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Physics Courses
Below is a list and description of courses offered by the Physics Department. Information and schedules of courses offered by other departments can be found at TRU Calendar.
Physics upper level note
To enter third-year Physics at TRU, the student should complete the following courses with grades of C- or better and meet with the B.Sc. Program Advisor:
(a) PHYS 1100/1200 or PHYS 1150/1250
(b) The physics courses: PHYS 2000, PHYS 2200, PHYS 2590 and PHYS 3120.
(c) The mathematics courses: Math 2110, 2120, 2240 and 3170
(d) and complete COMP 1130 or COMP 1110 in the first two years.
Most upper level Physics courses are offered in alternating years. Check with the B.Sc. Program Advisor for availability in any particular year.
PHYS 1100 Fundamentals of Physics 1 (3,0,3)(L) PHYS 1100 Fundamentals of Physics 1 (3,0,3)(L)Credits: 3 credits An algebra-based introduction to physics intended for students with some secondary school physics background. Students develop a basic understanding of several fields of physics through conceptualization, problem-solving and laboratory exercises. Topics include mechanics, fluid mechanics, waves, and thermodynamics.
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PHYS 1150 Mechanics and Waves (3,0,3)(L) PHYS 1150 Mechanics and Waves (3,0,3)(L)Credits: 3 credits The student will develop an understanding of physics concepts, acquire and apply problem-solving skills, and gain hands-on experience with data collection and analysis. Topics include mechanics, simple harmonic motion, mechanical waves, sound, wave optics and geometric optics. Calculus will be introduced and used in the course.
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PHYS 1200 Fundamentals of Physics 2 (3,0,3)(L) PHYS 1200 Fundamentals of Physics 2 (3,0,3)(L)Credits: 3 credits This course is a continuation of PHYS 1100: Fundamentals of Physics 1. Topics include electricity and magnetism, optics, and selected topics from nuclear and modern physics.
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PHYS 1250 Electromagnetism and Thermodynamics (3,0,3)(L) PHYS 1250 Electromagnetism and Thermodynamics (3,0,3)(L)Credits: 3 credits Students will develop an understanding of concepts in electromagnetism and thermodynamics. Mathematical problem-solving skills related to these topics will be learned and applied. Hands-on experience will be gained from testing concepts in the laboratory.
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PHYS 1510 Applied Physics 1 (3,0,2)(L) PHYS 1510 Applied Physics 1 (3,0,2)(L)Credits: 3 credits Students are given a basic introduction to the following concepts: linear and circular motion, force, friction, equilibrium, energy, momentum, simple machines, pin-jointed structures, and DC circuit analysis. Students develop an understanding of how these ideas are used in the design of structures.
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PHYS 1580 Physics for Respiratory Therapists (3,0,3)(L) PHYS 1580 Physics for Respiratory Therapists (3,0,3)(L)Credits: 3 credits Students explore the basic physical concepts of fluid mechanics, the properties of fluids, and applied electricity. An emphasis is placed on laboratory work, particularly in the use of electrical and electronic measuring devices.
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PHYS 1610 Applied Physics 2 (3,0,2)(L) PHYS 1610 Applied Physics 2 (3,0,2)(L)Credits: 3 credits Continuing from PHYS 1510: Applied Physics 1, the following topics are discussed: strength of materials, fluid statics and dynamics, thermal energy and heat transfer, vibrations and wave motion, and optics. This course furthers the understanding of physical properties and their influence on design.
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ASTR 1140 Introductory Astronomy: The Solar System (3,0,0) ASTR 1140 Introductory Astronomy: The Solar System (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits This is a general interest introductory course on the history of astronomy and the solar system, and is intended for non-science majors.The students will develop an understanding of astronomy and be able to relate that knowledge to other areas of science, develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, and obtain the basics for a life-long appreciation of astronomy.
Topics include: telescopes and observing the night sky, ancient astronomy, space exploration, the Earth/Moon system, formation and evolution of the solar system, the planets, minor members of the solar system and the Sun.
