PHYS 141 Intro Astronomy--Solar System (3) (E)
Survey of the history of astronomy; the motion of objects in the night sky; gravitation and relativity; telescopes; the sun, planets, moon, meteors, and comets; the origin of the solar system; space exploration; the search for extraterrestrial life. Designed for non-science majors. Offered each fall.
PHYS 142 Intro Astronomy--Stars & Galaxies (3) (E)
Survey of the history of astronomy; the constellations; the nature of the stars; stellar evolution; white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes; the structure and evolution of the Milky Way; other galaxies, quasars; cosmology. Designed for non-science majors. Offered each spring.
PHYS 143 Introductory Astronomy Lab (1)
A hands-on laboratory experience which complements PHYS 141 and 142. It has four distinct components, each lasting two to four weeks: lunar, planetary, and deep-space observations with a Celestron telescope; analyzing computer simulations, images, and film clips of celestial phenomena; Internet-as-virtual-library exercises; physics experiments in optics and spectroscopy. Prerequisite or corequisite: PHYS 141 or 142. Designed for non-science majors and fulfills the laboratory requirements for students intending to graduate with honors. Offered each spring.
PHYS 215 General Physics (4)
An introductory non-calculus treatment of the basic principles of physics. Areas of study include mechanics, fluids, forms of energy, and wave motion. No previous knowledge of physics is assumed. Prerequisite: MATH 113. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. Offered fall of odd-numbered years.
PHYS 216 General Physics (4)
A continuation of PHYS 215. The principal subject areas are optics, electricity, magnetism, relativity, and atomic physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 215. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. Offered spring of even-numbered years.
PHYS 221 Physics (4) (E)
A calculus-based introduction to kinematics, Newtonian dynamics, work and energy, gravitation, waves. fluid mechanics, kinetic theory, and thermodynamics. Prerequisite: MATH 136 or 171. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. Offered fall of even-numbered years.
PHYS 222 Physics (4) (E)
A continuation of PHYS 221. Topics include electric fields, circuit analysis, magnetism, geometrical and wave optics, relativity and atomic structure. Prerequisite: PHYS 221. Corequisite: MATH 172. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. Offered spring of odd-numbered years.