Course Descriptions
Courses in Astronomy (EDITING IN PROGRESS 4/2/2010)
ASTR 1100 Observational Astronomy
An introduction to telescopes, the apparent movements of the sun, and
constellations. Special facilities include the 12•inch computer•controlled telescope
with electronic camera and the Planetarium. The course includes lectures,
discussions, demonstrations, and laboratory experiments. Offered nights only.
One credit hour.
ASTR 1101 Introduction to Astronomy Laboratory
Prerequisite or corequisite: ASTR 1301 or 1311. A laboratory course designed to
accompany ASTR 1301. A variety of activities in data acquisition and analysis
which tie concepts discussed in the classroom to real-world experiences. Open
laboratory, the planetarium, and observatory activities. One credit hour.
ASTR 1301 Introduction to Astronomy
Study of the process of science by which knowledge about our place in the
cosmos is obtained. Examples of possible observations and the inferences drawn
from them. Emphasis on how we obtain our knowledge and the certainty of
various parts of it. A core curriculum course. Three credit hours.
ASTR 1311 Cosmos
A survey of the changing concepts of the origins and evolution of the universe
and life and of our place in it, from the early Greeks to the present, based on the
television series, “Cosmos.” Includes treatments of the historical development of
astronomy, of the physical forces that determine the evolution of the planets,
stars, and universe, and of the history and future of space exploration. Three
hours lecture. Three credit hours.
ASTR 2300. Intermediate Astronomy. Prerequisite: MATH 0301. This course
is for the dedicated enthusiast seeking to continue ASTR 1301, or
physics students seeking a rigorous introduction, with an emphasis on
how our observations have been translated into physical understanding.
Topics include an introduction to the physics of astronomy; how we have
unveiled the nature of stars; the composition and evolution of galaxies;
the cosmological distance ladder; and observational cosmology. This
course is algebra-based. Three credit hours.
ASTR 3401 Scientific Computing and Image Processing in Astronomy
Students work in a scientific computing environment using the UNIX/Linux
operating system. Professional image processing software is used to analyze
astronomical images from real data. Extensive use is made of internet resources.
An integrated self-paced course equivalent to three lecture hours and two
laboratory hours per week. Four credit hours.
ASTR 4301. Astrophysics. Prerequisite: PHYS 2322. This course is
intended for upper-level physics majors who wish to understand the
science of astrophysics in detail. Topics covered will include
celestial mechanics, the nature of stars, galaxies and galaxy dynamics,
and observational cosmology. This course is calculus-based. Three
credit hours.
ASTR 5301. Astrophysics. This is a graduate-level course in astronomy
intended for students who wish to pursue research in astrophysics.
Topics covered will include celestial mechanics, the nature of stars,
galaxies and galaxy dynamics, and observational cosmology. This course
is calculus-based. Three credit hours.
Courses in Physics (PHYS)
PHYS 1300 Physics and Society
A general education course with no mathematics prerequisite designed for the
non-science major but open to all students. It considers the relationship of physics
and astronomy to various aspects of societal problems. Not part of the core
curriculum. Three hours lecture. Three credit hours.
PHYS 1100 Physics and Society Laboratory
Prerequisite or corequisite: PHYS 1300. Designed to examine some experimental
aspects of topics discussed in PHYS 1300. Two hours laboratory. One credit hour.
PHYS 1310 Physical Concepts
Prerequisite: MATH 0301 or equivalent. A one-semester course for students in
programs of the health related professions. An introduction to the concepts of
mechanics, properties of matter, heat, sound, electricity and magnetism, light, and
atomic and nuclear physics. Three hours lecture. Three credit hours.
PHYS 1110 Physical Concepts Laboratory
Corequisite or prerequisite: PHYS 1310. Designed to examine some experimental
aspects of topics discussed in PHYS 1310. Two hours laboratory. One credit hour.
PHYS 1311 Introduction to Physics
A one-semester survey of the major topics of physics, designed for the student
who plans to take PHYS 1321 or 2321 but has not had high school physics or the
equivalent. Does not meet the laboratory science requirement. Three hours
lecture. Three credit hours.
