Students who do not plan to pursue majors in the natural sciences or engineering may wish to consider the following courses to satisy their distribution requirements or their intellectual curiosity. Note that Phy 5 includes a lab, and Astr 7 may be combined with the optional lab, Astr 8...
PHY 005 Concepts In Physics 4 Credits
Fundamental discoveries and concepts of physics and their relevance to current issues and modern technology. For students not intending to major in science or engineering. Lectures, demonstrations, group activities, and laboratories using modern instrumentation and computers. This is a non-calculus course; no previous background in physics is assumed. Three class meetings and one laboratory period per week.
Attribute/Distribution: NS
ASTR 007 Introduction to Astronomy 3 Credits
Introduction to planetary, stellar, galactic, and extragalactic astronomy. An examination of the surface characteristics, atmospheres, and motions of planets and other bodies in our solar system. Properties of the sun, stars, and galaxies, including the birth and death of stars, stellar explosions, and the formation of stellar remnants such as white dwarfs, neutron stars, pulsars, and black holes. Quasars, cosmology, and the evolution of the universe. May not be taken by students who have previously completed ASTR 105, PHY 105, ASTR 301, PHY 301, ASTR 302 OR PHY 302.
Attribute/Distribution: NS
ASTR 008 Introduction to Astronomy Laboratory 1 Credit
Laboratory to accompany ASTR 007. Must be enrolled concurrently in ASTR 007.
Corequisites: ASTR 007
Attribute/Distribution: NS
ASTR 105 Planetary Astronomy 3 Credits
Structure and dynamics of planetary interiors, surfaces, and atmospheres. Models for the formation of the solar system and planetary evolution. Internal structure, surface topology, and composition of planets and other bodies in our solar system. Comparative study of planetary atmospheres. Organic materials in the solar system. Properties of the interplanetary medium, including dust and meteoroids. Orbital dynamics. Extrasolar planetary systems.
Attribute/Distribution: NS
A set of the following entry-level courses are usually taken by students who wish to pursue degrees in science, engineering, or architecture...
PHY 010 General Physics I 4 Credits
Statics, dynamics, conservation laws, thermodynamics, kinetic theory of gases, fluids. Primarily for architecture, biological science, earth and environmental science students.
Prerequisites: MATH 021 or MATH 031 or MATH 051 or MATH 076 or MATH 075
Can be taken Concurrently: MATH 021, MATH 031, MATH 051, MATH 076, MATH 075
Attribute/Distribution: NS
PHY 011 Introductory Physics I 4 Credits
Kinematics, frames of reference, laws of motion in Newtonian theory and in special relativity, conservation laws, as applied to the mechanics of mass points; temperature, heat and the laws of thermodynamics; kinetic theory of gases. Two lectures and two recitations per week.
Prerequisites: MATH 021 or MATH 031 or MATH 051 or MATH 076 or MATH 075
Can be taken Concurrently: MATH 021, MATH 031, MATH 051, MATH 076, MATH 075
Attribute/Distribution: NS
PHY 012 Introductory Physics Laboratory I 1 Credit
A laboratory course taken concurrently with PHY 10 or 11. Experiments in mechanics, heat, and DC electrical circuits. One three-hour laboratory period per week.
Prerequisites: PHY 010 or PHY 011
Can be taken Concurrently: PHY 010, PHY 011
Attribute/Distribution: NS
PHY 013 General Physics II 3 Credits
A continuation of PHY 10, primarily for biological science and earth and environmental science students. Electrostatics, electromagnetism, light, sound, atomic physics, nuclear physics, and radioactivity.
Prerequisites: (PHY 010 or PHY 011) and (MATH 021 or MATH 031 or MATH 051)
Can be taken Concurrently: MATH 021, MATH 031, MATH 051
Attribute/Distribution: NS
PHY 021 Introductory Physics II 4 Credits
A continuation of PHY 11. Electrostatics and magnetostatics; DC circuits; Maxwell’s equations; waves; physical and geometrical optics; introduction to modern physics. Two lectures and two recitations per week. May not be taken by students who have previously completed PHY 023.
Prerequisites: (PHY 010 or PHY 011) and (MATH 022 or MATH 032 or MATH 052)
Attribute/Distribution: NS
PHY 022 Introductory Physics Laboratory II 1 Credit
A laboratory course to be taken concurrently with PHY 13 or 21. One three-hour laboratory period per week.
Prerequisites: (PHY 012) and (PHY 021 or PHY 013 or PHY 023)
Can be taken Concurrently: PHY 021, PHY 013, PHY 023
Attribute/Distribution: NS
PHY 023 Introductory Physics II with Relativity 4 Credits
A version of PHY 021 for students interested in majoring in physics or astrophysics, or students with a strong interest in related fields. It is well-suited for students with PHY 011 AP credit, or with PHY 021 AP credit who wish to replace that course with a more sophisticated version. The theory of electricity and magnetism is developed from a modern point of view, emphasizing the unity of electric and magnetic fields in the context of special relativity.
Prerequisites: (PHY 010 or PHY 011) and (MATH 022 or MATH 032 or MATH 052)
Attribute/Distribution: NS
PHY 031 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics 3 Credits
Experimental basis and historical development of quantum mechanics; the Schroedinger equation; one-dimensional problems; angular momentum and the hydrogen atom; many-electron systems; spectra; selected applications. Three lectures per week.
Prerequisites: (PHY 013 or PHY 021 or PHY 023) and MATH 205
Can be taken Concurrently: MATH 205
Attribute/Distribution: NS
Department of Physics | Lewis Lab | 16 Memorial Drive East | Bethlehem, PA 18015 | phone 610-758-3930