The Department of Physics

108 Science Hall • Box 19059 • 817-272-2266 • www.uta.edu/physics

Academic Advising: 108 Science Hall • 817-272-2266

The Department of Physics offers two Bachelors of Science Degree programs and a Bachelor of Arts Degree program.

The Bachelor of Science Degree programs include one which prepares students for careers in science and technology and another for medical school preparation. The Bachelor of Arts Degree in physics is intended for those students who seek a broader education while retaining a firm foundation in physics. When combined with the required education courses, the Bachelor of Arts program is also appropriate for students interested in becoming school teachers.*

Students considering a physics major should schedule an appointment with an undergraduate physics departmental advisor to discuss their degree options and their career potential as physicists. Physics majors are encouraged to take advantage of the many opportunities to participate in research projects under research faculty guidance. Students participating in these projects can gain extensive hands-on experience in a variety of research environments including condensed matter, optics, high energy, and computational physics. Undergraduate research assistants frequently receive financial awards.

The faculty of the Physics Department encourages students who qualify to participate in the University Honors College. Scholarships may be offered every year to new students majoring in physics.

* Students desiring certification for teaching at the secondary level must fulfill the requirements for a second teaching field and must take certain education courses as prescribed in the Education section of this catalog.

Requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics

English

Six hours of composition.

Literature

Three hours of English or foreign language literature or other approved substitute.

Liberal Arts Elective

Three hours above the freshman level of literature, or social and cultural studies designated as taught in the College of Liberal Arts, or fine arts or philosophy, or technical writing.

Political Science

2311, 2312.

History

1311, 1312 (one of which may be replaced by 3363 or 3364).

Fine Arts and Philosophy

Three hours from architecture, art, dance, music, philosophy, or theatre arts.

Social/Cultural Studies

Three hours of designated courses in social or cultural anthropology, archaeology, social/political/cultural geography, economics, sociology, classical studies, or linguistics.

Electives

Three hours outside engineering, mathematics, and the sciences.

Other Electives

Sufficient to give the total number of hours required for the degree, six of which must be 3000/4000-level courses in science or mathematics.

Note: A second minor may be developed from this group of electives.

Computer Sciences

Six hours from PHYS 2321, CSE 1306, 1310, 2310, or MATH 3345.

Natural Science other than Physics

CHEM 1301, 1302, 1284, and a minimum of six hours from courses offered in the Departments of Biology and Geology.

Major

45 hours of physics including 1443, 1444, 2311, 3183, 3313, 3321, 4117, 4185, 4315, 4319, 4324, and 4326; 13 hours from 2321, 2445, 3315, 3445, 3446, 4171, 4172, 4181, 4191, 4281, 4291, 4391, 4393, and 4325.

Minor

MATH 1325*, 1426, 2325, 2326, 3318, and a 4000 course.

Total

129 hours, of which at least 36 must be 3000/4000 level, plus exercise and sport activities (EXSA) or ROTC or marching band as required.

* If the student is not qualified to take MATH 1325 when he/she enters, he/she must complete the prerequisites for the course. This may add three to six hours to the total required for the degree. No course prerequisite for MATH 1325 will be counted as credit toward graduation.

Suggested Course Sequence

Freshman Year

First Semester: ENGL 1301; MATH 1325; Biology or Geology, 3 or 4 hours; HIST 1311; CHEM 1301—Total Credit 15 or 16 hours.

Second Semester: ENGL 1302; MATH 1426; PHYS 1443; CHEM 1302; CHEM 1284; EXSA or ROTC—Total Credit 17 hours.

Sophomore Year

First Semester: English (literature), 3 hours; HIST 1312; PHYS 1444; CSE Requirement, 3 hours; MATH 2325; EXSA or ROTC or Marching Band—Total Credit 17 hours.

Second Semester: ENGL 2334 or SPCH 3302 or English (literature), 3 hours; Biology or Geology, 3 or 4 hours; PHYS 2311; MATH 2326; PHYS 2321; EXSA or ROTC—Total Credit 16 or 17 hours.

Junior Year

First Semester: MATH 3318; POLS 2311; PHYS 3313; PHYS 3183; PHYS 3321; Required Physics, 3 or 4 hours—Total Credit 16 or 17 hours.

Second Semester: POLS 2312; Social Science, 3 hours; PHYS 4315; PHYS 4324; PHYS 4185; Required Physics, 3 or 4 hours—Total Credit 16 or 17 hours.

