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Physics Courses

Phys 100 Fundamentals of Physics (3 cr)

Phys 100L Fundamentals of Physics Lab (1 cr)

Phys 103 General Astronomy (3 cr)

Phys 104 Astronomy Lab (1 cr)

Phys 111 General Physics I (3 cr)

Phys 111L General Physics I Lab (1 cr)

Phys 112 General Physics II (3 cr)

Phys 112L General Physics II Lab (1 cr)

Phys 200 (s) Physics Seminar (1 cr, max 8)

Phys 211 Engineering Physics I (3 cr)

Phys 211L Engineering Physics I Lab (1 cr)

Phys 212 Engineering Physics II (3 cr)

Phys 212L Engineering Physics II Lab (1 cr)

Phys 213 Engineering Physics III (3 cr)

Phys 213L Engineering Physics III Lab (1 cr)

Phys 301 Junior Physics Lab (2 cr)

Phys 305 Modern Physics (3 cr)

Phys 321 Analytical Mechanics (3 cr)

Phys 322 Analytical Mechanics (3 cr)

Phys 341 Electromagnetic Fields I (3 cr)

Phys 342 Electromagnetic Fields II (3 cr)

Phys 351 Introductory Quantum Mechanics I (3 cr)

Phys 371 Mathematical Physics (3 cr)

Phys 400 (s) Seminar (cr arr)

Phys 403 (s) Workshop (cr arr)

Phys 404 (s) Special Topics (cr arr)

Phys 411 Physical Instrumentation I (3 cr)

Phys 412 Physical Instrumentation II (3 cr)

Phys J425/J525 Relativity (3 cr)

Phys J428/J528 Numerical Methods (3 cr)

Phys J433/ID&WS-J533 Thermal and Statistical Physics I (3 cr) WSU Phys 533

Phys J443/J543 Optics (3 cr)

Phys J444/J544 Quantum Optics (3 cr)

Phys J464/J564 Materials Physics and Engineering (3 cr)

Phys ID&WS-J465/ID&WS-J565 Particle and Nuclear Physics (3 cr) WSU Phys 465/565

Phys ID&WS-J484/J584 Astrophysics (3 cr) WSU Astr 435

Phys 490 Research (1-6 cr, max 6)

Phys 499 (s) Directed Study (cr arr)

Phys 500 Master's Research and Thesis (cr arr)

Phys 501 (s) Seminar (cr arr)

Phys 502 (s) Directed Study (cr arr)

Phys 503 (s) Workshop (cr arr)

Phys 504 (s) Special Topics (cr arr)

Phys 511 Techniques of Experimental Physics (3 cr)

Phys ID&WS521 Advanced Mechanics (3 cr) WSU Phys 521

Phys 525 Relativity (3 cr)

Phys 528 Numerical Methods (3 cr)

Phys ID&WS533 Thermal and Statistical Physics I (3 cr) WSU Phys 533

Phys ID&WS541 Electromagnetic Theory (3 cr) WSU Phys 541

Phys ID&WS542 Electromagnetic Theory (3 cr) WSU Phys 542

Phys 543 Optics (3 cr)

Phys 544 Quantum Optics (3 cr)

Phys ID&WS550 Quantum Mechanics (3 cr) WSU Phys 550

Phys ID&WS551 Quantum Mechanics (3 cr) WSU Phys 551

Phys 564 Materials Physics and Engineering (3 cr)

Phys ID&WS565 Particle and Nuclear Physics (3 cr)

Phys ID&WS571 Mathematical Methods of Physics (3 cr) WSU Phys 571

Phys 584 Astrophysics (3 cr)

Phys 600 Doctoral Research and Dissertation (cr arr)

David N McIlroy, Dept. Chair, Dept. of Physics; (323 Engineering/Physics Bldg. 83844-0903; phone 208/885-5768; physics@uidaho.edu)

Credit Limitations: Phys 100 carries no credit after Phys 111 or Phys 211; Phys 111 carries no credit after Phys 211; Phys 112 carries no credit after Phys 212.

