All Courses
101. Astronomy.
Fall, Spring. Credits: 3.
Degree Requirements: Natural Science, F7.
An introduction to modern astronomy, including the apparent motion of stars and planets, fundamental astronomical concepts and astronomical tools, the Solar System, the Sun, other stars, stellar evolution and stellar systems, the Galaxy, other galaxies, galactic systems, and cosmology. Must be taken concurrently with Physics 101L.
Prerequisites: None.
Corequisite: Physics 101L.
101L. Astronomy Laboratory.
Fall, Spring. Credits: 1
Laboratory exercises (computer-based and hands-on) involving astronomical concepts and, weather permitting, observations of the stars, constellations, the Moon, planets, and “deep sky“ objects. Must be taken concurrently with Physics 101.
Corequisite: Physics 101.
105. Topics in Physics.
Fall, Spring. Credits: 4.
Degree Requirements: Natural Science.
Topics, designed for the non-science major, in physics, astronomy, and interdisciplinary subjects, including modern developments in physics and closely allied fields, atmospheric processes, nanotechnolgoy, biophysics, geophysics, and science writing.
Prerequisites: None.
107. Physics of Sound and Music with lab.
Fall. Credits: 4.
Degree Requirements: Natural Science, F7.
An introduction for non-science majors to the physics of sound with applications to sound production by musical instruments. Topics include the physical behavior of sound, musical scales, human perception of sound, and sound production by acoustic instruments and the human voice. As part of the course, students are required to fabricate and demonstrate a musical instrument of their own design. The course and its integrated laboratory are normally scheduled for two consecutive class periods.
Prerequisites: None.
111. Fundamentals of Physics I.
Fall. Credits: 3.
Degree Requirements: Natural Science, F6, F7.
A study of the classical fields of physics, with an introduction to modern physics. Includes the study of Newtonian mechanics and wave motion. Intended for both science and non-science majors, the course includes three lectures and one laboratory session each week.
Corequisites: Physics 111L, Mathematics 121 or equivalent.
112. Fundamentals of Physics II.
Spring. Credits: 3.
Degree Requirements: Natural Science, F6, F7.
A study of the classical fields of physics, with an introduction to modern physics. Includes the study of thermodynamics, electromagnetism, optical properties of matter, and atomic structure. Intended for both science and non-science majors, the course includes three lectures and one laboratory session each week.
Corequisites: Physics 112L, Mathematics 122 or equivalent.
Prerequisite: Physics 111 or the equivalent.
111L-112L. Fundamentals of Physics Laboratory.
Fall, Spring. Credits 1-1.
Basic experiments in topics covered in either Physics 111 or 112. Includes extensive use of computer-based data collection and analysis.
Corequisite: Physics 111-112.
151, 152, 153, 154. “Memphysics”: Physics Education Outreach in the Memphis Community.
Fall, Spring. Credits 1-1-1-1.
Degree Requirements: F11.
These four courses are designed for students interested in physics and science education outreach. Students will learn how to design and carry out science education outreach activities in the community. Each course is worth one academic credit, and should be taken sequentially. Successful completion of all four courses may be used to satisfy the F11 Foundational requirement.
Prerequisites: None, except courses should be taken in sequence and not concurrently.
211. Modern Physics.
Fall. Credits: 4.
A survey of relativistic and quantum physics, including photons, the atom, matter waves, introductory quantum mechanics via the Schrödinger formulation, one-electron and complex atoms, nuclear properties and processes, elementary particles, molecules, and condensed matter. The course includes three lectures and one laboratory session each week.
Prerequisites: Physics 112.
Corequisite: Mathematics 223 or equivalent.
211L. Modern Physics Laboratory.
Fall. Credits: 1
The application of advanced experimental techniques to the exploration of 20th century physics concepts. Includes measurements of fundamental constants, properties of electrons, atomic energy levels, atomic and nuclear scattering, etc.
Prerequisites: Physics 111L-112L.
250. Mathematical Methods of Physics.
Spring. Credits: 4.
A survey of analytical and numerical techniques useful in physics, including multivariable calculus, optimization, ordinary and partial differential equations, complex numbers, special functions, linear algebra, Fourier series, Fourier and Laplace transforms, and numerical methods.
Prerequisites: Physics 211 and Mathematics 223 or equivalent.
301. Electromagnetic Theory.
Fall. Credits: 4.
A study of the fundamental properties of electric and magnetic fields in vacuum. The development will be from fundamental observations through modern, discrete applications of Maxwell’s Equations. (Course offered in alternate years; scheduled for 2009-2010.)
Prerequisites: Physics 112 and Physics 250.
302. Advanced Electromagnetic Theory.
Spring. Credits: 4.
