The physics curriculum is designed to provide well-rounded preparation in classical and modern physics. The successful completion of this program will prepare the graduate to gain admission to one of the better graduate programs in physics or a related scientific field, or to secure employment in a technical, scientific, or engineering setting.
        A grade of “C-” or higher must be obtained in each freshman- and sophomore-level science course that is required for this major or minor; these courses are numbered 100 through 300 in each discipline. A grade-point average of 2.0 or higher is required in all courses required for the major.
        Students who are interested in scientific illustration are encouraged to consider the Scientific Illustration Tracks that are offered within the art major which is described above.                          

Major
        The requirements for a major in physics are as follows: College Physics I and II  taken after or concurrently with Calculus I and II  (preferably in the freshman year); Classical Mechanics I and II taken after or concurrently with Calculus III (suggested for the sophomore year); Thermal and Statistical Physics; Modern Optics; Modern Physics I and II; Electricity and Magnetism I and II; Mathematical Physics; and Special Topics in Theoretical Physics or Special Topics in Experimental Physics.  In addition, all physics majors must take two semesters of Science Seminar with a paper required in the second semester.  Examination is generally required to transfer credit for any of these courses. The degree awarded is the Bachelor of Science. 

Minor
        A minor in physics is offered to provide students with an opportunity to strengthen and broaden their educational credentials either as an end in itself or as an enhancement of future employment prospects. The requirement for the physics minor is 12 semester hours of physics course work numbered PHY 202 or higher.

PHY 101, PHY 102. General Physics I, II......................................................................... 3 plus 3 hours
       An introductory course without calculus. Fundamental aspects of mechanics, heat, light, sound, and electricity are included. The text will be on the level of Miller, College Physics. Three lectures and three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: MAT 103; PHY 101 must precede PHY 102.  Corequisites: PHY 101L and PHY 102L.

PHY 201, PHY 202. College Physics I, II.......................................................................... 4 plus 4 hours
       Introductory physics with calculus. Subject matter is the same as in general physics but on a level more suited to physics majors, engineering majors, etc. One year of calculus as a prerequisite is preferred, otherwise calculus must be taken concurrently. The text will be on the level of Halliday and Resnick, Fundamentals of Physics. Prerequisite: PHY 201 with a grade of “C-” or higher must precede PHY 202.  Corequisites: PHY 101L and PHY 102L. 

PHY 101L, PHY 102L. Introductory Physics Laboratory I, II……………………………1 plus 1 hour
        Introductory  physics laboratories to accompany PHY 101, 102, 201 and 202.

PHY 211, PHY 212. Classical Mechanics I, II...................................................................  4 plus 4 hours
        This is the student’s first introduction to theoretical physics. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian methods are developed with Newton’s laws of motion and applied to a variety of contemporary problems. Emphasis is placed on problem work, the object being to develop physical intuition and facility for translating physical problems into mathematical terms. The text will be on the level of Analytical Mechanics by Fowles. Prerequisites: MAT 132 and PHY 202 with a grade of “C-” or higher in each course. A grade of “C-” or higher must be earned in PHY 211 before taking PHY 212.

PHY 232. Fundamentals of Electronics.................................................................................. 3 hours
        This course is designed primarily for science majors and dual degree engineering students. Coverage includes DC and AC circuits, semi-conductor devices, amplifiers, oscillators, and digital devices. The intent is to provide a working understanding of common instrumentation in science and technology. Prerequisite: PHY 102 or PHY 212 with a grade of “C-” or higher.

PHY 232L. Electronics Laboratory……………………………………………………….... 1 hour
        The laboratory component of PHY 232.

