Physics

PHY 101T   General Physics I Theory (3)

Within an algebra-based framework, this course covers topics in classical mechanics, including the kinematics in one and two dimensions, the Newton’s laws of motion, work and energy, linear momentum, rotational motion, and selected topics on vibration and waves. Three hours of lecture each week. This class must be taken with the laboratory course PHY 101L in the same semester. Successful completion of both co-requisite lecture and lab courses (PHY 101T and PHY 101L) is required. Should a student need to repeat one co-requisite, they must repeat both co-requisites. Prerequisites: MAT 111 or equivalent. Meets SUNY General Education Natural Science category.

 

PHY 101L    General Physics Laboratory (1)

Laboratory section to accompany PHY 101T. Application of theoretical material from General Physics I Lecture in experimental procedures. Three hours of laboratory each week. This class must be taken with the lecture course PHY 101T in the same semester. Successful completion of both co-requisite lecture and lab courses (PHY 101T and PHY 101L) is required. Should a student need to repeat one co-requisite, they must repeat both co-requisites. Meets SUNY General Education Natural Science category.

 

PHY 102T   General Physics II Theory (3)

Within an algebra-based framework, this course covers topics in electricity and magnetism, including electric forces and fields, electric potential, electric current, DC circuit, magnetism, electromagnetic induction, and selected topics from electromagnetic waves and optics. Three hours of lecture each week. This class must be taken with the laboratory course PHY 102L in the same semester. Successful completion of both co-requisite lecture and lab courses (PHY 102T and PHY 102L) is required. Should a student need to repeat one co-requisite, they must repeat both co-requisites. Prerequisite: PHY 101T and PHY 101L. Meets SUNY General Education Natural Science category.

 

PHY 102L    General Physics II Laboratory (1)

Laboratory section to accompany PHY 102T. Application of theoretical material from General Physics II Lecture in experimental procedures. Three hours of laboratory each week. This class must be taken with the lecture course PHY 102T in the same semester. Successful completion of both co-requisite lecture and lab courses (PHY 102T and PHY 102L) is required. Should a student need to repeat one co-requisite, they must repeat both co-requisites. Meets SUNY General Education Natural Science category.

 

PHY 201T   Calculus Based Physics I Theory (3)

Within a mathematical framework that includes basic geometry, trigonometry, algebra, calculus and vectors, this course covers topics in mechanics including kinematics of one, two and three dimensional motion, dynamics and Newton’s laws of motion, work, kinetic energy, potential energy, kinematics and dynamics of rigid bodies, and periodic motion. Three hours of lecture each week. This class must be taken with the laboratory course PHY 201L in the same semester. Successful completion of both co-requisite lecture and lab courses (PHY 201T and PHY 201L) is required. Should a student need to repeat one co-requisite, they must repeat both co-requisites. Prerequisite: MAT 151 or equivalent. Co-requisite: MAT 152. Meets SUNY General Education Natural Science category.

 

PHY 201L    Calculus Based Physics I Laboratory (1)

Laboratory section to accompany PHY 201T. Application of theoretical material from Calculus Based Physics I Lecture in experimental procedures. Three hours of laboratory each week. This class must be taken with the lecture course PHY 201T in the same semester. Successful completion of both co-requisite lecture and lab courses (PHY 201T and PHY 201L) is required. Should a student need to repeat one co-requisite, they must repeat both co-requisites. Meets SUNY General Education Natural Science category.

 

PHY 202T   Calculus Based Physics II Theory (3)

This course covers topics on electricity and magnetism, including Coulomb’s Law, Electric Potential, Capacitance and Dielectrics, Current, Resistance, Electromotive Force, Magnetic Fields, Biot-Savart’s Law, Ampere’s Law, Electromagnetic Induction, Faraday’s Law, Maxwell’s Equations, and selected topics on the Electromagnetic Waves. Three hours of lecture each week. This class must be taken with the laboratory course PHY 202L in the same semester. Successful completion of both co-requisite lecture and lab courses (PHY 202T and PHY 202L) is required. Should a student need to repeat one co-requisite, they must repeat both co-requisites. Prerequisite: PHY 201 or equivalent. Meets SUNY General Education Natural Science category.

