Department of Physics
The Department of Physics offers programs of study leading to the Bachelor of Science degree. Students may major in physics or in physics with secondary education teacher certification.
The Department of Physics also offers a dual degree program which allows students to receive both a bachelor's degree in physics from NGCSU and a bachelor's degree in engineering from Georgia Tech, Clemson University or Mercer University.
Students seeking a bachelor of engineering degree may begin their college studies at NGCSU through the Regents Engineering Transfer Program (RETP) or may take a pre-engineering curriculum. Upon successful completion of the pre-engineering curriculum, RETP students transfer to the Georgia Institute of Technology to complete the degree requirements. Non-RETP pre-engineering students take the pre-engineering curriculum and then apply for transfer to the engineering school of their choice. For details see the Engineering Programs section of this Undergraduate Bulletin.
The department provides students with the opportunity to minor in physics.
Core Curriculum Requirements 60 hours
All baccalaureate degree programs at NGCSU have as a requirement the satisfactory completion of at least 60 semester credit hours comprising the six areas of the core curriculum. A complete description of Areas A-E of the core curriculum can be found on page 80. Individual degree programs may specify exceptions and/or particular courses which must be taken within each Area A-E of the core curriculum. Those exceptions and/or course requirements, and Area F of the core curriculum are shown below.
| Area A | MATH 1113 or MATH 2450 |
| Area B | no exceptions |
| Area C | no exceptions |
| Area D | MATH 2450 or MATH 2460. |
| Physics majors may not count PHYS 2211, 2211L, 2212, 2212L in Area D. | |
| Area E | no exceptions |
Area F. Courses Related to Program of Study
For students starting with MATH 1113 in Area A:
|
PHYS 2211, 2211L, 2212, 2212L |
8 hours |
|
MATH 2460, 2470 (2450 taken in Area D) |
8 hours |
|
CSCI 1301 |
3 hours |
|
For students starting with MATH 2450 in Area A: |
|
|
PHYS 2211, 2211L, 2211, 2211L |
8 hours |
|
MATH 2470 (2450 taken in Area A; 2460 in Area D) |
4 hours |
| 2 hour carryover from Areas A and D | 2 hours |
| CSCI 1301 | 3 hours |
| 1 elective hour | 1 hour |
COURSES REQUIRED FOR THE MAJOR
| PHYS 3310, 3310L, 3111, 3411, 3610, 3710, 4350, 4011L, 4012L, 4990 |
22 hours
|
| CHEM 1211,1211L,1212, 1212L (may be taken to fulfill part of Area D) |
8 hours
|
| MATH 3000 |
3 hours
|
Additional 9 hours of upper-level physics or astronomy or engineering courses
Additional 9 hours technical electives (computer science, math, chemistry, or engineering)
Foreign language (1002 or higher) 3 hours
Basic Physical Education Requirement 3 hours
(This is outside the 120 hour graduation requirement.)
Electives to bring the total number of credit hours to 120 (exclusive of the Physical Education Wellness requirement)
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Senior Assessment — Non-dual-degree physics majors must take a national, standardized physics achievement test before graduation, usually in their last semester.
Regents' Test (see page 73)
DUAL DEGREE PROGRAM IN PHYSICS/ENGINEERING
North Georgia College & State University offers a dual degree program which allows students to receive a bachelor's degree in physics from NGCSU and a bachelor's degree in engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Clemson University in South Carolina, or Mercer University in Macon. The dual degree program gives students the opportunity to develop a strong liberal arts background before completing academic coursework in engineering at another institution. Typically, dual degree students attend NGCSU for three years then attend Georgia Tech, Clemson, or Mercer for an additional two to three years.
