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PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
Cooper Science Complex 101, 765-285-8860
PROGRAMS
The department offers programs in professional physics that
lead to the master of arts (MA) degree or master of
science (MS) degree. A student may also select a program of study in physics
education for prospective high school teachers of physics, which leads either
to the master of arts (MA) or to the master of science
(MS) degree, or the master of arts in education
(MAE) in physics. The MA, MS, and MAE degree programs
require a minimum of 30-33 hours, 6 of which may consist of courses in a minor
area or electives in a related discipline. A student’s curriculum must include
a minimum of 24 hours of physics, applied physics, or astronomy, as approved by
the department, which may include credit for successful completion of a thesis
or research paper.
See the Science listing under the College
of Sciences and Humanities, page
180, for the doctoral programs in science education and philosophy in environmental
science.
Admission requirements
Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the
Graduate School and the Department of Physics and Astronomy and take the
Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or an equivalent test.
MASTER OF ARTS IN PHYSICS
Degree requirements
Requires the
student to write a research paper on a research project in physics or physics
education. The research paper earns a total of 3 hours of credit.
PREFIX NO SHORT TITLE CR
HRS
Core requirements
PHYCS 534 Thermodynamc (3)
or
675 Thermal Phys (3) 3
552 Elec Mag 2 (3)
or
673 Electdynamcs (3) 3
565 Quant Mech 3
530 Mechanics (3)
or
671 Clasicl Mech (3) 3
683 Seminar (1-4) 3
Courses in physics, applied physics,
or astronomy as approved by the
department. A minimum
of 12
credit hours must be in courses at
the 600 level. 9-15
Research requirement
RES 697 Research Ppr (1-3) 3
Minors and electives as approved
by the department 0-6
–––––
33
hrs
MASTER OF
SCIENCE IN PHYSICS
Degree requirements
Requires a 6-hour thesis, which is normally
a formal report on the student’s research in some feature of experimental, theoretical
or computational physics, or physics
education.
PREFIX NO SHORTTITLE CR
HRS
Core requirements
PHYCS 565 Quant Mech 3
671 Clasicl Mech 3
673 Electdynamcs 3
675 Thermal Phys 3
683 Seminar (1-4) 3
Courses in physics, applied physics,
or astronomy
as approved by the
department 6-12
Research requirement
THES 698 Thesis (1-6) 6
Minors and electives as approved
by the department 0-6
–––––
33
hrs
Topics for research leading to an MS or MA
degree may include applied nuclear (Radon) studies; condensed
matter/nanostructure studies; observational stellar astronomy, galactic
structure, and extragalactic astronomy; solar energy applications;
microprocessor-based instrumentation, computer vision; radiocarbon dating;
elementary particle physics (Ball State University/Fermi Lab); physics studies
applied to policies on arms control, energy, and the environment; and physics
education.
If
the student chooses experimental physics as a research topic, it normally will
be in one of the above areas for which laboratory and apparatus are available. However,
it is possible for research to be conducted at a cooperating industrial or
national research and development laboratory or educational institution. For
research in both experimental and theoretical physics, remote access to the
university’s central computer is available; students also have access to
desktop computers in the department. Students’ choices of research topics must
be approved by the department.
Assistantships
Normally
students who are awarded graduate assistantships will need about two years to
complete work for the master’s degree. Students should allow a minimum amount
of time equivalent to about three semesters of thesis research for initial
approval, completion, and final acceptance by the department and Graduate
School.
MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATION IN PHYSICS
Admission requirements
Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the
Graduate School and the Department of Physics and Astronomy and take the
Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or an equivalent test.
Designed for
students choosing a profession in public school teaching. Candidates
must possess a valid teaching license or be in the process of securing a senior
high, junior high/middle school, or secondary school teaching license.
Degree requirements
Requires students to write research papers on research
projects in physics, astronomy, physics education, or astronomy education. The
research paper earns a total of 3 hours of credit.
