• PHYS 3650

    Quantum Physics I
     Rating

    3.27

     Difficulty

    4.65

     GPA

    3.17

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    Includes quantum phenomena and an introduction to wave mechanics; the hydrogen atom and atomic spectra. Prerequisite: MATH 3250, MATH 4210 or PHYS 3340, PHYS 2620, or instructor permission.

  • PHYS 2010

    Principles of Physics 1 for Pre-Health Students
     Rating

    2.76

     Difficulty

    3.93

     GPA

    3.18

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    Physics 2010 and 2020 constitute a terminal course sequence covering the principles of mechanics, heat, electricity and magnetism, optics, atomic, solid state, nuclear, and particle physics. A working knowledge of arithmetic, elementary algebra, and trigonometry is essential. The PHYS 2010 - 2020 sequence does not normally serve as prerequisite for the courses numbered 3110 and above. PHYS 2010, 2020, in conjunction with the laboratories PHYS 2030, 2040, satisfy the physics requirement of medical and dental schools. PHYS 2010 is prerequisite for 2020. Three lecture hours.

  • PHYS 3420

    Electricity and Magnetism I
     Rating

    3.33

     Difficulty

    3.50

     GPA

    3.20

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Systematic treatment of electromagnetic phenomena with extensive use of vector calculus, including Maxwell's equations. Prerequisite: MATH 4220, and PHYS 1720 or PHYS 2410 or PHYS 2415, or instructor permission.

  • PHYS 1110

    Energy, Science and Society
     Rating

    3.78

     Difficulty

    2.44

     GPA

    3.21

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    Energy is of paramount importance to civilization and has been for centuries, although never more than the present day. Much of the things we value and rely on ¿ food, automobiles, air travel, heating and air conditioning ¿all depend on access to inexpensive sources of energy. Wars have been fought over sources of energy. But what is energy? Is it inexhaustible, or will inexpensive sources of energy disappear in our lifetimes? Will our thirst for energy inevitably lead to climate change and global warming? Physics 1110 intended to address these issues. Structured to be accessible to non-science majors, this course includes such topics as the physical nature of energy, the ways in which we produce and consume energy in our society, and how the opportunities energy provides, and the threats that may occur, will play into our future. Prerequisite: high-school algebra.

  • PHYS 1010

    The Physical Universe
     Rating

    3.92

     Difficulty

    2.62

     GPA

    3.23

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    In this class you will get a chance to explore the scientific wonders of the universe. Topics vary each semester but generally include: motion, energy, waves, electricity, magnetism, sound, light, relativity, atomic structure, molecules, quantum physics, the nucleus, chemistry, meteorology, geophysics, the solar system, stars, and cosmology. PHYS 1010 requires limited math, but has wide applications like electronics, wifi, rockets, satellites, nuclear reactors, lasers, climate change, earthquakes, the tides, eclipses, plate tectonics, fossil fuels, telescopes, solar energy, and the origin of universe. PHYS 1010 is for non-science majors. Premedical and pre-dental students should take PHYS 2010, 2020.

  • PHYS 5310

    Optics
     Rating

    2.67

     Difficulty

    3.50

     GPA

    3.23

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    Includes reflection and refraction at interfaces, geometrical optics, interference phenomena, diffraction, Gaussian optics, and polarization. Prerequisite: PHYS 2320, 2415, 2610, or an equivalent college-level electromagnetism course; knowledge of vector calculus and previous exposure to Maxwell's equations.

  • PHYS 3660

    Quantum Physics II
     Rating

    3.56

     Difficulty

    4.00

     GPA

    3.24

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Continuation of PHYS 3650. Intermediate quantum mechanics including perturbation theory; application to systems of current interest. Prerequisite: PHYS 3650.

  • PHYS 2020

    Principles of Physics 2 for Pre-Health Students
     Rating

    2.76

     Difficulty

    3.86

     GPA

    3.24

    Last Taught

    Summer 2025

    Physics 2010 and 2020 constitute a terminal course sequence covering the principles of mechanics, heat, electricity and magnetism, optics, atomic, solid state, nuclear, and particle physics. A working knowledge of arithmetic, elementary algebra, and trigonometry is essential. The PHYS 2010 - 2020 sequence does not normally serve as prerequisite for the courses numbered 3110 and above. PHYS 2010, 2020, in conjunction with the laboratories PHYS 2030, 2040, satisfy the physics requirement of medical and dental schools. PHYS 2010 is prerequisite for 2020. Three lecture hours.

  • PHYS 3310

    Statistical Physics
     Rating

    1.44

     Difficulty

    4.33

     GPA

    3.26

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    Includes temperature and the laws of thermodynamics; introductory treatments of kinetic theory and statistical mechanics; and applications of Boltzmann, Bose-Einstein, and Fermi-Dirac distributions. Prerequisite: MATH 3255 (preferred) or MATH 3250, and PHYS 2620, or instructor permission.

  • PHYS 3430

    Electricity and Magnetism II
     Rating

    3.58

     Difficulty

    2.75

     GPA

    3.30

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    Includes Maxwell's equations; electromagnetic waves and their interaction with matter; interference, diffraction, polarization; waveguides; and antennas. Prerequisite: PHYS 3420.