The courses normally offered by the Department of Physics and Astronomy are listed below. A typical textbook that could be used in each course is suggested. The textbook provides a good summary of the expected course content. However, each instructor is responsible to provide you with a syllabus for the course they teach. The syllabus should detail the actual textbook, course content and any other course requirements such as grading policy, exam dates, homework assignments and other relevant information. Consult the schedule of classes each semester to determine the name of the instructor teaching any particular session. Hints how to partially meet GE requirements follows.

UNIVERSITY GENERAL EDUCATION (GE) REQUIREMENTS

Section B.1. Phys 161 (2 units) and Phys 161L (1 unit) have been completely revised and introduce you to physics in a friendly manner. These courses can be used to meet 3 of the 9 units required in Section B. The Phys 161L laboratory meets the laboratory requirement of section B.

Section B.2. Astr 152 (3 units) can be used to meet 3 of the 9 units required in Section B. Astr 152 is also offered on-line. Astr 154L laboratory meets the laboratory requirement of section B.

Upper Division GE. Phys 305 (3 units) meets 3 of the 9 units required in Section B. If you take this course during the semester in which junior standing (60 units) is being achieved or any time after that you will also meet 3 of the 9 units of upper division GE requirement. Thus, Phys 305 simultaneously meets 3 units of section B and upper division requirements. Phys 305 is also offered on-line. You can also meet 3 additional units of the required 9 upper division units with Astr 312.

Sample Strategies. Examples of how you can completely meet Section B and Upper Division GE requirements with a minimum of units:

Example #1

Example #2

(Note: Always consult with a university advisor to confirm you course study plan.) PHYSICS - PHYS

Physics 100A and 100B - General Physics - Offered every Fall and Spring and usually in Summer
A non-calculus based course sequence.
Physics by James S. Walker, Pearson / Prentice Hall, 2004, ISBN: 0-13-101416-1
[Note: Each corresponding laboratory course uses a manual prepared by the Department faculty.]

Physics 161 - The Physics of Experience - Offered every Fall and Spring
A General Education (non-mathematical) physics course for non-science majors.
Textbook for Spring is under consideration.
[Note: The corresponding laboratory course (161L) is non-traditional and complements the lecture course.]

Physics 220A and 220B - University Physics - Both are offered every Fall and Spring.
A calculus based course sequence with accompanying laboratory intended for engineering majors.
Physics for Scientists & Engineers with Modern Physics by Randall D. Knight, Pearson Addison Wesley, 2004, ISBN: 0-8053-8960-1
[Note: Each corresponding laboratory course uses a manual prepared by the Department faculty.]

Physics 225, 226 and 227 - Physics I, II, and III - Physics 225 and 227 are offered every Spring and Physics 226 is offered every Fall. A calculus based course sequence with accompanying laboratory intended for physics majors (also Chemistry and Geophysics.)
Physics for Scientists and Engineers (Extended Version), 5th Edition, by Paul A. Tipler and Gene Mosca, W. H. Freeman, 2004, ISBN: 0-7167-4389-2
[Note: Each corresponding laboratory course uses a manual prepared by the Department faculty.]

Physics 301 - Analytical Mechanics - Offered every Fall
A junior level course intended for physics majors.
Analytical Mechanics by Fowles, Thomson Learning, ISBN: 0030223172

Physics 305 - Physics of Music - Offered on-line every Fall and Spring
An upper division General Education course for non-science majors.
Measured Tones: The Interplay of Physics & Music by Johnston, Institute of Physics, ISBN: 0750307625

Physics 311 - Electromagnetism - Offered every Spring
A junior level course intended for physics majors.
Electromagnetic Fields by Wangsness, Wiley, ISBN: 0471811866

Physics 375 - Introduction to Quantum Physics - Offered every Fall The first course in a year series on Qunatum Mechanics intended for physics majors.
Introductory Quantum mechanics, 4th Edition, by Richard L. Liboff, Addison Wesley, 2003, ISBN: 0-8053-8714-5

Physics 376 - Radiologic Physics - Offered every Fall
A junior level course intended for students in the radiologic technology program.
Radiologic Science for Technologists by Bushong, Mosby-Year Book, ISBN: 0815115792
Christensen's Physics of Diagnostic Radiology by Curry, Lippincott Williams & Williams, ISBN: 0812113101

Physics 389 and 489 - Mathematical Physics I & II - Physics 389 is offered every Fall and Physics 489 is offered every Spring. A year long series on mathematical methods for physicists intended for physics majors.
Mathematical Methods for Physicists by Arfken, Academic Press, ISBN: 0120598159

Physics 410 - Electromagnetic Waves - Offered every other year
An upper division course intended for physics majors.
Electromagnetic Waves by Inan, Prentice Hall, ISBN: 0201361795

Physics 420 - Modern Optics - Offered every other year
An upper division course intended for physics majors.
Optics by Hecht.

