Physics (PHYS)

Associate Professor Sezar Fesjian,

Chair of the Department

Lower Division Requirements: All physics majors must take the following courses in their freshman and sophomore years: Physics 101-102, 214, 223, 224, 250-253; CHEM 101-102 (or 197-198); MATH 201 (or 209) and 203.

Upper Division Requirements for the B.S. Major in Physics:

Track I: PHYS 309, 311, 312, 314, 351-352, 353-354, 410, 443, 450, 453-454. This track is standard preparation for graduate studies in physics.

Track II: Physics 309, 311, 314, 351-352, 353-354, plus six additional credits in physics and eleven additional credits in science, engineering, mathematics or computer science. This track is for individuals wishing to concentrate in an allied science or engineering program.

Upper Division Requirements for the B.A. Major in Physics:

Physics 309, 311, 314, 351-352, 353-354, 441, twelve additional credits in the humanities. The B.A. Physics major program is useful to those interested in careers in such fields as history of science, technical writing, and patent law.

Grade Requirements: For graduation a physics major must have a 2.00 cumulative index in all required physics courses and the elective science and engineering courses. A minimum grade of C is required in all major courses.

The Cooperative 3-2 Program

A track II major may choose to complete the required Physics courses in three years leaving all science and free electives to the senior year. The final two years of the five year sequence may then be spent in Engineering. At the end of the fourth year the student receives the B.S. in Physics and at the end of the fifth year the B.S. in Engineering.

Requirement for a Minor in Physics: 5 courses or 15 credits in approved physics courses.

101-102. Physics I-II. A calculus approach to the basic concepts of mechanics (Physics I) and electricity and magnetism (Physics II). Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory. Prerequisite or Corequisite: MATH 103. (Cr.4, 4)

105-106. Principles of Physics I & II. An introduction to the basic principles and concepts of physics including mechanics, heat, electricity, and magnetism, optics and modern physics. Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory. (Cr.4,4)

107-108. Introductory Physics I & II. An algebra based approach to the basic concepts of mechanics, heat, electricity, magnetism, optics and elementary atomic and nuclear physics. Emphasis is on biological applications. Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory. (Cr.4,4)

151-152. Introduction to Physics Research. Elementary Research projects for beginning students in physics. Students learn how to pursue an open ended question under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Permission of department chair required. (Cr.0, 0)

201. Wave Theory of Light and Matter. Intermediate level introduction to electromagnetic waves and the theory of light, geometrical and physical optics, introduction to quantum concepts and the wave nature of matter with applications to the solid state. (Cr.3)

209. Introduction to Theoretical Physics. Vector Analysis, Matrices and eigenvalue problems, introduction to Partial Differential Equations as applied to physics. Three lectures. (Cr.3)

214. Electricity and Magnetism. Electrostatics, Magnetostatics, Faraday’s Law, Maxwell’s equations using vector analysis. (Cr.3)

221. Physics of Digital Devices. The basic physics and selected circuit applications of solid state devices such as the diode, transistor and op-amp as used in digital systems. The lectures will concentrate on the development of band theory and the diode equation from first principles while the lab will concentrate on digital circuit application using TTL and analog IC’s. Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory. Prerequisites: Physics 101-102 sequence. (Cr.4)

223. Physics III. Introduction to the theory of oscillations and waves. Introduction to the special theory of relativity. Introduction to wave mechanics and the SchrF6dinger equation. (Cr.3)

224. Physics IV. Elements of thermodynamics and an elementary introduction to condensed matter physics. (Cr.3)

250. Optics. The nature of light and its interaction with matter. Reflection, refraction, polarization, interference, diffraction and propagation of light through media. Lenses, optical elements and optical devices will be explored via lecture and experiments. One lecture and one 4-hour lab per week. (Cr.2)

251. Intermediate Laboratory. This laboratory course will complement the material presented in Physics 201. Experiments in mechanical waves, geometrical and physical optics, and modern physics. One three hour period per week. Corequisite: PHYS 201. (Cr.1)

253. Advanced Optics Laboratory. Experiments in optics at an advanced level including measuring the cardinal points of an optical system, optical aberrations, lasers and laser applications, Newton’s rings, interferometry, holography, electro-optics, optical modulation, and matrix optics. (Cr.1)

309. Mechanics. Dynamics of particles and systems; Gravitation; Rotating Coordinates; Motion of rigid bodies. Lagrangian formulation. Coupled oscillators. Three lectures. (Cr.3)

311. Atomic and Nuclear Physics. SchrF6dinger wave theory for atomic structure. Magnetic field effects on atoms. Atomic and molecular spectra. Introductory nuclear physics. Three lectures.
(Cr.3)

312. Quantum Mechanics. Introduction to Quantum theory. One dimensional quantum systems. The harmonic oscillator. Central Potentials. (Cr.3)

314. Electromagnetic Waves. Electro-magnetic waves and their interaction with matter. Maxwell’s Equations in free space and dielectric media. Classical theory of the laser. (Cr.3)

341-342. Topics in Astrophysics. Independent study of topics of astrophysical interest such as Stellar Evolution, Radiation Theory and Stellar Atmospheres, Star Clusters and Galactic Rotation, Interstellar Matter. Approval of Chair necessary. (Cr.3, 3)

351. Modern Physics Laboratory I. Experimental verification of properties of atomic structure. One three-hour period. (Cr.2)

352. Modern Physics Laboratory II. Advanced experiments in atomic and nuclear physics. Properties of radioactivity. One three-hour period. (Cr.2)

353, 354. Research Projects in Physics. Introductory level student research projects in either experimental or theoretical physics carried out under the guidance of a faculty member. (Cr.2, 2)

410. Advanced Theoretical Physics. Complex variables, Integral Transform Methods and Green’s Function Methods in theoretical physics. Three lectures. (Cr.3)

414. Electromagnetic Radiation. Dielectric and Magnetic materials, electromagnetic waves in free space and media. Dipole radiation. (Cr.3)

415. Statistical Mechanics. Statistical mechanics of many body systems. Equilibrium and non-equilibrium systems. Phase transitions. (Cr.3)

432. Solid State Physics. Lattices and crystal binding. Phonons and lattice vibrations. Thermal properties of insulators. Metals, free electron gas, energy bands. Semiconductors, mobility, life times, p-n junctions. Superconductivity, B.C.S. theory. Phase transitions. Magnetothermal properties. Three lectures. (Cr.3)

441-442. Senior Thesis. An independent study program in experimental or theoretical physics to provide an opportunity for the scientific development of advanced undergraduate physics majors. Minimum of six hours a week devoted to an organized study program is required. Permission of department chair necessary. (Cr.3)

443. Advanced Quantum Mechanics. Development of the formal structure of quantum mechanics. Time independent perturbation theory. Theory of scattering. Second quantization. (Cr.3)

450. Seminar. Single and sequential lectures on special topics in physics. Track I majors are required to present a research paper on either a theoretical or experimental topic in the spring semester of senior year. (Cr.1)

453-454. Experimental Physics I-II. Experience building and using apparatus such as electronic instrumentation, vacuum equipment, LASERS, magnets, detectors, scalars, etc. A blend of classical and contemporary experiments. (Cr.2, 2)