Physics Course Description

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

The COURSE DESCRIPTIONS are also available at MSCD's Catalog Page. Find both Physics and Astronomy.
NOTE: Astronomy is taught through the Physics Department.

Course Descriptions for Astronomy

     
AST 1040-3 Introduction to Astronomy (2 + 2)
Prerequisites: minimum performance standard scores on reading, writing, and mathematics preassessment placement tests
A brief introduction to observational astronomy is followed by a survey of the physical processes and models that describe the evolution of planets, stars, galaxies, and modern cosmology. This course is taught in both the lecture and self-paced modes. (General Studies Level II, Natural Science)

AST 1052-4 General Astronomy I (3 + 2)
Prerequisite: high school algebra or equivalent
Introduces the methods and results of modern astronomy (solar system, stars, galaxies, and cosmology) at an elementary level.

AST 3040-3 Modern Cosmology (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: AST 1040 or PHY 1000 or equivalent, and satisfaction of Level I General Studies requirements
Designed for non-majors. Covers the large-scale structure of the universe and such topics as gravitational theories, neutron stars, pulsars, black holes, big bang universe, steady state theory, cosmological tests, dark matter, age of the universe, inflationary models, recent data, and fate of the universe. (General StudiesÑLevel II, Natural Science)

AST 3050-3 General Astronomy II (3+0)
Prerequisites: AST 1052 or PHY 2010 or PHY 2311
This course is a continuation of AST 1052. The topics covered in this course include stellar evolution, galaxies and cosmology.


 

Course Descriptions for Physics

     
PHY 1000-4 Introduction to Physics (3 + 2)
Prerequisites: minimum performance standard scores on the reading, writing, and mathematics preassessment placement tests and high school algebra or equivalent
An introductory survey course for nonscientists that emphasizes the main concepts of physics, including mechanics, properties of matter, heat, sound, electricity, and magnetism, light, modern physics and relativity. The accompanying laboratory work is designed to illustrate the material discussed in the lectures. (General Studies Level II, Natural Science)

PHY 1250-6 Physics of Aviation (5 + 2)
Prerequisites: MTH 1110, or MTH 1310, or equivalent; minimum performance standard scores on the reading, writing and mathematics preassessment placement tests
A one-semester course introducing the fundamentals of physics through technological applications, many of which are in aerospace science. Topics include measurement, motion, temperature, heat, properties of fluids, sound, oscillations, waves, and electricity and magnetism. (General Studies Level II, Natural Science)

PHY 2010-4 College Physics I (4 + 0)
Prerequisites: concurrent registration with PHY 2030 is recommended. MTH 1120 or equivalent; and satisfaction of either ENG 1010 or the Level I Communication requirement; completion of PHY 2010 and PHY 2030 with a passing grade is required to receive General Studies credit
This first term of a one-year sequence covers the fundamentals of physics in a basic but thorough manner. The experimental aspects of physics are emphasized in the classroom and in the laboratory. Considerable time is devoted to problem-solving. Course content includes measurement, vectors, kinematics, dynamics, gravitation, energy, momentum, rotational motion, properties of matter, heat, thermal properties of matter, thermodynamics, wave motion and sound. The course is algebra-based. (General Studies Level II, Natural Science)

PHY 2020-4 College Physics II (4 + 0)
Prerequisites: concurrent registration with PHY 2040 is recommended; PHY 2010 and satisfaction of either ENG 1010 or the Level I Communication requirement; completion of PHY 2020 and PHY 2040 with a passing grade is required to receive General Studies credit
A continuation of PHY 2010, the algebra-based introductory physics course. Topics include electricity and magnetism, electromechanical devices, AC circuits, geometrical and physical optics and modern physics. (General Studies Level II, Natural Science)

PHY 2030-1 College Physics I Laboratory (0 + 2)
Prerequisites: concurrent registration with PHY 2010 is recommended; MTH 1120 or equivalent; and satisfaction of either ENG 1010 or the Level I Communication requirement; completion of PHY 2010 and PHY 2030 with a passing grade is required to receive General Studies credit
The first semester of a one-year sequence in laboratory work that emphasizes experimental techniques, procedures and formal report writing. Laboratory experiments reinforce or extend the work of the lecture portion of the course. Emphasis is on mechanics. (General Studies Level II, Natural Science)

