Physics College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences Department of Physics
Bachelor of Science
General Physics Option
Physical Science Option
Minor
Physics
Faculty
Kenneth S. Ganezer, Department Chair
Robert L. Alt, James S. Imai, H. Keith Lee, Alice L. Newman, Samuel L. Wiley
Clyde A. Tokumoto, Technician
Virginia L. Knauss, Department Secretary
Department Office: NSM B-202, (310) 243-3591
Emeritus Faculty
Arthur A. Evett
Program Description
Physics is the study of the natural world at its foundation. As such it is the basis of other disciplines such as biology, medicine, chemistry, computing science, geology, astronomy and engineering. Physicists study the world from the smallest particles of matter (quarks and leptons), nuclei, atoms, and molecules; through forces and motions which determine properties of solids, liquids, gases, and plasmas; to descriptions of the behavior of matter on all scales up to starts, galaxies, and even the origin and fate of the universe. The department encourages student-faculty interaction in all these areas.
For
traditional physics baccalaureate degree, the department offers a General
Physics Option, which provides access to advanced theoretical and technical
careers. In addition, students may gain
experience by participating in research projects (e.g. neutrino experiments,
medical imaging).
Since
many physics majors find their niche in teaching, the department offers a
Physical Science Option tailored to meet education standards and satisfy waiver
requirements for a single subject teaching credential. The Physics faculty are committed to teaching
excellence, and to teacher education in the sciences. The department provides essential laboratory
hands-on experience in understanding and demonstrating science.
The Physics Minor has flexible upper division requirements to encourage students majoring in other fields to broaden their expertise to fit a niche in contemporary technology or research. Students are invited to meet with a physics advisor to map areas of interest and expertise. The most successful physics minors distinguish themselves as mathematics majors in applied math, computer science majors in computer hardware, chemistry students in physical chemistry, music majors in electronics and instrumentation, and clinical science majors with elements of nuclear physics (modern physics).
Features
The most important feature of the Physics Department is its excellent full-time faculty, all members of which hold the doctorate. They are dedicated to excellence in teaching and are active in research and other scholarly activities.
Another
attractive feature of the department is its small class size, allowing students
to interact frequently and effectively with instructors within and outside of
class. It also permits instructors to
easily identify students in need of additional assistance, and to supply such
assistance. Many of our majors work
part-time in local high-tech organizations.
Upper-division courses are often offered in late afternoon or evening to
make courses more accessible for these students.
Progress
in this science often depends on our innovation in designing advanced
experimentation to observe natural phenomena (when driven to its limits), or in computational or
mathematical modeling to match a complex phenomenological response. Since new discoveries and techniques are
instantly shared with the global community, the department is committed to introducing
students to computer analysis techniques and internet web literacy. Excellent computer facilities are available
on campus.
Academic Advising
All prospective students should meet with a Physics department faculty member to learn more about the physics major and minor and to receive assistance in planning a schedule of courses. All physics majors must review their course list with a physics advisor prior to registration each semester.
Preparation
Prior to beginning a program in physics students are required to complete two years of high school algebra, one year of trigonometry and one year of geometry. Two years of laboratory science and four years of college preparatory English are required. Prior courses in computer programming and calculus are recommended.
Students
transferring from an articulating community college should have completed three
semesters of calculus (through differential and integral calculus of several
variables), two semesters of calculus-based physics and one semester of general
chemistry. If those students have not
had an introduction to modern physics and/or mathematical physics, they must
take PHY 134 and PHY 306 soon as possible upon arrival at CSUDH. Transfer students are responsible for
checking in advance that their general electives will meet transfer
requirements. A transfer student who is
given credit for the lower division should be able to complete our physics
upper division in two year.
Career Possibilities
Graduates find technical positions in industry, government or teaching; or pursue advanced degrees for research, design, or analysis in physics, engineering or related fields. The campus is surrounded with electronics, aerospace, and semiconductor companies, among others, who hire physicists to work in applications of optics, electrical engineering, biophysics, computer science, geophysics, aerospace, and astronomy.
Scholarships for
Full-time Physics Majors
Freshmen or sophomores may apply at the Physics office, NSM B-202, for the Theodore Will Scholarship early in the Spring semester. Juniors or seniors may apply for the Philip Johnson Scholarship also in early Spring. The Theodore Will Scholarship is a $500 award for a student who shows promise; while the Philip Johnson Scholarship is a $1,000 award for distinguished scholarship.
