|
|
Physics and Astronomy |
R. Steven Turley, Chair
N-281A ESC, (801) 422-3095
College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Advisement
Center
N-179 ESC, (801) 422-6270
All degree programs in the Department of Physics and Astronomy are open enrollment. However, special limitations apply for teaching majors.
Over the centuries physicists and astronomers have studied the fundamental principles that govern the structure and dynamics of matter and energy in the physical world, from subatomic particles to the cosmos. Physicists also apply this understanding to the development of new technologies. For example, physicists invented the first lasers and semiconductor electronic devices.
A degree in physics and astronomy can provide:
To receive a bachelor's degree a student must fill three groups of requirements: (1) general education requirements; (2) university requirements; and (3) major requirements.
Students should contact their college advisement center for information about general education courses that will also fill major requirements.
|
Precollege Math (zero to one course)
|
0–3.0 hours |
| First-Year Writing (one course) | 3.0 |
| Advanced Writing (one course) | 3.0 |
|
Advanced Languages/Math/Music
|
3–20.0 |
| Biological Science (one to two courses) | 3–6.0 |
| Physical Science (one to two courses) | 3–7.0 |
| American Heritage (one to two courses) | 3–6.0 |
| Wellness (one to three courses) | 1.5–2.0 |
| Civilization (two courses) | 6.0 |
| Arts and Letters (one course) | 3.0 |
| Natural Sciences (one course) | 3–4.0 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (one course) | 3.0 |
Note 1: For a complete list of courses that will fill each GE category, see the General Education section of the current class schedule.
Note 2: Additional information about general education requirements can be found in the General Education section of the current class schedule or this catalog.
| Religion | 14.0 |
| Residency | 30.0 |
| Hours needed to graduate | 120.0 |
Cumulative GPA must be at least 2.0.
Note: See the Graduation section of this catalog for more information.
Complete the major requirements listed under one of the following undergraduate degree programs.
| BA | Physics Teaching |
| BS | Applied Physics |
|
Emphases:
|
| BS | Physics |
| BS | Physics-Astronomy |
| Minors |
Astronomy
Physics Physics Teaching |
| MS | Physics |
| PhD | Physics |
| PhD | Physics and Astronomy |
*Hours include courses that may fulfill GE or university requirements.
*Hours include courses that may fulfill GE or university requirements.
*Hours include courses that may fulfill GE or university requirements.
*Hours include courses that may fulfill GE or university requirements.
*Hours include courses that may fulfill GE or university requirements.
Complete the following:
*Hours include courses that may fulfill GE or university requirements.
Complete the following:
*Hours include courses that may fulfill GE or university requirements.
Complete the following:
*Hours include courses that may fulfill GE or university requirements.
| Class Schedule | Major Academic Plan (MAP) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
101. Fundamentals of Physics. (3:3:0) F
105. Introductory Applied Physics. (3:3:0) F, W, Sp Prerequisite: high school algebra and trigonometry. Recommended: concurrent enrollment in Phscs 107.
106. Introductory Applied Physics. (3:3:0) F, W, Su Prerequisite: Phscs 105 or equivalent. Recommended: concurrent enrollment in Phscs 108.
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.
123. Principles of Physics 2. (3:3:1) F, W, Sp, Su Prerequisite: Phscs 121.
127. Descriptive Astronomy. (3:3:0.5) F, W, Sp, Su Honors and Independent Study also.
137. Introduction to the Atmosphere and Weather. (3:3:0) F, W Prerequisite: PhyS 100 or equivalent.
150. Introduction to Experimental Physics 1. (1:1:2) F, W, Sp Prerequisite: Phscs 123 or concurrent enrollment.
167. Descriptive Acoustics of Music and Speech. (3:3:0) F, W, Sp Prerequisite: PhyS 100 or equivalent.
191. Introduction to Physics Careers and Research. (0.5:1:0) F
198. Physics and Mathematics Review. (1:2:0) F 1st blk. Prerequisite: Phscs 121; Math 113 or concurrent enrollment.
220. Principles of Physics 3. (3:3:1) F, W, Sp Prerequisite: Phscs 121 or equivalent; Math 113 or equivalent.
222. Modern Physics. (3:3:0) F, W, Su Prerequisite: Phscs 121, 123, 220.
227. Solar System Astronomy. (3:3:0) F Prerequisite: Phscs 121, 123; Math 113 or concurrent enrollment.
228. Stellar and Extragalactic Astronomy. (3:3:0) W Prerequisite: Math 113, Phscs 227.
230. Computational Physics Lab 1. (1:0:3) F, W Prerequisite: Phscs 123 or concurrent enrollment.
250. Introduction to Experimental Physics 2. (1:1:2) F, W, Su Prerequisite: Phscs 150 or exposure to programming in LabView.
281. Principles of Solid State Physics. (3:3:1) F Prerequisite: Phscs 121, 220.
297R. Introduction to Research. (1–3:0:Arr. ea.)
313R. Special Topics in Physics. (1–3:Arr.0 ea.) On dem.