Phys 100 Fundamentals of Physics (3 cr)

May be used as core credit in J-3-b. For students in nontechnical fields. Conceptual study of laws of nature and their application, including mechanics, heat, electricity and magnetism, light, and modern physics. Three lec and one 2-hr lab a wk. (Spring only)

Phys 100L Fundamentals of Physics Lab (1 cr)

May be used as core credit in J-3-b. For students in nontechnical fields. Conceptual study of laws of nature and their application, including mechanics, heat, electricity and magnetism, light, and modern physics. Three lec and one 2-hr lab a wk. (Spring only)

Phys 103 General Astronomy (3 cr)

May be used as core credit in J-3-b. Descriptive and physical astronomy; development of astronomical thought; properties and evolution of the solar system, stars, galaxies, and the universe. (Fall only)

Phys 104 Astronomy Lab (1 cr)

May be used as core credit in J-3-b. Naked eye, telescopic, and photographic observations of constellations, stars, and planets. One 2-hr lab a wk; some evening meetings.

Prereq or Coreq: Phys 103

Phys 111 General Physics I (3 cr)

May be used as core credit in J-3-b. Kinematics, forces and dynamics, conservation laws, thermodynamics, waves. Three lec, one recitation, and one 2-hr lab a wk.

Prereq: Math 143

Phys 111L General Physics I Lab (1 cr)

May be used as core credit in J-3-b. Kinematics, forces and dynamics, conservation laws, thermodynamics, waves. Three lec, one recitation, and one 2-hr lab a wk.

Prereq: Math 143

Phys 112 General Physics II (3 cr)

May be used as core credit in J-3-b. Electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics. Three lec, one recitation, and one 2-hr lab a wk.

Prereq: Phys 111/111L

Phys 112L General Physics II Lab (1 cr)

May be used as core credit in J-3-b. Electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics. Three lec, one recitation, and one 2-hr lab a wk.

Prereq: Phys 111/111L

Phys 200 (s) Physics Seminar (1 cr, max 8)

Introductory-level discussion of topics in modern physics; introduction to physics research topics and scientific information search techniques; written and/or oral reports of a pertinent topic in current physics. (Fall only)

Phys 211 Engineering Physics I (3 cr)

May be used as core credit in J-3-b. Kinematics and dynamics, Newton's laws, work and energy, rotational dynamics, linear and angular momentum, collisions, static equilibrium, oscillations, gravity and central forces. Three lec, one recitation, and one 2-hr lab a wk.

Prereq or Coreq: Math 170

Phys 211L Engineering Physics I Lab (1 cr)

May be used as core credit in J-3-b. Kinematics and dynamics, Newton's laws, work and energy, rotational dynamics, linear and angular momentum, collisions, static equilibrium, oscillations, gravity and central forces. Three lec, one recitation, and one 2-hr lab a wk.

Prereq or Coreq: Math 170

Phys 212 Engineering Physics II (3 cr)

May be used as core credit in J-3-b. Electric fields and potentials, magnetic fields, capacitance and inductance, DC and AC circuits, electromagnetic waves. Three lec, one recitation, and one 2-hr lab a wk.

Prereq: Phys 211/211L

Prereq or Coreq: Math 175

Phys 212L Engineering Physics II Lab (1 cr)

May be used as core credit in J-3-b. Electric fields and potentials, magnetic fields, capacitance and inductance, DC and AC circuits, electromagnetic waves. Three lec, one recitation, and one 2-hr lab a wk.

Prereq: Phys 211/211L

Prereq or Coreq: Math 175

Phys 213 Engineering Physics III (3 cr)

Fluid dynamics, waves in elastic media, sound waves, temperature, heat and thermodynamics, kinetic theory, geometric and physical optics. Three lec, one recitation, and one 2-hr lab a wk. (Spring only)

Prereq: Phys 211/211L

Prereq or Coreq: Math 175

Phys 213L Engineering Physics III Lab (1 cr)

Fluid dynamics, waves in elastic media, sound waves, temperature, heat and thermodynamics, kinetic theory, geometric and physical optics. Three lec, one recitation, and one 2-hr lab a wk. (Spring only)

Prereq: Phys 211/211L

Prereq or Coreq: Math 175

Phys 301 Junior Physics Lab (2 cr)

