Chen, Dewar (Chair), Kim, Lykken, Marasinghe, Moreno, Schwalm and Young
The Department of Physics offers a major and minor in physics. Majors may elect to earn a general physics degree or to specialize in one of four tracks. The five physics degree options are::
- No specialization
- Applied Physics Track
- Astrophysics Track
- Computers in Physics Track
- Materials Science Track
Each track leads to a Bachelor of Science with Major in Physics, awarded through the College of Arts and Sciences. A total of 125 credits is required for graduation. In addition to other University Graduation Requirements and the courses specified for one of the five options listed below, all Physics majors must complete successfully the following set of core courses:
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Phys 251 |
University Physics I/Laboratory |
(4 cr) |
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Phys 252 |
University Physics II/Laboratory |
(4 cr) |
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Phys 253 |
University Physics III/Laboratory |
(4 cr) |
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Phys 317, 318 |
Mechanics I, II |
(6 cr) |
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Phys 324 |
Thermal Physics |
(3 cr) |
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Phys 325 |
Optics |
(3 cr) |
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Phys 325L |
Optics Laboratory |
(1 cr) |
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Phys 327, 328 |
Electricity and Magnetism I, II |
(6 cr) |
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Phys 415 |
Research Experience |
(3 cr) |
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Phys 428 |
Advanced Physics Laboratory |
(2 cr) |
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Phys 431, 432 |
Quantum Mechanics I, II |
(6 cr) |
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Chem 121, 122 |
General Chemistry I, II |
(6 cr) |
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Chem 121L, 122L |
Laboratory Corequisites |
(2 cr) |
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Math 165, 166, 265 |
Calculus I, II, III |
(12 cr) |
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Math 266 |
Elementary Differential Equations |
(3 cr) |
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Math 352 |
Partial Differential Equations |
(3 cr) |
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Math 327 |
Applied Linear Agebra |
(3 cr) |
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To provide proper advisement, the Physics
Department requires its majors to meet with
their physics advisors prior to registration
each semester. This ensures each student is enrolled in
appropriate classes and helps the department
schedule certain courses in a timely manner.
A hold is placed on registration for physics
majors until this advisement session takes
place. It is
the student’s responsibility to schedule
the advisement session.
Beyond completion of the core listed above,
and the general education requirements, all
physics majors must complete one of the following options, together with additional electives
for a total of 125 credits. |
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I. |
General Physics option: This is a general
physics degree offering maximum flexibility.
It is appropriate for students who may seek
advanced degrees, for instance, or who are interested
in medical school. Beyond the core, the student
must complete an additional 9 credits of
Physics numbered above 300. No more than 3 credits
of these 9 may be in Special Problems, Physics
492. |
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II. |
Applied Physics track: This choice will
provide interdisciplinary training in applied
physics and applied electronics with emphasis
on instrumentation and measurement technique.
The aim is to prepare the student to work
as part of a research team in an industrial,
government or academic setting. In addition to the core,
the student must complete: |
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EE 206 |
Circuit Analysis |
(3 cr)
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EE 321 |
Electronics I |
(3 cr) |
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EE 308 |
Electronics Lab |
(2 cr) |
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Phys 402 |
Computers in Physics |
(3 cr) |
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EE 452 |
Microprocessors |
(3 cr) |
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In addition, students electing the applied
physics track should select an instrumentation
project as a means of satisfying the research
core requirement, Phys 415. |
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III. |
Astrophysics track: This option is for
students with special interest in astronomy,
astrophysics, space exploration or aerospace
applications. The following are required. |
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Phys 110 |
Intro. Astronomy |
(3 cr)
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Phys 110L |
Intro. Astronomy Lab |
(1 cr) |
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Phys 434 |
Nuclear Physics |
(3 cr) |
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Phys 460 |
Intro. Astrophysics I |
(3 cr) |
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Phys 461 |
Intro. Astrophysics II |
(3 cr) |
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To satisfy the research requirement, Phys
415, students in the astrophysics track should
select an approved astrophysics project. |
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IV. |
Computers in Physics track: This choice
provides extensive experience using computers
for running experiments, analyzing data,
doing computer simulations and calculations in physics.
