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Department of Chemistry and Physics
Syed Faiz Ahmad, Ph.D., Chairman
Pasteur Hall 209A
Phone 502/452–8436

  sahmad@bellarmine.edu

PHYSICS IS PHUN

Physics courses will help increase students’ scientific literacy and understanding of the physical world. Courses listed below are designed with the ultimate goal of developing problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and conceptual understanding of the physical universe.  Some of these courses are used as service courses for students majoring in Biology, Chemistry, Health Sciences and Computer Science.

 

Students may obtain a minor in Physics by completing 18 credit hours as indicated below.  Students wishing to pursue a concentration in Physics should consult with a faculty member in the Chemistry and Physics Department.  Additional courses in Physics are available through the Kentuckiana Metroversity.

Requirements for a Minor in Physics 18 hours
Phys. 205, 206, 307, 308,  and 
either Phys. 111 or Chem. 308.
 



                        Physics Course Descriptions

NOTE:     All physics courses assume that the student has taken a college preparatory course in high school mathematics, typically including two years of algebra.  Students who have had only one year of high school algebra should take Math. 105. A student separated from mathematics for some time, even with two years of algebra, might be advised to take a college algebra course.

 

PHYS  101  College Physics I   
Introduction to classical theories of mechanics, electromagnetism, and heat, as well as modern theories of special relativity, quantum mechanics, and the nucleus. Application of physical principles to biology is emphasized.

 

PHYS  102  College Physics II   
Introduction to classical theories of mechanics, electromagnetism, and heat, as well as modern theories of special relativity, quantum mechanics, and the nucleus. Application of physical principles to biology is emphasized.

 

PHYS  105  Introduction to Astronomy   
The early history of astronomy; origin of modern astronomy; modern methodology, structure and origins of the solar system; the earth, moon and eight planets; comets, meteorites and asteroids; life in the universe. Three hours lecture, two hours laboratory.
 Every fall.

 


PHYS  106  Exploration of the Universe   
The stars and distances; the sun; the birth, youth, middle age and death of stars; supernovae; pulsars and other neutron stars; stellar black holes; structure of milky way galaxy; galaxies; quasars; cosmology; the Big Bang theory; past and future of the universe. Three hours lecture, two hours laboratory.
 Every spring.

 

PHYS  110  Electrical Principles   
Fundamentals, Ohm’s law, power and resistor, series and parallel circuits, network analysis, DC instruments, AC generation, inductance, capacitance, AC circuits.  Three hours lecture, one hour recitation, two hours laboratory.
 Fall, odd years.

PHYS  111  Electronic Circuits   
Diodes, transistors, DC biasing BJT, BJT small-signal analysis, multistage systems, OP-amps, and digital ICs. Three hours lecture, one hour recitation, two hours laboratory.
 Spring, even years.

 

PHYS  205  General College Physics I   
Classical, non-relativistic mechanics. For science, mathematics, and pre-professional students. Three hours lecture, one hour recitation, two hours laboratory.
Math. 117  Every fall.

 

PHYS  206  General College Physics II   
Continuation of General College Physics I covering sound, heat, electricity, magnetism, geometrical optics. Three hours lecture, one hour recitation, two hours laboratory.
Phys.205 or permission of instructor  Every spring.

 

PHYS  214  Health Science Physics   
This is an algebra based course designed for students interested in the Health Science industry. Subjects studied include the following: (1) Classical mechanics: covering vectors, motion in one and two dimensions, force, work, momentum, energy, and gravity; (2) Fluid mechanics: thermal energy, heat transfer, first law of thermodynamics, wave propagation, waves on strings, sound waves; (3) Reflection and refraction of light; (4) Coulomb’s Law, electric field and potential; (5) Magnetism, and (6) Simple AC and DC circuits. Three hours lecture, one hour recitation, two hours laboratory.
 Every spring.

 

PHYS  307  Modern Physics   
Special theory of relativity; the Lorentz transformation; relativity and electromagnetism; black body radiation; photo electric effect; Compton effect; introduction to quantum mechanics; the Schrodinger equation; particle in a Box; simple harmonic oscillator; the Hydrogen atom; the wave functions for hydrogen; atomic spectra; x-rays; molecules and solids; band theory of solids; free-electron theory of metals; nuclear structure; nuclear physics applications. Three hours lecture; one hour recitation.
Phys. 205, 206, and Math. 117, or permission of instructor  Fall, even years.

 

PHYS  308  Physical Optics   
Review of geometric optics; Maxwell’s equations, plane electromagnetic waves, and electromagnetic spectrum; interference of light, phasor addition of waves, change of phase, and thin films; Fraunhofer diffraction; Fresnel diffraction; diffraction grating and diffraction of s-rays by crystals; spectrum of light and light scattering; polarization of light waves, Brewster’s law; polarization by double refraction; interference of polarized light; magneto-optics and electro-optics. Three hours lecture; one hour recitation; two hours laboratory.
Phys. 205,206, and Math. 117, or permission of instructor.         Spring, odd years.