236CurriculaPhysics (PHYS)College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Physics
Johnston (chair), Green, Lane, Nollenberg, Ohmann, Tommet; Blilie, KoserPhysics majors learn the fundamental laws that govern the physical universe, from the smallest subatomic particle to
the largest galaxies to the very structure of space and time. Emphasis is placed on general understanding, problem
solving, and the communication skills essential for success in a career grounded in science. In the laboratory, students
use state-of-the-art instrumentation in applying physics to a wide variety of systems. Opportunities are available for
students to participate in research projects during the school year and over the summer.There are three educational options from which to choose: a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree; a Bachelor of Arts(B.A.) degree; or a minor in physics. The B.S. degree provides the necessary background for students interested in
graduate school, engineering or industrial work; for students interested in professional programs such as medicine or
patent law, or students double majoring in areas such as mathematics or chemistry, the Bachelor of Arts degree gives
a solid background in physics with the flexibility to meet other needs.For students interested in teacher licensure, see the various combinations of science education in the School ofEducation Department of Teacher Education in this catalog.The department offers courses for non-majors to fulfill the laboratory science component of the core curriculum.Graduation with Honors in Physics
Students graduating with a B.A. or B.S. degree in physics may also qualify for departmental honors. Students inter-
ested in this designation must consult with the department chair one year or more before graduation. All require-
ments must be met one month before graduation.
1. Complete four credits in 400-level physics research
2. Prepare a written thesis in the format of primary literature
3. Defend the thesis before a panel composed of:thesis director (chair of committee)
two additional UST physics faculty
one UST faculty member outside of physics4. Achieve a final cumulative grade point average in physics department courses of 3.50 and 3.50 overall
5. Present their research at a scientific meeting beyond the St. Thomas communityMajor in Physics (B.S.)PHYS 111 Introduction to Classical Physics I (4 credits)
PHYS 112 Introduction to Classical Physics II (4 credits)
PHYS 225 Introduction to Modern Physics I (4 credits)
PHYS 226 Introduction to Modern Physics II (4 credits)
PHYS 300 Physics Seminar I (1 credit)
PHYS 301 Physics Seminar II (1 credit)
PHYS 323 Methods of Experimental Physics (4 credits)
PHYS 331 Theoretical Mechanics (4 credits)
PHYS 341 Electricity and Magnetism (4 credits)
PHYS 347 Optics (4 credits)
PHYS 410 Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics (4 credits)
PHYS 431 Quantum Mechanics (4 credits)Plus:
four PHYS credits 104 or greaterAllied requirements
MATH 113 Calculus I (4 credits)
MATH 114 Calculus II (4 credits)
MATH 200 Multi-Variable Calculus (4 credits)
MATH 210 Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (4 credits)Plus:
ENGR 350 Introduction to Electronics (4 credits)orENGR 230 Digital Design (4 credits) and ENGR 240 Circuit Analysis (4 credits)Plus four credits from the following:
QMCS 230 Software Design Using the JAVA Language (4 credits)
QMCS 342 Computer Applications in Experimental Sciences (4 credits)Major in Physics (B.A.)PHYS 111 Introduction to Classical Physics I (4 credits)
PHYS 112 Introduction to Classical Physics II (4 credits)Physics237PHYS 225 Introduction to Modern Physics I (4 credits)
PHYS 226 Introduction to Modern Physics II (4 credits)
PHYS 300 Physics Seminar I (1 credit)
PHYS 301 Physics Seminar II (1 credit)
PHYS 323 Methods of Experimental Physics (4 credits)Plus:
four PHYS credits 104 or greater
eight PHYS credits above 301Allied requirements
MATH 113 Calculus I (4 credits)
MATH 114 Calculus II (4 credits)
MATH 200 Multi-variable Calculus (4 credits)
MATH 210 Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (4 credits)Plus either:
ENGR 350 Introduction to Electronics (4 credits)orENGR 230 Digital Design (4 credits) and ENGR 240 Circuit Analysis (4 credits)Plus four credits from the following:
QMCS 230 Software Design Using the JAVA Language (4 credits)
QMCS 342 Computer Applications in Experimental Sciences (4 credits)Teacher LicensureElementary Education with a Co-major in Science and Mathematics for Elementary Education
Elementary Education with a Specialty in Science (5-8)
Co-major in Science (5-8) – Physics (9-12) and a Co-major in Secondary EducationSee EducationMinor in PhysicsFour credits from the following:
PHYS 109 General Physics I (4 credits)
PHYS 111 Introduction to Classical Physics I (4 credits)Plus four credits from the following:
PHYS 110 General Physics II (4 credits)
PHYS 112 Introduction to Classical Physics II (4 credits)Plus:
twelve PHYS credits 104 or greaterPHYS 101 Physics as a Liberal Art I (4 credits) (PHYS 109, 111)
Intended for non-science majors; treats fundamental principles of physics and their application to familiar phenom-
ena, stressing qualitative understanding. The course will survey topics from mechanics, fluids, temperature and heat,
oscillations, waves and sound, light and optics, and properties of matter. The course consists of lecture, discussion and
laboratory. This course is designed especially for elementary education majors. It is not intended for students who
have had high school physics.
