Bachelor of Science in Physics

Course Code Course Title Credits
Course Description Remarks
Fall of Year 1




MTH141 Introductory Calculus with Analytic Geometry 4
Topics in analytic geometry, functions and their graphs, limits, the derivative, applications to finding rates of change and extrema and to graphing, the integral, and applications.
PHY203/273 Elementary Physics I 4
Introduction to Newtonian mechanics. Kinematics and dynamics of particles and systems of particles. Motion of rigid bodies and oscillatory motion. Conservation principles. Separate registration for Laboratory [Secs. (01) etc] and Recitation [Secs. (R01) etc]. Consider HPR122A (honors section of PHY203/273) offered every fall semester.
URI101 Freshman Seminar 1

Special section for physics majors offered every fall semester.

General Education Requirements or Electives 8 17

Spring of Year 1




MTH142 Intermediate Calculus with Analytic Geometry 4
Continues the study of calculus for the elementary algebraic and transcendental functions of one variable. Topics include the technique of integration, improper integrals, indeterminate forms, and calculus using polar coordinates.
PHY204/274 Elementary Physics II 4
Introduction to electricity and magnetism, leading to Maxwell's equations. Electric fields and Gauss' law; magnetic fields and Ampere's law. Capacitance and inductance, DC and AC circuits. Electromagnetic waves. Separate registration for Laboratory [Secs. (01) etc] and Recitation [Secs. (R01) etc]. Consider HPR122B (honors section of PHY204/274) offered every spring semester.

General Education Requirements or Electives 8 16

Fall of Year 2




CSC211 Introductory Programming and Design 4
Problem specification, solution design, and algorithm development. Object oriented programming and program structure. Fucntions, selection, iteration, recursion, classes, arrays, and files. Required programs will solve numerical and nonnumerical problems.
MTH243 Calculus for Functions of Several Variables 3
Topics include coordinates for space, vector geometry, partial derivatives, directional derivatives, extrema, Lagrange multipliers, and multiple integrals.
PHY205/275 Elementary Physics III 4
Introduction to topics of thermodynamics, kinetic theory, wave motion, acoustics, and optics. Separate registration for Laboratory [Secs. (01) etc] and Recitation [Secs. (R01) etc]. Consider HPR319Z (honors section of PHY205) offered every fall semester.

General Education Requirements or Electives 6 17

Spring of Year 2




MTH244 Differential Equations 3
Classification and solution of differential equations involving one independent variable. Applications to the physical sciences. Basic for further study in applied mathematics and for advanced work in physics and engineering.
PHY306 Elementary Modern Physics 3
Introduction to relativistic and quantum physics. Special relativity theory, structure of atoms, molecules, and solids including semiconductor devices; wave and particle properties of matter, Schrodinger equation in one dimension.
PHY410 Computational Physics 3
Development and application of computer techniques to classical and quantum physics problems. Emphasis will be on approximation techniques and numerical methods for solving matrix, integral, and differential equations arising in physics.

General Education Requirements or Electives 8 17

Fall of Year 3




MTH215 Introduction to Linear Algebra 3
Detailed study of finite dimensional vector spaces, linear transformations, matrices, determinants and systems of linear equations.
PHY322 Mechanics 3
Introduction to Newtonian statics and dynamics using vector analysis; particle motion, Lagrange's equations; rigid body motion. Application to various topics in physical mechanics.
PHY381 Advanced Laboratory Physics I 3
Key experiments covering a wide range of disciplines including nuclear physics, properties of the electron, magnetism thermodynamics, and optics. Quantitative analysis is stressed, including statistics and curve fitting. Technical skills are developed.

General Education Requirements or Electives 8 17

Spring of Year 3




MTH Elective at 300/400 level 3
Consider MTH441: Introduction to Partial Differential Equations, or MTH462: Functions of a Complex Variable.
PHY331 Electricity and Magnetism 3
Electrostatic fields and dielectric materials; magnetic fields, magnetic induction and magnetic materials; introduction to Maxwell's equations.
PHY382 Advanced Laboratory Physics II 3
Key experiments covering a wide range of disciplines including nuclear physics, properties of the electron, magnetism thermodynamics, and optics. Quantitative analysis is stressed, including statistics and curve fitting. Technical skills are developed.

General Education Requirements or Electives 8 17

Fall of Year 4




PHY401 Seminar in Physics 1
Preparation and presentation of papers on selected topics in physics. Consider PHY402 in spring as an alternative.
PHY420 Introduction to Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics 3
Emphasis on laws of thermodynamics and properties of thermodynamic systems, kinetic theory of gases, molecular velocity distributions, transport phenomena, Maxwell-Boltzmann statistics.
PHY451 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics 3
Particle-wave duality, uncertainty principle; Schrodinger equation: eigenvalues, wavefunctions, time dependence; Dirac notation; Heisenberg representation: operators, matrices, eigenvectors; angular momentum: spin and polarization, Pauli matrices, hydrogen atom, application to quantum computation; symmetries: conservation laws, fermions and bosons.
PHY483 Laboratory and Research Problems in Physics 3
Research in current areas of physics. Students perform research projects with individual faculty members.

General Education Requirements or Electives 3 13

Spring of Year 4




PHY452 Quantum Mechanics: Techniques and Applications 3
Approximation techniques including time-dependent and time-independent perturbation theory, WKB, variational method, Born, Hartree, and computational techniques. Applications to atomic and molecular structure, model potentials, radiative transitions, and scattering.
PHY455 Introduction to Solid-State Physics 3
Crystal structure, thermal, electrical, and magnetic properties of solids. Electron gas theory of metals, band theory of solids. Semiconductors.
PHY484 Laboratory and Research Problems in Physics 3
Research in current areas of physics. Students perform research projects with individual faculty members.
PHY510 Mathematical Methods of Physics I 3
Topics designed to include applications in physics. Vector and tensor analysis; linear algebra; coordinate systems. Determinants, matrices; introductory group theory. Infinite series, complex analysis, analytic properties, conformal mapping, calculus of residues. Fourier analysis and Laplace transforms. This course will substitute the required course MTH461, which is not currently offered.

General Education Requirements or Electives 3 15



Total
129






Comments

[1]    The six general education credits in the category (N) can be from the same Department but cannot be PHY courses. Our recommendations are AST108 and CHM101.