Course Descriptions

ENGR 131: Introduction to Engineering

An introduction to the engineering profession and development of basic skills important to the profession; including, problem solving, engineering design, graphics, use of computers, computer programming, engineering economics, and ethics in engineering. Prerequisite: completion of college-preparatory mathematics. (2)

ENGR 240: Engineering Statics

Engineering statics using vector algebra; equilibrium of rigid bodies; equivalent force and movement systems; centroids and center of gravity; trusses and frames; methods of virtual work; shear and bending moment diagrams; moments of inertia. Prerequisite: PHYS 153 with a C- or higher.

ENGR 333: Engineering Thermodynamics

Classical, macroscopic thermodynamics with applications to physics, engineering, and chemistry. Thermodynamic state variables, cycles, and potentials; flow and non-flow systems; pure substances, mixtures, and solutions; phase transitions; introduction to statistical thermodynamics. Prerequisites: PHYS 153 with a C- or higher. (4)

ENGR 334: Engineering Materials Science

Fundamentals of engineering materials including mechanical, chemical, thermal, and electrical properties associated with metals, polymers, composites, and alloys. Focus on how useful material properties can be engineered through control of microstructure. Prerequisites: PHYS 154 with a C- or higher and CHEM 115 with a C- or higher. (4)

ENGR 355: Electrical Circuits

Introduction to the fundamental techniques and concepts of analysis and design of DC and AC circuits including Kirchhoff’s Laws, circuit theorems, OP Amps, first and second order transient and steady state circuits, and frequency response. Computer simulation and laboratory work are essential parts of the course. Prerequisites: MATH 151; PHYS 154 or consent of instructor. (4)

ENGR 495: Internship

To permit undergraduate students to relate theory and practice in a work situation. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as Intern: followed by the specific title designated by the instructor in consultation with the student and the Advisory Board for the Engineering internship course and the Engineering & Industry Minor. (1 to 12)

PHYS 110: Astronomy – NW

Stars and their evolution, galaxies and larger structures, cosmology, and the solar system. Emphasis on observational evidence. Evening observing sessions. Prerequisite: MATH 115 or equivalent by math placement exam. (4)

PHYS 125: College Physics I – NW

An introduction to the fundamental topics of physics. It is a non-calculus sequence, involving only the use of trigonometry and college algebra. Prerequisites: MATH 128 or MATH 140 (or equivalent by placement exam) with a C- or higher. Prerequisite or corequisite: PHYS 135. (4)

PHYS 126: College Physics II – NW

An introduction to fundamental topics of physics. It is a non-calculus sequence, involving only the use of trigonometry and college algebra. Prerequisite: PHYS 125 with a C- or higher. Prerequisite or corequisite: PHYS 136.(4)

PHYS 135: College Physics I Laboratory

Basic laboratory experiments are performed in conjunction with the College Physics sequence. Concurrent registration in PHYS 125 is required. (1)

Schedule | Lab Course Policy | Lab Quiz Study Guide | Spreadsheet to calculate course grade

PHYS 136: College Physics II Laboratory

Basic laboratory experiments are performed in conjunction with the College Physics sequence. Concurrent registration in PHYS 126 is required. (1)

Schedule | Lab Course Policy | Lab Quiz Study Guide | Spreadsheet to calculate course grade

PHYS 153: General Physics I – NW

A calculus-level survey of the general fields of physics, including classical mechanics, wave motion, and thermodynamics. Concurrent registration in (or previous completion of) MATH 152 is strongly recommended. Prerequisite: MATH 151 with a C- or higher. Prerequisite or corequisite: PHYS 163. (4)

PHYS 154: General Physics II – NW

A calculus-level survey of the general fields of physics, including electricity and magnetism, and optics. Prerequisites: MATH 152 with a C- or higher, PHYS 153 with a C- or higher. Prerequisite or corequisite: PHYS 164. (4)

PHYS 163: General Physics I Laboratory

Basic laboratory experiments are performed in conjunction with the General Physics sequence. Concurrent registration in PHYS 153 is required. (1)

Schedule | Lab Course Policy | Lab Quiz Study Guide | Spreadsheet to calculate course grade

PHYS 164: General Physics II Laboratory

Basic laboratory experiments are performed in conjunction with the General Physics sequence. Concurrent registration in PHYS 154 is required. (1)

