PHYSICS
Undergraduate Catalog 2008-2010 PRINT PAGE
Dr. Rick McDaniel, Chair; Dr. Clardy, Mr. Duke, Dr. Miller, Dr. Mollere
Physics students acquire technology-based, problem-solving skills in a traditional liberal arts context. Following graduation, students find these skills in demand for careers such as science teaching, technical management, software or hardware engineering. Other physics graduates gain admission to graduate programs and continue their studies in specialized fields such as medical physics, meteorology, astrophysics, engineering, or geophysics.
The department works in close cooperation with the Physics Department of Ouachita Baptist University. Students take advanced courses on both campuses receiving the benefit of access to both departments.
Major Requirements For the Bachelor of Science Degree
| First Year |
|
|
| PHY |
2234 |
University Physics I |
| PHY |
2244 |
University Physics II |
| Second Year |
|
|
| PHY |
3053 |
General Astronomy |
| PHY |
3083 |
Mechanics |
| PHY |
3053 |
General Astronomy |
| Third Year |
|
|
| PHY |
3173 |
Electromagnetic Fields & Optics |
| PHY |
4343 |
Digital Electronics |
| Fourth Year |
|
|
| PHY |
4273 |
Quantum Mechanics |
| PHY |
4343 |
Cosmology & Astrophysics |
In addition, two one-semester laboratory courses (PHY 3201 and PHY 4251) plus a three-semester-hour capstone research project (PHY 4313) are required. The Bachelor of Science degree requires a total of 32 semester-hour credits in physics.
Minor Requirements: Fourteen hours of physics or engineering courses which must include at least one of the following:
PHY 3053, PHY 3103, PHY 3083, or EGR 2253. PHY 1024 does not count toward the minor.
Courses in Physics
PHY 1024. Introduction to Astronomy. A general education course for non-science majors. The methods, history, and philosophy of science are studied in the context of modern astronomy. Ideas are emphasized through periodic planetarium presentations as the course traces human understanding from prehistory to the edges of the known cosmos. Laboratory activities include outdoor observation sessions. No prerequisites are required.
PHY 2034. General Physics I. An introductory course in the fundamental principles of mechanics, heat and sound with an emphasis on problem solving.
PHY 2044. General Physics II. A continuation of PHY 2034. Fundamentals of electricity, magnetism and light. Prerequisite: PHY 2034.
PHY 2234. University Physics I. An introductory course in mechanics, heat, and sound intended for students of science and engineering who are taking an introductory calculus course concurrently. Corequisite: Calculus I.
PHY 2244. University Physics II. A continuation of PHY 2234. An introductory course in electricity, magnetism, and light. Prerequisite: PHY 2234 or PHY 2034 and Calculus I.
PHY 2363. Statics. Composition and resolution of forces; equilibrium of force systems; application of general laws of statics to engineering problems, including use of vector algebra, friction and force analyses of simple structures, cables, and machine elements; center of gravity; moments of inertia. Prerequisite: PHY 2234.
PHY 3053. (WI) General Astronomy. A study of the solar system, stars, clusters, nebulae, gravitation, instrumentation, and the search for life beyond earth. Includes observation sessions and development of planetarium activities. Prerequisite: PHY 2034 or PHY 2234 or the equivalent.
PHY 3083. Mechanics. Designed to develop a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles of mechanics. Treating in detail such problems as the harmonic oscillator and the motion of a particle under a central force, Lagrange’s Equation. Prerequisites: PHY 2234 or PHY 2034 and Calculus I.
PHY 3103. Modern Physics. An introduction to the topics of modern physics, including relativity, atomic physics, quantum mechanics, condensed-matter physics, nuclear physics, and elementary particles. Prerequisite: PHY 2244.
PHY 3103L. Modern Physics Laboratory.
