Physics and Astronomy 
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Physics and Astronomy (Phscs)
Undergraduate Courses
101. Fundamentals of Physics. (3:3:0) F
Principles of classical and modern physics as they relate to
current concepts of our physical environment.
105. Introductory Applied Physics. (3:3:0) F, W, Sp Prerequisite:
high school algebra and trigonometry. Recommended: concurrent
enrollment in Phscs 107.
Applied physics course not requiring calculus. Topics include
mechanics, heat, wave motion, sound.
106. Introductory Applied Physics. (3:3:0) F, W, Su Prerequisite:
Phscs 105 or equivalent. Recommended: concurrent enrollment in
Phscs 108.
Continuation of Phscs 105. Topics include electricity and
magnetism, atomic and nuclear physics, and optics.
107. Introductory Applied Physics Laboratory. (1:0:3) F, W, Sp
Prerequisite: Phscs 105 or concurrent enrollment.
108. Introductory Applied Physics Laboratory. (1:0:3) F, W, Su
Prerequisite: Phscs 106 or concurrent enrollment.
121. Principles of Physics 1. (3:3:1) F, W, Sp, Su Prerequisite:
calculus or concurrent enrollment.
Newtonian mechanics. Weekly lab.
123. Principles of Physics 2. (3:3:1) F, W, Sp Prerequisite: Phscs
121.
Waves, thermal physics, optics, special relativity, and
introduction to modern physics. Weekly lab.
127. Descriptive Astronomy. (3:3:0.5) F, W, Sp, Su Honors also.
Nonmathematical presentation of knowledge of the content
and history of the cosmos, frequently using observatory and
planetarium.
137. Introduction to the Atmosphere and Weather. (3:3:0) F, W
Prerequisite: Phy S 100 or equivalent.
Nonmathematical introduction to characteristics of the
atmosphere, emphasizing structure and dynamic behavior,
including the environmental impact of man.
140. Electronics Lab. (1:1:2) F, Sp
Introduction to analog and digital circuits.
145. Experimental Methods in Physics. (1:0:3) W, Su Prerequisite:
Phscs 121, 140.
Introduction to physical measurement and analysis, optics,
sensors, actuators, and computer-based data acquisition.
167. Descriptive Acoustics of Music and Speech. (3:3:0) F, W, Sp
Prerequisite: Phy S 100 or equivalent.
Introductory acoustics course, emphasizing physical principles
underlying production and perception of music and speech.
191. Introduction to Physics Careers and Research. (0.5:1:0) F
Survey of BYU undergraduate physics and astronomy
programs, careers in physics and astronomy, and current physics
and astronomy research. Take first semester after registered as
physics major.
198. Physics and Mathematics Review. (1:2:0) F 1st blk.
Prerequisite: Phscs 121; Math 113 or concurrent enrollment.
Review of mathematics and introductory physics for returning
missionaries and others returning after a significant break.
220. Principles of Physics 3. (3:3:1) F, W, Sp Prerequisite: Phscs
121 or equivalent; Math 113 or equivalent.
Electricity and magnetism. Weekly lab.
222. Modern Physics. (3:3:0) F, W, Su Prerequisite: Phscs 121, 123,
220.
Quantum physics, atoms, molecules, condensed matter, nuclei,
elementary particles, and selected topics in contemporary physics.
227. Solar System Astronomy. (3:3:0) F Prerequisite: Phscs 121,
123; Math 113 or concurrent enrollment.
Physics of light and matter, Newton's laws, solar-system
dynamics, and planetary surfaces and atmospheres.
228. Stellar and Extragalactic Astronomy. (3:3:0) W Prerequisite:
Math 113, Phscs 227.
Stellar atmospheres, stellar interiors, stellar evolution,
interstellar matter, galactic structure, external galaxies, and
cosmology.
230. Computational Physics Lab 1. (1:0:3) F, W Prerequisite: Phscs
220 or concurrent enrollment.
Numerical and symbolic differentiation, integration, and
differential equations, using Maple. Applications in mechanics,
optics, and special relativity.
