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The Department of Physics provides outstanding scientific and technical instruction as well as undergraduate research opportunities, all within the context of a broad liberal arts education. Our goal is a program that prepares our students for lives of intellectual growth and service.
The Physics program is flexible and with the appropriate choice of courses can prepare students for work in industry, graduate study in physics or engineering, or teaching at the secondary level, among other options. In recent years, approximately 90% of our graduates have continued on to graduate or professional school.
The Department of Physics also supervises the dual degree program in engineering in which students attend Augustana for three or four years and then complete the program with two years at an engineering school. This enables the student to combine the advantages of a broad-based liberal arts education with their technical education. Students in this program receive a Bachelor of Arts from Augustana (in a major of their choice) and a Bachelor of Science in the chosen engineering specialty from the engineering school. Cooperative plans are in place with Columbia University (New York), Washington University (St. Louis), and the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis). Students in the program are guaranteed admission to the engineering school when recommended by Augustana. The particular preparatory courses that must be completed at Augustana depend upon which engineering school and which specific engineering program students wish to enter. Students are encouraged to work with the Coordinator of the Dual Degree program in selecting their coursework. See Engineering Physics for more information.
PHYSICS MAJOR: 40 credit hours
Required Courses: 29 credit hours
PHYS 221 - General Physics I (4 cr)
PHYS 222 - General Physics II (4 cr)
PHYS 281 - Intermediate Laboratory (2 cr)
PHYS 321 - Computational Physics (4 cr)
PHYS 371 - Modern Physics I (3 cr)
PHYS 381 - Advanced Laboratory (W) (3 cr)
PHYS - Elective courses 300-level or above (9 cr)
Required Supportive Courses: 11 credit hours
MATH 151 - Calculus I (4 cr)
MATH 152 - Calculus II (4 cr)
MATH 310 - Differential Equations (3 cr)
MATH 153 - Calculus III is recommended (3 cr)
TEACHER CERTIFICATION – PHYSICS:
The requirement for teaching physics at the secondary level is a physics major that also includes:
PHYS 190 - Astronomy (3 cr)
PHYS 372 - Modern Physics II (3 cr)
These may be used as two of the three elective courses. For students intending a career is secondary education, only 6 of the 9 credit hours of electives need be at the 300-level.
PHYSICS MINOR: 19 credit hours
PHYS 221 - General Physics I (4 cr)
PHYS 222 - General Physics II (4 cr)
PHYS 321 - Computational Physics (4 cr)
PHYS 371 - Modern Physics I (3 cr)
MATH 151 - Calculus I (4 cr)
PHYS 190 - Astronomy is required for a Physics teaching minor. (3 cr)
DISTINCTION IN PHYSICS:
A student may graduate with Distinction in Physics by: 1) Completing the physics major, including PHYS 341,
351, 361, 371 and 373. A major with distinction shall include completion of 24 credit hours in the department at
the 300-level; 2) Maintaining a department grade point average of 3.0; 3) Completing two research credits, one
of which will be PHYS 391; 4) Completing the Graduate Record Exam in Physics and 5) Completing and
defending a senior thesis (PHYS 391) based on the student’s research, as described in the PHYS 391 course
description.
Applications for Distinction in Physics must be received by the department chair and accepted by the third class
day of the student’s last semester. Application forms are available from the department chair.
PHYS 110 - FROM ATOMS TO STARS (Area 3.2) (3 credits)
A study, designed for non-science majors, of developments in scientific thinking from Aristotle to Einstein.
The focus of the course in on the transition from Aristotelian, to Newtonian, to Modern Physics. This
course does not have a lab component.
NOTE: OFFERED EVERY YEAR
PHYS 115 - PHYSICAL SCIENCE (Area 3.2) (4 credits)
This survey course explores physics, chemistry, geology and astronomy, with major emphasis on the first two
areas. Lecture explores the scientific method, develops problem-solving skills and encourages connection of
physical science concepts to everyday life. Lab work includes written reports and some use of the computer
for data analysis. Three hours of lecture and two hours of lab per week. Students are encouraged to enroll as
first or second year students. Does not fulfill a major requirement in Chemistry or Physics.
