Below we provide an brief overview of each of the courses.

Index: PHYS	100, 101, 105, 111, 112, 121, 122, 122L, 203, 224, 303, 305, 315, 316, 321, 324, 330L, 331L, 333, 335, 340L, 380, 402, 403, 407, 408, 415, 418, 424, 425, 428, 430, 440, 450, 470, 480, 490, 499
Key:	(MS) ... Satisfies Mathematics requirements of the GFR [Phy-Maj] ... Required for Physics Major [Phy-Min] ... Required for Physics Minor [Ast-Min] ... Required for Astronomy Minor

See also the Current & Forthcoming Schedule for courses offered by the Physics Department.

Brief Course Descriptions

PHYS 100

Ideas in Physics [3 credits] (MS) A one-semester, general-interest course for the non-science major, introducing concepts of classical mechanics, eletromagnetism, thermodynamics and optics, along with how a physicist views the world. Prerequiste: Mathematical ability at the level of high school algebra, geometry and trigonometry.

PHYS 101

Ideas in Modern Physics [3 credits] (MS) A one-semester, general-interest course for the non-science major, introducing concepts of quantum mechanics, and atomic and nuclear physics. Suitable for students who have taken PHYS100, but PHYS100 is not a prerequiste. Prerequiste: None

PHYS 105

Ideas in Astronomy [3 credits] (MS) A general-interest course that covers observations, models and theories of the solar system, the stars and the galaxies. Students also will bbecome aquainted with the history of astronomy. Prerequiste: Mathematical ability at the level of high school algebra, geometry and trigonometry.

PHYS 111

Basic Physics I [4 credits] (MS) Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory period a week. A general physics course intended primarily for students in psychology, biology and the health-related sciences. Topics include mechanics, heat and sound. [more details ...] Prerequiste: High-school mathematics, including trigonometry, or MATH150. Note: This course satisfies the minimum requirements of medical and dental schools

PHYS 112

Basic Physics II [4 credits] (MS) Continuation of PHYS111. Topics include electricity, magnetism, optics and modern physics. [more details ...] Prerequiste: PHYS111

PHYS 121

Introductory Physics I [4 credits] (MS) [Phy-Maj] [Phy-Min] [Ast-Maj] This course emphasizes classical mechanics. Topics include force, particle kinematics and dynamics, equilibrium, Newton's laws of motion and gravitation, rotational motion, collisions, momentum, energy and conservation laws. Prerequiste: MATH151.

PHYS 122

Introductory Physics II [4 credits] (MS) [Phy-Maj] [Phy-Min] [Ast-Maj] This course emphasizes electricity, magnetism, heat and thermodynamics. Topics include Coulomb's law, Gauss' law, electric fields and electric potential, currents, simple circuits and Kirchoff's laws, generation of magnetic fields by charges in motion, electromagnetic induction, magnetic materials, oscillatory circuits, temperature, heat and the laws of thermodynamics. Prerequiste: PHYS121. Corequiste: MATH152.

PHYS 122L

Introductory Physics Laboratory [2 credits] [Phy-Maj] Four hours of laboratory work a week. This is the laboratory course associated with the PHYS121-122 sequence. Prerequiste: PHYS121.

PHYS 203

Ultrasound Physics [3 credits] Sorry - description incomplete Prerequiste:

PHYS 224

Introductory Physics III [3 credits] [Phy-Maj] [Phy-Min] This course emphasizes vibrations, wave motion and optics. Topics include mathematical characterization of vibrations and waves, sound, superposition of standing waves, geometrical and physical optics, diffraction, interference and polarization of light. Prerequiste: PHYS122 Corequiste: MATH251

PHYS 303

Thermal and Statistical Physics [3 credits] Sorry - description incomplete Prerequiste:

PHYS 305

Stellar Astrophysics [3 credits] [Ast-Min] A survey of the life and death of stars. Topics include star formation, stellar structure and evolution, stellar death (white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes), supernovae, binary star systems and accretion onto compact objects, and x-ray sources. Prerequiste: PHYS122

PHYS 315

Galaxies and the Interstellar Medium [3 credits] [Ast-Min] The formation, structure, and dynamics of normal galaxies, dark matter, the evolution of elliptical and spiral galaxies, quasars, radio galaxies, and active galaxies. Theoretical models will be compared to observations in radio, IR, optical, X-ray, and gamma-rays. Prerequiste: PHYS 122