PHYS 1320 Musical Acoustics
An introduction to the acoustical foundations of music and speech. Covers the
generation and analysis of tones produced by the various musical instruments
and the voice, acoustic characteristics of the speech signal, noise pollution,
laboratory demonstrations, and acoustical measurements. Three hours lecture.
Three credit hours.
PHYS 1120 Musical Acoustics Laboratory
Prerequisite or corequisite: PHYS 1320. Laboratory facilities are available for
determining the pitch of musical sounds; filtering music; speech; sine, square, and
triangular waves; analyzing the spectrum of sounds; determining one’s threshold
of hearing; electronic synthesis of sounds; studying noise pollution; and
measuring reverberation time. Two hours laboratory. One credit hour.
PHYS 1321 Elementary Physics I
Prerequisite: MATH 0301 or equivalent, high school physics or PHYS 1311 or
equivalent, or consent of instructor. Introduction to the fundamental principles
underlying the foundations of classical and modern physics. An algebra•based
course designed for majors in the life sciences, pre•professional students, and
engineering technology students but is open to any student who meets the
prerequisites. Three hours lecture, one hour optional discussion. Three credit
hours.
PHYS 1121 Elementary Physics I Laboratory
Prerequisite or corequisite: PHYS 1321. Two hours laboratory. One credit hour.
PHYS 1322 Elementary Physics II
Prerequisite: PHYS 1321. Continuation of PHYS 1321. Three hours lecture, one
hour optional discussion. Three credit hours.
PHYS 1122 Elementary Physics II Laboratory
Prerequisite or corequisite: PHYS 1322. Two hours laboratory. One credit hour.
PHYS 1381 Applied Physics I
Prerequisite: MATH 0301 or equivalent. Introduction to the fundamental
principles underlying the foundation of classical physics and the application of
those principles to technical problems. A non•calculus course designed for
students in technical areas, such as engineering technology or architecture. Open
to any student who meets the prerequisites. Three hours lecture, one hour
optional discussion. Three credit hours.
PHYS 1382 Applied Physics II
Prerequisites: PHYS 1381, 1181. A continuation of PHYS 1381 with applications in
electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics. Three hours lecture, one
hour optional discussion. Three credit hours.
PHYS 1182 Applied Physics II Laboratory
Prerequisite or corequisite: PHYS 1382. Two hours laboratory. One credit hour.
PHYS 2321 Physics for Scientists and Engineers I
Prerequisite: MATH 1304 or 1451. A calculus•based introduction to the
fundamental principles underlying classical physics and modern physics and the
applications of those principles in science and engineering. Three hours of lecture
and one hour optional discussion. Three credit hours.
PHYS 2121 Physics for Scientists and Engineers I Laboratory
Prerequisite or corequisite: PHYS 2321. Two hours laboratory. One credit hour.
PHYS 2322 Physics for Scientists and Engineers II
Prerequisites: PHYS 2321 and MATH 1305 or 1452. Continuation of PHYS 2321 for
students majoring in physics, astronomy, chemistry, computer science,
engineering, geology, information science, mathematics, and systems engineering.
Topics include electricity, magnetism, optics, relativity, and quantum physics.
Three hours of lecture and one hour optional discussion. Three credit hours.
PHYS 2122 Physics for Scientists and Engineers II Laboratory
Prerequisite or corequisite: PHYS 2322. Two hours laboratory. One credit hour.
PHYS 2391 Cooperative Education Work Experience I
Prerequisite: consent of department chairperson. Corequisites: PHYS 1321, 1121
or PHYS 2321, 2121. Designed to enhance college education through career
exploration in astronomy, engineering physics, or physics. A minimum of nine
hours work per week. Exact number of hours will depend on the nature of the
work experience and will be specified by a contract. Three credit hours.
3323. Physics for Scientists and Engineers III
Prerequisites: Physics 2322 or 1322, Mathematics 2306 or 2453. An in depth treatment of topics in relativity and quantum physics for students majoring in physics, astronomy, chemistry, computer science, engineering, geology, information science, mathematics, and systems engineering who desire a greater understanding of the fundamental principles that form the basis of our modern technology. Three hours of lecture and one hour optional discussion per week. Three credit hours.
3123. Physics for Scientists and Engineers III Laboratory
Prerequisite or corequisite: Physics 3323. Three hours laboratory per week. One credit hour.