Physics 431- Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics - Offered every Fall
An upper division course intended for physics majors.
Introduction to Thermal Physics by Schroeder, Addison-Wesley, ISBN: 0201380277

Physics 451 - Foundations of Quantum Mechanics - Offered every Spring
A second course in a year long series on Quantum Mechanics intended for physics majors.
Introductory Quantum mechanics, 4th Edition, by Richard L. Liboff, Addison Wesley, 2003, ISBN: 0-8053-8714-5

Physics 470 - Introduction to Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics - Offered every other year
An upper division course intended for physics majors.
Introduction to Elementary Particles by Griffiths, Wiley, ISBN: 0471603864

Physics 480 - Introduction to Solid State - Offered every other year
An upper division course intended for physics majors.
Introduction to Solid State Physics by Kittel, Wiley, ISBN: 0471111813

Physics 490 - Computer Applications in Physics - Offered every other year
An upper division course intended for physics majors.
Introduction to Scientific Computing by Vanloan, Prentice, ISBN: 013125444-8
Matlab Primer by Sigmon, CRS, ISBN: 0849313058

Physics 365, 366, 465 and 466 - Experimental Physics I, II, III & IV - Phys 365 and Phys 465 are offered every Fall and Phys 366 and 466 are offered every Spring. A series of experimental modules required for the physics majors. The sequence is taken as follows: Phys 365 during the first semester of the junior year, Phys 366 during the second semester of the junior year, Phys 465 during the first semester of the senior year and Phys 466 during the second semester of the senior year. Faculty members use a combination of notes, manuals and textbooks in optics, modern physics, nuclear physics, microwaves, computational theory, thin film deposition & characterization and others.

Physics 600 - Classical Mechanics - Offered every Fall in the evening
A graduate level course intended for students in the Master of Science program.
Classical Dynamics. A Contemporary Approach by Jose & Saleton, Cambridge University Press, ISBN: 0521636361

Physics 610 - Electromagnetic Theory - Offered every Spring in the evening
A graduate level course intended for students in the Master of Science program.
Classical Electrodynamics by Jackson, Wiley, ISBN: 047130932X

Physics 615 - Plasma Physics - Offered every other year in the evening
A graduate level course intended for students in the Master of Science program.
Introduction to Plasma by Shen, Plenum Press, ISBN:
The Framework of Plasma Physics by Hazeltine & Waelbroeck, Perseus Books, ISBN:

Physics 620 - Optics - Offered every other year in the evening
A graduate level course intended for students in the Master of Science program.
Optical Electronics by Yariv, 4th Edition, Saunders, ISBN: 003047444-2

Physics 630 - Statistical Physics - Offered every Spring in the evening
A graduate level course intended for students in the Master of Science program.
Modern Course in Statistical Physics by Reichl, Wiley, ISBN: 0471595209

Physics 640 - General Relativity - Offered every other year in the evening
A graduate level course intended for students in the Master of Science program.
First Course in General Relativity by Schupz, Cambridge University Pres, ISBN: 0521277035

Physics 650 - Quantum Mechanics I - Offered every Fall in the evening
A graduate level course intended for students in the Master of Science program.
Principles of Quantum Mechanics by Shankar, 2nd Edition, Kluwer Academy/Plenum Press, ISBN: 0306447908

Physics 651 - Quantum Mechanics II - Offered every other year in the evening
A graduate level course intended for students in the Master of Science program.
Principles of Quantum Mechanics by Shankar, 2nd Edition, Kluwer Academy/Plenum Press, ISBN: 0306447908

Physics 680 - Solid State Physics I - Offered every other year in the evening
A graduate level course intended for students in the Master of Science program.
Solid State Physics by Ashcroft & Mermin, Saunders, ISBN: 003083993-9

Physics 681 - Solid State Physics II - Offered every other year in the evening
A graduate level course intended for students in the Master of Science program.
Solid State Physics by Ashcroft & Mermin, Saunders, ISBN: 003083993-9

Physics 690 - Mathematical Physics - Offered every other year in the evening
A graduate level course intended for students in the Master of Science program.
Principles of Advanced Mathematics, Vol. I, by Richtmyer, Springer-Verlag, ISBN: 0387088733
Principles of Advanced Mathematics, Vol. II, by Richtmyer, Springer-Verlag, ISBN: 038710772-X

ASTROPHYSICS - ASTR

Astronomy 152 - Elementary Astronomy - Offered every Fall and Spring, also on-line
A General Education astronomy course intended for science and non-science majors.
Stars and Galaxies by Seeds, Brooks/Cole, ISBN: 0534394477
[Note: The corresponding laboratory course (154L) uses a manual prepared by the Department faculty.]

Astronomy 301 - The Dynamical Universe - Offered every other Spring
An upper division course intended for astrophysics majors.
Introductory Astronomy & Astrophysics by Zeilik, Gregory & Smith, 4th Edition, International Thomson, ISBN: 0030062284

Astronomy 312 - Exploring the Solar System - Offered every Fall and Spring
An upper division General Education astronomy course intended for science and non-science majors.
Voyages through Planets by Franknoi, Harcourt Brace, ISBN: 0030267935

Astronomy 352 - Current Developments in Astronomy - Offered every other year
An upper division General Education astronomy course intended for science and non-science majors.
Current literature is used.

Astronomy 401 - The Radiative Universe - Offered every other Spring
An upper division course intended for astrophysics majors.
Introductory Astronomy & Astrophysics by Zeilik, Gregory & Smith, 4th Edition, International Thomson, ISBN: 0030062284

Physics 601 - Selective Topics in Astrophysics - Offered every other year
A graduate level course intended for students in the Master of Science program.
Current literature is used.

ONLINE COURSES

Physics 305 OL - Physics of Music

Astronomy 152 OL- Elementary Astronomy