Professor Ctirad Uher, Chair
May be elected as a departmental concentration program in Physics or General Physics
A total of 60 credits of mathematics and natural science must be elected to receive the Bachelor of Science degree.
Prerequisites to Concentration. Mathematics through Mathematics 216 (or the equivalent); Physics 140/141, 240/241 and 340/341 (recommended sequence).
Concentration Program. At least 31 credits in physics and mathematics, including at least 27 in physics courses numbered 390 and above. A concentration plan must include:
Physics 401 and 405 should precede Physics 453; Physics 453 is a prerequisite to most courses numbered above 453.
Physics 419 and 489 are not acceptable for the degree BS in physics.
Honors Concentration. Students who have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 are encouraged to elect an Honors concentration in physics. In addition to the regular departmental requirements for concentration, candidates for an Honors concentration must elect six credits of physics from courses numbered 401 and above which are not otherwise required and must also complete a senior Honors thesis based on research (Physics 498/499) done under the supervision of a faculty member.
Advising. A concentration plan in physics is developed in consultation with and must be approved by the concentration advisor. The advisor's name and consultation hours will be available at the Physics Student Services Office, 2061 Randall Lab.
Teaching Certificate. A teaching certificate with a major in physics requires 30 credits of physics; a minor requires 20. These credits must include Physics 125/127 and 126/128, or Physics 140/141 and 240/241; and Physics 340. The remainder of the program consists of courses numbered 390 or above or the equivalent.
Prerequisites to Concentration. Mathematics through Mathematics 216 (or the equivalent); Physics 140/141 and 240/241 (or Physics 125/127 and 126/128), and Physics 340/341.
Concentration Program. At least 31 credits in physics and mathematics, including at least 21 in physics courses numbered 401 and above. A concentration plan must include:
Physics 401 and 405 should precede Physics 453; Physics 453 is a prerequisite to most courses numbered above 453.
Physics and Society Option. This program, administered jointly by the Physics Department and the Residential College, is designed for students who wish to concentrate in physics and also who are interested in such fields as energy policy, law and science, public administration and other fields that require an understanding of the relationship between science and society. In addition to the minimum requirements, students must complete a minimum of three courses (9-12 credits) in Science and Society.
The Science and Society courses are chosen in consultation with and must be approved by the Residential College Science Program advisor. Contact the advisor at 763-0032 or stop by at 134 Tyler East Quad. These courses, addressing various dimensions of the social relations of science and technology (e.g., history and sociology of science, science policy), are upper-level courses (300 and above). They may be used to satisfy the cognate requirement for the General Physics concentration (requirement #4). One course may also partially satisfy the requirement for six credits of 400-level physics courses specified under requirement #2). Science and Society courses in physics used to satisfy requirement #2 must also be approved by the Physics Department. One of the Science and Society courses may be an Independent Study with a major experiential component (e.g., an internship in an organization that addresses issues related to science policy) and a required report analyzing the experience. It is permissible for concentrators to take the Science and Society courses in several departments.
Physics 390, 401, 405, 406, and 453 must be completed with a minimum grade of a C- in each course and a cumulative average of C or higher.
104. The Physical Universe: What Einstein Never Knew. High School geometry, trigonometry, and algebra. (1). (NS). (BS).
105. Origin, and Fate of Life, Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe. (1). (NS).
106. Everyday Physics. (3). (NS). (BS).
107. 20th Century Concepts of Space, Time, and Matter. High school algebra and geometry. (3). (NS). (BS). (QR/1).
108. Controversial Scientific Discoveries and Claims. Algebra. (3). (NS). (BS).
112. Cosmology: The Science of the Universe. (3). (NS). (BS).
115. Living with Physics. Two and one-half years of high school mathematics, including trigonometry. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in Phys. 125, 140, or 160. (3). (NS). (BS).
116. From Quarks to Cosmos: What Holds Everything Together? (3). (NS). (BS).
118. Inward Bound: The Search for Elementarity. (3). (NS). (BS).
119/Geol. 130/Chem. 108. The Physical World. High-school algebra. (4). (NS). (BS). (QR/2).
125. General Physics: Mechanics, Sound, and Heat. Two and one-half years of high school mathematics, including trigonometry. Phys. 125 and 127 are normally elected concurrently. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in 140, 145, or 160. (4). (NS). (BS). (QR/1).
126. General Physics: Electricity and Light. Physics 125. Phys. 126 and 128 are normally elected concurrently. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in 240 or 260. (4). (NS). (BS). (QR/1).
127. Mechanics, Heat, and Sound Lab. Concurrent election with Phys. 125 is strongly recommended. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in Phys. 141. (1). (NS). (BS). Laboratory fee ($25) required.
128. Electricity and Light Lab. Concurrent election with Phys. 126 is strongly recommended. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in Phys. 241. (1). (NS). (BS). Laboratory fee ($25) required.
140. General Physics I. Math. 115. Physics 140 and 141 are normally elected concurrently. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in Phys. 125, 145, or 160. (4). (NS). (BS). (QR/1).
141. Elementary Laboratory I. Concurrent election with Phys. 140 or 145 is strongly recommended. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in 127. (1). (NS). (BS). Laboratory fee ($25) required.
145. General Physics. Math. 115. Physics 145 and 141 are normally elected concurrently. No credit to those who have completed for are enrolled in Physics 125, 140, or 160. (3). (NS). (BS). (QR/1).
