Physics
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www.plu.edu/~phys
Physics
Applied Physics
Course Offerings
Physics is the scientific study of the material universe at its most fundamental level: the mathematical description of space and time, and the behavior of matter from the elementary particles to the universe as a whole. A physicist might study the inner workings of atoms and nuclei, the size and age of the universe, the behavior of high-temperature superconductors, or the life cycles of stars.
Physicists use high-energy accelerators to search for quarks; they design new laser systems for applications in medicine and communications; they heat hydrogen gases to temperatures higher than the sun's core in the attempt to develop nuclear fusion as an energy resource. From astrophysics to nuclear physics to optics and crystal structure, physics encompasses some of the most fundamental and exciting ideas ever considered.
Faculty: Starkovich, Chair; Greenwood, Louie, Tang.
Back to topPhysics
The physics major offers a challenging program emphasizing a low student-teacher ratio and the opportunity to engage in independent research projects. There are two introductory course sequences, College Physics and General Physics; the General Physics sequence incorporates calculus and is required for the Bachelor of Science major.
Bachelor of Science Major: Physics 153, 154, 163, 164, 223, 331, 332, 333, 336, 354, 356, 499A, 499B. Strongly recommended: Physics 401 and 406. Chemistry 341 may be substituted for Physics 333. Required supporting courses: Chemistry 120 or 125; Math 151, 152, 253.
A typical BS physics major program is as follows:
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Bachelor of Arts Major: Physics 153 or 125; 154 or 126; 163 or 135; 164 or 136; 223, 499A, 499B, plus 8 additional, upper-division hours in physics. Required supporting courses: Math 151, 152, 253.
Minor: Physics 153 or 125; 154 or 126; 163 or 135; 164 or 136; plus 12 additional hours in physics (excluding Physics 110), of which at least 8 must be upper division.
Back to topApplied Physics
Also available is a major in Applied Physics, which includes a substantial selection of courses from engineering to provide a challenging and highly versatile degree. Applied Physics can lead to research or advanced study in such areas as robotics-with application in space exploration or joint and limb prosthetics; growth of single-crystal metals, which would be thousands of times stronger than the best steels now available; mechanics of material failure, such as metal fatigue and fracture; turbulence in fluid flow; photovoltaic cell research for solar energy development; or applications of fluid flow and thermodynamics to the study of planetary atmospheres and ocean currents.
While many Applied Physics graduates pursue professional careers in industry immediately after graduation from PLU, the program also provides excellent preparation for graduate study in nearly all fields of engineering.
Bachelor of Science Major in Applied Physics: Physics 153, 154, 163, 164, 223, 331, 334, 354, 356, 499A, 499B; Computer Science 131 plus four courses, one of which must be upper division, selected from: Computer Science 245, 345, 346, Physics 233, 234, 333. Physics 336 may be substituted for Physics 234; Chemistry 341 may be substituted for Physics 333. Required supporting courses: Chemistry 120 or 125; Computer Science 144 or 240; Math 151, 152, 253.
A typical applied physics program is as follows:
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Back to topCourse Offerings
110 Astronomy - NS, SM
Stars and their evolution, galaxies and larger structures, cosmology,
and the solar system. Emphasis on observational evidence. Evening observing
sessions. Prerequisite: MATH 111. I (4)
125 College Physics - NS, SM
An introduction to the fundamental topics of physics. It is a non-calculus
sequence, involving only the use of trigonometry and college algebra.
Concurrent registration in (or previous completion of) 135 is required.
Prerequisite: MATH 140 (or equivalent by placement exam). I (4)
126 College Physics - NS, SM
An introduction to fundamental topics of physics. It is a non-calculus
sequence, involving only the use of trigonometry and college algebra.
Concurrent registration in (or previous completion of) 136 is required.
Prerequisite: 125. II (4)
135 College Physics Laboratory
Basic laboratory experiments are performed in conjunction with the College
Physics sequence. Concurrent registration in 125 is required. I (1)
136 College Physics Laboratory
Basic laboratory experiments are performed in conjunction with the College
Physics sequence. Concurrent registration in 126 is required. II (1)
153 General Physics - NS, SM
A calculus-level survey of the general fields of physics, including
classical mechanics, wave motion, electricity and magnetism, and optics.
Concurrent registration in (or previous completion of) 163 is required.
Prerequisite: MATH 151. I II (4)
154 General Physics - NS, SM
A calculus-level survey of the general fields of physics, including
classical mechanics, wave motion, electricity and magnetism, and optics.