3260. Laboratory Techniques in Nuclear Physics
Prerequisite: Physics 2322. An introduction to the equipment and laboratory techniques of experimental physics: accelerators, vacuum systems, particle optics and kinematics, detection and analysis of nuclear radiations, and electronic instrumentation. Two hours lecture, one hour optional discussion per week. On demand
3300. Mathematical Methods of Physics
Prerequisite: Mathematics 2306. Review of vector calculus, differential equations of physics, and techniques of solution. Fourier series, statistics, probability, error theory, partial differentiation, and functions of a complex variable. Three hours lecture, one hour optional discussion per week. F
3311. Mechanics I
Prerequisites: Physics 2321, Mathematics 2306. Concepts of Newtonian mechanics, dynamics of particles and systems of particles, gravitation, vector analysis, dynamics of rigid bodies, moving coordinate systems, continuous media, small oscillations, and the methods of Lagrange and Hamilton. Three hours lecture, one hour optional discussion per week. F, odd years
3312. Mechanics II
Prerequisite: Physics 3311. Continuation of Physics 3311. Three hours lecture, one hour optional discussion per week. On demand
3315. Teaching Physics in the Secondary School
Prerequisite: consent of instructor. A study of physics laboratory experiments and demonstrations available for secondary school physics courses. Three hours lecture per week. On demand
3320. Physics of the Earth
Prerequisites: Physics 2322; Chemistry 1401 or 1403. Fundamental problems in solid earth geophysics: precession, wobble, and tidal friction; seismology and the internal structure of the earth; origin of the geomagnetic field; physical properties of mantle materials; and radioactivity and the age of the earth. Three hours lecture, one hour optional discussion per week. On demand
3330. Medical Physics
Prerequisites: Physics 1321, 1322 or 2321, 2322. The applications of the concepts, methods, and principles of physics to the diagnosis and treatment of human disease. Three hours lecture per week. On demand
3130. Medical Physics Laboratory
Prerequisite or corequisite: Physics 3330. Approximately 18 hours of hospital time supplemented by laboratory work in the Physics Department with a 1.3 MV Van de Graaff accelerator and other equipment. Three hours laboratory per week. On demand
3350. Electronics
Prerequisite: Physics 2322, or 1322 and consent of the instructor. An introduction to digital circuit concepts and basic systems. Digital measurements, switching concepts and logic, flip-flops and multivibrators, counters and registers, digital and analog digital systems. Nine hours laboratory per week. S
3380. Astronautics
Prerequisites: Physics 2321, 2121, Astronomy 1301, 1101. The development of astronautics with emphasis on the extension of aviation into aerospace and the impact of the space age on our society and culture. An introduction to the fundamentals of rocket and space vehicle development, propulsion, dynamics, transfer orbits, and space navigation. Three hours lecture per week. On demand
3391. Cooperative Education Work Experience II
Prerequisites: major in physics, junior standing, and consent of department chairperson. Further work experiences to enhance college education through an internship in astronomy, engineering physics, or physics. A minimum of nine hours work per week. The exact number of hours will depend on the nature of the work experience and will be specified by a contract. On demand
4190. Seminar
Presentation of selected papers by students, faculty members, and invited speakers at weekly departmental meetings. Discussions, analysis, and implications of theoretical and experimental studies in the physical sciences. One hour per week. F,S
4111, 4211. Advanced Laboratory I
Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Advanced experiments to acquaint the student with the problems and techniques of research activities. Equipment such as a 14-inch telescope, a 17-inch heliostat, audio spectrum analyzers, and a 1.3 MV Van de Graaff accelerator are available for student use. The advanced laboratory exposes the student to modern research techniques and provides many traditional laboratory experiences. Three to six hours of laboratory per week. F,S
4112, 4212. Advanced Laboratory II
Prerequisite: Physics 4111 or 4211. Continuation of Physics 4111 or 4211. Three to six hours laboratory per week. F,S
4100, 4200, 4300. Independent Study
Prerequisite: consent of chairperson. Individual research by the advanced student. Topics determined on the basis of faculty interests and availability. One to three hours per week per credit hour. The exact time and nature of the experience will depend on the particular subject of the independent study and will be agreed on at the beginning of the term by the student and the instructor. On demand
