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PHYS 101 - Introduction to the Physics Major
Introduction to Northern Illinois University and the baccalaureate experience in physics. Exploration of factors influencing the transition into the university and the undergraduate physics programs. Introduction to department and university resources. Development of skills to enhance academic success with a focus on student responsibility for learning. Introduction to physics concepts including particles, forces, units, errors, and modern physics, and required skills in mathematics and computing. Substitutes for UNIV 101. Available only to first-year students. May not be repeated.
Credits: 2
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PHYS 150 - Physics
Development of concepts and principles from selected topics in mechanics, electricity, heat, sound, and light. Application to everyday life and contemporary issues facing society and their implications. Topics may include energy sources, climate change, medical physics, among others. Not recommended for students who have had a year of high school physics. Not available for credit to students with credit in PHYS 150A.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 151 - Physics Laboratory
Selected experiments designed to accompany PHYS 150. One two-hour laboratory per week.
Prerequisites & Notes
CRQ: PHYS 150.
Credits: 1
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PHYS 162 - Elementary Astronomy
Introduction to astronomical science extending from planetary astronomy through the most recent discoveries and speculations of astrophysics, such as pulsars, “black holes,” and the latest hypotheses regarding stellar evolution and cosmology.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 180 - Acoustics, Music, and Hearing
Elementary study of acoustics designed especially for students with an interest in music, speech and hearing, the theatre, or sound recording. Topics include the waves and vibrations, perception and measurement of sound, acoustics of musical instruments, speech and singing, and the acoustics of rooms.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 181 - Acoustics Laboratory
A laboratory course designed to be taken concurrently with PHYS 180. The first part of the semester consists of experiments that provide an introduction to acoustics and acoustical measurements with modern electronic instruments. During the remainder of the course students choose experiments which fit their own particular interests.
Prerequisites & Notes
CRQ: PHYS 180 or consent of the department.
Credits: 1
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PHYS 201X - The Professional Secondary Science Teacher
Crosslisted as CHEM 201X, and GEOL 201. An introduction to the role of the professional science teacher. Includes philosophical trends in teaching (and how they affect the science teacher), major factors affecting how science is taught, and an introduction to science content/ teaching standards.
Prerequisites & Notes
CRQ: ILAS 201.
Credits: 1
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PHYS 210 - General Physics I
First semester of a two-semester sequence covering mechanics, heat, and sound. Includes lecture and laboratory sessions. Not available for credit to students with credit in PHYS 253.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: MATH 155 or equivalent or CRQ: MATH 229.
Credits: 4
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PHYS 211 - General Physics II
Second semester of a two-semester sequence covering electricity and magnetism, light and quantum physics. Includes lecture and laboratory sessions. Not available for credit to students with credit in PHYS 273.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: PHYS 210 or PHYS 253.
Credits: 4
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PHYS 252 - Intermediate General Physics
Topics in mechanics, electricity, and magnetism using calculus. Serves as a “bridge” between the material presented in PHYS 210-PHYS 211 and the 300-level intermediate courses. Not available for credit to students with credit in PHYS 273.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: PHYS 211. CRQ: MATH 230.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 253 - Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics
Physical laws governing motion, force, energy, rotation, and vibration using calculus. Primarily for majors in the physical and mathematical sciences and engineering. One three-hour laboratory a week. Not available for credit to students with credit in PHYS 210.
Prerequisites & Notes
CRQ: MATH 229.
Credits: 4
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PHYS 273 - Fundamentals of Physics II: Electromagnetism
Physical laws governing electricity and magnetism using calculus. Primarily for majors in the physical and mathematical sciences and engineering. One three-hour laboratory a week. Not available for credit to students with credit in PHYS 211.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: PHYS 253. CRQ: MATH 230.
Credits: 4
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PHYS 283 - Fundamentals of Physics III: Quantum Physics
Physical laws governing optics, atomic, solid state, nuclear, and elementary particle physics using calculus.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: MATH 230 and PHYS 252 or PHYS 273.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 284 - Quantum Physics Laboratory
Laboratory component of PHYS 283. One three-hour laboratory a week. Not available for credit to students with credit in PHYS 262.
Prerequisites & Notes
CRQ: PHYS 283.
Credits: 1
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PHYS 300 - Analytical Mechanics I
Newton’s laws of motion applied to simple objects. Study of harmonic oscillators, central forces, conservation principles, dynamics of a system of particles, and moving coordinate systems. Use of vectors and differential equations.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: MATH 232 and PHYS 252 or PHYS 253. CRQ: MATH 336.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 301X - The Interdisciplinary Secondary Science Teacher
Crosslisted as BIOS 301X, CHEM 301X, and GEOL 301. Seminar on the role of a science teacher in an interdisciplinary and/or integrated science class and how a science curriculum is designed based on state and national standards. Focus on skills all science teachers must possess regardless of specific discipline Including knowing how to apply the following topics in ways appropriate to the age and development of the students in a classroom; safety procedures, classroom management, designing and conducting demonstrations, experiments, performance assessments, differentiated curriculum and uses of technology.
