Ohio State nav bar

Undergraduate Courses

 

Physics 103 - The World of Energy I

5 credits

An examination of the concept of energy with its personal and global impact using the hands-on discovery mode.  Intended for non-science majors.  GEC physical science course.


Physics 104 - The World of Energy II

5 credits

A Continuation of Physics 103.


Physics 106 - Physics by Inquiry: Properties of Matter

5 credits

Properties of matter and experimental physics for undergraduates contemplating a teaching career.
Intended for non-science majors, especially those interested in education.


Physics 107 - Physics by Inquiry: Electric Circuits

5 credits

Electric phenomena, electric circuits, and experimental physics for undergraduates contemplating a teaching career.


Physics 108 - Physics by Inquiry: Concepts of Light with Applications to Optics

5 credits

Principles of light and optics with applications to real-world phenomena such as astronomy appropriate for undergraduates contemplating a teaching career.


Physics 109 - Preparation for Physics

4 credits

Course description: Introduction to elementary concepts of mechanics with emphasis on correction of misconceptions and elementary mathematical methods in physics.


Physics 110 - The Physics of Sports

Sp | 5 credits

Course description:  Examines the physics of motion set in the context of sports.


Physics 111 - General Physics:  Mechanics and Heat

Su, Au, Wi, Sp | 5 credits

General Physics: Mechanics and Heat.
Prereq: Eligibility for Math 150. This course is available for EM credit. NS Admis Cond course.  GEC physical science course.


Physics 112 - General Physics:  Electricity

Su, Au, Wi, Sp | 5 credits

General Physics: Electricity, Magnetism, and Light.
Prereq: 111. This course is available for EM credit. NS Admis Cond course. GEC physical science course.


Physics 113 - General Physics:  Waves and Modern Physics

Su, Au, Wi, Sp | 5 credits

General Physics: Modern Physics.
Prereq: 112. This course is available for EM credit. NS Admis Cond course. GEC phys sci course.


Physics 131 - Mechanics

Su, Au, Wi, Sp | 5 credits

Major concepts of physics from a contemporary point of view; for students in Physical Sciences, Mathematics, or Engineering.
Prereq: Math 151


Physics 131H - Honors Physics: Particles and Motion

5 credits

Major concepts of physics from a contemporary point of view; challenging, flexible format; includes honors lab; for students strong in physical sciences, mathematics, or engineering.
Prereq: 1 entrance unit of Physics or Chem; and Math 151 and concur Math 152, or concur Math 161 or higher; honors program or permission of department or instructor. NS Admis Cond course. GEC phys sci course.


Physics 132 - Electricity and Magnetism

Su, Au, Wi, Sp | 5 credits

Continuation of 131. 132H (honors) may be available.
Prereq: 131; and Math 152 and concur Math 153, or concur Math 162 or higher. This course is available for EM credit. NS Admis Cond course. GEC phys sci course.


Physics 132H - Honors Physics: Electricity and Magnetism

5 credits

Continuation of 131H.
Prereq: 131H with grade of C or better, and Math 152 and concur Math 153, or concur Math 162 or higher; honors program or permission of department or instructor. NS Admis Cond course. GEC phys sci course.


Physics 133 - Waves

Su, Au, Wi, Sp | 5 credits

Continuation of 132. 133H (honors) may be available.
Prereq: 132, and Math 153 or Math 162 or higher. This course is available for EM credit. NS Admis Cond course. GEC phys sci course.


Physics 133H - Honors Physics: Thermal Physics, Waves, and Quantum Physics

5 credits

Continuation of 132H.
Prereq: 132H with grade of C or better, and Math 153 or Math 162 or higher; honors program or permission of department or instructor. NS Admis Cond course. GEC phys sci course.


Physics 261 - Dynamics of Particles and Waves I

4 credits

Vectors and kinematics; foundations of Newtonian mechanics; momentum, work, and energy; conservative and nonconservative forces; potentials; angular momentum; rotation about a fixed axis.  Prereq or concur: 132. Not open to students with credit for 525.


Physics 262 - Dynamics of Particles and Waves II

4 credits

Rigid body motion; noninertial systems and fictitious forces; central force motion; the special theory of relativity; relativistic kinematics; relativistic momentum and energy.  Prereq: 261 and prereq or concur 133; and concur Math 254 or Math 263.  Grade of C or better in Physics 261. Not open to students with credit for 525.


