Physics
The Physics courses can be taken for the completion of science and math programs. Please note that Physics is not offered as a major.
PHY 105: GENERAL PHYSICS I
4 credits
Vectors, elementary mechanics of point particles and rigid bodies, and gravitation will be the topics that are explored in this course. Prerequisite: MTH 113. Four-hour lecture/two-hour laboratory is required.
PHY 106: GENERAL PHYSICS II
4 credits
Simple harmonic motion and waves, elementary optics, electromagnetism, and DC circuits are topics of emphasis in this course. Four-hour lecture/two-hour laboratory is required. Prerequisite: PHY 105
PHY 120: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY
3 credits
This course is a study of some interactions between science, technology, and society. Topics include: the scientific community; history of technology; weapons; science, technology, and the arts; and technology and change.
PHY 121: WOMEN, MEN; SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY
3 credits
This course is an exploration of gender components in science and technology. Extrascientific influences on scientific theories; why there are not more female engineers and scientists; how science views male/female differences; use of science to reinforce social attitudes; the political content of technology and how technology impacts differently on men and women will be discussed.
PHY 150: SOME REVOLUTIONS IN PHYSICS (F, S)
3 credits/ Frameworks
This course is a non-mathematical introduction to physics with emphasis on studying the processes of scientific change. Ancient astronomy and mechanics. The Copernican/Newtonian Revolution, Special Relativity, and current ideas in elementary particle physics will be examined.
PHY 201: COMPUTER ELECTRONICS I (F)
3 credits
This course addresses the binary representation of numbers including various types (integer, unsigned and floats) with an emphasis on the finiteness of that representation (range, overflow, etc.) Basic logic gates and their use in the realization of any truth tables (combinatorial logic). Simplification procedures, such as Karnaugh maps. Flip-flops, registers and memory (sequential logic). Specific components such as adders, comparators, multiplexors, counters, buses, etc. Introduction to design and architecture.
PHY 202: COMPUTER ELECTRONICS II (S)
3 credits
This course emphasizes simple circuit components: resisitors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, transformers, transistors, and logic gates, and their emphasis in computer electronics.
PHY 205: ESSENTIALS OF PHYSICS FOR HEALTH SCIENCES (Cross listed with HSC 212) (S)
3 credits
This course is a brief introduction to fundamental physics concepts necessary for understanding physical processes in human body systems. Topics include forces, motion, energy, waves, electrical circuits, and fluids as they pertain to the human body. No prerequisites required.
PHY 207: MODERN PHYSICS I (F)
3 credits
This course will address the breakdown of classical physics around the turn of the century and its replacement by relativity theory and quantum mechanics. Attention will be given to the experiments leading to this breakdown. Course culminates with the Schrodinger equation and its application to simple potentials. Prerequisites: PHY 105, 106; MTH 221 concurrently; or permission of instructor.
PHY 208: MODERN PHYSICS II (S)
4 credits
This course applies basic quantum theory developed in PHY 207 (the Schrodinger equation) to a series of problems in which it has had marked success. They include: atomic spectra; the physics of molecules including the chemical bond; condensed matter; and the nucleus and fundamental particles. Three hours lecture, two hours laboratory. Prerequisite: PHY 207.
PHY 270-271: SPECIAL TOPICS
3-6 credits
