Physics Physics General Information DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS Chair: J. Ronald Galli Location: Science Lab, Room 202 Telephone Contact: Maxine Westmoreland 626-6163 Professors: Farhang Amiri, Bradley W. Carroll, J. Ronald Galli, Richard G. Hills, Rondo N. Jeffery, Dale A. Ostlie, Walther N. Spjeldvik; Associate Professor: Jay W. Phippen, John E. Sohl; Assistant Professors: Daniel V. Schroeder Descriptions Physics or Applied Physics — Physicists study the basic laws of nature. These include the laws of electricity, magnetism, optics, sound, thermodynamics, mechanics, electromagnetism, solid state, relativity, quantum mechanics, modern physics, and nuclear physics. Those who will seek employment with a bachelors degree in physics, or who wish to take advanced training in other fields, should investigate the liberal program in physics. A joint major is also possible such as mathematics and physics. Physics majors who want careers in research are invited to pursue an intensive pre-doctoral and doctoral program. Engineering Physics — This interdisciplinary program requires 198 credit hours for completion and is designed for the professionally-minded student wanting to go into engineering. It is designed to produce an engineer physicist who is able to analyze a problem using the fundamentals of physics, and who is then able to employ the principles of engineering. The student choosing this program must specialize in either the electronics or the computer science specialty as described below. Physics Teaching — The department also offers a program leading to a bachelors degree in Physics Teaching. This program is described below and is coordinated with the Department of Secondary Education. PROGRAM: PHYSICS MAJOR BACHELOR DEGREE Emphases: • Physics • Applied Physics • Engineering Physics • Physics Teaching General requirements for all Physics Majors: • WSU Core Requirements (see index). • General Education Requirements (see index). • A minor is required. A math minor is automatically satisfied for Physics and Engineering Physics. • An overall GPA of 2.00 is required for Physics and Applied Physics. Engineering Physics requires an overall GPA of 2.40. A Physics Teaching major must achieve a 2.50 overall GPA. • A total of 183 credit hours are required for Physics and Applied Physics. A total of 198 credit hours are required for Engineering Physics. A total of 60 credit hours must be upper division courses numbered 300 and above. • Students obtaining a Physics Teaching major must satisfy the College of Education Certification. (See Teacher Education Program.) Physics Major: • Physics courses required (48 hours): Phsx PS261 (4), 262 (4), 263 (4), PS264 (1), 265 (1), 266 (1), 317 (4), 350 (5), 351 (4), 352 (4), 364 (1), 365 (1), 366 (1), 461 (4), 462 (4), 463 (4), 499(1). • Physics courses from which to elect (12 credit hours, including at least two 300-level courses): Phsx 316 (4), 318 (4), 319 (4), 320 (4), 341 (4), 342 (4), 343 (4), 480 (1- 4), approved 483 (1-4), 497 (2). • Support courses required (43 credit hours): Chem PS 121 (5), 122 (5); Math 211 (5), 212 (5), 213 (5), 321 (3), 325 (3), 371 (4), 373 (4); Comsci 160 (4). Applied Physics Major: • Physics courses required (33-36 credit hours): Phsx PS111 (4), 112 (4), 113 (4), PS114 (1), 115 (1), 116 (1), or Phsx PS261 (4), 262 (4), 263 (4), PS264 (1), 265 (1), 266 (1); Phsx 317 (4), 341 (4), 342 (4) 343 (4), 350 (5). • Physics courses from which to elect (minimum 5 credit hours): Phsx 316 (4), 318 (4), 319 (4), 320 (4), 351 (4), 352 (4), 364 (1), 365 (1), 366 (1), 461 (4), 462 (4), 463 (4), or approved 480, 483, 489, 497,499 classes. • Support courses required (24 credit hours): Math 211 (5); Chem PS 121 (5); Comsci 160 (4); EET 122 (4), 212 (4); DG120(3). • Support courses from which to elect (15 credit hours): Approved credits in Chemistry, Math, Computer Science, Pre-engineering or Engineering Technology. Engineering Physics Major: • Physics courses required (68 credit hours): PhsxPS261 (4), 262 (4), 263 (4), PS264 (1), 265 (1), 266 (1), 317 (4), 316 (4) or 318 (4) or 319 (4), 320 (4), 341 (4), 342 (4), 343 (4), 350 (5), 351 (4), 352 (4), 364 (1), 365 (1), 366 (1), 461 (4), 462 (4), 463 (4), 499(1). • Support courses required (61 credit hours): Math 211 (5), 212 (5), 213 (5), 321 (3), 325 (3), 371 (4), 373 (4), 461 (4), 462 (4), 