Physics B.S.
Courses
COURSE OFFERINGS IN PHYSICS (PHYS)
Lower Division
100. Physics in the Modern World
Examination of physics and its contemporary use, including topics of: mechanics, electricity, optics, sound, heat and radioactivity. This course is intended for students with little background in science. Four hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Prerequisite: completion of the general education requirement in mathematics, category B1. (GE=B3) (5 units)
121. Basic Concepts of Physics I
First course of a three-course sequence surveying the basic concepts of physics, primarily for students entering fields relating to the biological sciences. This course will cover the basic principles of mechanics. Four hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Prerequisite: MATH 192 or 211, with a grade of "C-" or better. (GE=B3) (5 units)
122. Basic Concepts of Physics II
Continuation of PHYS 121. Topics include electricity, electric circuits and magnetism. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Prerequisite: PHYS 121. (4 units)
123. Basic Concepts of Physics III
Continuation of PHYS 122. Topics include optics, waves and modern physics. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Prerequisite: PHYS 122. (4 units)
150. Introductory Electronics
Introduces electronics for the sciences and engineering. Assumes no experience in electronics and can be taken prior to introductory physics. Focus is on analog electronics: practical circuits, passive and active circuit elements, signal conditioning, test and measurement skills, and a brief introduction to digital electronics. Four hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Prerequisites: a knowledge of trigonometry and exponential functions. (5 units)
152. Introduction to Engineering Design
Introduction to the principles, techniques, and tools of engineering design. Six hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Prerequisites: MATH 120 or a satisfactory score on the Entry Level Mathematics examination, and PHYS 150. (2 units)
221. General Physics I
First course of a five-course sequence in introductory physics for scientists and engineers. This sequence is intended for students with a strong background in mathematics and the sciences. Mechanics. Four hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Prerequisite: MATH 211. Prerequisite or corequisite: MATH 212. (GE=B3) (PHYS 221=CAN PHYS 8) (PHYS 221+222+223+224+ 225=CAN PHYS SEQ C) (5 units)
222. General Physics II
Second course in a five-course sequence in introductory physics for scientists and engineers. Electromagnetism. Four hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Prerequisites: PHYS 221 with a grade of "C" or better, MATH 212. Recommended: MATH 213. (PHYS 222=CAN PHYS 12) (PHYS 221+222+223+224+225= CAN PHYS SEQ C) (5 units)
223. General Physics III
Third course of a five-course sequence in introductory physics for scientists and engineers. Waves and optics. Four hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Prerequisite: PHYS 222 with a grade of "C" or better. (PHYS 221+222+223+224+225= CAN PHYS SEQ C) (5 units)
224. General Physics IV
Fourth course of a five-course sequence in introductory physics for scientists and engineers. Special relativity, kinetic theory and thermodynamics. Three hours lecture. Prerequisite or corequisite: PHYS 223 or consent of instructor. (PHYS 221+222+223+224+225=CAN PHYS SEQ C) (3 units)
225. General Physics V
Fifth course of a five-course sequence in introductory physics for scientists and engineers. Modern physics. Three hours lecture. Formerly PHYS 228. Prerequisite: PHYS 224 with a grade of "C" or better or consent of instructor. (PHYS 221+222+223+224+225=CAN PHYS SEQ C) (3 units)
234. Vector Statics
Two and three dimensional equilibria of frames, machines, and trusses using vector algebra; friction; principles of moments, moments of inertia for areas and masses, centroids and centers of gravity. Prerequisite: PHYS 221. Prerequisite or corequisite: MATH 213. (4 units)
235. Vector Dynamics
Vector treatment of absolute and relative motion of particles and rigid bodies in translating and rotating reference frames. Newton's law of motion, work-energy, impulse-momentum. Prerequisite: PHYS 234 with a grade of "C" or better. Prerequisite or corequisite: MATH 251. (4 units)
295. Special Projects in Physics
Individual investigation, research, study or survey of selected problems. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (1-2 units)
Upper Division
303. Astronomy for Educators
An introductory course in the modern description of our planetary system, stars, galaxies, and models of the universe followed by basic principles and ideas in space science. Three hours lecture. (3 units)
304. Physics in the Classroom
Basic concepts of physics as related to the elementary and middle school classroom. Concepts include mechanics, electricity and magnetism, optics, thermodynamics, and modern physics. One hour lecture and three hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Prerequisite: one college level course in chemistry or earth science. (2 units)
305. Demonstration Laboratory in Physics
A demonstration laboratory exploring the basic principles of physics through individual student demonstration. Three hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Prerequisite or corequisite: PHYS 304. (1 unit)
306. Classical Mechanics I
A continuing study of dynamics with an introduction to advanced formulations. Four hours lecture. Prerequisites: PHYS 225 and one of the following: MATH 373, PHYS 373. (4 units)
307. Classical Mechanics II
A continuation of PHYS 306 with emphasis on systems of particles, and rigid bodies. Four hours lecture. Formerly PHYS 406. Prerequisite: PHYS 306. (4 units)
313. Electrodynamics I
Derivation and applications of Maxwell's equations. Four hours lecture. Prerequisites: PHYS 225 and one of the following: MATH 373 or PHYS 373. (4 units)
314. Electrodynamics II
A continuation of PHYS 313 with advanced applications of Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic waves. Four hours lecture. Formerly PHYS 414. Prerequisite: PHYS 313. (4 units)