PREFIX NO SHORT
TITLE CR HRS
12-18 hours
from APHYS,
ASTRO, PHYCS as approved
by the department 12-18
9 hours from
Professional
Education Core 9
0-6 hours
from
Minors and nondepartmental
electives as approved
by the
department 0-6
Research
requirement
RES 697 Research
Ppr (1-3) 3
———
30
hrs
APPLIED PHYSICS (APHYS)
510 Introduction to Nanoscience and Technology. (3) Explores
science and technology at the nanoscale. Studies the physical properties of nanomaterials,
the tools and techniques for nanosystem fabrication
and investigation; principles of mechanical, optical, electrical, and magnetic nanosystems; current state of technology in physics,
chemistry, biology, engineering, and information systems; and future
applications.
Prerequisite: PHYCS 260.
512 Fundamentals of Nanomaterials
Growth and Device Fabrication. (4) Introduces basic experimental techniques
in: nanomaterials growth, nanodevices
fabrication, and materials and devices characterization. Introductory
laboratory in the field of nanoscience and
technology. Intended for those interested in
semiconductor technology or experimental work in general.
Prerequisite: PHYCS 260
or permission of the department chairperson.
515 Medical Physics 1. (3)
Biomechanics, statistical physics, bioelectric fields, biomagnetic
fields, electricity, and magnetism at the cellular level.
Prerequisite: permission
of the department chairperson or instructor.
Not open to students
who have credit in APHYS 315.
516 Medical Physics 2. (3) Signal
analysis, images, biomagnetism, x-rays, nuclear medicine,
magnetic resonance imaging.
Prerequisite: permission
of the department chairperson or instructor.
Not open to students
who have credit in APHYS 316.
520 Solar Thermal Systems. (3) Physics of
the solar energy resource, solar collection, concentration, thermal conversion,
energy storage, and the design and performance of solar thermal energy systems.
Prerequisite: PHYCS 122;
MATHS 162 or 166.
Not open to students
who have credit in APHYS 420.
522 Photovoltaics. (3) Physics of
photovoltaic systems, including basic operating principles, design and
technology, and performance of individual solar cells and solar cell systems.
Prerequisite: PHYCS 260;
MATHS 162 or 166.
Not open to students
who have credit in APHYS 422.
ASTRONOMY (ASTRO)
530 Astronomy and
Astrophysics 1. (4) A review of mechanics, electromagnetic radiation, and atomic
structure in modern observational astrophysics. Solar system
astrophysics—including an introduction to celestial mechanics and astronomical
coordinate and time systems—are surveyed, and astronomical instruments are
discussed.
Prerequisite: ASTRO 122;
PHYCS 122.
Not open to students
who have credit in ASTRO 330.
532 Astronomy and
Astrophysics 2. (4) An examination of observational stellar astronomy with
applications to the study of stellar structure and evolution and a review of
the physics of stellar systems like star clusters, galaxies, and clusters of
galaxies.
Prerequisite: ASTRO 530.
Not open to students
who have credit in ASTRO 330.
580 Seminar in Modern Astronomy. (3) Seminar covering selected topics in
contemporary astronomy. Extensive use of library facilities
including current journals and periodicals in astronomy. Discussions of current astronomical research.
Prerequisite: permission
of the instructor.
A total of 6 hours of credit may be earned,
but no more than 3 in any one semester or term.
Not open to students who
have credit in ASTRO 380 under the same title.
582 Instruments and Techniques in Planetarium Operations. (3) Use of
planetarium instruments, console, and chamber. Organization
and evaluation of planetarium programs and exhibits.
Prerequisite: ASTRO 122
or permission of the department chairperson.
Not open to students
who have credit in ASTRO 382.
586 Instruments and Techniques of Astronomy
Workshop for Teachers. (2) Observatory and laboratory experience in
investigating the modern techniques of imaging in observational astronomy. Characteristics of telescopes, CCD cameras, film and emulsions,
electronic data acquisition, and processing systems. Methods
of reducing raw data.
602 Observational Astronomy Workshop
for Teachers. (3) Lecture/laboratory- oriented course that prepares middle and
high school teachers to explain celestial events, plan observing sessions, and
use star charts and planetaria-type computer
software. Introduces image acquisition and software to
extract meaningful data.
Not open to students
who have credit in PHYCS 602.
604 Physical Foundations of Astronomy
Workshop for Teachers. (3) Lecture/ laboratory-oriented course that introduces middle and high school teachers to basic
principles of physics presented in the context of modern astronomy and
astrophysics. Fundamentals of mechanics and celestial mechanics and their
applications to space exploration, as well as fundamental principles in optics
and the structure of matter are discussed.
