Physics
Courses
Courses
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Physics
Courses |
SOU CATALOG HOME : SCHOOLS AND DEPARTMENTS : PHYSICS : COURSES
See Course Prerequisites Policy.
Ph 100 Fundamentals of Physics
3 creditsIntroduction to physics with emphasis on the relationship of physics to everyday experience. The course uses physics principles to examine common questions about the universe. Concurrent enrollment in Ph 104 is recommended. Three 1-hour lectures.
1 creditLaboratory activities designed to complement Ph 100. One 2-hour laboratory. Corequisite: Ph 100.
3 creditsIntroduction to astronomy emphasizing the solar system. Topics include the origin and history of the solar system, the sun, the planets and moons, as well as comets, meteoroids, and asteroids; a discussion of life in the universe; and the instruments and techniques used in the study of astronomy.
3 creditsIntroductory stellar astronomy. Historical and contemporary ideas about the origin and evolution of stars, galaxies, and the universe; cosmology; techniques and instruments of deep space astronomy. Prerequisite: Ph 112.
1 creditPractical exercises on planetary motion and star maps. Includes star gazing and telescopic observations. Concurrent or previous enrollment in Ph 112 or Ph 113 is required.
4 creditsInterdisciplinary course team-taught by music and physics faculty. Surveys the production of sound in nature and by musical instruments. Emphasis on the scientific analysis of characteristics of sound and sound production from ancient instruments to synthesizers and computers. Three 1hour lectures and one 2hour laboratory meeting a week.
3 creditsA description of solar driven processes and their impact on Earth. Effects discussed include the solar cycle, solar wind, aurora, atmospheric ozone depletion, disruption of electrical power grids, telecommunications systems, and space weather. Prerequisite: Ph 100 or Ph112.
1 creditFor students who want to begin Ph 221 before they have completed Mth 252 or who need a review of calculus while taking Ph 221. An intuitive approach to the calculus of derivatives and integrals is used. Elementary theorems are stated and used without proof. This class meets two hours a week for the first five weeks of the term and is offered P/NP only. Prerequisites: Mth 251, concurrent enrollment in Ph 221, and previous or concurrent enrollment in Mth 252.
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3 credits eachAlgebra-based introduction to general physics for science majors. This sequence emphasizes applications of the major concepts of classical and modern physics and the mathematical techniques of problem solving. Concurrent enrollment in Ph 224, 225, 226 is strongly recommended; Mth 112 is a corequisite.
Credit to be arranged
3 creditsPrepares pre-calculus students for the Ph 221, 222, 223 sequence, using the study of motion and other areas of physics. Required for students from the Ph 201 sequence who plan to pursue the physics major or minor. Prerequisite: Mth 112 or equivalent.
4 credits eachDevelopment of physics principles necessary for further study in the physical sciences, engineering, and modern biology. Topics include mechanics, waves, sound, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and optics. Three lectures and one recitation. Concurrent enrollment in Ph 224, 225, 226 respectively is required for most and strongly recommended for all students. Prerequisite: Mth 252 (or see Ph 190).
1 credit eachLaboratory activities designed to complement Ph 201, 202, 203, or 221, 222, 223. One 3-hour laboratory.
Note: Upper division courses numbered below 320 do not meet the major or minor requirements in physics. These courses are intended for general education.
3 creditsA systematic study of current energy-related issues, with an emphasis on the environmental impact of energy production and use. Discussions focus on resource limits as well as social values, economics, and the politics accompanying energy issues. An introductory-level review of the physics of energy and analysis methods is given. Prerequisite: upper division standing.
3 creditsStudy of the soft energy paths that have emerged from the general awareness of resource limits. Studies include current understanding of solar-related options available for a modern society, for both global and local applications. Includes discussion of the many facets of solar energy technology: solar electric, hydrogen production, transportation, energy storage, and conservation. Prerequisites: Ph 100 and upper division standing.
3 creditsIntroduction to basic concepts of modern physics for non science majors. Major topics are the theories of relativity, quantum mechanics, particle physics, and cosmology. Includes black holes, curved space, and models of the universe. Prerequisites: Ph 100 or Ph 112 and upper division standing.
3 creditsIntroduction to the basic laws of light, optical instruments, natural and optical phenomena, and vision. Topics include the production, transmission, and detection of light; photography; and processing of optical/visual information. Prerequisites: completion of general education science requirements; upper division standing.
1 credit eachDesigned as an introduction to ongoing experimental and theoretical research in the department. Juniors should register for this course during winter and spring terms, and should spend the last five weeks of spring term preparing their capstone proposal. P/NP only. Prerequisite: Ph 344.
