2013–2014 Undergraduate Catalog - University of the Cumberlands

the interests of students from physics, chemistry, engineering, medicine, and related fields. Problem solving and the
scientific method are stressed throughout the course. Three lectures and three laboratory hours per week. Prerequisite:
grade of C or better in PHYS 241. Credit, 4 hours. Offered fall and spring semesters.
PHYS 330. Classical Physics
This calculus-based, intermediate course provides a thorough quantitative understanding of physical phenomena
primarily associated with mechanics and electromagnetism. This course expands upon the course content of PHYS 241
Physics I and PHYS 242 Physics II. Collectively, these three courses are equivalent to the traditional two-semester, calculusbased
physics sequence. Prerequisites: grades of C or better in PHYS 242 and MATH 240. Credit, 3 hours. Offered spring
semester.
PHYS 332. Experimental Physics
This laboratory course provides an experimental component to the undergraduate physics curriculum. Emphasis is
placed on experiment design, error analysis, model evaluation, and professional presentations. Six laboratory hours per
week. Prerequisites: grades of C or better in PHYS 242 and MATH 240. Credit, 3 hours. Offered spring semester of odd
years.
PHYS 335. Quantum Physics
This calculus-based, intermediate course provides a thorough quantitative understanding of physical phenomena
associated with quantum theory. Specific topics include light quanta (photons), matter waves, the Schrödinger equation,
the Bohr theory, and hydrogenic atoms. An introduction to relativity is also included. Prerequisites: grades of C or better in
PHYS 242 and MATH 241. Credit, 3 hours. Offered fall semester.
PHYS 337. Electronics
This laboratory course explores both analog and digital electronics. Specific analog topics include a review of passive
components, diodes, transistors, amplifiers, and multivibrators. Specific digital topics include logic gates, flip-flops, registers,
pulse generation, memory, and microprocessors. Six laboratory hours per week. Prerequisites: grades of C or better in
PHYS 242 and MATH 240. Credit, 3 hours. Offered spring semester of even years.
PHYS 410. Science and Society
This seminar course investigates the effect of scientific developments on society, religion, technology, and the
environment; the role of science in the history of mankind; and the relationships between the sciences. Society’s perception
of scientists and the resulting impact on the development of ideas and support of research are discussed. May be repeated
for up to three hours credit; however, only one hour counts toward a physics major or minor. Prerequisite: Junior or senior
with a major or minor in biology, chemistry, mathematics or physics. Credit, 1 hour. Offered fall semester.
PHYS 430. Classical Mechanics
This traditional course considers the basic experimental laws of mechanics as stated by Sir Isaac Newton and the
development of the mathematical formalism that describes these laws. Specific topics include motion of a particle in one
dimension, harmonic oscillation, motion in three dimensions, a noninertial reference system, and a central force field. A
brief introduction of Lagrangian mechanics is included. Prerequisites: grades of C or better in PHYS 330 and MATH 241.
Credit, 3 hours. Offered fall semester of odd years.
PHYS 431. Electromagnetism
This traditional course develops the mathematical formalism of Maxwell’s equations from basic experimental laws of
electricity and magnetism. Specific topics include the electrostatics of conductors and dielectrics, energy considerations
electrodynamics electromagnetism, and magnetism. Prerequisites: grades of C or better in PHYS 330 and MATH 241.
Credit, 3 hours. Offered fall semester of even years.
PHYS 436. Lasers
This application course describes the theory and applications of lasers beginning with the underlying electromagnetic
theory. Laser action in terms of photon emission and population inversion is developed from atomic structure and quantum
statistics. A variety of lasers are described both in terms of their design and application. Prerequisites: grades of C or better
in PHYS 335 and MATH 430 (may be concurrent). Credit, 3 hours. Offered spring semester of even years.
PHYS 439. Applications of Nuclear Physics
This application course explores the nucleus of the atom and how its properties can be applied. Specific topics include
nuclear physical properties, nuclear reactions, decay, fission, fusion, and interaction of radiation with matter. Applications
of these topics include nucleosynthesis, nuclear reactors, radioactive dating, and biological effects of nuclear radiation.
Prerequisites: grades of C or better in PHYS 335 and MATH 430 (may be concurrent). Credit, 3 hours. Offered spring
semester of odd years.
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