240. Design, Fabrication, and Use of Scientific Apparatus. (2:0:6)
F, Sp Prerequisite: Phscs 123, 145.
Machining, computer interfacing, controls, and vacuum
systems.
245. Experiments in Contemporary Physics. (2:0:6) W, Su
Prerequisite: Phscs 220, 240.
In-depth, multi-period experiments in contemporary physics,
using advanced instrumentation.
281. Principles of Solid State Physics. (3:3:1) For students in
science, computer science, technology, and engineering. F
Prerequisite: Phscs 121, 220.
Introduction to physics of solids, including laboratory
experience.
297R. Introduction to Research. (1–3:0:Arr. ea.) F, W, Sp, Su
Faculty-supervised research experience.
313R. Special Topics in Physics. (1–3:Arr.:0 ea.) On dem.
Special topics in physics for undergraduate physics majors.
314. (Phscs-Phil 423) History and Philosophy of Science. (3:3:0) F
Prerequisite: Phy S 100 or instructor's consent.
Scientific explanation, concepts, and models. Philosophical
assumptions and criteria for theory selection, as exemplified by
historical development of basic ideas in science.
318. Introduction to Classical Field Theory. (3:3:0) F, W, Sp
Prerequisite: Phscs 230; Math 303 or 334.
Classical equations of physical fields; algebra of complex
variables; applying Fourier analysis, Fourier transforms, and
orthogonal functions.
321. Mechanics. (3:3:0) F, Sp Prerequisite: Phscs 121, 230; Math 303
or 334 or concurrent enrollment. Recommended: concurrent
enrollment in Phscs 330.
Newton's laws applied to particles and systems of particles,
including rigid bodies. Conservation principles and Lagrange's
and Hamilton's equations.
329. Observational Astronomy. (3:2:4) W Prerequisite: Phscs 127
(or 227 and 228).
Basic techniques of observational astronomy, emphasizing
practical experience in optical data acquisition and analysis.
330. Computational Physics Lab 2. (1:0:3) F, Sp Prerequisite: Phscs
230; 321 or concurrent enrollment; Math 303 or 334 or equivalent.
Numerical solution of ordinary differential equations, linear
algebra and eigenvalues, chaos theory. Applications to dynamics.
Introduction to programming in Matlab.
360. Statistical and Thermal Physics. (3:3:0) W Prerequisite: Phscs
222, Math 303 or 334.
Principles of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, with
applications.
391R. Seminar in Current Physics. (1:1:0 ea.) F, W on dem.
399R. Academic Internship. (1–9:Arr.:Arr. ea.) For students
engaged in the cooperative education program. F, W, Sp, Su
Prerequisite: both department chair's and cooperative education
coordinator's consent.
416A. Writing in Physics 1. (1:3:0) W On blk., Sp Prerequisite:
completed research for thesis or capstone project.
First part of Phscs 416. Writing scientific and technical articles
and proposals. Writing and presentation skills applied to senior
thesis or capstone project. Resources and guidelines for publishing
in physics.
416B. Writing in Physics 2. (2:3:0 W On blk., Su Prerequisite: Phscs
416A.
Second part of Phscs 416. Writing scientific and technical articles
and proposals. Writing and presentation skills applied to senior
thesis or cpastone project. Resources and guidelines for publishing
in physics.
427, 428. Introduction to Astrophysics. (3:3:0 ea.) 427:F; 428:W
Prerequisite: Phscs 227, 228.
Principles and observational techniques of astrophysics.
430. Computational Physics Lab 3. (1:0:3) W, Su Prerequisite:
Phscs 222, 318, 330.
Static and dynamic boundary value problems, partial
differential equations. Applications in electrostatics,
thermodynamics, waves, and quantum mechanics. Programming
with Matlab.
441. Electrostatics and Magnetism. (3:3:0) F, Sp Prerequisite: Phscs
220, 318.
Classical theory of static electric and magnetic fields.
442. Electrodynamics. (3:3:0) W, Su Prerequisite: Phscs 441.
Maxwell's equations, radiation, interaction of electromagnetic
fields with matter, and special relativity.
