Courses and Descriptions
The semesters listed after course descriptions indicate when courses are expected to be offered. Schedules are subject to change; students should confirm semester offerings with the department when planning degree programs.
Physics
101, 102. Introductory Physics I, II (3,3).
This two-semester course sequence is an algebra-based survey of physics. Topics include mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity, and magnetism, and modern physics. Three lectures per week. (Prerequisites: MATH 115 (or placement beyond MATH 115) for PHYS 101; PHYS 101 is prerequisite for PHYS 102.) FALL, SPRING.
103. Introductory Physics Laboratory I (1) (NATURAL SCIENCE).
Through experiments, students explore and verify many concepts in classical physics. Topics are drawn from mechanics, wave motion, sound, and thermodynamics. One 3-hour laboratory per week. (Co-requisite: PHYS 101.) FALL.
104. Introductory Physics Laboratory II (1).
Through experiments, students explore and verify many concepts in classical physics. Topics are drawn from electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics. One 3-hour laboratory per week. (Co-requisite: PHYS 102.) SPRING.
105. Inquiry Physics for Elementary Teachers (3).
Survey of physics for students in elementary education. Topics include Newton’s laws of motion, momentum, energy, states of matter, pressure in fluids, temperature, heat, wave phenomena, electricity & magnetism, optics, and atomic, nuclear & particle physics. Three lectures per week. (Prerequisite: MATH 101; Co-requisite: PHYS 106.) OFFERED AS NEEDED.
106. Physics for Elementary Teachers Laboratory (1) (NATURAL SCIENCE).
Laboratory course to accompany PHYS 105. Topics include Newton’s laws of motion, friction, momentum, energy, buoyancy, thermodynamics, sound, electric circuits, magnetic fields, and optics. Emphasizes proper laboratory techniques and careful collection and analysis of experimental data. Two hours laboratory per week. (Co-requisite: PHYS 105.) OFFERED AS NEEDED.
110. Descriptive Astronomy (4) (NATURAL SCIENCE).
Observational and theoretical studies of the solar system and the extra-solar system. Topics include the telescope, planets and their satellites, asteroids, comets, meteors, the sun as a star, characteristics of stars, galaxies, interstellar matter, and the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe. Three lectures, one 2-hour laboratory per week. FALL OF EVEN YEARS.
111. Earth and Space Science for the Elementary Teacher (4).
Survey of earth science for students in elementary education. Topics include the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, weather, the solar system, the galaxy and the universe. Earth Science Michigan Curriculum Framework and the benchmarks associated with it will be examined. Three lectures and one 2-hour laboratory per week. (Prerequisite: MATH 101). OFFERED AS NEEDED.
205, 206. General Physics I, II (3,3).
This two-semester course sequence is a calculus-based survey of physics including mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, optics, and relativity. Three lectures per week. (Prerequisites: MATH 135 for PHYS 205; PHYS 205 for PHYS 206; MATH 205 is a co-requisite for PHYS 205.) FALL, SPRING.
209. General Physics Laboratory I (1) (NATURAL SCIENCE).
Principles of classical physics are explored and verified through experiments. Emphasis is on measurement techniques and methods of data analysis. Topics are drawn from mechanics, wave motion, sound and thermodynamics. One 3-hour laboratory per week. (Co-requisite: PHYS 205.) FALL.
210. General Physics Laboratory II (1).
Principles of classical physics are explored and verified through experiments. Emphasis is on measurement techniques and methods of data analysis. Topics are drawn from electricity, magnetism, and optics. One 3-hour laboratory per week. (Co-requisite: PHYS 206.) SPRING.
320. Electronics (3).
An introduction to analog and digital electronics. Topics include DC and AC circuits, transistors, amplifiers, Boolean logic, logic circuits, analog-digital conversions, and applications. Two lectures and one 3-hour laboratory per week. (Prerequisite: PHYS 206, and 210.) OFFERED AS NEEDED.
370. Modern Physics (3).
An introduction to the fundamentals of modern physics. Topics include special relativity, quantum theory, atomic physics, statistical physics, condensed-matter physics, nuclear structure, and elementary particles. (Prerequisites: PHYS 206 and MATH 215 or 305.) OFFERED AS NEEDED.
380. Nuclear Physics (3).
An introduction to nuclear physics including radioactivity, alpha, beta, and gamma decoy, nuclear models, nuclear reactions, fission and fusion. (Prerequisite: PHYS 206 and MATH 215 or 305.) OFFERED AS NEEDED.
390. Astrophysics (3).
This is one-semester, calculus-based survey of modern astrophysics intended for junior or senior science majors. No formal background in astronomy is assumed. Topics include early astronomy, orbital mechanics, planetary systems, stellar astrophysics, and galactic astronomy. (Prerequisites: PHYS 206 and MATH 205.) OFFERED AS NEEDED.
401. Classical Mechanics I (3).
An introduction to classical dynamics. Topics include the motions of particles and systems of particles in one, two, and three dimensions, oscillations, gravitation, Lagrangian & Hamiltonian dynamics, and motion in non inertial frames. (Prerequisites: PHYS 206 and MATH 215 or 305.) OFFERED AS NEEDED.
402. Classical Mechanics II (3).
Advanced topics in classical dynamics including nonlinear oscillations, the motion of rigid bodies, coupled oscillations, continuous media and waves, and special relativity. (Prerequisites: PHYS 401 and MATH 305.) OFFERED AS NEEDED.
403. Electromagnetic Theory I (3).
An introduction to electrodynamics. Topics include electrostatics, boundary value problems, electric fields in matter, magnetostatics, magnetic fields in matter, and Maxwell’s equations. (Prerequisites: PHYS 206 and MATH 305.) OFFERED AS NEEDED.
404. Electromagnetic Theory II (3).
Advanced topics in electrodynamics. Topics include conservation laws, electromagnetic waves, potentials & fields, electromagnetic radiation, and relativistic electrodynamics. (Prerequisites: PHYS 403.) OFFERED AS NEEDED.
410. Quantum Mechanics (3).
An introduction to quantum mechanics. Topics include the 1-D Schrodinger equation, the square well, the harmonic oscillator, the 3-D Schrodinger equation with applications to the hydrogen atom, spin, identical particles, and time-independent perturbation theory. (Prerequisites: PHYS 305 and MATH 305.) OFFERED AS NEEDED.
450. Physics Research (1-3).
Experimental or theoretical research in physics. May be repeated. (Prerequisite: instructor permission.) FALL, SPRING.
452. Capstone: Senior Thesis (1).
Students will write a formal research report or thesis based on previous research from either PHYS 450 or other experience. A presentation and defense of the research is required. (Prerequisite: PHYS 450 or department permission.) SPRING.
Special and Advanced Courses
199. Exploratory Internship (1-3).
299. Experimental Course (1-3).
399. Professional Internship (1-12).
451. Independent Study (1-3).
Work may be either experimental or theoretical. May be repeated. (Prerequisite: departmental permission.)
499. Advanced Experimental Course (1-3).