Academic
Catalog August 2007 - August 2008 Undergraduate
and Graduate
Some courses may not be offered every year. Check with the college or department office for current information about when specific courses are offered.
For course syllabi, see the departmental website.
PHY 101 INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS (2)
Introduces physical principles, reasoning, and problem-solving techniques for students not meeting the prerequisites for PHY 111 or 161. 2 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs. lab. May not count toward major. Corequisite: PHY 101L
PHY 101L INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS LAB (1)
Must be taken concurrently with PHY101. Corequisite: PHY 101
PHY 103 FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR (1)
Introduces first-year majors to the academic content, degree programs, faculty, resources, facilities, and opportunities available in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Pass-fail only. Prerequisite: declared major in physics, astronomy, merged physics and astronomy, engineering physics, or physical science.
PHY 107 CONCEPTS OF PHYSICS (3)
Conceptual basis of physical laws with examples of their applications in the modern world. Corequisite: PHY 107L SAS
PHY 107L CONCEPTS OF PHYSICS LAB (1)
Must be taken concurrently with PHY 107. LAB
PHY 111 GENERAL PHYSICS I (3)
First course in the two-semester, algebra-based, introductory physics sequence. Classical mechanics, heat, and sound. Prerequisite or Corequisite: MAT125 or MAT125H or higher and Corequisite: PHY 111L SAS
PHY 111L GENERAL PHYSICS I LAB (1)
Must be taken concurrently with PHY 111. Prerequisite or Corequisite: MAT 125 or MAT 125H or higher and PHY 111 LAB
PHY 111R GENERAL PHYSICS I RECITATION (1)
Optional recitation section covering problem-solving techniques in classical mechanics and waves. Pass-fail only. Corequisite: PHY 111 and PHY 111L
PHY 112 GENERAL PHYSICS II (3)
Second course in the two-semester, algebra-based, introductory physics sequence. Electricity, magnetism, and optics. Prerequisite: PHY 111 and PHY 111L and Corequisite: PHY 112L SAS
PHY 112L GEN PHYSICS II LAB (1)
Prerequisite: PHY 111 and PHY 111L and Corequisite: PHY 112 LAB
PHY 112R GENERAL PHYSICS II RECITATION (1)
Optional recitation section covering problem-solving techniques in electricity, magnetism, and optics. Pass-fail only. Corequisite: PHY 112 and PHY 112L
PHY 161 UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I (3)
First course in the three-semester, calculus-based, introductory physics sequence. Classical mechanics. Prerequisite or Corequisite: MAT 136 or MAT 136H or higher and Corequisite: PHY161L SAS
PHY 161L UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I LAB (1)
Must be taken concurrently with PHY 161. Prerequisite or Corequisite: MAT 136 or MAT 136H or higher and PHY 161 LAB
PHY 161R UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I RECITATION (1)
Optional recitation section covering problem-solving techniques in classical mechanics. Pass-fail only. Corequisite: PHY 161 and PHY 161L
PHY 198 MODULAR LEARNING EXPERIENCE (1-3)
Foundations of intellectual inquiry. In-depth study of a substantive problem. Letter grade only. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit.
PHY 199 MODULAR LEARNING EXPERIENCE (1-3)
Foundations of intellectual inquiry. In-depth study of a substantive problem. Letter grade only. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit.
PHY 262 UNIVERSITY PHYSICS II (3)
Second course in the three-semester, calculus-based, introductory physics sequence. Electricity, magnetism, and thermodynamics. Prerequisite: PHY 161 and PHY 161L and Prerequisite or Corequisite: MAT 137 or higher SAS
PHY 262L UNIVERSITY PHYSICS II LAB (1)
Prerequisite: PHY 161 and PHY 161L and Prerequisite or Corequisite: MAT 137 or higher and PHY 262
PHY 262R UNIVERSITY PHYSICS II RECITATION (1)
Optional recitation section covering problem-solving techniques in electricity, magnetism, and thermodynamics. Pass-fail only. May be repeated for up to two units of credit. Corequisite: PHY 262
PHY 263 UNIVERSITY PHYSICS III (3)
Final course in the three-semester, calculus-based, introductory physics sequence. Studies waves, optics, atomic, and nuclear structure. Prerequisite: PHY 262 or (PHY 112 and PHY 112L)
PHY 264 ELECTRONICS FOR SCIENCE STUDENTS (3)
Reviews basic electricity including network theorems. Introduces semiconductor electronics including bipolar and field effect devices and operational amplifiers. 2 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs. lab. Prerequisite: PHY 262 or (PHY 112 and PHY 112L)
PHY 265 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS (3)
Introduction to numerical methods, visualization techniques, and data analysis. Students will also be introduced to scientific computing on the Linux/Unix platform and programming in that environment. Common software packages in current scientific computing routinely used in the discipline will be introduced. Letter grade only. Prerequisite: PHY 161 and PHY 262
PHY 299 MODULAR LEARNING EXPERIENCE (1-3)
In-depth study of an aspect, concept, or problem. Letter grade only. May be repeated for up to 6 units of credit.