Senior Year

First Semester: Mathematics (4000 course), 3 hours; PHYS 4319; PHYS 4117; Required Physics, 3 or 4 hours; Electives, 6 hours; EXSA or ROTC or Marching Band—Total Credit 17 or 18 hours.

Second Semester: PHYS 4326; Required Physics Courses, 1 to 3 hours; Electives, 7 to 9 hours; Fine Arts/Philosophy, 3 hours—Total Credit 14 to 18 hours.

Requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics with Medical School Preparation

A physics degree program designed to provide preparation for medical school appropriate for students with an aptitude for mathematical science. This program offers the broad background in fundamental science and strong problem solving ability of a physics degree as well as specific biology and chemistry medical school requirements. A seminar course covering medical applications of modern physics including radiology, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, (et cetera) is an integral part of this program. The combination of skills developed in this program is designed to provide the intellectual foundation necessary for excellence in the practice of medicine.

English

Six hours of composition.

Literature

Three hours of English or foreign language literature or approved substitute.

Liberal Arts Elective

Three hours above the freshman level of literature, or social and cultural studies designated as taught in the College of Liberal Arts, or fine arts or philosophy, or technical writing.

Political Science

2311, 2312

History

1311, 1312 (one of which may be replaced by 3363 or 3364).

Fine Arts and Philosophy

Three hours from architecture, art, dance, music, philosophy, or theatre arts.

Social/Cultural Studies

Three hours of designated courses in social or cultural anthropology, archaeology, social/political/cultural geography, economics, sociology, classical studies, or linguistics.

Electives

Three hours outside engineering, mathematics, and the sciences.

Other Electives

Sufficient to give the total number of hours required for the degree.

Biology

Core courses 1441 and 1442 or 3444; Advanced courses 3315 and 3442;

One course from: 3301, 3333, or 4315; any other 3000/4000 level course.

Chemistry

General Chemistry with lab: 1301, 1302, and 1284.

Organic Chemistry with lab: 2321, 2181, 2322, 2182.

Mathematics

1325, 1426, 2325, 2326, and 3318.

Physics

36 hours including 1443, 1444, 2311, 3183, 3313, 3321, 4117, 4185, 4315, 4319, 4324, and 4326.

Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Physics

English

Six hours of composition.

Literature

Three hours of English or foreign language literature or other approved substitute.

Liberal Arts Elective

Three hours above the freshman level of literature, or social and cultural studies designated as taught in the College of Liberal Arts, or fine arts or philosophy, or technical writing.

Foreign Language

14 hours in a single foreign language or eight hours in a language, plus six hours from one area cluster (see substitution list in introductory information for the College of Science).

Political Science

2311, 2312.

History

1311, 1312 (one of which may be replaced by 3363 or 3364).

Mathematics

Ten hours including 2326.

Fine Arts and Philosophy

Three hours from architecture, art, dance, music, philosophy, or theatre arts.

Social/Cultural Studies

Three hours of designated courses in social or cultural anthropology, archaeology, social/political/cultural geography, economics, sociology, classical studies, or linguistics.

Natural Science other than Physics

12 hours from courses offered in the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, or Geology.

Computer Science

Three hours from PHYS 2321 or CSE 1301 or above.

Electives

Sufficient to give the total number of hours required for the degree.

Major

PHYS 2311, 3183, 3313, 4117, plus 18 additional hours, of which a minimum of seven must be 3000/4000-level courses.

Minor

18 hours, of which a minimum of six must be 3000/4000 level.

Total

125, of which at least 36 must be 3000/4000 level, plus exercise and sport activities (EXSA), ROTC, or marching band as required.

Suggested Course Sequence

Freshman Year

First Semester: ENGL 1301; Mathematics, 3 hours; HIST 1311; Fine Arts/Philosophy, 3 hours; Other Natural Science, 3 or 4 hours; EXSA or ROTC or Marching Band—Total Credit 16 or 17 hours.

Second Semester: ENGL 1302; Mathematics, 4 hours; HIST 1312; Other Natural Science, 3 or 4 hours; Social Science, 3 hours; EXSA or ROTC—Total Credit 17 or 18 hours.

Sophomore Year

First Semester: English, 3 hours; PHYS 1443; Mathematics, 3 hours; Other Natural Science, 3 or 4 hours; POLS 2311; EXSA or ROTC or Marching Band—Total Credit 17 or 18 hours.

Second Semester: English, 3 hours; POLS 2312; PHYS 1444; MATH 2326; Other Natural Science, 3 or 4 hours; EXSA or ROTC—Total Credit 17 or 18 hours.

