PHYSICS 102      Introduction To Physics
Introduction to fundamental concepts and basic laws of physics with daily life examples. Simple problem solving techniques. This course will meet the area requirements for the natural sciences. Prerequisite(s): None.
Credits: 3 hours
back to top

PHYSICS 130      Physics of Sports
A course intended for liberal arts students focusing on the physics involved in different sports. Physical laws and technological developments that impact sports will be studied. Cross-listed with Natural Science 130 and Physical Science 130. Offered: Spring.
Credits: 3 hours
back to top

PHYSICS 140      How Things Work
A course intended for liberal arts students focusing on the principles of operations, histories, and relationships of objects from our daily environment. The areas of investigation include mechanical and thermal objects, electromagnetism, light, special materials and nuclear energy. This course will meet the area requirement for natural sciences. Cross-listed with Natural Science 140 and Physical Science 140. Offered: Fall and Spring.
Credits: 3 hours
back to top

PHYSICS 150      Introduction To Astronomy: Gravity and Motion in the Universe
A survey of modern topics in astronomy with an emphasis on developing conceptual models for the fundamental laws of gravity and motion underpinning the structure and evolution of the universe. Topics include lunar phases, eclipses, planetary motion, exoplanets, formation of planetary systems, star formation, supernovae, white dwarves, neutron stars, black holes, growth of galaxies, dark matter and the expansion of the universe. Cross-listed with NAT-SCI 150 and PHY-SCI 150. Prerequisites: None. Offered: Fall
Credits: 3 hours
back to top

PHYSICS 153      Introductory Astronomy Laboratory
An introductory exploration of astronomical phenomena and concepts through quantitative laboratory activities requiring data collection and analysis. Three hours per week. This course is not open to students from all majors and is offered in fall semesters only. It is not repeatable for credit now does it require enrollment in another course. Cross-listed with Nat-Sci 153l and Phy-Sci 153L. Prerequisite: none.
Credits: hours
back to top

PHYSICS 155      Introduction to Astronomy: Interaction of Light and Matter in the Universe
A survey of modern topics in astronomy with an emphasis on developing conceptual models for the interactions between light and matter underpinning energetic phenomena in the universe. Topics include telescopes and detectors, solar system exploration, planetary climates, nuclear fusion and chemical enrichment, stars and stellar evolution, interstellar material, pulsars, quasars, gamma ray bursts, the Big Bang and the possibility of life beyond Earth. Cross-listed with NAT-SCI 155 and PHY-SCI 155. Prerequisites: None. Offered: Spring
Credits: 3 hours
back to top

PHYSICS 160      Vision and Imaging: From Light to Electrons
This course is intended for non-Physics majors who wish to learn about recent development in the field of physics. Students will explore light and electrons and learn how they are used to visualize nature from microscopic to macroscopic scales. The underlying physics principles in various imaging techniques and the concept of optics will be explained. Intriguing images will be shown and interpreted, to demonstrate that physics is fascinating and has great impact on our lives. No specific mathematics is required for taking this course. This course will meet the area requirements for the natural sciences.
Credits: 3 hours
back to top

PHYSICS 171      Physics for Future Presidents
A course intended for liberal arts students focusing on the physics they need to be informed citizens in a democracy. Energy, global warming, terrorism, and health are examples of the important topics examined from the perspective of how science should inform policy. Offered: Fall.
Credits: 3 hours
back to top

PHYSICS 190      Introduction to High Performance Scientific Computing
A survey course designed for students interested in learning how computer technology and scientific simulations have helped establish the frontiers of modern knowledge. Topics covered are the forms and components of high performance computing hardware; recent progress in software development; data visualization and management; examples of how high performance computing is used in practice; and introductions to some of the most popular programs used by scientists worldwide. Prerequisite: MATH 110 as a CO-requisite.
Credits: 3 hours
back to top

PHYSICS 210      General Physics I
Fundamental principles of physics including mechanics, heat and energy, and applications of these principles to different interdisciplinary natural science. Prerequisite or corequisite: College mathematics including trigonometry and algebra or equivalent. Three lectures and one two hour laboratory period per week. Offered: Fall and Spring.
Credits: 4 hours
back to top

PHYSICS 220      General Physics II
Fundamental principles of physics including sound, electricity, magnetism, optics, elementary modern physics, and applications of these principles to different interdisciplinary natural science. Prerequisite: PHYSICS 210 or equivalent or consent of instructor. Three lectures and one two hour laboratory period per week. Offered: Fall and Spring.
Credits: 4 hours
back to top

PHYSICS 240      Physics For Science And Engineering I
Introduction to mechanics, wave motion and sound and heat and thermodynamics. CoRequisite: Calculus I Offered: Fall and Spring.
Credits: 5 hours
back to top

PHYSICS 250      Physics For Science And Engineering II
Introduction to electricity and magnetism, light and optics and modern physics. Prerequisite: Physics for Science and Engineering I. Corequisite: Calculus II or consent of instructor. Four hours lecture and two hours laboratory per week. Offered: Fall and Spring.
Credits: 5 hours
back to top

PHYSICS 265      Astronomy Laboratory
Experiments in planetary motion, apparent solar time, stellar spectra, stellar magnitudes, binary stars, telescopic observations of the sun, moon and planets. Prerequisite: PHYSICS 260 or concurrently and consent of instructor. Offered: On demand.
Credits: hours
back to top

PHYSICS 301      Basic Science Physics
Selected topics from physics; their development and application to everyday problems. Discussion and demonstrations. Intended for teachers in the elementary schools. Offered: On Demand.
Credits: hours
back to top

PHYSICS 310      Mechanics I
Advanced statics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies including gravitation. Prerequisites: One year of physics and calculus or consent of instructor. Offered: Fall.
Credits: 3 hours
back to top

PHYSICS 311      Mechanics II
Continuation of Mechanics I, including mechanics of continuous media, Lagranges equations, tensor algebra and theory of small vibrations. Prerequisite: Mechanics I or consent of instructor. Offered: Spring.
Credits: 3 hours
back to top

PHYSICS 330      Methods Of Theoretical Physics I
Introduction to mathematical and numerical methods used in the theoretical modeling of physical systems. Treatments of linear systems in scientific and engineering applications will be emphasized. Prerequisite: Math 250. Offered: Spring.
Credits: 3 hours
back to top

PHYSICS 350      Modern Physics With Engineering Applications
An introduction to the theories that revolutionized science and technology in the twentieth century. Topics include special and general relativity, introductory quantum mechanics and atomic structure. Inventions and applications based on these are also examined. Prerequisites: Math 210 and 220 and either Physics 210 or 240 and 250, or consent of the instructor. Offered: fall
Credits: 3 hours
back to top

PHYSICS 355      Stellar Astrophysics
A mathematical and conceptual overview of the observed properties of stars and the fundamental astrophysics of radiative transfer, hydrostatic equilibrium, atomic processes and thermonuclear energy production that govern their structure, atmospheres and remnants. Prerequisites: Physics 240 and 250, Math 210 and Math 220, or consent of instructor. Offered: Fall even years.
Credits: 3 hours
back to top