Departmental-Professional
Organizations
The CSUDH Science Society, Society of Physics Students and Sigma Pi Sigma (National Physics Honor Society) cooperate in offering lectures, social programs and field trips to promote student participation in and enjoyment of the sciences. These activities are enriching and greatly enhance or students' growth within our community of scholars. In addition, faculty are willing to sponsor inexpensive student memberships in national physics organizations which publish ongoing research in a variety of areas of physics and engineering.
Bachelor of Science in Physics
Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree
See the "Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree" in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.
Elective Requirements
Completion of elective courses (beyond the requirements listed below) to reach a total of a minimum of 120 or a maximum of 132 units.
General Education Requirements (54-60
units)
See the "General Education" requirements in the University Catalog or the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education requirements and course offerings.
United States History, Constitution and American
Ideals Requirement (6 units)
See
the "United States History, Constitution, and American Ideals"
requirements in the University Catalog.
Courses used to satisfy this requirement do not apply to General
Education.
Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement
See
the "Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement" in the University
Catalog.
Minor Requirements
Single field major, no minor required.
Major Requirements (71-75 units)
Students must select one of the options listed. The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required of all candidates for this degree.
Each student must select one of the options listed below.
General Physics
Option (75 units)
The General Physics Option provides a broad understanding of physical principles and a solid preparation in both theoretical and experimental problem-solving in physics. This option should be chosen by students planning a technical career in industry or government laboratories, or planning to continue study toward an advanced degree in physics, engineering or a related field. PHY 306 should be taken as early as possible in preparation for the upper division courses in Physics.
A. Lower Division Requirements (37 units)
1. Required Courses (34 units)
CHE 110. General Chemistry I (5)
MAT 191. Calculus I (5)
MAT 193. Calculus II (5)
MAT 211. Calculus III (5)
PHY 130. General Physics I (5)
PHY 132. General Physics II (5)
PHY 134. General Physics III (4)
2. Select one course from the following (3 units):
CSC 111. Introduction
to Computers and
BASIC Programming (3)
CSC 121. Introduction
to Computer Science
and Programming (3)
B. Upper Division Requirements (41 units)
1. Required Courses (23 units )
PHY 306. Mathematical Methods in Physics (3)
PHY 310. Theoretical Mechanics I (3)
PHY 320. Physical Optics (3)
PHY 333. Analog Electronics (3)
PHY 341. Advanced Laboratory (2)
PHY 346. Thermal Physics (3)
PHY 350. Electromagnetic Theory I (3)
PHY 460. Quantum Mechanics I (3)
2. Electives: Select 12 upper division units from Physics
and
6 upper division units from Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, and
Physics (18 units).
Physical Science
Option (71-72 units)
The Physical Science Option provides a broad understanding of the physical sciences, in particular, physics, chemistry, geology and mathematics. This option is designed for students interested in teaching physical science in secondary school or pursuing a general science field such as science journalism.
A. Lower Division Requirements (49- 50 units)
1. Required Courses (47 units)
CHE 110. General Chemistry I (5)
CHE 112. General Chemistry II (5)
EAR 100. Introduction to Earth Sciences (3)
EAR 101. Earth Sciences Laboratory (1)
EAR 200. Earth History and Evolution (3)
EAR 201. Earth History Laboratory (1)
MAT 191. Calculus I (5)
MAT 193. Calculus II (5)
MAT 211. Calculus III (5)
PHY 130. General Physics I (5)
PHY 132. General Physics II (5)
PHY 134. General Physics III (4)
2. Select one course from the following (2-3 units):
CSC 101. Computer Applications for Scientists (2)
CSC 111. Introduction
to Computers
and BASIC Programming (3)
CSC 121. Introduction
to Computer Science
and Programming (3)
B. Upper Division Requirements (25 units)
1. Required Courses (11 units)
PHY 320. Physical Optics (3)
PHY 333. Analog Electronics (3)
PHY 341. Advanced Laboratory (2)
PHY 346. Thermal Physics (3)
2. Select additional work
from CHE, CSC, EAR
and/or PHY (14 units).
NOTE: Consult with a physics advisor to choose classes consistent with the requirements for the subject matter preparation program in physical science.
Minor in Physics (33 units)
The Physics minor has flexible upper division requirements to encourage students majoring in other fields to broaden their expertise in consultation with a physics advisor in preparation for careers bridging across several fields of study.
