Physics Courses

PHY 100 - Fundamental Physics Concepts (4 hours)
Gen. Ed. FS
Core Curr. NS
Algebra-based course for students with minimal physics background. Topics introduced include Newton's laws of motion, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, optics, and atomic theory. Emphasis is on basic physical principles. Includes laboratory.

PHY 107 - General Physics I (4 hours)
Gen. Ed. FS
Core Curr. NS
Algebra- and trigonometry-based introductory physics course which covers Newtonian mechanics and conservation laws; fluid statics and dynamics; vibrations, waves, and sound; laws of thermodynamics. Includes laboratory. Prerequisite: High school physics or PHY 100.

PHY 108 - General Physics II (4 hours)
Gen. Ed. FS
Core Curr. NS
Continuation of PHY 107. Electric and magnetic fields; electromagnetic induction; electromagnetic waves; geometrical and physical optics; the special theory of relativity; quantum theory, atomic physics, and nuclear and particle physics. Includes laboratory. Prerequisite: PHY 107; MTH 115.

PHY 110 - University Physics I (4 hours)
Gen. Ed. FS
Core Curr. NS
A calculus-based introductory physics course for scientists and engineers that covers Newton's laws of motion; conservation laws for momentum, energy, and angular momentum; fluid statics and dynamics; laws of thermodynamics. Includes laboratory. Prerequisite: High school physics or PHY 100; MTH 121. Corequisite: MTH 122.

PHY 123 - Physical Science, the Basis for A Technical Society (3 hours)
Gen. Ed. FS
Core Curr. NS
A course for non-science students with minimal preparation in mathematics and science. Emphasizes basic concepts from the physical sciences and their significance for a scientifically literate society. Topics in physics, chemistry, computing, energy, and astronomy will be covered from an applications perspective. Students with prior college physics courses may not register for this course.

PHY 140 - Physics of the Small World: Nanophysics and Applications (3 hours)
Gen. Ed. FS
The objective of this course is to educate students with all academic backgrounds in the field of nanoscience and technology, starting with discussing the basic principles and definitions associated with the nano world, the basic ideas of quantum mechanics, and the wide variety of applications of nanotechnology. Offered at the 100 level as an introduction to nanophysics and nanotechnology with the goal of introducing the general public to these topics and their applications.

PHY 199 - Physics Seminar for New Physics Majors (1 hour)
Orientation for students interested in a physics career.

PHY 201 - University Physics II (4 hours)
Gen. Ed. FS
Core Curr. NS
Continuation of PHY 110 covering electric fields and DC circuits; magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction and AC circuits; oscillations and waves; Maxwell's equations; and geometrical and physical optics. Includes laboratory. Prerequisite: PHY 110. Corequisite: MTH 223.

PHY 202 - Applied Quantum Physics (3 hours)
Gen. Ed. FS
An introduction to relativity and relativistic mechanics; quantum theory with applications to atomic and molecular physics; condensed matter physics; nuclear and particle physics. Prerequisite: PHY 201. PHY 350 required for physics majors; optional for all other majors. Corequisite: MTH 223.

PHY 305 - Electricity and Magnetism (3 hours)
Introduction to vector calculus; electrostatics in vacuum and dielectrics including boundary value problems; method of images, steady currents, and magnetostatics in vacuum. Prerequisite: PHY 201; MTH 224. Corequisite: MTH 501 or an upper-division mathematics course approved by Physics Department.

PHY 306 - Electromagnetic Waves (3 hours)
Plane electromagnetic waves in vacuum, magnetic materials, and conductors; reflection and refraction, guided waves, and radiation of electromagnetic waves. Prerequisite: PHY 305; MTH 501 or an upper-division mathematics course approved by Physics Department.

PHY 320 - Optics (3 hours)
Geometrical optics: matrix methods, mirrors, lenses, fibers, thick optics, optical instruments; physical optics including interference, diffraction, polarization, lasers, and holography. Prerequisite: PHY 202 or 303. Corequisite: All physics majors or minors: PHY 350 - Optics Laboratory.

PHY 330 - Classical Mechanics (3 hours)
Particle kinematics; Newtonian mechanics; classical gravitation; Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics; linear oscillations; nonlinear oscillations; central force and planetary motion; collisions between particles; motion in noninertial systems. Prerequisite: PHY 201; MTH 224.