 

PHY 202L    Calculus Based Physics II Laboratory (1)

Laboratory section to accompany PHY 202T. Application of theoretical material from Calculus Based Physics II Lecture in experimental procedures. Three hours of laboratory each week. This class must be taken with the lecture course PHY 202T in the same semester. Successful completion of both co-requisite lecture and lab courses (PHY 202T and PHY 202L) is required. Should a student need to repeat one co-requisite, they must repeat both co-requisites. Meets SUNY General Education Natural Science category.

 

PHY 203      Calculus Based Physics III (4)

The third course in three course calculus based physics sequence. Covers selected topics from thermodynamics (temperature and heart, thermal properties of matter and laws of thermodynamics) and waves (mechanical waves, wave interference and normal modes). Includes lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: PHY 202 or equivalent.

 

PHY 220      Electronics for Scientists (4)

Designed to give students who do not intend to become Electrical Engineers or Technologists a good background in the field of analog and digital electronics. Upon completion of this course, the student should have a practical understanding of test equipment and basic analog circuits such as power supplies, analog switches of operational amplifiers as well as a practical understanding of the operation and use of digital integrated circuits and their application to more complicated data acquisition systems used in modern chemical instrumentation. Three hours of lecture and three hours laboratory per week. May not be taken be electrical engineering, electrical technology or computer engineering technology students. Prerequisite: One year of high school physics or equivalent.

 

PHY 290      Topics in Physics (1-4)

An introductory course in selected topics in Physics not currently covered in any of the listed classes. Topics are chosen to illustrate different fields and applications which are all part of Physics.

 

PHY 351      Modern Physics (4)

Provides a broad overview of the major developments and breakthroughs in physics since the beginning of the 20th century, including Einstein’s special theory of relativity, quantum nature of light, wave nature of particles, introduction to quantum mechanics, atomic structure, molecular and condensed mater physics, nuclear physics, particle physics and cosmology. Includes three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Calculus Based Physics II (PHY 202T/L) and Differential Equations (MAT 230) or equivalents.

 

PHY 361      Intermediate Mechanics (4)

Newtonian theory is used to describe the mechanical behavior of objects. Topics include: Newton’s laws of motion, momentum and energy, motion of a particle in one or more dimensions, motion of a system of particles, rigid body motion, introduction to Lagrange and Hamilton’s equations. Prerequisites: Prerequisites: MAT 230, MAT 253, PHY 201T, and PHY 201L or equivalents.

 

PHY 371      Electromagnetism (4)

The laws of electricity and magnetism are developed using the language of vector calculus. Topics include: Coulomb’s Law, the electrostatic field and potential, Gauss’ Law, dielectrics, capacitors, electric current, the steady magnetic field, Biot‑Savart Law, Ampere’s Law, magnetic materials, Faraday’s Law, the displacement current, Maxwell’s Equations, and plane electromagnetic waves. Prerequisites: MAT 230, MAT 253, PHY 202T, and PHY 202L or equivalents.

 

PHY 381      Quantum Mechanics (4)

An introduction to the theory and applications of Quantum Mechanics. Topics will include: wave‑particle duality, Heisenberg uncertainty principle, quantum states and operators, Schroedinger equation and quantum statistics. Applications will be selected from atomic and solid state physics, including semiconductors and lasers. Prerequisites: MAT 260/230, MAT 253, PHY 351 or equivalents.

 

PHY 472      Electromagnetic Waves and Radiation (4)

Within an advanced mathematical framework that involves vector and tensor algebra, differential and integral calculus, methods of ordinary and partial differential equations, and special techniques of electromagnetism, this course studies the solutions of the Maxwell’s equations (a system of coupled partial differential equations) in various physical situations. It provides an in depth analytical study of electromagnetic waves, their structure, propagation, reflection, transmission, interaction with matter and the mechanisms for their generation by antennas. Prerequisite is Electromagnetism (PHY 371) or equivalent.

 

PHY 490      Special Topics in Physics (4)

A detailed examination of a topic in physics not treated extensively in other physics courses. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

 

PHY 491      Independent Study (Variable 1-4)

Extensive study and research on a particular topic of student interest under the supervision of a faculty member. The student is required to submit a written proposal which includes a description of the project, its duration, educational goals, method of evaluation, and number of credits to be earned. Prerequisite: Matriculated students only, permission of instructor and dean of subject area.