Physics

A minor in Physics consists of 16 semester hours or more of course work in Physics, to include PHYS3340.

ONLY FOR STUDENTS WHO WANT A SECONDARY PHYSICS ENDORSEMENT (5-12): Students desiring a secondary physics endorsement (5-12) in Iowa must complete a major in a secondary teaching field, complete the Secondary Education Program (with SCIE3360 Methods of Teaching Science and Mathematics as the appropriate methods course), and complete 24 s.h. in physics or 30 s.h. in physical science, excluding SCIE3030 and SCIE/MATH3360, to include at least 15 s.h. in physics. Both options require the following courses:

 

PHYS1410/1420 Elements of Physics I and II or
PHYS2550/2560 Physics I and II 8-10 s.h.
PHYS3340 Modern Physics 3 s.h.

The number of lecture hours and lab hours are noted next to the titles of courses that have labs (lecture hours-lab hours).

Students cannot earn credit for both PHYS1410/1420 and PHYS2550/2560.

PHYS1410 Elements of Physics I (3-2) 4 s.h.
An elementary physics course emphasizing the fundamental concepts associated with the physical universe. Topics include Newtonian mechanics, fluids, heat thermodynamics, wavemotion, and sound. Designed to meet the needs of biology majors and students preparing for the medical profession and related fields. Prerequisites: Two years high school algebra and one year geometry; plane trigonometry recommended. Goal 2a, 4ab, 4c1 (Goal 2A Catalog 0809+)

PHYS1420 Elements of Physics II (3-2) 4 s.h.
A continuation of PHYS1410. Topics included are electricity, magnetism, electromagnetic waves, light, relativity, quantum mechanics, and nuclear physics. Prerequisite: PHYS1410. Goal 2a, 4ab, 4c1 (Goal 2A Catalog 0809+)

PHYS2000 Individual Study Goal 2a (Goal 2A Catalog 0809+) 1-3 s.h.

+ PHYS2200 Engineering Graphics and Design 3 s.h.
This course focuses on drawing skills using computers. Techniques learned will include orthographic projections of points, lines, planes, and surfaces. Emphasis will be on two dimensional drawings, with an introduction to three dimensional concepts. Students will construct a portfolio of drawings. Goal 2a, 8 (Goal 2A Catalog 0809+)

PHYS2400 Statics 3 s.h.
A study of rigid-body mechanics that deals with the equilibrium of bodies; that is, those which are at rest or move at a constant velocity. Vector algebra is used extensively in equilibrium analysis of structures and machines. Prerequisite: MATH1520. Corequisite: PHYS2550. Goal 2a, 4ab (Goal 2A Catalog 0809+)

PHYS2410 Dynamics 3 s.h.
A study of rigid-body mechanics that deals with bodies having accelerated motion. It includes kinematics and kinetics. The study will include the concepts of work and energy, impulse and momentum, planar and spatial kinetics, and kinematics. Prerequisite: PHYS2400. Goal 2a (Goal 2A Catalog 0809+)

PHYS2550 Physics I (4-2) 5 s.h.
An introduction to Newtonian and relativistic mechanics, heat, and thermodynamics. Designed for science majors and engineers. Corequisite: MATH1510. Goal 2a, 4ab (Goal 2A Catalog 0809+)

PHYS2560 Physics II (4-2) 5 s.h.
A continuation of PHYS2550. Wave mechanisms, electricity, magnetism, light, atoms, and nuclei. Prerequisite: PHYS2550. Corequisite: MATH1520. Goal 2a, 4ab (Goal 2A Catalog 0809+)

+ PHYS3340 Modern Physics 3 s.h.
Modern physical theories, such as relativity and quantum mechanics, with examples drawn from the phenomena of atomic, nuclear, and solid state physics. Prerequisites: MATH1520 and PHYS1420, or PHYS2560. Goal 2a (Goal 2A Catalog 0809+)

PHYS3900 Advanced Topics in Physics 3 s.h.
In-depth study of topics developed from one or more fields of physics, such as mechanics, optics, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and electronics. Course topics will be announced prior to each semester in which they are offered. May be repeated for credit as topics change. Goal 2a (Goal 2A Catalog 0809+)

PHYS4000 Individual Study Goal 2a (Goal 2A Catalog 0809+) 1-3 s.h.

+Denotes an alternate year course.