Courses
Physics Courses
PHY101 Introduction to Physical Science
[3–3, 4 cr.]
This freshman-level course is an introduction to essential concepts of astronomy, physics, chemistry, and geology for non-science majors.
Note: This course has not been taught since Fall 2022 and will not be taught in the academic year 2024–2025.
PHY111 Mechanics
[3–3, 4 cr.]
This course deals with the mechanics and properties of matter, vectors and scalars, linear and circular motion, dynamics of particles, work and power, energy and the conservation theorems, simple harmonic motion, gravitational forces and the properties of solids and fluids, and heat and thermodynamics.
Pre- or Co-requisite: MTH102 Calculus II
PHY201 Electricity and Magnetism
[3–0, 3 cr.]
Coulomb’s law, Gauss Theorem, electrical field and potentials, Ampere’s law and magnetic field, electrical current and Ohm’s law, electromagnetic induction, alternating current and electromagnetic wave. Optics including refraction, interference and diffraction.
PHY201B Electricity & Magnetism Lab
[0–3, 1 cr.]
This course includes experiments covering Coulomb’s Law, Gauss Theorem, electrical field and potentials, Ampere’s Law and magnetic field, electrical current and Ohm’s Law, electromagnetic induction, alternating current and electromagnetic wave.
PHY202 Classical Mechanics
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This course covers the review of vector algebra, forces systems resultants, equilibrium of particles and rigid bodies, internal forces, kinematics and kinetics of particles, systems of particles and rigid bodies.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing
PHY203 Classical Mechanics Lab
[0–3, 1 cr.]
It includes experiments covering linear momentum, rotational motion, Newton’s Law of motion, equilibrium and elasticity, work and energy, collision, pendulum, fluid mechanics, and coefficient of viscosity.
Corequisite: PHY202 Classical Mechanics
PHY301 Classical Physics for Life Sciences
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This course is divided into three main parts: Newtonian Mechanics of a particle, Thermodynamics, and the study of fluids and solids. It begins with the study of Kinematics (geometrical analysis of the motion of a particle), continues with Newton’s Laws of Motion (kinetics), and then proceeds to the study of energy and momentum (work/energy theorem). The second part deals with temperature and heat, leading to the definition of entropy and to the laws of thermodynamics. The last part defines fluids and their density and pressure, leading to the Bernoulli equation, then defines solids and their stress and strain relationships with regards to Young’s modulus.
Co-requisite: PHY302
PHY302 Classical Physics for Life Sciences Lab
[0–3, 1 cr.]
This course includes experiments covering linear momentum, such as: rotational motion, Newton’s Law of Motion, equilibrium and elasticity, work and energy, temperature, heat and thermal properties of matter, laws of thermodynamics, collision, pendulum, Boyle’s Law, fluid mechanics, coefficient of viscosity, and waves and optics.
Pre- or Co-requisite: PHY301 Classical Physics for Life Sciences
PHY304 Mathematical Methods for Physicists
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This course covers the topics of first order ordinary differential equations and applications, linear higher order differential equations and applications, systems of linear differential equations, series solutions of differential equations and solutions, and Laplace transforms.
Prerequisites: MTH 201 Calculus III
PHY305 Modern Physics for Life Sciences
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This course covers Coulomb’s Law of Electrostatics, the study of moving charges (electric current, DC or AC), electromagnetism, wave phenomena, light and optics, introduction to relativity, atomic energy levels, nuclear mass/energy relationship, and energy decay phenomena (radiation and nuclear physics). This course is designed in a way to show the application of some of the above fields in biological systems, and medicine, when possible.
PHY306 Modern Physics for Life Sciences Lab
[0–3, 1 cr.]
This course includes experiments covering Coulomb’s Law, electric field for parallel plate, electric field for concentric cylinders, parallel plate capacitors, resistance, resistors in series and parallel, Wheatstone Bridge, basic oscilloscope operation, measurement of magnetic induction fields, solenoids and Faraday’s Law, charge to mass ratio of the electron, Ohm’s Law, and Plank’s Constant and Atomic Spectroscopy.
Pre- or Co-requisite: PHY305 Modern Physics for Life Sciences
PHY307 Thermodynamics
[4–0, 4 cr.]
This course covers the basic principles of chemical thermodynamics and chemical dynamics, including heat, work and energy, the three laws of thermodynamics and their application to chemical systems and thermodynamic solutions, kinetic theory of gases, rate law mechanism, Bodenstein approximation, fast reactions, photochemistry, and reaction rate theories.
