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Morris Campus

Physics Minor

Division of Science & Mathematics - Adm
Division of Science and Mathematics
  • Program Type: Undergraduate minor related to major
  • Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2023
  • Required credits in this minor: 32
The physics program is designed to help students understand the concepts of classical and modern physics while also developing their ability to solve quantitative problems in these areas. It provides the opportunity for students to acquire the skills necessary to perform experimental work and develops students' ability to communicate, in form and content, both orally and in writing, the results of scientific work.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Minor Requirements
Courses may not be taken S/N. The GPA in these courses must be at least 2.00. Courses with a grade lower than C- may not be used to meet the minor requirements.
Minor Requirements
PHYS 1101 - General Physics I [SCI-L] (5.0 cr)
PHYS 1102 - General Physics II [SCI-L] (5.0 cr)
PHYS 2101 - Modern Physics [SCI-L] (4.0 cr)
MATH 1101 - Calculus I [M/SR] (5.0 cr)
MATH 1102 - Calculus II [M/SR] (5.0 cr)
MATH 2401W - Differential Equations [M/SR] (4.0 cr)
Elective Courses
Take 4 or more credit(s) from the following:
· PHYS 3004 - Atmospheric Physics [ENVT] (4.0 cr)
· PHYS 3101 - Classical Mechanics [SCI] (4.0 cr)
· PHYS 3151 - Solid State Physics (2.0 cr)
· PHYS 3154 - Biomedical Physics (2.0 cr)
· PHYS 3301 - Optics (4.0 cr)
· PHYS 3401 - Experimental Physics [SCI-L] (4.0 cr)
· PHYS 3501 - Statistical Physics [SCI] (4.0 cr)
· PHYS 3993 - Directed Study (1.0-5.0 cr)
· PHYS 4101 - Electromagnetism (4.0 cr)
· PHYS 4201 - Quantum Mechanics (4.0 cr)
· PHYS 4993 - Directed Study (1.0-5.0 cr)
· Also available as an elective through Multi-I Twin Cities: AST 2001 - Fundamental Astrophysics (4.0 cr)
 
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View college catalog(s):
· Division of Science and Mathematics

View sample plan(s):
· Physics Minor Sample Plan

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· Physics Minor
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PHYS 1101 - General Physics I (SCI-L)
Credits: 5.0 [max 5.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Vectors, kinematics, laws of motion, circular motion, work-energy theorem, conservation principles, rotational motion, gravitation, simple harmonic oscillations, wave phenomena, fluid mechanics, thermal properties of matter, kinetic theory, laws of thermodynamics. (4 hrs lect and rec, 2 hrs lab) prereq: Math 1101 or instr consent
PHYS 1102 - General Physics II (SCI-L)
Credits: 5.0 [max 5.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Coulomb's law, electric field, Gauss's law, electric potential, capacitance, dielectrics, current, resistance, circuits, magnetic field, Ampere's law, inductance, Faraday's law, AC circuits, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves, nature of light, reflection, refraction, optical instruments, interference, diffraction. (4 hrs lect and rec, 2 hrs lab) prereq: 1101, Math 1102 or instr consent
PHYS 2101 - Modern Physics (SCI-L)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Special relativity, quantum nature of matter and radiation, Bohr-Sommerfeld atom, atomic spectra, uncertainty principle, Schrodinger equation, hydrogen atom, electron spin, Pauli principle, and periodic table. (3 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab) prereq: 1102, Math 2401 or instr consent
MATH 1101 - Calculus I (M/SR)
Credits: 5.0 [max 5.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Limits and continuity; the concepts, properties, and some techniques of differentiation, antidifferentiation, and definite integration and their connection by the Fundamental Theorem. Partial differentiation. Some applications. Students learn the basics of a computer algebra system. prereq: 1012, 1013 or placement
MATH 1102 - Calculus II (M/SR)
Credits: 5.0 [max 5.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Techniques of integration. Further applications involving mathematical modeling and solution of simple differential equations. Taylor's Theorem. Limits of sequences. Use and theory of convergence of power series. Students use a computer algebra system. prereq: 1101
MATH 2401W - Differential Equations (M/SR)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
First-order and second-order differential equations with methods of solution and applications, Laplace transforms, systems of equations, series solutions, existence and uniqueness theorems, the qualitative theory of differential equations. prereq: 1102 or instr consent
PHYS 3004 - Atmospheric Physics (ENVT)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Fall Odd Year
Introduction to atmospheric physics with an emphasis on thermodynamics. Atmospheric thermodynamics including gas laws, phase transitions, laws of thermodynamics, two-component systems, atmospheric stability; radiative transfer including atmospheric optics and remote sensing; some aspects of atmospheric chemistry such as aerosols, chemical cycles, traces gases; cloud microphysics including nucleation and growth; and atmospheric dynamics including equations of motion for fluid flow; applications to weather systems. (4 hrs lect) [Note: no credit for students who have received cr for Phys 2301] prereq: 1092 or 1102, Math 1102
PHYS 3101 - Classical Mechanics (SCI)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Fall Even Year
Kinematics and dynamics of a particle, oscillations, central-force motion, systems of particles, rigid-body rotations, gravitation, non-inertial coordinate systems, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations, dynamics of rigid bodies. (4 hrs lect) prereq: 2101, Math 2101 or instr consent
PHYS 3151 - Solid State Physics
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
An introduction to crystal lattices, Bravais lattices, electronic band structure in metals and semi-metals, cohesive energy of solids, phonon structure, magnetic properties. prereq: 2101, Math 2101
PHYS 3154 - Biomedical Physics
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Topics from the physics of biological systems and/or medical physics. May include: biomechanics, transport, bioelectricity, biomagnetism, medical imaging, and/or nuclear medicine. prereq: 1092 or 1102 and Math 1021 or Math 1101 or instr consent
PHYS 3301 - Optics
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Light as a wave phenomenon, electromagnetic nature of light, Huygens' principle, interference, diffraction--Fraunhofer and Fresnel, polarization, dispersion, absorption and scattering. (2-65 min lect, one 180-min lab) [Note: no credit for students who have received cr for Phys 2401] prereq: 1102
PHYS 3401 - Experimental Physics (SCI-L)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
An introduction to modern experimental methods. (3 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab) prereq: 2101
PHYS 3501 - Statistical Physics (SCI)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Probability distributions, statistical ensembles, statistical thermodynamics, ideal gases, quantum statistics, kinetic theory of transport phenomena. (4 hrs lect) prereq: 2101
PHYS 3993 - Directed Study
Credits: 1.0 -5.0 [max 10.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
An on- or off-campus learning experience individually arranged between a student and a faculty member for academic credit in areas not covered in the regular curriculum.
PHYS 4101 - Electromagnetism
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Fall Odd Year
Vector calculus, electrostatics, Laplace and Poisson equations, dielectrics, magnetostatics, magnetic properties of matter, electromagnetic induction, Maxwell's equations, electrodynamics, electromagnetic waves. (4 hrs lect) prereq: 2101, Math 2101 or instr consent
PHYS 4201 - Quantum Mechanics
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Uncertainty principle, Schroedinger equation, commutation relations, momentum space wave functions, Dirac notation, applications to problems in one dimension and the hydrogen atom, angular momentum. (4 hrs lect) prereq: 2101, Math 2101
PHYS 4993 - Directed Study
Credits: 1.0 -5.0 [max 10.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
An on- or off-campus learning experience individually arranged between a student and a faculty member for academic credit in areas not covered in the regular curriculum.