Course Descriptions

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.

This laboratory course explores basic elements of electric circuits and electronics through experiments. Students will also learn how to measure magnetic fields through inductance and Hall probes. There will be five experiments and students will need 1.5 hours per experiment. For each experiment there will also be a 1 hour lecture.

Weekly hours: 0.4 Lecture hours and 0.6 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): PHYS 117 or PHYS 125
Note: Students with credit for EP 229 may not take this course for credit.

A laboratory course that explores geometric optics and wave optics through experiments. Topics include image formation with mirrors and lenses, diffraction and interference patterns, and polarization. There will be five experiments and students will need 1.5 hours per experiment. For each experiment there will also be a 1 hour lecture.

Weekly hours: 0.4 Lecture hours and 0.6 Practicum/Lab hours
Prerequisite(s): PHYS 117 or PHYS 125.
Note: Students with credit for EP 225 may not take this course for credit.

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.

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.

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

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