Course Description Listing

University Bulletins

Course Description Listing

PHYS- 150 The Nature And Application Of Light And Color
PHYS- 151 Astronomy
PHYS- 199 Independent Study
PHYS- 211 Introduction To Physics
PHYS- 212 Introduction To Physics: Lab
PHYS- 222 Heat And Thermodynamics
PHYS- 241 College Physics I
PHYS- 242 College Physics II
PHYS- 249 Cooperative Education Experience
PHYS- 250 The Physics Of Light And Color
PHYS- 251 Topics In Astronomy
PHYS- 252 Neurophysics
PHYS- 255 Meteorology
PHYS- 257 Introduction To Geology And Soil Mechanics
PHYS- 258 Introduction To Geology
PHYS- 281 University Physics I
PHYS- 282 University Physics II
PHYS- 299 Independent Study
PHYS- 321 Statics And Strength Of Materials
PHYS- 327 Solid State Physics
PHYS- 329 Atomic And Nuclear Physics
PHYS- 330 Science And The Fallible Mind For Educators
PHYS- 331 Statics
PHYS- 333 Dynamics
PHYS- 335 Optics
PHYS- 349 Cooperative Education Experience
PHYS- 351 Astrophysics
PHYS- 358 Soil Science and Conservation
PHYS- 360 Physics Modeling for Game Programmers
PHYS- 399 Independent Study
PHYS- 449 Cooperative Education Experience
PHYS- 489 Advanced Physics Experience
PHYS- 499 Independent Study
PHYS- 530 Science And The Fallible Mind For Educators

PHYS- 150 The Nature And Application Of Light And Color (2.00 cr.)
Natural Sciences - Physical Sciences
Repeatable: No
The nature of light and color: the basic principles of our visual perception of nature and the arts are presented for students with no formal background in science.

^{Prerequisite: One year H.S. Algebra and Math placement score required, or MATH-010 or higher.}

PHYS- 151 Astronomy (3.00 cr.)
Laboratory, Natural Sciences - Physical Sciences
Repeatable: No
The solar system, stars, galaxies and the universe. Physical processes and observational methods.

PHYS- 199 Independent Study (1.00 - 3.00 cr.)
Repeatable: Yes

Department consent

PHYS- 211 Introduction To Physics (3.00 cr.)
Natural Sciences - Physical Sciences
Repeatable: No
Introduction to principles of physics, including mechanics, fluids, heat and thermodynamics, light and sound, electricity and magnetism; their applications to specific technologies.

PHYS- 212 Introduction To Physics: Lab (1.00 cr.)
Natural Sciences - Physical Sciences, Laboratory
Repeatable: No
Measurement, analysis and presentation of laboratory data on basic physics concepts, including mechanics, fluids, heat, electricity, light and sound.

^{Corequisite: PHYS-211}

PHYS- 222 Heat And Thermodynamics (2.00 cr.)
Repeatable: No
Concepts of temperature and heat, temperature- dependent properties and processes, heat transfer; laws relating heat and other forms of energy.

^{Prerequisite: take PHYS-231}

PHYS- 241 College Physics I (5.00 cr.)
Laboratory, Natural Sciences - Physical Sciences
Repeatable: No
Calculus-based general physics course: mechanics and thermodynamics with laboratory.

^{Prerequisite: take either MATH-151, MATH-153 or MATH-156}

PHYS- 242 College Physics II (5.00 cr.)
Natural Sciences - Physical Sciences, Laboratory
Repeatable: No
Calculus-based general physics course: electricity, sound, light and selected topics in modern physics with laboratory.

^{Prequisite: take PHYS-241}

PHYS- 249 Cooperative Education Experience (1.00 - 8.00 cr.)
Repeatable: Yes
Work and study in an approved position to gain business/industrial/other experience. Normally entails recurring, supervised work periods, each one building and expanding on the previous.
Department consent

PHYS- 250 The Physics Of Light And Color (3.00 cr.)
Laboratory, Natural Sciences - Physical Sciences
Repeatable: No
Properties, sources and perception of light are examined through lectures and laboratory activity. Topics considered are: color systems and vision, optical devices and phenomena; and image formation and appearance.

^{Prerequisite: Take any MATH 100-level or higher}

PHYS- 251 Topics In Astronomy (1.00 cr.)
Natural Sciences - Physical Sciences
Repeatable: No
Qualitative analysis emphasizing physical principles of selected topics in astronomy. Significance of modern methods of obtaining astronomical information.

PHYS- 252 Neurophysics (4.00 cr.)
Repeatable: No
Examination of physical principles as they relate to brain function and neural systems. Exploration of the physics involved in techniques and technologies used in the study and imaging of the brain.

^{Math Placement or MATH-120}

PHYS- 255 Meteorology (2.00 cr.)
Natural Sciences - Physical Sciences
Repeatable: No
Physical processes that determine properties of the earth's atmosphere: precipitation, atmospheric circulation, weather, climate and human influence on the atmosphere in the framework of physics.

PHYS- 257 Introduction To Geology And Soil Mechanics (3.00 cr.)
Repeatable: No
Physical processes involved in rock formation, mountain building, erosional landscapes, plate tectonics, earthquakes and geologic dating. Elementary soil mechanics.