The following fields of study are available to NGCSU physics majors participating in the dual degree program:
| Georgia Tech | Clemson University |
| Aerospace Engineering | Agricultural Engineering |
| Ceramic Engineering | Ceramic Engineering |
| Chemical Engineering | Civil Engineering |
| Civil Engineering | Computer Engineering |
| Computer Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Engineering Economic Systems | Engineering Analysis |
| Engineering Science | |
| Mechanical Engineering | |
| Nuclear Engineering | |
| Textile/Fiber Engineering | |
| Science in Textiles | |
| Science in Health Systems | |
DUAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
1. Complete credit hours at North Georgia College & State University as outlined in the requirements listed on the following page (exclusive of basic physical education and military courses).
2. Receive a recommendation from NGCSU's dual degree coordinator.
3. Earn a college grade point average which indicates the student could satisfactorily complete degree requirements at Georgia Tech, Clemson University, or Mercer University.
4. Complete a study program for the standard curriculum of the engineering degree being sought.
5. If the official study program at Georgia Tech, Clemson, or Mercer includes electives and the candidate has excessive hours at NGCSU, he/she may petition that these excess hours be used as transfer credits. Transfer credits shall not amount to more than one half of the official study program.
DUAL DEGREE PROGRAM IN PHYSICS/ENGINEERING
Core Curriculum Requirements 60 hours
All baccalaureate degree programs at NGCSU have as a requirement the satisfactory completion of at least 60 semester credit hours comprising the six areas of the core curriculum. A complete description of Areas A-E of the core curriculum can be found on page 80. Individual degree programs may specify exceptions and/or particular courses which must be taken within each Area A-E of the core curriculum. Those exceptions and/or course requirements, and Area F of the core curriculum are shown below.
| Area A | MATH 1113 or MATH 2450 |
| Area B | no exceptions |
| Area C | no exceptions |
| Area D | MATH 2450 or MATH 2460. |
| Physics dual degree majors maynot count PHYS 2211, 2211L, 2212, 2212L in area D. | |
| Area E | no exceptions |
Area F. Courses Related to Program of Study
For students starting with MATH 1113 in Area A:
| PHYS 2211, 2211L, 2212, 2212L | 8 hours |
| MATH 2460, 2470 (2450 taken in Area D) | 8 hours |
| CSCI 1301 | 3 hours |
| For students starting with MATH 2450 in Area A: | |
| PHYS 2211, 2211L, 2211, 2211L | 8 hours |
| MATH 2470 (2450 taken in Area A; 2460 in Area D | 4 hours |
| 2 hour carryover from Areas A and D | 2 hours |
| CSCI 1301 | 3 hours |
| 1 elective hour | 1 hour |
COURSES REQUIRED FOR THE MAJOR
|
PHYS 3310, 3310L, 3111, 3411, 3610 |
13 hours |
|
CHEM 1211, 1211L, 1212, 1212L (may be part of Area D) |
8 hours |
|
MATH 3000 |
3 hours |
Electives to bring the total number of NGCSU hours to 90
Recommended Courses
Before transferring to the engineering school, it is recommended that dual-degree students take introductory engineering courses offered at NGCSU, such as Statics, Dynamics, Visual Communications, and Engineering Design.
A minor in physics requires 8 hours of introductory physics, PHYS 3310 and 3310L, and a minimum of 6 more hours of 3000-4000-level courses.
PHYS 1111 Introductory Physics I, 3 hours
Prerequisite: Math 1113 or permission of instructor. An introductory course
which will include material from mechanics, thermodynamics, and waves. Elementary
algebra and trigonometry will be used. Three lecture-recitations per week.
PHYS 1111L Introductory Physics Laboratory I, 1 hour
Corequisite: PHYS 1111. The laboratory work is designed to clarify physical
concepts and to develop skills in making precise measurements and in the manipulation
of apparatus. One 2-hour laboratory per week.
PHYS 1112 Introductory Physics II, 3 hours
Prerequisite: Physics 1111. An introductory course which will include material
from electromagnetism, optics, and modern physics. Elementary algebra and trigonometry
will be used. Three lecture-recitations per week.