160. Honors Physics I. Math. 115. Students should elect Physics 141 concurrently. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in Phys. 125, 140, or 145. (4). (NS). (BS). (QR/1).
201. Physics, Truth and Consequences. Sophomore standing. Simple high school algebra and geometry will be helpful. (3). (NS). (BS). (QR/2).
204/Great Books 204. Great Books in Physics. (4). (NS).
214/RC Nat. Sci. 214. The Physicists and the Bomb. High school mathematics. (4). (NS). (BS).
240. General Physics II. Physics 140, 145 or 160; and Math. 116. Physics 240 and 241 are normally elected concurrently. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in 126 or 260. (4). (NS). (BS). (QR/1).
241. Elementary Laboratory II. Concurrent election with Phys. 240 is strongly recommended. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in 128. (1). (NS). (BS). Laboratory fee ($25) required.
250/Environ. Studies 353. Energy, Entropy, and Environment. Two and one-half years of high school mathematics, or any college course in mathematics or natural science. (3). (NS). (BS).
260. Honors Physics II. Physics 140, 145, or 160; and Math. 116. Students should elect Physics 241 concurrently. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in Phys. 240. (4). (NS). (BS). (QR/1).
288. Physics of Music. (3). (NS). (BS). (QR/1).
301. The Science Connection. Upperclass standing. For non natural science concentrators. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in Phys. 422. (3). (NS). (BS).
333. Keller Tutor 140. Permission of instructor. (1-3). (Excl). This is a graded course. (EXPERIENTIAL).
334. Keller Tutor 240. Permission of instructor. (1-3). (Excl). This is a graded course. (EXPERIENTIAL).
340. Waves, Heat, and Light. Physics 240 or 260, and Math 215. Concurrent election of Physics 341 is strongly recommended. (3). (Excl). (BS).
341. Waves, Heat, and Light Lab. Physics 240 or 260. Concurrent election of Physics 340 is strongly recommended. (2). (Excl). (BS). Laboratory fee ($25) required.
350. Technologies of Physics. Upperclass standing. (1). (Excl). Offered mandatory credit/no credit. May be elected for a total of 4 credits.
390. Introduction to Modern Physics. Physics 340 and Math 216. (3). (Excl). (BS).
401. Intermediate Mechanics. Physics 126/128 or 240/241, and Math. 216. (3). (Excl). (BS). (QR/1).
402. Light. Physics 126/128 or 240/241, and Math. 216. (3). (Excl). (BS).
405. Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism. Physics 126/128 or 240/241, and Math. 216. (3). (Excl). (BS).
406. Statistical and Thermal Physics. Physics 126/128 or 240/241, and Math. 216. (3). (Excl). (BS).
411. Introduction to Computational Physics. Physics 401 and Math. 216. Some familiarity with a computer language. (3). (Excl). (BS).
413/Complex Systems 541. Physics of Complexities. Physics 401. (3). (Excl). (BS).
415. Special Problems for Undergraduates. Permission of instructor. (1-6). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT). May be elected for a total of 6 credits.
417/Chem. 417. Dynamical Processes in Biophysics. Math. 216, and Physics 340 or Chem. 463 (or 468). (3). (Excl). (BS).
418/Macromolecular Science 418. Structural Macromolecular Physics. Math. 216 and Physics 340. (3). (Excl). (BS).
419/Public Policy 519/NR&E 574/RC Nat. Sci. 419. Energy Demand. Basic college economics and senior standing. (3). (SS).
420. Living with Physics for Elementary Teachers. Concurrent registration in Physics 421. Open only to elementary education concentrators. (3). (Excl).
421. Living with Physics for Elementary Teachers-Lab. Concurrent registration in Physics 420. Open only to elementary education concentrators. (1). (Excl).
435. Gravitational Physics. Physics 390 and 401. (3). (Excl). (BS).
438. Electromagnetic Radiation. Physics 405. (3). (Excl). (BS).
441. Advanced Laboratory I. Physics 390 and any Physics 400-level course. (2). (Excl). (BS).
442. Advanced Laboratory II. Physics 390 and any Physics 400-level course. (2). (Excl). (BS).
451. Methods of Theoretical Physics. Physics 401 and Math. 450. (3). (Excl). (BS).
452. Methods of Theoretical Physics. Physics 451. (3). (Excl). (BS).
453. Quantum Mechanics. Physics 390. (3). (Excl). (BS).
455. Electronic Devices and Circuits. Physics 240 and 241. (3). (Excl). (BS).
457. Subatomic Physics. Physics 453. (3). (Excl). (BS).
460. Quantum Mechanics II. Physics 453. (3). (Excl). (BS).
463. Introduction to Solid State Physics. Phys. 453. (3). (Excl). (BS).
465. Senior Seminar. Open to junior and senior Physics concentrators. (2). (Excl). (BS). Meets the Junior-Senior writing requirement.
489. Physics of Music. Permission of instructor. (3). (Excl). (BS). (QR/1).
496. Senior Thesis I. Permission of departmental concentration advisor. (2-3). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT).
497. Senior Thesis II. Permission of departmental concentration advisor. (2-3). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT).
498. Introduction to Research for Honors Students. Permission of departmental concentration advisor. (2-3). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT).
499. Introduction to Research for Honors Students. Permission of physics concentration advisor. (2-3). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT).