Physics and Engineering

An introduction to the laws of physics needed to produce video games with compelling realism. Topics include kinematics, Newton’s laws of motion, conservation of momentum, conservation of energy, rotational dynamics, video analysis, measurement, curve fitting, graphical interpretation, programming and simulation development. No programming experience is required. Three hours of lecture. Prerequisite: High school algebra.

A conceptual-based introduction to classical physics. Topics include mechanics, properties of matter, thermodynamics, waves, sound, electricity, magnetism, and optics. Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory. Prerequisite: High school algebra.

This course includes fundamentals of engineering problem-solving including skills from mathematics, science, and computing. Introduction to technical drawings and the engineering design process through team-based activities.  One hour of lecture and one hour of lab per week.

This course focuses on physics and engineering careers, and what they "do".  Presents various disciplines in both fields and associated occupations through class discussions, presentations by guest speakers, and other activities.  Basics of ethics, globalization, leadership, graduate study, entrepreneurism, and presentation and communication skills are studied.  Job search tools, such as resumes, interviews and networking will also be covered.  A professional e-portfolio will be introduced.  1 hour of lecture per week.

This course is for science and engineering majors: a calculus-based presentation of kinematics, mechanics, and thermodynamics.  Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week.  Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: MATH 190.

This course is for science and engineering majors: a calculus-based presentation of sound, light, electricity, and magnetism.  Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory.  Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: MATH 200.  Pre-requisites: MATH 190 and PHEN 121.

An introduction to the science of astronomy and the scientific method. Topics include the history of astronomy, light and matter, astronomical instruments, the solar system, stellar characterization, stellar evolution, and the interstellar medium. The course concludes with a brief survey of galaxies and cosmology. A weekly laboratory may be complemented by outdoor observing. Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory.

A survey of 20th century physics: quantum mechanics with applications to nuclear, atomic, molecular, and solid state physics. Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory. Prerequisites: PHEN 122 and MATH 200.

This course studies the analysis of forces acting on particles, rigid bodies, trusses, frames, and machines in static equilibrium with applied forces and couples.  Topics covered includes force vectors, equilibrium of a particle, equivalent systems of forces, equilibrium of a rigid body, structural analysis, internal forces, friction, analysis of the equilibrium of rigid bodies subjected to fictional force, centroids and moments of inertia.  3 hours of lecture and 2 hours of laboratory per week.  Prerequisites: PHEN 121.  Co-Requisite: MATH 200.

This course studies the kinematics and kinetics of a particle for rectilinear and curvilinear motion.  Planar kinematics and planar kinetics of rigid bodies, including equations of motion and principles of energy and momentum.  Topics covered includes velocity, acceleration, relative motion, work, energy, impulse, and momentum.  3 hours of lectures per week.  Prerequisites: PHEN 210, MATH 200.

Introduction to electrical circuit analysis and design of passive and active circuits under Direct Current (DC) and Alternating Current (AC). Linear circuit analysis techniques for various circuit topologies, including three-phase circuits, are introduced. Specific topics include the concepts of current, voltage, resistance, capacitance, inductance, power, energy, transient response of first- and second-order circuits using time-domain methods, and calculation of AC steady-state response using phasors and immittances.  Laboratory work and computer-aided analysis techniques are designed to correlate with circuit analysis theory and design. 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory. Prerequisites: PHEN 122, MATH 200.

Examines the relationship between atomic structure, crystal structure, and microstructure of solids with their physical properties (mechanical, thermal, optical, electrical, and magnetic). Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory. Prerequisite: PHEN 203.

Studies the ray, wave, and photon nature of light and selected optical instruments. Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory. Prerequisite: PHEN 203.

Examines the properties of a pure substance, work and heat, the first law of thermodynamics, control volume analysis, entropy, the second law of thermodynamics, power and refrigeration systems and heat transfer. Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory. Prerequisites: PHEN 121, MATH 310.

Introduces engineering science students to the design process: formulation of a problem, creative approaches to solving the problem, analysis, materials selection, and economics. Prerequisite: Declared major or minor in Engineering Science or instructor permission.

Introduces the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations of mechanics and the formalism of quantum mechanics. Three hours of lecture. Prerequisites: PHEN 203, 210, MATH 230.

