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Physics
 | Department Information |
| | Program Description |
| | Career Opportunities |
| | Features |
| | Preparation |
| | Major Requirements (B.S.) |
| | Minor Requirements |
| | Undergraduate Courses |
| Department Information |
Department of Physics
College of Science
Office: North Science 231
Phone: (510) 885-3401
Professor Emeritus: Daryl W. Preston
Professor: Robert H. Good (Chair)
Associate Professor: Gary S. Weston
Assistant Professors: David P. Landhuis, E. Jason Singley
Lecturer: Louis A. Villanueva
Please consult the 2005-2006 online catalog for any changes that may occur.
| Program Description |
In physics, one attempts to discover, formulate, explain, and apply the basic laws of nature. You could be a physicist and work in areas as diverse as astrophysics, relativity, properties of materials, or the standard model of fundamental particles and interactions. Principles of physics provide the foundation for other sciences as well as engineering. Some of the examples of modern technological development from the application of physical principles include radio and television, computers, laser scanners, and communication by fiber optics. In addition, physicists explore problems in astronomy and theories for the origin and evolution of the universe.
The Bachelor of Science degree major program is designed to give students an understanding of the fundamentals of physics including concepts of atomic and nuclear physics, classical mechanics, wave motion and sound, electromagnetism and optics, heat and thermodynamics, relativity, quantum mechanics, and elementary particles and their interactions.
| Career Opportunities |
Aerodynamist • Astronomer • Biochemical Engineer • Electric Power Administrator • Geologist • Geophysicists • Laboratory Assistant • Laser Technician • Metallurgist • Meteorologist • Mineralogist • Oil Well Manager • Park Ranger • Petrologist • Pharmacologist • Pollution Control Technician • Seismologist • Stratigrapher • Technical Writer • Thermodynamic Physicist
| Features |
With relatively small classes and teaching as a major emphasis of faculty members, the physics major involves a considerable amount of individualized instruction. In addition, research done by faculty members often includes student participation.
Hands-on experience is the central theme of the programs and a full range of equipment including microcomputers exists in the department for use in laboratory experiments and classroom demonstrations. Upper division students use modern equipment to conduct experiments in such areas as fiber optics, laser spectra, atomic and molecular spectra, the Zeeman effect, Compton scattering, the Hall effect, the Franck-Hertz experiment, and gamma-ray spectra.
Physics majors have an opportunity to be inducted into the national physics honors society, Sigma Pi Sigma. Additionally, students may join the Society of Physics Students (SPS).
| Preparation |
For Advanced Placement course equivalencies, see Registration chapter.
| Major Requirements (B.S.) |
Please consult an advisor in your major department for clarification and interpretation of your major requirements. The major consists of 88 units; the B.S. degree requires a total of 180 units.
| I. | Lower Division (37 units) | ||||
| PHYS 1001, 1002, 1003 General Physics (5, 5, 5) CHEM 1101, 1102 General Chemistry (5, 5) MATH 1304, 1305, 2304 Calculus I, II, III (4, 4, 4) | |||||
| II. | Upper Division (51 units) | ||||
| MATH 3331 Differential Equations I (4) PHYS 3101 Statics and Dynamics (4) PHYS 3102 Analytic Mechanics (4) PHYS 3150 Thermal Physics (4) PHYS 3180 Computational Physics (4) PHYS 3280 Electronics and Semiconductor Manufacturing (4) PHYS 3281 Experimental Physics I (4) PHYS 3301, 3302 Quantum Mechanics I, II (8) PHYS 4001, 4002 Electromagnetism I, II (8) PHYS 4250 Selected Topics (3) PHYS 4700 Modern Optics (4) | |||||
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
| First Year (41 units) | ||
| PHYS 1001 (5) MATH 1304 (4) CHEM 1101  (5) | PHYS 1002 (5) MATH 1305 (4) CHEM 1102 (5) | PHYS 1003 (5) MATH 2304 (4) BIOL 1003 (4) |
| Second Year (24 units)  | ||
| PHYS 3281 (4) PHYS 4001 (4) | PHYS 3301 (4) PHYS 4002 (4) | PHYS 3302 (4) PHYS 4700 (4) |
| Third Year (27 units) | ||
| PHYS 3150 (4) MATH 3331 (4) PHYS 4250 (1) | PHYS 3101 (4) PHYS 3180 (4) PHYS 4250 (1) | PHYS 3102 (4) PHYS 3280 (4) PHYS 4250 (1) |
Other Degree Requirements
In addition to major requirements, every student must also complete the University requirements for graduation which are described in the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements chapter in the front of this catalog. These include the General Education-Breadth requirements; the U.S. history, U.S. Constitution, and California state and local government requirement; the University Writing Skills requirement; and the residence, unit, and grade point average requirements.