PHYS 1112L Introductory Physics Laboratory II, 1 hour
Corequisite: PHYS 1112; prerequisite: PHYS 1111L. Laboratory to accompany PHYS
1112. One 2-hour laboratory per week.
PHYS 2211 Principles of Physics I, 3 hours
Prerequisite or corequisite MATH 2450. An introductory course which will include
material from mechanics, thermodynamics, and waves. Elementary differential
and integral calculus will be used. Three lecture-recitations per week.
PHYS 2211L Principles of Physics Laboratory I, 1 hour
Corequisite: PHYS 2211. Laboratory to accompany PHYS 2211. The laboratory work is designed to clarify physical concepts and to develop skills in making precise measurements and in the manipulation of apparatus. One 2-hour laboratory per week.
PHYS 2212 Principles of Physics II , 3 hours
Prerequisite: Physics 2211. An introductory course which will include material from electromagnetism, optics and modern physics. Calculus will be used. Three lecture-recitations per week.
PHYS 2212L Principles of Physics Laboratory II, 1 hour
Corequisite: PHYS 2212; prerequisite: PHYS 2011L. Laboratory to accompany PHYS
2212. One 2-hour laboratory per week.
PHYS 3000 Science for Elementary School Teachers, 3 hours
Corequisite: MATH 3100 (Math for Teachers). This course is for teachers of grades P-8. It deals with the everyday aspects of physics, chemistry, and astronomy as they might need to be explained by the elementary teacher. The work will include demonstrations and suitable experiments that can be performed with materials available in the average elementary school and home situation.
PHYS 3310 Modern Physics, 3 hours
Prerequisite: PHYS 2212. Relativity, early 20th century physics, quantum mechanics,
atomic, statistical, condensed matter, nuclear and particle physics, and astrophysics.
Three class periods per week.
PHYS 3310L Modern Physics Laboratory, 1 hour
Corequisite: PHYS 3310. Laboratory to accompany PHYS 3310. A selection of modern
physics experiments to complement the topics in PHYS 3310. One 2-hour laboratory
per week.
PHYS 3111 Mechanics I, 3 hours
Prerequisite: Physics 2211. May be taken concurrently with MATH 3000. Topics
include kinematics, using vector analysis, dynamics of particles, rotational
and planetary motion, the linear harmonic oscillator, studies of energy, momentum
and impact, approximation, and perturbation methods. Three class periods per
week.
PHYS 3210 Computational Techniques in Physics, 3 hours
Prerequisites: MATH 2450 and PHYS 2211. Study of computational techniques applicable to physics. The techniques examined are applied to the solution of problems from various areas of physics. Software on PCs and the Sun computer system is used. Handouts and software user manuals are provided. Program help files and web references are also used. Three class periods per week.
PHYS 3411 Electricity and Magnetism I, 3 hours
Prerequisite: PHYS 2212. Topics include Coulomb and Gauss laws, electric and
magnetic fields, energy, potentials, Laplace and Poisson equations, electromagnetic
induction and Maxwell's equations. Three class periods per week.
PHYS 3450 Optics, 3 hours
Prerequisite: PHYS 2212. A study of the principles of geometric optics (ray
tracing, the properties of lenses and reflectors) and physical optics (coherence,
interference, diffraction, polarization, and the wave equation). Three class
periods per week.
PHYS 3610 Thermal Physics, 3 hours
Prerequisites: PHYS 2212. A unified approach to thermodynamics and statistical
mechanics with applications. Three class periods per week.
PHYS 3710 Introduction to Electronics, 3 hours
Prerequisite: PHYS 1112 or 2212. A study of the elementary principles of electronics.
The laboratory work consists of the study of analog electronic circuits and
the use of testing equipment. Two lecture-recitations and one 3-hour laboratory
per week.
PHYS 3720 Digital Electronics, 3 hours
Prerequisite: PHYS 1112 or 2212 or permission of instructor. An introduction
to digital electronics. Topics include number systems, Boolean algebra, logic
circuits and gates, combinational logic devices such as flip-flops, registers
and memory elements and the design and implementation in microprocessors and
digital systems. Two lecture-recitations and one 3-hour laboratory per week.
