Undergraduate Degree Plan...

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• PHYS 2401 Physics for Scientists and Engineers I
  • (Texas Common Course Number is PHYS 2425.)
    Fall, Spring, Summer
    A calculus-based study of mechanics, wave motion, sound, and fluids for physics and engineering majors. The course includes three laboratory hours a week to emphasis course concepts. Prerequisites: MATH 1402. $4 laboratory fee
• PHYS 2402 Physics for Scientists and Engineers II
  • (Texas Common Course Number is PHYS 2426.)
    Fall, Spring, Summer
    A continuation of PHYS 2401 covering the principles of electricity, magnetism, electromagnetic wave phenomena, and optics. The course includes three laboratory hours a week to emphasis course concepts. Prerequisites: PHYS 2401. $4 laboratory fee.
• PHYS 3301 Electromagnetic Theory I
  • As Scheduled
    Theory of electrostatics, electromagnetics, magnetic
    properties of materials, units and thermoelectricity,
    simple treatment of alternating current, oscillating circuits, electromagnetic radiation and Maxwell's Equation. Prerequisites: 12 hours of physics and MATH 2401, which may be taken concurrently.
• PHYS 3402 Modern Physics
  • As Scheduled
    Introduction to relativity, physics of atoms and solids
    and other topics in 20th century physics. Prerequisites: PHYS 2302 and PHYS 2102. $4 laboratory fee.
• PHYS 3303 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
  • Fall Even Years
    This course is designed to provide a basic understanding of the laws of thermodynamics and statistical methods. Concepts covered include basic ideas of conventional thermodynamics including internal energy, entropy, and interactions between systems. Course acquaints students with models and equations of state for various systems and provides an introduction to statistical mechanics. Prerequisites: PHYS 2402 and MATH 2401.
• PHYS 3404 Optics
  • Spring Odd Years
    This course is designed to provide a basic understanding of physical optics. Concepts covered include diffraction, interference, polarization, geometrical optics, and spectroscopy. The course includes three laboratory hours a week to emphasis course concepts. Prerequisites: PHYS 2402 and MATH 2401. $4 laboratory fee.
• PHYS 3305 Classical Mechanics
  • Fall Even Years
    This course is designed to provide a rigorous understanding of classical dynamics. Concepts covered include the motion of a particle to a system of particles in one, two, and three dimensions; detailed treatment of the conservation laws, rigid body motion, and rotating systems. It introduces students to Lagrange and Hamiltonian dynamics and noninertial reference frames. Prerequisites: PHYS 2402 and MATH 2401.
• PHYS 4303 Quantum Mechanics
  • Spring Even Years
    This course is designed to provide an introduction to the breakdown of classical physics and the postulates of quantum mechanics. Concepts to be covered include wave functions, operator-eigenvalue formulism, bound states of the potential well, the harmonic oscillators, and selected examples such as the solutions of the hydrogen atom, angular momentum, and spin. Prerequisites: PHYS 3305, MATH 2401, and MATH 3349.
• PHYS 3101/4101 Laboratory Research (2 hrs any combination)
  • 3101 - Fall, Spring, Summer
    A continuation of PHYS 3101. Prerequisites: PHYS 3101 and consent of instructor. $4 laboratory fee.
  • 4101 - Fall, Spring, Summer
    The course is designed to acquaint the student with advance research techniques. The student performs experiments of greater complexity and difficulty than those in Junior Laboratory. Students work directly with faculty on a directed individual research project. Prerequisites: PHYS 3101 and consent of instructor. $4 laboratory fee.

• PHYS 4308 Seminar in Physics
  • Spring Even Year
    Investigations of problems and progress in contemporary physics will be undertaken, based on the expertise of the instructor. Course may be repeated once for credit. Prerequisites: consent of instructor.
• PHYS 3306 Introduction to Biophysics
  • Fall Odd Year
    Topics include the levels of organization within biological systems, flow of energy in living things including an introduction to the thermodynamic systems utilized in biological research, and an introduction to the physical techniques used in the study of biological systems. Prerequisite: PHYS 1401 & 1402.
• PHYS 3307 Introduction to Solid State Physics
  • Spring Even Year
    An introduction to the field of solid state physics. Topics includes crystal structure, bonding in condensed matter, x-ray diffraction, crystal binding energies, free electron theory of solids, energy bands, boundaries and interfaces, and mechanical, electronic, optical, magnetic, and superconducting properties of materials. Prerequisite PHYS2402.
• PHYS 3308 Introduction to Nanotechnology
  • Fall Even Year
    A study of atomic nuclei and the fundamental constituents of matter. Topics include nuclear structure, natural and artificial radioactivity, nuclear reactions, fission, fusion, particles, and their interactions, standard model of particle physics, particle accelerators, cosmic rays, experimental methods, and examples from current research topics. Prerequisite: PHYS3402
• PHYS 3309 Introduction to Medical Imaging
  • Fall Even Year
    A study of atomic nuclei and the fundamental constituents of matter. Topics include nuclear structure, natural and artificial radioactivity, nuclear reactions, fission, fusion, particles, and their interactions, standard model of particle physics, particle accelerators, cosmic rays, experimental methods, and examples from current research topics. Prerequisite: PHYS3402
• PHYS 3310 Radiation Biophysics
  • Fall Even Year
    A study of atomic nuclei and the fundamental constituents of matter. Topics include nuclear structure, natural and artificial radioactivity, nuclear reactions, fission, fusion, particles, and their interactions, standard model of particle physics, particle accelerators, cosmic rays, experimental methods, and examples from current research topics. Prerequisite: PHYS3402
• PHYS 4309 Nuclear and Particle Physics
  • Fall Even Year
    A study of atomic nuclei and the fundamental constituents of matter. Topics include nuclear structure, natural and artificial radioactivity, nuclear reactions, fission, fusion, particles, and their interactions, standard model of particle physics, particle accelerators, cosmic rays, experimental methods, and examples from current research topics. Prerequisite: PHYS3402
• PHYS 4310 Introduction to Atomic Physics
  • Fall Odd Year
    This elective course will introduce to the undergraduate students a variety of topics in atomic and nuclear physics such as properties of atoms, atomic models, the periodic system of elements, modern atomic spectroscopy, quantum mechanical probabilities, properties of stable nuclei, nuclear decays and excitations, nuclear reactions, nuclear models, particles, applications of nuclear techniques and nuclear and atomic energy. Prerequisite: PHYS4303
• GEOP 4301 {PHYS 4311} Exploration Geophysics I
  • Spring Odd Year
    An introductory course on seismic refraction and reflection imaging of the subsurface of the earth, including methods of data acquisition, processing, and interpretation in two and three dimensions. Designed for students with a basic geology and/or engineering backgrounds. Prerequisites: PHYS1401 or equivalent; GEOL 1401 or equivalent. $4 laboratory fee. Course is cross listed as PHYS4311.

