Course Descriptions

Physics Courses (Phyx)

Phyx 1000 (BPS). Introductory Astronomy. Exploration of solar system and universe. Laws of motion, fundamental interactions, structure of matter, electromagnetic radiation, and conceptual models of celestial motions. Conceptual and quantitative homework problems and exams, along with writing assignments and observation reports, are required. Facility with high school mathematics is expected. (3 cr)

Phyx 1020 (BPS). Energy. Study of energy resources, utilization, conversion, and conservation, including energy balance and flow in biological and geological systems. Social impacts of energy resource development, including public policy and planning. Prerequisites: At least one university-level mathematics or statistics course, and completion of computer and information literacy examination. (3 cr)

Phyx 1030 (BPS). Intelligent Life in the Universe. Study of the likelihood of extraterrestrial intelligence and its probable locations. Nature and evolution of life on Earth, as well as stellar evolution and planetary environments. Discussion of psychology of UFO phenomena. Prerequisites: At least one university-level mathematics or statistics course, and completion of computer and information literacy examination. (3 cr)

Phyx 1040. From Atoms to Ants. Examines structure and organization of matter, from the small to the large, and inquires into how such seemingly nonphysical phenomena as living, social, and mental activity may be related to the behavior of the atom. Extensive use of computer simulations to explore aspects of the material. Knowledge of programming not required. Cannot be taken for University Studies credit. Prerequisites: At least one university-level mathematics or statistics course, and completion of computer and information literacy examination. (3 cr)

Phyx 1100 (BPS). Great Ideas in Physics. Descriptive introduction to the principles underlying contemporary physics. Great ideas will include relativity and quantum mechanics and such consequences and applications as the twin paradox, black holes, nuclear energy, magnetic imaging, lasers, superconductivity, and the paradox of Schrodinger’s cat. Facility with high school algebra is expected. (3 cr)

Phyx 1200 (BPS). Introduction to Physics by Hands-on Exploration. Explores structure of matter, electricity and magnetism, light, and sound through hands-on, inquiry- based activities. Facility with high school algebra is expected. Required laboratory. (4 cr)

Phyx 1800 (BPS). Physics of Technology. Overview of the classical physics on which industrial technology is based. Elements of kinematics, forces, energy, momentum, thermodynamics, electric and magnetic fields, waves, and optics. Required laboratory. Prerequisites: Math 1050 and 1060. (4 cr) Phyx 2110. The Physics of Living Systems I. Study of kinematics and dynamics of particles and systems of particles. Introduction to Newton’s Laws of motion, momentum and energy conservation, rotations, and thermodynamics, with applications in biology and biotechnology. Required recitation and lab. Prerequisite: Math 1100 or 1210. (4 cr)

Phyx 2120 (BPS). The Physics of Living Systems II. Introduction to electromagnetism, optics, and quantum phenomena—including the microscopic structure of matter, with applications in biology and biotechnology. Required recitation and lab. Prerequisite: Math 1100 or 1210, Phyx 2110. (4 cr)

Phyx 2200. Elements of Mechanics. Calculus-based introduction to particle mechanics. Kinematics, Newton’s laws of motion, momentum, work and energy, and angular momentum. Required recitation and lab. Prerequisite: Math 1210. (2 cr)

Phyx 2210 (QI). General Physics—Science and Engineering I. Calculus-based introduction to Newton’s Laws of motion, momentum and energy conservation, rotations, oscillations, and thermodynamics, with applications in the physical sciences and technology. Required recitation and lab. Prerequisite: Math 1210. (4 cr)

Phyx 2220 (QI). General Physics—Science and Engineering II. Calculus-based introduction to electromagnetism, waves, optics, and modern physics, with applications in the physical sciences and technology. Required recitation and lab. Prerequisites: Math 1210; Phyx 2200 or 2210, or a minimum score of 4 on the AP B exam, or a minimum score of 3 on the AP C (mechanics) exam. (4 cr)

Phyx 2500. Introduction to Computer Methods in Physics. Introduction to computer assistance in physics. Topics include: (1) use of numerical, graphical, and symbolic manipulation software to solve physics problems; and (2) interfacing computers to instrumentation for control and data acquisition. Prerequisite: Phyx 2110 or 2210 or 2220. (2 cr)

Phyx 2710. Introductory Modern Physics. Overview of modern physics at the intermediate level. Focuses on principles and applications of relativity and quantum mechanics, including a discussion of atomic, solid state, and particle physics. Prerequisites: Math 1220, Phyx 2120 or 2220. (3 cr)

Phyx 3010 (QI, DSC). Space Exploration from Earth to the Solar System. Comparative introduction to the Earth and other planets in our solar system, including geological structure and atmosphere. Emphasis on space exploration methods, including spacecraft and detection instrumentation. Examines latest results of Mars missions, Jupiter and Saturn exploration, etc. Prerequisite: Completion of quantitative literacy and physical sciences breadth. (3 cr)

Phyx 3020 (DSC). Great Scientists. Lives and work of men and women responsible for scientific revolution: Maxwell (loved children), Einstein (despised authority), Curie (suffered discrimination against women), Schrodinger (fled from Hitler), Watson and Crick (the DNA story), Feynman (lock picker), Rubin (as a young girl built her own telescope), and others. Prerequisite: USU 1350. (3 cr)

Phyx 3030 (QI, DSC). The Universe. Study of properties and origin of the universe, based on Einstein’s theory of gravity. Topics include curved space-time; black holes, white holes, and worm holes; the big bang; multiple universes; and the births of stars, galaxies, heavy atoms, and planets. Prerequisite: Completion of quantitative literacy and Phyx 1000. (3 cr)

Phyx 3040 (QI). Space Weather—Dangers to the High-Tech World. Space weather can be as destructive to high technology as ordinary weather is to property and crops. Examines increasing vulnerability of society to events in space resulting from changes on the Sun and from human activity. Explores how we learn about space weather with satellites, radars, lidars, and numerical models. Prerequisite: Completion of quantitative literacy and physical sciences breadth. (3 cr)

Phyx 3500. Topics in Physics (Topic). Introduces and explores issues in contemporary physics at intermediate undergraduate level. Focuses on phenomena and experimental methods. Prerequisite: Phyx 2710. (1-3 cr) ®

Phyx 3550. Intermediate Classical Mechanics. Newton’s laws of motion, accelerated reference frames, work and energy, systems of particles, rigid body rotation, central force problem, and harmonic oscillations. Prerequisites: Phyx 2710, Math 2210; Math 2250 (may be taken concurrently). (3 cr)

Phyx 3600. Intermediate Electromagnetism. Electrostatics, electric potential, current, magnetostatics, induction, AC curcuits, Maxwell’s equations, and electromagnetic waves. Prerequisites: Phyx 2710, Math 2210; Math 2250 (may be taken concurrently). (3 cr)

Phyx 3650. Optics. Geometric optics, interference, diffraction, aberration, polarization, and topics in contemporary optics. Prerequisite: Phyx 2710. (3 cr)

Phyx 3700. Thermal Physics. Rigorous treatment of laws of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. Concepts of work, temperature, heat, energy, and entropy; and their application to reversible and irreversible processes. Criteria for equilibrium. Prerequisite: Phyx 2710. (3 cr)

Phyx 3750. Foundations of Wave Phenomena. Survey of wave phenomena in physics, with emphasis on application of mathematical techniques to the wave equation, Schrodinger equation, and Maxwell equations. Prerequisites: Phyx 2710, Math