Physics (PHYS)
see also: Physics Department
The physics curriculum is made up of introductory courses designed to familiarize the non-science major with the fundamental concepts of physics and astronomy; courses designed to give the science major a firm grasp of the principles of classical and modern physics; and advanced courses designed to prepare the physics major with the necessary background in experimental and theoretical physics to meet the demands of graduate study and research.
001-002. Physics Problems I-II (0)
Corequisite: PHYS 104-105. A supplement to the required work of Physics 104-105, providing additional practice in setting up and solving problems within the scope of these courses.
103. Conceptual Physics (Laboratory Required) (3)
A non-mathematical physics course for non-science majors which emphasizes the ideas of physics by examining the phenomena of everyday environment.
113. Conceptual Physics Laboratory (1)
Corequisite: PHYS 103. A physics laboratory for non-science majors to accompany Physics 103. Experiments in mechanics, fluid mechanics, heat, wave motion, light, sound, electric and magnetic fields, and electricity.
104. Physics I (Laboratory Required) (3)
Prerequisite: MATH 115; corequisites, PHYS 001 and 114. The principles and classical experiments of mechanics. Kinematics and elementary dynamics of point masses and rigid bodies. Offered in spring.
114. Physics Laboratory I (1)
Corequisite: PHYS 104. Introduction to laboratory techniques including experimental procedures, experiment evaluation, methods of data reduction and reporting of results; experiments taken from the area of mechanics.
105. Physics II (Laboratory Required) (3)
Prerequisite: PHYS 104; corequisite, PHYS 002 and 115. Theory and classical experiments of thermophysics, electricity, magnetism, and optics. Geometrical and physical optics, fields, potentials, dielectric materials, first and second laws of thermodynamics; heat conduction, and DC circuits. Fall.
115. Physics Laboratory II (1)
Corequisite: PHYS 105. A continuation of Physics 114 with experiments taken from the areas of optics, thermophysics, electricity and magnetism.
204. Modern Physics I (3)
Prerequisites: PHYS 105, MATH 201. An Introduction to the topics of special relativity, wave and particle properties of matter, the Schroedinger equation with applications to simple systems, the hydrogen atom, and many electron atoms.
214. Modern Physics Laboratory (1)
Laboratory exercises related to topics discussed in Physics 204.
301W-302S. Advanced Physics Laboratory (1-1)
Prerequisites:PHYS 204. Advanced experimental techniques in physics. Design and construction of apparatus, including use of the machine shop. Electronic techniques and precision instrumentation. Experiments are selected in consultation with the instructor, and may include topics in mechanics, thermophysics, electricity and magnetism, optics, or modern physics. Three hours of laboratory weekly.
304. Biophysics and Bio-Imaging (3)
(Same as BPHY 304).
305. Modern Physics II (3)
Prerequisite: PHYS 204 and MATH 201. An Introduction to the topics of molecular structure, nuclear physics, solid state physics, particle physics, and superconductivity. Alternate years.
312. Intermediate Mechanics: Dynamics (3)
Prerequisite: PHYS 104 and MATH 307. A vector treatment of the kinematics and kinetics of particles and rigid bodies. Newton's equations. Euler's equations. Central force motion. Introduction to vibrating systems. Alternate years. (Same as ENGR 312)
314. Biophysics Instrumentation and Imaging Laboratory (1)
(Same as BPHY 314).
317. Electronics Laboratory (1)
Prerequisite:PHYS 105. An Introduction to digital and analog circuits through laboratory exercises.
321. Thermal Physics (1)
Prerequisites: PHYS 105; MATH 303. An Introduction to the physics underlying thermodynamic concepts. Topics include the first and second laws of thermodynamics, Helmholtz and Gibbs free energies, chemical potential, grand partition function, and the properties of ideal, Bose, and Fermi gases. Alternate years. (Same as ENGR 321)
323. Mathematical Methods of Physics and Engineering (3)
Prerequisites:PHYS 105;MATH 303 and 307. An Introduction to basis mathematical methods and techniques used in the solution of physical problems with emphasis on application rather than theory. Topics include solutions of differential equations, Laplace transforms, vector analysis, Fourier series, an Introduction to methods of solving partial differential equations. (Same as ENGR 323).
351-352. Physical Chemistry I and II (3-3)
(Same as CHEM 351-352)
353W-354. Physical Chemistry Laboratory I and II (1-1)
(Same as CHEM 353W-354)
398. Colloquium, Oak Ridge Semester (1)
Prerequisite:Junior standing and admission by ACS Selection committee. A program of speakers on a variety of scientific and social issues presented by the staff of Oak Ridge National Laboratory under the supervision of resident ACS faculty. (Same as MATH 398).
399. Research, Oak Ridge Semester (1-6)
Prerequisite:Junior standing and admission to the program by the ACS Selection Committee. Research performed through participation in the ACS-Oak Ridge Semester Program under supervision of senior staff at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. (Same as MATH 399).
400. Physics Internship (3)
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing and recommendation of the Physics Department faculty. Work in an industrial or research facility for a minimum of 120 hours. A written and oral report on the work conducted is required.
413. Electricity and Magnetism I (3)
Prerequisites: PHYS 105 and either PHYS 323 or MATH 404. A field treatment of electricity and magnetism, electrostatic fields and potentials, dielectrics, magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction, induction, magnetic materials, energy in static electric and magnetic fields.
414. Electricity and Magnetism II (3)
Prerequisite: PHYS 413. An advanced treatment of electric and magnetic fields based on Maxwell's equations, Introduction to theories of dielectric and magnetic materials, static boundary value problems. Electomagnetic waves, wave guides, and other boundary value problems.
424. Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (3)
Prerequisites: PHYS 204, 323. An advanced treatment of non-relativistic quantum theory which introduces the student to the essential formal tools of quantum mechanics. Alternate years.
426. Light and Optics (3)
Prerequisites:PHYS 323 and 204. A general treatment of the principles of physical optics including theory of waves, interference, diffraction, polarization and Fourier optics. Alternate years.
471. Senior Seminar (1)
Presentation and discussion of research performed by the individual student or reported in the literature.
461-466. Physics Research (1-6)
Prerequisite: Consent of department. Investigation of an original problem in physics either individually or as part of a research team. The problem must be approved in advance by the department and performed under under the guidance of a faculty member. The goal of the course is to increase the student's knowledge of a specific area of physics and of the nature of the scientific enterprise. Written and oral reports are required.
491-496. Independent Study (1-6)
Prerequisite:Consent of instructor. Guided Independent Study of a topic not currently taught in the department. May be repeated for credit.
199. Module Studies (3)
Special topics offered during the Module. The introductory course and laboratory in Astronomy are designed to broaden the student's knowledge and appreciation of mankind's place in the physical universe. This course and laboratory are taught by the faculty of the Department of Physics.
Last updated September 26, 2007.