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Course Descriptions for Physics
COURSES FOR NON-SCIENCE MAJORS
Two of these courses will satisfy the natural science core requirement.
Ns110 Scientific Literacy
Introduction to the characteristics of scientific inquiry and research. The basic principles and laws of natural science. The scientific method. Topics may include energy, space and matter, radiation, technology, genetics, nutrition and aging, population, ecology, and pollution.
Pc120 Introduction to Oceanography
This introductory course places students in a dynamic and highly motivational educational environment where they investigate the role of the ocean in the Earth System by using real-world current environmental data.
COURSES FOR SCIENCE MAJORS
All courses numbered Pc331 through Pc360 have as a prerequisite one year of calculus at the college level and the satisfactory completion of Pc185-186 or its equivalent. Pc370 and above have an added prerequisite of Ma273-274. Other prerequisites, if any, are listed with each course description.
Pc185 General Physics, I
Classical mechanics. Wave mechanics. Thermodynamics.
Pc186 General Physics, II
Electromagnetism. Optics. Atomic and nuclear physics. Prerequisite: Pc185.
Pc187 General Physics Laboratory, I (1)
A laboratory course to accompany Pc185.
Pc188 General Physics Laboratory, II (1)
A laboratory course to accompany Pc186.
Pc190 Applied Electronics
DC and AC circuits, semiconductor devices, operational amplifiers, digital logic, and digital computer fundamentals.
Pc191 Applied Electronics Laboratory (1)
A laboratory course to accompany Pc190.
Pc300 Mathematical Methods in Physics (3)
This one semester course offers a comprehensive introduction to a variety of mathematical subjects used in all areas of physics with application to specific problems. Topics covered include: Vector and Tensor Analysis, Functions of a Complex Variable and Calculus of Residues, Strum-Liouville Theory, Introduction to Special Functions and Fourier Series. Prerequisites: Pc186 and Ma144.
Pc331 Electronics (4)
Circuit principles, diodes and rectifiers, filters, transistors as amplifiers and switches, operational amplifiers with applications, oscillators. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisites: Pc185-186 or Pc190.
Pc336 Physical Electronics
Semiconductor theory and the physics of diodes, of bipolar transistors, and of field-effect transistors.
Pc337 Modern Physics
The special theory of relativity, quantum phenomena, atomic and nuclear structure, molecular spectra, radioactivity, fission and fusion, elementary particles.
Pc344 Optics (4)
Geometrical optics, wave nature of light, interference, diffraction, polarization, selected topics in quantum optics. Lecture and laboratory.
Pc355 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Heat and heat transfer, thermal behavior of gases, the laws of thermodynamics, entropy and enthalpy, partition functions, and engineering applications.
Pc357 Modern Physics Laboratory (1)
A laboratory course run in conjunction with Pc337.
Pc361 Advanced Topics in Modern Physics I (3)
Introduction to Molecular Physics & Solid State Physics with applications in Semiconductor devices (Covers the theoretical and experimental foundation of the atomic and molecular structure and phenomena associated with it: Spin- Orbital and Spin-Spin interactions, Magnetic Resonance, Relativistic corrections to the structure of the atom, Hyperfine Structure, Spectroscopy, Binding in Molecules, Van der Walls Interaction. Covers the theoretical foundation of quantum effects in solids: Acoustic and Optic Phonons, the Structure of Solids, Crystal Latice, Free electron theory, Energy Bands, Semiconductors and Superconductors). Prerequisite: Math Methods and Pc337 or Pc380.
Pc362 Advanced Topics in Modern Physics II (3)
Introduction to Elementary Particle Physics and Nuclear Physics. (Covers the basic properties of the standard model of the fundamental structure of matter & the four fundamental forces of nature. Conservation laws, Reactions (Decay and Relativistic Collisions). Models of the heavy nucleus from the bag and liquid drop to basic QCD.) Prerequisite: Math Methods and Pc337.
Pc370 Mechanics
Statics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies. Theory of small vibrations. Gravitation, moving frames of reference. Relativistic dynamics.
Pc371 Mechanics II (3)
A continuation of Mechanics. Covers Lagrangians, Hamiltonians, symmetry and conservation applied to classical mechanical systems of point particles, continuous bodies and field. Prerequistes: Pc370 and Pc347.
Pc374 Electricity and Magnetism
Electrostatics in free space and in the presence of dielectrics and conductors. Magnetostatics. Electromagnetic induction. The Maxwell equations.
Pc380 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
Mathematical foundation of quantum mechanics. Schroedinger’s equation with applications. The one-electron atom. Selected topics in atomic and nuclear physics.
Pc390 Independent Study in Physics
This course provides the opportunity for individual work on an assigned research problem. Prerequisites: Pc185- 186.
Courses not offered in 2008-2010
Pc 110 Light and Color
Pc 360 Astronomy
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