PHY 2040-1 College Physics II Laboratory (0 + 2)
Prerequisites: concurrent registration with PHY 2020 is recommended and satisfaction of either ENG 1010 or the Level I Communication requirement; completion of PHY 2020 and PHY 2040 with a passing grade is required to receive General Studies credit.
This course is the second semester of a one-year sequence in laboratory work that emphasizes experimental techniques, procedures and formal report writing. Laboratory experiments are selected to reinforce or extend the work of the lecture portion of the course. Emphasis is on electrical measurements, waves, optics and modern physics. (General Studies Level II, Natural Science)

PHY 2311-4 General Physics I (4 + 0)
Prerequisites: MTH 1410.  Concurrent registration with PHY 2321 is recommended. Satisfaction of either ENG 1010 or the Level I Communications requirement. Completion of PHY 2311 and PHY 2321 with a passing grade is required to receive General Studies credit.
This first term of a one-year introductory calculus-based physics course is suitable for science and engineering students. Topics treated include mechanics, heat and thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and light. (General Studies Level II, Natural Science)

PHY 2321-1 General Physics I Laboratory (0 + 2)
Prerequisites: MTH 1120 or equivalent; concurrent registration with PHY 2311 is recommended. Satisfaction of either ENG 1010 or the Level I Communication course requirement; completion of PHY 2311 and PHY 2321 with passing grades is required to receive General Studies credit.
This first semester of a one-year sequence in laboratory work emphasizes experimental techniques, procedures and formal report writing. Laboratory experiments reinforce or extend the work of the lecture portion of the course. Emphasis is on mechanics. (General Studies Level II, Natural Science)

PHY 2331-4 General Physics II (4 + 0)
Prerequisites: MTH 2410, PHY 2311 and PHY 2321, or equivalent and satisfaction of either ENG 1010 or the Level I Communication course requirement; completion of PHY 2331 and PHY 2341 with passing grades is required to receive General Studies credit. Concurrent registration with PHY 2341 is recommended.
As a continuation of PHY 2311, this second term of a one-year introductory calculus-based physics course is suitable for science and engineering students. Topics treated include electricity and magnetism, circuits, electromagnetic oscillations and waves, physical optics, and geometrical optics. (General Studies Level II, Natural Science)

PHY 2341-1 General Physics II Laboratory (0 + 2)
Prerequisites: concurrent registration with PHY 2331 is recommended. MTH 1120 or equivalent, PHY 2311 and PHY 2321 or equivalent and satisfaction of either ENG 1010 or the Level I communication course requirement; completion of PHY 2331 and 2341 with passing grades is required to receive General Studies credit.
This second semester of a one-year sequence in laboratory work emphasizes experimental techniques, procedures and report writing. Laboratory experiments reinforce or extend the work of the lecture portion of the course. Emphasis is on electrical measurements, waves, optics and modern physics. (General Studies Level II, Natural Science)

PHY 2711-3 Vibrations and Waves (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: PHY 2331, MTH 2410
This course is an introduction to vibrations and waves associated with physical phenomena. Analytical and numerical methods are introduced for analysis. The topics covered are harmonic oscillators, resonance, coupled oscillators, nonlinear oscillators, waves in elastic media, sound waves, pulses, and dispersion.

PHY 2811-4 Modern Physics I (4 + 0)
Prerequisites: MTH 2410 and PHY 2331
This is the first course of a two-course sequence which provides an introduction to modern physics. Topics include vibrations and waves, the special theory of relativity, the breakdown of classical physics, and an introduction to quantum mechanics.

PHY 3011-3 Modern Physics II (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: PHY 2811
This is the second half of a two-course sequence which provides an introduction to modern physics. The concepts and formalism of quantum physics are used to allow for an understanding of the energy levels and configuration of the hydrogen atom, the strength of molecular bonds, atomic and molecular spectroscopy, solid state physics, band theory, nuclear and subatomic physics. An introduction to quantum statistics, general relativity and cosmology is also given.

PHY 3082-3 Energy and Environment (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: PHY 1000 or PHY 2010 or equivalent
A course in the supply and usage of energy resources and the environmental problems associated with our energy usage.

PHY 3120-3 Methods of Mathematical Physics (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: MTH 3420 and MTH 2420
This course introduces mathematical techniques useful for solving equations commonly found in physics. Topics include methods of solving partial differential equations, special functions, and integral transforms.

PHY 3211-4 Analytical Mechanics (4 + 0)
Prerequisites: PHY 2711 and MTH 3420, or consent of instructor
This is a course in mechanics at the intermediate level. Topics include the Lagrange and Hamilton formulations, the two body problem, rigid body motion, and small oscillations.