A. Lower Division Required Courses (24 units)
MAT 191. Calculus I (5)
MAT 193. Calculus II (5)
PHY 130. General Physics I (5)
PHY 132. General Physics II (5)
PHY 134. General Physics III (4)
B. Upper Division Required
Electives (9 units):
Select three upper division PHY courses with career guidance from advisors in both major and minor.
Course Offerings
The credit value for each course in semester units is indicated for each term by a number in parentheses following the title. Departments may indicate the term in which they expect to offer the course by the use of: “F” (fall), “S” (spring) or “EOY” (every other year).
Lower Division
PHY 100 Patterns in Nature (3) FS.
Unifying principles
of elastic, sound, light and matter waves. Models of nature. Successes and
failures of wave and particle models and their synthesis. Designed for non-science students. Partially
meets the lower division General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.
PHY 120 Elements of Physics I (4) F.
Prerequisite: High school or college algebra.
Motion, energy, waves
and heat treated from a non-calculus point of view. Three hours of lecture and three hours of
laboratory per week.
PHY 122 Elements of Physics II (4) S.
Prerequisite: PHY 120.
Electricity, magnetism
and light. Nuclear radiation. Quantum phenomena. Atomic structure. Three hours of lecture and three hours of
laboratory per week.
PHY 130 General Physics I (5) FS.
Prerequisite: MAT 191 or concurrent enrollment.
Kinematics and
dynamics of particles, rigid bodies and fluids.
Kinetic theory, temperature and thermodynamics. Calculus-based course. Four hours of lecture and three hours of
laboratory per week.
PHY 132 General Physics II (5) FS.
Prerequisites: MAT 193 or concurrent enrollment, and PHY 130.
Waves, light,
electricity and magnetism. Four hours of
lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
PHY 134 General Physics III (4) F. (formerly PHY 230)
Prerequisite: PHY 132 or consent of instructor.
Twentieth century
physics, including concepts of relativity and quantum theory and particle
classification. Applications to
radiation, atoms, elementary particles and nuclei. Three hours of lecture and three hours of
laboratory per week.
PHY 195 Selected
Topics in Physics
(1-4) FS.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
The study of an
area of Physics that is
not normally available in other courses. Repeatable course.
PHY 295 Selected
Topics in Physics
(1-4) FS.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
The study of an
area of Physics that is
not normally available in other courses. Repeatable course.
Upper Division
PHY 300 Physical Science for Teachers (4) FS.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Liberal Studies major.
Designed specifically
for future elementary and middle school teachers. Emphasis on the fundamental concepts of
physical science and their applications.
Laboratory experiments use mostly low cost everyday objects. Topics
include mechanics, fluids, heat, waves, electromagnetism, light, atoms,
periodic table and chemical bonding.
Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
PHY 306 Mathematical
Methods
in Physics (3) S.
Prerequisite: MAT 211.
Application of the
following techniques
to physics: vectors, Gauss’ and Stokes’ theorems, series solutions of
differential equations, Sturm - Liouville theory, and Fourier Series.
PHY 310 Theoretical
Mechanics I
(3) F-EOY.
Prerequisites: PHY 130, PHY 306 and MAT 211.
Newtonian dynamics of
one and two particles. Introduction to
Lagrange’s equations. Includes computer
simulations.
PHY 320 Physical Optics (3) S-EOY.
Prerequisite: PHY 132 or consent of instructor.
Scalar wave
equations, interference and diffraction, spacial filtering, coherence and
holography.
PHY 331 Audio Electronics (3) F.
Prerequisite: PHY 100 or consent of instructor.
Selection and
utilization of electronic components and instrumentation. Solid state circuit design and
construction. Fundamental electronics
through linear amplifiers, power supplies, filters and feedback. A project is required. Designed for students
interested in audio techniques. Two
hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
PHY 333 Analog Electronics (3) S.
Prerequisite: PHY 122 or PHY 132 or consent
of instructor.
Selection and
utilization of electronic components and instrumentation. Solid state circuit design and
construction. Amplifiers, feedback
techniques, operational amplifiers, SCRs, FETs, etc. A project is required. Two hours of lecture
and three hours of laboratory per week.
PHY 335 Digital Electronics (3) FS.
Prerequisites: PHY 122 or PHY 132 or consent of instructor is required, PHY 333 is recommended.
Design and use of
systems employing digital integrated circuits.
Gates, Boolean algebra, combinatorial and sequential design. Multiplexers, flip-flops, shift registers,
ALUs and memories. Two hours
of lecture and three hours of laboratory
per week.
PHY 341 Advanced Laboratory (2) F-EOY.
