You are in the official 2004-2005 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
Department of Physics
COURSES
- Physics (PHYS)
- Physical Science (PSCI)
- Physics (PHYS) --- Graduate Courses
- Physical Science (PSCI) --- In-Service Courses
Physics (PHYS)
2A. General Physics (4)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation B4. Topics and concepts in Newtonian mechanics
of point particles and rigid bodies, energy, properties of fluids, heat
and thermodynamics, waves and sound. G.E. Breadth B1. (3 lecture, 3 lab
hours) (CAN PHYS 2)
2B. General Physics (4)
Prerequisite: PHYS 2A. Topics and concepts in light, electricity, magnetism,
atomic structure, relativity, quantum nature of light and matter, nuclear
structure and radiation. (3 lecture, 3 lab hours) (CAN PHYS 4)
4A. Mechanics and Wave Motion (3)
Prerequisite: G.E. Foundation B4; MATH 76 (may be taken concurrently). Topics
in classical Newtonian mechanics including linear and circular motion, energy,
linear and angular momentum, systems of particles; rigid body motion; fluids;
gravity; wave motion; and sound. G.E. Breadth B1 when taken with PHYS 4AL.
4AL. Laboratory in Mechanics and Wave Motion (1)
Corequisite: PHYS 4A; prerequisite: G.E. Foundation B4. Introduction to
laboratory methods. Experiments in mechanics, waves, and sound. G.E. Breadth
B1 when taken with PHYS 4A. (3 lab hours)
4B. Electricity, Magnetism, and Heat (3)
Prerequisites: PHYS 4A; MATH 77 (may be taken concurrently). Topics
in classical physics including heat and thermodynamics, electrostatics,
electric fields and potential, currents and AC and DC electric circuits,
magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction.
4BL. Laboratory in Electricity, Magnetism, and Heat (1)
Corequisite: PHYS 4B. Experiments in electricity, magnetism, heat, and thermodynamics.
(3 lab hours)
4C. Light and Modern Physics (3)
Prerequisites: PHYS 4B, MATH 77. Maxwell's Equations, geometrical optics;
electromagnetic radiation; physical optics; introduction to special relativity;
quantum physics; and the physics of atoms, nuclei, and the solid state.
10. Conceptual Physics (4)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation B4. Basic ideas of physics and their relationship
to the everyday environment. Physical phenomena, misconceptions, terminology,
scientific method, and metric system. Memorable demonstrations in lectures;
household-related experiments in the lab. G.E. Breadth B1. (3 lecture, 2
lab hours)
90. Directed Study (1-2; max total 3)
Prerequisite: any university-level physics or physical science course. Individually
arranged course of study in some limited area of physics, either to remove
a deficiency or to investigate in more depth. (1-2 hours to be arranged)
100. Concepts of Quantum Physics (3)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area B. Key discoveries in Quantum
physics and conceptual development of quantum theory. Lecture demonstration
of experiments, graphical visualization of theory, hi-tech applications.
G.E. Integration IB. (3 lecture hours)
102. Modern Physics (3)
Prerequisite: PHYS 4C; MATH 81 (may be taken concurrently). Fundamental
concepts of atomic and nuclear structure, transitions and radiation. Includes
discussions of relativistic mechanics, quantum mechanics, solid state physics.
Special topics as they pertain to modern developments in physics, engineering,
and chemistry.
104. Experimental Techniques in Condensed Matter Physics (4)
Prerequisites: PHYS 4C. Shop techniques and safety instructions. Basic concepts
in condensed matter physics. Measurements of conductivity, energy gap in
semiconductors, drift mobility, Hall coefficients, photoconductivity, magnetic
susceptibilities, exciton spectra, dielectric loss. Experience in X-ray
diffraction, vacuum technology, thin-film deposition, and low temperature
techniques. (1 lecture, 6 lab hours)
105A-B. Analytical Mechanics (3-3)
Prerequisite: PHYS 4C; MATH 81 (may be taken concurrently). (A) Analytical
and vector treatment of the fundamental principles of statics, kinematics,
and dynamics. (B) Prerequisite: PHYS 105A. Advanced dynamics; harmonic motion,
central force fields, and Lagrange's equations.