PHYS 316

Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology [3 credits] [Ast-Min] An introduction to modern cosmology including evidence the big bang and the expanding universe, the formation of light elements in the early universe, the effect of dark matter on the formation of large-scale structure in the universe and galaxy motions, gravitational lenses, observations of quasars, the intergalactic medium, measurement of cosmological parameters. Prerequiste: PHYS122

PHYS 321

Intermediate Mechanics [3 credits] [Phy-Maj] Sorry - description incomplete Prerequiste:

PHYS 324

Modern Physics [3 credits] [Phy-Maj] Sorry - description incomplete Prerequiste:

PHYS 330L

Optics Laboratory [3 credits] [Phy-Maj] Sorry - description incomplete Prerequiste:

PHYS 331L

Modern Physics Laboratory [4 credits] [Phy-Maj] Sorry - description incomplete Prerequiste:

PHYS 333

Applied Physics in Archaeology and Art [3 credits] (MS) Sorry - description incomplete Prerequiste: Note: Credit does not apply toward the Physics Major

PHYS 335

Physics and Chemistry of the Atmosphere [3 credits] Sorry - description incomplete Prerequiste:

PHYS 340L

Electronics for Scientists [4 credits] [Phy-Maj] Sorry - description incomplete Prerequiste: PHYS122

PHYS 380

Vibrations and Waves [3 credits] Sorry - description incomplete Prerequiste: PHYS224 and MATH251

PHYS 402

Nuclear Physics [3 credits] Sorry - description incomplete Prerequiste: PHYS324

PHYS 403

Solid-State Physics [3 credits] Sorry - description incomplete Prerequiste: PHYS303 and PHYS324

PHYS 407

Electromagnetic Theory [4 credits] [Phy-Maj] Vector Analysis, electrostatics, dielectric media, electric currents, magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction and magnetic properties of matter. Prerequiste: PHYS224

PHYS 408

Optics [3 credits] [Phy-Maj] Sorry - description incomplete Prerequiste: PHYS324

PHYS 415

Observational Astronomy [4 credits] [Ast-Min] Detection of radiation and data analysis techniques covering spatial, spectral, and timing data. Hands on, practical experience will be combined with a knowledge of the fundamentals of astrophysics gained from previous astronomy courses. Students will complete a research project using the UMBC 32" telescope and data obtained from the High Energy Astrophysics Archive (HEASARC). Experience using state of the art astronomical software to analyze data will be gained. Prerequiste: PHYS305, PHYS315, PHYS316

PHYS 418

Semiconductor Optical Devices [4 credits] Sorry - description incomplete Prerequiste: PHYS324 Corequiste: PHYS408 and constent of instructor

PHYS 424

Introduction to Quantum Mechanics [3 credits] [Phy-Maj] Sorry - description incomplete Prerequiste: PHYS321, PHYS324, MATH225

PHYS 425

Relativistic Physics [3 credits] Special relativity, general relativity form a modern viewpoint, the Schwarzschild solution, other solutions of the Einstein field equation, the role of general relativity in astrophysics and an introduction to the unified field theories. Prerequiste: PHYS321

PHYS 428

Integrated Optics and Holography [3 credits] Sorry - description incomplete Prerequiste: PHYTS418 and consent of instructor

PHYS 430

Introduction to Materials [3 credits] Sorry - description incomplete Prerequiste: PHYS303, PHYS324 and consent of instructor

PHYS 440

Computational Physics [3 credits] Sorry - description incomplete Prerequiste: PHYS321, PHYS324 and consent of instructor

PHYS 450

Special Topics [1-4 credits] A course with a particular faculty member on a topic not covered in the regular curriculum. The arrangements with the faculty member must be made before registration. Prerequiste: Consent of instructor.

PHYS 470

Techniques of Experimental Physics [3 credits] Sorry - description incomplete Prerequiste: PHYS331L, PHYS340L, senior standing in Physics and knowledge of digital computer programming.

PHYS 480

Techniques in Theoretical Physics [3 credits] Sorry - description incomplete Prerequiste: PHYS321

PHYS 490

Senior Seminar [1 credit] Research methods, the preparation of project proposals and the specific proposals for a senior project. Sorry - description incomplete Prerequiste: 90 credits and 3.0 GPA in major courses.

PHYS 499

Senior Research [3 credits] The student, in consultation with the faculty, is to formulate a senior research project and to carry out this project under the direction of a faculty member. Prerequiste: PHYS470