Physics at Southern-Class Descriptions

Class Descriptions

(All course descriptions are taken from the SAU 2004-2005 Undergraduate Catalog.)

PHYS 137. Introduction to Physics (E-3) 3 hours
A general education course stressing the methods of physics, the application of physics and
laboratory work which can be done with simple materials. Laboratories include the use of
calculators and the computer to do arithmetic, the estimation of numerical quantities and errors,
and the construction of apparatus with which to make observations. Satisfies the requirements
for some Allied Health fields at some schools; does not apply to a major or minor in physics. Two
hours lecture, three hours laboratory each week.

PHYS 138. Introduction to Physics Applications (E-3) 1-3 hours
Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in PHYS 137 or previous enrollment.
Additional theory and practice at the level of PHYS 137, oriented toward applications in the
Health sciences. Meets once a week.

PHYS 155. Descriptive Astronomy: Creation and Cosmology (E-3) 3 hours
Constellations and eclipses, astronomical instruments, time and the date line and calendars,
astronomical objects with their motions and distances, energy processes in stars and quasars and
pulsars, black holes, the infinity (?) and expansion (?) of the universe. Cosmology, the formation
and subsequent histories of the solar system and the earth, radioactive dating, life on other worlds,
as seen from observational and Biblical perspectives. Three hours lecture each week, with
optional opportunities for an observation period. (Fall)

PHYS 211-212. General Physics (E-3) 3,3 hours
Prerequisites: MATH 120, 121.
The algebraic and trigonometric treatment of mechanics, heat, sound, light, electricity and
magnetism, and “modern physics.” Applies toward the basic science requirement as a
non-laboratory science if taken alone and as a laboratory science if taken with PHYS 213-214.

PHYS 213-214. General Physics Laboratory (E-3) 1,1 hours
Prerequisite: Previous or concurrent enrollment in PHYS 211-212.
Laboratory experience designed to illustrate the material in lectures, to familiarize the student with
useful measuring apparatus, and to encourage a systematic development of scientific curiosity,
caution, and method. (Fall, Winter)

PHYS 215, 216. General Physics Calculus Applications 1,1 hours
Prerequisites: MATH 181; previous or concurrent enrollment in PHYS 211-212.
Derivations and problems in General Physics using differential and integral calculus will be
studied. Students completing PHYS 211-212 and PHYS 215, 216 will have taken the equivalent
of General Physics with calculus. Two class periods per week. (Winter)

PHYS 310. Modern Physics 3 hours
Prerequisites: PHYS 211-212; MATH 181, 182.
The origins of modern physics, quantum theory, the theory of relativity, nuclear physics. Three
hours lecture each week. Laboratory experience is available in PHYS 325. (Fall)

PHYS 313. Physical Optics 3 hours
Prerequisites: PHYS 211-212, 310; MATH 182.
Refraction, reflection, interference, and absorption of light are discussed from the standpoint of
the ray and especially of the wave theories of light. Laboratory experience is available in PHYS
325. (Winter, even years)

PHYS 315. Spectroscopy 3 hours
Prerequisites: PHYS 211-212, 310; MATH 182.
Interpretation of spectral line and band wavelengths, profiles, and intensities in terms of stars'
composition, temperature, pressure, motions. Design of laboratory experiments to obtain atomic
and molecular constants. Systematics of atomic and molecular data. Laboratory experience is
available in PHYS 497. (Fall, even years)

PHYS 316. Mathematics of Physics 3 hours
Prerequisites: PHYS 213-214, 310; MATH 315.
See MATH 316 for course description.

PHYS 317. Issues in Physical Science and Religion (E-3) 3 hours
Prerequisite: One year of high school physics or chemistry or one semester of college physics or
chemistry; junior standing.
Scientific method, truth, reality, logic and derivability, authority/inspiration, faith and reason in
mathematics and physical sciences. Non-logical factors in acceptance of scientific statements as
authoritative. Arguments for the existence of God. Causality, determinism and miracles.
Scientific revolutions and paradigm shifts with relation to trends in religion and philosophy. Does
not apply to a major in or minor in Physics. (Winter)

PHYS 325. Advanced Physics Laboratory I 1 hour
Prerequisites: PHYS 213-214, 310.
Laboratory experiments pertinent to areas of physics except electricity and magnetism. Meets
once per week.

PHYS 326. Advanced Physics Laboratory II 1 hour
Prerequisites: PHYS 213-214, 310.
Laboratory experiments pertinent to electricity and magnetism. Meets once a week.

PHYS 400. Physics Portfolio 1 hour
Each student majoring in Physics may compile a portfolio consisting of records of participation
in professional activities as suggested by departmental faculty and as initiated by the student.
Examples of activities include but are not limited to the following: attendance at club meetings,
professional film showings, visiting-scientist seminar, and research review sessions, reading of
journals and books, participation at professional meetings, preparation for graduate school and
for employment, and lists of concepts or new ideas. The portfolio is reviewed upon the student's
registration for this course during the senior year. The grade earned for this credit will depend
upon the persistence of the student in participation during his/her stay at Southern Adventist
University and during summers, and upon the breadth and depth of the entries. It also depends
upon the student having his/her portfolio reviewed by the Department at the end of each preceding
semester, and the extent to which the Department's suggestions on those occasions are
implemented.