Junior Year

First Semester: PHYS 3313; PHYS 3183; PHYS 2321; Foreign Language, 4 hours; Electives, 5 hours—Total Credit 16 hours.

Second Semester: PHYS 2311; Physics Elective, 3 or 4 hours; Foreign Language, 4 hours; Electives, 5 or 6 hours—Total Credit 15 or 17 hours.

Senior Year

First Semester: PHYS 4117; Physics Electives, 7 or 8 hours; Foreign Language, 3 hours; Electives, 4 or 5 hours—Total Credit 15 to 17 hours.

Second Semester: Physics Electives, 7 or 8 hours; Foreign Language, 3 hours; Electives, 8 or 9 hours—Total Credit 18 to 20 hours.

Options Programs

The Department of Physics offers several options targeted for students majoring in other fields of science, engineering, mathematics, and music. These options are designed for students to develop their understanding of the fundamental properties of nature about which their vocations center.

The options and their course requirements are listed below. Some of the courses have prerequisites. Most students interested in these options will satisfy the prerequisites by virtue of their degree program.

In many cases, the prerequisites can be waived for students doing an option. Contact the undergraduate physics advisor for specific information.

1. Physics of Modern Technology:

PHYS 1444 General Technical Physics II

PHYS 3313 Modern Physics

PHYS 4315 Thermodyamics and Statistical Mechanics

PHYS 4325 Solid State Physics

2. Acoustics

PHYS 1401 Physics for non-specialists I

PHYS 1402 Physics for non-specialists II

PHYS 1300 Acoustics

PHYS 4181 or 4281 Special Problems.

3. Electrodynamics

PHYS 1444 General Technical Physics II

PHYS 3321 Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism

PHYS 4324 Advanced Electricity and Magnetism

PHYS 2445 or 3445 Electronics or Optics

4. Mathematical Physics

PHYS 2311 Mathematical Methods of Physics

PHYS 2321 Computational Physics

PHYS 3321 or 4315 Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism or Classical Mechanics

PHYS 4315 or 4326 Thermodyamics and Statistical Mechanics or Quantum Physics

5. Optics

PHYS 1444 General Technical Physics II

PHYS 3313 Modern Physics

PHYS 3445 Optics

PHYS 4171 or 4271 Advanced Optics Laboratory

6. The Nature of the Universe

PHYS 1444 General Technical Physics II

PHYS 3313 Modern Physics

PHYS 3315 Astrophysics and Cosmology

PHYS 3446 Nuclear and Particle Physics

Second Major

A person who satisfies the requirements for any other baccalaureate degree qualifies for having physics named as a second major upon completion of 26 semester hours from among PHYS 2311 and physics courses with higher numbers. The specific courses to be used must be approved by the undergraduate advisor and the chair of the Department of Physics.

Teacher Certification

Students interested in earning a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Physics with secondary teacher certification, or in Physics as a second teaching field should refer to the School of Education section of this catalog for teacher certification requirements.

Oral Communication and Computer Competency Requirements

A practicing professional physicist must be able to apply computers to the investigation of physical phenomena. This requires experience in computer programming and the use of computers for the simulation of physical processes. To meet the university computer competency requirement, physics majors must complete the appropriate coursework with PHYS 2321, Computational Physics, the recommended minimum. Other options include MATH 3345, CSE 1306, or CSE 1310.

The university oral communication competency requirement will be met by the Individual Learning by Seminar course, PHYS 4117.

This course is required of all physics majors and includes a seminar presentation.

Students should refer to their specific degree plans and a physics undergraduate advisor for details regarding these requirements.

Department of Physics Faculty

Chair

Professors

Associate Professors

Assistant Professors

Adjunct Professors

Adjunct Assistant Professor

Physics (PHYS)

Prefix and number in parentheses following the U.T. Arlington course number and title is the Common Course Number designation.

1188, 1288.# SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN GENERAL PHYSICS

(1 or 2 hours credit). Primarily laboratory work and/or problem-solving in general technical physics. The objective is to prepare the student whose background in physics is of a non-technical nature to do advanced study in technical physics. Prerequisites: six hours of physics and concurrent enrollment in MATH 1325. $2 lab fee for 1188; $5 lab fee for 1288.

1300. INTRODUCTION TO MUSICAL ACOUSTICS (3-0) 3 hours credit. An introduction, for the music major, to the nature of periodic motion and its relation to music, characteristics of sound waves, sources of sound used in music, musical scales and temperament, mechanics of hearing, recording and reproduction of sound. May not be used to satisfy any of the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in physics.