451. Quantum Mechanics. (3:3:0) F Prerequisite: Phscs 222, 318, or
equivalent.
Analytical foundations of quantum mechanics.
452. Applications of Quantum Mechanics. (3:3:0) W Prerequisite:
Phscs 451.
Applications of quantum mechanics to atomic, molecular,
statistical, condensed-matter, and nuclear physics; elementary
particles.
471. Principles of Optics. (3:3:1) F, W Prerequisite: Phscs 123, 220.
Recommended: Phscs 318.
Electromagnetic wave phenomena, including polarization
effects, interference, coherence, dispersion, ray theory, diffraction;
introduction to quantum nature of light. Laboratory component
emphasizes applications.
492R. Capstone Project in Applied Physics. (1–3:0:Arr. ea.) F, W,
Sp, Su
Senior capstone projects in applied physics. Topic must be
approved by department applied physics capstone project
coordinator or department chair.
497R. Research in Physics. (1–3:0:Arr. ea.) F, W, Sp, Su
498R. Senior Thesis. (1–3:0:Arr. ea.) F, W, Sp, Su
Individually directed research for seniors. Thesis topic must be
cleared by faculty member before registration.
500-Level Graduate Courses
(available to advanced undergraduates)
513R. Special Topics in Contemporary Physics. (1–3:3:0 ea.) F, W
Prerequisite: instructor's consent.
Topics generally related to recent developments in physics.
529. Advanced Observational Astronomy. (3:3:0) On dem.
Prerequisite: Phscs 427, 428.
Advanced techniques of observational astronomy, emphasizing
knowledge and skills necessary to carry out observational
scientific investigation in astronomy.
545. Introduction to Plasma Physics. (3:3:0) F alt. yr. Prerequisite:
Phscs 321, 431, 441.
Introduction to plasma physics, including single-particle motion
and both fluid and kinetic models of plasma behavior.
561. (Phscs-Me En) Fundamentals of Acoustics. (3:3:0) F
Prerequisite: Phscs 123 or equivalent; Math 303 or 334 or
equivalent. Recommended: Phscs 318, 321; or equivalents.
Sound generation, transmission, reflection, and reception.
Vibrating systems, elastic media, mechanical energy, and
radiation. Sound in tubes and cavities. Acoustic filters. Noise
measurement and perception.
571. Laser Physics. (3:3:0) F alt. yr. Prerequisite: Phscs 471 or basic
understanding of electromagnetic waves and optics.
Laser amplification, cavity design, and control and
characterization of temporal and spatial modes. Applications in
nonlinear optics and atomic physics.
581. Solid-State Physics. (3:3:0) W Prerequisite: Phscs 222 or
equivalent.
Introduction to the physics of solids. Crystal structure and
symmetry, X-ray diffraction, lattice vibrations, metals and
semiconductors, superconductivity, thermal properties, magnetic
properties, and dielectric and optical properties.
583. Physics of Nanostructures, Surfaces, and Interfaces. (3:3:0)
Prerequisite: Phscs 222 or equivalent. Recommended: Phscs 281 or
581 or equivalent; Phscs 451 or Chem 462 or equivalent.
Properties of nanostructures, surfaces, and interfaces;
experimental methods. Applications to emerging problems and
opportunities in science and technology. Emphasis on concepts.
585. Thin-Film Physics. (3:3:0) W alt. yr. Prerequisite: Phscs 222 or
equivalent.
Preparation, characterization, use, and special properties of
modern thin films; interdisciplinary treatment. Of interest to
students in applied physics and engineering.
587. Physics of Semiconductor Devices. (3:3:0) F Prerequisite:
Phscs 281 or 581 or EC En 450.
Device physics, with an in-depth study of the MOS transistor
and other nanoscale computing devices.
599R. Academic Internship. (2–9:Arr.:Arr. ea.) F, W, Sp, Su
Prerequisite: department cooperative education coordinator's
consent.
Cooperative education internships off campus.
Graduate Courses
For 600- and 700-level courses, see the BYU 2007–2008
Graduate Catalog.
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