DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
Professors Emeriti: William T. Duffy Jr., Carl H. Hayn, S.J.
Professor: Betty A. Young
Associate Professors: Richard P. Barber Jr. (Department Chair), Philip R. Kesten, John T. Birmingham
Assistant Professor: Guy Ramon
The Department of Physics offers major programs of lecture and laboratory instruction leading to the Bachelor of Science in Physics and the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics. The department also provides an academic minor in physics and required and elective courses for students majoring in other fields.
The usual career goal of a physics major is professional scientific employment by industry, government, or a university, or secondary school teaching in physical science. The undergraduate major program in physics is appropriate preparation for graduate study in physics, astronomy and astrophysics, biophysics, environmental science, geological science and geophysics, medical physics and medicine, patent law, physical science teaching, and oceanography.
The engineering physics major is particularly appropriate for the applied science student who wishes to do research and development and/or attend graduate school in physics, applied physics or various engineering disciplines. The engineering physics major covers a broad spectrum of courses in mathematics, engineering, and physics. This program emphasizes, to a greater extent than the traditional engineering major, the physics fundamentals that are applicable to new technologies as well as to the more established ones.
Research in the department currently is funded by the National Science Foundation, NASA, and Research Corporation. Majors in physics, engineering, and engineering physics participate in faculty research projects through PHYS 198 (Undergraduate Physics Research) and PHYS 199 (Directed Readings in Physics). Advanced students also have opportunities for part-time employment assisting faculty in laboratory and related teaching activities.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR
In addition to fulfilling University Core Curriculum and College of Arts and Sciences requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, students majoring in physics or engineering physics must complete the following departmental requirements:
Major in Physics
- CHEM 11 and 12
- MATH 11, 12, 13, 21, 22
- CSCI 10
- PHYS 31, 32, 33, 34, and associated labs
- PHYS 70, 101, 102, 111, 112, 116, 120, 121, 122, 131, 132, and 151
Major in Engineering Physics
- A minimum of 197 quarter units in a curriculum approved for engineering physics
- CHEM 11 and 12
- MATH 11, 12, 13, and 21
- AMTH 106 or MATH 22
- One course from CSCI 10, COEN 10, COEN 11, or COEN 44
- PHYS 31, 32, 33, 34 (and associated labs), 70, 101, 111, 112, 121, 131, and
either 102 or 132 - ELEN 110 and 115
- PHYS 120 or MECH 121
- MECH 122
- CENG 41 and 43 (CENG 41 is waived for students with advanced placement credit for PHYS 31 and students who earn a “B” or higher in PHYS 31)
- Cluster of four to five technical elective courses in one of several special emphasis areas such as computational physics, electronics, materials science, solid state science, and mechanical engineering
Physics 116 is taught as a capstone and, although not required, is highly recommended for engineering physics majors.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MINOR
Students must fulfill the following requirements for a minor in physics:
- PHYS 31, 32, 33, and 34 (and associated laboratories)
- Four approved upper-division courses, excluding PHYS 198 and 199
PREPARATION IN PHYSICS FOR ADMISSION TO TEACHER TRAINING CREDENTIAL PROGRAMS
The State of California requires that students seeking a credential to teach physics in California secondary schools must pass a subject area competency examination. The secondary teaching credential program additionally requires the completion of an approved credential program, which can be completed as a fifth year of study and student teaching or through an undergraduate summer program and internship.
Students who are contemplating secondary school teaching in physics should consult with the coordinator in the Department of Physics as early as possible.