1401. PHYSICS FOR NON-SPECIALISTS (3-2) 4 hours credit (PHYS 1405). PHYS 1401 and 1402 constitute a one-year introductory course for liberal arts and business majors. How physics plays a role in everyday life; explanations of how things work. Helps develop analytical thinking. The first semester explains motion and forces and heat. Formerly 1447; both 1447 and 1401 cannot be counted for credit. $8 lab fee.

1402. PHYSICS FOR NON-SPECIALISTS (3-2) 4 hours credit (PHYS 1407). Follows PHYS 1401 and explains sound, light, electricity, and magnetism. Prerequisite: PHYS 1401 or permission of instructor. Formerly 1448; both 1448 and 1402 cannot be counted for credit. $8 lab fee.

1441. GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS (3-3) 4 hours credit (PHYS 1401). The first half of a one-year course required for premedical, predental, architectural, and certain other students. May be elected as the science requirement by general liberal arts students. The class work is accompanied by laboratory experiments in the study of mechanics, heat, and waves. Proficiency in high school trigonometry is expected. $8 lab fee and $15 course fee.

1442. GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS (3-3) 4 hours credit (PHYS 1402). The second half of a one-year course. Subject matter includes electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and modern physics. Prerequisites: PHYS 1441 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. $8 lab fee and $15 course fee.

1443. GENERAL TECHNICAL PHYSICS (3-3) 4 hours credit (PHYS 2425). The first half of a one-year technical course. Required for many science and engineering majors, exceeds premedical requirement. The study of physical phenomena in the fields of mechanics, heat, and waves. Prerequisite: MATH 1426 or concurrent enrollment. $8 lab fee and $15 course fee.

1444. GENERAL TECHNICAL PHYSICS (3-3) 4 hours credit (PHYS 2426). The second half of a one-year technical course. The study of physical phenomena including electricity, magnetism, circuit theory, light, and optics. Prerequisites: PHYS 1443 and MATH 2325 or concurrent enrollment. $8 lab fee and $15 course fee.

1445. INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY I (3-2) 4 hours credit (PHYS 1411). PHYS 1445 and 1446 constitute a one-year sequence for any student who is interested in learning his/her place within the astronomical universe. These two courses satisfy eight hours of the 11-hour science requirement in the core curriculum and are designed for students in the Colleges of Liberal Arts or Business Administration. The first semester consists of an essentially descriptive treatment of the apparent motions and properties of members of the solar system including the sun, the planets and their moons, comets and rockets, and satellites as well as the mechanics and evolution of the solar system. The laboratory work includes the use of astronomical telescopes for observation. $6 lab fee.

1446. INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY II (3-2) 4 hours credit (PHYS 1412). Follows PHYS 1445 and focuses on the science of stars and galaxies. Properties of light are applied to the understanding and classification of stars and to determining their distances. Topics include nuclear reactions, binary stars, variable stars, exploding stars, black holes, and star clusters. The course concludes with the structure of the Milky Way and the role galaxies play in modern cosmological theories. The laboratory work includes telescopic observations. $6 lab fee.

2311. MATHEMATICAL METHODS OF PHYSICS (3-0) 3 hours credit. Harmonic oscillators, waves, vector description of particles and fields, coordinate transformations, eigenvalue problems, and systems of linear equations. Prerequisites: MATH 2325 or 2425 and PHYS 1288 or 1444.

2321. COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS (3-0) 3 hours credit. Development of computational techniques, including simulation, through applications to physical problems. A survey of topics including the multi-body problem, celestial mechanics, scattering, chaos, percolation, fractals, random processes, Fourier techniques in wave phenomena, Monte Carlo methods, and image reconstruction techniques. Prerequisite: PHYS 1444.

2445. ELECTRONICS (3-3) 4 hours credit. A study of electronic devices and components and their application to circuits and instrumentation of interest to science students. Prerequisites: PHYS 1288 or 1444 and MATH 2325 or 2425. $15 lab fee.

3183. MODERN PHYSICS LABORATORY (0-3) 1 hour credit. Supplements the topics covered in PHYS 3313. Prerequisite: PHYS 3313 or concurrent enrollment. $5 lab fee.

3313. INTRODUCTION TO MODERN PHYSICS (3-0) 3 hours credit. A brief introduction to the theories of quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics followed by a survey of atomic physics, conductors, semiconductors and modern electronic devices, nuclear and sub-nuclear physics. Prerequisites: PHYS 1288 or 1444, and MATH 2325 or 2425.