Concurrent registration in (or previous completion of) 164 is required.
Prerequisites: MATH 152, PHYS 153. I II (4)
163 General Physics Laboratory
Basic laboratory experiments are performed in conjunction with the General
Physics sequence. Concurrent registration in 153 is required I II (1)
164 General Physics Laboratory
Basic laboratory experiments are performed in conjunction with the General
Physics sequence. Concurrent registration in 154 is required. I II (1)
223 Elementary Modern Physics - NS
A selected treatment of various physical phenomena which are inadequately
described by classical methods of physics. Interpretations which have
been developed for these phenomena since approximately 1900 are presented
at an elementary level. Prerequisite: 154 and MATH 253. II (4)
233 Engineering Statics - NS
Engineering statics using vector algebra; conditions for equilibrium,
resultant force systems, centroid and center of gravity, methods of
virtual work, friction, kinematics of particles. Prerequisite: 153.
I (2)
234 Engineering Mechanics of Solids - NS
Mechanics of deformable solid bodies, deformation, stress, constitutive
equations for elastic materials, thermoelasticity, tension, flexure,
torsion, stability of equilibrium. Prerequisites: 154, 233. II (4)
321 Introduction to Astrophysics
Application of physics to the study of stellar structure, galactic astronomy,
and cosmology. Introduction to observational techniques. Qualified students
may wish to combine this course with observational work at PLU's W.M.
Keck Observatory. Prerequisites: 154 and MATH 253. Concurrent enrollment
in 223 is recommended. a/y (4)
331 Electromagnetic Theory - NS
Electrostatics, dipole fields, fields in dielectric materials, electromagnetic
induction, magnetic properties of matter, in conjunction with the development
of Maxwell's equations. Prerequisites: 153, 154 and MATH 253. I (4)
332 Electromagnetic Waves and Physical Optics - NS
Proceeding from Maxwell's equations, the generation and propagation
of electromagnetic waves is developed with particular emphasis on their
application to physical optics. Prerequisite: 331. II a/y (4)
333 Engineering Thermodynamics - NS
Classical, macroscopic thermodynamics with applications to physics,
engineering, and chemistry. Thermodynamic state variables, cycles, and
potentials; flow and non-flow systems; pure substances, mixtures, and
solutions; phase transitions; introduction to statistical thermodynamics.
Prerequisites: 154 and MATH 253. I (4)
334 Engineering Materials Science - NS
Fundamentals of engineering materials including mechanical, chemical,
thermal, and electrical properties associated with metals, ceramics,
polymers, composites, and semiconductors. Focus on how useful material
properties can be engineered through control of microstructure. Prerequisites:
154; CHEM 120 or 125. II (4)
336 Classical Mechanics - NS
Foundations of classical mechanics with an emphasis on applications
to astronomy and celestial mechanics. Topics include applications of
Newton's laws to particle motion in inertial and noninertial frames;
systems of particles and rigid body dynamics; calculus of variations,
Lagrange's equations and the Hamiltonian formulation of mechanics. Prerequisites:
154, 354 or MATH 351 (or consent of instructor). II (4)
354 Mathematical Physics I - NS
Ordinary differential equations, Laplace transforms, functions of a
complex variable, and contour integration are developed in the context
of examples from the fields of electromagnetism, waves, transport, vibrations,
and mechanics. Prerequisites: 154 and MATH 253. II (4)
356 Mathematical Physics II - NS
Fourier analysis, boundary-value problems, special functions, and eigenvalue
problems are developed and illustrated through applications in physics.
Prerequisite: 354. I (4)
401 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics - NS
The ideas and techniques of quantum mechanics are developed. Corequisite:
356. a/y I (4)
406 Advanced Modern Physics
Modern theories are used to describe topics of contemporary importance
such as atomic and sub-atomic phenomena, plasmas, solid-state, and astrophysical
events. Prerequisite: 401. a/y II (4)
491 Independent Studies (1-4)
497 Research (1-4)
498 Research (1-4)
499A Advanced Laboratory I
Selected experiments from both classical and modern physics are performed
using state of the art instrumentation. With 499B meets the senior seminar/project
requirement. Corequisite: 331. I (1)
499B Advanced Laboratory II - SR
Continuation of 499A with emphasis on design and implementation of a
project under the guidance of the physics staff. With 499A meets the
senior seminar/project requirement. Prerequisite: 499A. II (1)