107A-B. Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism (3-3)
(A) Prerequisites: PHYS 105A, MATH 81. Mathematical analysis of electrostatics
and magnetostatics, Gauss' law, solutions of Laplace's equation, images,
theory of conduction, magnetic potentials. (B) Prerequisite: PHYS 107A.
Motion of ions in electric and magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction,
Maxwell's equations and wave propagation, electron theory, and magnetic
properties.
110. Physical Optics (3)
Prerequisites: PHYS 4C, MATH 81. Theory of optical phenomena; wave theory
of light with applications to optical instruments; interference and diffraction
phenomena, dispersion, polarization, coherence, and laser phenomena. Practical
experience in using lasers and optical instruments. (2 lecture, 3 lab hours)
115. Quantum Mechanics (3)
Prerequisites: PHYS 102, 105A, 170A (may be taken concurrently), MATH 81.
Historical background, postulates, meaning, and methods of quantum mechanics;
applications to atomic phenomena.
130. Advanced Laboratory (2)
Prerequisite: PHYS 102. Advanced experiments in atomic and nuclear physics.
Radiation safety. Gamma ray, X-ray, and particle detection and spectroscopy.
X-ray fluorescence analysis, Mossbauer, coincidence, Compton scattering
and radiation attenuation experiments. Statistics, error analysis. Projects.
(6 lab hours)
136. Radiation Physics (3)
Prerequisite: PHYS 102. The interaction of radiation with matter: photoelectric,
Compton and pair production processes, neutron and charged particle interactions,
linear energy transfer, quality factor, attenuation coefficients, shielding.
Biological effects, RBE, internal dose, permissible exposures, beneficial
application. Instrumentation.
140. Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory (3)
Prerequisite: PHYS 102, MATH 81. Fundamental concepts and laws of classical
thermodynamics. Rudiments of kinetic theory and statistical thermodynamics
with application to physical and chemical systems.
145. Geophysics (3)
Prerequisites: PHYS 2A, 2B or 4A, MATH 75. Basic principles of physics applied
to the solution of geological problems, rotation and figure of the earth,
the gravity field, seismology and the earth's interior, geomagnetism, and
the thermal history of the earth.
150. Astrophysics (3)
Prerequisites: MATH 75 and PHYS 2A, 2B or PHYS 4A, 4B and 4C. Introduction
to celestial mechanics, spectral classification, stellar atmospheres and
interiors, star formation and evolution, variable stars, neutron stars,
pulsars, black holes, the nature of galaxies, and the expansion of the universe.
162. Condensed Matter Physics (3)
Prerequisites: PHYS 102, or CHEM 110B and permission of instructor. Classification
of solids; crystalline state and lattice vibrations; properties of metallic
lattices and dielectrics; magnetic properties of solids; free electron theory
and band theory of metals; semiconductors; imperfections.
170A. Mathematical Physics (3)
Prerequisite: PHYS 4C, MATH 81. Application of mathematical methods to the
solution of problems in physics.
175T. Topics in Contemporary Physics (1-4; max total 12)
Designed to provide students with special work in such areas of physics
as biophysics, modern optics, plasmas, high energy physics, solid state,
chaos theory, nuclear structure, astrophysics, low temperature phenomena.
Some topics may have labs.
180. Seminar in Physics (1; max total 3)
Prerequisite: senior or graduate physics major or permission of department
chair.
190. Independent Study (1-3; max total 6)
See Academic Placement -- Independent
Study. Approved for RP grading.
GRADUATE COURSES
(See Course Numbering System.)
Physics (PHYS)
203. Classical Mechanics (4)
Prerequisites: PHYS 105B, 170A. Advanced treatment of classical analytical
mechanics including Lagrange's and Hamilton's formulation of the laws of
motion, special relativity, small oscillation theory, hydrodynamics.
220A-B. Advanced Electricity and Magnetism (3-3)
Prerequisites: PHYS 107B, 170A. Electromagnetic theory and its applications;
electrostatics, boundary-value problems in electrostatics, dielectrics,
multipoles, magnetostatics, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic radiation,
optical properties of materials, wave guides and resonant cavities.
