PHYS 213—Analog Electronics (3 CH)* This course is laboratory based. It begins at a level suitable for those with no previous exposure to electronics, but with basic knowledge of electricity. The treatment is largely non-mathematical with an emphasis on hands-on experience. This course involves circuits with diodes, transistors, operational amplifiers and power supplies. This course is independent of PHYS 243 (Digital Electronics). It is suitable for students in the natural and computer sciences and binary engineering. Two three-hour laboratory afternoons per week. (P: PHYS 164 or PHYS 184) Offered every spring. PHYS 223—Thermophysics (3 CH) The course introduces the fundamental ideas of heat, work and internal energy, reversibility and entropy, enthalpy, Maxwell’s relations and conversion of heat into work in an engine. Application of thermodynamics in physics, chemistry and engineering and an introduction to statistical physics are presented. (P: PHYS 174, P or corequisite: Calculus II) Offered fall semester, as needed. PHYS 243—Digital Electronics (3 CH)* Digital Electronics is laboratory based. It begins at a level suitable for those with no previous exposure to electronics or the theory of electricity. The course is largely non-mathematical with an emphasis on hands-on experience. Basic elements of the course are digital logic, Boolean algebra, logic gates and networks, logic families, flip-flops, clocks, registers, counters and memories. The course can be taken independently of PHYS 213 (Analog Electronics), and is suitable for physics, binary engineering and computer science students. Two three-hour laboratory afternoons per week. Offered every fall. PHYS 253—Statics and Dynamics (3 CH) This course introduces the student to the concepts of internal and external forces, equilibrium, structures, friction, the moment of inertia and systems of forces. These concepts are applied to mechanical structures and devices which are typical components of engineering designs like bridges, joints, gears, etc. The dynamics section covers particle kinematics of a rigid body. (P: PHYS 174; P or corequisite Calculus II) Offered every fall. PHYS 263—Modern Physics (3 CH) Basic concepts of classical physics: the electron, electromagnetic radiation, the classical theory vs. quantum effects, and the Rutherford-Bohr model of the atom. Multi-electron atoms. Basic concepts of
quantum mechanics without rigorous mathematical formalism. Structure of nuclei, radioactivity, particle and high-energy physics, and special relativity. (P: PHYS 174, 184) Offered every fall. PHYS 343—Electromagnetic Fields and Waves (3 CH) Properties of dielectric and magnetic materials. Solutions for static electric and magnetic fields under a wide variety of conditions. Timedependent solutions of Maxwell’s equations. Radiation and wave propagation. Oriented towards engineering applications. (P: PHYS 184, Calculus II) Offered spring semester, as needed. PHYS 353—Intermediate Lab (3 CH)* This course is designed to expose junior and/or senior students to advanced methods of experimental physics. Students will perform a variety of experiments involving electrical measurements, cryogenics, vacuum systems, microwave measurements, plasma physics, thermodynamics, atomic physics, nuclear physics and optics. Two three-hour laboratory/lecture periods per week. (P: PHYS 263) Offered every spring. (WIC) PHYS 363—Mathematical Physics (3 CH) A course in mathematical methods in physics: Matrices and determinants; selected ordinary and partial differential equations; and Fourier series and integrals, complex numbers and special functions. This course is designed primarily for physics majors, mathematics majors, and binary engineering students. (P: PHYS 174, 184, P or corequisite: Differential Equations) Offered every spring. PHYS 414—Cooperative Education (1-4 CH) Offered every semester. PHYS 424—Seminar and Senior Research (2-4 CH) An introduction to the literature, teaching and research methods in physics. Preparation and presentation of papers on selected topics from the current literature of physics. Education students majoring in physics may attend the seminar in their junior year concentrating on preparation and presentation of topics related to the teaching of physics. A technical report on a special problem based on library as well as laboratory and/or computational research. The student will be expected to report on his or her project findings as the senior comprehensive examination. May be taken as an extended course. (P: Consent of department chair) Offered every semester. (WIC)
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