PHYS Courses
Offered by Department of Physics and Physical
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
These courses are to provide 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 132HGS - Einstein's Universe - 4 hours
- Prereq: none
A historical continuation of 130HGS culminating in the current scientific principles
shaping our conception of the universe.
- 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: none
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: none
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 275GS - General Physics (Calculus) - 5 hours
- Prereq: or concurrently with: MATH 115
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: or concurrently with: MATH 115
A continuation of 275 . Topics include electricity, magnetism, light and an introduction
to modern physics.
- 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 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 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 410/810P - Mathematical Techniques in Physics - 4 hours
- Prereq: PHYS 346 or MATH 260
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 415/815P - Theoretical Physics I - 3 hours
- Prereq: PHYS 276GS, MATH 305, PHYS 410
A formal development of Mechanics and Electrodynamic Fields covering the important
principles of theoretical physics. Kinematics and dynamics of particles and of rigid
bodies, and the relativistic formulation of Electrodynamics. Fall only, even years.
- PHYS 416/816P - Theoretical Physics II - 3 hours
- Prereq: PHYS 415
A continuation of PHYS 415/815. A formal development of Mechanics and Electrodynamic
Fields covering the important principles of theoretical physics. Kinematics and dynamics
of particles and of rigid bodies, and the relativistic formulation of Electrodynamics.
Spring only, odd years.
- PHYS 417/817P - Quantum Mechanics - 3 hours
- Prereq: PHYS 416
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
years.
- PHYS 423/823P - Electronics - 4 hours
- Prereq: PHYS 323 or equivalent; ITEC 482, recommended
A continuation of PHYS 323 covering feedback, noise reduction, high frequency circuits and
electro-optical devices.
- PHYS 430/830P - Optics - 4 hours
- Prereq: PHYS 276GS; MATH 305, recommended
Geometric and wave optics including optical instruments. Spring only, odd years.
- PHYS 440/840P - Heat and Thermodynamics - 4 hours
- Prereq: PHYS 410
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 years.
- 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: none
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 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.
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1996-98 UNK Undergraduate Catalog