Courses in Physics
PHYS 100. Energy in Today's World. 3 cr. Basic energy concepts; energy sources and processes; projected depletion of present resources; role of conservation, research, and development; alternatives and prospects for the future. 2 hrs lec, 2 hrs lab per wk. GEP:ER, QL
PHYS 101. General Physics. 5 cr. Fundamental principles of physics for a general audience; for students in elementary education, general education, communicative disorders, and physical education. 2 hrs lec, 1 hr disc, 4 hrs lab per wk. GEP:NSC
PHYS 111. Seminar: Introduction to Physics. 1 cr; pass/fail. For students interested in a physics major/minor. Topics include careers, areas of current research, and library research techniques. Does not count toward physics requirements of natural science major.
PHYS 115. Acoustics. 4 cr. Multidisciplinary introduction to the principles of acoustics integrating information from physics, music, communicative disorders, and psychology. Topics include waves, sound, speech, hearing, resonance, harmonics, analysis and systhesis of sounds. Applications to speech production and music/musical instruments. 3 hrs lec, 2 hrs lab per wk. Does not count toward physics requirements of natural science major. Prereq: Math 107 or suitable placement score. GEP:IS
PHYS 201. Applied Principles of Physics I. 4 cr. Topics in mechanics, heat, and sound. 2 hrs lec, 1 hr disc, 3 hrs lab per wk. Prereq: Math 107 or suitable placement score, or cons instr. For natural resources students.
PHYS 202. Applied Principles of Physics II. 3 cr. Topics in electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics. 2 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab per wk. Prereq: 201 or equiv, or cons instr. For natural resources students.
PHYS 203. College Physics I. 5 cr. Mechanics, heat, and sound. For students in general education, biology, premedical and related fields. 3 hrs lec, 1 hr disc, 3 hrs lab per wk. Prereq: 1 yr high school algebra and 1 yr high school geometry, or equiv. GEP:NSC
PHYS 204. College Physics II. 5 cr. Light, electricity and magnetism, and topics in modern physics. For students in general education, biology, premedical and related fields. 3 hrs lec, 1 hr disc, 3 hrs lab per wk. Prereq: 203 or equiv, or cons instr. GEP:NSC
PHYS 240. University Physics I. 5 cr. Mechanics, heat, and sound. 3 hrs lec, 1 hr disc, 3 hrs lab per wk. Prereq: Math 120, or cons instr. GEP:NSC
PHYS 250. University Physics II. 5 cr. Electricity, magnetism, and optics. 3 hrs lec, 1 hr disc, 3 hrs lab per wk. Prereq: 240, Math 121 or cons instr. GEP:NSC
PHYS 300. Modern Physics. 3 cr. Special relativity, quantization, Bohr atom, matter waves, solutions to the one-dimensional Schroedinger equation, nuclear physics. Prereq: 250 or cons instr. Typically offered: Semester II.
PHYS 315. Computational Physics. 3 cr. Solving problems in physics using numerical methods, programming and data manipulation software. 2 hr lec, 3 hrs lab per wk. Prereq: 250 or cons instr. Typically offered: Semester II.
PHYS 320. Electricity and Magnetism. 4 cr. Introduction to theory of electrostatics; potentials and fields; dielectrics; magnetostatics; magnetic properties of materials; Maxwell's equations. Prereq: 250, Math 222 or cons instr. Typically offered: Semester I, odd years.
PHYS 335. Advanced Mechanics. 3 cr. Vectors; rectilinear and curvilinear motions, including simple harmonic and damped vibrations; rotation of rigid bodies; Lagrangian mechanics. Prereq: 250, Math 213 and 222 or cons instr. Typically offered: Semester II, odd years.
PHYS 370. Electronics. 4 cr. Theory, application, and practice of analog and digital electronics. 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab per wk. Prereq: 202 or 204 or 250 or cons instr. Typically offered: Semester I, odd years.
PHYS 384. Astrophysics. 3 cr. Selected topics in areas of astrophysics including planetary physics, stellar physics, galactic and extragalactic astronomy, and cosmology. Prereq: 250 and 300, Math 222 or cons instr. Typically offered: Semester I, even years.
PHYS 385. Optics. 3 cr. Wave, ray, and photon modes of light; geometrical optics with emphasis on imaging; physical optics including polarization, interference, and diffraction; modern optics including lasers and nonlinear optics. 2 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab per wk. Prereq: 250 and 300, Math 222 or cons instr. Typically offered: Semester I, even years.
PHYS 388. Research Participation. 1-4 cr. Investigate current problems in physics; 3-12 hrs lab per wk. For physics majors/minors. May repeat for 4 cr max. Prereq: Cons research supervisor.
PHYS 390. Cooperative Internship in Applied Physics. 1-6 cr. Supervised work program in applied physics at a cooperating agency or business. Credit determined by internship director. Credit does NOT apply to major. May be repeated for 6 cr max. Prereq: Physics majors only; cons internship director.
PHYS 405. Quantum Mechanics. 3 cr. In-depth study of Schroedinger’s equation, the harmonic oscillator, angular momentum, the hydrogen atom, and Dirac formalism, spin, approximation methods, selection rules, transitions, and multi-electron atoms. Prereq: 300, Math 213 and 222 or cons instr. Typically offered: Semester II, even years.