314. (Phscs-Hist 311-Phil 423) History and Philosophy of Science. (3:3:0) F Prerequisite: PhyS 100 or instructor's consent.
318. Introduction to Classical Field Theory. (3:3:0) F, W, Sp Prerequisite: Math 334 or concurrent enrollment. Recommended: Phscs 230.
321. Mechanics. (3:3:0) W, Su Prerequisite: Phscs 121, Math 334 or concurrent enrollment. Recommended: concurrent enrollment in Phscs 330.
329. Observational Astronomy. (3:2:4) W Prerequisite: Phscs 227, 228; or instructor's consent.
330. Computational Physics Lab 2. (1:0:3) W, Su Prerequisite: Phscs 230; 321 or concurrent enrollment; Math 334 or equivalent.
340. Electronics Lab. (1:1:2) F, Sp Prerequisite: Phscs 220.
350. Advanced Experimental Techniques. (3:0:6) W, Su Prerequisite: Phscs 250, 340; or instructor's consent. Recommended: knowledge of a computer programming language.
360. Statistical and Thermal Physics. (3:3:0) F Prerequisite: Phscs 222, Math 212 or 214.
391R. Seminar in Current Physics. (1:1:0 ea.) F, W on dem.
399R. Academic Internship. (1–9:Arr.:Arr. ea.) F, W, Sp, Su Prerequisite: both department chair's and cooperative education coordinator's consent.
427, 428. Introduction to Astrophysics. (3:3:0 ea.) 427:F; 428:W Prerequisite: Phscs 227, 228.
430. Computational Physics Lab 3. (1:0:3) F, Sp Prerequisite: Phscs 222, 318, 330.
441. Electrostatics and Magnetism. (3:3:0) F, Sp Prerequisite: Phscs 220, 318. Recommended: concurrent enrollment in Phscs 430.
442. Electrodynamics. (3:3:0) W, Su Prerequisite: Phscs 441.
451. Quantum Mechanics. (3:3:0) F Prerequisite: Phscs 222, 318, or equivalent.
452. Applications of Quantum Mechanics. (3:3:0) W Prerequisite: Phscs 451.
471. Principles of Optics. (3:3:1) W Prerequisite: Phscs 123, 220. Recommended: Phscs 318.
492R. Capstone Project in Applied Physics. (1–3:0:Arr. ea.) F, W, Sp, Su
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
499R. Honors Thesis. (1–3:0:Arr. ea.) F, W, Sp, Su
512. Computational Physics. (3:2:4) W Prerequisite: Phscs 318, Math 334; or equivalents.
513R. Special Topics in Contemporary Physics. (1–3:3:0 ea.) F, W, Sp, Su on dem. Prerequisite: instructor's consent.
517, 518. Mathematical Physics. (3:3:0 ea.) 517:F; 518:W Prerequisite: Phscs 318, Math 334.
529. Advanced Observational Astronomy. (3:3:0) On dem. Prerequisite: Phscs 427, 428.
545. Introduction to Plasma Physics. (3:3:0) F alt. yr. Prerequisite: Phscs 321, 431, 441.
546. Plasma Transport. (3:3:0) F alt. yr. Prerequisite: Phscs 545.
561. Fundamentals of Acoustics. (3:3:0) F
562. Applied Acoustics. (3:3:0) W Prerequisite: Phscs 561 or instructor's consent.
565. Acoustics of Music and Speech. (3:3:0) Sp alt. yr. Prerequisite: Phscs 561 or instructor's consent.
566. Acoustics of Enclosures and Interacting Structures. (3:3:0) Sp alt. yr. Prerequisite: Phscs 561, 562; or instructor's consent.
570. Atomic Physics. (3:3:0) Prerequisite: Phscs 451 or equivalent.
571. Laser Physics. (3:3:0) F Prerequisite: Phscs 471 or basic understanding of electromagnetic waves and optics.
581. Solid-State Physics. (3:3:0) W Prerequisite: Phscs 222 or equivalent.
585. Thin-Film Physics. (3:3:0) W alt. yr. Prerequisite: Phscs 222 or equivalent.
591R. Colloquium. (0.5:1:0 ea.) F, W
597R. Introduction to Research. (0.5:0:1.5 ea.) F, W
599R. Academic Internship. (2–9:Arr.:Arr. ea.) F, W, Sp, Su Prerequisite: department cooperative education coordinator's consent.
For 600- and 700-level courses, see the BYU 2002–2003 Graduate Catalog.
Allred, David D. (1987) BS, Brigham Young U., 1971; MA, PhD, Princeton U., 1973, 1977.
Berrondo, Manuel (1993) BS, U. of Mexico, 1966; PhD, U. of Upsala, 1969.
Clark, Robert B. (2000) BA, MPhil, PhD, Yale U., 1963, 1966, 1968.
Dibble, William E. (1961) BS, PhD, California Inst. of Technology, 1954, 1960.