NOTES: CROSS-LISTED WITH CHEM 115
OFFERED EVERY YEAR
PHYS 160 - PHYSICS FOR LIFE SCIENCES I (Algebra based) (Area 3.2) (4 credits)
The first of a two semester sequence in general college physics, with laboratory. Emphasis is on
applications of physics in the health and life sciences. Topics in measurement, mechanics, sound, and heat.
NOTE: OFFERED AS NEEDED
PHYS 170 - PHYSICS FOR LIFE SCIENCES II (Algebra based) (Area 3.2) (4 credits)
The second of a two semester sequence in general college physics, with laboratory. Emphasis is on applications
of physics in the health and life sciences. Topics in optics, electricity, electronics, and modern physics.
NOTES: PREREQUISITE: PHYS 160
OFFERED AS NEEDED
PHYS 190 - ASTRONOMY (Area 3.2) (3 credits)
A survey of our current knowledge about the physical universe. Designed for the student interested in such
topics as the solar system, nova, comets, stars, nebulae, galaxies, black holes, extraterrestrial life and who
wants to increase his or her knowledge of our place in the cosmos. Includes observations of the night sky.
This course does not have a lab component.
NOTE: OFFERED EVERY YEAR
PHYS 201 - PHYSICS FOR LIFE SCIENCES I (Area 3.2) (4 credits)
This is an introductory physics course with an emphasis on life science applications. Calculus will be used
primarily for motivation of concepts and will be introduced as necessary. Topics include motion, dynamics,
and force laws, conservation of momentum and energy, fluids, and thermodynamics.
NOTE: OFFERED EVERY FALL SEMESTER
PHYS 202 - PHYSICS FOR LIFE SCIENCES II (Area 3.2) (4 credits)
This is an introductory physics course with an emphasis on life science applications. Calculus will be used
primarily for motivation of concepts and be developed in the course as necessary. Topics include electricity,
magnetism, waves, optics, light, imaging, special relativity, atomic and nuclear physics.
NOTES: PREREQUISITE: PHYS 202
OFFERED EVERY SPRING SEMESTER
PHYS 221 - GENERAL PHYSICS I (Area 3.2) (4 credits)
Major topics include mechanics and thermodynamics. Vectors and calculus are used. Laboratory work is
mainly an introduction to experimental techniques including the use of a computer.
NOTES: COREQUISITE: MATH 151
OFFERED EVERY SPRING SEMESTER
PHYS 222 - GENERAL PHYSICS II (4 credits)
Major topics include electricity, magnetism, optics and introductory atomic and nuclear physics. Extensive
use of vectors and calculus. Laboratory work mainly emphasizes concepts and techniques.
NOTES: PREREQUISITES: MATH 151 AND PHYS 221
OFFERED EVERY FALL SEMESTER
PHYS 235 - COMPUTER ORGANIZATION (4 credits)
This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to the organization and architecture of
digital computer systems. Topics include number systems, binary arithmetic, Boolean algebra,
combinatorial and sequential logic circuits, and computer system components and their interrelationships.
This course consists of both a lecture and a lab portion of hands-on hardware manipulation.
NOTES: CROSS-LISTED WITH COSC 235
PREREQUISITES: COSC 211
OFFERED EVERY FALL SEMESTER
PHYS 281 - INTERMEDIATE LABORATORY (2 credits)
Students gain experience with basic laboratory instrumentation and techniques, written and oral technical
communication, and literature searching.
NOTES: PREREQUISITE: PHYS 222; RECOMMENDED TO BE TAKEN CONCURRENTLY WITH
PHYS 371
OFFERED EVERY YEAR
PHYS 321 - COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS (4 credits)
Designed to prepare the student for upper-level physics courses by studying such topics as vector analysis,
Fourier series, Laplace and Fourier transforms, and ordinary and partial differential equations of physical
systems. Emphasis is placed on the development of computer-based computation skills. Recommended as
a prerequisite for all courses numbered above 340.
NOTES: PREREQUISITES: PHYS 222 AND MATH 152
OFFERED EVERY SPRING SEMESTER
PHYS 331 - ELECTRONICS FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING (3 credits)
Theory and applications of DC and AC circuits. Theory of solid state devices such as diodes and transistors.