PHYS 435. Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics. 3 cr. Introduction to laws of thermodynamics and their explanation by statistical mechanics. Applications to gases, liquids, solids; boson and fermion systems; phase and chemical equilibrium. Prereq: 250, Math 222. Typically offered: Semester I, even years.
PHYS 470. Experimental Physics. 3 cr. Experiments and laboratory practice in electricity, magnetism, optics; atomic, nuclear, and solid state physics. 1 hr lec, 4 hrs lab per wk. Prereq: 300 or cons instr. Typically offered: Semester II.
PHYS 490. Internship in Applied Physics. 1-6 cr. Supervised work program in applied physics at a cooperating agency or business. Credit determined by internship director. Credit applies for applied physics emphasis majors only. May repeat for 6 cr max. Prereq: Physics majors only; cons internship director.
PHYS 496. Independent Study. 1-4 cr. Planned study to supplement preparation in area of specialization; regular scheduled conferences with staff supervisor. For physics majors/minors. Prereq: Cons chair.
PHYS 499. Special Work. Upperclass physics majors or minors may arrange for independent study with cons chair. Credit based on scope of project.
PHYS 796. Independent Study. 1-4 cr. Planned study to supplement preparation in area of specialization. Prereq: Maturity to work independently; must supplement current graduate work.
Courses in Astronomy
ASTR 100. Unveiling the Universe. 3 cr. An encounter with ideas concerning the physical universe, from earth to intergalactic space. 2 hrs lec, 2 hrs lab per wk. You may not take 100 for credit if you have already taken 205 or 206. GEP:NSC
ASTR 205. The Solar System. 4 cr. A contemporary perspective with emphasis on understanding basic principles of astronomy, coordinate systems, telescopes, planetary phenomena, and recent results of planetary exploration. 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab per wk. Prereq: Math 95 or equiv or cons chair. GEP:NSC
ASTR 206. Stars and Stellar Systems. 4 cr. Examine content and evolution of the universe, including birth and death of stars, nature of galaxies, and mystery of quasars and blackholes, with emphasis on understanding physical concepts. 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab per wk, some night observations. Prereq: Math 95 or equiv or cons chair. GEP:NSC
ASTR 305. History of Astronomy. 3 cr. Interdisciplinary exploration of astronomy from ancient to modern times, integrating scientific principles and discoveries with a global and historical perspective. May not earn credit in both ASTR 305 and HIST 305. GEP:IS
ASTR 306. Observational Astronomy. 3 cr. Designed to provide direct experience in astronomical
observations and their analysis. Involves nighttime observations with
the 16-inch telescope in the campus observatory, the use of smaller
portable telescopes, and computer-based exercises. Topics will range
from CCD observations and processing, photometry, and astrophotography, to the interactive use of large online astronomical databases. 2 hrs lec, 2.5 hrs lab per wk. Prereq: ASTR 100 or 205 or 206. Typically offered: Semester I.
Courses in Engineering
ENGR 105. Engineering Fundamentals. 3 cr. Designed to equip
engineering students with the necessary tools and background information
to prepare them to be successful engineering students as well as a
successful practicing engineer. Topics include project management, team
work, technical writing, working with data and using spreadsheets,
creating presentations, engineering design, and a thorough understanding
of the engineering profession.
ENGR 107. Engineering Graphics with Computer Aided Drafting. 3 cr. Engineering
graphics focusing on graphical communication. Topics include
descriptive geometry elements, visualization, engineering drawing
techniques, orthographic projection, pictorial representation, auxiliary
views, section views, and basic dimensioning. Incorporates computer
aided drafting (CAD) with engineering applications using 2-D drawing and
3-D modeling techniques.
ENGR 220. Statics. 3 cr. Principles
of mechanics, force systems, equilibrium, structures, distributed
forces, moments of inertia of area, friction. May not earn credit in
both ENGR 220 and PHYS 220.
ENGR 221. Dynamics. 3cr. Kinematics,
force-mass-acceleration relationships, work and energy, impulse and
momentum, moments of inertia of mass. For students in the
pre-engineering curriculum. May not earn credit in both ENGR 221 and
PHYS 221.
ENGR 222. Mechanics of Materials. 4 cr. Stress
and strain, torsion, bending of beams, compound stresses, principal
stresses, deflection of beams, statically indeterminate members,
columns, elastic buckling, fatigue, creep, impact, and concrete
properties.
ENGR 263. Engineering Thermodynamics. 3 cr. First
and second laws of thermodynamics; thermodynamic properties of real and
ideal gases, vapors, and mixtures; analysis of power and refrigeration
cycles
ENGR 294. Internship in Engineering. 1-3 cr. An
internship or service learning project partnering students with
organizations in the community or on campus. Provides practical
experience by applying knowledge and skills. Repeatable for a maximum of
six credits
ENGR 299. Independent Study in Engineering. 1-3 cr. Independent study under the supervision of an instructor.
For more information, visit the Physics and Astronomy page on the UW-Stevens Point course catalogue here.
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