Not open to students
who have credit in PHYCS 604.
606 Stellar Evolution and Black
Holes Workshop for Teachers. (3) Lecture/ laboratory-oriented course that
introduces middle and high school teachers to the basic principles of stellar
properties and stellar evolutions. Fundamental laws are reviewed in the context
of pulsars, neutron stars, and black holes. Provides practical applications
through hands-on experiences in how stellar properties are determined.
Prerequisite: ASTRO 604
or PHYCS 604 or permission of the instructor.
Not open to students
who have credit in PHYCS 606.
PHYSICS (PHYCS)
530 Mechanics. (3) Basic
concepts of mechanics, general motion of particles in three dimensions. Simple and damped harmonic motion. Particle
dynamics in noninertial frames of reference, central
forces. Dynamics of systems of particles. Motion of rigid bodies in three dimensions. Dynamics of oscillation systems.
Prerequisite: permission
of the department chairperson.
Not open to students
who have credit in PHYCS 330.
534 Thermodynamics. (3) Laws of
thermodynamics and introduction to the kinetic theory of gases. No regularly
scheduled laboratory.
Prerequisite: PHYCS 330
or permission of the department chairperson.
Not open to students
who have credit in PHYCS 434.
540 Physical Optics. (3) The
electromagnetic wave theory of light; spectra, interference, diffraction,
polarization, and double refraction.
Prerequisite: PHYCS 122.
Not open to students
who have credit in PHYCS 340.
546 Acoustics. (3) Elements of
pure and applied acoustics. Topics include solutions to the wave equation,
acoustic impedances, electro-mechanical-acoustic analogies, direct-radiator
loudspeaker and enclosure theory, and room acoustics.
Prerequisite: PHYCS 122.
Not open to students
who have credit in PHYCS 346.
550 Electricity and Magnetism 1. (3) Application of vector analysis to
electrostatics, dielectric theory, magnetostatics,
dipole and multipole fields, currents, and Maxwell’s
equations.
Prerequisite: PHYCS 122; MATHS 267 or
equivalent.
Not open to students who have credit in
PHYCS 450.
552 Electricity and Magnetism 2. (3) The study of electric and magnetic fields
in electrodynamics, Maxwell’s equation, EM waves, radiation of moving charges,
and relativistic kinematics and dynamics.
Prerequisite: PHYCS 450, 550 or
equivalent.
Not open to students who have credit in
PHYCS 452.
554 Electronics l. (4) Introductory DC and AC circuit theory,
semiconductor components, power supplies, transistor amplification, integrated
circuit operational amplifiers, active filters, oscillators, and function
generators. Basic combinational logic circuits and Boolean
algebra. Emphasizes application of integrated
circuits.
Prerequisite: PHYCS 122
or permission of the department chairperson.
Not open to students
who have credit in PHYCS 354.
556 Electronics 2. (4) Sequential
logic circuits including scalars, displays, memories, shift registers,
analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion techniques. Microprocessor
architecture and support electronics for microcomputer design. IC chips and circuits for experiment to microcomputer interfacing.
Use of a microprocessor development system.
Prerequisite: PHYCS 354
or 554.
Not open to students
who have credit in PHYCS 356.
560 Introductory Nuclear Techniques. (3) Experimental
studies of radioactive disintegrations and decay products and their
relationship to nuclear structure. Instrumentation in radioscope measurements. Two
lectures and two two-hour laboratory periods a week.
Prerequisite: PHYCS 260.
Not open to students
who have credit in PHYCS 360.
561 Elementary Particles. (3)
Investigates the nature and behavior of elementary particles through the study
of the symmetries and dynamics responsible for their production, reactions, and
decays.
Prerequisite: PHYCS 464
or 564.
Not open to students
who have credit in PHYCS 461.
563 Nuclear Physics. (3) The nucleus
and nuclear interactions. Theoretical and experimental
elements of radioactive decay and models of the nucleus.
Prerequisite: PHYCS 260.
Not open to students who
have credit in PHYCS 463.
