department Physics Chain Dr. Brad Carroll Location: Science Lab, Room 202 Telephone: Nereyda Hesterberg 801-626-6163 Web Site: weber.edu/physics Professors: Farhang Amiri, Brad Carroll, Ronald Galli, Colin Inglefield, Adam Johnston, Dale Ostiie, Daniel Schroeder, John Sohl, Walther Spjeldvik; Associate Professors: Mchelle Arnold, Stacy Palen; Assistant Professor: John Armstrong, rhysics is the study and application of the fundamental laws of nature, including the laws of motion, gravity, electromagnetism, heat, and microscopic interactions. These laws govern the behavior of objects at all scales, from the smallest subatomic particles to the entire observable universe. In between, physicists study nuclear reactions, the interactions of atoms with light, properties of solids, the chaotic dynamics of fluids, and the evolution of stars and galaxies, among many other applications. Our courses in physics introduce all of the most important fundamental laws and many of their applications. Equally valuable, however, are the skills that students develop in these courses, from analytical thinking and problem solving to experimental design and interpretation. Majoring in physics can thus prepare a student for a variety of careers in research, education, business, industry, and government. The Department offers three major programs: Physics, Applied Physics, and Physics Teaching. The Physics major places emphasis on understanding nature at the deepest possible level. It also provides a strong foundation for graduate work in pure physics. The Applied Physics major places more emphasis on physical phenomena and hands-on experience. Thus, it is more suitable for those planning to go either directly into industrial employment or into graduate programs in certain applied fields. Since the course requirements for these two majors overlap considerably, students can easily switch from one major to the other any time before their senior year. The Physics Teaching major is designed specifically for those planning to teach physics at the secondary school level. Students who are majoring in other disciplines are encouraged to consider a minor in physics, which includes a year of introductory physics plus eight credit hours of additional physics courses. These electives may be chosen to emphasize basic theory, experimental techniques, or applied subfields such as optics and astrophysics. Physics Major bachelors degree (bs or ba) » Program Prerequisite: Not required for Physics or Applied Physics. Physics Teaching majors must meet the Teacher Education admission and licensure requirements (see Teacher Education Department). » Minor: No minor is required; however, a math minor is automatically satisfied by the requirements for the Physics major, and a math minor may be satisfied with one additional upper division math course beyond the minimum required for the Applied Physics major. » Grade Requirements: An overall GPA of 2.00 is required for Physics and Applied Physics majors. Also refer to the general grade requirements for graduation on page 38. » Credit Hour Requirements: A total of 120 semester credit hours is required for graduation - 75 of these are required within the Physics major, 72 within the Applied Physics Major, and 45 347 I hours are required within the Physics Teaching major, plus the credits required by the Teacher Education department. Forty upper-division credit hours are required (courses numbered 3000 and above) - 31 of these are required within the Physics major and 26 to 31 within the Applied Physics major. Advisement All Physics, Applied Physics, and Physics Teaching majors are strongly encouraged to meet with the chair at least annually for course and program advisement. Call 801-626-6163 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Physics Teaching majors are encouraged to also meet with a Jerry and Vickie Moyes College of Education advisor (call 801-626-6269). Admissions Requirements Declare your program of study (see page 18). There are no special admission or application requirements for the Physics and Applied Physics majors. Teaching majors must meet the Teacher Education admission and licensure requirements (see Teacher Education Department). General Education Refer to pages 38-44 for specific requirements. The following courses required for the Physics and Applied Physics majors will satisfy general education requirements: PHYS PS/SI2210, CHEM PS/ SI 1210 and MATH SI 1210. The following courses required for the Physics Teaching Major will satisfy general education requirements: PHYS PS/SI1010, PS1030, PS/SI2210, and Mathl210. Course Requirements for BS or BA Degree Physics Major Physics Courses Required (41 credit hours) PHYS PS/SI2210/SI2220 Physics for Scientists & Engineers (10) PHYS 2300 Scientific Computing for Physical Systems (3) PHYS 2710 Introductory Modem Physics (3) PHYS 3180 Thermal Physics (3) PHYS 3410 Electronics for Scientists (4) PHYS 3500 Analytical Mechanics (3) PHYS 3510 Electromagnetic Theory (3) PHYS 3540 Mech. & Electromagnetic Waves (3) PHYS 3640 Advanced Physics Lab (2) PHYS 4610 Quantum Mechanics (3) PHYS 4620 Atomic, Nuclear, & Particle Physics (3) PHYS 4990 Seminar in Physics (1) Physics Electives (3 credit hours) Select 3 credit hours from the following 3000 and 4000 level courses. PHYS 3160 Astrophysics (3) PHYS 3190 Applied Optics (3) PHYS 3200 Solid State Physics (3) PHYS 3300 Advanced Computational Physics (3) PHYS 3420 Data Acquisition and Analysis (3) PHYS 4800 Individual Research Problems (1-3) PHYS 4830* Readings in Physics/Astronomy (1-3) * as approved by instructor PHYS 4970 Senior Thesis (2) Support Courses Required (31 credit hours) CHEM PS/SI1210/SI1220Principles of Chemistry (10) MATH SI1210 Calculus I (4) MATH SI1220 Calculus II (4) MATH 2210 Calculus III (4) MATH 2270 Elementary Linear Algebra (3) MATH 2280 Ordinary Differential Equations (3) MATH 3710 Boundary Value Problems (3) General PROFILE ENROLLMENT STUDENT AFFAIRS ACADEMIC INFO DEGREE REQ GENED Engaged Learning 8 Interdisciplinary OUR/CBL HNRS BIS LIBS INTRD MINORS Applied Science 8 Technology AUSV/ATTC CEET CS MFET/ETM MET CMT DGET ENGR IDT SST TBE Arts 8 Humanities MENG COMM ENGL FL DANC MUSC THEA ART/ARTH Business 8 Econ MBA MACC/ACTG BSAD FIN MGMT MKTG SCM ECON/QUAN 1ST Education MSAT/MED CHF AT/HLTH NUTR/PEP/REC HPHP COURSES ATHL/PE EDUC Heaifh Professions MHA/MSN MSRS CLS DENT PAR HTHS HAS/HIM NRSG RADT DMS/NUCM RATH REST Science BTNY CHEM GEO MATH/MTHE MICR PHYS/ASTR ZOOL Social & Behavioral Sciences MCJ/CJ ECON GEOG HIST POLS/PHIL PSY SW/GERT SOC/ANTH AERO MILS NAVS Continuing Ed Davis Campus Weber State University 2010-2011 Catalog