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Lower-Division Courses
Below are listed the various lower-division courses that are regularly offered by the Department. Please note that not all courses are offered during a given semester; check with the Registrar or with your advisor for scheduling and other information.
PHY 301/315/316/319 is a calculus-based course sequence for Physics majors and students in other scientific disciplines. A background in physics at the high school level is strongly recommended.
Designed for students who intend to major in science or mathematics. Only one of the following may be counted without prior approval of the Department: Physics 301, 302K, 303K, 309K, 317K.
May be counted toward the quantitative reasoning flag requirement.
Prerequisites
High school physics or consent of the undergraduate adviser; credit or registration for Physics 101L; and one of the following: Mathematics 408C, Mathematics 408K and concurrent enrollment in 408L, or Mathematics 408N and concurrent enrollment in 408S.
Lab experiments designed to illustrate the experimental basis of mechanics and to introduce students to the basic principles of experimental physics: Quantitative measurement in a framework of theoretical understanding, and the assessment of accuracy and uncertainty in measurements and experimental results.
Only one of the following may be counted without prior approval of the Department: Physics 101L, 102M, 103M, 117M. May not be counted toward a degree unless prerequisite is observed.
Laboratories begin the second week of classes.
Prerequisites
Credit or registration for Physics 301.
PHY 302K/302L is a non-calculus-based technical course sequence for students who need to fulfill a general physics requirement. It serves as an introduction to the mechanics of solids and fluids, heat, and waves. You will gain an understanding and appreciation of how the scientific method is used to reveal the fundamental principles by which the universe operates, and will observe how knowledge of these principles is applied to the invention of new technologies and has helped shape the modern world.
A mathematics proficiency at the level of M 305G is required.
May be counted toward the quantitative reasoning flag requirement.
Prerequisites
Credit or registration for Physics 102N.
PHY 302K/302L is a non-calculus-based technical course sequence for students who need to fulfill a general physics requirement. It serves as an introduction to the mechanics of solids and fluids, heat, and waves. You will gain an understanding and appreciation of how the scientific method is used to reveal the fundamental principles by which the universe operates, and will observe how knowledge of these principles is applied to the invention of new technologies and has helped shape the modern world.
A mathematics proficiency at the level of M 305G is required.
Only one of the following may be counted without prior approval of the Department: Physics 302L, 303L, 309L, 316, 317L.
May be counted toward the quantitative reasoning flag requirement.
Prerequisites
Physics 302K and 102M and credit or registration for Physics 102N.
Physics 102M is the laboratory class that accompanies Physics 302K, covering the major subjects that are covered in PHY 302K in a hands-on laboratory setting. The subjects covered include: Kinematics of Free Fall; Newtons Second Law (static and dynamic); Energy; Momentum; Torque (statics and dynamic); Buoyancy; Harmonic Motion; Standing Waves; and Heat.
Only one of the following may be counted without prior approval of the Department: Physics 101L, 102M, 103M, 117M. May not be counted toward a degree unless prerequisite is observed.
Laboratories begin the second week of classes.
Prerequisites
Credit or registration for Physics 302K.
Only one of the following may be counted without prior approval of the Department: Physics 102N, 103N, 116L, 117N. May not be counted toward a degree unless prerequisite is observed.
Laboratories begin the second week of classes.
Prerequisites
Credit or registration for Physics 302L.
A general survey of physics; primarily laws of motion, heat, and wave phenomena. Only one of the following may be counted without prior approval of the department: Physics 301, 302K, 303K, 309K, 317K.
PHY 303K/303L is a calculus-based introductory course sequence for engineering students. A background in physics at the high school level is strongly recommended. Four evening exams will be scheduled during the semester: Wednesday evenings for PHY 303K and Thursday evenings for PHY 303L. Students who register for either of these courses should not register for any other Wednesday or Thursday evening classes to avoid time conflicts. There are mandatory recitation sections with each course.
May be counted toward the quantitative reasoning flag requirement.
