Course Descriptions

Major
Minor
Physical Science Major
Physics/Engineering Dual Major
 

CHAIR: RUSSELL L. PALMA

FACULTY: Donnelly, Friedman, Hall, Isham, Liang, McDonald, Meitzler

* Students may receive science composite teaching certification by substituting the following additional science courses for the minor: 6 advanced hours from BIO, CHM or GEL.

** An individual student may need preparatory work in mathematics or might be eligible for advanced placement, either of which necessitate adjustment of his schedule. Such a student should consult a member of the physics or mathematics faculty concerning his schedule. PHY 138 is considered a preparatory course in physics and as such cannot be used to meet major hour requirements for the B.S. degree.

Advanced physics electives in the Bachelor of Science degree must be selected from laboratory courses 393/313, 395/315, 433/413 and non-laboratory courses 467, 496. A minimum of seven hours must be selected, with at least one course being an advanced laboratory.

A minor in Physics requires a minimum of 24 hours of course work and shall include PHY 141 and 242 (or 138/118 and 139/119), 243, 391/311, and eight semester hours of advanced electives in physics.

PHYSICS COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

PHY 133 INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY. The development of astronomy, the solar system, stars, galaxies, and cosmology are studied. Emphasis is placed on discovering astronomical phenomena through individual observational activities. The Sam Houston planetarium and observatory are also used in laboratory activities. No mathematics or physics prerequisites. Credit 3.

PHY 113 INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY LABORATORY. Credit 1.

PHY 135, 136 GENERAL PHYSICS FOR NON-SCIENCE MAJORS. These courses are for liberal arts students. They are NOT open to students majoring in programs offered by Chemistry, Physics, Biological Sciences, Geology, Mathematics or Computing Science. Concepts and principles are stressed. No Mathematics or Physics prerequisites.

PHY 135 FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICS I. [PHYS 1305] This is an elementary course covering the fundamentals of motion, forces and heat. Credit 3.

PHY 115 FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICS I LABORATORY. [PHYS 1105] Credit 1.

PHY 136 FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICS II. [PHYS 1307] The course is a continuation of PHY 135. Fundamentals of electricity and magnetism, sound, light, and modern physics are included. Credit 3.

PHY 116 FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICS II LABORATORY. Credit 1.

PHY 138, 139 GENERAL PHYSICS. These courses are designed for students majoring in biological sciences and their related pre-professional programs.

PHY 138 GENERAL PHYSICS - MECHANICS AND HEAT. [PHYS 1301] A modern treatment is made of the laws and principles of mechanics and heat. Derivations are carefully done using a non-calculus approach and considerable problem work is required. The laboratory work consists of quantitative experiments. Prerequisite: Credit or registration for MTH 163 or equivalent. Credit 3.

PHY 118 GENERAL PHYSICS LABORATORY I. [PHYS 1101] Credit 1.

PHY 139 GENERAL PHYSICS - SOUND, LIGHT, ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM. [PHYS 1302] The course is a continuation of PHY 138, covering the subjects of sound, light, electricity and magnetism. The same emphasis is placed on derivations and problem solving as in PHY 138. The laboratory work consists of quantitative experiments. Prerequisites: PHY 138, MTH 163. Credit 3.

PHY 119 GENERAL PHYSICS LABORATORY II. [PHYS 1102] Credit 1.

PHY 141, 242, 243 INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS. These are comprehensive courses for students majoring or minoring in physics, pre-engineering, chemistry, and programs requiring calculus level mathematics.

PHY 141 INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS I. [PHYS 2425] A thorough introduction to the more general topics in mechanics. Considerable attention is given to the solution of problems with the emphasis placed on fundamental concepts. A laboratory/problem session is an integral part of the course. Prerequisites MTH 142. If high school physics or calculus has been taken, then MTH 142 may be taken concurrently. Credit 4.

PHY 242 INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS II. [PHYS 2426] An introduction to topics in heat and wave motion including sound and light. The quantitative description of phenomena is emphasized. The laboratory continues as an integral part of the course. Prerequisites: PHY 141 and MTH 142. Credit 4.

PHY 243 INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS III. [PHYS 2427] An introduction to the general topics of electricity and magnetism, and basic electrical circuits. The emphasis continues to be on problem solving with the laboratory/problem session an integral part of the course. Prerequisites: PHY 141 and MTH 143. Credit 4.

PHY 360 STATICS. Study of equilibrium of particles and rigid bodies, forces, friction, center of gravity, and moments of inertia. Vector algebra and calculus are used. Prerequisites: PHY 141 and MTH 244. Credit 3.

PHY 361 DYNAMICS. The study of kinematics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies using the concepts of force, mass and acceleration, energy, and impulse and momentum. Vectors, calculus and differential equations are used. Prerequisites: PHY 141 and MTH 244. Credit 3.

PHY 391 MODERN PHYSICS I. Relativity is introduced, quantum theory of light, Compton effect, photoelectric effect, Bohr atom, particles as waves, quantum mechanics in one dimension, tunneling, and atomic structure are covered. Prerequisites: PHY 243 and MTH 244. PHY 311 must be taken concurrently. Credit 3.

PHY 311 MODERN PHYSICS LABORATORY I. Credit 1.

