Offered by Department of Physics and Physical
Science
College of Natural and Social Sciences
PHYS Courses
- 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 131HGS traces the development of
scientific thought from pre-history to the eighteenth century while PHYS 132HGS traces this
development from the end of the Scientific Revolution to the twenty-first century. An associated laboratory, using inquiry-oriented
activities, allows students to experience the process of science.
-
- 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 209GS - Meteorology - 3 hours
- Prereq: MATH 102* or permission of instructor
Basic principles of weather including a study of the atmosphere's origin, composition, circulation patterns, energy budget and its
role in the hydrologic cycle. Topics include: instruments for observation, precipitation process, wave cyclones, jet streams,
tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning, weather forecasting, weather modification and applications of meteorology to air pollution,
agriculture, aviation and environmental issues of global warming and ozone depletion.
- 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
- Take concurrently with PHYS 213*.
- PHYS 275GS - General Physics (Calculus) - 5 hours
- Prereq or Coreq: 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 275GS*. Topics include electricity, magnetism, light and an
introduction to modern physics.
- PHYS 277 - Engineering Mechanics - Statics - 3 hours
- Prereq: PHYS 275GS*,
MATH 202*
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. Spring odd years.
- PHYS 299 - Freshman Seminar in Physics: History, State of the Art and Perspectives - 1 hour
- Prereq: none
This seminar is a non-mathematical discussion of 21st century physics (potentially including topics such as relativity, chaos,
elementary particles, etc.)
-
- 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. Spring odd years.
- 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 odd-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 even-numbered years.
- PHYS 410 - 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. Spring only.
- PHYS 417 - 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 - 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 - Optics - 4 hours
- Prereq: PHYS 276GS*
Geometric and wave optics including optical instruments. Prior completion of MATH 305 is
recommended. Spring only, even-numbered years.
- PHYS 440 - 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 - Modern Physics for High School Teachers - 4 hours
- Prereq: PHYS 205GS, PHYS 206GS OR
PHYS 275GS, PHYS 276GS
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 - Regional Field Study - 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 - 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 - 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 490 - Special Topics - 1-4 hours
- Prereq: permission of instructor
Topics are studied which are not covered in other courses offered by the department. The format will vary depending upon the nature
of the topic and the instructor but will typically be a lecture/demonstration format with laboratory work included as appropriate.
- PHYS 495 - 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 205GS, PHYS 206GS,
PHYS 275GS, PHYS 276GS 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 - 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.