564 Introduction to Quantum
Mechanics. (3) De Broglie’s postulate, the uncertainty principle, the Schroedinger equation, the free particle, square well
potentials, harmonic oscillator, the hydrogen atom, and angular momentum in
quantum mechanics, and other selected wave mechanics problems. No regularly
scheduled laboratory.
Prerequisite: PHYCS 260.
Not open to students
who have credit in PHYCS 464.
565 Quantum Mechanics. (3) Review of
barrier problems, the harmonic oscillator, and angular momentum using matrix
methods. Problems involving perturbation theory, one-electron atoms, magnetic
moments, spin, relativistic effects, symmetric and anti-symmetric wave
functions, the helium atom, transition rates, and scattering theory.
Prerequisite: PHYCS 464
or 564.
Not open to students
who have credit in PHYCS 465.
566 Solid State Physics. (3) Structure
and physical properties of matter in the solid state. Electrical
and magnetic properties and band theory of solids, with special emphasis on
semiconductors.
Prerequisite: PHYCS 260.
Not open to students who
have credit in PHYCS 466.
570 Introductory Mathematical Physics 1. (3) Application
of mathematical techniques to the formulation and solution of physical problems
in classical mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetic theory and in
quantum mechanics. Topics include computer algebra systems and applications.
Prerequisite: PHYCS 122,
260; or permission of the department chairperson.
Not open to students
who have credit in PHYCS 370.
572 Introductory Mathematical Physics 2. (3) Techniques
in the formulation and solution of physical problems. Computer algebra systems
(e.g. mathematica) may be introduced for the study of
topics such as boundary value problems, transforms, special functions of
mathematical physics, and applications of tensor analysis in physics.
Prerequisite: PHYCS 122,
260; or permission of the department chairperson.
Not open to students
who have credit in PHYCS 372.
580 Seminar in Modern Physics. (3) Seminar
covering selected topics in contemporary physics. Extensive
use of library facilities including current journals and periodicals in
physics. Discussions of current research in physics
and related fields.
Prerequisite: permission
of the instructor.
A total of 6 hours
of credit may be earned, but no more than 3 in any one semester or term.
Not open to students who have credit in
PHYCS 380 under the same title.
585 Measures
of Learning in Physics. (1) Integration
of the fundamental principles underlying undergraduate physics education and
related measures of learning. Emphasis is on developing familiarity with the
contents of local and national exams in physics which are often reflected in
graduate level qualifying exams. Emphasis will be focused on basic concepts in
the context of problem solving.
Not open to students
who have credit in PHYCS 485.
602 Observational Astronomy Workshop
for Teachers. (3) Lecture/laboratory-oriented course that prepares middle and
high school teachers to explain celestial events, plan observing sessions, and
use star charts and planetaria-type computer
software. Introduces image acquisition and software to
extract meaningful data.
Not open to students
who have credit in ASTRO 602.
604 Physical Foundations of Astronomy
Workshop for Teachers. (3) Lecture/ laboratory-oriented course that introduces middle and high school teachers to basic
principles of physics presented in the context of modern astronomy and
astrophysics. Fundamentals of mechanics, celestial mechanics, and their
applications to space exploration as well as fundamental principles in optics
and the structure of matter are discussed.
Not open to students
who have credit in ASTRO 604.
606 Stellar Evolution and Black
Holes Workshop for Teachers. (3) Lecture/laboratory-oriented course that
introduces middle and high school teachers to the basic principles of stellar
properties and stellar evolutions. Fundamental laws are reviewed in the context
of pulsars, neutron stars, and black holes. Provides practical applications
through hands-on experiences in how stellar properties are determined.
Prerequisite: ASTRO 604
or PHYCS 604 or permission of the instructor.
Not open to students
who have credit in ASTRO 606.
641 Laser and Holography Workshop
for Teachers. (2) The field of lasers and holography for junior high and high
school science teachers. Basic geometrical optics, physical
optics, and atomic theory phenomena in relation to laser operation and hologram
making. Laboratory-oriented with considerable emphasis
on laser safety and the use of lasers for demonstrating optical phenomena in
the classroom.
Prerequisite: PHYCS 112
or 122 or permission of the department chairperson.
Not open to students
who have credit in PHYCS 340, 540.
