About Physics
The fundamental behavior of matter and energy. Courses carry the PHYS subject code and are offered through the College of Science & Mathematics. Numbers below 300 are introductory, 300–499 advanced undergraduate, and 500 and above graduate. Prerequisites are enforced at registration.
How the sequence works
Of the 9 PHYS courses listed, 1 is introductory (numbers under 300), 1 is advanced undergraduate (300–499). 0 courses have no prerequisite and are a reasonable first step. Later courses assume the earlier ones, so read prerequisites before you plan a term — they are enforced at registration and an override from the Physics department is the only way around them.
PHYS 1010 — Conceptual Physics 3 cr
A quantitative-but-gentle survey of mechanics, energy, waves, electricity, and modern physics for non-majors.
Prerequisite: MATH 1200.
PHYS 2010 — University Physics I 5 cr
Kinematics, Newton's laws, work and energy, momentum, rotation, and oscillations, with lab.
Prerequisite: MATH 2400.
PHYS 2020 — University Physics II 5 cr
Electric and magnetic fields, circuits, electromagnetic induction, and Maxwell's equations, with lab.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2010, MATH 2500.
PHYS 2030 — University Physics III 4 cr
Waves, optics, special relativity, and an introduction to quantum phenomena, with lab.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2020.
PHYS 3100 — Classical Mechanics 3 cr
Lagrangian and Hamiltonian methods, central forces, rigid-body motion, and coupled oscillations.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2010, MATH 3100.
PHYS 3300 — Electromagnetic Theory 3 cr
Electrostatics and magnetostatics from first principles, boundary-value problems, and electromagnetic waves.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2020, MATH 2600.
PHYS 3500 — Modern Physics 3 cr
Quantum mechanics, atomic and nuclear physics, and solid-state basics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2030.
PHYS 3700 — Thermal and Statistical Physics 3 cr
Thermodynamic laws, kinetic theory, and the statistical basis of thermal behavior.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2030.
PHYS 4900 — Advanced Physics Laboratory 3 cr
A sequence of classic experiments with modern instrumentation, emphasizing uncertainty and technical writing.
Prerequisite: senior standing.
Planning and advising
Your degree audit shows exactly how PHYS courses apply to your requirements; this list only shows what is offered. If you are choosing between two courses, deciding when to take a heavy one, or wondering whether a course will run next term, your academic adviser can tell you. Course availability by term is set close to registration and is not guaranteed by anything on this page.
Fictional information
UW–Porter Falls is a work of parody. Every course, prerequisite, credit value, and department on this page is invented; nothing here describes a real curriculum or a course you can enroll in.