Department Chair:  J. Gillespie

Department Office:  Science Building II, 273

Telephone:  (661) 654-3027

email:  physics@csub.edu

Website:  www.cs.csubak.edu/Physics/

Faculty:  D. Detwiler (Emeritus), A. Dzyubenko,

V. Gasparyan, J. Lewis, T. Meyer, R. Negrini,

J. Talamantes

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Program Description

The Physics program serves multiple roles in the College’s educational system.  Not only does it prepare students for advanced study and professional work in physics and other physical sciences such as geophysics, atmospheric physics, etc., but it also provides the necessary education in physics for students of other sciences.

In view of the highly technological nature of the society in which we live, the department also places high priority on the education of the non-science student.  The 100-level Physics courses are designed to help these students achieve an understanding of the methods and goals of science and to provide them an opportunity to seriously consider and discuss important socio-scientific-technological questions.

Although the minimum degree requirements are stated below, majors in Physics who plan to pursue careers as professional physicists are advised to take additional physics and mathematics courses.  Members of the Physics faculty will be pleased to provide counseling on recommended programs to any students who may wish to pursue this major.  Visit our website at http://www.cs.csubak.edu/Physics.

Requirements for the Major in Physics

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in Physics are:

1.   All of the following lower division courses:

      PHYS 221, 222, 223

2.   All of the following upper division courses:

      PHYS 307, 321, 322A, 322B, 323A, 323B, 324, 411A, 411B, 490

3.   Two options chosen from the following:

      PHYS 313A and 313B; PHYS 313A and 323C; PHYS 325; PHYS 412A and 412B; PHYS 412A and 323C;  5 units of PHYS 477; 5 units of PHYS 480

Cognates:

      Math 201, 202/222, 203, 204 and 205

      CHEM 211, 212

      CMPS 221

Additional courses in Mathematics may be advised, depending upon the program needs of the individual student.

Requirements for the Minor in Physics

Although no minor is required for the BS degree, a minor in Physics is available, consisting of 20 units, 10 of which must be in upper division courses that count toward the major.

Teaching Credential:  Science Teacher Preparation Program Leading to a Degree in Natural Sciences, Primary Concentration in Physics

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) has authorized CSUB to offer a single subject matter preparation program in Natural Sciences leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree.  This course work satisfies the subject matter requirements for a “Secondary Teaching Credential in Science.”  The program consists of three components:  I. Primary Concentration (major); II. Secondary Concentration (minor); and III. Breadth (cognates).  Program completion leads to a BA degree in Natural Sciences with a major in the area of primary concentration and a minor in the secondary concentration. Additional information may be obtained from the Physics/Geology Department office (661) 654-3027.

For a detailed description of the course requirements please turn to the Natural Sciences section in this catalog.

Pre-Engineering Courses

Although the university does not offer a degree in engineering, many students find it beneficial to complete at this campus a substantial portion of required courses for engineering programs elsewhere.  Most engineering programs are highly structured and demanding, and careful selection of courses for transfer to other institutions is urged.

Minimum requirements at most institutions include the following courses:

1.   MATH 201, 202/222, 203, 204 and 205

2.   PHYS 221, 222, 223

3.   ENGR 207, 240

4.   CHEM 211 and 212

5.   CMPS 221

Students interested in pre-engineering programs are advised to consult with the pre-engineering advisor of the Department of Physics for information and assistance in planning their programs.

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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Lower Division

ENGR 160 Engineering Orientation (1)

An introduction to the various areas within the engineering discipline.  Description of engineering curricula and career opportunities within each of the various areas.  Academic advising for transferring to other institutions with engineering degree programs.  Primarily for students planning to major in one of the fields of engineering.  Offered on a credit, no-credit basis only. One hour lecture/discussion.  [W]

ENGR 161 Introduction to Engineering (2)

Introduces students to real-life engineering projects.  Students design, build, test and present engineering projects designed to solve specified problems within given constraints.  Primarily for students planning to major in one of the fields of engineering.  Two hours lecture/discussion.  [S]

ENGR 207 Electric Circuits (5)