• 18hrs of Physics of which 6hrs must be advanced

Note: To obtain the minor in Physical Science, the natural science core requirements has to be satisfied by a course sequence other than PSCI 1421/PSCI 1422.

• PSCI 1421 Physical Science I
  • (Texas Common Course Number is PHYS 1415.)
    Fall, Spring, Summer
    A survey course designed to provide an introduction to the concepts and principles of physical science for non-science and elementary teaching majors. The topics covered include astronomy, chemistry and mechanics. Prerequisite: MATH 1334. $4 laboratory fee.
• PSCI 1422 Physical Science II
  • (Texas Common Course Number is PHYS 1417.)
    Fall, Spring, Summer
    A survey course that introduces the concepts and principles of physical science for non-science and elementary teaching majors. Geology, meteorology and physics will be included in this course of study. Prerequisite: PSCI 1421. $4 laboratory fee.

• GEOG 2313 Principles of Physical Geography
• PSCI 3310 Planet Earth and its Place in the Solar System
• GEOL 3308 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
   

• PSCI 3408 Survey of Physical Science 4 hours
• GEOL 3401 Mineralogy 4 hours
  • As Scheduled
    A course designed for geology minors, chemistry majors or minors, or teachers of earth science. A study of the major mineral groups, their atomic structure, chemical composition, external forms, properties and geologic interpretation. Field trips. Prerequisites: GEOL 1401 or CHEM 1401 and CHEM 1402. $4 laboratory fee.
• GEOL 3403 Oceanography 4 hours
  • As Scheduled
    An introduction to physical oceanography designed for geology minors, biology majors and earth science teachers. A study of the origin, motions and the physical and chemical properties of marine waters. Field trips. Prerequisite: GEOL 1401 or advanced standing in any of the related sciences or consent of the instructor. $4 laboratory fee.
• PSCI 4311 Topics in Physical Science 3 hours
  • As Scheduled
    A course that incorporates many different topics in physical science. Guest lecturers, student participation and basic concept presentation will be utilized for each topic. The course may be taken more than one semester for different topics. Prerequisites: MATH 1334 and 8 hours of a physical science, or consent of instructor.
• GEOL 4309 Undergraduate Research in Geoscience 3 hours
  • Independent work in geosciences and/or environmental geosciences under the direction of a faculty member. Open only to students who have completed at least 12 hours in geology or by approval of the instructor.

Note: The selected course sequence below is to satisfy the minor in Geographic Information Systems. The Natural Science core requirements should be satisfied with an additional course sequence.

1. GEOL 1401 - GEOL 1402
2. PSCI 1421 - PSCI 1422
3. PHYS 1401 - PHYS 1402
4. PHYS 2401 - PHYS 2402
5. ASTR 1401 - ASTR 1402

• GEOL 3408 Introduction to Geographic Information
  • As Scheduled
    A study of the input, management, manipulation and output of georeferenced information using digital computers. Methods of layering geologic, geographic, meteorologic, electromagnetic, biologic and political knowledge will be presented. Computer data structures including relational databases will be examined. The spatial analysis potential of a GIS will be compared with traditional manual (cartographic) methods.

• GEOL 4408 Applications of Geographic Information Systems
  • As Scheduled
    New ways of using georeferenced data. Methods of integrating information from multiple sources will be used to analyze the interdependencies of both human and physical systems in a rapidly changing rural to urban environment. Examples will be given of uses in evaluating resource capability units, analyzing hazardous radiation areas, mineral exploration, land management, flood prediction and control, earthquake prediction and hurricane preparation. Attention will be given to problems of data quality, errors, accuracy and logical consistency. Prerequisite: GEOL 3408.
• BIOL 4403 Introduction to Remote Sensing Technology

• GEOL 4309 Undergraduate Research in Geoscience
  • Independent work in geosciences and/or environmental geosciences under the direction of a faculty member. Open only to students who have completed at least 12 hours in geology or by approval of the instructor.