Evenson, William E. (1970) BS, Brigham Young U., 1965; PhD, Iowa State U., 1968.
Hatch, Dorian M. (1968) BS, Utah State U., 1962; MA, PhD, State U. of New York, 1965, 1968.
Jones, Steven E. (1985) BS, Brigham Young U., 1973; PhD, Vanderbilt U., 1978.
Mason, Grant W. (1970) BA, Brigham Young U., 1961; PhD, U. of Utah, 1969.
McNamara, D. Harold (1955) BS, PhD, U. of California, Berkeley, 1947, 1950.
Moody, J. Ward (1990) BS, Brigham Young U., 1980; MS, PhD, U. of Michigan, 1984, 1986.
Rasband, S. Neil (1972) BA, PhD, U. of Utah, 1964, 1969.
Rees, Lawrence B. (1986) BS, Brigham Young U., 1976; MS, PhD, U. of Maryland, 1979, 1983.
Sommerfeldt, Scott D. (1995) BM, MS, Brigham Young U., 1983, 1986; PhD, Pennsylvania State U., 1989.
Spencer, Ross L. (1984) BS, Brigham Young U., 1974; MS, PhD, U. of Wisconsin, 1976, 1979.
Stokes, Harold T. (1981) BS, Brigham Young U., 1971; PhD, U. of Utah, 1977.
Taylor, Benjamin J. (1980) BA, PhD, U. of California, Berkeley, 1964, 1969.
Turley, R. Steven (1995) BS, Brigham Young U., 1978; PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1984.
Christensen, Clark G. (1972) BS, Brigham Young U., 1966; PhD, California Inst. of Technology, 1972.
Hart, Grant W. (1985) BS, Brigham Young U., 1977; PhD, U. of Maryland, 1983.
Hess, Bret C. (1994) BS, Brigham Young U., 1982; PhD, Iowa State U., 1988.
Peterson, Bryan G. (1991) BS, PhD, Brigham Young U., 1978, 1983.
VanHuele, Jean-Franois S. (1988) BS, Teacher's Proficiency, PhD, Brussels Free U., Belgium, 1979, 1983, 1987.
Bergeson, Scott D. (1998) BS, Brigham Young U., 1990; PhD, U. of Wisconsin, Madison, 1995.
Davis, Robert C. (1998) BS, Brigham Young U., 1989; PhD, U. of Utah 1996.
Durfee, Dallin (2001) BS, Brigham Young U., 1994; PhD, Massachusetts Inst. of Technology, 1999.
Hintz, Eric (1998) BS, Case Western Reserve U., 1988; PhD, Brigham Young U., 1995.
Hirschmann, Eric W. (2000) BS, Brigham Young U., 1991; PhD, U. of California, Santa Barbara, 1996.
Leishman, Timothy W. (2000) BA, Brigham Young U., 1990; PhD, Pennsylvania State U., 2000.
Peatross, Justin B. (1995) BS, MS, Brigham Young U., 1986, 1988; PhD, U. of Rochester, 1993.
Ballif, Jae R. (1962) BS, Brigham Young U., 1953; MA, PhD, U. of California, Los Angeles, 1961, 1962.
Barnett, J. Dean (1958) BA, PhD, U. of Utah, 1954, 1959.
Decker, Daniel L. (1958) BS, MS, Brigham Young U., 1953, 1955; PhD, U. of Illinois, 1958.
Dixon, Dwight R. (1959) BS, Utah State U., 1942; PhD, U. of California, Berkeley, 1955.
Dudley, J. Duane (1956) BS, Brigham Young U., 1952; MA, Rice U., 1953; PhD, U. of Utah, 1959.
Gardner, Andrew L. (1964) BS, Utah State U., 1940; PhD, U. of California, Berkeley, 1955.
Gardner, John H. (1949) BS, Utah State U., 1943; MA, PhD, Harvard U., 1947, 1950.
Hansen, H. Kimball (1963) BS, MS, Brigham Young U., 1957, 1959; PhD, U. of California, Berkeley, 1966.
Harrison, B. Kent (1964) BS, Brigham Young U., 1955; MA, PhD, Princeton U., 1957, 1959.
Jones, Douglas E. (1964) BS, MS, PhD, Brigham Young U., 1957, 1959, 1964.
Knight, Larry V. (1973) BS, MS, Brigham Young U., 1958, 1959; PhD, Stanford U., 1965.
Merrill, John J. (1971) BS, MS, PhD, California Inst. of Technology, 1955, 1956, 1960.
Nelson, H. Mark (1959) BS, MS, Brigham Young U., 1953, 1954; PhD, Harvard U., 1960.
Palmer, E. Paul (1966) BA, PhD, U. of Utah, 1952, 1956.
Strong, William J. (1967) BS, MS, Brigham Young U., 1958, 1959; PhD, Massachusetts Inst. of Technology, 1964.
Vanfleet, Howard B. (1960) BS, Brigham Young U., 1955; PhD, U. of Utah, 1961.
|
Back |
Catalog Homepage |
BYU Homepage |