| Minor Requirements |
The minor in physics is designed to provide a general background in physics for students majoring in other areas. It is of particular value to students majoring in such sciences as biology, chemistry, computer science, geology, and mathematics. A minor in physics will broaden student's understanding of physical science and will expand employment opportunities, including teaching at the secondary school level. The minor consists of 44-47 units.
| MATH 1304, 1305, 2304 Calculus I, II, III (4, 4, 4) PHYS 1001, 1002, 1003 General Physics (5, 5, 5) or PHYS 2701, 2702, 2703 Introductory Physics (4, 4, 4) PHYS 3101 Statics and Dynamics (4) PHYS 3280 Electronics and Semiconductor Manufacturing (4) PHYS 3301 Quantum Mechanics I (4) PHYS 4001 Electromagnetism I (4) Another upper division physics course (4) | |||||
| Undergraduate Courses |
| The course prefix for the following courses is PHYS. | |||
| 1001, 1002, 1003 | General Physics (5 each) [CAN PHYS SEQ B = PHYS 1001, 1002, 1003] All major fields of physics are covered in this sequence. This sequence is designed for physics, physical science, geology (B.S.), and chemistry (B.S.) majors. MATH 1304, 1305, 2304 are corequisites or prerequisites. Each course is a prerequisite of the one following. Four hrs. lect., 3 hrs. lab., each. (1001: F; 1002: W; 1003: Sp)
| ||
| 1500 | How Things Work (4) A conceptual look at how popular and common things work, what they mean in an everyday way, and how they all fit together in one working unit. Not for physics major credit. | ||
| 1600 | Evolution of the Universe (4) Construction of an evolutionary synthesis and history from the Big Bang to the present. A model of events for the formation of the universe, our solar system, and the earth. Not for physics major credit. | ||
| 1700 | Elementary Physics (4) A non-mathematical survey of the basic physical laws (rules) of nature with emphasis on the origin, meaning, significance, and limitations of these laws. Topical areas include mechanics, wave motion, electricity and magnetism, heat and thermodynamics, relativity, quantum theory, and elementary particle theory. Not applicable to the physics major. (A) | ||
| 1780 | Elementary Physics Laboratory (1) A lab designed to accompany PHYS 1700 and to introduce students to some equipment used in physics. The experiments are hands-on activities in mechanics, wave motion and sound, temperature and heat, electricity, light, and radioactivity. Not applicable to the physics major. Three hrs. lab. (A) | ||
| 1800 | Astronomy (4) A descriptive survey of astronomy, astrophysics, and cosmology. Emphasis is on the physical nature and evolution of galaxies, stars, and planets. Not applicable to the physics major. (A) | ||
| 1880 | Astronomy Laboratory (1) A lab designed to accompany PHYS 1800 and PHYS 3700. Experiments are hands-on activities involving positions and motions of the moon, planets, and stars. Some night observations are included. Not applicable to the physics major. Three hrs. lab. (A) | ||
| 2005 | The Science of Energy (4) A descriptive course covering energy resources, production, and consumption in the 21st century. Energy input and output of physical systems such as household appliances and modes of transportation. Not for physics major credit. (W) | ||
| 2021 | Physics in the 21st Century (4) A descriptive survey of state-of-the-art topics in physics, projected research, and their impact on life in the 21st century. Topics selected from such areas as atomic physics, astrophysics, optical engineering, high-energy and particle physics, telecommunication, nuclear science, and condensed matter. Not for physics major credit. | ||
| 2701, 2702, 2703 | Introductory Physics (4 each) [CAN PHYS SEQ A = PHYS 2701, 2702, 2703] A three-quarter sequence in general physics, designed primarily for students taking the B.S. biological sciences (including pre-professional students), chemistry (B.A.), and geology or for non-science majors requiring a good foundation in physics. Knowledge of algebra and trigonometry required. For students who are not majoring in physics. Three hrs. lect., 3 hrs. lab each. (2701: F, W; 2702: W, Sp; 2703: Sp, Su)
| ||
| 3101 | Statics and Dynamics (4) An intermediate introduction to Newtonian mechanics. Analysis of forces on engineering structure in equilibrium, moments, couples, centroids. Kinematics, energy and momentum, gravitation. Analysis of motions of particles and rigid bodies in engineering. Prerequisite: PHYS 1003. Cross-listed with ENGR 3101. (F) | ||
| 3102 | Analytic Mechanics (4) Further study in mechanics with applications. Kepler's laws. Oscillations. Hydrostatics and hydrodynamics. Lagrange and Hamilton formalisms. Prerequisites: PHYS 3101; MATH 3331. (W) | ||