Circuit laws and analysis of DC and AC circuits.  Physical properties, electrical characteristics and circuits of discrete and integrated electrical and electronic devices.  Design and construction of circuits with instrumentation applications.  Three hours lecture/discussion and two three-hour laboratories per week.  Prerequisites:  PHYS 222, MATH 202/222 (MATH 203 recommended).  [S]

ENGR 240 Analytic Mechanics, Statics (5)

Fundamental principles of force systems acting on particles and rigid bodies in static equilibrium. Applications to structural and mechanical problems, both two-dimensional and three-dimensional. Five hours lecture/discussion.  Prerequisites: PHYS 221, Co-requisite MATH 202.  [W]

PHYS 110 Introduction to Astronomy (5)

Historical development of modern astronomy.  Contents of the universe, the solar system, stars, and galaxies.  Stellar evolution and solar processes.  The planets.  Modern cosmology  [F,W,S]

PHYS 150 Introduction to Principles of Physics (5)

Elements of mechanics, electricity, and modern physics.  This course is designed to cover these selected areas of physics in a somewhat abbreviated fashion in a single term, and cannot be used as a prerequisite for other physics courses.  Includes two laboratory periods per week.  Prerequisite:  MATH 90 or satisfaction of the Entry Level Mathematics requirement.

PHYS 201 Basic Principles of Newtonian Physics (5)

Newtonian mechanics; relationships to contemporary physics; field and laboratory investigations with emphasis on the physical measurements of motion.  Three hours lecture/discussion and two three-hour laboratories per week.  Offered with non-calculus based text.  Prerequisite or co-requisite:  Math 192 or equivalent. (PHYS 201+202+203 = CAN PHYS SEQ A)  [F,W]

PHYS 202 Basic Principles of Maxwellian Physics (5)

Maxwellian electromagnetics; relationships to contemporary physics; field and laboratory investigations in electricity, electronics, magnetism, and heat.  Includes two laboratory periods per week.  Offered with non-calculus-based text.  Prerequisite:  PHYS 201.  (PHYS 201+202+203 = CAN PHYS SEQ A)  [W,S]

PHYS 203 Basic Principles of Contemporary Physics (5)

Modern physics; principles of relativity, quantum phenomena, light, and the structure of matter. Observations and investigations related to atomic, nuclear, and molecular structure.  Three hours lecture/discussion and two three-hour laboratories per week.  Offered with non-calculus based text.  Prerequisite:  PHYS 202.  (PHYS 201+202+203 = CAN PHYS SEQ A)  [S]

PHYS 221 Classical Physics I (6)

Recommended for majors in the physical sciences, mathematics, and engineering. Vectors, kinematics, the laws of motion, work and energy, conservation of momentum, rotational kinematics and dynamics, oscillations and wave motion, sound, fluids.  Five hours lecture/discussion, three hours laboratory.  Prerequisite or co-requisite:  MATH 201.  [F,W]

PHYS 222 Classical Physics II (6)

Temperature and heat, kinetic theory of gases, laws of thermodynamics.  Electric charges and forces, the electric field and potential for stationary charges, capacitance.  Electric currents and circuits, the magnetic field and forces, magnetic induction, Maxwell’s equations in integral form.  Five hours lecture/discussion, three hours laboratory.  Prerequisite:  PHYS 221, Co-requisite MATH 202.  (CAN PHYS 12)  [W,S]

PHYS 223 Optics and Modern Physics (6)

Physical optics, relativity, black-body radiation, wave-particle duality, atomic models, introduction to quantum theory, atomic structure, radioactivity and nuclear structure.  Five hours lecture/discussion, three hours laboratory.  Prerequisite:  PHYS 222.  (CAN PHYS 14)  [S]

PHYS 244 Properties of Materials I (3)

Application of physical principles to materials, their basic structures and properties.  Emphasis on mechanical and chemical properties.  Prerequisites:  CHEM 211, PHYS 221 or permission of the instructor.

PHYS 245 Properties of Materials II (2)

Continuation of PHYS 244.  Emphasis on physical and electrical properties.  Prerequisites:  PHYS 222 and PHYS 244, or permission of the instructor.

PHYS 277 Special Topics in Physics (1-5)

Analysis of contemporary and interdisciplinary problems.  Topics and prerequisites to be announced.  Field and laboratory investigations.

