Physics Program

PC-110. Science Goes to the Movies. 3.00 Credits.

This course considers the evolution of the science behind the movies - the technical advances that have made modern movie making possible and how the treatment of science, scientific discovery and inventions have evolved particular movie genres. Lectures and movie clips will be used to illustrate the above. Course Type(s): Natural Science, Stem.

PC-130. Technology in the 21st Century. 3.00 Credits.

This course will discuss the history, development and scientific breakthroughs that have led to the amazing devices and technologies available to humans today. Particular attention to the people, time and places involved in the development of inventions like TV, radio, computers, phones, transmission of electric power, movies, and some of the many advances in genetics and medicine. Course Type(s): Natural Science, Stem.

PC-140. How Stuff Works. 3.00 Credits.

This course will illustrate how the many devices we use in everyday life were invented and how they work. Devices like the radio, TV, microwave, smart phones, computers, etc. will be used as examples. Course Type(s): Natural Science, Stem.

PC-150. The Gene - Mystery of Inheritance. 3.00 Credits.

A Historical and Scientific Journey into the Mystery of Inheritance: In the past 150 years, the concept of the Gene - the molecular particle that contains the information of inheritance - has enriched human understanding of genetics. We now have the tools to control some aspects of genetics and even alter our own evolution. This course will explore this scientific journey - using the contributions of the many scientists who have written a story that is changing living history itself. Course Type(s): Natural Science, Stem.

PC-185. General Physics I. 3.00 Credits.

Classical mechanics. Prerequisites: MA-124 MA-144 OR MA-133; Course Type(s): Natural Science, Stem.

PC-186. General Physics II. 3.00 Credits.

Electromagnetism. Optics. Atomic and nuclear physics. Prerequisites: PC-185 MA-124 MA-144 OR MA-133; Course Type(s): Natural Science, Stem.

PC-187. General Physics Laboratory I. 1.00 Credit.

A laboratory course to accompany Pc185. Lab course fee of $100. Prerequisites: MA-124 MA-144 OR MA-133 Course Type(s): Lab Courses.

PC-188. General Physics Laboratory II. 1.00 Credit.

A laboratory course to accompany Pc186. Lab course fee of $100. Prerequisites: PC-187 MA-124 MA-144 OR MA-133; Course Type(s): Lab Courses.

PC-190. Applied Electronics. 3.00 Credits.

DC and AC circuits, semiconductor devices, operational amplifiers, digital logic, and digital computer fundamentals. Prerequisites: PC-191.

PC-191. Applied Electronics Laboratory. 1.00 Credit.

A laboratory course to accompany PC190. Lab course fee of $100. Prerequisites: PC-190.

PC-210. LabVIEW Measurement & Automation. 3.00 Credits.

Introduction to National Instruments LabVIEW program and its interaction with various instruments, measurements and automation.

PC-295. Credited Internships. 3.00 Credits.

Co-operative work experience. Course Type(s): Independent Study.

PC-300. Math Methods in Physics. 3.00 Credits.

This one semester course offers a comprehensive introduction to a variety of mathematical subjects used in the areas of physics with application to specific problems. Topics covered include: Vector and Tensor Analysis, Functions of a complex Variable and Calculus of Residues, Strum-Liouville Theory, Introduction to Special Functions and Fourier Series. Prerequisites: PC-186 MA-144.

PC-331. Electronics. 4.00 Credits.

Circuit principles, diodes and rectifiers, filters transistors as amplifiers and switches, operational amplifiers with applications, oscillators. Lecture and laboratory. Lab course fee of $100. Prerequisites: PC-185 PC-186 PC-187 PC-188.

PC-331L. Electronics Lab. 0.00 Credits.

Laboratory for PC-331 Electronics. Prerequisites: PC-331; Course Type(s): Lab Courses.

PC-337. Modern Physics. 4.00 Credits.

The special theory of relativity, quantum phenomena, atomic and nuclear structure, molecular spectra, radio activity, fission and fusion, elementary particles. Lecture and Laboratory. Lab course fee of $100. Prerequisites: PC-186.

PC-337L. Modern Physics Laboratory. 0.00 Credits.

A laboratory course run in conjunction with Pc337. Course Type(s): Lab Courses.

PC-344. Optics. 4.00 Credits.

Geometrical optics, wave nature of light, interference, diffraction, polarization, selected topics in quantum optics. Lecture and laboratory. Lab course fee of $100. Prerequisites: PC-185 PC-186 OR PC-190.

PC-350. Photonics. 3.00 Credits.

Wave-particle duality of light, fiber optics, interferometers, imaging systems, optical spectroscopy, polarization devices, LEDs and Lasers, optical detectors. Prerequisites: PC-185 PC-188.

PC-355. Thermodynamics & Stat Mechanics. 3.00 Credits.

Heat and heat transfer, thermal behavior of gases, the laws of thermodynamics, entropy and enthalpy, partition functions, and engineering applications. Prerequisites: PC-185 PC-186.

PC-370. Mechanics. 3.00 Credits.

Statics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies. Theory of small vibrations. Gravitation, moving frames of reference. Relativistic dynamics. Prerequisites: PC-185 PC-186.

PC-374. Electricity and Magnetism I. 3.00 Credits.

Electrostatics in free space and in the presence of dielectrics and conductors. Magnetostatics. Electromagnetic induction. The Maxwell equations. Prerequisites: PC-186.

PC-380. Intro to Quantum Mechanics. 3.00 Credits.

Mathematical foundation of quantum mechanics. Schroedinger's equation with applications. The one-electron atom. Selected topics in atomic and nuclear physics. Prerequisites: PC-186.

PC-390. Independent Study in Physics. 1.00 Credit.

This course provides the opportunity for individual work on an assigned research problem. Prerequisites: PC-185 PC-186 MA-274; Course Type(s): Capstone, Writing Intensive.