Physics

The Physics and Engineering Scholars seminar will enhance relevant concepts, techniques and problem-solving strategies needed in introductory Physics 1331 and Physics 2333 courses. The focus is on application of those concepts, techniques,and strategies to covered lecture topics in both Physics 1331 and 2333, such as motion in several dimensions, forces, energy, momentum, rotational motion, vibrations, and waves. This course is recommended for students who need to improve their quantitative reasoning and problem-solving skills to succeed in their introductory physics classes. Departmental Approval is needed to sign up for this course. This is a Pass/Fail course.

To accompany General Physics I. An introduction to research techniques, including set-up and calibration of equipment; collection of data; analysis of data, including propagation of uncertainties; reporting of results and the writing of scientific papers.

To accompany General Physics II. An introduction to research techniques, including set-up and calibration of equipment; collection of data; analysis of data, including propagation of uncertainties; reporting of results and the writing of scientific papers.

This course is intended for non-science majors who want to learn about the physical laws governing the universe. It accompanies the lecture course PHYS 1313. Students learn how to design and carry out experiments pertaining to topics from the lecture course. This involves developing measurement-taking skills, recording and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions from observations. Emphasis is on group collaboration and inquiry-based learning.

This course is an introduction to astronomy, primarily aimed at non-science majors. Students study the night sky, our solar system, stars, galaxies, black holes, the Big Bang and cosmology. The course also covers the development of astronomy as a science, from Earth's earliest civilizations through scientists such as Galileo, Newton, and Einstein. The emphasis throughout is on conceptual understanding of how we came to know what we know about the Universe. The accompanying laboratory will provide practical activities to reinforce the concepts introduced in class. In addition, the lab will provide an opportunity for enlightened star-gazing as students learn how to use telescopes to locate and identify various objects in the night sky.

This course is intended for non-science majors who want to learn about the physical laws governing the universe. Course topics include mechanics (how and why objects move), understanding the role of static and moving charges in electricity and magnetism, studying the properties of light, and taking a closer look at periodic properties of matter and structure of elements from the periodic table. Demonstrations and practical applications are emphasized.

Non–calculus introduction to kinematics, mechanics, thermodynamics, optics, electromagnetism and atomic physics.

Non–calculus introduction to kinematics, mechanics, thermodynamics, optics, electromagnetism and atomic physics.

This course is an introduction to astronomy, primarily aimed at non-science majors. Students study the night sky, our solar system, stars, galaxies, black holes, the Big Bang and cosmology. The course also covers the development of astronomy as a science, from Earth's earliest civilizations through scientists such as Galileo, Newton, and Einstein. The emphasis throughout is on conceptual understanding of how we came to know what we know about the Universe. The accompanying laboratory will provide practical activities to reinforce the concepts introduced in class. In addition, the lab will provide an opportunity for enlightened star-gazing as students learn how to use telescopes to locate and identify various objects in the night sky.

Calculus–based university physics laboratory to accompany university Physics I. Measurement statistics, uncertainties, and least square methods for experiments, reporting of results and the writing of scientific papers in mechanics.

Calculus–based university physics laboratory to accompany university Physics I. Measurement statistics, uncertainties, and least square methods for experiments, reporting of results and the writing of scientific papers in sound, heat, electricity and optics.

Calculus–based course in physics. Particle kinematics and dynamics, conservation of energy and momentum, rotational motion, waves, fluid mechanics, and thermal physics.

Calculus– based course in physics. Electricity, magnetism, Maxwell’s equations, electromagnetic waves, optics, and introduction to modern physics.

Discussion of current topics in physics. Students will be required to research, read, present and discuss current articles in the physics literature.

Ohm’s and Kirchhoff’s laws, temperature sensors and Op Amps, strain gauges, passive and active filters, and programming PLCs. Application of computers and electric and electronic principles to mechanical systems.

To accompany Modern Physics lecture (PHYS 3337). An introduction into both experimental and computational laboratories concerning topics in the field of Modern Physics (i.e. particles and waves, quantum mechanics, relativity theory, molecules and solids). Students will be required to read and understand complex instructions, set up and calibrate equipment, collect and analyze data, discuss results and write laboratory reports.

Students study and perform a range of contemporary experiments using research equipment and techniques. Course covers a range of experimental methods including data collection, computational analysis, and presentation and communication of results.

Examination of principles in Optics including ray optics, wave optics, passive optical components, polarization, optical modulators, interferometers, and lasers with elementary engineering and physics applications. Students will model, design, and analyze optical systems.

Fluid Mechanics experiments will be conducted in conservation principles, viscosity, open channel flow, viscous flow, and gas dynamics. The emphasis of the course is to understand fundamentals through laboratory experiments.

Electrical circuits laws and theorems focused on DC circuit analysis. Analysis of resistive, inductive, capacitive, and Operational Amplifier circuits using Kirchhoff Laws, Thevenin equivalent circuits, and other analytical techniques.