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ASTR 1150 Introductory Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies (3,0,0) ASTR 1150 Introductory Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits This is a general interest course on the night sky, telescopes, stars, and galaxies, and is intended for non-science majors. The student will develop an understanding of astronomy and be able to relate that knowledge to other areas of science, develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, and obtain the basics for a life-long appreciation of astronomy. Topics include: telescopes and observing the night sky, radiation and spectra, stellar properties and evolution, black holes, the Milky Way and other galaxies, and cosmology.
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PHYS 2000 Relativity and Quanta (3,1,0) PHYS 2000 Relativity and Quanta (3,1,0)Credits: 3 credits Students are introduced to special relativity and quantum physics. Topics include Lorentz transformations, dynamics and conservation laws, the experimental evidence for quantization, and a qualitative discussion of the concepts of quantum mechanics and their application to simple systems of atoms and nuclei. This course is equivalent to CHEM 2000.
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PHYS 2150 Circuit Analysis (3,1,3)(L) PHYS 2150 Circuit Analysis (3,1,3)(L)Credits: 3 credits This course is an analysis of linear electrical circuits, network theorems, first and second order circuits, and transfer functions.
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PHYS 2200 Mechanics (4,0,0) PHYS 2200 Mechanics (4,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students will explore applications of Newtonian mechanics. Applications include the statics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies, rotational motion, moments of inertia, gravitation/orbital motion, and simple harmonic motion.
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PHYS 2250 Intermediate Electromagnetism (3,0,3)(L) PHYS 2250 Intermediate Electromagnetism (3,0,3)(L)Credits: 3 credits Students will utilize vector calculus to calculate static electric and magnetic fields, both in vacuum and in materials. Dynamic electric and magnetic fields will be examined by students, culminating in a derivation of Maxwell's equations. Students will explore the electromagnetic nature of light by solving Maxwell's equations for electric and magnetic fields in source-free regions. Content is delivered with an emphasis on the foundations and application of productive teamwork.
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PHYS 3080 |
PHYS 3090 Intermediate Experimental Physics I (1,2,1) PHYS 3090 Intermediate Experimental Physics I (1,2,1)Credits: 3 credits Students engage their curiosity for physics and explore their understanding of fundamental electronic devices by transferring and integrating their theoretical knowledge with experimental approaches. Students will design and complete a series of experiments laddering towards a larger independent integrated project. Each experiment gives students the opportunity to troubleshoot, build resilience, work through ambiguities and understand uncertainties in relating the experimental measurements to the theoretical predictions. Students will continue to develop oral and written communications skills reporting their designs and results.
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PHYS 3100 Digital Electronics (3,0,3)(L) PHYS 3100 Digital Electronics (3,0,3)(L)Credits: 3 credits This course is an introduction to Boolean algebra and logic gates; the analysis and the design of combinational and sequential digital circuits; and the architecture and programming of microcontrollers. Students design, assemble, and test digital logic circuits using discrete gates, FPGAs, and microcontrollers.
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PHYS 3120 Introduction to Mathematical Physics (3,1,0) PHYS 3120 Introduction to Mathematical Physics (3,1,0)Credits: 3 credits The course begins with integer divisibility and the related ideas of prime numbers, unique prime factorization, and congruence. Attention is then directed to arithmetic functions, including the Euler totient function. The Chinese Remainder Theorem and quadratic reciprocity are studied, and some Diophantine equations are considered. Lastly, continued fractions and primitive roots are discussed.
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PHYS 3140 Fluids (3,0,0) PHYS 3140 Fluids (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students are introduced to the key concepts and equations used to describe fluids. Starting with a description of rarefied fluids using kinetic theory, simple gas transport properties are derived. Euler's and Bernoulli's equations are examined under static and steady flow conditions. Students derive and examine the Navier-Stokes equation and the equation of continuity under conditions of, steady flow and one-dimensional approximation. Equations to describe the flow of viscous fluids, flow in pipes, flow over immersed bodies, and open channel flow are also introduced. Finally, students explore properties of water waves such as the dispersion relation, capillary and gravity waves.
