  • PHY 201 - General Physics I (4)

    Prerequisite: MTH 235  (may be taken concurrently).
    A calculus-based introduction to physics. Topics covered include mechanics, thermodynamics, waves, and sound. Students will gain conceptual understanding of the topics covered and ability to use quantitative methods, including calculus, to model physical phenomena. This course includes laboratory work.

  
  • PHY 202 - General Physics II (4)

    Prerequisite: PHY 201 .
    A calculus-based introduction to physics. Topics covered include electricity and magnetism, electronics, optics, and selected areas of modern physics. Students will gain conceptual understanding of the topics covered and ability to use quantitative methods, including calculus, to model physical phenomena. This course includes laboratory work.

  
  • PHY 218 - Statics (3)

    Prerequisite: PHY 201  or PHY 107 . (Cross-referenced with EGR 218 .) 
    Statics is a study of forces and movements of forces on rigid bodies in equilibrium, and is a fundamental course for all engineering students. The course includes a detailed examination of the forces and movements acting on various structures from both an experimental and theoretical standpoint. Computer-modeling packages will be used to provide students with a working knowledge of important tools for problem solving and drafting software to help visualize the projects. Both analytical and numerical solutions will be developed and used to enhance the students’ problem-solving skills. Upon successful completion of the course, students will have produced a free-body diagram of an object, analyzed free-body diagrams and solved force problems using vector algebra, determined the loads (forces) on elements of a structure (e.g., a bridge) and how those loads are transmitted to other elements of the structure, demonstrated facility in numerical problem solving, and demonstrated the ability to gather and analyze data in selected areas of the topics covered.

  
  • PHY 225 - Sophomore Exam (0)

    Prerequisite: PHY 108  or PHY 202 .
    A departmentally administered examination covering topics from the entire introductory physics sequence. The examination provides an opportunity for students to review and integrate the knowledge gained in the introductory sequence. It demonstrates long-term mastery of topics. Generally taken fall semester of the sophomore year. Physics majors must pass the exam with a minimum score of 50% (the examination may be repeated). Graded as pass/fail.

  
  • PHY 271/371/471 - Selected Topics (1-3)


    An investigation of topics not covered in other courses, selected on the basis of student interest and available instruction.

  
  • PHY 290/390/490 - Directed Study (1-3)


    An opportunity for supervised, independent stud of a particular topic based on the interest of the student and the availability and approval of the faculty.

  
  • PHY 302 - Electricity and Magnetism (3)

    Prerequisites: PHY 201  and PHY 202  (or PHY 107  and PHY 108 ), MTH 235 , MTH 335 , and MTH 337 , or permission.
    A study of the interaction of charged particles with electric and magnetic fields. The topics which are studied include fields due to stationary charges or steady currents, basic dielectric properties of materials, the vector potential, Faraday’s law, the motion of charged particles in fields, basic magnetic properties of materials, Maxwell’s equations, and an introduction to electromagnetic waves. Completing the course allows the student to describe important definitions and relationships for each topic studied, describe the experimental observations that suggest or support the descriptions, make predictions using classical electromagnetic theory in each of the areas studied, and use analytical and numerical techniques to aid in the solution of problems posed by electromagnetic theory.

  
  • PHY 305 - Advanced Physics Laboratory (2)

    Prerequisite: PHY 202 .
    In this course students will develop their ability to design, perform, and analyze the results of experimental investigations that test a hypothesis or physical model or measure an important physical property.  Investigation topics will include those of both historical and contemporary interest.

  
  • PHY 306 - Theoretical Mechanics (3)

    Prerequisites: PHY 201  and PHY 202  (or PHY 107  and PHY 108 ), MTH 235 , MTH 335 MTH 337 , or permission.
    A study of the classical mechanics of a particle, systems of particles, and rigid bodies. The course includes study of particle dynamics, central force problems, Lagranigian and Hamiltonian formulations of mechanics, and the description of rigid body motion. Experimental work in selected areas is performed. Completing the course allows the student to describe important definitions and relationships in each area studied, discuss the importance of classical mechanics to contemporary physics and engineering, work problems in each of the areas studied, and design and carry out experiments testing descriptions and relationships in selected areas.

  
  • PHY 308 - Heat and Thermodynamics (3)

    Prerequisites: PHY 201  and PHY 202  (or PHY 107  and PHY 108 ), MTH 235 , MTH 335 MTH 337 , or permission.
    A study of temperature, heat and work, the laws of thermodynamics, entropy, the Carnot cycle, and introduction to statistical mechanics. Experimental work in selected areas is performed. Completing the course allows the student to describe important definitions and relationships for each of the topics covered, discuss experimental evidence for each relationship or law, design and carry out experiments in selected areas, and do calculations involving theoretical relationships studied.