PHY 350 - Advanced Physics Experiments (1-2 hours)
Laboratory: design of experiments and techniques of measurement, particularly electronic instrumentation, in investigating fundamental relationships in all areas of physics. One three-hour laboratory session per week per credit hour required. May be repeated for maximum of 4 hrs. credit. Sections of this course may provide a lab component for PHY 202, 303, and 320. Prerequisite: consent of department chair.

PHY 355 - Independent Readings (1-3 hours)
Individually assigned reading assignments of relevant topics in physics or astronomy. Prerequisite: Junior standing; background appropriate to the study; consent of instructor.

PHY 361 - Electronics (3 hours)
Electronic principles with application to devices utilized in science research. Includes laboratory. Prerequisite: PHY 201; MTH 122.

PHY 367 - Statistical and Thermal Physics (3 hours)
A theoretical treatment of classical thermodynamics with applications of the first and second laws, and an introduction to statistical mechanics, including quantum statistics, canonical and grand canonical ensembles, general properties of the partition function, applications of statistical mechanics to fluid and solid systems, and the Ising model. Prerequisite: PHY 330; PHY 202 or 380.

PHY 380 - Quantum Physics (3 hours)
Foundations of quantum theory: deBroglie's postulate, Bohr model of the atom, and the Schrodinger equation; applications of quantum theory to atoms, solids, nuclei, and particles; relativity. Prerequisite: PHY 201. Corequisite: The appropriate section of PHY 350.

PHY 399 - Special Problems in Physics (1-3 hours)
Qualified students work on an individually assigned problem and prepare oral and written reports on the problem solution. Approved for off-campus programs when required. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hrs. credit. Prerequisite: Physics preparation sufficient for the problem; consent of instructor and Department Chair.

PHY 440 - Advanced Nanophysics (3 hours)
Covers the fundamental principles of quantum scales and the consequences of scale reduction and limitations; quantum mechanical effects of nanostructures and their impacts on the macro world; nanoscale phenomena and applications based on magnetism, spin, and superconductivity; fabrication of nanostructures; introduction to characterization techniques; silicon-based nanoelectronics; latest and future nanoscience and nanotechnological advances and challenges. Prerequisite: PHY 202 or PHY 380, MTH 223

PHY 441 - Advanced Nanophysics Laboratory (2 hours)
Experiments associated with synthesis and characterization of nano-scaled structures: fabrication methods; diffraction techniques; electron spectroscopies; electron microscopy; atomic force microscopy. Prerequisite: PHY 202 or PHY 380.

PHY 480 - Quantum Mechanics I (3 hours)
Inadequacies of classical physics when applied to problems in atomic and nuclear physics. Development of mathematical formalism used in basic quantum theory, with applications to simple models of physical systems. Prerequisite: PHY 330; PHY 202 or 380, 306 or consent of instructor. MTH 207 recommended.

PHY 482 - Quantum Mechanics II (3 hours)
The mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics with applications to problems of electron spin and many-particle systems will be studied along with the development of approximation techniques with applications to complex physical systems. Prerequisite: PHY 480.

PHY 539 - Topics in Theoretical Physics (3 hours)
Topics of special interest which may vary each time course is offered. Topic stated in current Schedule of Classes. Prerequisite: PHY 330, 305, 480; consent of instructor.

PHY 541 - Physics Basics (2 hours)
Numerical and graphical analysis of data; basic mechanics including Newton's laws and gas laws; hydrostatics and hydrodynamics; energy conservation principles; thermal physics; electricity and magnetism; and solubility and transport processes. Only students in the Nurse Administered Anesthesia Program may register.

PHY 568 - Condensed Matter Physics (3 hours)
Introduction to the physics of the solid state and other condensed matter especially for students of physics, materials science, and engineering; structure of crystals; molecular binding in solids, thermal properties, introduction to energy band structure and its relation to charge transport in solids, semiconductors, superconductivity. Prerequisite: Physics majors: PHY 330, 202 or 380; PHY 305. Other majors need instructor consent. Corequisite: PHY 306.

This is the official catalog for the 2016-2017 academic year. This catalog serves as a contract between a student and Bradley University. Should changes in a program of study become necessary prior to the next academic year every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes via the Dean of the College or Chair of the Department concerned, the Registrar's Office, u.Achieve degree audit system, and the Schedule of Classes. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of the current program and graduation requirements for particular degree programs.