657 Introductory Integrated Circuit Analog
Electronics Workshop for Teachers. (2) Laboratory-oriented course that acquaints
teachers who do not have a strong electronics background with the uses of
modern integrated circuitry. Emphasizes the construction and
use of circuits that can be presented in the classroom. Introduces analog electronics topics.
Prerequisite: PHYCS 112
or 122 or permission of the department chairperson.
Not open to students
who have credit in PHYCS 354, 356, 554, 556.
658 Introductory Integrated Circuit Digital
Electronics Workshop for Teachers. (2) Laboratory-oriented course that acquaints
teachers who do not have a strong electronics background with the uses of
modern integrated circuitry. Emphasizes the construction and
use of circuits that can be presented in the classroom. Introduces digital and micro-processor electronics topics.
Prerequisite: PHYCS 112 or
122 or permission of the department chairperson.
Not open to students who
have credit in PHYCS 354, 356, 554, 556.
659 Application of Nuclear Techniques
Workshop for Teachers. (2) Applications of nuclear techniques in
research, medicine, the environment, energy production, and industry. Designed for junior high and high school science teachers.
Laboratory oriented. Uses radiation detection devices and
radiation safety procedures.
Prerequisite: PHYCS 112 or
122 or permission of the department chairperson.
Not open to students
who have credit in PHYCS 360 or 560.
669 Work and Learning Experience in
Physics. (1-3) Paid work and learning experiences in applied or theoretical
physics in an institutional, industrial, or university research or development
setting.
Prerequisite: approval of
a proposed program by the department chairperson.
A total of 3 hours of credit may be earned.
No more than 3 hours in combination with
PHYCS 369 may be used as approved electives toward a departmental major.
671 Classical Mechanics. (3) Classical
Hamiltonian mechanics as applied to particles and rigid body motion.
Prerequisite: PHYCS 330 or
permission of the department chairperson.
673 Electrodynamics. (3) Advanced mathematical techniques for solving problems in
electrostatics and magnetostatics; fundamental
concepts of electrodynamics. Applicants to electromagnetic
fields in matter, waves, and radiation.
Prerequisite: PHYCS 450, 550 or
equivalent.
675 Thermal Physics. (3) Thermal
physics, kinetic theory, and statistical mechanics.
Prerequisite: PHYCS 434 or
534 or permission of the department chairperson.
677 Quantum Theory of Solids. (3) The quantum
mechanical theory of the structure, cohesion, and static and dynamic processes
in solids, particularly crystalline solids but with some reference to amorphous
solids.
Prerequisite: PHYCS 565
or permission of the department chairperson.
681 Resources and Methodology of Physics
Research. (3) Periodical resource material in physics, methodology of
literature research. This course may be used to satisfy requirements of the
graduate research methodology plan for a master’s degree.
Prerequisite: permission
of the department chairperson.
683 Seminar in Physics. (1-4) Critical examination and
discussion of recent experimental and theoretical developments in physics.
Participation in and contribution of a presentation at departmental physics
colloquia are expected.
A total of 4 hours of credit may be earned.
685 Special Studies in Physics. (1-8) Special
activities in physics involving one or more of the following: experimental
work, study of advanced topics in physics, and attendance in prescribed classes.
Prerequisite: permission
of the department chairperson.
A total of 8 hours of credit may be earned.
691 Advanced General Science. (3) Further
study of the principles of physics, chemistry, meteorology, geology, and
astronomy that were introduced in the prerequisite: PHYCS 101.
693 Theories of Physics for Secondary
Physics Teachers. (3) Classical mechanics, relativity,
electricity, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics used to enable
students to use new developments and recent scientific advances. Designed primarily for teachers and workers in the field who need
to update their general knowledge of physics. No regularly scheduled
laboratory.
Prerequisite: 8 hours of
credit in college physics.
696 Modern Developments in Physics
Teaching. (1-3) Recent developments in secondary
physics curricula, multimedia teaching methods, national and local trends in
physics teaching, laboratory work, textbooks, tests.
Prerequisite: permission
of the department chairperson.
A total of 3 hours of credit may be earned.
Not open to students
who have credit in PHYCS 396.
790 Internship in Science Education. (3) Supervised experience in instruction of physics or science education courses.