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PHYS Courses

Offered by Department of Physics and Physical Science
College of Natural and Social Sciences

PHYS 100GS - Physical Science - 4 hours
Prereq: none
A survey course of the physical sciences. This course does not presuppose a prior background in the sciences or mathematics. Inquiry activities are used to promote the development of process and critical thinking skills. Emphasis is placed on the application of science to the real world. In many activities computers are used to acquire data and to facilitate data manipulation and graphing.
 
PHYS 131HGS - Newton's Universe - 4 hours
Prereq: none
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding and appreciation of science as a human activity, its historical role in shaping our self and world views, its impact on the human condition, and its philosophical implications for their ultimate destiny. An associated laboratory, using inquiry-oriented activities, allows students to experience the process of science.
 
PHYS 132HGS - Einstein's Universe - 4 hours
Prereq: none
This course provides students with an understanding and appreciation of science as a human activity, its historical role in shaping culture, its impact on the human condition and its philosophical implications for human destiny. PHYS 131H traces the development of scientific thought from pre-history to the eighteenth century while PHYS 132H traces this development from the end of the Scientific Revolution to the twenty-first century.
 
PHYS 201GS - Earth Science - 4 hours
Prereq: none
Inquiry activities are used to teach basic concepts of meteorology, geology, and astronomy. Emphasis is placed on process and critical thinking skills as well as on environmental issues.
 
PHYS 205GS - General Physics - 5 hours
Prereq: MATH 103* or permission of instructor
Topics include mechanics, heat and sound. Lecture four hours, laboratory three hours per week for traditional sections or an equivalent amount of time for activity oriented sections which integrate lecture and laboratory.
 
PHYS 206GS - General Physics - 5 hours
Prereq: PHYS 205GS or permission
A continuation of PHYS 205GS. Topics include electricity, magnetism, light and an introduction to modern physics. Lecture four hours, laboratory three hours per week for traditional sections or an equivalent amount of time for activity oriented sections which integrate lecture and laboratory.
 
PHYS 210GS - Astronomy - 3 hours
Prereq: none
The goal of this course is to introduce students to the growth of knowledge about our universe. Topics include: the Earth, Moon, planets, Sun, stars, galaxies and cosmology. The course uses the resources of the UNK planetarium and observatory.
 
PHYS 213 - Electrical Circuits I - 3 hours
Prereq: MATH 202*
Introduction to electrical circuit theory and analysis techniques. DC circuits and transient circuit responses are studied with an emphasis on computer-aided simulation and analysis. Inductors, capacitors and transformers are studied within the context of transient circuit responses.
 
PHYS 213L - Introductory Electrical Laboratory I - 1 hour
Prereq: MATH 202*
Laboratory work to accompany PHYS 213.
 
PHYS 275GS - General Physics (Calculus) - 5 hours
Prereq. or concurrently with: MATH 115 or equivalent
Topics include mechanics, heat and sound. Lecture four hours, laboratory three hours per week for traditional sections or an equivalent amount of time for activity oriented sections which integrate lecture and laboratory.
 
PHYS 276GS - General Physics (Calculus) - 5 hours
Prereq: PHYS 275GS*, or permission
A continuation of PHYS 275. Topics include electricity, magnetism, light and an introduction to modern physics.
 
PHYS 277 - Engineering Mechanics - Statics - 3 hours
Prereq: MATH 202*, PHYS 275GS
The action of forces on static coplanar systems with application to engineering structures and machines. Vector resultants, moment of torque, couples, equivalent force systems and vector algebra, along with static equilibrium conditions and equations will be studied.
 
PHYS 301 - Advanced Physical Science - 4 hours
Prereq: none
Inquiry activities are used to teach concepts in the areas of mechanics, light, electricity, magnetism and microchemistry. The computer is used to aid in instruction in all of these areas. Emphasis is placed on the development of process and critical thinking skills.
 
PHYS 323 - Introductory Electronics - 4 hours
Prereq: PHYS 206GS* or PHYS 276GS*
An introduction to the analysis and design of electronic circuits, and device physics. Basic analysis and design is covered including the use of computer aided design in electronics. Laboratory activities include both computer analysis and hardware implementation. Applications to computers, television, radio and other instrumentations are discussed.
 
PHYS 346 - Modern Physics I - 4 hours
Prereq: PHYS 276GS*
A more advanced study of selected topics in electricity and modern physics including introductory concepts in atomic and nuclear physics. Fall only.
 
PHYS 347 - Modern Physics II - 4 hours
Prereq: PHYS 346*
A continuation of PHYS 346. Introductory concepts in quantum mechanics and quantum statistics will be treated. Other areas of emphasis will include atomic structure solid state and nuclear physics. Spring only, odd-numbered years.
 
PHYS 399 - Internship - 1-4 hours
Prereq: none
This course emphasizes the professional development of the student in the area of the student's interest. Students should contact a department faculty member who would agree to supervise the work for the semester. A written work plan must be approved by the department chair. Grading is credit/non-credit.
 