Prerequisites: MTH201 Calculus III and CHM201 Chemical Principles
PHY308 Quantum Mechanics
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This is a course that covers Quantum Theory, postulates, Schrödinger’s equation of hydrogen, atomic and molecular orbitals, Huckel approximation, and atomic and molecular spectra.
Prerequisites: CHM201 Chemistry Principles and MTH201 Calculus III
PHY309 Thermodynamics and Quantum Lab
[0–4, 2 cr.]
This is a laboratory course that covers principles and experimental techniques in thermochemistry, kinetic and electrochemistry.
Corequisite: PHY308 Quantum Mechanics
PHY311 Organic Materials I
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This course is an introduction to the basic concepts of organic chemistry with an emphasis on the relation between structure and properties. It also includes synthesis, properties and reactions of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, alkyl halides and alcohols with an emphasis on mechanistic and stereo-chemical aspects of organic reactions.
Prerequisites: CHM201 Chemistry Principles
PHY312 Organic Materials II
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This course covers in depth organic structure determination by spectroscopic methods, properties, reactions, and synthesis including alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and derivatives, amines, phenols, carbohydrates, and proteins. Emphasis will be placed on reaction mechanism and stereochemistry, as well as the design of multi-step synthesis.
Prerequisite: PHY311 Organic Materials I
PHY321 Introduction to Modern Physics
[3–0, 3 cr.]
An introduction to modern physics including relativity, photoelectric effect, wave nature of particles, atomic and molecular spectra, models of the nucleus, nuclear reactions and elementary particles.
PHY322 Modern Physics Lab
[0–3, 1 cr.]
This laboratory course involves experiments that illustrate the principles of modern physics, e.g. the quantum nature of charge and energy, radioactivity, special relativity, etc.
Corequisite: PHY321 Introduction to Modern Physics
PHY391 Instrumentation & Measurements
[2–3, 3 cr.]
Data acquisition; design of experiments and laboratory safety; selection of instruments for experiments; informal and formal report writing; statistics of large samples applied to fixed and dynamic response of instruments; use of instrumentation software.
Pre-requisites: MTH305 Probability and Statistics
Note: This course has not been taught since Fall 2022 and will not be taught in the academic year 2024–2025.
PHY401 Instrumental Analysis
[1–4, 3 cr.]
This course in an introduction to modern physical methods of analysis, with theoretical and practical concepts of instrumentations, including radiant energy interaction with matter, emission, and absorption spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, polarography and chromatography
Prerequisites: MTH201 Calculus III and PHY307 Thermodynamics
PHY402 Solid State Physics
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This course is an introduction to the materials of emerging technologies as explored in the physics of the solid-state, conducting, semiconducting, inorganic and organic materials, nanomaterials, as well as the design, preparation, processing and array of characterization methods for material performance.
PHY403 Polymer Science
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This course is an introduction to Polymer Science involving classification of polymers, preparative methods of polymerization, characterization, mechanical properties, fabrication techniques, thermodynamics and kinetics of polymers, commercial importance and applications.
Prerequisite: PHY312 Organic Materials II
Note: This course has not been taught since Fall 2022 and will not be taught in the academic year 2024–2025.
PHY404 Fluid Mechanics
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This course covers fluid statics, analysis of fluid motion using the continuity, momentum, and energy, relationship, and the introduction to viscous flow.
PHY405 Statistical Mechanics
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This course involves probability laws and distribution, statistical mechanics, postulates, fundamental equations, statistical mechanics calculations, Bose-Einstein statistics, transition state theory, as well as isotope effect from statistical perspective.
PHY411 Electricity and Magnetism II
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This course covers the electromagnetic model, vector analysis, static electric fields, and static magnetic fields.
Prerequisites: MTH206 Calculus IV
PHY413 Electromagnetic Waves
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This course covers Maxwell’s equations, plane electromagnetic waves, geometrical and wave optics, lasers, and antennas.
PHY424 Introduction to Nanotechnology
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This course covers some of the fundamental principles behind nanotechnology and nanomaterials, as well as applications of nanotechnology. Topics include structure, properties, manufacturing, characterization, and applications of nanomaterials in various fields.
PHY450 Medical Imaging and Instrumentation
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This course is an introduction to key physical principles applied to medical imaging and instrumentation. Topics covered will include imaging principles (intensity, resolution, contrast), x-ray physics, computed tomography, radioactivity, radioisotope production, positron emission tomography, radiation exposure principles, ultrasound physics, and magnetic resonance imaging.
Note: This course has not been taught since Fall 2022 and will not be taught in the academic year 2024–2025.
PHY499 Senior Study
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This course is designed to teach research methods. It includes work on a short research topic, and the presentation of the findings in a research paper.
Co-requisite: ENG202 Advanced Academic English
Prerequisite: Senior standing