UHD 2000/2001 Catalog UHD Catalog Home | Course Descriptions | Physics (PHYS) Table of Contents | Previous Section | Next Section | Index | How to Use the Online Catalog 1107 119 General Physics Laboratory I (1-0-3) Prerequisite: Credit or enrollment in PHYS 1307 Laboratory fee required: $12. Topics include: mechanics, bulk properties of matter, heat and waves. (PHYS 1101) 1108 General Physics Laboratory II (1-0-3) Prerequisite: Credit or enrollment in PHYS 1308 Laboratory fee required: $12. Topics include: electric and magnetic fields, DC and AC circuits, non-linear devices, geometric and physical optics, and atomic and molecular physics. (PHYS 1102) 1301 Introduction to Solar System Astronomy (3-2-2) Prerequisite: Credit or enrollment in MATH 1301 or MATH 1310. Laboratory fee required: $12. This course is a survey of the history of astronomy, its technologies and physical principles, the solar system and its origins. Recent discoveries and the competing theories to interpret them are discussed, as are interactions between astronomy and society such as technology spin-offs and light pollution. Students are introduced to scientific measurement and error. Indoor and outdoor experiments are integrated into the course, including the use of telescopes and photography of the moon. Recent data provided by NASA and other agencies are introduced. 1302 120 Introduction to Stellar and Galactic Astronomy (3-2-2) Prerequisite: Credit or enrollment in MATH 1301 or MATH 1310. Laboratory fee required: $12. This course is a survey of stellar and galactic systems. The course surveys the evolution and properties of stars, galaxies, clusters of galaxies, the properties of interstellar matter, cosmology and the effort to find extraterrestrial life. Competing theories that address recent discoveries are discussed. The role of technology in space sciences, the spin-offs and implications of such are presented. Visual observations and laboratory exercises illustrating various techniques in astronomy are integrated into the course. Recent results obtained by NASA and other agencies are introduced. 1307 General Physics I (3-3-0) Prerequisites: MATH 1301 and MATH 1302 or the equivalent and credit or enrollment in PHYS 1107. The elementary principles of mechanics, heat and wave motion using elementary trigonometry and algebra. Topics include kinematics, dynamics of particles and rigid bodies; conservation of mass, momentum and energy; simple harmonic motion and characteristics of waves, mechanical and thermal properties of solids and fluids; and thermal properties, kinetics and dynamics of ideal gases. Credit for both PHYS 1307 and PHYS 2401 may not be applied toward a degree. (PHYS 1301) 1308 General Physics II (3-3-0) Prerequisites: PHYS 1307 and credit or enrollment in PHYS 1108. Continuation of PHYS 1307. Elementary principles of electromagnetism, optics and modern physics. Topics include: static electric and magnetic fields and the motion of charged particles therein; induced electric and magnetic fields; DC and AC circuits; geometrical and physical optics; the concept of quantization and the properties of the atom and its nucleus. Credit for both PHYS 1308 and PHYS 2402 may not be applied toward a degree. (PHYS 1302) 2101 Physics Laboratory I (1-0-3) Prerequisite: Credit or enrollment in PHYS 2401 Laboratory fee required: $12. Topics include linear and rotational motion, collisions, simple harmonic motion and thermal properties of matter. (PHYS 2125) 2102 Physics Laboratory II (1-0-3) Prerequisite: Credit or enrollment in PHYS 2402 Laboratory fee required: $12. Topics include static electric and magnetic fields and electron motion therein, DC and AC circuits including linear and nonlinear devices and properties of electromagnetic waves, and geometrical and physical optics. (PHYS 2126) 2401 Physics I (4-4-0) Co-requisite: MATH 2401. Topics include: kinematics and dynamics in one, two and three dimensions, statics, dynamics, potentials, conservation of energy and momentum (linear and angular), rotational kinematics and dynamics, oscillations, gravitation, fluid mechanics, thermal properties of matter, kinetic theory of gases and the first and second law of thermodynamics. (PHYS 2425) 2402 Physics II (4-4-0) Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in PHYS 2401 and enrollment in or credit for MATH 2402. Topics include: electric charge, electric fields and potentials, Gauss’ Law, capacitors and dielectrics, AC and DC electrical circuits, magnetic fields, the Biot-Savart Law, Faraday’s Law, magnetic properties of matter, Maxwell’s equations and electromagnetic waves and optics. (PHYS 2426) 3300 Undergraduate Research (3-0-9) Prerequisites: Approval by Natural Science advisor and a minimum GPA of 2.5, and permission of instructor. Independent investigation of a specific topic problem in physics research under the direction of a selected faculty member. 3307 Modern Physics I (3-3-0) Prerequisites: PHYS 2402 or PHYS 1308 and credit or enrollment in MATH 2403. Fundamental concepts of quantum physics and special relativity, developed and applied to atomic structure and spectra, nuclear reactions, solid state physics and other related topics of current interest. 3330 Statistical and Thermal Physics (3-3-0) Prerequisites: PHYS 2402 and MATH 2403. See CHEM 3330. 3393 Intermediate Mechanics I (3-3-0) Prerequisites: PHYS 2401 or PHYS 1307 and credit or enrollment in MATH 3301. The classical mechanics of particles and systems of particles, and rigid bodies. Newtonian mechanics, linear and non-linear oscillations, Euler’s equations and Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics. 3399 Directed Study in Physics Prerequisite: Formal approval by department chair and dean; junior standing; minimum GPA of 3.0. Selected topics in the field; intensive individual study under the guidance of a faculty member. 3401 Electronics for Scientists and Engineers (4-2-5) Prerequisites: PHYS 2102 and PHYS 2402, or PHYS 1108 and PHYS 1308 Laboratory fee required: $24. Electronics and electronic instrumentation. Lecture concepts are applied and extended in the laboratory. Review of circuit theory, active devices, digital circuits and design of digital instruments using integrated circuits. 4308 121 Quantum Physics (3-3-0) Prerequisites: PHYS 3307, MATH 2403 and MATH 3301. An introduction to quantum theory and basic elements of quantum mechanics through the Schroedinger and matrix approaches, barrier penetration, simple perturbation with applications to atomic and nuclear spectroscopy, condensed matter and other appropriate topics. 4320 Physical Properties of Materials (3-3-0) Prerequisite: PHYS 3307. A survey of the electrical, magnetic and thermal properties of modern materials. Selected systems include metals and alloys, semiconductors, ceramics, liquid crystals, and polymers. Practical applications, particularly to physics and chemistry, will be discussed and current literature topics will be introduced in the lecture-discussions. 4380 Field Experience Prerequisites: At least 75 hours and departmental approval. Field experience integrates theory and academic laboratory experience with work experience in industrial, government or institute laboratories. May be repeated for additional credit; 6 hours may be applied toward a degree. 4399 Senior Honors Thesis Prerequisites: Senior standing and enrollment in the Honors Program in the Natural Sciences. A research project, supervised by a member of the natural sciences faculty or scientist at an affiliated research institution or laboratory. The completed research project must be presented in both written and oral form to the science faculty. No more than six hours credit for this course may be applied toward a degree. 4401 Applied Electromagnetism and Optics (4-3-3) Prerequisites: PHYS 2402, MATH 2403 and MATH 3301 Laboratory fee required: $12. An introduction to the fundamentals of electromagnetism. Multipole fields, Laplace and Poisson equations, Maxwell equations, electromagnetic waves, reflection and refraction, spherical scalar waves, interference and diffraction phenomena. Laboratory applications of electromagnetic and optical phenomena.