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Term: Winter 2025

AZTransfer SUN courses only

PHY 103 - First-year Seminar: Introduces first-year majors to the academic content, degree programs, faculty, resources, facilities, and opportunities available in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Pass-fail only. Prerequisite: declared major in physics, astronomy, merged physics and astronomy, engineering physics, or physical science.
PHY 111 - General Physics I: First course in the two-semester, algebra-based, introductory physics sequence. Classical mechanics, heat, and sound. 3 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs. lab. Letter grade only.
PHY 111R - General Physics I Recitation: Optional recitation section covering problem-solving techniques in classical mechanics and waves. Pass-fail only.
PHY 112 - General Physics II: Second course in the two-semester, algebra-based, introductory physics sequence. Electricity, magnetism, and optics. 3 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs. lab. Letter grade only.
PHY 112R - General Physics II Recitation: Optional recitation section covering problem-solving techniques in electricity, magnetism, and optics. Pass-fail only.
PHY 161 - University Physics I: First course in the three-semester, calculus-based, introductory physics sequence. Classical mechanics. 3 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs. lab. Letter grade only.
PHY 161H - University Physics I - Honors: First course in the three-semester, calculus-based, introductory physics sequence. Classical mechanics. 3 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs. lab. Letter grade only.
PHY 161R - University Physics I Recitation: Optional recitation section covering problem-solving techniques in classical mechanics. Pass-fail only.
PHY 171 - University Physics I For Physicists: A calculus-based introductory physics course designed for physics majors. Classical Mechanics, Gravitation, Fluids. Credit will not be given for both PHY 161 and PHY 171. 4 hours lecture, 3 hours lab. Letter grade only.
PHY 172 - University Physics II For Physicists: The second semester of a three-semester, calculus-based, introductory physics sequence especially designed for physics and astronomy majors. This course covers all topics in PHY 262 including electric fields, magnetic fields, Maxwell's equations, and the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics, and goes beyond PHY262 by adding topics that are especially useful in preparation for upper division physics courses including time-varying electric fields, time varying-magnetic fields, electromagnetic waves, and entropy. 4 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs. lab. Letter grade only.
PHY 199 - Special Topics: Foundations of intellectual inquiry. In-depth study of a substantive problem. Letter grade only. May be repeated for up to 6 units of credit.
PHY 262 - University Physics II: Second course in the three-semester, calculus-based, introductory physics sequence. Electricity, magnetism, and thermodynamics. Letter grade only.
PHY 262L - University Physics II Lab: Letter grade only.
PHY 262R - University Physics II Recitation: Optional recitation section covering problem-solving techniques in electricity, magnetism, and thermodynamics. Pass-fail only. May be repeated for up to two units of credit.
PHY 263 - University Physics III: Final course in the three-semester, calculus-based, introductory physics sequence. Studies waves, optics, atomic, and nuclear structure. Letter grade only.
PHY 264 - Electronics For Science Students: Reviews basic electricity including network theorems. Introduces semiconductor electronics including bipolar and field effect devices and operational amplifiers. Letter grade only.
PHY 265 - Introduction To Computational Physics: Introduction to numerical methods, visualization techniques, and data analysis. Students will also be introduced to scientific computing on the Linux/Unix platform and programming in that environment. Common software packages in current scientific computing routinely used in the discipline will be introduced. Letter grade only.
PHY 297 - Communicating Science: Science And Community Engagement: PHY 297 is a general studies course focused on developing student abilities and confidence in scientific communication. This highly interactive course will lead students through verbal, written and hands-on communication strategies that 1) emphasizes best-practices in STEM communication in classrooms, professional settings and community engagement, and; 2) incorporates practical approaches including oral presentations, written assignments and opportunities to explore hands-on delivery of advanced scientific communication to non-STEM audiences. PHY 297 fulfills the General Studies Scientific Literacy -- Natural Sciences Knowledge Area, and the essential skill of Civil Discourse through Speaking requirements. Letter Grade Only.
PHY 298 - Science, Technology, Communities, And Cultures: A Historical And Future Perspective: PHY 298 is a general Course that focuses around transformative scientific breakthroughs, their origins, often rooted in ancient civilizations, and how over time those breakthroughs were translated into revolutionary advancements. PHY 298 fulfills the General Studies Program Knowledge Area Requirements for Scientific Literacy-Physical, Life, and Earth, and Space Sciences, as well as requirements for the essential skill of Civil Discourse through Collaboration and Teamwork. Letter Grade Only.
PHY 299 - Special Topics: In-depth study of an aspect, concept, or problem. Letter grade only. May be repeated for up to 6 units of credit.
PHY 301 - Methods Of Analytical Physics: Applications of mathematical methods of physics. Letter grade only.
PHY 321 - Mechanics I: Review of Newtonian mechanics, drag forces, computer simulation of dynamical systems, systems of particles, oscillators, non-inertial frames of reference, Lagrangian mechanics, orbital dynamics. Letter grade only.
PHY 321H - Mechanics I - Honors: Review of Newtonian mechanics, drag forces, computer simulation of dynamical systems, systems of particles, oscillators, non-inertial frames of reference, Lagrangian mechanics, orbital dynamics. Letter grade only.
PHY 331 - Electricity And Magnetism I: Electrostatics, magnetostatics, Lorentz force, fields in matter, electromagnetic induction. Letter grade only.
PHY 332 - Electricity And Magnetism II: Maxwell's equations, scalar and vector potentials, Laplace's equation, boundary value problems, plane waves, and radiation. Letter grade only.
