College of Arts & Sciences Catalog
Physics
The Department of Physics seeks to prepare students in a liberal arts setting for careers in physics, engineering, and related fields. Students oriented toward engineering careers are encouraged to consider the dual-degree program in engineering and liberal arts (listed in the Engineering section of this catalog), the applied physics major, and the major in physics followed by a graduate program in engineering. The department is also committed to making physics a significant component of the liberal arts experience for other Bethel students.
Courses
PHY100D • Concepts in Physics (spring) 4 credits
Physical perspective of the universe designed for liberal arts students. Topics from mechanics, wave motion (including sound and light), and atomic and nuclear physics. Lecture demonstrations and laboratories stress a clear understanding of observed phenomena. Includes 2 lab hrs.
PHY110D • Introduction to Astronomy (fall) 4 credits
For nonscience students; the concepts, techniques, and tools of astronomy and astrophysics. Includes historical overview; identification of constellations; telescopes; the nature of light, atomic spectra, and structure; the nuclear physics of stars; the life cycle of stars; and current theories of the fate of the universe. Laboratory includes optics, atomic spectra, and observations with simple instruments and telescopes. Includes 2 lab hrs.
PHY200D • Introductory Physics I (fall) 4 credits
Mechanics, thermal properties of matter, and mechanical waves, including laboratory exercises. Includes 2 lab hrs. Prerequisite: MAT110M, MAT122M, or MAT124M. Students may not receive credit for both PHY200D and PHY290D.
PHY205 • Introductory Physics II (spring) 4 credits
Electricity and magnetism, sound waves, optical phenomena, and modern physics, including laboratory exercises. Includes 2 lab hrs. Prerequisite: PHY200D. Students may not receive credit for both PHY205 and PHY295.
PHY290D • General Physics I (fall) 4 credits
Mechanics, thermal properties of matter, and mechanical waves, including laboratory exercises. Includes 2 lab hrs. Prerequisite: MAT124M (may be taken concurrently). Students may not receive credit for both PHY200D and PHY290D.
PHY295 • General Physics II (spring) 4 credits
Electricity, magnetism, sound waves, and optics. Includes 2 lab hrs. Prerequisites: PHY290D; MAT125 (may be taken concurrently). Students may not receive credit for both PHY205 and PHY295.
PHY300 • Electronics (fall) 4 credits
Fundamentals of digital and analog electronics intended for scientists and engineers. Extensive laboratory exercises and a choice of projects provide hands-on experience with circuits using transistors, operational amplifiers, logic gates, flip-flops, and other devices. Includes 4 lab hrs. Prerequisites: PHY205 or PHY295; MAT124M.
PHY310 • Modern Physics (spring) 4 credits
Relativity, quantum theory, atomic structure, nuclear structure, and elementary particles. Atomic and nuclear laboratory experiments. Includes 3 lab hrs. Prerequisites: PHY205 or PHY295; MAT125.
PHY320 • Mathematical Methods in Physics and Engineering (fall) 4 credits
Development of skill in mathematical techniques useful in the solution of physics and engineering problems. Included are vector analysis, line and surface integrals, Fourier analysis, partial differential equations, and linear algebra topics such as basis, dimension, matrices, eigenvalues/eigenvectors. Prerequisite: MAT223.
PHY330 • Optics (spring, even # yrs) 4 credits
Principles of geometrical and physical optics including a laboratory that emphasizes physical optics measurements, laser technology, and holography. Includes 3 lab hrs. Prerequisites: PHY310; MAT223.
PHY340 • Mechanics (fall) 4 credits
Particle dynamics, conservative motion, central forces, accelerated coordinate systems, and Lagrange’s equations of motion. Prerequisites: PHY205 or PHY295; MAT223.
PHY350 • Computer Methods in Physics and Engineering (spring) 4 credits
Application of the computer to solving applied problems of interest to physicists and engineers. Computer techniques are developed for numerical methods, simulation models, and data acquisition and control in the laboratory. Prerequisites: MAT223 and PHY295 or consent of instructor. PHY300 is recommended.
PHY360 • Physics Research Seminar I (fall) 1 credit
Introduction to research in physics, with special emphasis on utilizing the literature and developing scientific writing skills. Prerequisites: PHY310; junior standing; a major in the the physics major.