Schedule | Lab Course Policy | Lab Quiz Study Guide | Spreadsheet to calculate course grade

PHYS 221: Waves and Fluids

A systematic introduction to waves and fluids under the unifying theme of physics of continuous systems. The course covers harmonic oscillations and waves in their most common physical realizations: mechanical, electromagnetic, and quantum. It discusses the statics and dynamics of ideal and viscous fluids, and some topics from nonlinear dynamics. Prerequisites: PHYS 153, 154 with a C- or higher (or permission of instructor), MATH 151, 152 with C- or higher. Prerequisite or corequisite: MATH 253. (4)

PHYS 223: Elementary Modern Physics

A selected treatment of various physical phenomena that are inadequately described by classical methods of physics. Interpretations that have been developed for these phenomena since approximately 1900 are presented at an elementary level. Prerequisites: PHYS 154 with a C- or higher and MATH 253 with a C- or higher. (4)

PHYS 287: Special Topics in Physics

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

PHYS 288: Special Topics in Physics

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

PHYS 289: Special Topics in Physics

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

PHYS 291: Directed Study

To provide individual undergraduate students with introductory study not available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as DS: followed by the specific title designated by the student. (1 to 4)

PHYS 310: Methods of Experimental Physics

A selected treatment of laboratory techniques; including, experimental design, error analysis, and communication of scientific results. Laboratory topics include circuits, electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 154 with a C-or higher. (4)

PHYS 331: Electromagnetic Theory

Electrostatics, dipole fields, fields in dielectric materials, electromagnetic induction, and magnetic properties of matter, in conjunction with the development of Maxwell’s equations. Prerequisites: PHYS 153, 154 with a C- or higher, and MATH 253 with a C- or higher. (4)

PHYS 332: Electromagnetic Waves and Physical Optics

Proceeding from Maxwell’s equations, the generation and propagation of electromagnetic waves is developed with particular emphasis on their application to physical optics. Prerequisite: PHYS 331 with a C- or higher. (4)

PHYS 336: Classical Mechanics

Applications of differential equations to particle dynamics; rigid body dynamics; including the inertia tensor and Euler’s equations; calculus of variations; Lagrange’s equations and the Hamiltonian formulation of mechanics; symmetries and conservation laws. Prerequisites: PHYS 154 with a C- or higher and MATH 253 with a C- or higher. (4)

PHYS 354: Mathematical Physics

Ordinary differential equations, Laplace transforms, functions of a complex variable, and contour integration are developed in the context of examples from the fields of electromagnetism, waves, transport, vibrations, and mechanics. Prerequisites: MATH 253 with a C- or higher. Prerequisite or corequisite: PHYS 154 or permission of the instructor. (4)

PHYS 387: Special Topics in Physics

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

PHYS 388: Special Topics in Physics

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

PHYS 389: Special Topics in Physics

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

PHYS 401: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics

The ideas and techniques of quantum mechanics are developed. Prerequisites: PHYS 223 with a C- or higher. Prerequisite or Corequisite: PHYS 354 or MATH 351 with a C- or higher, or permission of the instructor. (4)

PHYS 487: Special Topics in Physics

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

PHYS 488: Special Topics in Physics

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

PHYS 489: Special Topics in Physics

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

PHYS 491: Independent Studies

To provide individual undergraduate students with advanced study not available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as IS: followed by the specific title designated by the student. (1 to 4)

PHYS 495: Internship

To permit undergraduate students to relate theory and practice in a work situation. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as Intern: followed by the specific title designated by the instructor in consultation with the student. (1 to 12)

PHYS 499A: Capstone: Senior Seminar I – SR

Professional development, exploring career paths, case studies in ethics, literature review, experimental design, and the research process. With 499B meets the senior seminar/project requirement. Prerequisites: PHYS 223 with a C- or higher; two upper-division courses in physics, one of which may be taken concurrently with 499A. (1)

PHYS 499B: Capstone: Senior Seminar II – SR

Continuation of PHYS 499A with emphasis on design and implementation of a project under the guidance of the physics staff. With PHYS 499A meets the senior seminar/project requirement. Prerequisite: PHYS 499A with a C- or higher. (1)