PHYS 220 - Physics III: Atomic Physics

Credit Hours: 4
Lecture Hours: 3
Laboratory (or Other) Hours: 3

General Education Code(s): 23NS, 23RE
Prerequisite(s): PHYS 215 and MATH 220
Corequisite(s): None
Restriction(s): None

This is the third course in a three-course, calculus-based physics sequence. Topics include physical optics, relativity, quantum mechanics, atomic structure, solid-state physics, nuclear physics, and developments in modern physics.

Student Learning Outcomes of the Course: The general education requirement for natural sciences is satisfied by PHYS 220. To meet this General Education requirement, students will be able to:

demonstrate scientific reasoning applied to the natural world, including an understanding of the methods scientists use to explore natural phenomena, including observation, hypothesis development, measurement and data collection, experimentation, evaluation of evidence, and employment of data analysis or mathematical modeling; and
demonstrate scientific reasoning applied to the natural world, including application of scientific data, concepts, and models in one of the natural sciences.

The general education requirement for critical thinking is satisfied by PHYS 220. To meet this General Education requirement, students will be able to:

clearly articulate an issue or problem;
identify, analyze, and evaluate ideas, data, and arguments as they occur in their own or others’ work;
acknowledge limitations such as perspective and bias; and
develop well-reasoned (logical) arguments to form judgments and/or draw conclusions.