This Course and Program Catalogue is effective from May 2025 to April 2026.

Not all courses described in the Course and Program Catalogue are offered each year. For a list of course offerings in 2025-2026, please consult the class search website.

The following conventions are used for course numbering:

  • 010-099 represent non-degree level courses
  • 100-699 represent undergraduate degree level courses
  • 700-999 represent graduate degree level courses

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5 Results

PHYS 223.3: Mechanics I

An introduction to classical mechanics of single-particle systems using Newtonian, Lagrangian, and Hamiltonian methods. Applications include linear and non-linear oscillations and gravitation.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PHYS 115.3, GE 122.3, or GE 124.3; and MATH 223.3, MATH 225.3 or MATH 276.3.
Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): MATH 224.3, MATH 226.3, or 238.3.


PHYS 252.3: Foundations of Modern Physics

Introduces Special Relativity and the foundations of quantum mechanics. Topics in relativity include Lorentz transformations, time dilation, length contraction, space-time diagrams, relativistic addition of velocities, and the relativistic definitions of energy and momentum. Topics in Quantum Mechanics include quantization of energy levels, wave-particle duality, and the tunnel effect.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): PHYS 115.3, GE 122.2 or GE 124.3
Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): MATH 104.3, MATH 110.3, MATH 121.3, MATH 123.3, MATH 133.3, MATH 125.3, or MATH 176.3.
Note: Students can have credit for only one of PHYS 251 and PHYS 252.


PHYS 255.3: Concepts of Radiation Physics

Introduces the essential radiation physics concepts of relevance for nuclear energy, radiation therapy, radiation protection and medical imaging professionals. Topics include basic constituents of matter; mass-energy equivalence; atomic mass unit; relativistic mass; de Broglie wavelength; Compton wavelength; excited states and radiation; nuclear stability and radioactive decay; radioactive disintegration laws; activation analysis; energetics of nuclear decays and reactions; binding energy and separation energies; nuclear fission and nuclear fusion; interaction of radiation with matter; charged particle interactions: range and stopping power; photon attenuation: photoelectric effect, Compton scattering and pair production; neutron interactions: elastic and inelastic scattering, capture, nuclear fission; neutron attenuation. Further topics include the physics of nuclear reactors; chain reactions; criticality of a reactor; elements of radiation protection: radiation units, quality factor and equivalent dose.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 36 credit units at the university level including PHYS 115 or GE 122 or GE 124.
Note: Students with credit for PHYS 352 may not receive credit for this course. This course was labeled PHYS 352 until 2014.


PHYS 298.3: Special Topics

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations. Students interested in these courses should contact the department for more information.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours


PHYS 299.6: Special Topics

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations. Students interested in these courses should contact the department for more information.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours