Undergraduate Courses

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Undergraduate Suggested Course Schedule

 

PHYS 300 & 400 Course Schedule

Fall (odd yrs)	Spring (even yrs)	Fall (even yrs)	Spring (odd yrs)
PHYS 317	PHYS 318	PHYS 320	PHYS 325/325L
PHYS 428	PHYS 324	PHYS 327	PHYS 328
PHYS 431	PHYS 402	PHYS 437	PHYS 420
PHYS 434	PHYS 432	PHYS 460	PHYS 461

 

110/110L. Introductory Astronomy. (CCN) 3 credits/1 credit.
An introductory study of the universe: The solar system, stars, stellar evolution, galaxies, black holes, big bang cosmology, and the accelerating universe. The astronomy laboratory 110L is optional for 1 credit.

130/130L. Natural Science—Physics. (CCN) 4 credits.
For non-science majors, this is a hands-on, inquiry-based course on the workings of science. Emphasis is on critical thinking and the use of the scientific method. Topics will include: electricity, force, motion, and energy. The laboratory is a corequisite of this course. F,S

140. Physics for Poets. (CCN) 3 credits.
An introduction to the fundamental concepts of physics, especially those developed in the twentieth century. A knowledge of elementary algebra is recommended, but the course is designed for students with a limited mathematical background. No laboratory. On Demand.

150. Physics for Aerospace Sciences. 4 credits. Corequisite: Phys 150L. An introduction to the principles and concepts of physics as they apply to the study of aerospace sciences. Topics: Newtonian mechanics, gravitation, work, energy, fluids, electricity, magnetism. F,S

150L. Physics for Aerospace Sciences Laboratory. 1 credit. Corequisite: Phys 150.

161/161L, 162/162L. Introductory College Physics I & II. (CCN) 8 credits.
An introduction to the principles and concepts of physics with the application of minimal mathematics, sufficient to show the logical progression from one topic to the next. General physics for those who do not plan to take advanced science courses. Topics: Newtonian mechanics and gravitation, work and energy, solids and fluids, vibrations and waves, electricity and magnetism, light and optics. The laboratory is a corequisite of each course. Physics 161 has no mathematical prerequisite but knowledge of elementary algebra is recommended.

211/211L, 212/212L, 213/213L. College Physics I, II, & III. (CCN) 8 credits. Prerequisites: For Phys 211, Math 103. For Phys 212, Phys 211. For Phys 213, Phys 212.
The non-calculus general physics course sequence recommended for pre-medical or pre-professional students. Topics: Newtonian mechanics and gravitation, work and energy, solid and fluids, heat and thermodynamics, vibrations and waves, electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and an introduction to modern physics. The laboratory is a corequisite of each course. A student may receive credit for only one beginning level physics sequence. F,S

251/251L, 252/252L, 253/253L. University Physics I, II & III. (CCN) 12 credits. Prerequisites: For Physics 251, 251L, Calculus I. For Physics 252, 252L, Calculus II and Physics 251, 251L. For Physics 253, 253L, Calculus III, and Physics 252, 252L. The general physics course sequence for students majoring in a science, or engineering. Topics: Newtonian mechanics and gravitation, work and energy, solids and fluids, heat and thermodynamics, vibrations and waves, electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and an introduction to modern physics. The laboratory is a corequisite of each course. A student may receive credit for only one beginning level physics sequence. F,S

294. Selected Topics in Physics. 1 credit. Prerequisite:
8 hours of College Physics or consent of instructor. May be repeated to a maximum of 4 hours. Credit may not be applied toward a major in physics. On Demand.

317. Mechanics. 3 credits. Prerequisites: Phys 252 or approval of department. Motion of a single particle, central forces and simple oscillatory systems. F/2

318. Mechanics. 3 credits. Prerequisites: Physics 317 or approval of department. A continuation of Physics 317. Rigid body motion, wave propagation, generalized coordinates and fluid dynamics. S/2

320. Introductory Materials Science. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Phys 253 or approval of department. An introduction to solid state physics with emphasis on applications. F,S

324. Thermal Physics. 3 credits. Prerequisites: Phys 253 or approval of department. Thermodynamics with an introduction to statistical physics. S/2

325. Optics. 3 credits. Prerequisites: Phys 253 or approval of department. Geometrical and physical optics with an emphasis on physical optics. S

325L. Optics Laboratory. 1 credit. Corequisite: Phys 325. Laboratory to accompany Physics 325. S

327. Electricity and Magnetism. 3 credits. Prerequisites: Phys 252 or approval of department. A quantitative treatment of electro-magnetic theory with an introduction to Maxwell’s equations. F/2

328. Electricity and Magnetism. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Phys 327 or approval of department. Maxwells’ equations. The scalar potential as a solution of a boundary value problem. The vector potential and its application. A quantitative treatment of dielectrics, magnetic materials and electromagnetic radiation. S/2

402. Computers in Physics. 3 credits. Prerequisites: Phys 252 and knowledge of a higher-level computer programming language, or consent of instructor. Computer applications in physics, including data analysis, numerical simulation, symbolic and algebraic programming, parallel computing, computer interfacing and experimental physics applications.

415. Research Experience. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Phys 253 or advisor’s consent. The students will engage in research activities of a UND physics faculty member or may take part in a physics department approved external research program such as an NSF-funded REU program.

420. Advanced Topics in Materials Science. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Phys 320. A discussion on the application of physics to design, synthesis and characterization of materials of current interest.

428. Modern Physics Laboratory. 2 credits. Prerequisite: Phys 253 or approval of department. A repetition of the experiments which led to the current state of physics. F

431. Quantum Mechanics I. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Phys 253 or approval of department. An introduction to quantum mechanics with applications to atomic structure. S/2

432. Quantum Mechanics II. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Phys 431 or consent of instructor. Further development of basic quantum theory with application to atomic, molecular, solid state and nuclear physics.

434. Nuclear Physics. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Phys 253 or approval of department. An introduction to the theory of the atomic nucleus. On Demand.

437. Introduction to Solid State Physics. 3 credits. Prerequisite: approval of department. A general introduction to solid state phenomena.

460. Introduction to Astrophysics. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Phys 253 or consent of instructor. Position and magnitude of stars. Binary and variable stars. Stellar spectra and line formation. Stellar interiors and stellar evolution. Interstellar medium. Galaxies and their structures. Universe and Cosmology. On Demand.

461. Introduction to Astrophysics II. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Phys 460. An introductory astrophysics course concerning the nature of stars and the sun.

492. Special Problems. (CCN) 1-3 credits. Prerequisite: approval of the department. F,S

499. Senior Honors. (CCN). 1-15 credits.