PHYSICS
Course Descriptions

physics.eou.edu/

Program Faculty

Tom Herrmann herrmann@eou.edu
Anthony Tovar atovar@eou.edu

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

The Physics degree is a true liberal arts degree, preparing the student for many options after graduation, from immediate employment to graduate school in a wide range of discipline. The problem-solving approaches developed in the physics curriculum can be applied in multiple career paths. Students are strongly encouraged to engage in research, either with faculty members or through summer internships. Our emphasis is on quality instruction, full student participation and individual attention to the student.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of their studies, Eastern Oregon University physics graduates will:

- be proficient in the problem-solving approaches, both theoretical and experimental, used by physicists.

- have an understanding of the main areas of physics, including mechanics, electricity and magnetism, wave phenomena (including optics), thermodynamics and quantum theory.

- have a good understanding of laboratory instrumentation, and be able to design specialized instrumentation as needed.

- be able to communicate the knowledge and applications of physics to peers and to the general public, orally and in writing.

- have a knowledge of the history of physics and the importance of physics to modern society.

MEANS OF ASSESSMENT

Several tools are used in assessing student learning. Examinations are designed to let us assess students' ability to apply fundamental concepts and problem-solving skills to the solutions of specific problems. The laboratory notebook is evaluated in courses containing a lab component to test experi-mental skills. Evaluation of oral presentations and term papers is used in the upper-division courses. In the first-year course we use the Force Concept Inventory exam, a tool widely used by physics programs, to evaluate the improvement in conceptual understanding by students.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR OF ARTS OR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PHYSICS

1. To be admitted to the Physics program, candidates must complete PHYS 221, 222, 223 with a 2.00 GPA or better and attempt the WPE. Entry may also be gained by petition to the School of Arts and Sciences. A 2.00 GPA in Physics courses must be main-tained to remain in good standing in the program.

2. Complete EOU graduation requirements.

3. Complete the following with a grade of "C-" or higher in each course:

PHYS 221, 222, 223 Gen Physics w/Calculus (15)
PHYS 321, 322 Waves & Quantum Theory (10)
PHYS 343, 344, 345 Exper Techniques (15)
PHYS 441, 442, 443
Theoretical Physics (15)
PHYS 490 Physics: History & Philos (3)
MATH 251, 252, 253, 254 Calculus (16)
MATH 321 Differential Equations (5)
CS 161 Structured Programming (4)
CHEM 204,205 General Chemistry (10)
CHEM 206 Qualitative Analysis (5)
CHEM 440 Thermodynamics (5)

4. Students transferring from Blue Mountain Community College with an A.A. degree in Electronics Technology ordinarily can earn a Physics degree in two years at EOU by completion of Eastern graduation require-ments and PHYS 321, 322, 441, 442, 443; CHEM 204, 205, 206, 440; and MATH 254, 321. Such students should consult with an electronics technology advisor at Blue Mountain Community College or a physics advisor at Eastern Oregon University for further details.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE B.A. OR THE B.S. IN PHYSICS IN A 3-2 ENGINEERING PROGRAM

Students may obtain a physics degree by attending Eastern Oregon University for three years and transferring to Oregon State University for two years. In this program students receive both a physics degree from EOU and an engineering degree from OSU.

For more information, consult option 4 in the Engineering section.

TYPICAL FIRST YEAR CURRICULUM

Fall

MATH 251 [1] Calculus I (4)
PHYS 221 [2]
General Physics with Calculus (5)
General Education or Elective Courses (7)

Winter

MATH 252 [1] Calculus II (4)
PHYS 222 [2]
General Physics with Calculus (5)
CS 161 Structured Programming (4)
General Education or Elective Courses (1-4)

Spring

MATH 253 [1] Calculus III (4)
PHYS 223 [2]
General Physics with Calculus (5)
General Education or Elective Courses (6-8)

TYPICAL SECOND YEAR CURRICULUM

Fall

CHEM 204 General Chemistry (5)
MATH 254 Vector Calculus (4)
General Education or Elective Courses (6)

Winter

PHYS 321 Waves and Quantum Theory (5)
CHEM 205 General Chemistry (5)
MATH 321 Differential Equations (5)
General Education or Elective Courses (2-4)