Experimental techniques in modern physics, including optics, atomic, nuclear, and solid state physics; computer uses, error analysis, and scientific literature searches. One 1-hr lec and one 3-hr lab a wk. (Spring only)

Prereq: Phys 213/213L or Permission

Phys 305 Modern Physics (3 cr)

Quantum and relativity theories with applications to atomic, solid state, nuclear, and elementary particle physics. (Spring only)

Prereq: Phys 212/212L

Coreq: Math 275 and Phys 213/213L

Phys 321 Analytical Mechanics (3 cr)

Kinematics and dynamics of particles; oscillating systems; dynamics of the rigid body.

Prereq: Phys 212/212L and Math 275

Phys 322 Analytical Mechanics (3 cr)

Principle of least action, dynamics of systems of particles, theory of oscillations, mechanics of continuous media.

Prereq: Phys 321

Phys 341 Electromagnetic Fields I (3 cr)

Theory using vector calculus; electrostatics; magnetostatics, electromagnetism, analysis of AC and DC circuits; Maxwell's equations; radiation and propagation of electromagnetic waves.

Prereq: Phys 212/212L and Math 275

Phys 342 Electromagnetic Fields II (3 cr)

Theory using vector calculus; electrostatics; magnetostatics, electromagnetism, analysis of AC and DC circuits; Maxwell's equations; radiation and propagation of electromagnetic waves.

Prereq: Phys 341

Phys 351 Introductory Quantum Mechanics I (3 cr)

One-dimensional theory; free particle, bound states, potential barriers, harmonic oscillator, matrix methods, and Dirac notation; interpretations of quantum theory.

Prereq: Phys 305, 371

Phys 371 Mathematical Physics (3 cr)

Same as Math 371. Mathematical techniques needed in upper-division physics courses, including vector analysis, matrices, Sturm-Liouville problems, special functions, partial differential equations, complex variables.

Prereq: Phys 212/212L, Math 275

Phys 400 (s) Seminar (cr arr)

Phys 403 (s) Workshop (cr arr)

Phys 404 (s) Special Topics (cr arr)

Phys 411 Physical Instrumentation I (3 cr)

Methods and instruments used in experimental physics; electronic techniques; design problems in electronic measurement of physical quantities encountered in research. Two lec and one 3-hr lab a wk.

Prereq: Phys 212/212L or Phys 213/213L, and Math 275

Phys 412 Physical Instrumentation II (3 cr)

Methods and instruments used in experimental physics; electronic techniques; design problems in electronic measurement of physical quantities encountered in research. Two lec and one 3-hr lab a wk.

Prereq: Phys 411

Phys J425/J525 Relativity (3 cr)

Introduction to the Special and General Theories of Relativity. Principle of relativity, Poincare and Lorentz transformations and their consequences. Four-dimensional formulation of relativistic mechanics and electromagnetism. Principle of equivalence and the geometric theory of gravitation. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.

Prereq for 425: Phys 305 and Senior standing

Prereq for 525: Admission to physics graduate program or Permission

Phys J428/J528 Numerical Methods (3 cr)

Phys 428 same as Math 428 and Engr 428. Systems of equations, root finding, error analysis, numerical solution to differential equations, interpolation and data fitting, numerical integration, related topics and applications. Additional projects and/or assignments required for graduate credit in Phys 528.

Prereq: Math 310

Phys J433/ID&WS-J533 Thermal and Statistical Physics I (3 cr) WSU Phys 533

Classical thermodynamics, entropy, thermodynamic potentials, kinetic theory, classical and quantum statistical mechanics, ensembles, partition functions, introduction to phase transitions. (Fall only)

Prereq: Phys 305

Phys J443/J543 Optics (3 cr)

Geometrical optics, wave optics and physical optics with emphasis on modern instrumentation and methods of measurement. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.

Prereq for Phys 443: Phys 342

Prereq for Phys 543: Admission to Physics Graduate program or Permission

Phys J444/J544 Quantum Optics (3 cr)

Introduction to the physics of lasers, laser spectroscopy, non-linear optical effects, and the interaction of radiation and matter. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.

