Curriculum

• Core
• 53-57 Units

• CHE 222: Chemistry II
• 4

The major topics of this course will include solubility products, chemical thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, and qualitative analysis. Lab time is included in the schedule. A lab fee is required. Prerequisite: C- or better in CHE 221.

• MTH 271: Calculus I
• 4

This course will study differential and integral calculus in one variable through graphical, numerical and symbolic methods. Limits, continuity, derivatives, and integrals will be studied with algebraic, trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions, including applications using calculus to solve problems. Prerequisite: A passing score on the Calculus Placement Exam, or consent of the department chair.

• MTH 272: Calculus II
• 4

A continuation of MTH 271, this course will include a study of methods of integration, applied to algebraic and transcendental functions. Solids of revolution, definite and indefinite integrals, Taylor polynomials, sequences and series, will be studied including applications using calculus to solve problems. Prerequisite: C- or better in MTH 271 or acceptable AP examination credit.

• MTH 373: Calculus III
• 4

As a continuation of MTH 272, this course will include the study of vector calculus, three-dimensional calculus, partial derivatives, multiple integrals, differential calculus, and other selected topics in vector calculus. Prerequisite: C- or better in MTH 272.

• PHY 221: Calculus-based Physics I
• 4

This course will study Newtonian mechanics: vectors and scalars, kinematics and dynamics of translational and rotational motion, Newton's laws, speed, velocity, acceleration, force, torque, work, energy, linear and angular momentum, wave and harmonic motion, gravitation, friction, conservation of energy and momentum, thermodynamics. A lab fee is required. Prerequisite: MTH 271 (concurrent enrollment allowed) or consent of instructor.

• PHY 222: Calculus-based Physics II
• 4

As a continuation of PHY 221, this course will cover thermodynamics, Maxwell's equations of electricity and magnetism, current, voltage, resistance, inductance, reactance, power, optics and optical systems, interference, diffraction, polarization, dispersion, and coherence. Lab time is included in the schedule. A lab fee is required. Prerequisites: C- or better in PHY 221 and MTH 272 (concurrent enrollment allowed) or consent of instructor.

• PHY 231: Astronomy I
• 4

This course will provide a comprehensive introduction to planetary astronomy with a brief exposure to stellar astronomy including the solar system, sun, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, meteors, meteorites, stars, galaxies, origins of the universe, telescopes, spectra, and space exploration.

OR

• PHY 232: Astronomy II
• 4

This course will provide a comprehensive introduction to stellar astronomy and cosmology including star and galaxy formation, origins of the universe, black holes, dark matter, and dark energy. Lab time is included in the schedule.

• PHY 311: Modern Physics
• 4

This course will provide a rigorous introduction to the relationship between relativity, quantum mechanics, molecular, atomic, and nuclear physics, and cosmology. Lab time is included in the schedule. A lab fee is required. Prerequisite: C- or better in PHY 221 or consent of instructor.

• PHY 315: Electronics I: Analog Electronics
• 3

This hands-on course will focus on the design, fabrication, and testing of analog electronic circuits, circuit components, and devices with special emphasis on the use of electronic test equipment. Lab time is included in the schedule. A lab fee is required. Prerequisite: C- or better in PHY 221 or consent of instructor.

• PHY 316: Electronics II: Digital Electronics
• 3

This hands-on course will focus on the design, fabrication, and testing of digital electronic circuits, circuit components, and devices with special emphasis on programming and computer control of digital circuits and devices. Lab time is included in the schedule. A lab fee is required. Prerequisites: C- or better in PHY 221 and PHY 315 or consent of instructor.

• PHY 325: Scientific Equipment Design and Fabrication
• 3

This hands-on course will focus on the design of scientific equipment, the use of scientific glassblowing, and machine shop tools, particularly the lathe and the knee-type mill, to fabricate, repair, and modify scientific equipment; also included will be a comprehensive introduction to vacuum technology. Lab time is included in the schedule. A lab fee is required. Prerequisite: C- or better in PHY 221 or consent of instructor.

• PHY 340: Optics
• 3

This course will cover classical and quantum descriptions of electromagnetic radiation, lenses, mirrors, polarizers, dispersion, refraction, diffraction, scattering, image formation, optical systems, aberrations, optical sources and detectors, spectroscopy, and matrix and Fourier transform methods in optics. Lab time is included in the schedule. A lab fee is required. Prerequisite: C- or better in PHY 221 or consent of instructor.

• PHY 350: Mechanics and Lab
• 4

This course will cover advanced formulations of Newton's laws of motion, conservation laws, Hamilton's and Lagrange's equations, least action principle, conservative and dissipative systems, domain of applicability, and limitations of classical mechanics. Lab time is included in the schedule. A lab fee is required. Prerequisite: C- or better in PHY 311 or consent of instructor.