Prerequisite: Three years of high school mathematics
NOTE: Students who receive credit for PHYS 101 may not receive credit for PHYS 109 or 111.PHYS 102 Physics as a Liberal Art II (4 credits) (PHYS 110, 112)
This course is intended for students who have completed PHYS 101 and wish to continue their study, or for those
who have had high school physics. It is organized around a thematic approach and includes specifically studies of a)
electric charges and related forces, b) commonly observed light behavior, and c) interactions of light and particles.
The course consists of lecture, discussion, and laboratory.
Prerequisite: PHYS 101 or high school physics
NOTE: Students who receive credit for PHYS 102 may not receive credit for PHYS 110 or 112.PHYS 104 Astronomy (4 credits)
Introduction to physical principles and their application to astronomy for non-science majors. Emphasis is on com-
prehension of ideas and principles. Topics include the motions of the sun, moon, stars and planets; properties of the
solar system; the stars including giants, dwarfs, pulsars and black holes; nebulae, galaxies and quasars; cosmology and
life. The course consists of lecture, discussion and laboratory.
Prerequisite: Three years of high school mathematicsPhysicsCurricula238CurriculaPHYS 105 Musical Acoustics (4 credits)
An introductory course intended for non-science majors; treats fundamental principles of physics and acoustics as they
relate to musical sounds and musical instruments. The course consists of lecture, discussion and laboratory. This
course fulfills the second-level Computer Competency requirement in the core curriculum.
Prerequisites: High school algebra and a music background (one year practice, instrument or voice, or one course)PHYS 109 General Physics I (4 credits) (PHYS 111)
This course and its continuation PHYS 110 serve as a two-semester introduction to classical and modern physics.
Applications are chosen that focus on the life-sciences. Topics include principles of classical mechanics: description of
motion, force, torque and rotational motion, energy, momentum and their conservation, fluid mechanics; thermody-
namics. The course meets three times a week for two consecutive periods consisting of integrated lecture, discussion
and laboratory.
Prerequisite: Math placement at a level of MATH 111 or above.
NOTE: Students who receive credit for PHYS 109 may not receive credit for PHYS 111.PHYS 110 General Physics II (4 credits) (PHYS 112)
Continuation of 109. Topics include oscillations, waves and sound, electricity and magnetism; light and optics; atom-
ic, quantum and nuclear physics. The course meets three times a week for two consecutive periods consisting of inte-
grated lecture, discussion and laboratory.
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of C in PHYS 109 or 111
NOTE: Students who receive credit for PHYS 110 may not receive credit for PHYS 112.PHYS 111 Introduction to Classical Physics I (4 credits) (PHYS 109)
This course and its continuation PHYS 112 serve as a two-semester introduction to classical physics. Applications are
chosen that focus on engineering and the physical sciences. Topics include principles of classical mechanics: vectors,
kinematics, particle and rigid body rotational dynamics and statics; conservation laws; and thermodynamics. The
course meets three times a week for two consecutive periods consisting of integrated lecture, discussion and labora-
tory.
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of C in MATH 113
NOTE: Students who receive credit for PHYS 111 may not receive credit for PHYS 109.PHYS 112 Introduction to Classical Physics II (4 credits) (PHYS 110)
Continuation of PHYS 111. Topics include waves and sound; electricity and magnetism; geometric and physical
optics. The course meets three times a week for two consecutive periods consisting of integrated lecture, discussion
and laboratory.
Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C in both PHYS 111 and MATH 114
NOTE: Students who receive credit for PHYS 112 may not receive credit for PHYS 110.PHYS 225 Introduction to Modern Physics I (4 credits)
This course and its continuation PHYS 226 serve as an introduction to modern physics. The topics of this first course
are quantum theory of light, particle nature of matter, wave aspects of particles, quantum mechanics in one-dimen-
sion, statistical physics, lasers, solid state physics. The course consists of lecture, discussion and laboratory. This course
fulfills the second-level Computer Competency requirement in the core curriculum.
Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C in PHYS 112 and in Math 200PHYS 226 Introduction to Modern Physics II (4 credits)
Continuation of PHYS 225. Topics include atomic structure, molecular structure, relativity, nuclear physics, ele-
mentary particles, other topics of contemporary interest. The course consists of lecture, discussion and laboratory. This
course fulfills the second-level Computer Competency requirement in the core curriculum.