PHY365 • Physics Research Seminar II (spring) 1 credit
Continuation of an introduction to research in physics and the development of scientific writing skills. Emphasis placed on preparing for departmental research experiences such as PHY490 and external research experiences such as those found in industry, summer fellowship programs, and graduate schools. Prerequisite: PHY360.
PHY400 • Electricity and Magnetism (fall, odd # yrs) 4 credits
Electro- and magnetostatics, electric and magnetic fields, and electromagnetic waves. Prerequisites: PHY205 or PHY295; MAT223.
PHY410 • Thermodynamics (spring, odd # yrs) 4 credits
Laws of thermodynamics, conditions for thermodynamic equilibrium, and fundamentals of statistical mechanics. Prerequisite: MAT223.
PHY420 • Fluid Mechanics (fall, even # yrs) 4 credits
Laws of statics, kinematics, and dynamics applied to fluid mechanics. Integral and differential conservation laws for mass, momentum, and energy. Dimensional analysis, viscous pipe flow, boundary layers, separated flows, and potential flow. Laboratory exercises and project. Prerequisites: PHY295; MAT223.
PHY430 • Topics in Contemporary Optics (spring, odd # yrs) 4 credits
Fourier optics, theory of coherence, quantum optics, nonlinear optics, and the physics of lasers. Laboratory exercises and optical demonstrations are included. Includes 3 lab hrs. Prerequisites: PHY310; MAT223 or consent of instructor.
PHY440 • Quantum Mechanics (spring, even # yrs) 4 credits
Concepts and techniques of quantum mechanics. Prerequisites: PHY310; MAT223.
PHY450 • Topics in Applied Physics (occasionally) 4 credits
Topics selected from various fields of engineering and applied physics for the purpose of illustrating the practical application of physical principles. Emphasis on developing the skills and viewpoints commonly used by engineers and industrial physicists. The field of engineering or applied physics is announced prior to registration. Course may be repeated when a different topic is emphasized. Prerequisites: PHY320 (may be taken concurrently); MAT222.
PHY481 • Internship in Physics (fall, spring) 2 credits
A practical experience in an off-campus professional setting in which the student applies the skills and perspectives of a physicist. Designed by student in consultation with a faculty member. Prerequisites: Major in applied physics; junior or senior standing.
PHY490 • Research (fall, spring) 3 credits
An opportunity for individual student projects under the supervision of the faculty. Prerequisites: Senior standing; PHY365; major in physics; consent of department.
Education Course (see Department of Education)
EDU420 • Methods in Teaching 5–12 Science
Programs
In this section, semester credit hours will be shown after the course number and description.
Major in Physics (B.A.)
| PHY290D* | General Physics I | 4 |
| PHY295 | General Physics II | 4 |
| PHY300 | Electronics | 4 |
| PHY310 | Modern Physics | 4 |
| PHY320 | Mathematical Methods in Physics and Engineering | 4 |
| Electives from 300- or 400-level physics courses, one of which must be PHY330, PHY430, or PHY490 | 12 | |
| MAT124M* | Calculus 1 | 4 |
| MAT125 | Calculus 2 | 4 |
| MAT222 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| MAT223 | Multivariable Calculus | 3 |
|
Total |
46 | |
| General Education | 51-52 | |
| Electives | 24-25 | |
| Total | 122 |
* A student may also choose to use this course to meet a General Education requirement.
Major in Physics (B.S.)
| PHY290D* | General Physics I | 4 |
| PHY295 | General Physics II | 4 |
| PHY300 | Electronics | 4 |
| PHY310 | Modern Physics | 4 |
| PHY320 | Mathematical Methods in Physics and Engineering | 4 |
| Choose from: |
4 |
|
| PHY330 | Optics | |
| PHY430 | Topics in Contemporary Optics | |
| PHY340 | Mechanics | 4 |
| PHY360 | Physics Research Seminar I | 1 |
| PHY365 | Physics Research Seminar II | 1 |
| PHY400 | Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| PHY410 | Thermodynamics | 4 |
| PHY440 | Quantum Mechanics | 4 |
| PHY490 | Research | 3 |
| COS205 | Scientific Computing | 3 |
| MAT124M* | Calculus 1 | 4 |
| MAT125 | Calculus 2 | 4 |
| MAT222 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| MAT223 | Multivariable Calculus | 3 |
| Choose from: | 3-4 | |
| COS344 | Numerical Methods | |
| PHY350 | Computer Methods in Physics and Engineering | |
|
Total |
65-66 | |
| General Education | 51-52 | |
| Electives | 4-6** | |
| TOTAL | 122 |
* A student may also choose to use this course to meet a General Education requirement.