PHYS 3730 Computer Interfacing, 3 hours
Prerequisite: PHYS 3720. A course which demonstrates some of the possible applications
of microcomputing to scientific data acquisition, display and processing, in
Basic or machine language or a hybrid combination of the two. The students will
be provided with hands-on experience with the different types of hardware and
interfaces usually found in micro or mini computer systems. Two class periods
and one 2-hour laboratory per week.
PHYS 4011L, 4012L Advanced Physics Laboratory I & II, 1 hour each
Prerequisite: Physics 3310L. Required of all student majoring in physics. Selected
experiments from the various branches of physics, clarifying and expanding the
work of the classroom and developing good laboratory techniques, including preparation
of formal laboratory reports and the evaluation and the interpretation of experimental
data. One 3-hour laboratory per week
PHYS 4112 Mechanics II, 3 hours
Prerequisite: PHYS 3111. Accelerating and rotating coordinate systems, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics, systems of particles and continuum mechanics, dynamics of rigid bodies, non-linear and coupled oscillations. Three class periods per week.
PHYS 4210 Nuclear Physics, 3 hours
Prerequisite: PHYS 3310. A study of the properties of the nucleus, radioactivity,
interaction of radiation with matter, the detection of nuclear radiation, nuclear
models, and nuclear reactions. Three class periods per week.
PHYS 4350 Quantum Mechanics, 3 hours
Prerequisite: PHYS 3310 and MATH 3000. Historical approach to quantum mechanics.
Experimental basis, uncertainty principle, the Schrodinger equation and applications
to simple systems, the hydrogen atom, perturbation theory, symmetry principles,
and the interpretation of quantum mechanics. Three class periods per week.
PHYS 4412 Electricity and Magnetism II, 3 hours
Prerequisite: PHYS 3411. A continuation of Physics 3411 with emphasis on Maxwell's
equations, electromagnetic waves and related topics. Three class periods per
week.
PHYS 4910 Introduction to Research Methods, 1 hour
Prerequisite: permission of department head. Courses designed to prepare the
student for employment as a research assistant or engineer upon completion of
the B.S. degree. It will also orient the student toward the research work required
for an advanced degree. It will consist of literature searches and laboratory
work. It may be related to the research of a departmental faculty member. The
students will be required to report their work by oral presentations and written
reports. Three hours per week for each hour of credit.
PHYS 4920 Introduction to Research Methods, 2 hours
PHYS 4930 Introduction to Research Methods, 3 hours
PHYS 4940 Directed Study, 1 hour
Prerequisite: permission of department head. Directed independent study by advanced
students on topics not covered by regular courses. Topics are determined on
the basis of faculty interests and availability to direct the study.
PHYS 4950 Directed Study, 2 hours
PHYS 4960 Directed Study, 3 hours
PHYS 4990 Senior Seminar (O), 1 hour
Prerequisite: Senior standing. A capstone course for all physics majors, taken
in the last spring semester before their graduation. Presentation of selected
papers by students, faculty members and outside speakers at weekly departmental
seminars. Discussion and analysis of experimental and theoretical studies in
physics. Each student will make oral presentations to the seminar. One class
period per week.
ASTR 1010 Astronomy of the Solar System, 3 hours
Astronomy from early ideas of the cosmos to modern observational techniques.
The solar system planets, satellites, and minor bodies. The origin and evolution
of the solar system. Slides, films, classroom demonstrations, and planetarium
shows aid the discussion of these topics. Three lecture-discussions per week.
ASTR 1010L Solar System Laboratory, 1 hour
Corequisite: ASTR 1010. Laboratory to accompany ASTR 1010. Laboratory exercises
will involve the student in observing stars and planets with the 3- to 16-inch
telescopes of the college observatory. One 2-hour laboratory per week.
ASTR 1020 Stellar and Galactic Astronomy, 3 hours
The study of the sun and stars, their physical properties and evolution, interstellar
matter, star clusters, our galaxy and other galaxies, the origin and evolution
of the universe. Slides, films, classroom demonstrations and planetarium shows
are used throughout to aid in classroom discussions. Three lecture-discussions
per week.