4310/5310. Statistical Thermodynamics
Prerequisites: Physics 2322, 3323. A microscopic, unified approach to thermodynamics and statistical mechanics with applications to ideal gases, including blackbody radiation and conduction electrons, magnetic systems, the Debye model, and chemical and phase equilibria. Three hours lecture, one hour optional discussion per week. S, even years or on demand
4321/5321. Electromagnetism I
Prerequisite: Physics 2322. Includes the Coulomb and Gauss laws, the Poisson and Laplace equations and solutions in several coordinate systems, electric and magnetic energy, AC and DC circuits, Ampere’s and Faraday’s laws, the vector potential, Maxwell’s equations, and the propagation of electromagnetic waves. Three hours lecture, one hour optional discussion per week. F, even years
4322. Electromagnetism II
Prerequisite: Physics 4321. Continuation of Physics 4321. Three hours lecture, one hour optional discussion per week. On demand
4331/5331. Modern Physics I
A more detailed treatment of the topics of Physics 3323. Relativity, quantum mechanics, statistical physics, atomic and nuclear physics, and elementary particles. Three hours lecture, one hour optional discussion per week. S, odd years
4332. Modern Physics II
Prerequisite: Physics 4331. Continuation of Physics 4331. Three hours lecture, one hour optional discussion per week. On demand
4340. Solid State Physics
Prerequisite: Physics 3323. Structure of crystals, dispersion relations, specific heat, phonons, electric and magnetic properties of insulators and metals, band theory of metals, insulators and semiconductors, superconductivity. Three hours lecture, one hour optional discussion per week. On demand
4350. Quantum Mechanics
Prerequisite: Physics 3323. Concepts and history of quantum mechanics, experimental basis, the uncertainty principle, the Schrodinger equation with applications to simple systems, the hydrogen atom, perturbation theory, the interpretations of quantum mechanics, symmetry principles. Three hours lecture, one hour optional discussion per week. On demand
4360/5360. High Energy and Nuclear Physics
Prerequisite: Physics 3323. Properties of the nuclei, nuclear structure and stability, quark-gluon structure of hadrons, thermodynamics of large ensembles of hadrons, nuclear reactions, instrumentation and accelerators. Three hours lecture, one hour optional discussion per week. On demand.
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4370. Advanced Theoretical Physics
Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Topics vary with the experience and interests of students. Some possible topics are scattering of waves, plasma physics, atmospheric physics, fluid dynamics, and quantum optics. Three hours lecture, one hour optional discussion per week. On demand
4375. Planetarium Management
Prerequisites: Astronomy 1301, 1101, consent of instructor. Administration, supervision, and management of planetariums in schools, colleges, museums, and other situations, involving such topics as role and scope, personnel, budgets, publicity, planning, and use of planetariums in the contemporary scene. Especially recommended for planetarium directors. Three hours lecture per week. On demand
4376. Planetarium Technology
Prerequisites: Astronomy 1301, 1101, consent of instructor. Production and presentation of programs at all levels using the Planetarium and its auxiliary equipment. Special emphasis on planetarium astronomy, programming, operations, maintenance of equipment, and the technical aspects of the planetarium field. Especially recommended for those planning to enter into a planetarium career. Three hours per week. On demand
4380/5380. Wave Motion and Optics
Prerequisite: Physics 2322. The wave equation and solutions, wave propagation, coherence, interference, diffraction, polarization, refraction and reflection, dispersion, the interactions of light with matter, Huygens’ principle, optical instruments, quantum optics. Three hours lecture, one hour optional discussion per week. On demand
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4289, 4389, 4489. Undergraduate Research
Prerequisites: consent of department chairperson, junior or senior standing, compliance with approved guidelines (available from chairperson). Trains the student to analyze, plan and conduct experimental work on a research problem. Frequent conferences and a study of research literature with a final report are required. This course may extend over two semesters. The student is expected to spend four to six hours per week for each hour of credit earned. The exact hourly commitment per week will depend on the nature of the project and will be agreed on in advance by the student and the instructor. F,S,Su
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End of Physics and Astronomy catalog information.
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