PHYS 289 Experiential Prior Learning (variable units)

Evaluation and assessment of learning which has occurred as a result of prior off-campus experience relevant to the curriculum of the department.  Requires complimentary academic study and/or documentation.  Available by petition only, on a credit, no-credit basis.  Not open to postgraduate students.  Interested students should contact the department office.

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Upper Division

PHYS 307 Circuit Theory and Electronics (5)

Circuit laws, theorems, equivalent circuits.  Physical properties, electrical characteristics and circuits of electrical and electronic devices, discrete and integrated.  Design and construction of analog and digital circuits with instrumentation applications.  Three hours lecture/discussion and two three-hour laboratories per week.  Prerequisites:  PHYS 223  (MATH 205 recommended).  [F - even years]

PHYS 313A Condensed-Matter Physics I (3)

Introduction to solid state structure and x-ray diffraction analysis, thermal, electronic, magnetic, optical and defect properties of crystalline solids.  Two and a half hours lecture/discussion, one and a half hours laboratory per week.  Prerequisites:  PHYS 223 and MATH 203 or permission of the instructor.  [W - odd years]

PHYS 313B Condensed-Matter Physics II (3)

Introduction to phase transitions, polymers, and glasses.  Two and a half hours lecture/discussion, one and a half hours laboratory per week.  Prerequisites:  PHYS 313A or permission of the instructor.  [S - odd years]

PHYS 321 Classical Mechanics (6)

An intermediate level course intended for majors in the physical sciences.  Kinematics of translation and rotation, particle and rigid body dynamics, damped and forced oscillations.  Central forces, dynamics of systems of particles.  Introduction to Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalism.  Five hours lecture/discussion, three hours laboratory per week.  Prerequisites:  PHYS 223 and MATH 205.  [F - even years]

PHYS 322A Thermal Physics (3)

Elements of Classical Thermodynamics including the first, second, and third laws and applications.  Two and a half hours lecture/discussion, one and a half hours laboratory per week.  Prerequisites:  PHYS 223, MATH 203 or permission of the instructor.  [F - odd years]

PHYS 322B Statistical Mechanics (3)

Elements of statistical mechanics, probabilistic interpretation of entropy, distribution functions and applications; transport phenomena.  Two and a half hours lecture/discussion, one and a half hours laboratory per week.  Prerequisites:  PHYS 322A or permission of the instructor.  [W - even years]

PHYS 323A Electricity and Magnetism I (3)

Coulomb’s law, electric fields, electrostatics; conductors and dielectrics; steady currents.  Two and a half lecture/discussion, one and a half hours laboratory per week.  Prerequisites:  PHYS 222, MATH 204 (may be taken concurrently) or permission of the instructor.  [F - odd years]

PHYS 323B Electricity and Magnetism II (3)

Magnetic fields and magnetostatics, magnetic materials, induction; development of Maxwell’s equations.  Two and a half lecture/discussion, one and a half hours laboratory per week.  Prerequisites:  PHYS 323A or permission of the instructor.  [W - even years]

PHYS 323C Electricity and Magnetism III (3)

Electromagnetic waves, radiation theory; motion of charged particles in electromagnetic fields; relation of electromagnetism to relativistic concepts.  Two and a half hours lecture/discussion, one and a half hours laboratory per week.  Prerequisites:  PHYS 323B or permission of the instructor.

PHYS 324 Modern Physics (6)

Development of quantum physics; relativity; quantum description of atoms, solids, and nuclei.  Introduction to particle physics.  Five hours lecture/discussion, three hours laboratory per week.  Prerequisites:  PHYS 223 (MATH 205 recommended).  [S - even years]

PHYS 325 Principles of Geophysics (5)

Introduction to applied geophysical methods including reflection and refraction seismology, gravity, magnetics, electrical resistivity, and electromagnetics.  In addition to learning the principles behind each method, students will collect, process, and analyze geophysical data.  Co-requisite:  PHYS 202 or 222 or permission of the instructor.  A field trip fee may be required.  [W - odd years]

SCI 360A Energy and Technology (5)

Energy in a technological society.  Sources and resources of energy.  Effects of energy on the environment.  This course may not be used to satisfy physics major or minor requirements.  Prerequisite:  completion of lower division physical science and mathematics general education requirements.  Meets general education upper division Theme 1 requirement. 