Physics 263 - Dynamics of Particles and Waves III

4 credits

Introduction to quantum systems; photons; the Bohr atom; matter waves.  Prereq: 262, and Math 254 or Math 263.


Physics 294 - Group Studies

1-6 credits

Designed to permit groups of students the opportunity to pursue special studies not otherwise offered.
Prereq: Written permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 15 cr hrs.


Physics 295 - Undergraduate Seminar

1 credit

Introduction to departmental research programs and to selected topics of interest in contemporary physics.  Prereq: 131. This course is graded S/U.


Physics 367 - Uses of Science in  Society

5 credits

Energy, environment, and the arms race are examined using the methods of science; focuses on interaction of science and technology; and social and ethical implications of choices.  Prereq: Math Placement S or higher; 1 5-hr 100-level course in either Astron, BioSci, Chem, GeolSci, or Physics; English 110 or 111 or equiv. Not open to students with credit for PhysSci 180. GEC second writing and phys sci course.


Physics 416 - Methods of Experimental Physics

4 credits

Introduction to the experimental techniques of physics and the statistical analysis of data, through lectures and a variety of experiments.  Prereq: 131, 132, and 133, CSE 202. GEC data analysis course.


Physics 455H - Honors Holography I

5 credits

Visual and Performing Arts, Honors Course.


Physics 517 - Introductory Electronics for Physicists

4 credits

Intermediate level introduction to electronic circuits, devices, and instrumentation with emphasis on laboratory experience.  Prereq: 133 or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 617; or to grad students in physics.

Link to course webpage


Physics 555 - Fields and Waves I

4 credits

Introduction to the description of electrostatic fields; dielectrics; boundary-value problems.  Prereq: 133, 416


Physics 570 - Modern Optics

4 credits

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of modern optics. Topics will include Maxwell's equations, reflection & refraction, interference & diffraction, lasers and optical imaging.
Prereq: 261, Math 153 or equivalent, or permission of the instructor. Not open to students with credit for ECE 716.


Physics 593 - Individual Studies

Su, Au, Wi, Sp | 2-5 credits

Independent reading, study, or laboratory work at an intermediate level.  Su, Au, Wi, Sp Qtrs. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 15 credit hours. This course is graded S/U.


Physics 594 - Group Studies

Su, Au, Wi, Sp | 1-6 credits

Group studies of special topics not otherwise offered.
Su, Au, Wi, Sp Qtrs. Arr. Prereq: Satisfactory intermediate level courses in physics and permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 15 credit hours.


Physics 596 - Senior Seminar:  Writing and Speaking about Physics and Astronomy

3 credits

Seminar on selected topics in physics and astronomy; training in written and oral presentations; third writing course.
Prereq: 262 or equiv, Math 255 or 415, second writing course, and jr or sr standing. Not open to students with credit for 595. GEC third writing course.


Physics 616 - Advanced Physics Laboratory

4 credits

Experiments selected from all areas of physics; independent work emphasized.
Au, Wi, Sp Qtrs. 2 3-hr labs. Prereq: 263, 555, and 416 or Stat 245, grad standing or permission of instructor; 631 recommended. Repeatable to a maximum of 24 cr hrs.


Physics 621 - Statistical Physics I

4 credits

Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics; applications to noninteracting classical and quantum systems.  Prereq: 263, 416.


Physics 622 - Statistical Physics II

4 credits

Interacting systems, special states of matter, critical phenomena and phase transitions.  Prereq: 621 or equiv.


Physics 631 - Introductory Quantum Mechanics I

4 credits

Introduction to quantum mechanics, including its historical background, the Schrodinger equation, solutions of one-dimensional scattering and bound state problems.
Prereq: A course in modern physics beyond 133, 416 and Math 255 or 415 and Math 568 or 571.


Physics 631H - Honors Quantum Mechanics I

4 credits

Introduction to quantum mechanics, including its historical background, the Schrodinger equation, solutions of one-dimensional scattering and bound state problems.
Au Qtr. Prereq: 263; 416; Math 255 or 415; Math 568 or 571; honors status or permission of instructor.


Physics 632 - Introductory Quantum Mechanics II

4 credits

Continuation of 631; the Schrodinger equation in three dimensions, angular momentum, the hydrogen atom, Dirac notation, and time-independent perturbation theory.
Prereq: 631.