This course focuses on the concepts and applications of thermodynamics. The central objective of this course is to demonstrate the crucial role of thermodynamics in a modern industrialized society. The course concentrates on the following: conservation equations for mass, energy, and entropy in closed and open systems; applications of the first and second laws of thermodynamics to steady-state and transient problems; properties of fluids and equations of state; power generation and refrigeration cycles; chemical and phase equilibrium.

This course focuses on the concepts and applications of thermodynamics. The central objective of this course is to demonstrate the crucial role of thermodynamics in a modern industrialized society. The course concentrates on the following: conservation equations for mass, energy, and entropy in closed and open systems; applications of the first and second laws of thermodynamics to steady-state and transient problems; properties of fluids and equations of state; power generation and refrigeration cycles; chemical and phase equilibrium.

A quantitative survey of the 20th century revolution of special relativity and quantum mechanics. Applications will be included from the fields of atomic and molecular structure, statistical mechanics, solid state, material science, biophysics, and bioengineering, nuclear physics, elementary particles, astrophysics and cosmology.

A theoretical study of classical motion beginning with Newtonian mechanics, and progressing to the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations of dynamics. Conservation laws, systems of particles, oscillations, gravitation, central forces, non-inertial frames, rigid bodies, non-linear systems and chaos.

Examination of principles in optics including ray optics, wave optics, passive optical components, polarization, optical modulators, interferometers, and lasers with elementary engineering and physics applications.

An introduction to Astrophysics and Cosmology. The lecture work will be supplemented by several observational labs. Students study the principles and mathematical/computational models of contemporary Astrophysics and Cosmology, as informed by not only classical physics, but also General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics. Topics include basic understanding of observational astronomy including operation of a telescope, structure and evolution of stars and galaxies, nucleosynthesis, and cosmology.

A survey of mathematical methods used in advanced physics and engineering courses, including linear algebra and linear systems, vector analysis, complex variables, ordinary and partial differential equations, Fourier series, integral transforms, and special functions. Emphasis is on physical applications, using both analytical and computational solutions to problems.

Second semester of Electrical circuits course sequence focused on AC circuit analysis. Course includes a treatment of AC circuits analysis, AC power analysis, transfer functions and filters, three-phase circuits, and Laplace transform and Fourier analysis techniques for complex waveforms.

Students participate in faculty and departmental research programs. The initial project may be continued or a new project undertaken for additional credit.

Student research on a selected problem in the field pursued under the guidance of an assigned member of the faculty.

Students participate in faculty and departmental research programs. The initial project may be continued or a new project undertaken for additional credit.

Student research on a selected problem in the field pursued under the guidance of an assigned member of the faculty.

Upper–division treatment of selected topics of mutual interest to the faculty member and students. Permission of faculty member required. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Department Consent.

Theory and application of electric and magnetic fields and their interactions with matter. Topics include electro- and magnetostatics, dynamics, and Maxwell's Equations with applications to transmission, radiation, and wave propagation. This course incorporates vector analysis and boundary-value problems.

An advanced contemporary undergraduate treatment of the foundation and fundamental principles of Quantum Theory. Topics include the uncertainty principle, the wave nature of matter, Schroedinger's wave equation in one and three dimensions, the quantum nature of energy and angular momentum, harmonic oscillator, applications to atoms and molecules, and perturbation theory. Mathematical concepts are treated that arise in quantum mechanics, including operators, eigenvectors and eigenvalues, Hilbert space, Dirac notation and boundary value problems.

An introduction to using computers to study and model physical systems, particularly those problems which are difficult or impossible to solve analytically. The focus is on concrete problems arising in the Engineering industry and Physics fields, using programming languages (e.g. Python, Matlab, C++). Students are expected to design, implement, and verify their own code, as well as incorporate standard code libraries. Topics may include numerical integration, differential equations, linear systems, molecular dynamics, finite-element methods, working with large datasets, graphics and 3d visualization.

Students participate in faculty and departmental research programs. The initial project may be continued or a new project undertaken for additional credit.

This course will cover fundamental concepts of nanotechnology. After introducing underlying theoretical concepts the relationship between structure, properties (mechanical, electrical, optical, chemical, magnetic), and performance of nanomaterials is investigated. Characterization and fabrication methods, as well as interdisciplinary applications such nanoelectronics, alternative energy production, drug delivery and therapy are discussed.

Student research on a selected problem in the field pursued under the guidance of an assigned member of the faculty.

Upper–division treatment of selected topics of mutual interest to the faculty member and students. Permission of faculty member required. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Department Consent.

Students participate in faculty and departmental research programs. The initial project may be continued or a new project undertaken for additional credit.

Student research on a selected problem in the field pursued under the guidance of an assigned member of the faculty.

Upper–division treatment of selected topics of mutual interest to the faculty member and students. Permission of faculty member required. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Department Consent.