Prerequisites & Notes
CRQ: ILAS 301, PHYS 493X.
Credits: 1
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PHYS 320 - Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
Concept and measurement of temperature. Study of the first and second laws of thermodynamics, entropy, and the statistical theory of simple systems.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: MATH 232 and PHYS 283.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 335 - Biophysics
Application of basic physics to biological systems. Topics include biomechanics, fluid transport, bioelectricity, and nerve impulses. Interaction of electromagnetic radiation with living matter. Diagnostic instrumentation including x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, and radioisotopes in medicine and biology.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: PHYS 273.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 344 - Astronomy
Crosslisted as GEOL 344X. Modern views on the structure of the universe. Our solar system, stars, galaxies, and quasars. Astronomy as an interdisciplinary science, emphasizing the underlying physical principles.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: PHYS 211 or PHYS 273.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 359 - Topics in Physics
Current topics of interest and concern to the general public as well as to professional scientists. Not open to physics majors. May be repeated to a maximum of 3 semester hours.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: PHYS 211 and consent of department.
Credits: 1-3
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PHYS 367 - Waves and Vibrations
Free and forced vibrations, coupled oscillators, properties of waves, reflection, diffraction, and interference.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: MATH 232 and PHYS 252 or PHYS 253. CRQ: MATH 336.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 370 - Electricity and Magnetism I
Behavior of electric and magnetic fields. Study of electrostatics, magnetostatics, and the electric and magnetic properties of matter. Use of vector calculus.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: MATH 232 and PHYS 283. CRQ: MATH 336.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 374 - Introduction to Experimental Physics
Selected experiments from classical and modern physics stressing laboratory practices and current measurement techniques such as STM and SQUID. Includes lecture and one four-hour laboratory a week.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: PHYS 284. CRQ: PHYS 383.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 375 - Laboratory Electronics I
Fundamentals of circuit analysis and the physics of electronic devices. Topics include DC and AC circuits, semiconductors, transistors, operational amplifiers, and simple digital logic. Programming and circuit testing using software as LabView. Includes lecture and three hours of laboratory a week.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: PHYS 252 or PHYS 273.
Credits: 4
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PHYS 383 - Intermediate Quantum Physics
Development of quantum mechanics; applications of Schrodinger equation to simple systems, atoms, molecules, and solids; quantum statistics; relativistic kinematics; applications in particle and nuclear physics.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: PHYS 283.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 385 - Methods of Mathematical Physics I
Mathematical techniques used in physics problems. Vector calculus, linear operators, matrices, boundary value problems, and Fourier series.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: MATH 336 and PHYS 300.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 400 - Analytical Mechanics II
Motion of complex systems. Study of oscillating, rotating, and vibrating systems, nonlinear mechanics, mechanics of continuous media, and relativistic mechanics. Use of Fourier analysis, tensors, and Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulation.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: PHYS 300.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 401 - The Professional Physics Teacher
Seminar directed to designing physics instruction to meet state and national standards. Attention given to skills physics teachers must possess related to the design and use of instructional methods. Includes a minimum of 40 hours of observation in the physics classroom.
Prerequisites & Notes
CRQ: PHYS 495.
Credits: 2
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PHYS 410 - Computational Physics
Techniques of physics problem solving using computers. Application of numerical analysis, linear analysis, iterative methods, and Monte Carlo simulation to problems in classical and modern physics. Use of equation solving software and high-level programming languages.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: PHYS 300, PHYS 370, and CSCI 240, or consent of department.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 430 - Optics
Geometrical, physical, quantum, and experimental optics with emphasis on topics of current interest. Three lectures plus a 3-hour laboratory weekly.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: PHYS 370.
Credits: 4
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PHYS 434 - Nuclear and Particle Physics
Applications of quantum physics to nuclei and elementary particles.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: PHYS 283.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 459 - Special Problems in Physics
Problems may be technical in nature or concerned with teaching procedure. Under supervision of physics staff. May be repeated to a maximum of 3 semester hours.
Credits: 1-3
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PHYS 460 - Quantum Physics
Schrodinger wave equation, eigen-values and eigen-functions, methods of approximation and applications to the square well, the harmonic oscillator, and hydrogen-like atoms.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: PHYS 300 and PHYS 370 and PHYS 383.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 461 - Modern Physics
Applications of quantum physics to atoms, molecules, solids, nuclei, and elementary particles.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: PHYS 460.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 463 - Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory, and Statistical Mechanics
Review of such topics as the laws of thermodynamics, the entropy concept, and thermodynamic potentials. Probability, distribution functions and transport phenomena. Introductory treatment of classical and quantum-mechanical statistical mechanics. Emphasis on applications to areas of modern physics.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: PHYS 320 or consent of department.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 470 - Electricity and Magnetism II
Maxwell’s equations; propagation, reflection, and transmission of electromagnetic waves; wave guides; dipole radiation; radiation by point charges; electrodynamics in special relativity.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: PHYS 300 and PHYS 370, or consent of department.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 474 - Methods of Experimental Physics
Basic techniques of experimental physics. Design and construction of research apparatus and safety procedures. Use of computers and electronics for experimental measurement and control. Simulations and statistical methods of data analysis.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: PHYS 375 or consent of department.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 475 - Laboratory Electronics II
Applications and use of integrated circuits for experimental measurement and control. Includes digital electronics, digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital conversion, mini and microcomputers, power supplies, and active filters and oscillators. Lecture and one 3-hour laboratory period a week.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: PHYS 375 or consent of department.