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PHYS 3150 Physics of Materials (3,0,0) PHYS 3150 Physics of Materials (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students explore introductory concepts in the description of solids. Topics include bonding, crystal structure, defects, strength of materials, heat capacity, lattice vibrations and phonons, electrical properties, band theory, and semiconductors.
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PHYS 3160 Classical and Statistical Thermodynamics (3,0,0) PHYS 3160 Classical and Statistical Thermodynamics (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students are introduced to the principles of elementary classical thermodynamics, kinetic theory, and statistical mechanics. These theories are applied to a variety of physical processes and systems, such as ideal and real gases, heat engines, and quantum systems.
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PHYS 3200 Advanced Mechanics (3,0,0) PHYS 3200 Advanced Mechanics (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits This course offers an extension to the concepts studied in PHYS 2200: Mechanics. Topics include Newtonian mechanics, oscillations, central forces, motion in noninertial frames, Hamilton's principle and Lagrange's equations, systems of particles, and dynamics of rigid bodies.
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PHYS 3250 |
PHYS 3300 Biophysics (3,0,3*)(L) PHYS 3300 Biophysics (3,0,3*)(L)Credits: 3 credits Students apply the basic principles of physics to the actions, body design and physical limitations of animals, mainly vertebrates. Topics include physical concepts of forces, materials structure, fluid mechanics, light and sound, and electricity and magnetism. These topics are applied to biological aspects such as strength of bodies, movement through air and water, and organismal behaviour. This course is offered in the Winter semester of odd-numbered years.
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PHYS 3400 Principles and Applications of Quantum Mechanics 1 (3,0,0) PHYS 3400 Principles and Applications of Quantum Mechanics 1 (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students will deepen their critical understanding of quantum physics. The course examines key assumptions, theories, methodologies, and applications of quantum mechanics: the wave-mechanical approach, the state-vector formalism, and applications to simple quantum systems such as one-electron atoms. Students will gain a broad understanding of the range of fields utilizing quantum mechanics, both in physics and in other disciplines. Students will acquire a critical awareness of past and present debates regarding interpretations of quantum mechanics.
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PHYS 3500 Selected Topics in Physics (3,0,0) PHYS 3500 Selected Topics in Physics (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students explore current topics in Physics. The course content varies from year to year, and may include topics such as nanotechnology, superconductivity, photonics, semiconductor physics, and optoelectronics.
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PHYS 4140 Radioactivity and Nuclear Physics (3,0,0) PHYS 4140 Radioactivity and Nuclear Physics (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits In this survey course, students study basic concepts of nuclear physics, with applications in power, medicine, geology, industry, archaeology and cosmology.
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PHYS 4400 Principles and Applications of Quantum Mechanics 2 (3,0,0) PHYS 4400 Principles and Applications of Quantum Mechanics 2 (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits This course is a continuation of PHYS 3400: Principles and Applications of Quantum Mechanics 2. Students start with a review of angular momentum and spin, and the hydrogen atom. Students then examine standard techniques that find wide applications in the study of quantum phenomena. These techniques include the perturbation theories, the variation principle, and the WKB and adiabatic approximations. These are subsequently applied to problems related to the fine structure of hydrogen, the Zeeman effect, molecules, tunnelling, radiation, and scattering.
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PHYS 4480 Directed Studies in Physics (3,0,0) PHYS 4480 Directed Studies in Physics (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students complete a full research/capstone project. The project includes full background search on the topic, update meetings with supervisor, clear dissemination of work by oral presentation, poster or report. Students will synthesize and integrate upon knowledge developed at TRU during their studies. Students will connect their project to current studies, complete in depth exploration of their topic, and engage their interests a particular physics topic and understand how it fits in with the global picture of physics.
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PHYS 4500 Advanced Physics Laboratory (0,2,3)(L) PHYS 4500 Advanced Physics Laboratory (0,2,3)(L)Credits: 3 credits In this course, students work with experimental apparatus over an extended period of time to complete rigorous data analysis and present their findings. Laboratory work provides opportunities in several areas of physics including condensed matter physics, optics, signal conditioning, astronomy and image processing, nuclear physics, and acoustics. Students use sophisticated equipment such as a transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, thin film evaporator, and low temperature cryostats.
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