The student should be prepared to learn programming
languages. The following are required. |
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CSci 160 |
Computer Sci. I |
(4 cr)
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CSci 161 |
Computer Sci. II |
(4 cr) |
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Phys 402 |
Computers in Phys. |
(3 cr) |
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For the Computers in Physics track, students
should seek out computational research projects
for Phys 415, or laboratory projects involving computer instrumentation |
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V. |
Materials Science track: This option provides
the strongest foundation in solid state and
materials science. Required are: |
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1. Phys 320 |
Intro. Materials Sci. |
(3 cr)
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2. Phys 420 |
Topics in Materials |
(3 cr) |
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3. Phys 437 |
Solid State Phys |
(3 cr) |
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Students in this track should select approved
research projects in materials science as
a means of satisfying the Phys 415 requirement. |
MINOR IN PHYSICS |
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Required 20 credits in Physics. The specific
courses should be in consultation with the
department. |
Courses
110/110L. Introductory Astronomy. 3 credits/1 credit. An introductory study of the universe: The solar system, stars, stellar evolution, galaxies, black holes, big bang cosmology, and the accelerating universe. The astronomy laboratory 110L is optional for 1 credit. F,S
130/130L. Natural Science—Physics. 4 credits. Corequisite: 130L for 130. For non-science majors, this is a hands-on, inquiry-based course on the workings of science. Emphasis is on critical thinking and the use of the scientific method. Topics will include: electricity, force, motion, and energy. The laboratory is a corequisite of this course. S
140. Physics for Poets. 3 credits. An introduction to the fundamental concepts of physics, especially those developed in the twentieth century. A knowledge of elementary algebra is recommended, but the course is designed for students with a limited mathematical background. No laboratory. On demand.
150. Physics for Aerospace Sciences. 4 credits. Corequisite: Phys 150L. An introduction to the
principles and concepts of physics as they apply to the study of aerospace sciences. Topics: Newtonian mechanics, gravitation, work, energy, fluids, electricity, magnetism. F, S
150L. Physics for Aerospace Sciences Laboratory. 1 credit. Corequisite: Phys 150.
161/161L, 162/162L. Introductory College Physics I & II. 8 credits. Corequisites: 161L for 161; 162L for 162. An introduction to the principles and concepts of physics with the application of minimal mathematics, sufficient to show the logical progression from one topic to the next. General physics for those who do not plan to take an advanced course in science. Topics: Newtonian mechanics and gravitation, work and energy, solids and fluids, vibrations and waves, electricity and magnetism, light and optics. The laboratory is a corequisite of each course. Physics 161 has no mathematical prerequisite but knowledge of elementary algebra is recommended. Physics 161 is offered in the fall and Physics 162 in the spring. F,S
211/211L. College Physics I/Laboratory. 4 credits. Prerequisite: Math 103. This non-calculus general physics course is recommended for pre-medical or pre-professional students. Topics: Newtonian mechanics and gravitation, work and energy, solids and fluids, heat and thermodynamics. The laboratory is a corequisite for this course. A student may not receive credit for Physics 211, 211L, Physics 212, 212L and also Physics 161, 161L, and Physics 162, 162L. F
212/212L. College Physics II/Laboratory. 4 credits. Prerequisite: Phys 211. The non-calculus general physics course sequence recommended for pre-medical or pre-professional students. Topics: vibrations and waves, electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and an introduction to modern physics. The laboratory is a corequisite for this course. A student may not receive credit for Physics 211, 211L, Physics 212, 212L and also Physics 161, 161L, and Physics 162, 162L. S
213/213L. College Physics III/Laboratory. 4 credits. Prerequiste: Phys 212. A survey of modern physics covering physical optics, special theory of relativity, quantum theory, atomic physics, molecular and solid state physics, nuclear physics and radioactivity, particle physics, and astrophysics. The laboratory is a corequisite for this course.F
251/251L. University Physics I/Laboratory. 4 credits. Prerequisite: Math 165. Corequisite: Phys 251L. The university physics sequence is for students majoring in science and engineering. Topics normally covered in Phys 251 include Newtonian mechanics and gravitation, work and energy, rotational dynamics, vibrations and waves, mechanics of solids and fluids, basic kinetic theory, equations of state and the first and second laws of thermodynamics. The laboratory is a corequisite for Phys 251. F, S
252/252L. University Physics II/Laboratory. 4 credits. Prerequisite: Math 166, Phys 251 and 251L. Corequisite: Phys 252L. Topics normally covered include electricity, magnetism, electromagnetic waves, light and geometrical optics. The laboratory is a corequisite for Phys 252. F, S
253/253L. University Physics III/Laboratory. 4 credits. Prerequisites: Math 265, Phys 252 and 252L. Corequisite: Phys 253L. Modern physics, a survey covering physics of the 20th and 21st centuries. Topics normally covered include theory of relativity, discovery of quantum phenomena, basic quantum mechanics, overview of atomic, nuclear and solid state physics, statistical physics, quantum fluids and superconductivity, fundamental forces and the physics of elementary particles. This course is a prerequisite for most courses in advanced physics. The lab is a corequisite for Phys 253. S
294. Selected Topics in Physics. 1 credit. Prerequisite: 8 hours of College Physics or consent of instructor. May be repeated to a maximum of 4 hours. Credit may not be applied toward a major in physics. On demand.