Credits: 4
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PHYS 477 - Astrophysics
Kepler’s laws and solar system, analysis of solar radiations, nuclear reactions in the sun, and other selected topics.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: PHYS 283 and PHYS 300.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 480 - Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science
Applications of quantum physics to solids and materials including the mechanical, thermal, electrical, optical, and structural properties of materials.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: PHYS 300 and PHYS 370.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 485 - Methods of Mathematical Physics II
Tensor analysis. Functions of complex variable residue calculus, partial differential equations of mathematical physics and Green’s function.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: PHYS 385.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 490X - Science Across Time and Culture
Crosslisted as BIOS 484X, CHEM 490X, ENVS 475X, and GEOL 475. Examination of major concepts of science, and how they evolved. Comparison and contrast of the role and practice of science in various cultures and examination of the interaction between science, technology, and culture.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: GEOL 120 and GEOL 121, or consent of department.
Credits: 2
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PHYS 492 - Science Teaching in the Elementary, Middle, and Junior High School: Grades K-9
Crosslisted as GEOL 486X. Selected instructional methods and materials for teaching science in elementary, middle, and junior high schools with emphasis on the physical sciences. Analysis of modern curricula and practice in the use of associated laboratory materials developed for use at all levels from grades K-9. Designed for the classroom teacher and pre-teacher, but open to science supervisors and administrators. Not available for credit in the major.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: A general physical science course or equivalent and consent of department.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 493X - Interdisciplinary Teaching of Science in Secondary Education
Crosslisted as BIOS 402X, CHEM 493X, ENVS 483X, and GEOL 483. Methods and theory for the teaching of interdisciplinary science in grades 6-12. The nature and purpose of science and its underlying assumptions, the social and cultural challenges in science teaching, and the potential solutions to these challenges are explored through research, discussion, and reflection. Requirements include using state and national science standards to develop student learning objectives and to design inquiry-based lesson plans, micro-teaching, construction and use of assessment rubrics, and ongoing development of a professional portfolio.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 494 - Use of Technology in Secondary Science Teaching
Crosslisted as GEOL 484X. Selected methods for the evaluation and use of technology in both the instructional and laboratory setting in secondary science education. Topics may include the interfacing of computers for data acquisition in the laboratory, strategies for integrating the Internet into the curriculum, and use of video/multimedia equipment.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: Consent of department.
Credits: 2
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PHYS 495 - Teaching of Physical Sciences
Crosslisted as CHEM 495X and GEOL 495X. Preparation for licensure in grades 6-12 in one or more of the fields of physical science: physics, chemistry, earth science, and general science. Examination and analysis of modern curricula; classroom and laboratory organization; microteaching and observation of teaching; lesson planning; multicultural education; teaching science to the exceptional child; reading and the teaching of science; methods of evaluation.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: Consent of department. CRQ: CHEM 401 or GEOL 401 or PHYS 401.
Credits: 3
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PHYS 496 - Transition to the Professional Physics Teacher
A transitioning experience in which the licensure candidate achieves closure on the initial phase of professional preparation and, upon that foundation, charts a path for continuing professional growth as a practicing teacher. Candidate will reflect on the preparatory experience and complete documentation demonstrating ability to perform as a qualified physics teacher. Directly addresses all INTASC, NSTA, and ISBE standards.
Prerequisites & Notes
CRQ: PHYS 497 or consent of department.
Credits: 2
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PHYS 497 - Student Teaching (Secondary) in Physics/Physical Sciences
Student teaching in grades 9-12 for 12 weeks or for one semester. Assignments to be arranged with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Teacher Placement Office after approval by the Department of Physics. Not available for credit in the major.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: PHYS 495 and consent of department.
Credits: 10
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PHYS 498 - Senior Seminar
Topics of current interest in physics and physics education. Attendance at the Department of Physics colloquium series required.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: PHYS 374 and senior standing in physics.
Credits: 1
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PHYS 499 - Senior Project in Physics
Program of study and research in a special area of physics selected in consultation with a faculty member and approved by the department chair. Project results evaluated by a faculty panel. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 semester hours.
Prerequisites & Notes
PRQ: PHYS 374 and senior standing in physics.
Credits: 1-3
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