315. Introduction to Modern Optics
An introduction to geometrical optics, physical optics and lasers. Four hours lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 313. (4 units)
318. Materials Science and Engineering
Fundamental materials science concepts with applications to include: structure, electrical and thermal properties, phase diagrams, interfaces, and band structure. Four hours lecture. Graded A,B,C/no credit. Prerequisites: CHEM 215, MATH 252 and PHYS 224. (4 units)
324. Statistical and Thermal Physics
Basics of equilibrium thermodynamics including statistical description of physical systems, entropy and temperature, classical and quantum statistical ensembles, thermodynamics, and selected applications. Four hours lecture. Formerly PHYS 424. Prerequisites: MATH 252 and PHYS 225. (4 units)
350. Data Acquisition and Control
An introduction to computer-based data acquisition, control and analysis. Topics include instrument control, graphical programming, algorithm development, feedback control algorithms, and computer-based data analysis. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Prerequisites: CSCI 201, PHYS 150 and 222. (4 units)
352. Advanced Electronics
Advanced analog electronics techniques for science and engineering. Topics include computer-aided circuit design, high frequency techniques, modular circuit design, and computer-experiment interfacing. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Prerequisites: PHYS 350 and one of the following: MATH 373 or PHYS 373. (4 units)
370. Introduction to Astrophysics
Basic principles of stellar structure and evolution, galactic structure, extragalactic astronomy and cosmology. Four hours lecture. Prerequisites: PHYS 225 and one of the following: MATH 373 or PHYS 373. (4 units)
373. Mathematical Methods of Physics I
Vector calculus, Fourier analysis, and ordinary differential equations. Emphasis on techniques applicable to the problems of physics. (Also offered as MATH 373. Students may not receive credit for both.) Prerequisites: PHYS 222 and MATH 252. MATH 331 is recommended. (4 units)
421. Quantum Mechanics I
Introduction to quantum mechanics. Topics include the origins of quantum theory, angular momentum, the Dirac formalism, 2-level systems and the harmonic oscillator. Four hours lecture. Formerly PHYS 322. Prerequisites: PHYS 225, 306, MATH 331, and one of the following: MATH 373 or PHYS 373. (4 units)
422. Quantum Mechanics II
Continued study of the principles of quantum mechanics introduced in PHYS 421. Topics include the axiomatic formulation of quantum mechanics, spin and orbital angular momentum, the Schroedinger equation in three dimensions, approximation methods, and scattering. Prerequisites: PHYS 306, 314, and 421. (4 units)
430. Advanced Physics Laboratory
Selected advanced experiments appropriate to a student's previous preparation. May be repeated for credit. Two hours lecture and six hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Prerequisite: PHYS 313. Recommended: PHYS 421. (4 units)
450. Introduction to Solid State Physics
Basic concepts of solid state physics, including crystal structure; free electron gas model; electronic structure of solids; phonons; properties of metals, insulators and semiconductors; magnetism; superconductivity. Four hours lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 421. (4 units)
461. Introduction to Nuclear Physics
Basic concepts of nuclear structure and reactions, including accelerators and detectors, the nucleon-nucleon force, basic nuclear properties, the shell model, radioactivity, heavy ion reactions and quarks. Four hours lecture. Prerequisites: PHYS 306, 422 and one of the following: MATH 373, PHYS 373. (4 units)
463. Introduction to Elementary Particle Physics
A survey of elementary particle physics, including accelerators, relativistic kinematics, conservation laws, quarks, the standard model, and quantum field theories. Four hours lecture. Prerequisites: PHYS 306, 422 and one of the following: MATH 373, PHYS 373. (4 units)
473. Mathematical Methods of Physics II
A continuation of MATH/PHYS 373. Topics covered include functions of a complex variable and partial differential equations. (Also offered as MATH 473. Students may not receive credit for both.) Prerequisite: MATH 373, or PHYS 373. MATH 331 and PHYS 225 are strongly recommended. (4 units)
480. Topics in Classical Physics
Further treatment of topics in physics introduced in previous courses.
A. Mechanics. Prerequisite: PHYS 307. (4 units)
B. Electrodynamics. Prerequisite: PHYS 314. (4 units)
485. Seminar: Topics in Contemporary Physics
A lecture course on a current topic or on new developments in physics. May be repeated for credit as topics change. (2 units)
573. Mathematical Methods of Physics III
A continuation of MATH/PHYS 473 with emphasis on advanced topics relevant to physics. (Also offered as MATH 573. Students may not receive credit for both.) Prerequisites: MATH 331, and MATH 473 or PHYS 473. (4 units)
585. Internship in Physics
Supervised work and study in physics in private or public setting. May be repeated for up to six units of credit. Graded credit/no credit. Prerequisites: consent of instructor and department. (2-4 units)
590. Physics Seminar
Provides a vehicle for assessing the subject matter competency of physics graduates. May be repeated for credit. A total of two units may be applied towards the major requirements for graduation. Lecture only. Prerequisites: senior standing and consent of department. (1 unit)
595. Independent Study
Research in physics conducted under the direction of a faculty member. A total of six units in PHYS 595 may be applied toward graduation. Prerequisites: a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0, consent of instructor and departmental approval of a written proposal of a project submitted on a standard application filed in advance of the quarter in which the course is to be taken. (1-6 units)
Please refer to the University catalog at http://catalog.csusb.edu for official information.