PHY 331, PHY 332. Electricity and Magnetism I, II............................................................. 4 plus 4 hours
        A thorough introduction to one of the two fundamental disciplines of classical physics, using vector calculus methods. After a brief review of vector analysis, the first semester will treat electrostatic and magnetic fields and provide an introduction to the special theory of relativity. The second semester will develop electrodynamics, including Maxwell’s equations, the propagation of electromagnetic waves, radiation, and the electromagnetic theory of light. The treatment will be on the level of the text of Reitz, Milford, and Christy. It is recommended that MAT 241 be taken concurrently. Prerequisites: MAT 233 and PHY 202 with a grade of “C-” or higher in each course; PHY 331 must precede PHY 332.

PHY 333. Thermal and Statistical Physics.............................................................................. 4 hours
        The purpose of this course is to provide physics, engineering, and chemistry majors with a fundamental understanding of heat and the equilibrium behavior of complex systems. Topics will include the zeroth, first and second laws of thermodynamics with applications to closed and open systems; microcanonical and canonical ensembles for classical and quantum systems, with applications to ideal gases, specific heats, blackbody radiation, etc.; the kinetic description of equilibrium properties. Text will be on the level of Kestin and Dorfman or Zemansky. Prerequisites: MAT 132 and PHY 202 with a grade of “C-” or higher in each course.

PHY 333L. Thermal and Statistical Physics Laboratory ........................................................ 1 hour
        Laboratory work will emphasize classic experiments such as the ballistic pendulum, hard sphere scattering, the Millikan oil drop experiment, the Michelson interferometer, etc. Emphasis also will be placed on measuring fundamental constants such as the speed of light, h, G, e and e/m. Corequisite: PHY 333.

PHY 335. Introduction to Modern Optics................................................................................. 3 hours
        A standard intermediate-level optics course which will treat the basics of wave theory and the electromagnetic origin of optical phenomena, geometrical optics, physical optics including Fourier optics, Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction, and dispersion. The course will conclude with some consideration of current topics such as holography, quantum optics, and non-linear optics. Prerequisites: MAT 241 and PHY 202 with a grade of “C-” or higher in each course.

PHY 335L. Modern Optics Laboratory……………………………………………………..... 1 hour
        This laboratory accompanies course PHY 335.

PHY 421, PHY 422. Introduction to Modern Physics I, II........................................................ 3 plus 3 hours
        For physics, engineering, and chemistry majors, this is a one-year sequence that discusses the most important developments in 20th-century physics. The first semester will review special relativity and treat the foundations of quantum physics from a historical perspective, the quantum theory of one-electron atoms will be developed. In the second semester, there will be a treatment of many-electron atoms, molecules, and solids, with an introduction to nuclear and elementary particle physics. The text will be on the level of Eisberg and Resnick, Quantum Physics. Prerequisites: PHY 202 and PHY 332; PHY 421 must precede PHY 422.

PHY 421L. Modern Physics Laboratory I.................................................................................. 1 hour
        Laboratory work will emphasize modern physics in areas such as microwave optics, superconductivity, measurements of magnetic fields, electron spin resonance, the Franck-Hertz experiment, laser optics, etc. Corequisite: PHY 421.

PHY 422L. Modern Physics Laboratory II…………………………………………………..... 1 hour
        Laboratory work to accompany course PHY 422.

PHY 423. Mathematical Physics.................................................................................................. 4 hours
        This course will examine a variety of mathematical ideas and methods used in physical sciences. Topics may include: vector calculus; solutions of partial differential equations, including the wave and heat equations; special functions; eigen value problems; Fourier analysis and mathematical modeling, particularly numerical computer methods. Prerequisite: MAT 241 with a grade of “C-” or higher.

PHY 431. Special Topics in Theoretical Physics...........................................................................1-4 hours
        Topics to be chosen in accordance with the student’s interest include Laser Physics, Plasma Physics, Theory of the Solid State, Nuclear and Particle Physics, Astrophysics, and Cosmology.

PHY 441. Special Topics in Experimental Physics…………………………………………….. 1-4 hours
        Topics to be chosen in accordance with the student’s interest in experimental physics.

PHY 499. Independent Study in Physics.......................................................................................1-4 hours
        Supervised study of a topic of interest to the student, which is not treated in the regularly scheduled course offerings. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.