463 (4); Chem PS 121 (5), 122 (5); Comsci 160 (4); Prengr 250 (3), 352 (3). One technical emphasis is required: • Electronics Emphasis (21 credit hours): EET 122 (4), 212 (4), 462 (4); Prengr 221 (5), 351 (4). • Computer Emphasis (23 credit hours): Comsci 220 (4), 265 (4), 275 (4), 302 (4), 371 (4), 375 (3). Physics Teaching Major: • Physics courses required (25 credit hours): Phsx PS 101 (5), PS 103 (5), PS261 (4), 262 (4), 263 (4), PS264 (1), 265 (1), 266(1). Seventeen credit hours in approved upper division Physics classes. Support course required (3 credit hours): Commun HU102 (3). PROGRAM: PHYSICAL SCIENCE/ MATHEMATICS/COMPUTER SCIENCE COMPOSITE TEACHING MAJOR- BACHELOR DEGREE - (See program requirements in the Composite Teaching Majors section of the College of Education.) PROGRAM: PHYSICS DEPARTMENTAL HONORS General Requirements: • Enroll in General Honors Program and complete at least 10 hours of General Honors courses (see the Interdisciplinary Programs section of the catalog). • Maintain an overall GPA of 3.3. • Fulfill the requirements of either the Physics departmental major, the Applied Physics major, the Engineering Physics major, or the Physics Teaching major. Specific Requirements: • In fulfilling requirements for a Physics major, take at least eighteen hours of Physics Honors credit. • Complete a Physics Honors senior project (minimum 2 hours). • A student may receive Physics Honors credit in any of the Physics courses required for the respective Physics majors. Permission from the department chair should be sought before registering in a course for Honors credit. A written agreement should be reached with the appropriate professor regarding the work expected for Honors credit. (See the Interdisciplinary Programs section of the catalog.) PROGRAM: PHYSICS MINOR General Requirements: • A grade of C or better in all Physics courses. • Prior departmental approval is required. Specific Requirements: • Physics courses required (15 credit hours): Phsx PS261 (4), 262 (4), 263 (4), PS264 (1), 265 (1), 266 (1). Nine to fifteen additional credit hours in approved upper division Physics courses. PROGRAM: PHYSICS TEACHING MINOR General Requirements: • A grade of C or better in all Physics courses. • Prior department approval is required. • Students obtaining a Physics Teaching minor must satisfy the College of Education Certification (See Teacher Education Program). Specific Requirements: • A minimum of 25 credit hours of Physics courses. • Physics courses required (15 credit hours): Phsx PS261 (4), 262 (4), 263 (4), PS264 (1), 265 (1), 266 (1). • Ten additional credit hours in approved upper division Physics classes. PHYSICS COURSES - PHSX 100. Preparation for College Physics (3) The course is designed to provide the minimal prerequisite for entry into Physics PS111 or Physics PS261 by emphasizing problem-solving skills using selected topics in physics. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite: Math 106 (may be taken concurrently). PS101. Introduction to Physics (5) A, W, S, Su A brief survey of physics at the introductory level. Topics covered include laws of motion, gravity, energy, light, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, atomic and nuclear physics, radioactivity, and relativity. Five lectures per week. PS103. Introduction to Astronomy (5) A, W, S, Su A brief survey of the physical universe using the fundamental laws of physics. Topics include the history of astronomy, the solar system, the sun, the evolution of stars, pulsars, black holes, the Milky Way galaxy, galaxies, quasars, and the Big Bang. Five lectures per week. PS111. General Physics (4) A, W First quarter of a one-year sequence in general physics, primarily for students in pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, technology and other disciplines requiring physics without calculus. This quarter covers topics in mechanics, including kinematics, Newton's laws, and the conservation laws of energy, linear momentum, and angular momentum. Prerequisite: Math 106. Three lectures and two recitations per week. 112. General Physics (4) Second quarter of a one-year sequence in general physics. This quarter covers topics in electricity and magnetism, electromagnetic waves, wave motion, and sound. Prerequisite: PhsxPSlll. Student Services Interdisc. 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