LOWER-DIVISION COURSES
1. Hands-On Physics!
How do scientists know what they “know?” Notions of scientific theory and experimentation are reviewed. Error analysis and instrumentation are emphasized. Includes student-designed, peer-reviewed group projects. (4 units)
2. Introduction to Astronomy: The Solar System
An introduction to astronomy with a particular focus on the origin and evolution of the solar system, and planets and their satellites. Topics include a brief history of the science of astronomy, telescopes and observational methods, gravitation, spectra and the sun, asteroids, comets, astrobiology, and searches for new planetary bodies and extraterrestrial life. Special emphasis is given to the Earth as a planet, with comparisons to Mars and Venus. Fall and spring quarters. Students should be familiar with arithmetic and basic algebra. Observational lab meets five times during the quarter. (4 units)
3. Introduction to Astronomy: The Universe
An introduction to astronomy with a particular focus on the origin and evolution of the universe, galaxies and stars. Topics include a brief history of the science of astronomy, telescopes and observational methods, gravitation, spectra and the sun, black holes, nebulae, the big bang, and the expansion and ultimate fate of the universe. Special emphasis is given to theories of the cosmos from Stonehenge to the present. Fall and spring quarters. Students should be familiar with arithmetic and basic algebra. Observational lab meets five times during the quarter. (4 units)
4. The Physics of Dance
Explores the connection between the art of dance and the science of motion with both lecture/discussion sessions and movement laboratories. Topics include: mass, force, equilibrium, acceleration, energy, momentum, torque, rotation, and angular momentum. Movement laboratory combines personal experience of movement with scientific measurements and analysis, in other words: “dance it” and “measure it.” This is a lab science, not a dance technique course. Also listed as DANC 4. (4 units)
8. Introduction to Space Sciences
An introduction to space exploration and how observations from space have influenced our knowledge of Earth and of the other planets in our solar system. This is synthesized within the context of the field of astrobiology, an interdisciplinary study of the origin of the Universe and the evolution and future of life on Earth. (4 units)
9. Introduction to Earth Science
Overview of geology and its significance to man. Earthquakes, volcanism, plate tectonics and continental drift, rocks and minerals, geologic hazards, mineral resources. Emphasis on basic geologic principles and the role of geology in today’s world. (4 units)
11. General Physics I
Vectors. Newtonian law of motion. Law of gravitation. Work. Kinetic and potential energy. Momentum and impulse. Rotational energy and momentum. Kepler’s Laws. Torque. Equilibrium. Elastic deformation of solids. Density and pressure of fluids. Bernoulli’s principle. Buoyant forces. Surface tension. Prerequisites: Basic algebra and trigonometry. The PHYS 31/32/33 sequence and the PHYS 11/12/13 sequence cannot both be taken for credit. (4 units) NCX
12. General Physics II
Temperature scales. Thermal expansion of solids and liquids. Thermal energy. Heat transfer. Specific heat. Mechanical equivalent of heat. Work and heat. Laws of thermodynamics. Kinetic theory of gases. Ideal gas law. Entropy. Vibration and wave motion. Hooke’s law. Electric fields and potential. Ohm’s law. Potential difference. Electric potential. Energy stored in capacitors. Electric current. Resistance and resistivity. Electric energy and power. Kirchhoff ’s Rules. RC circuits. Lab. Prerequisite: PHYS 11. The PHYS 31/32/33 sequence and the PHYS 11/12/13 sequence cannot both be taken for credit. (5 units) NCX
13. General Physics III
Magnetism. Magnetic force on a current carrying conductor. Torque on a current loop. Motion of a charged particle in a magnetic field. Ampere’s Law. Magnetic field of a solenoid. Induced EMF. Faraday’s Law of Induction. Lenz’s Law. Self inductance. RCL series circuit. Power in an AC circuit. Resonance. Transformers. Optics: reflection, refraction, mirrors, and lenses. Total internal reflection. Diffraction. Young’s double slit interference. Polarization. Optical Instruments. Relativity. Wave-particle duality. Photoelectric effect. X-rays. Pair production and annihilation. Bohr Atom. Spectra. Uncertainty principle. Quantum numbers. Radioactivity. Nuclear particles and reactions. Lab. Prerequisite: PHYS 12. The PHYS 31/32/33 sequence and the PHYS 11/12/13 sequence cannot both be taken for credit. (5 units) NCX
19. General Physics for Teachers
A general physics course designed for future teachers. Topics covered include mechanics, properties of matter, heat, sound, electricity and magnetism, light, atomic and nuclear physics, and astronomy. (4 units)
31. Physics for Scientists and Engineers I
Measurement. Vectors. Straight-line kinematics. Kinematics in two dimensions. Laws of inertia, mass conservation, and momentum conservation. Center-of-mass and reference frames. Force. Newtonian mechanics and its applications. Work and kinetic energy. Potential energy and energy conservation. Rotational dynamics. Statics. Prerequisite: MATH 11. (MATH 11 may be taken concurrently.) The PHYS 31/32/33 sequence and the PHYS 11/12/13 sequence cannot both be taken for credit. (4 units) NCX
32. Physics for Scientists and Engineers II
Simple harmonic motion. Gravitation. Kepler’s Laws. Fluids. Waves, sound. Interference, diffraction, and polarization. Thermodynamics. Prerequisites: MATH 12 and PHYS 31. (MATH 12 may be taken concurrently.) The PHYS 31/32/33 sequence and the PHYS 11/12/13 sequence cannot both be taken for credit. PHYS 32L (lab) is usually taken concurrently. (4 units) NCX
32L. Physics for Scientists and Engineers II Laboratory