Prerequisites
High school physics or consent of the undergraduate adviser; Mathematics 408C, Mathematics 408K, and concurrent enrollment in 408L, or Mathematics 408N and concurrent enrollment in 408S; and credit or registration for Physics 103M.
Electricity and magnetism, optics, and atomic phenomena. Only one of the following may be counted without prior approval of the department: Physics 302L, 303L, 309L, 316, 317L.
PHY 303K/303L is a calculus-based introductory course sequence for engineering students. A background in physics at the high school level is strongly recommended. Four evening exams will be scheduled during the semester: Wednesday evenings for PHY 303K and Thursday evenings for PHY 303L. Students who register for either of these courses should not register for any other Wednesday or Thursday evening classes to avoid time conflicts. There are mandatory recitation sections with each course.
May be counted toward the quantitative reasoning flag requirement.
Prerequisites
Physics 303K and 103M; Mathematics 408C, Mathematics 408K, and concurrent enrollment in 408L, or Mathematics 408N and concurrent enrollment in 408S; and credit or registration for Physics 103N.
Only one of the following may be counted: Physics 102M, 103M, 115L, 117M.
May not be counted toward a degree unless prerequisite is observed.
Laboratories begin the second week of classes.
Prerequisites
Credit or registration for Physics 303K.
Only one of the following may be counted: Physics 102N, 103N, 116L, 117N.
May not be counted toward a degree unless prerequisite is observed.
Laboratories begin the second week of classes.
Prerequisites
Credit or registration for Physics 303L.
Suggested for beginning Physics majors. Discussion of the development of important ideas in physics, with emphasis on their relevance to contemporary research. One lecture hour a week for one semester.
Offered on the pass/fail basis only.
Introductory laboratory experience; use of tools and test equipment; beginning apprenticeship in active physics research. Hour(s) to be arranged.
Offered on the pass/fail basis only. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisites
Consent of instructor and approval of an undergraduate advisor.
PHY 309K/309L is an introduction to physics for students with a high school-level algebra proficiency who do not intend to do further work in natural sciences, engineering, mathematics, or medicine. It covers topics such as Newton’s Laws; Momentum and Energy; Rotational Motion; Gravity; Atomic Nature of Matter; Solids, Liquids, Gases, and Plasma; Temperature and Heat; Heat Transfer; Phase Changes; and Waves and Sound.
Prerequisites
High school trigonometry or Mathematics 305G.
PHY 309K/309L is an introduction to physics for students with a high school-level algebra proficiency who do not intend to do further work in natural sciences, engineering, mathematics, or medicine.
Supervised study of selected topics in physics, by individual arrangement with Department and instructor.
Some sections are offered on the pass/fail basis only; these are identified in the Course Schedule. Course number may be repeated for credit when the topics vary.
Prerequisites
Written consent of instructor.
PHY 301/315/316/319 is a calculus-based course sequence for Physics majors and students in other scientific disciplines. A background in physics at the high school level is strongly recommended.
PHY 301/315/316/319 is a calculus-based course sequence for Physics majors and students in other scientific disciplines. A background in physics at the high school level is strongly recommended.
PHY 301/315/316/319 is a calculus-based course sequence for Physics majors and students in other scientific disciplines. A background in physics at the high school level is strongly recommended.
The laboratory course is designed to acquaint you with the experimental basis of the laws of electricity and magnetism and to introduce you to the techniques of electrical measurement, which are universal in experimental physics.
PHY 317K/317L is a calculus-based general introductory physics course sequence. It is especially recommended for premedical and chemistry students and others in the biomedical sciences.
Only one of the following may be counted without prior approval of the Department: Physics 102N, 103N, 116L, 117N.
Laboratories begin the second week of classes.
Prerequisites
Credit or registration for Physics 317L.
PHY 317K/317L is a calculus-based general introductory physics course sequence. It is especially recommended for premedical and chemistry students and others in the biomedical sciences.
Only one of the following may be counted without prior approval of the Department: Physics 101L, 102M, 103M, 117M.
Laboratories begin the second week of classes.
Prerequisites
Credit or registration for Physics 317K.