Prereq for Phys 444: Phys 212/212L or Phys 213/213L, Math 175, and Senior standing or Permission

Prereq for Phys 544: Admission to Physics Graduate program or Permission

Phys J464/J564 Materials Physics and Engineering (3 cr)

See MSE J464/J564.

Phys ID&WS-J465/ID&WS-J565 Particle and Nuclear Physics (3 cr) WSU Phys 465/565

Particle production and detection, properties and classification of particles, the quark model of hadrons, symmetries and conservation laws, interactions, grand unification, the strong interaction and nuclear forces, models for nuclear structure and reactions. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.

Prereq for 465: Phys 305

Prereq for 565: Admission to physics graduate program or Permission

Phys ID&WS-J484/J584 Astrophysics (3 cr) WSU Astr 435

Celestial mechanics; planets and planetary systems; structure and evolution of stars and star systems; special and general relativity; cosmology. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.

Prereq for Phys 484: Phys 305 or Math 275; or Permission

Prereq for Phys 584: Admission to physics graduate program or Permission

Phys 490 Research (1-6 cr, max 6)

Undergrad thesis.

Prereq: Junior standing in physics and Permission of department

Phys 499 (s) Directed Study (cr arr)

Phys 500 Master's Research and Thesis (cr arr)

Phys 501 (s) Seminar (cr arr)

Graded Pass/Fail.

Prereq: Permission

Phys 502 (s) Directed Study (cr arr)

Phys 503 (s) Workshop (cr arr)

Phys 504 (s) Special Topics (cr arr)

Phys 511 Techniques of Experimental Physics (3 cr)

Development of experimental techniques and skills in active research fields; foundation for any field of physics. Nine hrs of lab a wk.

Phys ID&WS521 Advanced Mechanics (3 cr) WSU Phys 521

Classical mechanics; Lagrange's and Hamilton's principles, two-body problem, rigid body motion, special relativity, canonical transformation, Hamilton-Jacobi theory, small oscillations, and Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations for continuous systems and fields.

Prereq: Phys 322

Phys 525 Relativity (3 cr)

See Phys J425/J525.

Phys 528 Numerical Methods (3 cr)

See Phys J428/J528.

Phys ID&WS533 Thermal and Statistical Physics I (3 cr) WSU Phys 533

See Phys J433/J533.

Phys ID&WS541 Electromagnetic Theory (3 cr) WSU Phys 541

Includes Maxwell's equations, electrostatics, magnetostatics, currents and their interactions, general theory of emission, propagation and absorption of electromagnetic waves, boundary value problems, relativistic formulation of electrodynamics.

Prereq: Phys 322, 342

Phys ID&WS542 Electromagnetic Theory (3 cr) WSU Phys 542

Includes Maxwell's equations, electrostatics, magnetostatics, currents and their interactions, general theory of emission, propagation and absorption of electromagnetic waves, boundary value problems, relativistic formulation of electrodynamics.

Prereq: Phys 322, 342

Phys 543 Optics (3 cr)

See Phys J443/J543.

Phys 544 Quantum Optics (3 cr)

See Phys J444/J544.

Phys ID&WS550 Quantum Mechanics (3 cr) WSU Phys 550

Physical basis; Schroedinger wave formulation, Heisenberg matrix formulation, transformation theory, approximation methods, radiation theory, theory of scattering; application to atomic systems.

Prereq: Phys 305, Phys 322

Phys ID&WS551 Quantum Mechanics (3 cr) WSU Phys 551

Physical basis; Schroedinger wave formulation, Heisenberg matrix formulation, transformation theory, approximation methods, radiation theory, theory of scattering; application to atomic systems.

Prereq: Phys 305, Phys 322

Phys 564 Materials Physics and Engineering (3 cr)

See Phys J464/J564.

Phys ID&WS565 Particle and Nuclear Physics (3 cr)

See Phys J465/J565.

Phys ID&WS571 Mathematical Methods of Physics (3 cr) WSU Phys 571

Methods and problems.

Prereq: Phys 322 or Permission

Phys 584 Astrophysics (3 cr)

See Phys J484/J584.

Phys 600 Doctoral Research and Dissertation (cr arr)