** Because of possible double counting between General Education and the major, the total of 122 credits can include up to 14 credits of electives.
Major in Applied Physics (B.S.)
| PHY290D* | General Physics I | 4 |
| PHY295 | General Physics II | 4 |
| PHY300 | Electronics | 4 |
| PHY310 | Modern Physics | 4 |
| PHY320 | Mathematical Methods in Physics and Engineering | 4 |
| PHY330 | Optics | 4 |
| PHY350 | Computer Methods in Physics and Engineering | 4 |
| PHY420 | Fluid Mechanics | 4 |
| PHY430 | Topics in Contemporary Optics | 4 |
| Choose from: | 8 | |
| PHY340 | Mechanics | |
| PHY400 | Electricity and Magnetism | |
| PHY410 | Thermodynamics | |
| PHY440 | Quantum Mechanics | |
| Choose from: | 2 | |
|
PHY360 & PHY365 |
Physics Research Seminar I & II | |
| PHY481 | Internship in Physics | |
| CHE111D* | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| COS205 | Scientific Computing | 3 |
| MAT124M* | Calculus 1 | 4 |
| MAT125 | Calculus 2 | 4 |
| MAT222 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| MAT223 | Multivariable Calculus | 3 |
| Choose from: | 3-4 | |
| CHE212 | General Chemistry II | |
| COS344 | Numerical Methods | |
| MAT330 | Probability and Statistics | |
|
Total |
70-71 | |
| General Education | 51-52 | |
| TOTAL | 121-123** |
* A student may also choose to use this course to meet a General Education requirement.
** Because of possible double counting between General Education and the major, the actual total may include 8 credits of electives.
Students planning on graduate school in optics or electrical engineering should choose PHY400 Electricity and Magnetism and PHY440 Quantum Mechanics. Those planning on graduate work in mechanical engineering should choose PHY340 Mechanics and PHY410 Thermodynamics.
Major in Science Education 5–12: Physics Emphasis (B.A.)
| PHY110D* | Introduction to Astronomy | 4 |
| PHY290D* | General Physics I | 4 |
| PHY295 | General Physics II | 4 |
| PHY300 | Electronics | 4 |
| PHY310 | Modern Physics | 4 |
| Choose from: |
4 |
|
| PHY330 | Optics | |
| PHY400 | Electricity and Magnetism | |
| PHY410 | Thermodynamics | |
| BIO101D* | Principles of Biology |
4 |
| CHE111D* | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHE212 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| EDU200 | Introduction to Education | 3 |
| EDU201 | Introduction to Education Field Experience | 1 |
| EDU203 | School Health and Drugs | 2 |
| EDU220 | Introduction to Middle Level Education | 3 |
| EDU240 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EDU241 | Educational Psychology Field Experience | 1 |
| EDU317GZ* | Understanding Diversity | 3 |
| EDU320 | Pedagogy of the Young Adolescent Learner | 2 |
| EDU420 | Methods in Teaching 5–12 Science | 3 |
| EDU429 | Middle Level Education Practicum in Science | 1 |
| EDU490 | Student Teaching Block | 15 |
| GEL167D* | Geology | 4 |
| MAT124M* | Calculus 1 | 4 |
| MAT125 | Calculus 2 | 4 |
| MAT223 | Multivariable Calculus | 3 |
|
Total |
88 | |
| General Education | 51-52 | |
| TOTAL | 139-140** |
* A student may also choose to use this course to meet a General Education requirement.
** Because of possible double counting between General Education and the major, the actual total can be reduced to 129-130 credits.
Students must earn a grade of C or better in each content area or education course in the major (BIO, CHE, EDU, GEL, MAT, PHY). Courses with grades of C- or lower must be repeated.
Major in Engineering Science
(See Engineering section.)
Minor in Physics
| Choose from: | 8 | |
| PHY200D* and PHY205 | Introductory Physics I and II | |
| PHY290D* and PHY295 | General Physics I and II | |
| PHY300 | Electronics | 4 |
| PHY310 | Modern Physics | 4 |
| Choose from: | 4 | |
| PHY330 | Optics | |
| PHY340 | Mechanics | |
| PHY410 | Thermodynamics | |
|
TOTAL |
20 |
* A student may also choose to use this course to meet a General Education requirement.