A study of static and dynamic electromagnetic fields in matter, electromagnetic waves, and radiation; also, a brief introduction to relativistic electrodynamics. (Course offered in alternate years; scheduled for 2009-2010.)
Prerequisites: Physics 301.
304. Electronics.
Fall or Spring. Credits: 4.
The basic concepts of analog and digital electronics with weekly laboratory exercises. AC and DC topics make use of phasor and complex algebra notation. Digital topics include diodes, transistors, operational amplifiers, and integrated circuits, making use of Boolean algebra and logic. (Course offered as interest warrants.)
Prerequisites: Physics 112.
305. Dynamics.
Fall. Credits: 4.
Basic principles of the dynamics of particles and rigid bodies presented within the framework of classical mechanics. Topics include Newtonian mechanics, oscillating systems, general motion of a particle in three dimensions, mechanics of rigid bodies, and an introduction to Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics. (Course offered in alternate years; scheduled for 2008-2009.)
Prerequisites: Physics 112 and Physics 250.
306. Advanced Dynamics.
Spring. Credits: 4.
Advanced topics in the study of dynamics, including non-inertial reference systems, motion in a central force field, motion of rigid bodies in three dimensions, dynamics of oscillating systems, chaotic systems, and special relativity. (Course offered in alternate years; scheduled for 2008-2009.)
Prerequisites: Physics 305.
307. Topics in Intermediate Physics.
Fall, Spring. Credits: 4.
Topics for the intermediate-level physics- or natural-science student, often including but not limited to subjects such as nuclear physics, robotics, spectroscopy, experiment interfacing, etc. (Course offered as interest warrants.)
Prerequisites: Physics 211.
310. Astrophysics.
Spring. Credits: 4.
An introduction to modern astrophysics, this course will normally include coverage of the following: stellar evolution; physics of the interstellar medium; structure, evolution, and morphology of galaxies; the origin and evolution of large-scale structure in the Universe; and cosmology. Occasionally, topics such as comparative planetology may be included. (Course offered as interest warrants.)
Prerequisites: Physics 211 and Mathematics 223 or equivalent.
325. Optics.
Fall or Spring. Credits: 4.
A study of contemporary physical optics, including diffraction theory (Fraunhofer and Fresnel), polarization, coherence theory and lasers, Fourier and nonlinear optics. Two lectures and one laboratory session per week. (Course offered as interest warrants.)
Prerequisites: Physics 301.
401. Quantum Mechanics.
Spring. Credits: 4.
Introduction to topics in quantum physics, including observables and measurement, position and momentum representations, intermediate wave mechanics, the time-dependent Schrödinger equation, Hilbert space vectors and operators, the Hamiltonian, potential wells and the harmonic operator, introduction to Dirac notation, scattering theory, and applications to the study of atoms. (Course offered in alternate years; scheduled for 2009-2010.)
Prerequisites: Physics 211 and Physics 250.
406. Thermal Physics.
Spring. Credits: 4.
The study of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics from the unifying viewpoint of quantum theory. Topics include: Gibbs and Boltzmann factors; Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein distribution functions; temperature, pressure, and the monatomic ideal gas; thermodynamic potentials. Application of theory to metals, white dwarf stars, photons, and phonons will be considered. (Course offered in alternate years; scheduled for 2008-2009.)
Prerequisites: Physics 211 and Physics 250.
409. Topics in Advanced Physics.
Fall, Spring. Credits: 4.
Special topics designed for advanced students in physics or mathematics. Subjects will involve theoretical physical and mathematical systems. (Course offered as interest warrants.)
Prerequisites: Physics 301 and Physics 305.
451-452 Research in Physics.
Fall, Spring. Credits: 1 to 4.
Experiments of an advanced nature, carried out independently by the student with a faculty mentor. Experiments can be selected from topics involving high-vacuum techniques, stellar photometry, scintillation spectroscopy, Compton scattering, atomic and molecular spectroscopy, Mössbauer effect, superconductivity, or designed by the student in consultation with the faculty mentor.
Prerequisites: Physics 211.
486. Senior Seminar.
Spring. Credits: 2.
Examination of the unifying themes, central concepts, and links between discipline areas of physics through the preparation and presentation of research seminars, discussions of ethical issues in science, and reviews of current physics literature. Open to senior physics majors only.
495-496. Honors Tutorial.
Fall, Spring. Credits: 4 to 8 per semester.
Open to candidates for Honors in Physics. A minimum of 4 credits per semester must be earned in the senior year to fulfill college honors requirements. A minimum cumulative and major gap of 3.5 is required at the time of application for honors and upon graduation.
Prerequisites: Permission of Department Chairperson.