Prerequisites: PHY 132 (or 122) and 333.
Advanced experimental
work, including data acquisition and error analysis techniques. Experiments are taken from several of the
major areas of physics, such as optics and spectroscopy, solid state,
acoustics, nuclear physics and electronics.
Course may be repeated for credit with instructor’s approval. One hour of lecture and one three hours
laboratory period per week.
PHY 346 Thermal Physics (3) F-EOY.
Prerequisites: PHY 130 and MAT 211.
Laws of
thermodynamics. Equations of state,
entropy, free energies, kinetic theory and concepts of statistical
physics.
PHY 350 Electromagnetic Theory I (3) F-EOY.
Prerequisites: PHY 132, PHY 306 and MAT 211 are required; MAT 213 is recommended.
Electro- and
magnetostatics. Electromagnetic
properties of matter, Faraday’s law of
induction, direct and alternating currents.
Includes computer simulations.
PHY 352 Electromagnetic Theory II (3) S-EOY.
Prerequisite: PHY 350.
Derivation and
applications of Maxwell’s equations in vacuum and material media. Electromagnetic radiation. Includes computer simulations.
PHY 380 An Introduction to Nonlinear Phenomena (3).
Prerequisites: MAT 311 or PHY 306; PHY 310 recommended.
Linear systems,
iterated maps, differential flows, conservative systems, routes to chaos,
strange attractors, fractals, coherent structures, and pattern formation. Visits to computer lab will be included.
PHY 395 Selected
Topics in Physics
(1-4) FS.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
The study of an
area of Physics that is
not normally available in other courses. Repeatable course.
PHY 460 Quantum
Mechanics I
(3) F-EOY.
Prerequisites: PHY 134, PHY 306 and MAT 211.
Quantum phenomena;
postulates and interpretation; Schroedinger’s equation in one, two and three
dimensions. Applications to atoms and
barrier penetration.
PHY 462 Quantum
Mechanics II (3)
S-EOY.
Prerequisite: PHY 460.
Spin, identical
particles. Applications of quantum
mechanics to problems of current interest in physics, such as solid state,
nuclear, astrophysics and particle physics.
PHY 494 Independent Study (3) FS.
Prerequisites: Upper division standing and completion of an independent study contract are required.
A reading program on
a specialized topic in Physics under the supervision of a faculty member. Repeatable course.
PHY 495 Selected
Topics in Physics
(3) FS.
Prerequisites: Upper division standing and consent of instructor.
The study of an
area of Physics that is
not normally available in other courses. Repeatable course.
PHY 498 Directed Research (1-3) FS.
Prerequisites: Upper division standing and consent of instructor.
Advanced laboratory
work in an area related to physics or instrumentation.
The student participates in an independent investigation under faculty
supervision. Repeatable course. Three to nine hours
of laboratory per week.
Infrequently Offered
Courses
The following courses are scheduled only on a "demand" basis. Students should consult the department office for information about the next scheduled offering.
PHY 201 Experimental Methods (1).
Fabrication
techniques applicable in the laboratory per week. Properties of materials. Three hours of laboratory per week.
PHY 207 Physics with Clinical Science Applications (4) S.
Prerequisites: High school algebra, CHE 110 and CHE 112.
Electricity,
magnetism and electromagnetic waves.
Light, including the photon model.
Laboratory emphasis on solid state devices and electronic
instrumentation. Designed for students
in the Clinical Sciences. Three hours of
lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
PHY 302 Workshop in Physical Science for Teachers (3) (Summer only).
Lecture-demonstration-laboratory
covering fundamental concepts in physical science, designed especially for
in-service teachers (K-12). Class
emphasizes on hands-on activities using everyday objects. Two hours of lecture and three hours of
laboratory per week. Not for physics
majors or minors. CR/NC grading.
PHY 337 Microprocessors (3).
Prerequisite: PHY 335 or consent of instructor.
Architecture,
programming and interfacing of microcomputers. Input/output, instruction sets,
subroutines, interrupts, serial communications and process control. Two hours of lecture and three hours of
laboratory per week.
PHY 339 Instrumentation (3).
Prerequisite: PHY 333.
Measurement
techniques, transducers, noise reduction, signal processing in the analog and
digital domains. Computer controlled
instrumentation and data acquisition.
Bus configurations and interfacing.
Two hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
PHY 356 Astrophysics (3).
Prerequisites: PHY 132 and PHY 134.
Quantitative study of
stellar astronomy with emphasis on stellar evolution and cosmology. Includes computer simulations.