317. Mechanics I. 3 credits. Prerequisites: Phys 251 and Math 266, or approval of department. Motion of a single particle, central forces and simple oscillatory systems.F/2
318. Mechanics II. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Phys 317 or approval of instructor. A continuation of Phys 317. Rigid body motion, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics, relativity, contunuum mechanics. S/2
320. Introductory Materials Science. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Phys 253 or approval of department. An introduction to solid state physics with emphasis on applications. F/S
324. Thermal Physics. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Phys 253 or approval of instructor. Thermodynamics with an introduction to statistical physics. S/2
325. Optics. 3 credits. Prerequisites: Phys 253 or approval of department. Geometrical and physical optics with an emphasis on physical optics. S/2
325L. Optics Laboratory. 1 credit. Corequisite: Phys 325. Laboratory to accompany Physics 325. S/2
327. Electricity and Magnetism I. 3 credits. Prerequisites: Phys 253 or approval of instructor. A quantitative treatment of electro-magnetic theory with an introduction to Maxwell’s equations. F/2
328. Electricity and Magnetism II. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Phys 327. Corequisite: Math 352 or approval of instructor. Maxwell’s equations. The scalar potential as a solution of a boundary value problem. The vector potential and its application. A quantitative treatment of dielectrics, magnetic materials and electromagnetic radiation. S/2
402. Computers in Physics. 3 credits. Prerequisites: Phys 252 and knowledge of a higher-level computer programming language, or consent of instructor. Computer applications in physics, that may include data analysis, numerical simulation, symbolic and algebraic programming, parallel computing, computer interfacing and/or experimental physics applications. S/2
415. Research Experience. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Phys 253 or advisor’s consent. The students will engage in research activities of a UND physics faculty member or may take part in a physics department approved external research program such as an NSF-funded REU program.
420. Advanced Topics in Materials Science. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Phys 320. A discussion on the application of physics to design, synthesis and characterization of materials of current interest.
428. Advanced Physics Laboratory. 2 credits. Prerequisite: Phys 253 or approval of instructor. Advanced undergraduate experiments in physics, using modern techniques and instrumentation. Classic experiments leading to the current understanding of physical theory. F/2
431. Quantum Mechanics I. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Phys 253 and 317 or approval of department. Corequisite: 317. An introduction to quantum mechanics with applications to atomic structure. F/2
432. Quantum Mechanics II. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Phys 431 or consent of instructor. Further development of basic quantum theory with application to atomic, molecular, solid state and nuclear physics. S/2
434. Nuclear Physics. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Phys 253 or approval of instructor. Introduction to the theory of atomic nuclei, fundamental forces and sub-atomic particles. F/2.
437. Introduction to Solid State Physics. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Phys 253 or approval of instructor. A general introduction to solid state phenomena. F/2.
460. Introduction to Astrophysics. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Phys 253 or consent of instructor. Nature of stars. Topics include celestial mechanics, relativity, optics, stellar birth, stellar interiors and evolution, nucleosynthesis, stellar death, compact objects, black holes, neutron stars, white dwarfs, binaries and variable stars. Some topics include the use of computer tools to solve problems. F/2
461. Introduction to Astrophysics II. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Phys 460 or approval of instructor. Galaxies and the universe. Topics include structure and evolution of galaxies, the Milky Way, stellar populations, globular clusters, interstellar medium, big bang, Hubble and the distance scale, radio galaxies, quasars, jets, blazars, clusters and superclusters of galaxies and cosmology. Some topics include the use of computer tools to solve problems. S/2
492. Special Problems. 1-3 credits. Prerequisite: approval of the department. F, S
499. Senior Honors. 1-15 credits
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