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Physics Courses A variety of physics courses are offered; courses for the major, courses to supA variety of physics courses are offered; courses for the major, courses to support the other sciences, and courses such as Astronomy and Physical Science that satisfy the Physical Science component of the General Education requirement. Physics faculty also contribute to the CORE and to the Honors Program. Details regarding what physics courses are offered and which ones are required for the major can be found in the course catalog:

105 Introduction to Physics (3-4*).
Basic principles, history, and applications of physics. A minimum of mathematics used. Not for Physics majors. GEPS.

201 General Physics I (5).
Mechanics, wave motion, and heat. Lab. Prereqs.: algebra and trigonometry or instructor approval. GEPS-L.

202 General Physics II (5).
Continuation of 201. Electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics. Prereq.: PHYS 201. GEPS-L.

203 Engineering Physics I (5).
Calculusbased physics. Mechanics, wave motion, and thermodynamics. Lab. Prereq. or coreq.: MATH 201. GEPS-L.

204 Engineering Physics II (5).
Calculusbased physics; electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics. Lab. Prereqs. or coreqs.: PHYS 203, MATH 202. GEPS-L.

230 Astronomy (3*-4).
Planets and solar system; types and characteristics of stars; our galaxy and its relation to the observable universe. Some lab work and star observations. GEPS.

303 Energy Issues (3-4*).
See NASC 303. Also Chem 303. GEPS.

311 Electronics for Scientists (4).
Instrumentation and circuitry most often used in contemporary experimentation. Solid state devices including integrated circuits. Lab. Prereq.: PHYS 202 or 204.

322 Electricity and Magnetism (4).
Theory of electric and magnetic fields, current electricity, electromagnetic waves, and Maxwell’s equations at an intermediate level. Prereqs.: PHYS 202 or 204; MATH 202.

342 Analytical Mechanics (4).
Topics from Newtonian mechanics, using vector methods and introduction to Lagrange formulation. Problemsolving emphasized. Prereqs.: PHYS 201 or 203; MATH 202. Also MATH 342.

350 Optics (4).
Principles of physical optics at an intermediate level. Includes diffraction, interference polarization, and some geometrical optics. Lab. Prereqs.: PHYS 202 or 204; MATH 202.

355 Thermodynamics (2).
Introduces principles of thermodynamics at intermediate level. Given as a portion of CHEM 411. Prereqs.: MATH 202; PHYS 202 or 204.

360 Atomic and Nuclear Physics (4).
Introduces modern physics: special relativity, atomic structure, quantum theory, the solid state, and the nucleus. Prereqs. or coreqs.: MATH 202; PHYS 202 or 204.

368 Quantum Mechanics (4).
Introduces quantum systems, using the Schrodinger equation, operators, and Dirac notation. Prereqs.: PHYS 202 or 204; MATH 202.

409 Selected Topics in Physics (4).
Topics not covered in other courses. Prereq.: PHYS 202 or 204, Math 202. May be taken twice. NCh.

| Typical Course of Study |