PHY 301 METHODS OF ANALYTICAL PHYSICS (3)
Applications of mathematical methods of physics. Letter grade only. Prerequisite or Corequisite: MAT 239 or higher
PHY 321 MECHANICS I (3)
Vector calculus, Newtonian mechanics, systems of particles, central forces. Prerequisite: PHY 263 and PHY 265 and Prerequisite or Corequisite: MAT 239 or higher
PHY 322 MECHANICS II (3)
Lagrange's equations, Hamilton's equations, continuous media, small oscillations, and special relativity. Prerequisite: PHY 321
PHY 331 ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM I (3)
Electrostatics, magnetostatics, Lorentz force, fields in matter, electromagnetic induction. Letter grade only. Prerequisite: PHY 263 and PHY 265 and (MAT 238 or higher)
PHY 332 ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM II (3)
Maxwell's equations, scalar and vector potentials, Laplace's equation, boundary value problems, plane waves, and radiation. Prerequisite: PHY 331
PHY 333W ADVANCED LAB (3)
Advanced lab problems and associated writing techniques in physics. Involves acquiring and analyzing experimental data and submitting journal reports based on the results. This course fulfills NAU's junior-level writing requirement. 1 hr. lecture, 6 hrs. lab. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit. Prerequisite: PHY 263 JWRT
PHY 361 MODERN PHYSICS (3)
Special relativity, atomic and nuclear physics, quantum mechanics. Prerequisite: PHY 263 and (MAT 238 or higher)
PHY 389 COOPERATIVE EDUCATION (1-12)
Individualized preplanned cooperative employment experience related to your field of study or career objectives. Pass-fail only. Fee required. No repeat limit.
PHY 398 MODULAR LEARNING EXPERIENCE (1-3)
In-depth study of an aspect, concept, or problem. Letter grade only. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit.
PHY 399 MODULAR LEARNING EXPERIENCE (1-3)
In-depth study of an aspect, concept, or problem within a program of study. Letter grade only. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit.
PHY 402 METHODS OF ANALYTICAL PHYSICS (3)
Continuation of PHY 401. Prerequisite: MAT 239 or higher
PHY 408 FIELDWORK EXPERIENCE (1-12)
Individualized supervised field experience in an appropriate agency or organization. Pass-fail only. Fee required. No repeat limit.
PHY 430 HIGH SCHOOL TCH METH (2-3)
PHY 433 PHYSICAL OPTICS (3)
Electromagnetic theory, geometrical optics, waves, polarization, interference, and diffraction. Prerequisite: PHY 263 and (MAT 238 or higher)
PHY 441 THERMAL AND STATISTICAL PHYSICS (3)
Thermodynamics, heat transfer, kinetic theory, and quantum statistics. Prerequisite: PHY 263 and (MAT 238 or higher)
PHY 451 NUCLEAR PHYSICS (3)
Nuclear decay, nuclear stability, structure of nuclei, gamma radiation, alpha and beta decay, fission, radiation techniques. Prerequisite: PHY 361 or CHM 341
PHY 452 NUCLEAR PHYSICS LAB (1-2)
Design and operation of nuclear test equipment. Application of equipment to detection and analysis of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. Prerequisite or Corequisite: PHY 451
PHY 471 QUANTUM MECHANICS (3)
Wave mechanics, Schrodinger's equation, barrier problems, harmonic oscillator, hydrogen atom and matrix methods. Letter grade only. Prerequisite: PHY 301 and PHY 321 and PHY 361
PHY 476C SENIOR PROJECT I (1)
Project planning for PHY 486C. Project selected in conjunction with adviser. Prerequisite: PHY 263 CAP
PHY 481 SOLID STATE PHYSICS (3)
Band theory of solids. Prerequisite: PHY 361 and (MAT 238 or higher)
PHY 485 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH (1-6)
Individualized original research under the supervision of a research adviser. May be repeated for up to 6 units of credit.
PHY 485C UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH (1-6)
Original research under the supervision of a research adviser. Letter grade or pass-fail. May be repeated for up to 6 units of credit. Department consent required. CAP
PHY 486C SENIOR PROJECT II (3)
Project design and completion, using research methodology, techniques, and dissemination of results. Thesis required. 1 hr. lecture, 6 hrs. lab. Prerequisite: PHY 476C CAP
PHY 490 ADVANCED TOPICS IN PHYSICS (1-3)
Advanced topics in physics. Topics depend on regular or visiting faculty expertise and student demand. Letter grade only. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units, as topics change.
PHY 497 INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-6)
Individualized approach to selected topics by guided reading and critical evaluation. Letter grade or pass-fail. Department consent required.
PHY 498 SENIOR SEMINAR (1-3)
Integrates theory and practice, with emphasis on historical, contemporary, and future issues. Letter grade only. May be repeated for up to 6 units of credit.
PHY 498C SENIOR SEMINAR (1-3)
Integrates theory and practice, with emphasis on historical, contemporary, and future issues. CAP
PHY 499 CONTEMPORARY DEVELOPMENTS (1-3)
Examines recent trends and investigations in a selected area. Letter grade only. No repeat limit.