PHY 393 MODERN PHYSICS II. Statistical physics, lasers, molecular structure, solid state, superconductivity, low energy nuclear physics, nuclear physics applications, and elementary particles are covered. Prerequisite: PHY 391. PHY 313 must be taken concurrently. Credit 3.

PHY 313 MODERN PHYSICS LABORATORY II. Credit 1.

PHY 395 ELECTRONICS AND CIRCUIT ANALYSIS. Active circuit analysis, analog and digital integrated circuits, selected discrete components, and application to certain digital and analog systems are studied. PHY 315 must be taken concurrently. Credit 3.

PHY 315 ELECTRONICS AND CIRCUIT ANALYSIS LABORATORY. Credit 1.

*PHY 397 ASTRONOMY. A study is made of the solar system, sun, stars, and stellar systems, their motions, structure, energy sources and evolution, star clusters, interstellar matter, galaxies, and cosmology. PHY 317 must be taken concurrently. Credit 3.

*PHY 317 ASTRONOMY LABORATORY. Credit 1.

PHY 410 ADVANCED UNDERGRADUATE LABORATORY I. This laboratory course provides additional, in-depth laboratory experience for physics majors and minors and transfer students. It will emphasize measurement and data handling. Credit 1.

PHY 433 LIGHT AND OPTICS. The wave theory of light is emphasized. The phenomena of interference, diffraction and polarization are treated both theoretically and in selected laboratory experiments. The theory and applications of lasers are discussed and investigated in the laboratory. PHY 413 must be taken concurrently. Credit 3.

PHY 413 LIGHT AND OPTICS LABORATORY. Credit 1.

PHY 466 INTRODUCTORY QUANTUM MECHANICS. This course includes introductory quantum mechanics, application of quantum theory to the harmonic oscillator, potential barriers, the hydrogen atom, theory of atomic spectra, the free electron, and elementary band theory of solids. Prerequisite: PHY 391. Credit 3.

PHY 467 INTRODUCTION TO SOLID STATE PHYSICS. This course introduces the concepts of crystal structure, crystal diffraction, reciprocal lattices, crystal binding, phonons, free electron Fermi gas, semi-conductors, energy bands, Fermi surfaces, point defects, and optical properties of crystals. Credit 3.

PHY 468 ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM. Properties of dielectrics and magnetic materials, electromagnetic fields, and Maxwell’s equations are studied. Prerequisite: MTH 376. Credit 3.

PHY 470 INTRODUCTION TO THEORETICAL PHYSICS. The dynamics of rigid bodies, vibrating systems and normal coordinates, and other selected topics of advanced mechanics are stressed. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian concepts are introduced. Prerequisite: MTH 376. Credit 3.

PHY 471 THERMODYNAMICS AND STATISTICAL MECHANICS. Basic concepts of classical thermodynamics, including the first and second laws, properties of gases, entropy, thermodynamic functions, and introductory statistical mechanics are studied. Prerequisites: PHY 391 and MTH 376. Credit 3.

PHY 495 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH. This course consists of special projects or topics in experimental or theoretical physics for individual physics students. Each student pursues an approved project of interest to him, or he may participate in one of the organized research programs conducted by the physics faculty. The projects are supervised by the physics faculty, but each student is expected to demonstrate individual initiative in planning and conducting the research program or topic. Prerequisite: consent of Department Chair. The course may be repeated for an additional three semester hours credit with consent of Department Chair. This course should be taken in addition to hours required for physics major or minor and may be taken for Academic Distinction credit. See Academic Distinction Program in this catalogue. Credit 3.

PHY 496 SELECTED TOPICS IN PHYSICS. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor. May be repeated for additional credit. Credit 3.
 

In this plan the student completes three years in Physics at Sam Houston State University and the curriculum in an engineering field at a university with a recognized accredited degree program in the chosen engineering field. After successfully completing this program, the student receives two Bachelor of Science degrees, one in Physics from Sam Houston State University and one in a particular engineering specialty from the university with the recognized accredited engineering degree program. The applicable engineering specialties are aerospace, agriculture, chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, nuclear, petroleum, and radiation protection engineering. For the chemical engineering option, a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry would be received from Sam Houston State University.

For more information on this program contact:

Dual Degree Plan Coordinator
Department of Physics
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, Texas 77341

Non-science majors who wish to be certified in secondary physical science should complete a total of 36 hours from the courses listed below. Sixteen hours of the 36 hours must be upper level.

Elementary certification will require the completion of 28 hours of which twelve must be upper level.

Non-science majors who wish to complete their minor in physical science may do so by taking the following sequence of courses: PHY 138/118, 139/119 or CHM 138/118, 139/119; GEL 133/113 and four advanced courses.

Lower Level Courses     Credit     Upper Level Courses     Credit

PHY 138/118                      4            PHY 397/317                 4
PHY 139/119                      4            CHM 367                       3
GEL 133/113                      4            GEL 330                        3
CHM 138/118                     4             GEL 432                       3
CHM 139/119                     4             GEL 437                       3
CHM 241                           4

NOTE: The courses listed above will not apply to the Bachelor of Science degree in physics. The completion of 36 hours of the courses listed above will not constitute a major for any baccalaureate degree. The above group of courses applies only toward teacher certification.

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