SCI 360C Introduction to Weather Dynamics (5)

This is an introductory course with a large on-line component on the fundamentals of atmospheric science.  Current weather data are accessed via the Internet, and learning activities are keyed to the day’s weather.  General topics are studied such as how one characterizes various phenomena and meteorological effects, and how these are measured.  This course may not be used to satisfy physics major or minor requirements.  Prerequisite:  completion of lower division physical science and mathematics general education requirements.  Meets general education upper division Theme 1 requirement.

PHYS 411A Quantum Mechanics I (3)

The postulates and meaning of quantum mechanics.  Schroedingerís equation and its relation to one-dimensional problems; the harmonic oscillator.  Two and a half hours lecture/discussion, one and a half hours laboratory per week.  Prerequisites:  PHYS 321, MATH 205 or permission of the instructor.  [W - odd years]

PHYS 411B Quantum Mechanics II (3)

Continuation of PHYS 411A, including the hydrogen atom, and angular momentum.  Two and a half hours lecture/discussion, one and a half hours laboratory per week.  Prerequisites:  PHYS 411A or permission of the instructor.  [S - odd years]

PHYS 412A Nuclear Physics (3)

Applications of quantum mechanics to nuclear physics; nuclear models and nuclear forces; alpha, beta, and gamma emission; relativistic kinematics and scattering; nuclear reactors.  Two and a half hours lecture/discussion, one and a half hours laboratory per week.  Prerequisites:  PHYS 411B or permission of the instructor.

PHYS 412B Particle Physics (3)

Introduction to Elementary Particle Physics; particle accelerators; the quark model; symmetry principles.  Two and a half hours lecture/discussion, one and a half hours laboratory per week.  Prerequisites:  PHYS 412A or permission of the instructor.

PHYS 477 Special Topics in Physics (1-5)

Topics and prerequisites to be announced.  Typical courses include astrophysics, advanced electronic systems, advanced mechanics, and statistical physics.  May be repeated in different topics.

PHYS 480 Research Participation (1-5)

Individual study, under supervision, in scientific investigation.  (Experience as a research assistant does not count for credit.)  May include research in the areas of curriculum and materials development.  May be repeated.  Prerequisite:  consent of instructor.

PHYS 489 Experiential Prior Learning (variable units)

Evaluation and assessment of learning which has occurred as a result of prior off-campus experience relevant to the curriculum of the department.  Requires complementary academic study and/or documentation.  Available by petition only, on a credit, no-credit basis.  Not open to postgraduate students.  Interested students should contact the department office.

PHYS 490 Senior Seminar (5)

Presentation of papers and discussion by faculty and students.  Participants will be grouped by interdisciplinary interest.  Prerequisite:  major or minor in Physics.

PHYS 496 Internship in Physics (1-5)

Internships may be arranged by the department with various agencies, businesses, or industries.  The assignments and coordination of work projects with conferences and readings, as well as course credits, evaluation, and grading, are the responsibility of the faculty liaison (or course instructor) working with the field supervisor.  Offered on a credit, no-credit basis only.  Department will determine credits and application of credit.

PHYS 497 Cooperative Education (0-5)

The Cooperative Education program offers a sponsored learning experience in a work setting, integrated with a field analysis seminar.  The field experience is contracted by the Cooperative Education office on an individual basis, subject to approval by the department.  The field experience, including the seminar and reading assignments, is supervised by the cooperative education coordinator and the faculty liaison (or course instructor), working with the field supervisor.  Students are expected to enroll in the course for at least two quarters.  The determination of course credits, evaluation, and grading are the responsibility of the departmental faculty.  Offered on a credit, no-credit basis only.  Department will determine application of credit.

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Graduate Courses

PHYS 577 Advanced Topics in Physics (1-5)

Topics and prerequisites to be announced.  May be repeated for different topics.  General prerequisite:  major or minor in Physics.

PHYS 580 Advanced Research Participation (1-5)

Individual scientific investigation, under supervision.  (Experience as a research assistant does not count for credit.)  Prerequisite:  consent of instructor.