Prerequisite: Declared major or minor in Engineering Science or Physics or instructor permission.

An introduction to the fundamental concepts and mechanics of deformable solids. Topics include stresses and strains in solids, material behavior, shear forces and bending moments, deflection of beams, torsion of circular shafts, Mohr’s circle for plane stress, pressure vessels, column buckling, statically indeterminate structures, centroids and moments of inertia. Three hours of lecture. Prerequisite: PHEN 210.

Studies electricity, magnetism, and their interrelationships. Applications to the design and operation of electromagnetic components and systems are emphasized. Prerequisites: PHEN 122, MATH 310.

An introduction to basic concepts of signals, system modeling, and system classification. Convolution, response of linear time-invariant (LTI) systems, impulse response are presented. Emphasis is given to frequency-domain analysis of continuous-time and discrete-time signals and systems: Fourier series, Fourier, Laplace and z-transforms. Prerequisites: PHEN 235, MATH 320.

An introduction to sensors, interface electronics, data acquisition, calibration and response, probability, statistics, uncertainty analysis and regression. Three hours of lecture.  Prerequisite: PHEN 235.

Introduces the analysis and design of control systems. Characteristics, performance, and stability of feedback control systems are studied. Mathematical and state-variable modeling and the root locus and frequency response methods are emphasized. Prerequisite: PHEN 405.

An introduction to the fundamental principles and applications of hydrostatics and fluid flow. Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory. Prerequisites: PHEN 210, MATH 320.

An introduction to the analysis of magnetic circuits and polyphase balanced power systems. Topics include transformers and power transmission lines. Three hours of lecture. Prerequisite: PHEN 370.

Introduces statistical thermodynamics and elaborates on the formalism of electromagnetism. Three hours of lecture. Prerequisites: PHEN 320, 400.

This course presents the broad knowledge for engineers about the topics of economics, ethics, and their effect on society.  Topics include application of economic analysis and decision theory to evaluate alternatives of planning, development, construction, management of engineering projects, and discussion of ethical issues in the engineering practice.  3 hours of lecture per week.  Prerequisite: PHEN 330 or instructor permission.

This course prepares General Engineering students for their senior project by stepping them through the process of writing and presenting a proposal for a design project.  Students are required to (1) periodically present their progress on preparing their proposal, (2) submit their finished proposal, and (3) present it to students in the Introduction to Physics and Engineering course.  1 hour of lecture per week.  Prerequisite: PHEN 330

This course prepares Physics students for their senior project by stepping them through the process of writing and presenting a proposal for a research project.  Students are required to (1) periodically present their progress of preparing their proposal, (2) submit their finished proposal, (3) present it to students in the Introduction to Physics and Engineering course.  1 hour of lecture per week.  Prerequisite: PHEN 340.

This course is an introduction to Physics Education Senior Project prepares Physics Education students for their senior project by stepping them through the process of writing and presenting a proposal for a research project.  Students are required to (1) periodically present their progress on preparing their proposal, (2) submit their finished proposal, and (3) present it to students in the Introduction to Physics and Engineering course.  1 hour of lecture per week.  Prerequisite: EDUC 394

The capstone course for the General Engineering program.  Working as individuals or in teams in consultation with departmental faculty, students execute the design they proposed in the Introduction to General Engineering Senior Project course.  Students are required to (1) periodically present their progress on implementing their proposal, (2) present a poster that describes their design project for the Homer A. Anderson Family Science Colloquium series, and (3) submit a prototype and a final report for their design.  Prerequisite: PHEN 490.

The capstone course for the Physics program.  Working as individuals or in teams in consultation with departmental faculty, students execute the research project they proposed in the Introduction to Physics Senior Project proposal.  Students are required to (1) periodically present their progress on implementing their proposal, (2) present a poster that describes their research project for the Homer A. Anderson Family Science Colloquium series, and (3) submit a final report for their research project.  Prerequisite: PHEN 491.

The capstone course for the Physics Education program.  Working as individuals or in teams in consultation with departmental faculty, students execute the research project they proposed in the Introduction to Physics Education Senior Project proposal.  Students are required to (1) periodically present their progress on implementing their proposal, (2) present a poster that describes their research project for the Homer A. Anderson Family Science Colloquium series, and (3) submit a final report for their research project.  Prerequisite: PHEN 492.