Physics 632H - Honors Quantum Mechanics II

4 credits

The Schrodinger equation in three dimensions, angular momentum, the hydrogen atom, Dirac notation, and time-independent perturbation theory.
Prereq: Physics 631H;  honors status or permission of instructor.


Physics 633 - Introductory Quantum Mechanics III

4 credits

Continuation of 632; time-dependent perturbation theory, scattering theory and the Born approximation, multi-electron atoms, and selected further applications.
Prereq: 632.


Physics 633H - Honors Quantum Mechanics III

4 credits

Time-dependent perturbation theory, scattering theory and the Born approximation, multi-electron atoms, and selected further applications.
Prereq: 632H;  honors status or permission of instructor.


Physics 656 - Fields and Waves II

4 credits

Continuation of 555; magnetic fields of steady currents; induction; Maxwell's equations; plane waves; special relativity.
Prereq: 555 or equiv.


Physics 657 - Fields and Waves III

4 credits

Continuation of 656; plane waves in matter; physical optics; coherence, interference, diffraction, and dispersion.
Prereq: 656 or equiv.


Physics 664 - Theoretical Mechanics

4 credits

Development of Lagrangian mechanics, inertia and stress tensors, rigid body rotations and introduction to the mechanics of continuous media.
Prereq: 262 and Math 255, concur Math 513 or 551.


Physics 681 - Principles of Stellar Evolution and Nucleosynthesis

5 credits

Experimental and theoretical aspects of areas of current interest in physics: Elementary Particle Physics.
633 or grad standing or permission of instructor.


Physics 682 - Introduction to Cosmology

5 credits

Structure and evolution of the Universe.
Prereq: Math 255 or 415; Physics 263; Physics 621 (or concurrent) recommended; or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for Astron 642 or 682. Cross-listed in Astronomy.


Physics 693 - Individual Studies

Su, Au Wi, Sp | 0-15 credits

Designed to give a properly qualified student opportunity for independent reading, study, or laboratory work in a specialized field of interest.
Prereq: Satisfactory advanced courses in experimental and theoretical physics and permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 30 cr hrs. Physics 693A to be offered for 0 cr hrs only. This course is graded S/U.


Physics 699 - Undergraduate Research in Physics

Su, Au, Wi, Sp | 1-15 credits

Undergraduate research or creative activities in various topics.
Prereq: Permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 15 cr hrs. This course is graded S/U.


Physics 730 - Methods of Theoretical Physics I

4 credits

Sturm-Liouville theory of orthogonal functions; boundary value problems in Cartesian, cylindrical, spherical coordinates; Fourier series, Legendre polynomials, spherical harmonics, and Bessel functions.
Prereq: Math 601, and 701 or equivalent


Physics 780.02 - Topics: Elementary Particle Physics

4 credits

Experimental and theoretical aspects of areas of current interest in physics: Elementary Particle Physics.
633 or grad standing or permission of instructor.


Physics 780.04 - Topics: Atomic and Molecular Physics

4 credits

Experimental and theoretical aspects of areas of current interest in physics: Atomic and Molecular Physics.
633 or grad standing or permission of instructor.


Physics 780.05 - Topics: Nuclear Physics

4 credits

Experimental and theoretical aspects of areas of current interest in physics: Nuclear Physics.
633 or grad standing or permission of instructor.


Physics 780.06 - Topics: Condensed Matter Physics

4 credits

Experimental and theoretical aspects of areas of current interest in physics:
Condensed Matter Physics.
633 or grad standing or permission of instructor.


Physics 780.20 - Special Topics

4 credits

Experimental and theoretical aspects of areas of current interest in physics: Special Topics.
Prereq: 633 or grad standing or permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 20 cr hrs.


Physics 783H - Honors Research

3-5 credits

A program of research for each student which includes individual conferences and which culminates in an honors thesis or oral defense.
Prereq: Approved candidacy for graduation with distinction, which includes faculty adviser and ASC Honors Committee approval of project, a minimum 3.50 pt-hr ratio in the field of distinction, sr standing, and cumulative pt-hr ratio commensurate with honors program membership. Repeatable to a maximum of 15 cr hrs. This course is graded S/U.


Physics 795 - Special Topics Seminar

1 credit

A survey of current research problems in physics.
Prereq or concur: 631 or equiv. Repeatable to a maximum of 3 cr hrs. This course is graded S/U.