Physics

We live in a world governed by physical laws. As a result we have become accustomed to objects'92 motions being in accordance with these laws. This course examines the basic physics and mathematics governing natural phenomena, such as light, weight, inertia, friction, momentum, and thrust as a practical introduction to applied math and physics. Students explore geometry, trigonometry for cyclical motions, and physical equations of motion for bodies moving under the influence of forces. With these tools, students develop a broader understanding of the impact of mathematics and physics on their daily lives.

This is an algebra based physics course that builds upon basic mechanics to examine the physics of music and sound, including interactions with human sensation and perception.

This calculus-based course presents the fundamental principles of mechanics, including kinematics, Newtonian dynamics, work and energy, momentum, and rotational motion.

This course presents the concepts of PHY 200 in the laboratory. The experiments allow the student to experience the laws of basic physics involving linear motion, force, gravitation, conservation of energy, conservation of momentum, collisions, rotational motion, and springs. Error analysis and data reduction techniques are taught and required in experimental reports.

This calculus-based course presents the fundamentals of fluid dynamics, oscillations, waves, geometric optics, and thermodynamics.

This course presents the concepts of PHY 250 in the laboratory. The experiments allow students to experience the physical laws involving oscillations, waves, sound, interference, lift, drag, heat, optics, and entropy. Extended error analysis and statistics are taught and required in experimental reports.

This calculus-based course presents the basic concepts of electromagnetism, including electric fields, magnetic fields, electromagnetic forces, DC and AC circuits, and Maxwell'92s equations.

This course presents the concepts of PHY 270 in the laboratory. The experiments allow students to experience the physical laws involving electric fields, electric potential, electric current, electric charge, capacitance, current, resistance, inductance, circuits, and magnetism. Error analysis and statistics are taught and required in experimental reports.

The wake of modern physics has given rise to massive technological advancements that have changed our daily lives. This course covers many of the modern issues within the field, with an emphasis placed on the problem-solving nature of physics. The class is a calculus-based scientific examination of topics from general relativity and quantum mechanics through nuclear physics, high energy physics and astrophysics.

This course covers the physics behind more complex mechanical interactions as well as the numerical techniques required to approximate the systems for simulations. A thorough analysis of mechanical systems through energy analysis provides the basis for the understanding of linear and rotational systems. n The combination of theoretical physics and numerical methods provide students with the background for simulating physical systems with limited computational power. Topics covered include Lagrangian Dynamics, Hamilton'92s Equations, dynamics of rigid bodies, motion in non-inertial reference frames, the use of the inertia tensor, collision resolution, and numerical techniques including methods of approximation.

This course uses fundamental physics to explore topics related to sound and vibration. The simple harmonic oscillator and the generic wave equation will be used to derive acoustic wave equations in three dimensions. Solutions to the acoustic wave equations will be explored.

This course uses the tools of physics to explore sound generation, propagation, and detection. Particular attention is given to methods used by humans in each of these areas.

The content of this course may change each time it is offered. n It is for the purpose of offering a new or specialized course of interest to the faculty and students that is not covered by the courses in the current catalog.

This class covers the topics in dynamics modeling techniques, including methods in the calculus of variations, Hamilton'92s principle, Lagrangian dynamics, Hamiltonian dynamics, motion in a non-inertial reference frame, dynamics of rigid bodies (moments of inertia, inertia tensor, and stability), collision resolution (impact parameters, scattering, and restitution), and physics of continuous bodies (elasticity, deformation, stress, and strain).

The content of this course may change each time it is offered. n It is for the purpose of offering a new or specialized course of interest to the faculty or students that is not covered by the courses in the current catalog.