3 creditsIntroduction to optics for science majors. Topics include imaging systems, wave theory, aberrations, diffraction, and interference. Prerequisites: Ph 203 or 223, and Mth 252.
1 creditLaboratory course in optics to complement Ph333; designed to provide practical experience with lasers, optical devices, imaging systems, and fiber optics. One 3-hour laboratory. Prerequisite: previous or concurrent enrollment in Ph 333.
3 creditsDesigned for physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering majors. Covers fundamental types of lasers, operational characteristics and applications of lasers in physics, chemistry, communications, engineering, industry, and medicine. Two lectures, one 3-hour laboratory. Prerequisite: Ph 203 or 223.
3 credits eachIntroduction to special relativity, quantum theory, the electronic structure of atoms, and selected topics such as band theory of solids, nuclear structure, accelerators and elementary particles, and cosmology. Prerequisites: Ph 203 or 223, and Mth 252.
1 credit eachExperiments in modern physics. Measurements that give values for the fundamental constants of nature such as the electronic charge or Planck's constant are emphasized along with computer-based data analysis. One 3-hour laboratory. Prerequisites: Ph 226 and previous or concurrent enrollment in Ph 341.
3 creditsPhysical processes and models used to describe the flow of particles and fields from the sun to the earth. Special emphasis is placed on those processes occurring in the earth's magnetosphere. Prerequisites: Ph 203 or 223 and Math 252.
4 creditsA statistical approach to thermodynamics. The fundamental ideas of probability for small systems of particles are used to derive concepts such as entropy, internal energy, and chemical potential. Applications are made to a wide variety of classical and quantum systems. Prerequisites: Ph 203 or 223, and Mth 252.
4 credits eachIntroduction to analog and digital circuits with emphasis on applications in scientific instrumentation, integrated circuits, microprocessors, and computer interfacing. Three lectures, one 3-hour laboratory. Prerequisite: Mth 252.
4 creditsBrief preview of basic applied mathematical methods for intermediate students in the physical sciences. The topics include infinite series, complex functions, partial differentiation, multiple integration, and vector analysis. Prerequisite: Mth 252.
3 creditsIntroduction to the use of computers in solving problems in science and engineering. Programming techniques are used in applications such as integration, differentiation, and modeling. Prerequisite: Ph 201 or Ph 221.
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Credit to be arrangedPrerequisite: Ph 331.
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Credit to be arrangedmaximum 15 undergraduate credits
3 credits eachIntroduction to the basic principles of quantum mechanics. The Schrödinger equation is solved for several elementary systems including the harmonic oscillator, the hydrogen atom, and spin systems. Wave-particle duality, degeneracy, parity, and tunneling are among the topics studied. Operator methods are used. Prerequisites: Ph 371. Previous or concurrent enrollment in Ph 471 is strongly recommended.
4 credits eachNewtonian mechanics of particles, rigid bodies, conservation laws, generalized coordinates. Prerequisites: Ph 223, 371.
4 credits eachExamines the electric and magnetic fields and their interaction with matter. Maxwell's equations are introduced and used to study the electromagnetic properties of matter, electromagnetic energy, and radiation. Prerequisites: Ph 223, 371. Previous or concurrent enrollment in Ph 471 is strongly recommended.
1 or 2 credits eachSelected experiments in classical and modern physics. (Students may register for a total of six courses under these numbers.) One lecture and one 3-hour laboratory or one 3-hour laboratory. Prerequisite: Ph 226.
3 creditsAnalysis and applications of Fourier optics, coherence, holography, crystal optics, electro-optics, optical modulation, and nonlinear optics. Two 1-hour lectures and one 3-hour laboratory. Prerequisite: Ph 333 or Ph 339.
3 creditsTheory and experimental techniques of nuclear reactions and elementary particle physics. Prerequisite: Ph 341.
13 creditsStudies of the sun-driven processes that occur in space near the earth. Topics include magnetospheric processes, measurement methods, and computational modeling. Prerequisites: Ph 351, 371.
4 creditsCrystal structure and binding; reciprocal lattice; mechanical, thermal, electrical, optical, magnetic, and transport properties of solids. Prerequisite: Ph 371.
3 creditsTopics include tensor analysis, Fourier analysis, analytic function theory, partial differential equations, and integral equations. Strongly recommended for students in physics and engineering planning graduate studies. Prerequisite: Ph 371.
12 credits a term, total of 6 credits maximumStudy or research inside or outside the department under supervision of a department faculty member. Project proposals are submitted and reviewed during spring quarter of the student's junior year in Ph 331 and 332. Projects require prior departmental approval, a written progress report each term, and a seminar or symposium presentation at the completion of the project. Prerequisites: senior standing and Ph 331, 332.