Measurement theory. Statistical reduction of data. Computer graphing techniques. Experiments directly related to Newton’s Laws and to conservation laws. Experiments in periodic motion. Mechanical equivalent of heat. Use of oscilloscope. Geometrical optics and computer ray tracing. Lab quizzes. Prerequisite: PHYS 32 (usually taken concurrently). (1 unit) NCX
33. Physics for Scientists and Engineers III
Electrostatics. Gauss’s Law. Potential. Capacitance. Electric current. Resistance. Kirchhoff’s rules. DC circuits. AC circuits. Magnetic force. Electromagnetic induction. Prerequisite: PHYS 32. The PHYS 31/32/33 sequence and the PHYS 11/12/13 sequence cannot both be taken for credit. PHYS 33L (lab) is usually taken concurrently. (4 units) NCX
33L. Physics for Scientists and Engineers III Laboratory
Experiments with simple circuits involving capacitors and resistors. Experiments in magnetism and circuits involving inductors. Lasers. Lab quizzes. Prerequisite: PHYS 33 (usually taken concurrently). (1 unit) NCX
34. Physics for Scientists and Engineers IV
Special relativity. Historical development of modern physics: black body radiation, photoelectric effect, Compton scattering, X-rays, Bohr atom, DeBroglie wavelength, Heisenberg uncertainty principle. Quantum waves and particles. Schrödinger equation. Nuclear structure and decay. Particle physics. Semiconductors. Includes weekly laboratory. Prerequisite: PHYS 33. (5 units) NCX
70. Electronic Circuits for Scientists
Linear electric circuits. DC analysis, network theorems, phasor AC analysis. Diode circuits. Physics of p-n junction. Junction diodes, field-effect devices, bipolar junction transistors. Elementary amplifiers. Small-signal device models. Logic gates, digital integrated circuits, Boolean algebra, registers, counters, memories. Operational amplifier circuits. Linear amplifier bias circuits. Includes weekly laboratory. Prerequisite: PHYS 33. (5 units)
UPPER-DIVISION COURSES
101. Analytical Mechanics I
Single particle classical (Newtonian) dynamics. Linear oscillations. Calculus of variations. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian approaches to classical dynamics. Prerequisites: PHYS 131 and MATH 22 or AMTH 106. (5 units)
102. Analytical Mechanics II
Newton’s theory of gravitation. Central force motion. Dynamics of a system of particles. Scattering theory. Non-inertial reference frames. Nonlinear oscillations and classical chaos. A selection of other advanced topics from classical dynamics. Prerequisite: PHYS 101. (5 units)
111. Electromagnetic Theory I
Electrostatic fields. Laplace’s and Poisson’s equations. Multipole expansion. Dielectrics. Magnetostatics. Magnetic materials. Prerequisites: PHYS 33 and PHYS 131. (5 units)
112. Electromagnetic Theory II
Induced electromotive forces. Maxwell’s equations. Energy and momentum in electrodynamics. Electromagnetic stress tensor. Electromagnetic waves. Reflection and refraction. Guided waves. Dipole radiation. Prerequisite: PHYS 111. (5 units)
116. Physics of Solids
Crystal structure. Phonons. Free electron theory of metals. Band theory of solids. Semiconductors. Electrical and thermal transport properties of materials. Magnetism. Superconductivity. Topics from current research literature. Physics 116 is taught as a capstone course. Prerequisites: PHYS 120, PHYS 121, and senior standing. (5 units)
120. Thermal Physics
Laws of thermodynamics with applications to ideal and non-ideal systems. Elementary kinetic theory of gases. Entropy. Classical and quantum statistical mechanics. Selected topics from magnetism and low-temperature physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 34. Recommended: PHYS 121, PHYS 131. (5 units)
121. Quantum Mechanics I
The Schrödinger equation. The wave-function and its interpretation. Bra/ket (Dirac) notation. Integrable quantum mechanical systems. Spin. Identical particles. Prerequisites: PHYS 34, PHYS 101, and PHYS 131 and either PHYS 102 or PHYS 132. (5 units)
122. Quantum Mechanics II
Time-independent perturbation theory. Variational principles. Semiclassical methods. Time-dependent perturbation theory. Scattering theory. Other advanced topics, such as quantum information and computation. Physics 122 is taught as a capstone course. Prerequisite: PHYS 121. (5 units)
131. Methods of Mathematical Physics I
Advanced vector analysis. Dirac delta function. Linear algebra. Infinite series. Complex analysis. Computational and numerical methods and techniques. Prerequisite: MATH 22 or AMTH 106. (5 units) NCX
132. Methods of Mathematical Physics II
Complex analysis. Series solutions of ordinary differential equations. Sturm-Liouville theory of orthogonal functions. Special functions. Fourier series. Partial differential equations. Integral transforms. Computational and numerical methods and techniques. Prerequisite: PHYS 131. (5 units) NCX
151. Advanced Laboratory
Laboratory-based experiments in the areas of atomic, nuclear, and quantum physics. Emphasis on in-depth understanding of underlying physics, laboratory techniques, data analysis, and dissemination of results. Design and implementation of independent table-top project. Introduction to LabVIEW.™ Written and oral presentations. Prerequisite: Senior standing. (6 units)
195. Senior Seminar
Advanced topics in selected areas of physics. Enrollment by permission of instructor. (2 units)
198. Undergraduate Physics Research
Departmental work under close professorial direction on research in progress. Permission of the professor directing the research must be secured before registering for this course. Restricted to physics majors, engineering physics majors, and honors students with a 3.0 or higher grade point average. (1-5 units)
199. Directed Reading in Physics
Detailed investigation of some area or topic in physics not covered in the regular courses; supervised by a faculty member. Permission of the professor directing the study must be secured before registering for this course. Restricted to students with a 3.0 or higher grade point average. (1-5 units)
