2004-2005 Physics Program

2004 - 2005 Physics Program (PHYS)

Faculty: Christopher Cline, Peter Conwell

Program Goals

Students should develop a good functional understanding of physics, including mechanics, electricity & magnetism, quantum physics, statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, optics, and relativity.
Students should develop expert-like problem solving skills.
Students should develop critical thinking and reasoning skills.
Students should develop laboratory skills.
Students should develop technology skills.
Students should improve their communication, interpersonal, and questioning skills.
Students should develop and/or retain student cognitive attitudes and beliefs (expectations) that are favorable for learning physics with deep understanding.

Objectives

The Physics Program offers an academic and a teaching major leading to the Bachelor of Science Degree. In addition, the program offers an academic and a teaching minor in physics. A Physical Science composite major is offered for students seeking a physical science composite endorsement for secondary education. The program is designed to meet the need of (1) students intending to specialize in physics and pursue graduate work in physics, engineering, material science, or biophysics; (2) students preparing for a professional career in science and engineering; (3) students desiring to broaden their knowledge of the natural world; and (4) students who wish to teach at the secondary level.

Program Requirements

Students choosing a double major or minor within the science program may not apply electives to more than one major or minor. Only classes listed under "required courses" that coincide between both majors/minors may be applied to both.

Students must maintain a cumulative 2.3 GPA or better in courses required in the academic and teaching majors.

For course prerequisites, please refer to the course description.

Academic Major

Liberal Education Courses	Credit Hours
The "Group 2: Physical Sciences" LE requirement is fulfilled by meeting major requirements.

Requirement Description		Credit Hours
I.	Foreign Language Requirement	8
	Physics majors must complete eight credit hours in a single foreign language.	8
II.	Lower Division Physics Courses	8
	PHYS 211 Physics for Scientists and Engineers I and Lab PHYS 212 Physics for Scientists and Engineers II and Lab	4 4
III.	Upper Division Physics Courses	27
	PHYS 305 Optics and Electronics PHYS 309 Mathematical Methods of Physics PHYS 311 Analytical Mechanics PHYS 410 Quantum Mechanics PHYS 411 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics PHYS 425 Quantum Physics PHYS 431 Electrodynamics	4 4 4 4 4 3 4
IV.	Required Courses from Other Programs	24
	CHEM 111 Principles of Chemistry I and Lab CHEM 112 Principles of Chemistry II and Lab MATH 201 Calculus I MATH 202 Calculus II MATH 204 Linear Algebra and Differential Equations MATH 303 Multivariate Calculus	4 4 4 4 4 4
TOTAL HOURS FOR THE ACADEMIC MAJOR *Note: CMPT 201, MATH 311, 363 and PHYS 301 are highly recommended.		67

Academic Minor

Requirement Description		Credit Hours
I.	Required Courses	20
	CHEM 111 Principles of Chemistry I and Lab CHEM 112 Principles of Chemistry II and Lab PHYS 211 Physics for Scientists and Engineers I and Lab PHYS 212 Physics for Scientists and Engineers II and Lab PHYS 305 Optics and Electronics	4 4 4 4 4
II.	Electives	4
	Additional course work in Physics selected from courses numbered 300 or above	4
TOTAL HOURS FOR THE ACADEMIC MINOR		24

Teaching Major

Liberal Education Courses	Credit Hours
The following courses, which fulfill LE requirements, are required for the Physics Teaching major: PHYS 102 Introduction to the Physical Universe, LE	3

Requirement Description		Credit Hours
I.	Foreign Language Requirement	8
	Physics Teaching majors must complete eight credit hours in a single foreign language.	8
II.	Lower Division Physics Courses	11
	PHYS 102 Introduction to the Physical Universe, LE PHYS 211 Physics for Scientists and Engineers I and Lab PHYS 212 Physics for Scientists and Engineers II and Lab	3 4 4
III.	Upper Division Physics Courses	22
	PHYS 301 Introduction to Modern Physics PHYS 305 Optics and Electronics PHYS 309 Mathematical Methods of Physics PHYS 311 Analytical Mechanics PHYS 352 Methods of Teaching Physical Sciences PHYS 411 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics	3 4 4 4 3 4
IV.	Required Courses from Other Programs	16
	CHEM 111 Principles of Chemistry I and Lab CHEM 112 Principles of Chemistry II and Lab MATH 201 Calculus I MATH 202 Calculus II	4 4 4 4
TOTAL HOURS FOR THE TEACHING MAJOR		57

The following courses are highly recommended: HON 221, 222; MATH 303, 311, 363; PHYS 431.

Teaching Minor

Requirement Description		Credit Hours
I.	Required Courses	22
	MATH 201 Calculus I MATH 202 Calculus II PHYS 211 Physics for Scientists and Engineers I and Lab PHYS 212 Physics for Scientists and Engineers II and Lab PHYS 301 Introduction to Modern Physics PHYS 352 Methods of Teaching Physical Sciences	4 4 4 4 3 3
II.	Electives	8
	Two additional courses selected from: PHYS 305 Optics and Electronics PHYS 311 Analytical Mechanics PHYS 410 Quantum Mechanics PHYS 411 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics PHYS 431 Electrodynamics	4 4 4 4 4
TOTAL HOURS FOR THE TEACHING MINOR		30

Physical Science Composite Major

This is a broader program than either Physics or Chemistry, intended for the preparation of junior high physical science majors and physical earth teachers. Composite teaching majors should choose two of their three courses above 300 from areas other than Mathematics or Computer Science.

Liberal Education Courses	Credit Hours
The "Group 2: Physical Sciences" LE requirement is fulfilled by meeting major requirements.

Requirement Description		Credit Hours
I.	Foreign Language Requirement	8
	Physical Science Composite majors must complete eight credit hours in a single foreign language.	8
II.	Lower Division Physical Science Courses	23
	AVIA 303 Meteorology CHEM 111 Principles of Chemistry I and Lab CHEM 112 Principles of Chemistry II and Lab ESS 110 Introduction to Geology, LE PHYS 211 Physics for Scientists and Engineers I and Lab PHYS 212 Physics for Scientists and Engineers II and Lab	4 4 4 3 4 4
III.	Upper Division Physical Science Courses	14
	CHEM 306 Quantitative Analysis PHYS 301 Introduction to Modern Physics PHYS 305 Optics and Electronics PHYS 352 Methods of Teaching Physical Sciences	4 3 4 3
IV.	Electives	12
	Three courses numbered 300 or above in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, or Physics or from the following: AVIA 410 Flight Theory I (4) PHIL 300 Topics in Mathematical Logic (3) PHIL 300 Theories of Language (1 - 4) Recommended courses: BIOL 404 Ecology (4) HON 221 Natural Science I (4) HON 222 Natural Science II (4) PHYS 102 Introduction to the Physical Universe, LE (3)	12
TOTAL HOURS FOR THE COMPOSITE MAJOR		57