PHYS 400 - Analytic Mechanics I - 3 hours
Prereq: PHYS 410*, MATH 305* or permission of instructor
General theory of three formulations of classical mechanics: Newtonian, Lagrangian, and Hamiltonian. Introduction to the calculus of variations. Applications include linear oscillations, non-linear oscillations, gravitation, and central-force motion. Emphasis is placed on those concepts that provide a transition to quantum mechanics. Offered in the Fall of even-numbered years.
 
PHYS 401 - Analytic Mechanics II - 3 hours
Prereq: PHYS 400*
Advanced applications of classical nonrelativistic mechanics. Topics include dynamics of a system of particles, motion in noninertial reference frames, properties of three-dimensional rotations and tensors, dynamics of rigid bodies, and coupled oscillations. The course ends with an introduction to the mechanics of continuous media and applications to fluid dynamics and elasticity. Offered in the Spring of odd-numbered years.
 
PHYS 405 - Electricity and Magnetism I - 3 hours
Prereq: PHYS 410*, MATH 305* or permission of instructor
Review of Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic fields, and vector calculus. Physical and mathematical properties of static electric and magnetic fields. Topics include electrostatics, electric potential, energy of the electrostatic field, conductors, Laplace's and Poisson's equations, boundary values problems, multipole expansions, dielectric media, magnetostatics, the vector potential, and magnetic media. Offered in the Fall of even-numbered years.
 
PHYS 406 - Electricity and Magnetism II - 3 hours
Prereq: PHYS 405* or permission of instructor
General properties of Maxwell's equations and the dynamics of the electromagnetic field. Topics include potential formulations of electrodynamics, conservation laws, electromagnetic waves (in a vacuum, in infinite linear media, and in bounded regions), optical dispersion in material media, and electromagnetic radiation. The course ends with an introduction to the relativistic formulation of electrodynamics. Offered in the Spring of odd-numbered years.
 
PHYS 410/810P - Mathematical Techniques in Physics - 4 hours
Prereq: MATH 260* or permission of instructor
A formal development of selected topics from infinite series, determinants and matrices, partial differentiation, vector analysis, Fourier series, functions of a complex variable, and coordinate transformations. Fall only.
 
PHYS 411 - Mathematical Techniques in Physics II - 3 hours
Prereq: PHYS 410*
A development of series solution of differential equations, partial differential equations, tensor analysis, asymptotic series, integral transforms, and operators.
 
PHYS 417/817P - Quantum Mechanics - 3 hours
Prereq: PHYS 416* or permission of instructor
A formal development of the principles of quantum mechanics. The mathematics of Hamiltonian Mechanics are presented as a bridge from Classical Physics to Quantum Physics. Topics are selected to extend the treatment given in Modern Physics II. Fall only, odd-numbered years.
 
PHYS 423/823P - Electronics - 4 hours
Prereq: PHYS 323* or equivalent
A continuation of PHYS 323 covering feedback, noise reduction, high frequency circuits and electro-optical devices. Prior completion of ITEC 482* is recommended.
 
PHYS 430/830P - Optics - 4 hours
Prereq: PHYS 276GS*
Geometric and wave optics including optical instruments. Prior completion of MATH 305 is recommended. Spring only, odd-numbered years.
 
PHYS 440/840P - Heat and Thermodynamics - 4 hours
Prereq: none
The study of temperature, heat and work, the laws of thermodynamics, heat engines, including the Carnot, Cycle, Maxwell relations, and an introduction to statistical thermodynamics. Spring only, even-numbered years.
 
PHYS 446/846P - Modern Physics for High School Teachers - 4 hours
Prereq: PHYS 205 and PHYS 206; or PHYS 275 and PHYS 276
An advanced study of selected topics in electricity and modern physics including introductory concepts in atomic and nuclear physics. Research or design of educational projects will be used to aid in explaining these areas.
 
PHYS 456/856P - Regional Field Studies - 1-4 hours
Prereq: none
Includes visits to specialized research or scientific centers, or expeditions to observe or study special events such as solar eclipses.
 
PHYS 471/871P - Methods in Secondary Science Teaching - 3 hours
Prereq: admission to Teacher Education
This course focuses on the latest trends in science teaching. Emphasis is placed on designing demonstrations, laboratory investigations, test items and other components that promote process and critical thinking skills. Computers are utilized extensively in these activities.
 
PHYS 472/872P - Science Curricula - 1-3 hours
Prereq: none
History of science curricula, introduction to the specifics of selected science curricula, experience working with science curricula materials in junior high or senior high school as well as exposure to several teaching strategies.
 
PHYS 495/895P - Research in Physics - 1-3 hours
Prereq: permission of instructor
A student may accumulate a total of nine hours. Approximately five hours per week for each hour of credit.
 
PHYS 496 - Practicum in Physics Education - 1-3 hours
Prereq: PHYS 205, PHYS 206, PHYS 275, PHYS 276 or permission of instructor
For each credit hour the student will spend approximately three hours per week working as a classroom assistant in an activity-based class and/or doing physics education research.
 
PHYS 499/899P - Problems in Physical Science - 1-3 hours
Prereq: Elementary courses necessary for the problem to be undertaken, permission of instructor
Independent investigation of physical science problems. Three hours of laboratory work each week for each hour of credit.

* This course is the immediate prerequisite. Other preparation is required prior to this immediate prerequisite.

11 May 2006
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