Applications of these devices to power supplies, amplifiers, operational amplifiers, integrated circuits,
analog to digital and digital to analog converters and other instrumentation.
NOTES: PREREQUISITE: PHYS 222 AND PHYS 321
OFFERED INTERIM, EVEN YEARS
PHYS 341 - ANALYTICAL MECHANICS (3 credits)
Detailed study of kinematics, Newtonian dynamics and rigid bodies. Introduction to Lagrangian and
Hamiltonian formulations.
PREREQUISITES: PHYS 222 AND PHYS 321
OFFERED FALL SEMESTER, ODD YEARS
PHYS 351 - STATISTICAL PHYSICS AND THERMODYNAMICS (3 credits)
Equations of state, ideal and real gases, laws of thermodynamics, introduction to statistical mechanics.
Topics developed from both macroscopic and microscopic points of view.
NOTES: PREREQUISITE: PHYS 222 AND PHYS 321
OFFERED SPRING SEMESTER, ODD YEARS
PHYS 361 - ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY (3 credits)
Electrostatics, dielectrics, magnetostatics, Faraday’s induction laws, and Maxwell’s equations. Working
knowledge of vector calculus is assumed.
NOTES: PREREQUISITES: PHYS 222 AND PHYS 321
OFFERED FALL SEMESTER, EVEN YEARS
PHYS 363 - OPTICS (3 credits)
This course includes: 1) an introduction to modern concepts in optics including electromagnetic waves,
propagation of light through media, geometrical optics of lenses and mirrors, interference, coherence,
Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffractions; and 2) a brief introduction to modern optical applications, including
Fourier optics, holography, light scattering, interferometry and laser technology.
NOTES: PREREQUISITE: PHYS 321 or DEMONSTRATED SUITABLE MATHEMATICAL ABILITY;
RECOMMENDED: PHYS 361
OFFERED INTERIM, ODD YEARS
PHYS 371 - MODERN PHYSICS I (3 credits)
Historical development of the transition from classical to quantum physics, Bohr’s atomic theory,
Schrödinger’s Equation and applications to atomic, nuclear, and solid state systems. Introduction to
relativity and to elementary particles.
NOTES: PREREQUISITES: PHYS 222 AND PHYS 321
OFFERED EVERY FALL SEMESTER
PHYS 372 - MODERN PHYSICS II (3 credits)
Applications of modern physics to atomic, nuclear, and solid state systems. Introduction to general
relativity, elementary particles, and cosmology.
NOTES: PREREQUISITES: PHYS 371
OFFERED AS NEEDED
PHYS 373 - QUANTUM MECHANICS (3 credits)
This course will cover the general structure and formalism of quantum mechanics. Topics will include:
Schrödinger’s Equation and solutions for one-dimensional problems; Dirac notation and matrix mechanics;
the harmonic oscillator; the hydrogen atom; angular momentum and spin; and approximation methods.
NOTES: PREREQUISITES: PHYS 371 OR CHEM 302; PHYS 321 OR DEMONSTRATED SUITABLE
MATHEMATICAL ABILITY
OFFERED SPRING SEMESTER, EVEN YEARS
PHYS 381 - ADVANCED LABORATORY (W - Area 2.1B) (3 credits)
Continuation of PHYS 281. Includes an emphasis on technical writing. Taken senior year.
NOTES: PREREQUISITE: PHYS 281
OFFERED EVERY YEAR
PHYS 391 - SENIOR THESIS (3 credits)
Directed investigations in theoretical or experimental physics for physics majors. Satisfies a requirement for
graduation with distinction in physics. Students will propose, carry out, write, and defend a thesis project.
NOTES: PREREQUISITE: CONSENT OF DEPARTMENT CHAIR
OFFERED EVERY YEAR
PHYS 395, 396 - INTERNSHIP IN PHYSICS (2-4 credits)
NOTE: SEE PHYSICS ADVISOR
PHYS 197, 297, 397 - TOPICS IN PHYSICS (2-4 credits)
Selected topics offered on sufficient demand. Topics include particle physics, atomic and molecular
physics, acoustics, biophysics, and solid state physics.
PHYS 199, 299, 399 - INDEPENDENT STUDY (2-4 credits)
Independent study of topics approved by department.