You are in the official 2001-2002 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
Department of Physics
COURSES
- Physics (PHYS)
- Physical Science (P SCI)
- Physics (PHYS) --- Graduate Courses
- Physical Science (P SCI) --- In-Service Courses
Physics (PHYS)
2A. General Physics (4)
Prerequisite: G.E. Breadth B4, completion of General Education
Quantitative Reasoning requirement. 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: 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; wave motion and sound. G.E. Breadth B1 when taken with
PHYS 4AL.
4AL. Laboratory in Mechanics and Wave Motion (1)
Corequisite: PHYS 4A. Introduction to laboratory methods. Experiments
in mechanics, waves, and sound. G.E. Breadth B1. (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)
Prerequisite: G.E. Breadth B4 (may be taken concurrently). 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 course. Individually
arranged course of study in some limited area of physics, either
to remove a deficiency or to in vestigate in more depth. (1-2
hours to be arranged)
100. Concepts of Modern Physics (3)
Prerequisite: General Education Quantitative Reasoning and Area
B Breadth requirements. Conceptual development of relativity and
quantum theory. Demonstration of abstract concepts with mechanical
analogues; visualization with diagrams. G.E. Integration IB. (3
lecture hours)
102. Modern Physics (3)
Prerequisite: PHYS 4C. 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. (A) Analytical and vector treatment of
the fundamental principles of statics, kinematics, and dynamics.
(B) Advanced dynamics; harmonic motion, central force fields,
and Lagrange's equations.
107A-B. Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism (3-3)
Prerequisites: PHYS 105A, MATH 81. (A) Mathematical analysis of
electrostatics and magnetostatics, Gauss' law, solutions of Laplace's
equation, images, theory of conduction, magnetic potentials. (B)
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)
131. Evaluation and Clinical Management
of Musculoskeletal Conditions II (4)
Prerequisite: PH TH 130. A continuation of Evaluation and Clinical
Management of Musculoskeletal Conditions I. (3 lecture, 3 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: 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. (Formerly PHYS
175T)
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: 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 SP grading.
GRADUATE COURSES
(See Course Numbering System.)
Physics (PHYS)
203. Classical Mechanics (4)
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)
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)
Prerequisite: PHYS 115. 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)
Binding and crystal structure, crystal electron theories, elementary
excitations, transport theories, crystal defects, superconductivity.
270. Advanced Mathematical Physics (3)
Prerequisite: PHYS 170A. Covers three topics: 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 SP 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
SP 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
SP grading.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE COURSES
Physical Science (P SCI)
ASTRONOMY
21. Elementary Astronomy (4)
Prerequisite: G.E. Breadth B4 (may be taken concurrently) or 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: General Education Area A Foundation and Area B
Breadth requirements. Concepts, theories, and laws of classical
physics. Mathematics, astronomy, mechanics, light, electricity,
magnetism, thermodynamics, chemistry, and the atom. G.E. Integration
IB.
168. Environmental Impact of Energy Demands by Society (3)
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.
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 (P SCI)
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