Physics Course Description
PHYS 100 Introductory Physics, 4 credit hours. Three lectures. One two-hour laboratory. Basic laws and principles of mechanics, heat, sound, light, and electricity and magnetism and their practical applications. Emphasis on the phenomenological development of the science, with a minimum of mathematical analysis. Students may not take this course for credit after completing a higher-level physics course with a grade of C or better.
PHYS 201 College Physics, 4 credit hours. Three lectures. One two-hour laboratory. Algebra-based general physics covering mechanics, fluids, vibrations, waves, and sound. Intended for the general university student and for those science majors who are not required to take calculus-based physics. Students cannot receive credit for both PHYS 201 and PHYS 241. Prerequisite: MATH 149 or equivalent.
PHYS 202 College Physics II, 4 credit hours. Three lectures. One two-hour laboratory. Algebra-based general physics covering heat, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and optics. Intended for the general university student and for those science majors who are not required to take calculus-based physics. Students cannot receive credit for PHYS 202 and PHYS 242. Prerequisite: PHYS 201 or equivalent.
PHYS 241 University Physics, 4 credit hours. Three lectures. One three-hour lecture/laboratory. Calculus-based general physics covering mechanics and fluids. Intended for those students majoring in science, mathematics, or engineering. Students cannot receive credit for both PHYS 201 and PHYS 241. Prerequisite: MATH 170 or equivalent.
PHYS 242 University Physics II, 4 credit hours. Three lectures. One three-hour lecture/laboratory. Calculus-based general physics covering waves, heat, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and light. Intended for those students majoring in science, mathematics, or engineering. Students cannot receive credit for PHYS 202 and PHYS 242. Prerequisite: PHYS 241 or equivalent.
PHYS 299 Independent Study, 1-3 credit hours. Study of a selected area of physics. Material to be studied will be determined in consultation with the supervising faculty member, the student’s adviser, and the department chair.
PHYS 350 Modern Physics, 4 credit hours. Three lectures. One two-hour laboratory. Introduction to special theory of relativity, quantum theory of atomic structure, and elementary nuclear physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 202 or 242 or equivalent.
PHYS 399 Independent Study, 1-3 credit hours. Study of a selected area of physics. Material studied will be determined in consultation with the supervising faculty member, the student’s adviser, and the department chair. Topics vary. Course may be repeated for credit as topic changes.