Courses

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Physics at McNeese State University

"Excellence With A Personal Touch"

Courses:

Phone: 337-475-5760

Fax: 337-475-3058

E-mail: stinnett@mcneese.edu

Physical Science and Geology courses may be found here.

Physics Courses

PHys 001. topics in Physics Lec: 2 Credit: 2

Topics from mechanics, electricity and magnetism, electronics, thermodynamics, radiation, and astronomy covered from the standpoint of problem solving. Open only to students of the Governor''s Program for Gifted Children. Credit is obtainable after entering McNeese State University as a regular student. Prerequisites: One year of high school algebra. Offered occasionally.

PHys 151. Introductory applied physics I: Lec: 3 Lab: 3 Credit: 4

A study of the fundamental principles of physics and their applications. For technical students only. Duplicate credit cannot be given for PHYS 201 or 211. Prerequisites: MATH 113 or MATH 170. Offered regularly.

PHys 152. Introductory applied physics II: lec:3 lab:3 credit: 4

A continuation of Physics 151. For technical students only. Duplicate credit cannot be given for PHYS 202 or PHYS 212. Prerequisites: PH 151.

Phys 200. the mechanical universe: lec: 3 credit: 3

An introductory level physics course that presents the fundamental ideas of classical mechanics. Includes two different types of textbooks and study guides, one designed for science majors and the other for non-science majors. Prerequisite: MATH 170.

PHYS 201. General Physics lec: 3 lab: 3 credit: 4

Thorough treatment of the fundamental principles of mechanics, heat, and sound. Additional credit cannot be earned by taking PHSC 101. Prerequisites: MATH 113 or 170 or permission of department head.

PHYS 202. General Physics lec: 3 lab: 3 credit: 4

This course is a continuation of Physics 201. Electricity, magnetism, light, and modern physics. Additional science credit cannot be earned by taking PHSC 101. Prerequisites: Physics 201 or permission of department head.

PHYS 211. General Physics lec: 3 credit: 3

Basic principles of mechanics, heat, and sound. Additional credit cannot be earned by taking PHYS 201 or PHSC 101. Prerequisites: MATH 190 or permission of department head.

PHYS 211L. General Physics Laboratory lab: 3 credit: 1

Must be taken simultaneously with PHYS 211 unless permission of department head is obtained.

PHYS 212. General Physics lec: 3 credit: 3

A continuation of Physics 211. Basic principles of electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics. Additional credit cannot be earned by taking PHYS 202 or PHSC 101. Prerequisites: PHYS 211.

PHYS 212L. General Physics Laboratory lab: 3 credit: 1

Must be taken simultaneously with PHYS 212 unless permission of department head is obtained.

PHYS 301. General Astronomy lec: 3 lab: 3 credit: 4

Facts, principles, and concepts of the solar system, stars, nebulae, and galaxies for students of both physical sciences and life sciences. Prerequisites: PHYS 201-202.

PHYS 302. General Astronomy lec: 3 lab: 3 credit: 4

Facts, principles, and concepts of the solar system, stars, nebulae, and galaxies for students of both physical sciences and life sciences. Prerequisites: PHYS 201-202.

PHYS 321. Optics lec: 3 lab: 3 credit: 4

A study of the fundamental principles of light with emphasis upon image formation; diffraction and limitations of optical systems; optical material and testing of optical units; optical and image forming instruments; and spectroscopic, interferometer, and polarizing apparatus. Prerequisites: PHYS 201-202 or 211-212. Corequisite: MATH 291.

PHYS 331. Physics of Music lec: 3 credit: 3

A study of the production, propagation, and perception of sound; tone production on the various musical instruments; the physical basis of music theory; the tuning of the musical scales; and the application of electronics to contemporary musical instruments. There will be no formal laboratory sessions, but class demonstrations will be used extensively. Prerequisites: Open only to music majors with junior or senior standing.

PHYS 341. Modern Physics lec: 3 credit: 3

An introduction to the basic concepts of quantum mechanics, with selected applications. Prerequisites: PHYS 211-212. Corequisite: MATH 301.

PHYS 342. Modern Physics lec: 3 credit: 3

An introduction to the basic concepts of quantum mechanics, with selected applications. Prerequisites: PHYS 211-212. Corequisite: MATH 301.

PHYS 351. Introduction to Astrophysics lec: 3 lab: 3

credit: 4

physical properties of the solar system, stellar structure, stellar systems, galaxies, and cosmology, with emphasis on the application of contemporary physics. Prerequisites: PHYS 211-212, PHYS 301-302.

PHYS 370. Advanced Physics Laboratory I lab: 3

credit: 1

A laboratory course in which selected experiments from advanced topics in physics are performed. Prerequisites: Permission of department head.

PHYS 401. Principles of Electricity and Magnetism lec: 3 credit: 3

A vector treatment of the fundamentals of electricity and magnetism including the solution of boundary value problems and Maxwell''s equations. A study of electromagnetic radiation, including plane, spherical, and guided waves; radiation from accelerated charges. Duplicate credit will not be given for PHYS 401-402 and PHYS 501-502. Prerequisites: PHYS 212.