222A. Quantum Mechanics I (3)
Prerequisites: PHYS 115, 170A. Quantum Dynamics: representations and pictures,
path integrals, evolution operator, propagators. Angular Momentum: orbital
and spin, addition. Perturbation Theory: time-independent and time-dependent
problems, sudden and adiabatic approximations. Scattering: Lippman-Schwinger
equations, scattering matrix, Born approximation, partial waves.
222B. Quantum Mechanics II (3)
Prerequisite: PHYS 222A. Identical Particles: fermions and bosons, second
quantization. Electromagnetic Fields: radiation field, photons, coherent
states, vacuum state and Casimir effect, interactions with charged particles.
Relativistic Quantum Mechanics: Klein-Gordon and Dirac equations, relativistic
hydrogen atom, perturbation theory and Feynman diagrams.
262. Advanced Condensed Matter Physics (3)
Prerequisites: PHYS 115, 162, 170A. Binding and crystal structure, crystal
electron theories, elementary excitations, transport theories, crystal defects,
superconductivity.
270. Advanced Mathematical Physics (3)
Prerequisite: PHYS 170A. Group theory, including continuous (Lie) groups,
Lie algebras, and an introduction to the theory of representations, Green's
functions and their applications to physical problems, and integral equations
including diagrammatic methods of solution.
272. General Relativity (3)
Prerequisite: PHYS 203. The principle of equivalence, tensor calculus in
curved space-times, the Einstein-Hilbert equations, the Schwarzschild solution,
tests of general relativity, gravitational radiation, introduction to cosmology.
275T. Topics in Contemporary Physics (1-3; max total 6)
Advanced topics in such areas as modern optics, plasma physics, high energy
physics, astrophysics, nuclear physics, biophysics. Some topics may have
labs.
290. Independent Study (1-3; max total 6)
See Academic Placement -- Independent
Study. Approved for RP grading.
298. Project (2-6; max total 6)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Scholarly investigation by the advanced
graduate student as a culminating experience for the master's degree, including
a written project report and an oral defense, and followed by a competency
exam. Approved for RP grading.
299. Thesis (2-6; max total 6)
Prerequisite: See Criteria for Thesis
and Project. Preparation, completion, and submission of an acceptable
thesis for the master's degree. Approved for RP grading.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE COURSES
Physical Science (PSCI)
ASTRONOMY
21. Elementary Astronomy (4)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation B4. Recommended: second-year high school
algebra. Concepts, theories, important physical principles, and history
of astronomy. Stellar properties, distances, and evolution. Three field
trips for observing with telescopes. G.E. Breadth B1. (3 lecture, 2 lab
hours)
OTHER
106. History of Physical Science (3)
The development of our understanding of the physical world from ancient
times to the 20th century with an emphasis on astronomy, mechanics, thermodynamics,
and the nature of matter. An exploration of the evolution of ideas.
131. Concepts of Classical Physics from Babylon to Maxwell (3)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area B. Concepts, theories,
and laws of classical physics. Mathematics, astronomy, mechanics, light,
electricity, magnetism, thermodynamics, chemistry, and the atom. G.E. Integration
IB.
168. Energy and the Environment (3)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area B. Analysis of energy crisis;
introduction to various forms of energy, energy conversion processes and
environmental effects; present energy supply and energy projections; future
energy demands and ways of evaluating alternatives. G.E. Integration IB.
(3 lecture hours)
180T. Topics in Physical Science (1-3; max total 9)
Detailed discussion of special topics within the realm of physical science.
IN-SERVICE COURSES
(See Course Numbering System.)
Physical Science (PSCI)
305. Physical Science for Secondary School Teachers
(3; max total 6 in any one field)
Prerequisites: secondary credential and two years of teaching experience.
Objectives, content, and instructional materials for the physical sciences;
fundamental principles and recent developments. Emphasis may be on chemistry,
geology, or physics.
350. Physical Science for Elementary School Teachers
(3-6; max total 6 in any one field)
Maximum total credit 12 units; not more than 6 units in one field. Prerequisite:
elementary credential. Selection of source materials and aids available
for illustration of fundamental concepts and principles in physical science;
laboratory work in construction, operation, and use of demonstrations and
experiments in the elementary school.
Physics
Degrees