PHYSICS

the ethical nature of the free market system, the ethical dimensions of pollution and resource depletion, consumer rights, worker rights and job discrimination, information technology, and problems in the international market.

PL216* Symbolic Logic 3 hours

An introduction to the principles of strict deductive logic, with an emphasis on symbolic logical languages, natural deduction systems, and formal proof theory. Students will learn how to translate English-language arguments into a symbolic logical language. Valid arguments will be proved valid (with the kind of precision usually associated with mathematics) using formal rules and systems of proof. Invalid arguments will be proved invalid through the construction of counter-models.

PL217* Critical Thinking 3 hours

A survey of the principles of reasoning, with an emphasis on practical application. Topics include evaluating arguments and sources of information, basic probability calculus, recognizing informal fallacies, and recognizing common errors in reasoning

PL320* Ancient and Medieval Philosophy 3 hours

A historical study of the intellectual contributions of the great philosophers of the Western world from the Pre-Socratics to the Renaissance. Prerequisite: PL101 or PL102 or permission of instructor.

PL322* Philosophy of Religion 3 hours

The application of philosophical understanding to religious questions: the existence of God, the nature of God, revelation, verification of religious knowledge, the immortality of the soul, and religious language. Prerequisite: PL101 or PL102 or permission of instructor.

PL323* Modern Philosophy 3 hours

Survey of Western Philosophy from the Renaissance through the late 18th century (i.e., Kant), with emphasis on the relationships between Rationalism, Empiricism, and Idealism. Prerequisite: PL101 or PL102 or permission of instructor.

PL325* Contemporary Philosophy 3 hours

Survey of Western Philosophy during the 19th and 20th centuries, with emphasis on German Idealism, Positivism, Existentialism, Pragmatism, the Continental/Analytic “split,” and Postmodernism. Prerequisite: PL101 or PL102 or permission of instructor.

PL332 Senior Seminar 2 hours

Capstone course for the concentration or minor. The course will focus on the philosophical work of one person of primary interest to the student(s), and with the consent of the instructor. Since the content of the course will vary, students may repeat the course with the consent of the instructor.

Bryant *Alternate year course

PH101 General Physics I 4 hours

An algebra-based problem-solving survey four-credit physics course, which includes mechanics, elasticity, fluid mechanics, heat, thermodynamics, and laboratory work. The laboratory work is in PH101L, a one-credit hour, hands-on learning experience. Prerequisites: MA103 and MA104.

PH101L General Physics 1 Lab 0 hours

One-credit hour physics laboratory, practical work to be taken concurrently with PH101. Learning experience supports PH101 and includes team work, acquiring data from experimentation, analyzing the data and, various levels of communicating findings; topics are related to topics surveyed in PH101.

PH102 General Physics II

4 hours

An algebra-based problem-solving survey four-credit course, which includes vibration and wave motion, electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and laboratory work. Laboratory is in PH102L, a one-credit hour, hands-on learning experience. Prerequisites: PH101, MA103, and MA104.

PH102L General Physics 1 Lab 0 hours

One-credit hour physics laboratory, practical work to be taken concurrently with PH102. Learning experience supports PH102; and includes team work, acquiring data from experimentation, analyzing the data and, various levels of, communicating findings; topics are related to topics surveyed in PH102.

PH104 Physics for World Leaders 3 hours

This course is a three-credit survey of physics intended for students pursuing a non-STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) major. It focuses on the essential physical and technological topics impacting society and informing the decisions made by world leaders. It covers energy, power, atoms, heat, space, radioactivity, nuclear reactors, and electricity, as well as other topics of current interest. The course includes problem-solving and research components.

PH201 University Physics I 4 hours

A calculus-based problem-solving survey four-credit physics course, which includes mechanics, elasticity, fluid mechanics, heat and thermodynamics, vibrations and waves, and laboratory work. The laboratory work is in PH201L, a one-credit hour, hands-on learning experience. Prerequisite: A grade of C or higher in MA130 or taking MA130 concurrently, provided passing a math pretest.

PH201L University Physics I Lab 0 hours

One-credit hour physics laboratory, practical work to be taken concurrently with PH201. Learning experience supports PH201, and includes team work, acquiring data from experimentation, error propagation analysis, analyzing the data and, various levels of communicating findings; topics are related to topics surveyed in PH201.

PH202 University Physics II 4 hours

A calculus-based problem-solving survey four-credit course, which continues the emphasis in PH201, includes electricity and magnetism, optics, elements of atomic and nuclear physics, and laboratory work. The laboratory work is in PH202L, a one-credit hour, hands-on learning experience. Prerequisite: A grade of C or higher in PH201.

PH202L University Physics II Lab 0 hours

One-credit hour physics laboratory, practical work to be taken concurrently with PH202. Learning experience supports PH202, and includes team work, acquiring data from experimentation, error propagation analysis, analyzing the data and, various levels of communicating findings; topics are related to topics surveyed in PH202.

The following courses may be offered on an alternate year basis depending on demand:

PH320* Mechanics 3 hours

A study of classical mechanics including such topics as dynamics of a system of particles, mechanics of rigid bodies, Lagrange’s equations. Prerequisite: PH202 and MA231 or permission of the instructor.

PH321* Statics 3 hours

A study of the condition of equilibrium of rigid bodies under the action of forces. Rigid bodies include beams, trusses, frames, and machines. Both two- and three-dimensional bodies are considered. Also included is the study of centroids, centers of gravity, and moments of inertia. Prerequisites: MA230 and PH201.

PH330* Optics 3 hours

A study of thin and thick lenses and optical systems, physical and geometrical optics, spectra, and spectroscopy. Prerequisites: PH202 and two courses in Analytic Geometry and Calculus or permission of the instructor

PH340* Electricity and Magnetism 3 hours

A study of electrostatic fields, potential, dielectric materials, magnetic fields, induction, magnetic materials, DC and AC currents, Maxwell’s equations, and electromagnetic waves. Prerequisite: PH202 and MA231 (MA350 is recommended).

PH350* Heat and Thermodynamics 3 hours

A study of simple thermodynamic systems, temperature (concepted measurement), the three laws of thermodynamics, ideal gases, engines, refrigerators, the Kelvin temperature scale, entropy, phase transitions, kinetic theory and elements of statistical mechanics, thermal properties of solids, etc. Prerequisites: PH202 and two courses in Analytic Geometry and Calculus or permission of the instructor.