PHYS- 258 Introduction To Geology (2.00 cr.)
Natural Sciences - Physical Sciences
Repeatable: No
Composition of the earth and its physical processes, including geologic time, rocks and minerals, raw resources and energy, volcanism, earthquakes, streams and groundwater, weathering, glaciation, shorelines, deserts, wind, and planetary geology.

PHYS- 281 University Physics I (5.00 cr.)
Natural Sciences - Physical Sciences, Laboratory
Repeatable: No
Calculus-based general physics course: mechanics and thermodynamics with laboratory.

^{Prerequisite: take either MATH-154 or MATH-157, or may be concurrently enrolled.}

PHYS- 282 University Physics II (5.00 cr.)
Natural Sciences - Physical Sciences, Laboratory
Repeatable: No
Calculus-based general physics course: electricity, sound, light, and selected topics in modern physics with laboratory.

^{Prerequisite: take PHYS-281}

PHYS- 299 Independent Study (1.00 - 3.00 cr.)
Repeatable: Yes

Department consent

PHYS- 321 Statics And Strength Of Materials (4.00 cr.)
Repeatable: No
Force and moment equilibrium including friction, trusses, frames and machines. Simple and compound stress and strain including beams and joints. No credit for students taking PHYS-325 or PHYS-331.

^{Prerequisite: take PHYS-241 or PHYS-281}

PHYS- 327 Solid State Physics (3.00 cr.)
Repeatable: No
Crystalline structure, lattice vibration and energy states, Brillouin zones, electrons in metals, semi-conductors, and dielectric and magnetic properties of solids.

^{Prerequisites: take PHYS-282 or PHYS-242, and take MATH-157 or MATH-154}

PHYS- 329 Atomic And Nuclear Physics (3.00 cr.)
Repeatable: No
Elements of atomic and nuclear physics.

^{Prerequisites: take PHYS-242 or PHYS-282, and take MATH-154 or MATH-157}

PHYS- 330 Science And The Fallible Mind For Educators (2.00 cr.)
Repeatable: No
Cross-disciplinary, physical science course primarily intended for educators. Defines and examines science with a perspective on societal issues related to the human mind, consumer marketing, psychology, religion, risk and fear, global concerns, and the use and abuse of numbers. H.S. Algebra required.

PHYS- 331 Statics (3.00 cr.)
Repeatable: No
Essential elements of statics: simple force system, theory and application of non-concurrent forces, couples, friction, non-coplanar forces, trusses and other structures.

^{Prerequisite: take PHYS-241 or PHYS-281}

PHYS- 333 Dynamics (3.00 cr.)
Repeatable: No
Essential elements of dynamics: rectilinear, angular and harmonic motions; forces producing motion, work, energy, acceleration, impulse and momentum.

^{Prerequisite: take PHYS-331}

PHYS- 335 Optics (3.00 cr.)
Repeatable: No
Optics with emphasis on the wave nature of light: interference diffraction, polarization and coherence; their applications in holography.

^{Prerequisites: take PHYS-282, or take PHYS-242, MATH-154 and MATH-157}

PHYS- 349 Cooperative Education Experience (1.00 - 8.00 cr.)
Repeatable: Yes
Work and study in an approved position to gain business/industrial/other experience. Normally entails recurring, supervised work periods, each one building and expanding on the previous.
Department consent

PHYS- 351 Astrophysics (3.00 cr.)
Repeatable: No
Quantitative and qualitative study of the solar system, stars, galaxies and the universe. Physical processes and observational methods and analysis.

^{Prerequisite: take PHYS-242 or PHYS-282}

PHYS- 358 Soil Science and Conservation (4.00 cr.)
Repeatable: No
Soil formation and the relationship of its physical, chemical, and biological properties to natural and agricultural ecosystems, with implications for sustainable management.

^{Prerequisites: Take CHEM-135 and PHYS-258}

PHYS- 360 Physics Modeling for Game Programmers (3.00 cr.)
Repeatable: No
Use of mathematics and physics to model the physical world for use in games and other computer simulations. Topics include motion, gravity, collisions, vectors, matrices, differential equations, dynamics, hydrostatics, hydrodynamics, and elastic systems to model common game objects.

^{Prerequisites: take CS-244, MATH-158, MATH-275, and PHYS-281}

PHYS- 399 Independent Study (1.00 - 3.00 cr.)
Repeatable: Yes

Department consent

PHYS- 449 Cooperative Education Experience (1.00 - 8.00 cr.)
Repeatable: Yes
Work and study in an approved position to gain business/industrial/other experience. Normally entails recurring, supervised work periods, each one building and expanding on the previous.
Department consent

PHYS- 489 Advanced Physics Experience (1.00 - 3.00 cr.)
Repeatable: Yes
Experience leading to a deeper understanding of principles and applications of physics.
Instructor's consent

^{Must be Junior level or higher}

PHYS- 499 Independent Study (1.00 - 3.00 cr.)
Repeatable: Yes

Department consent

PHYS- 530 Science And The Fallible Mind For Educators (2.00 cr.)
Repeatable: No
Cross-disciplinary, physical science course primarily intended for educators. Defines and examines science with a perspective on societal issues reltated to the human mind, consumer marketing, psychology, religion, risk and fear, global concerns, and the use and abuse of numbers.

Back to Course Descriptions