PHY 3411-3 Thermal Physics (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: MTH 3420, PHY 2711, or consent of instructor
This course covers the basic concepts of the three related disciplines of thermodynamics, statistical mechanics and kinetic theory. The treatment includes both microscopic and macroscopic behavior of various classical and quantum systems of noninteracting particles and spins.

PHY 3620-3 Sound and Music (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: satisfaction of Level I General Studies course requirements
This course will consider the basic nature of sound waves, the ear and hearing, musical instruments and acoustics. Although this course is mainly descriptive, some high school algebra will be used. (General Studies Level II, Natural Science)

PHY 3711-2 Physics Laboratory I (0 + 4)
Prerequisites: PHY 2811
This is the first term of a one-year sequence in laboratory work at the junior level. Topics include electrical measurements, electrical measuring systems and experimental optics.

PHY 3721-2 Physics Laboratory II (0 + 4)
Prerequisites: PHY 2811
Continuation of PHY 3711.

PHY 3811-3 Quantum Mechanics (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: MTH 3420, PHY 2811, PHY 2711 or consent of instructor
This is a course in which both wave mechanics and matrix mechanics are developed and applied to selected problems in atomic physics. Particular topics include solutions to the time-independent Schrödinger equation for the hydrogen atom, tunneling, the harmonic oscillator, electron spin and approximation methods.

PHY 4331-4 Electricity and Magnetism (4 + 0)
Prerequisites: MTH 3420 and PHY 2711, or consent of instructor
This is a course in electricity and magnetism at the intermediate level. Topics include Maxwell's equations, boundary value problems, electrodynamics, and electromagnetic radiation.

PHY 4510-3 Optics (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: PHY 2711 or equivalent
A course that presents a contemporary treatment of selected topics in optics, such as matrix methods in geometrical optics, the Fourier analysis approach to physical optics and the interaction of light with matter.

PHY 4550-3 Astrophysics (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: PHY 2711, MTH 3420
This course covers stellar astrophysics, solar physics, star formation, stellar evolution, processes in the interstellar medium, galactic dynamics and evolution, formation of galaxies and cosmology.

PHY 4611-2 Computational Physics I (0 + 4)
Prerequisites: PHY 2811, PHY 2711, MTH 3420, satisfaction of all Level I and Level II General Studies requirements and senior standing or consent of instructor.
This course introduces more advanced methods of computational physics. Several complex physical phenomena are modeled numerically. Topics include non-linear second order differential equations associated with Newton's second law, partial differential equations associated with the wave equation, heat diffusion, Schrödinger's equation, and methods of fitting and analyzing data. (Senior Experience)

PHY 4620-2 Computational Physics II (0 + 4)
Prerequisites: PHY 4611 and satisfaction of all Level I and Level II General Studies course requirements and senior standing
This is a course that assigns the student to an individual advanced, advanced level project modeling a physical phenomenon on the computer. (Senior Experience)

PHY 4630-3 Continuum Physics (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: PHY 3120 or equivalent
A course that presents the basic physical principles of fluid mechanics and elasticity together with their application to various problems in astronomy, physics, geology and medicine.

PHY 4650-3 Solid State Physics (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: PHY 3411 and PHY 3811 or consent of instructor
A course in which the basic thermal and electrical properties of solids are explained in terms of the Brilluoin zone structures of phonons and electrons.

PHY 4711-2 Advanced Physics I Laboratory (0 + 4)
Prerequisites: PHY 3711, satisfaction of all Level I and Level II General Studies course requirements, senior standing, or consent of instructor
This course provides laboratory work at the advanced undergraduate level. Individual student projects are emphasized. (Senior Experience)

PHY 4721-2 Advanced Physics II Laboratory (0 + 4)
Prerequisites: PHY 3711; satisfaction of all Level I and Level II General Studies course requirements and senior standing
This course focuses on individual student projects in experimental physics at the advanced undergraduate level. (Senior Experience)

PHY 4810-3 Atomic and Molecular Structure (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: PHY 3811
A course in which quantum mechanical methods are applied to problems in atomic and molecular physics, such as the one-electron atom, atomic and molecular spectra and particle scattering.

PHY 4820-3 Subatomic Physics (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: PHY 4810
An introductory treatment of the various concepts and models used to describe nuclear and high energy particle phenomena.

PHY 4920-1 Physics Senior Seminar (1 + 0)
Prerequisites: PHY 4711 or consent of instructor; satisfaction of all Level I and Level II General Studies course requirements and senior standing
Corequisite: PHY 4620 or PHY 4721 or consent of instructor
This is a course in which graduating seniors report on individual projects to their peers and the department faculty. (Senior Experience)