| 3150 | Thermal Physics (4) The laws of thermodynamics, states of matter, kinetic theory, introduction to statistical mechanics. Prerequisite: PHYS 1003. | ||
| 3180 | Computational Physics (4) Computer simulation methods applied to the physics of particles, fields, and waves; use of numerical methods to solve physics problems involving matrices, systems of equations, integral and differential equations; introduction to interfacing and data acquisition techniques. Prerequisite: PHYS 1003. Two hrs. lect., 6 hrs. lab. (Sp) | ||
| 3250 | Modern Physics (4) An introduction to relativity, quantum nature of radiation, wave properties of particles, atomic and nuclear physics, and elementary particles. Prerequisite: PHYS 1002. (F) | ||
| 3280 | Electronics and Semiconductor Manufacturing (4) Analog and digital devices and circuits. Emphasis is on developing familiarity with instrumentation circuits. Diodes, transistors, linear amplifiers, and logic devices. Optical, thermal, and acoustic transducers as detectors in sensor circuits. Fundamentals of semiconductor manufacturing. Prerequisites: PHYS 1003 or consent of instructor. Cross-listed with ENGR 3280. Two hrs. lect., 6 hrs. lab. (F) | ||
| 3281 | Experimental Physics I (4) Laboratory safety, research literature, writing scientific reports, oral presentations, experimental design, and statistical treatment of experimental data. Microcomputer interfacing, uses of microcomputers in experimentation and control. Experiments involving transmission lines and electromagnetism, atomic physics, molecular physics, condensed matter, and nuclear physics with emphasis on spectroscopy. Prerequisite: PHYS 1003. Two hrs. lect., 6 hrs. lab. (W) | ||
| 3282 | Experimental Physics II (4) Further study in experimental physics. Experiments involving transmission lines and electromagnetism, atomic physics, molecular physics, condensed matter, and nuclear physics with emphasis on spectroscopy. Prerequisite: PHYS 3281. Two hrs. lect., 6 hrs. lab. (Sp) | ||
| 3301 | Quantum Mechanics I (4) An introduction to quantum mechanics: the Schrodinger wave equation, constant potential problems in one- and three-dimensions, and the linear harmonic oscillator. Prerequisite: PHYS 1003. (W) | ||
| 3302 | Quantum Mechanics II (4) Further study in quantum mechanics: angular momentum, hydrogen atom, and approximation methods. Prerequisites: PHYS 3102, 3180, 3301; MATH 3331. (Sp) | ||
| 3700 | The Big Bang and Other Cosmologies (4) A descriptive course on the cosmological origin and evolution of the universe. Historical review of cosmological models and discussion of current theories. Stellar and galactic origin and evolution, stellar energy, the early universe, open and closed universes, and the search for extra-terrestrial life. (A) | ||
| 3800 | Achievements of Women in Science (4) See BIOL 3800 for course description. | ||
| 3898 | Cooperative Education (1-4) Supervised work experience in which student completes academic assignments integrated with off-campus paid or volunteer activities. May be repeated for up to 8 units. A maximum of 4 units will be accepted toward the physics major; a maximum of 2 units will be accepted toward the minor. CR/NC grading only. Prerequisites: at least a 2.0 GPA; departmental approval of activity. | ||
| 3999 | Issues in Physics (4) Readings, discussion, and research on contemporary and/or significant issues in physics. May be repeated for credit when content varies. | ||
| 4001 | Electromagnetism I (4) An intermediate treatment of electricity and magnetism including Maxwell's equations; electrostatics, currents, magnetism and electromagnetic induction. Prerequisite: PHYS 1003. (F) | ||
| 4002 | Electromagnetism II (4) Further development based on Maxwell's equations; special relativity in electromagnetism; electromagnetic waves and wave guides; radiation from charges and antennae; ac circuitry. Prerequisite: PHYS 4001; MATH 3331. (W) | ||
| 4250 | Selected Topics (1) The study of an area of physics that is not normally available in other courses and/or an extension of topics covered in other courses. May be repeated for credit with different topics. Prerequisites: senior standing in physics. (F, W, Sp) | ||
| 4700 | Modern Optics (4) Introduction to photonics. Lasers and fibers. Non-linear optics and electro-optics. Prerequisites: PHYS 3301, 3302, and 4002. Three hrs. lect., 3 hrs. lab. | ||
| 4900 | Independent Study (1-4) | ||
| Footnotes |
| | This sequence satisfies the Natural Sciences cluster requirement for Physics majors. | |
| | Inquire about course prerequisites. | |
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© 2004 The California State University
Last Updated: April 22, 2004