  
  • PHY 310 - Introduction to Materials Science (3)

    Prerequisites: CHM 125  and PHY 202 , or instructor permission.
    The discipline of materials science involves investigating the fundamental relationship between structure and properties of materials. Materials engineers seek to develop new materials, improve present materials and optimize materials synthesis, processing, and fabrication. This course provides an introduction into materials science. Materials of interest include ceramics, metals, polymers, composites, biomaterials, semiconductors as well as electronic, magnetic and photonic materials. In completing the course, the students will be able to understand the structure of various materials from the atomic to the macroscopic level, and how those structures dictate the materials properties, and gain experience in choosing materials based on design considerations.

  
  • PHY 312 - Optics (3)

    Prerequisites: PHY 201  and PHY 202  (or PHY 107  and PHY 108 ), MTH 235 , MTH 335 MTH 337 , or permission.
    A survey of geometric and physical optics. The course includes study of the nature of light, production and measurement of light, lenses, mirrors, lens systems, aberration theory, interference phenomena, optical interferometry, and diffraction phenomena. Experimental work in selected areas is performed. Completing the course allows the student to design simple optical systems, recognize limitations due to aberrations, analyze a variety of interference and diffraction phenomena using appropriate analytical and numerical techniques, and design and perform experiments in selected areas.

  
  • PHY 314 - Modern Physics (3)

    Prerequisites: PHY 201  and PHY 202  (or PHY 107  and PHY 108 ), MTH 235 , and MTH 335 .
    An introduction to fundamental principles of physics used in describing molecules, atoms and nuclei. The course includes study of special relativity, introductory quantum mechanics, and applications of these theories. Experimental work in selected areas is performed. Completing the course allows the student to describe important definitions and relationships in each of the areas studied, understand historically important experiments which suggested each of the major theories, and perform calculations which apply the major theories discussed.

  
  • PHY 325 - Introduction to Electronic and Electical Circuits (4)

    Prerequisites: MTH 235  and PHY 202 . (Cross-referenced with IST 325  & EGR 325 .)
    A study of AC and DC circuits, solid state devices, and digital logic devices. Elements of network analysis are introduced. Basic building blocks of modern analog and digital circuits including diodes, transistors, op amps, logic gates, analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters are studied. All topics are developed through extensive laboratory experience. Completion of the course allows the student to design, build, and debug circuits that solve instrumentation problems arising in physical measurements.

  
  • PHY 395 - Physics Research I (3)

    Prerequisites: Physics major and junior standing.
    All physics majors complete a research project that encourages them to integrate knowledge from previous coursework. The chosen project is designed to promote understanding of basic research methods by their application. In this course, students become familiar with possible areas of research in the department, practice methods of doing a literature review, and learn about the expectations for the senior project. Students will choose a research topic, write a research proposal, and complete a literature search. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to discuss the steps require to plan a research project, will have produced a literature search summarized in a bibliography, and will have written a research proposal.

  
  • PHY 405 - Quantum Mechanics (3)

    Prerequisites: PHY 107  and PHY 108  (or PHY 201  and PHY 202 ), and MTH 337 .
    An in-depth development of the theory of non-relativistic quantum mechanics with supporting experimental and computational investigations. The course includes developing the Schrödinger formulation, methods of solving the Schrödinger equation, applications to one-dimensional problems, quantum theory of angular momentum, the hydrogen atom, and systems of identical particles. Selected supporting experiments and computational projects will be performed. Completing the course allows the student to describe interpretation issues of quantum theory, make theoretical calculations involving the Schrödinger equation, and describe the experimental evidence supporting non-relativistic quantum theory.

  
  • PHY 421 - Physics Internship (0-12)

    Prerequisite: CED 205  or permission.
    On-the-job experience in physics. Graded as pass/fail.

  
  • PHY 435 - Mathematical Methods for Physics (3)

    Prerequisite: MTH 335 . (Cross-referenced with MTH 435 .)
    A course designed to integrate mathematics into a coherent foundation for problem solving for upper-level physics and engineering course. Topics include Laplace and Fourier transformations, Fourier series, vector operators, ordinary and partial differential equations, and orthogonal functions. Emphasis is given to the solution (analytical and numerical) of problems from both physics and engineering. Completion of the course allows the student to define important aspects of each mathematical topic, to describe the relevance of each topic to physics and engineering problems, and to work both formal and physics/engineering problems involving each topic.

  
  • PHY 495 - Physics Research II (3)

    Prerequisite: PHY 395 .
    This course is a continuation of PHY 395 . Students perform the required experimental and/or theoretical research for their senior project. Upon completion of this course, students will have produced an organized record of the required experimental and/or theoretical research for their senior project.

  
  • PHY 496 - Senior Seminar (1)

    Prerequisite: PHY 495  or EGR 495 .
    This course completes the three semester sequence for developing, conducting, and reporting the senior project. In this capstone course, students write the senior thesis and create an oral presentation about the research project. Students are encouraged to present the research at an off-campus meeting. Upon completion of this course, students will have gained experience in producing a scientific paper and presenting their research in a public forum.