616 College of Science PHYS 2300 - Scientific Computing for Physical Systems Credits: (3) Typically taught: Fall [Full Sem] An introduction to computer programming and fundamental numerical algorithms as used for problem solving and visualization in the natural sciences. Applications may include nonlinear dynamics, chaos, many-particle systems, and Monte Carlo techniques. Prerequisite: PHYS 2210, MATH 1210, and either MATH 1200 or CS 1030 or permission of the instructor. PHYS 2600 - Laboratory Safety Credits: (l) Typically taught: Fall [Full Sem] Spring [Full Sem] An interdisciplinary, team-taught course that will be an overview of the major chemical, biological and physical safety issues related to science laboratories and field work. Class will meet once per week and will be taught in a lecture/ demonstration format. PHYS 2710 - Introductory Modern Physics Credits: (3) Typically taught: Fall [Full Sem] Relativity, quantum effects, the hydrogen atom, many- electron atoms, molecular and solid-state bonding, quantum effect devices, nuclear structure, nuclear reactions and devices, elementary particles. Prerequisite: PHYS 2220, MATH 1200 (may be taken concurrently), and MATH 1220. PHYS 2800 - Introductory Individual Research Problems Credits: (1-3) Time and credit to be arranged. Intended for students working on a directed research project which includes physics/astronomy at the lower division level for one or more semesters. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Cross-listed withASTR 2800. May be repeated up to 10 times. PHYS 2830 - Introductory Readings in Physics/ Astronomy Credits: (1-3) Time and credit to be arranged. Intended for students working on a directed reading project which includes physics/astronomy at the lower division level for one or more semesters. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Cross-listed withASTR 2830. May be repeated up to 10 times. PHYS 2890 - Cooperative Work Experience Credits: (1-6) Open to all students in the Physics Department who meet the minimum Cooperative Work Experience requirements of the department. Provides academic credit for on-the-job experience. Grade and amount of credit will be determined by the department. PHYS 2920 - Short Courses, Workshops, Institutes and Special Programs Credits: (1-4) Consult the class schedule for the current offering under this number. The specific title and credit authorized will appear on the student transcript. PHYS 3160 - Stellar and Planetary Astrophysics Credits: (3) Selected topics in astrophysics, with a focus on stellar and planetary systems. Topics may include celestial mechanics, interaction of light and matter, stellar and planetary spectroscopy, stellar atmospheres and interiors, binary star systems, planets and planet formation, and extrasolar planets. Prerequisite: PHYS 2220. Cross-listed withASTR 3160. PHYS 3170 - Galaxies and Cosmology Credits: (3) Selected topics in astrophysics, with a focus on galactic astronomy and cosmology. Topics may include gravitational dynamics, interaction of light and matter, galaxy classification, galaxy formation and evolution, the structure of the universe, cosmology, and the origin and fate of the universe. Prerequisite: PHYS 2220. Cross-listed with ASTR 3170. PHYS 3180 - Thermal Physics Credits: (3) Typically taught: Spring [Full Sem] An introduction to thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. Topics include heat and work; ideal gases; equipartition of energy; entropy; the Boltzmann, Fermi-Dirac, and Bose-Einstein distributions; applications to heat engines, refrigeration, chemical equilibrium, phase transitions, blackbody radiation, and properties of solids. Prerequisite: PHYS 2220, MATH 1200 and MATH 1220. PHYS 3190 - Applied Optics Credits: (3) Typically taught: Fall [Full Sem] odd years Geometrical and physical optics, lasers, lenses, optical instruments, interference, thin films, interferometry, holography, diffraction, gratings, crystal diffraction, polarization. Two lectures and one 3-hour lab a week. Prerequisite: PHYS 2220 and MATH 1220. PHYS 3300 - Advanced Computational Physics Credits: (3) Typically taught: Spring [Full Sem] even years This course extends the computational skills developed in PHYS 2300 to address a wider range of problems in modern physics. Students will explore the limits of computational methods and develop techniques suited to high-performance computing. Applications may be chosen from nonlinear dynamics, astrophysics, condensed matter physics, and quantum mechanics. Prerequisite: PHYS 2220 and PHYS 2300. Weber State University 2015-2016 Catalog