Spring

PHYS 322 Waves and Quantum Theory (5)
CHEM 206 Qualitative Analysis (5)
General Education or Elective Courses (5)

TYPICAL THIRD YEAR CURRICULUM

Fall

PHYS 343 [3] Experimental Techniques (5)
General Education or
Elective Courses (8- 10)

Winter

PHYS 344 Experimental Techniques (5)
General Education or Elective Courses (11)

Spring

PHYS 345 Experimental Techniques (5)
MATH 322 Fourier Series (3)
General Education or Elective Courses (6-8)

TYPICAL FOURTH YEAR CURRICULUM

Fall

PHYS 441 Theoretical Physics (5)
CHEM 440 Thermodynamics (5)
General Education or Elective Courses (6)

Winter

PHYS 442 Theoretical Physics (5)
General Education or Elective Courses (11)

Spring

PHYS 443 Theoretical Physics (5)
PHYS 490 Physics: History and Philosophy (3)
MATH 417 Complex Variables (2)
General Education or Elective Courses (6)

Note:

l. Students may need to enroll in a lower level math sequence as determined by Eastern evaluation.

2. Students must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in MATH 251, or obtain permission of the instructor.

3. The PHYS 343, 344, 345 sequence is offered only every other year. The student may, therefore, need to take this sequence during the second year.

4. Recommended but not required. In addition, the weaker student should also take ENGR 212, Dynamics.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MINOR IN PHYSICS

1. A minimum of 30 graded credits in Physics courses with a minimum GPA of 2.00 to be selected from the following:

Required:

PHYS 221, 222, 223

Gen Physics w/Calculus (15)

PHYS 321* Waves and Quantum Theory (5)

At least 10 hours to be selected from the following:

PHYS 322 Waves and Quantum Theory (5)

PHYS 343, 344, 345 Experimental Tech (15)

PHYS 441, 442, 443 Theoretical Physics (15)

* May be under the prefix CHEM 441.

2. A grade of "C-" or better in each course counting toward the minor.

3. A minimum of 10 hours counting toward the minor must be completed at Eastern Oregon University.

PHYSICS COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

PHYS 110 - PHYS 110
Credits: 1.00 to 6.00

PHYS 201 - General Physics
Credits: 4.00
Gen Ed-Natural Science
New Gen Ed-Natural World
An introductory college physics sequence for those whose majors are not in the physical sciences or engineering, which includes the principles of mechanics, waves, sound, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, optics, relativity, and quantum theory. Prerequisite: MATH 111, 112, or equivalent.

PHYS 201L - Physics Lab
Credits: .00

PHYS 202 - General Physics
Credits: 4.00
Gen Ed-Natural Science
An introductory college physics sequence for those whose majors are not in the physical sciences or engineering, which includes the principles of mechanics, waves, sound, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, optics, relativity, and quantum theory. Prerequisite: MATH 111, 112, or equivalent.

PHYS 202L - Physics Lab
Credits: .00

PHYS 203 - General Physics
Credits: 4.00
Gen Ed-Natural Science
An introductory college physics sequence for those whose majors are not in the physical sciences or engineering, which includes the principles of mechanics, waves, sound, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, optics, relativity, and quantum theory. Prerequisite: MATH 111, 112, or equivalent.

PHYS 203L - Physics Lab
Credits: .00

PHYS 210 - PHYS 210
Credits: 1.00 to 6.00

PHYS 221 - Gen Physics/Calc
Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Natural Science
First part of a six-term sequence in physics, which includes CHEM 440 and PHYS 321, 322, for students in the physical sciences and engineering. Emphasis in classical mechanics, special relativity, electricity and magnetism, and waves. Prerequisite: Calculus previously or concurrently.

PHYS 221L - Gen Physics Lab
Credits: .00

PHYS 222 - Gen Physics/Calc
Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Natural Science
First part of a six-term sequence in physics, which includes CHEM 440 and PHYS 321, 322, for students in the physical sciences and engineering. Emphasis in classical mechanics, special relativity, electricity and magnetism, and waves. Prerequisite: Calculus previously or concurrently.