ASTR 1020L Stellar Astronomy Laboratory, 1 hour
Corequisite: ASTR 1020. Laboratory to accompany ASTR 1020. Laboratory exercises
emphasize student observations of the star systems, galaxies, and planets. Telescopes
of from 3 to 16 inches in size will be used at the university observatory. One
2-hour laboratory per week.
ASTR 3061 Observational Astronomy I, 2 hours
Prerequisite: MATH 1113, Corequisite: PHYS 2212 or permission of instructor.
First course of a two-course sequence which introduces students to modern observational
methods and data reduction techniques. Students will be involved in observational
and data reduction projects using the university observatory and the software
package IRAF on the SUN workstations. Two 1-hour lecture sessions per week and
at least one hour of observatory duty as a Telescope Operator or observational
project work.
ASTR 3062 Observational Astronomy II, 2 hours
Prerequisite: ASTR 3061. Continuation of a two-course sequence which introduces
students to modern observational methods and data reduction techniques. Students
will be involved in observational and data reduction projects using the college
observatory and the software package IRAF on the SUN workstations. Includes
one 2-hour seminar per week and at least 1-hour observatory duty as a Telescope
Operator or observational project work.
ASTR 3150 Introductory Astrophysics, 3 hours
Prerequisite: PHYS 2211, MATH 2450, or permission of instructor. Corequisite;
PHYS 2212, MATH 2460, or permission of instructor. A survey of modern astronomy
and astrophysics for the serious science student. Topics include celestial mechanics,
stars and stellar evolution, the Milky Way Galaxy, and extragalactic astronomy
and cosmology. Includes three hours of lecture per week and at least 1-hour
of observatory duty as a Telescope Operator.
GEOG 1101 Introduction to Human Geography, 3 hours
A study of fundamental concepts in human geography, including spatial interaction,
population dynamics, human-environment interaction, culture, interpreting landscapes,
economic development, and political geography. The course also addresses locations
and attributes of elements of our world, and introduces certain computer-assisted
data manipulation skills. This course may be used to fulfill the elective requirements
of Core Area E.
GEOG 1111 Introduction to Physical Geography, 3 hours
A study of the natural systems that shape our physical environment and the resultant
spatial patterns discernable on Earth's surface. The course explores atmospheric
processes, and the distribution of soils and life forms, land-forming and modification
processes, and the distribution and characteristics of certain recognized landform
types. This course along with its laboratory course, GEOG 1111L, may be used
to fulfill part of the non-science-major requirement in Core Area D.
GEOG 1111L Introduction to Physical Geography Laboratory,
1 hour
Corequisite or prerequisite: GEOG 1111. Practical experience in making observations,
performing measurements and calculations, interpreting physical phenomena, drawing
conclusions, and reporting the results of these activities, all related to the
natural systems that shape our physical environment and the resultant spatial
patterns discernable on Earth's surface.
GEOG 4370 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems,
3 hours
Prerequisites: GEOG 1101 or GEOG 1111; and CSCI 1100 or CSCI 1301; or permission
of the instructor. Students should not attempt this course unless they are familiar
with spreadsheets. This course explores the basic concepts of spatially referenced
data and how these data are requested in, manipulated by, and presented with
geographic information systems (GIS). Topics include the nature and accuracy
of spatially referenced data, map projections, coordinate systems, map reference
systems, raster/vector data representation, as well as methods of data capture,
storage, retrieval, visualization, modeling, and output using one or more PC-based
GIS software packages.
GEOG 4910 Introduction to Research Methods, 1 hour
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. This course will comprise directed
independent study by advanced students of a geographic topic not available in
regular courses. Topics will be selected on the basis of shared student - faculty
interests and the availability of the instructor to direct the study.
GEOG 4920 Introduction to Research Methods, 2 hours
GEOG 4930 Introduction to Research Methods 2 hours