• PHY 405: Math and Computational Physics
• 3

This course will provide a rigorous introduction to the mathematical and computational methods that underlie physics including multivariable calculus, differential equations, matrix methods, expansions in complete sets of orthonormal functions, complex variables, eigenvalue/eigenvector problems, and variational methods. Prerequisites: C- or better in PHY 311 and MTH 373 or consent of the instructor.

• PHY 410: Electrodynamics
• 3

This course will focus on electrical charge, Coulomb's law, electric fields associated with stationary charge distributions, moving charges, currents, magnetic fields, Lorentz force law, Faraday's law of induction, Maxwell's equations, generation, propagation, polarization, and detection of electromagnetic radiation, and basic antenna theory. Prerequisites: C- or better in PHY 405 and MTH 373 or consent of instructor.

• PHY 420: Quantum Mechanics
• 3

This course will address key concepts and methods in quantum physics with special emphasis on setting up, solving, and approximating solutions of the Schrodinger equation by perturbational or variational methods, and describing spectroscopy in terms of transitions between quantum states. Prerequisites: C- or better in PHY 405 and MTH 373 or consent of instructor.

• PHY 425: Thermodynamics
• 3

This course will address key concepts in thermodynamics including the 0th, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd laws, Maxwell’s equations of thermodynamics, heat capacities, state functions, heat, work, heat engines, thermodynamic cycles, and an introduction to statistical thermodynamics. Prerequisite: C- or better in PHY 311 or consent of instructor.

• PHY 496: Research in Physics
• 3

As a hands-on introduction to physics research, this course will emphasize research process, skills, and methods including laboratory and library research, peer-reviewed physics abstracts and journals, electronic chemical databases, professional journal manuscript style guides, and statistical analysis used in writing research manuscripts and making research presentations. Lab time is included in the schedule. A lab fee is required. Course may be taken for a range of units (0.5-2 units per semester). Prerequisite: SCI 495.

• PHY 499: Senior Thesis
• 1

This course will be a culmination of original student-conducted scientific research resulting in a paper and presentation. Prerequisites: C- or better in PHY 496 and SCI 495; restricted to seniors.

• SCI 495: Research Methods
• 1

This course will introduce basic techniques in laboratory research, experimental design, library databases, review of peer-reviewed literature, and quantitative and qualitative analyses. Students will compose a research proposal intended to guide future original student-conducted research. Interdisciplinary topics are included. Prerequisite: Sixteen (16) units of major courses or consent of instructor. Typically offered each semester.

• Electives
• 6-8 Units

• Choose two courses from the following:

• PHY 231: Astronomy I
• 4

This course will provide a comprehensive introduction to planetary astronomy with a brief exposure to stellar astronomy including the solar system, sun, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, meteors, meteorites, stars, galaxies, origins of the universe, telescopes, spectra, and space exploration.

OR

• PHY 232: Astronomy II
• 4

This course will provide a comprehensive introduction to stellar astronomy and cosmology including star and galaxy formation, origins of the universe, black holes, dark matter, and dark energy. Lab time is included in the schedule.

• PHY 435: Solid State Physics and Chemistry
• 3

This course will provide a comprehensive overview of the fundamental concepts of the structure, bonding, and chemical/physical properties of solid systems: metals, semiconductors, superconductors, insulators, and glasses. Prerequisites: C- or better in CHE 222 and PHY 311 or consent of the instructor.

• PHY 445: Advanced Topics in Physics
• 3

This course will provide an in-depth exposure to an advanced physics topic or set of related physics topics in an upper-division class setting in areas not covered by the regular curricular offerings in physics. Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing in physics and consent of instructor.

• PHY 455: Relativity and Cosmology
• 3

This course will provide a rigorous introduction to special and general relativity and the applications of relativity in both its special and general forms to problems in cosmology. Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing in physics and consent of instructor.

• PHY 465: Advanced Astronomy
• 4

This course will focus on cutting-edge problems in stellar, galactic, and extra-galactic astronomy with an emphasis on techniques for experimental measurements in astronomical photometry and spectroscopy. Lab time is included in the schedule. A lab fee is required. Prerequisites: C- or better in PHY 221 and (PHY 231 or PHY 232) or consent of instructor.

• PHY 475: Medical Imaging Physics
• 4

This course will provide an in-depth theoretical and experimental elucidation of the physics of various modern medical imaging technologies including X-rays, ultrasound, CAT scans, and MRI. Lab time is included in the schedule. A lab fee is required. Prerequisites: C- or better in CHE 222 and PHY 311 or consent of instructor.