PHYS 222L - Gen Physics Lab
Credits: .00

PHYS 223 - Gen Physics/Calc
Credits: 5.00
Gen Ed-Natural Science
First part of a six-term sequence in physics, which includes CHEM 440 and PHYS 321, 322, for students in the physical sciences and engineering. Emphasis in classical mechanics, special relativity, electricity and magnetism, and waves. Prerequisite: Calculus previously or concurrently.

PHYS 223L - Gen Physics Lab
Credits: .00

PHYS 310 - PHYS 310
Credits: 1.00 to 6.00

PHYS 321 - Waves & Quan Theory
Credits: 5.00
(Writing Intensive) Classical waves. Quantum physics of atoms, molecules, solids, nuclei, and particles. Prerequisite: PHYS 223 and MATH 254.
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman

PHYS 321L - Waves & Quan Thry Lab
Credits: .00
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman

PHYS 322 - Waves & Quan Theory
Credits: 5.00
(Writing Intensive) Classical waves. Quantum physics of atoms, molecules, solids, nuclei, and particles. Prerequisite: PHYS 223 and MATH 254.
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman

PHYS 322L - Waves & Quan Thry Lab
Credits: .00
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman

PHYS 343 - Experimental Tech
Credits: 5.00
(Writing Intensive) For students in science and engineering. Topics include an introduction to electronic circuits and techniques, vacuum technology, optical techniques, and machine shop practices of special relevance to present-day experimental instrumentation. The final term deals almost exclusively with microcomputer interfacing and application. Prerequisite: PHYS 223.
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman

PHYS 343L - Experimental Tech Lab
Credits: .00
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman

PHYS 344 - Experimental Tech
Credits: 5.00
(Writing Intensive) For students in science and engineering. Topics include an introduction to electronic circuits and techniques, vacuum technology, optical techniques, and machine shop practices of special relevance to present-day experimental instrumentation. The final term deals almost exclusively with microcomputer interfacing and application. Prerequisite: PHYS 223.
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman

PHYS 344L - Experimental Tech Lab
Credits: .00
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman

PHYS 345 - Experimental Tech
Credits: 5.00
(Writing Intensive) For students in science and engineering. Topics include an introduction to electronic circuits and techniques, vacuum technology, optical techniques, and machine shop practices of special relevance to present-day experimental instrumentation. The final term deals almost exclusively with microcomputer interfacing and application. Prerequisite: PHYS 223.
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman

PHYS 345L - Experimental Tech Lab
Credits: .00
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman

PHYS 401 - Research
Credits: 1.00 to 15.00
Individual research project selected with and supervised by a member of the Physics faculty.
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman
Sophomore

PHYS 405 - PHYS 405
Credits: 1.00 to 15.00
Individual or small group study of a physics topic not included in the regular curriculum, under the supervision of a member of the Physics faculty.
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman
Sophomore

PHYS 407 - PHYS 407
Credits: 1.00 to 15.00
A formal course on a physics topic not included in the regular curriculum offered by a member of the Physics faculty.
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman
Sophomore

PHYS 410 - PHYS 410
Credits: 1.00 to 6.00
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman
Sophomore

PHYS 441 - Theoretical Physics
Credits: 5.00
An advanced integrated course in mechanics and electromagnetic fields: relativistic and nonrelativistic kinematics, dynamics and electrodynamics of particles and rigid bodies; Lagrange's equations; Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic waves.
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman
Sophomore

PHYS 442 - Theoretical Physics
Credits: 5.00
An advanced integrated course in mechanics and electromagnetic fields: relativistic and nonrelativistic kinematics, dynamics and electrodynamics of particles and rigid bodies; Lagrange's equations; Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic waves.
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman
Sophomore

PHYS 443 - Theoretical Physics
Credits: 5.00
An advanced integrated course in mechanics and electromagnetic fields: relativistic and nonrelativistic kinematics, dynamics and electrodynamics of particles and rigid bodies; Lagrange's equations; Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic waves.
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman
Sophomore

PHYS 490 - Hist & Phil Phys
Credits: 3.00
(Capstone) A seminar on the history and philosophy of physics, emphasizing the essential unity of the discipline and exploring questions of how physics relates to the other natural sciences. Intended to serve as a capstone experience for physics majors. Prerequisite: PHYS 223; PHYS 321 recom-mended but not required.
Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es):
Freshman
Sophomore