PHYS 411. Thermodynamics 3 hours
Prerequisites: PHYS 213-214, 310; MATH 182.
A study of gases, kinetic theory, and quantum statistics. Emphasis is placed on being able to use
thermodynamics data in the literature. Three hours of lecture each week. This class is not open
to students who have taken CHEM 411. Laboratory experience is available in PHYS 497. (Fall,
even years)

PHYS 412. Quantum Mechanics 3 hours
Prerequisites: PHYS 215, 216, 310; MATH 315.
The limits to classical physics; wave packets, the Schroedinger equation, eigenfunctions and
eigenvalues, one-dimensional potentials, the solution of the Schroedinger equation in sphericalpolar
coordinates for the hydrogen atom; electron spin and the Pauli requirement for
antisymmetric wave functions, with applications to states of light atoms; variation techniques for
small atoms and molecules, Hueckel and LCAO methods. This class is not open to students who
have taken CHEM 412. (Winter, odd years)

PHYS 413. Analytic Mechanics 3 hours
Prerequisites: PHYS 215, 216, 310; MATH 182, 218, 315 (MATH 316, 317, 318, 319, 411-412
desirable).
The motion of a particle in gravitational and other classical fields is attacked using the techniques
of differential equations in the Newtonian, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian forms. Special functions,
vector theorems, transforms, and tensors are introduced as needed. Laboratory experience is
available in PHYS 325. (Fall, odd years)

PHYS 414-415. Electrodynamics 3,3 hours
Prerequisites: PHYS 215, 216, 310; MATH 182, 218, 315, (316, 317, 318, 319, 411-412
desirable).
Analysis of electrical circuits, electrostatic and magnetostatic fields, and the motion of charges
therein. Maxwell's equations and the consequent prediction of electro-magnetic waves.
Applications to modern atomic and nuclear theory are stressed. Complex mapping, vector
theorems, transforms, and special functions may be used. Laboratory experience is available in
PHYS 326. (Fall, even years; Winter, odd years)

PHYS 418-419. Advanced Quantum Mechanics 3,3 hours
Prerequisites: PHYS 215, 216, 310, 412; MATH 182, 218, 315, (316, 317, 318, 319, 411-412
desirable)
The structure of quantum mechanics; review of the Thomson, Bohr, and Fermi-Thomas models;
operator methods; operators, matrices, and spin; time-independent perturbation theory; corrections
to the hydrogen-atom treatment; other atoms and the periodic table; emission and absorption of
radiation from atoms; collision theory; elementary particles and their symmetries; group dynamics
approach to particle classification. (Fall, odd years; Winter, even years)

PHYS 265/465. Topics in Physics 1-3 hours
Selected topics presented in a formal classroom setting in specialty areas of physics not covered
in regular courses. May be repeated for credit for different topics.

PHYS 480. Scientific Writing and Presentation (W) 1 hour
Prerequisite: COMM 135
Principles and techniques of writing for news releases, periodicals, and research journals. Practice
in scientific meeting oral and poster-session presentation. It is expected that the written reports
be done with a word processor and that the student will have done some original research of an
experimental, computational, or theorem-proving nature before enrolling in this course. PHYS
295/495 and 297/497 exist to fulfill this requirement and there are numerous opportunities with
pay at universities and national laboratories during the student's junior-senior summer. (Fall)

PHYS 295/495. Directed Study 1-3 hours
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
This course consists of individual or group work adjusted to meet particular needs in Physics.
Approval must be secured from the instructor prior to registration. This course may be repeated
for credit. (Fall, Winter)

PHYS 297/497. Undergraduate Research in Physics 1-2 hours
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Research under direction of a member of the staff. The topic will be assigned in accordance to the
interests and capabilities of the student. It is assumed that the student is familiar with one or more
spreadsheets, mathematics manipulation programs, and graphing software packages. May be
repeated for up to four hours. (Fall, Winter; May be accomplished on a co-op basis during the
Summer.)

EARTH SCIENCE

ERSC 105. Earth Science (E-4) 3 hours
A non-mathematical and qualitative introduction, for non-science majors, to the areas of physical
geography, geology, and meteorology. Special consideration is given the
environment—conservation or pollution of natural resources. (Fall, Winter, Summer)

EDUCATION

EDUC 438. Curriculum and Content Methods/Physics 1 hour
Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education.
Attention is given to methods and materials of instruction, planning, testing, and evaluating
student performance, the survey and evaluation of textbooks.
(E-3) (E-4) (W) See pages 27-31 for explanation of General Education requirements.