3315. ASTROPHYSICS AND COSMOLOGY (3-0) 3 hours credit. Diverse concepts in theoretical physics are applied to a wide range of astrophysical problems. Topics include stellar properties, spectra, and evolution, radiation transport, nuclear reactions, degenerate matter, orbital mechanics, galactic dynamics, introductory general relativity and cosmology. No prior astronomy background is assumed. Prerequisites: PHYS 3313 and MATH 3318.

3321. INTERMEDIATE ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM (3-0) 3 hours credit. Vector algebra and vector calculus applied to electrostatics, magnetostatics, the study of dielectric materials, and boundary value problems. Prerequisites: PHYS 2311 and MATH 3318.

3366. SPECIAL TOPICS IN PRE-COLLEGE PHYSICAL SCIENCE INSTRUCTION (1-6) 3 hours credit. A laboratory-oriented curriculum for teaching physical science and/or physics is developed and experienced. The developed curriculum is particularly appropriate for pre-college instruction. May be repeated for credit as the subject matter changes, but not more than six hours credit may be accumulated. Prerequisites: junior standing, six hours of science, three hours of education and consent of the instructor.

3445. OPTICS (3-3) 4 hours credit. Fundamental principles of physical and geometric optics, absorption and scattering, Planck's quantum theory of radiation, diffraction, interference, light sources, and spectra. Prerequisites: PHYS 1288 or 1444, and MATH 2325 or 2425. $5 lab fee.

3446. NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE PHYSICS (3-3) 4 hours credit. The study of atomic nuclei and the fundamental constituents of matter. Topics include nuclear structure, radioactivity, nuclear reactions, fission, fusion, particles and their interactions, the standard model of particle physics, experimental methods, accelerators, and examples from current research topics. Prerequisite: PHYS 3313. $5 lab fee.

4117.# INDIVIDUAL LEARNING BY SEMINAR (1 hour credit). Individual instruction on using the seminar as a model of learning current topics in physics. An individual report is required. Prerequisites: 18 hours of physics and senior standing.

4171, 4271. ADVANCED OPTICS LABORATORY (1 or 2 hours credit). Special laboratory projects in advanced optics. Prerequisites: PHYS 3445 or permission of the instructor. $10 lab fee.

4181, 4281.# SPECIAL PROBLEMS (1 or 2 hours credit as arranged). Special laboratory problems. Credit will be given appropriate to work assigned. May be repeated in any order for a total credit not to exceed four hours. Prerequisites: junior standing and permission of the chair of the department. $5 lab fee.

4185. ADVANCED ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM LABORATORY (0-3) 1 hour credit. Supplements the topics covered in PHYS 3321 and 4324. Prerequisite: PHYS 4324 or concurrent enrollment. $5 lab fee.

4191, 4291, 4391. # SPECIAL TOPICS IN PHYSICS (1, 2 or 3 hours credit). Special topics in physics, arranged for individuals or small groups. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of three hours. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

4315. THERMODYNAMICS AND STATISTICAL MECHANICS (3-0) 3 hours credit. Temperature, heat transfer, specific heat, and phase changes. The laws of thermodynamics and Maxwellian gases and their distribution functions. An introduction to statistical mechanics and low temperature phenomena. Prerequisites; PHYS 2311 and MATH 2326.

4319. ADVANCED MECHANICS (3-0) 3 hours credit. Coupled oscillators, central forces, Lagrange's equations, Hamilton's canonical equations, the moment of inertia tensor, and the application of Euler's angles to rotational motion. Prerequisites: PHYS 2311, PHYS 3321, and MATH 3318 or permission of the instructor.

4324. ADVANCED ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM (3-0) 3 hours credit. Electromagnetic phenomena based on Maxwell's equations and particle-field interactions. Prerequisite: PHYS 3321.

4325. SOLID STATE PHYSICS (3-0) 3 hours credit. Classification of crystalline solids and elastic and thermal properties, electric and magnetic properties, and electronic properties of solids. An introduction to current research problems. Prerequisite: PHYS 4315 or permission of the instructor.

4326. INTRODUCTION TO QUANTUM MECHANICS (3-0) 3 hours credit. The need for quantum mechanics to describe modern experiments adequately. Schrödinger's equation and implications, the free particle, the one-electron atom, the potential barrier, and perturbation theory. Prerequisite: PHYS 4319 or permission of the instructor.

4393. HONORS THESIS IN PHYSICS (3-0) 3 hours credit. Required of all students in the University Honors College. During the senior year the honors physics major will perform a research project under the direction of a Physics Department faculty member.

# Academic credit will be given for these courses unless the student files a pass-fail request at the beginning of the semester.