PHYS 402. Principles of Electricity and Magnetism lec: 3 credit: 3

PHYS 411. Nuclear Physics lec: 3 lab: 3 credit: 4

The history of nuclear physics; particles and waves; atomic structure; isotopes and nuclear structure; X-Rays; Gamma Rays; Alpha Rays and Beta particles; particle accelerators and induced transformations; nuclear fission and power; radiation techniques. Prerequisites: PHYS 341-342 or permission of department head.

PHYS 421. Thermodynamics lec: 3 credit: 3

The laws of thermodynamics with emphasis on the conservation and degradation of energy upon its transfer. Includes the deduction of the existence of an absolute temperature and of an entropy function. Duplicate credit will not be given for PHYS 421 and PHYS 521. Prerequisites: PHYS 211 and MATH 291.

PHYS 423. Solid State Physics lec: 3 credit: 3

Properties of the crystalline state, including lattice defects, paramagnetism, ferromagnetism, and anti-ferromagnetism. Band theory of metals, semiconductors, and superconductors. Duplicate credit will not be given for PHYS 423 and PHYS 523. Prerequisites: Corequisite: PHYS 341.

PHYS 431. Physics Seminar credit: 1

Assigned readings, discussions, and reports in an advanced field of physics. Oral presentations are required. Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing.

PHYS 441. Special Problems in Physics credit: 1-3

Special problems in theoretical and laboratory physics. This course may be repeated one time for additional credit. Prerequisites: Advanced standing and permission of department head.

PHYS 451. Classical Mechanics lec: 3 credit: 3

An intermediate course in Newtonian mechanics, including generalized coordinates and equations of motion in Lagrangian form. Duplicate credit will not be given for PHYS 451 and PHYS 551. Prerequisites: PHYS 212. Corequisite: MATH 301.

PHYS 452. Mathematical Physics lec: 3 credit: 3

Mathematical methods of physics with applications to physical problems. Duplicate credit will not be given for PHYS 452 and PHYS 552. Prerequisites: MATH 301 and PHYS 211.

PHYS 461. Physics for High School Teachers lec: 3 lab: 3 credit: 4

PHYS 462. Physics for High School Teachers lec: 3 lab: 3 credit: 4

PHYS 470. Advanced Physics Laboratory II lab: 3 credit: 1

A laboratory course in which selected experiments from advanced topics in physics are performed. Prerequisites: Permission of department head.

PHYS 501. Principles of Electricity and Magnetism lec: 3 credit: 3

The electromagnetic field equations, boundary value problems in electrostatics, magnetostatics, plane, cylindrical, and spherical waves, wave guides; retarded potentials and simple radiating systems; relativistic electrodynamics; radiation from moving charges. Students required to analyze, explore, question, reconsider and synthesize old and new knowledge and skills. Library readings and reports required. Duplicate credit will not be given for PHYS 501-502 and PHYS 401-402. Prerequisites: PHYS 212.

PHYS 502. Principles of Electricity and Magnetism lec: 3 credit: 3

PHYS 521. Thermodynamics lec: 3 credit: 3

A study of the effects of heat and work on gases, liquids, and solids. The equation of state and the first and second laws of thermodynamics are presented with applications to heat engines. An introduction is given to kinetic theory and statistical mechanics. Students required to analyze, explore, question, reconsider and synthesize old and new knowledge and skills. Library readings and reports required. Duplicate credit will not be given for PHYS 521 and PHYS 421. Prerequisites: PHYS 211; MATH 291.

PHYS 523. Solid State Physics lec: 3 credit: 3

Theory and application of solid state devices; binding in molecules and crystals; energy bands, electrons in metals; electrical thermal and magnetic properties of solids; and semiconductor theory. Students required to analyze, explore, question, reconsider and synthesize old and new knowledge and skills. Library readings and reports required. Duplicate credit will not be given for PHYS 523 and PHYS 423. Prerequisites: PHYS 341.

PHYS 551. Classical Mechanics lec: 3 credit: 3

An intermediate course in the dynamics and statics of particles and rigid bodies and the mechanics of materials. An introduction to Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalism, rigid body motion, normal modes. Students required to analyze, explore, question, reconsider and synthesize old and new knowledge and skills. Library readings and reports required. Duplicate credit will not be given for PHYS 551 and PHYS 451. Prerequisites: PHYS 212. Corequisite: MATH 301.

PHYS 552. Mathematical Physics lec: 3 credit: 3

Mathematical methods of physics with emphasis on vector calculus, boundary value problems and linear vector spaces. Students required to analyze, explore, question, reconsider and synthesize old and new knowledge and skills. Library readings and reports required. Duplicate credit will not be given for PHYS 552 and PHYS 452. Prerequisites: MATH 301 and PHYS 211.

PHYS 561. Physics for High School Teachers lec: 3 credit: 3

The basic laws of physics. Student participation through films, demonstrations, and experimental set-ups. The student is acquainted with available literature and materials in the field. Students required to analyze, explore, question, reconsider and synthesize old and new knowledge and skills. Library readings and reports required. Duplicate credit will not be given for PHYS 561-562 and PHYS 461-462.

PHYS 562. Physics for High School Teachers lec: 3 credit: 3