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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 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.
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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.
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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. |
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