Physics
(PHYS)
102—Physical Science, 4 Cr.
Three hours lecture/two hours lab per
week.
An introduction to the physical
sciences stressing the processes and major concepts central to its development,
such as energy, force, motion, and the structure of the universe. Stress on the
reciprocal influence of this development in the changing social world.
250—General Physics I, 3 Cr.
Three hours lecture per week.
An
introduction to the fundamental principles of physics using algebra and
trigonometry designed primarily for biology and pre-health students. Topics
covered include kinematics, dynamics, oscillatory motion and fluid mechanics.
Offered fall semesters. Must be taken concurrently with 270. Prerequisite:
placement into MATH-220 or concurrent enrollment into MATH-113.
251—General Physics II, 3 Cr.
Three hours lecture per week.
This course is a continuation of 250.
Topics covered include gravitation, electricity, basic circuits, magnetism and
optics. Must be taken concurrently with 271. Prerequisite: grade of C or higher
in 250.
260—University Physics I, 3 Cr.
Three hours lecture per week.
A calculus-based introduction to the
fundamental principles of physics designed primarily for physics, chemistry,
biochemistry and pre-engineering students. Topics in kinematics, dynamics,
oscillatory motion, and fluid mechanics. Offered fall semester. Must be taken
concurrently with 270 and MATH 220.
261—University Physics II, 3 Cr.
Three hours lecture per week.
This course is a continuation of 260. Topics
covered include gravitation, electricity, basic circuits, magnetism, and
optics. Offered spring semester. Must be taken concurrently with 271. MATH 221
taken concurrently is also recommended. Prerequisites: grade of C or higher in
260; grade of C or higher in MATH 220.
270—Introductory Physics Laboratory
I, 1 Cr.
Two hours lab per week.
Lab component for 250 and 260. Offered
fall semester. Must be taken concurrently with 250 or 260.
271—Introductory Physics Laboratory
II, 1 Cr.
Two hours lab per week.
Lab
component for 251 and 261. Offered spring semester. Must be taken concurrently
with 251 or 261.
305—Classical Mechanics, 3 Cr.
Three hours lecture per week.
An intermediate level
course on classical mechanics. Topics include particle dynamics, Lagrangian and
Hamilitonian mechanics, central force motion, and dynamics of systems and rigid
bodies. Offered fall semester of odd years. Prerequisites: grade of C or higher
in 261 or 251 and MATH 221; MATH 320 highly recommended.
311—Electricity and Magnetism, 3 Cr.
Three hours lecture per week.
An intermediate level course on
electric and magnetic fields. Topics include electrostatics, magnetostatics,
induction, dielectric and magnetic materials, and Maxwell’s equations. Offered
spring semester of even years. Prerequisites: grade of C or higher in 251 or
261; grade of C or higher in MATH 221; MATH 320 highly recommended.
321—Waves and Optics with Medical Physics
Applications, 4 Cr.
Three hours lecture/two hours lab per
week.
An intermediate level course on
acoustic and electromagnetic waves with emphasis placed upon their applications
in medicine. Selected topics include the wave equation, reflection, refraction,
diffraction, interference, radiation, absorption, scattering and medical
ultrasonics. Offered fall semester of even years. Prerequisites: 251 or 261;
MATH 221; MATH 320 highly recommended.
338—Biomechanics,
3 Cr.
Three hours lecture/discussion per week.
The
course provides an overview of musculoskeletal anatomy, the mechanical
properties and structural behavior of biological tissues, and biodynamics.
Specific course topics will include structure and function relationships in
tissues and organs; application of stress and strain analysis to biological
tissues; analysis of forces in human function and movement; energy and power in
human activity; introduction to modeling viscoelasticity of tissues. Finally,
the course will include the beginning stages of a biomechanical design project.
Prerequisite: grade of C or higher in 250 and 270 or 260 and 270, BIOL 482. (Equivalent
to BIOL 338.)
360—Thermodynamics, 3 Cr.
Three hours lecture per week.
Theoretical treatment of the laws that
govern chemical and physical change. Topics include an introduction to quantum
mechanics including molecular energies and spectra, real gases, classical
thermodynamics, solution thermodynamics, electrochemistry, and chemical
kinetics. Prerequisites: grade of C or higher in 121, MATH 221, PHYS 251 or
261; MATH 320 highly recommended. (Equivalent to CHEM 360.)
363—Modern Physics, 4 Cr.
Three hours lecture/two hours lab per
week.
The first half of the course will
provide an introduction to the developmental history and theory of quantum
mechanics using the wave mechanics approach. Topics include complementarity,
basic solutions to Schrodinger’s equation, and the application of quantum
theory to the atom. The second half of the course will address additional
topics in modern physics, including relativity, nuclear physics, applications
of nuclear physics, particle physics and cosmology. Offered spring semester of
odd years. Prerequisites: grade of C or higher in 251 or 261; grade of C or
higher in MATH 221; MATH 320 and PHYS 321 highly recommended.
498—Directed Research Experience, 1–4
Cr.
A
student-driven research experience under the supervision of a faculty mentor or
an internship director. Two credits will be the standard credit given for this
course. Research contracts will be required for everyone who registers, with
fewer or additional credits given depending on the approved project and time
commitment. Each faculty member will offer one section of this class per year.
Prerequisite: grade of C or higher in BIOL or CHEM 397. Permission of the
division chairperson required. May be repeated for a maximum of six credits.