PHY 3173. Electromagnetic Fields and Optics. This course is a study of the properties of electric and magnetic fields. Behavior of dielectrics, conductors, superconductors, diamagnetic materials, paramagnetic materials and ferromagnetic materials is considered. Theories of electromagnetic radiation based on Maxwell’s Equations and Fermat’s Principle are applied to explain optical phenomena such as scattering, reflection, refraction, diffraction, and interference. Prerequisite: PHY 2244 or PHY 2044 and Calculus I.
PHY 3201. (WI) Laboratory Physics. Experiments in the principles of physics designed for the junior physics student. Experiments in modern physics, mechanics and optics. Corequisite: Registration in or completion of a 3000 or 4000 level physics course.
PHY 3233. Geophysics. This course introduces the basic theory of geophysical instrumentation, data collection and reduction, and interpretation. The basic laws of physics are applied to study the internal characteristics of the earth such as geomagnetism, paleomagnetism, geogravity, earth tides, elastic waves, earthquake processes, and radioactivity.
PHY 3323. Applied Acoustics. The physical nature of vibration and its relation to music, speech, and hearing. Vibratory sources of sound used in music, mechanics of hearing, electronic recording, reproducing and synthesizing sound.
PHY 3333. Electricity and Magnetism. A study of the principles of electricity
and magnetism to include electrostatics, electrodynamics and magnetic theory. Prerequisite: Registration in or completion of a 3000 or 4000 level physics course.
PHY 3434. Digital Electronics. Topics covered include: binary and hex arithmetic, boolean algebra, logic gates, transistors and diodes, logic families, flip-flops, counters, power supplies, comparators, A-D, D-A converters, digital instruments. Meets for three lecture periods and a twohour laboratory period per week. Prerequisites: University Physics I and II.
PHY 4093. Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics. A unified development of the basic principles of thermodynamics, statistical mechanics and kinetic theory. Prerequisites: PHY 3083.
PHY 4183. Electromagnetic Fields. Vector Analysis applied to electromagnetic fields; dielectric and magnetic materials; Maxwell's equations; radiation. Prerequisite: PHY 3083.
PHY 4211-3. Independent Research.
PHY 4251. (WI) Laboratory Physics. Experiments in optics, nuclear, atomic, and molecular physics using modern instrumentation and equipment. Prerequisite or corequisite: Registration in or completion of a 3000 or 4000 level physics course.
PHY 4261. Laboratory Physics. Experiments in low temperature, solid state, nuclear physics, and electronics stressing the development of the independent research ability of the physics student. Prerequisite: PHY 4251.
PHY 4273. Introduction to Quantum Mechanics. Solution of the Schroedinger equation for free particles, the hydrogen atom, and the harmonic oscillator. Introduction to Dirac formalism and approximation methods including the variational principle and perturbation theory. Prerequisite: PHY 3103.
PHY 4283. Advanced Mechanics. A continuation of PHY 3083. Rigid bodies; moving coordinate systems; continuous media; Lagrange's Equations. Prerequisites: PHY 3083
PHY 4293. (WI) Nonwestern Cosmology. This course develops insight into how the cosmological world-view affects and reflects aesthetics, morality, religion, politics, sexuality and other aspects of human experience. People of every culture view the same sky and extrapolate these observations into a story that explains their place in the cosmos. Case studies include native American, ancient nonwestern, medieval and Islamic cosmologies.
PHY 4311-3. Independent Study. Independent work in physics under direct supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisite: Departmental approval.
PHY 4343. Astrophysics and Cosmology. A unified study of relationships between natural physical laws and the structure and evolution of the cosmos. The course surveys recent results from observational astronomy and related applications of quantum theory, nuclear physics, field theory, particle physics, and general relativity. Prerequisite: PHY 3083 or PHY 3103 or PHY 3173 or departmental approval.
PHY 4444. Computer Organization and Peripheral Interfacing. Topics covered include: microprocessor architecture, memory, bus structures, bus timing, interrupts, interface adapters, controllers, direct memory access, serial communications. Meets for three lecture periods and a twohour laboratory period per week. Prerequisite: Digital Electronics