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of C in either 110 or 112 and in Math 114PHYS 295, 296 Topics (2 credits)
PHYS 297, 298 Topics (4 credits)
The subject matter of these courses will vary from year to year, but will not duplicate existing courses. Descriptions
of these courses are available at www.stthomas.edu/registrar/onlineschedule/.PHYS 300 Physics Seminar I (1 credit)
This course and PHYS 301 are a sequence of two courses taken during the spring semesters of the junior and senior
years. The goal of the course is to provide an overview of physics, relating ideas and concepts presented in other
physics classes as well as in research investigations within the department. Additionally, students will be exposed to
topics presented by outside speakers and will learn about opportunities that a physics degree provides, smoothing the
transition between being a physics student and becoming a physicist.
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of C in either PHYS 225 or 226PHYS 301 Physics Seminar II (1 credit)
Continuation of 300
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of C in either PHYS 225 or 226Physics239PHYS 323 Methods of Experimental Physics (4 credits)
Standard tools and techniques used in experimental physics are introduced while conducting an in-depth investiga-
tion of a non-linear system. Technical topics include: identifying and characterizing chaotic systems, data acquisition
and instrument control using LabVIEW, signal conditioning, data and error analysis, and experimental design.
Lecture, discussion and laboratory.
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of C in either 225 or 226 and in either ENGR 240 or 350 and in MATH 200PHYS 331 Theoretical Mechanics (4 credits)
Newtonian dynamics of particles and systems of particles; conservation laws; moving coordinate systems; central-
force motion; collisions and scattering; plane and general motion of rigid bodies; free, forced and coupled oscillations;
Lagrangian dynamics. Lecture and discussion.
Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C in either PHYS 225 or 226 and in MATH 200 and MATH 210PHYS 341 Electricity and Magnetism (4 credits)
Electrostatic and magnetostatic fields in vacuum and material media; energy and force relations; methods for the solu-
tion of static problems; fields and currents in conducting media; Maxwell’s equations and time-dependent fields.
Lecture and discussion.
Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C in either PHYS 225 or 226 and in MATH 200 and MATH 210PHYS 342 Electromagnetic Waves (4 credits) (equivalent to ENGR 342)
A continuation of PHYS 341. An introduction to the practical applications of Maxwell’s equations including propa-
gation, reflection and absorption of electromagnetic waves. Applications include antennas, waveguides, transmission
lines, and shielding from electromagnetic interference. Lecture and discussion.
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of C in PHYS 341PHYS 347 Optics (4 credits)
Foundations of geometric optics: Fermat’s Principle of Stationary Time. Nature of electromagnetic waves: dipole radi-
ation, energy, momentum, polarization, coherence, interference, diffraction, Fourier optics. Interactions between light
and matter: scattering, reflection, refraction, absorption, dispersion, birefringence, dichroism, nonlinear effects.
Quantum optics: nature of the photon, lasers, detectors, other modern topics. Lecture and discussion. Laboratory with
an emphasis on biomedical applications.
Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C in PHYS 225, MATH 200, and MATH 210PHYS 410 Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics (4 credits)
Concepts and laws of thermodynamics and of statistical mechanics. Applications of these to various systems, includ-
ing gases, liquids, solids and chemical systems. Lecture and discussion.
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of C in PHYS 225, 226, and both MATH 200 and MATH 210PHYS 431 Quantum Mechanics (4 credits)
The foundation of Quantum Mechanics will be explored with mathematical rigor. Specific topics include the time-
independent Schrödinger equation, the hydrogen atom, and angular momentum including spin. Discussion of iden-
tical particles will lead to an introduction of quantum statistical mechanics. Lecture and discussion.
Prerequisite: A minimum grade of C in 225, 226, and both MATH 200 and MATH 210PHYS 483, 484 Seminar (2 credits)
PHYS 485, 486 Seminar (4 credits)
See the description of these courses at the beginning of the “Curricula” section of this catalog.PHYS 487, 488 Topics (2 credits)
PHYS 489, 490 Topics (4 credits)
The subject matter of these courses will vary from year to year, but will not duplicate existing courses. Descriptions
of these courses are available at www.stthomas.edu/registrar/onlineschedule/.PHYS 491, 492 Research (2 credits)
PHYS 493, 494 Research (4 credits)
See the description of these courses at the beginning of the “Curricula” section of this catalog.PHYS 495, 496 Individual Study (2 credits)
PHYS 497, 498 Individual Study (4 credits)
See the description of these courses at the beginning of the “Curricula” section of this catalog.PhysicsCurricula

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