Physics courses offered at IUS

Take this link to see the schedule of when courses are offered. 

P100 Physics in the Modern World (5 cr.)

Ideas, language methods, impact, and cultural aspects of physics today. Four lectures and one two-hour laboratory period each week. Includes classical physics up to physical basis of radar, atomic-energy applications, etc. Beginning high school algebra used. Cannot be substituted for physics courses explicitly designated in specific curricula. Credit is not given in Physics P100 to students who have passed P201 or P221. (Lab fee required.)

Note: This course caries natural science lab course distribution credit; mostly non-science majors take this course. Schedule.

P105 Basic Physics of Sound (3 cr.)

The physical principles involved in the description, generation, and reproduction of sound. Topics discussed include physics of vibrations and waves, Fourier decomposition of complex wave forms, harmonic spectra, propagation of sound waves in air, standing waves and resonance, sound loudness and decibels, room acoustics, and sound recording and reproduction, including digital sound. Intended for students majoring in the humanities, social sciences, business, music, and education. Little or no background in science is assumed. Mathematics at the level of one year of high school algebra is used.

Note: This course caries natural science lab course distribution credit; mostly non-science majors take this course. Schedule.

P120 Energy and Technology (3 cr.)

Provides the physical basis for understanding interaction of technology and society, and for the solution of problems, such as energy use and the direction of technological change. Intended for students majoring in the humanities, social sciences, business, music, and education. Little or no background in science is assumed. Mathematics at the level of one year of high school algebra is used. Normally taught as a First Year Experience course (open only to students in their first year at IUS). Fall.

Note: This course caries natural science course distribution credit. Enrollment is limited to First Year students. Schedule.

P201 General Physics: Mechanics Heat, and Sound (5 cr.)

(Prerequisite: Mathematics M125 and M126 or high school equivalent, i.e. algebra and trigonometry.) Non-calculus presentation of Newtonian mechanics , wave motion, heat, thermodynamics and properties of matter. Application of physical principles to related scientific disciplines, including engineering and life sciences. Four hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory work per week. Credit is given for either Physics P201 or P221 only. (Lab fee required.) Schedule.

Note: Biology majors, pre-dentistry, pre-physical therapy, pre- medicine students, secondary and middle school education majors and Purdue program students normally take this class. P201 and P202 are algebra based.  

P202 General Physics: Electricity, Magnetism, Light and Nuclear Physics (5 cr.)

(Prerequisite: Mathematics M125 and M126 or high school equivalent and P201 or consent of the instructor.) Non-calculus presentation electricity and magnetism, geometrical and physical optics, introduction to concepts of quantum theory, atomic, and nuclear physics, including applications to related scientific disciplines. Four hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory work per week. Credit is given for either Physics P202 or P222 only. (Lab fee required.) Schedule.

P221 Physics I (5 cr.)

(Prerequisite: M215 or concurrent registration in M215, i.e. calculus.) Newtonian mechanics, oscillations and waves, heat and thermodynamics, and introduction to Special Relativity. Four hours of lecture and two and one half hours of laboratory work per week. Credit is given for either Physics P201 or P221 only. (Lab fee required.) Schedule.

Note: Computer science, physics, math and chemistry majors normally take this course. P221 and P222 are calculus based.  

P222 Physics II (5 cr.)

(Prerequisite: P221.) Continuation of P221. Electricity and magnetism, geometrical and physical optics, and brief introduction to concepts of quantum, atomic and nuclear physics. Four hours of lecture and two and one half hours of laboratory work per week. Schedule. Credit is given for either Physics P202 or P222 only. (Lab fee required.)

P301 Physics III (3 cr.)

(Prerequisite: P202 or P222 and Mathematics M215 or consent of the instructor.) Introduction to modern physics for physics majors and students in other departments (including secondary education majors). Atomic and nuclear physics, kinetic theory, relativity and elementary particles. Schedule.

Note: P309 is normally taken concurrently with P301. It is open to education majors seeking secondary education certification in physics.

P309 Intermediate Physics Laboratory (2 cr.)

(Prerequisite: P202 or P222 and Mathematics M215 or consent of the instructor.) Fundamental experiments in mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, optics, and modern physics. Emphasis is placed upon developing basic laboratory skills and data analysis techniques, including computerized collection, reduction and analysis of data. (Lab fee required.) Schedule.

Note: P309 is normally taken concurrently with P301. It is open to education majors seeking secondary education certification in physics in addition to phsysics majors. 

P310 Environmental Physics (3 cr.)

(Prerequisite: P201 or P221; Mathematics M215; or consent of the instructor.) Relationships of physics to current environmental problems. Energy production, comparison of sources and byproducts; energy use, alternative sources, conservation methods; global warming, environmental effects.
X303 Introduction to Philosophy of Science (3 cr.)
(Prerequisite: Course in physical or social science, junior standing.) Scientific explanation, discovery, and theory testing. Do logic and mathematics have empirical content? Philosophical issues in the sciences: causality, space-time, free will, and the science of human behavior. Schedule.

Note: This course carries Humanities distribution credit (NOT science distribution cerdit) and is co-taught with the IUS Philosophy department.

Physics at IUS: http://physics.ius.edu/
Contact Dr. K. Forinash, for comments/suggestions/corrections.