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Physics

PHYS 1401 (4-3-3) General Physics I

Introductory study of the principles and application of mechanics, wave motion, and sound, with emphasis on fundamental concepts and problem-solving. Lab fee.

Requisites: Score of 610 on the SAT (math), 26 on ACT (math), 24 on CLT (QR), 76 on EMAT (ALEKS), or completion of MATH 1304 or MATH 1405.

Offered: Fall.

PHYS 1402 (4-3-3) General Physics II

Continuation of PHYS 1401, completing the survey of physics. Emphasis includes electricity, magnetism, optics, atomic structure, and nuclear physics. Lab fee.

Requisites: PHYS 1401.

Offered: Spring.

PHYS 2405 (4-3-2) University Physics I

A calculus-based study of physics with an emphasis on problem-solving and quantitative reasoning. Topics will be chosen from mechanics, waves, gravitation, and thermodynamics. Lab fee.

Requisites: MATH 1405.

Offered: Spring.

PHYS 2406 (4-3-2) University Physics II

A calculus-based study of physics with an emphasis on problem-solving and quantitative reasoning. Topics will be chosen from electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics. Lab fee.

Requisites: PHYS 2405.

Offered: Fall.

PHYS 3301 (3-3-0) Classical Mechanics

Kinematics and dynamics of classical systems. Topics will be chosen from among kinematics, dynamics, oscillations, gravitation, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics, non-inertial reference frames, rigid bodies, coupled oscillations, and special relativity.

Requisites: PHYS 1401 or PHYS 2405, and MATH 1406.

Offered: Periodically.

PHYS 3303 (3-3-0) Modern Physics

Introduction to the study of atomic and nuclear structure of matter, electronic structure of the atom, and nuclear structure and wave nature of matter.

Requisites: PHYS 1402 or PHYS 2406.

Offered: Periodically.

PHYS 3304 (3-3-0) Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics

Introduction to classical thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. Topics will be chosen from among the laws of thermodynamics and their applications and implications, the kinetic theory of gases, the ideal gas law, statistical mechanics, and information theory.

Requisites: PHYS 1402 or PHYS 2406, and MATH 1406.

Offered: Periodically.

PHYS 3402 (4-4-0) Electrodynamics

Electricity and magnetism. This course uses the formalism of vector analysis to develop theory and solve problems from among electrostatics, magnetostatics, electrodynamics, radiation, and special relativity.

Requisites: PHYS 1402 or PHYS 2406, and MATH 1406.

Offered: Periodically.

PHYS 4351 (3-3-0) Quantum Information Processing

(COSC 4351, MSITM 5351)

This course lays the foundations for understanding and utilizing quantum computing, as well as writing quantum computing programs. Topics covered include the history of quantum computing; current state of the field; potential future applications; quantum phenomena; the symbolic and mathematical representation of quantum circuits; the mathematics needed to understand quantum computing, circuit identities, writing and running programs on computers; and basic quantum algorithms. This course will assume a knowledge of algebra and trigonometry is is possessed by the student, as well as basic programming skills. A knowledge of linear algebra and complex numbers will deepen understanding.

Requisites: None.

Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

PHYS 4352 (2-2-0) Quantum Computing Algorithms

(COSC 4352, MSITM 5352)

This course focuses on understanding and implementing the major algorithms of quantum computing, including analysis of their use cases, as well as error correction. In this course, students will get hands-on experience coding quantum algorithms. Topics covered include a review of phase kickback and basic algorithms, quantum teleportation, superdense coding, quantum Fourier transform, quantum phase estimation, Shor's algorithm, Grover's algorithm, error correction, and other advanced topics. Graduate students will study in greater depth complexity of algorithms and their use cases.

Requisites: PHYS 4351 or COSC 4351.

Offered: Fall, Spring.