PHY 333W - Advanced Lab: Advanced lab problems and associated writing techniques in physics. Involves acquiring and analyzing experimental data and submitting journal reports based on the results. This course fulfills NAU's junior-level writing requirement. Letter grade only. May be repeated for up to 6 units of credit.
PHY 361 - Modern Physics: Special relativity, atomic and nuclear physics, quantum mechanics. Letter grade only.
PHY 361H - Modern Physics - Honors: Special relativity, atomic and nuclear physics, quantum mechanics. Letter grade only.
PHY 389 - Cooperative Education: Individualized preplanned cooperative employment experience related to your field of study or career objectives. Department consent required. Pass-Fail only. May be repeated for up to 12 units of credit. Please complete the Cooperative Education Proposal form and obtain signatures of approval BEFORE registering. https://policy.nau.edu/policy/Documents/Cooperative_Education_Form_121317.pdf
PHY 399 - Special Topics: In-depth study of an aspect, concept, or problem within a program of study. Letter grade only. May be repeated for up to 6 units of credit.
PHY 408 - Fieldwork Experience: Individualized supervised field experience in an appropriate agency or organization. Pass/Fail only. May be repeated for credit.
PHY 409 - Preparation For Physics Gre Examination: This course provides you with test-taking skills specific to the Physics GRE exam, but is not intended to cover the entire content of that exam. Letter grade only.
PHY 433 - Physical Optics: Electromagnetic theory, geometrical optics, waves, polarization, interference, and diffraction. Letter grade only.
PHY 441 - Thermal And Statistical Physics: Thermodynamics, heat transfer, kinetic theory, and quantum statistics. Letter grade only.
PHY 441H - Thermal And Statistical Physics - Honors: Thermodynamics, heat transfer, kinetic theory, and quantum statistics. Letter grade only.
PHY 451 - Nuclear Physics: Nuclear decay, nuclear stability, structure of nuclei, gamma radiation, alpha and beta decay, fission, radiation techniques. Letter grade only.
PHY 471 - Quantum Mechanics: Wave mechanics, Schrodinger's equation, barrier problems, harmonic oscillator, hydrogen atom and matrix methods. Co-convened with APMS 571. Letter grade only.
PHY 471H - Quantum Mechanics - Honors: Wave mechanics, Schrodinger's equation, barrier problems, harmonic oscillator, hydrogen atom and matrix methods. Letter grade only.
PHY 472 - Quantum Mechanics II: This is a second course in quantum mechanics. We will therefore be continuing to develop and expand upon introductory ideas as well as introduce additional advanced concepts. These may include but are not limited to approximation methods (including the WKB approximation, variational methods, and perturbation theory), angular momentum (including spin, orbital, and total angular momentum), scattering theory and various applications to atomic, molecular, solid-state, and nuclear physics. Co-convened with APMS 572. Letter grade only.
PHY 472H - Quantum Mechanics II - Honors: This is a second course in quantum mechanics. We will therefore be continuing to develop and expand upon introductory ideas as well as introduce additional advanced concepts. These may include but are not limited to approximation methods (including the WKB approximation, variational methods, and perturbation theory), angular momentum (including spin, orbital, and total angular momentum), scattering theory and various applications to atomic, molecular, solid-state, and nuclear physics. Letter grade only.
PHY 481 - Solid State Physics: This course involves the study of solids from the perspective of the underlying microscopic structure of rigid matter. The use of statistical physics and quantum mechanics is used to uncover the properties of solids such as heat capacity and electronic band structure. Co-convened with PHY 582. Letter grade only.
PHY 482 - Solid State Physics II: This course involves the study of solids from the perspective of the underlying microscopic structure of rigid matter and will focus upon materials with nanoscale dimensions. Co-convened with PHY 582. Letter grade only.
PHY 485 - Undergraduate Research: Individualized original research under the supervision of a research adviser. Letter grade or pass-fail. May be repeated for up to 12 units of credit.
PHY 485H - Undergraduate Research - Honors: Individualized original research under the supervision of a research adviser. Letter grade or pass-fail. May be repeated for up to 12 units of credit.
PHY 497 - Independent Study: Individualized approach to selected topics by guided reading and critical evaluation. Department consent required. Letter grade or pass-fail. May be repeated for credit. Please complete the Independent Study Proposal form and obtain signatures of approval BEFORE registering. https://nau.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/Independent_Study_Form_FINAL-3.pdf
PHY 498C - Senior Seminar: Integrates theory and practice, with emphasis on historical, contemporary, and future issues. Letter grade only.
PHY 498CH - Senior Seminar - Honors: Integrates theory and practice, with emphasis on historical, contemporary, and future issues. Letter grade only.
PHY 499 - Contemporary Developments: Examines recent trends and investigations in a selected area. Letter grade only. May be repeated for credit.
PHY 530 - Spectroscopy: Covers fundamentals of atoms and molecules in a radiation field and techniques in spectroscopy. Cross-listed with BE 530. Letter grade only.
PHY 540 - Modern Electronics And Instrumentation: Analysis of electronics found in modern instrument systems and experience in using electronic instruments. Letter grade only. Prerequisite: satisfactory completion of undergraduate electronics or instructor's consent.
PHY 545 - Experimental Techniques: This course covers select techniques and applications used in experimental physics and astronomy. Topics include the fundamental principles underlying these techniques, the instrumentation used, and the associated data analysis methods. Students will also gain hands-on experience with the instrumentation when feasible. Letter grade only.
PHY 550 - Computational Physics: Computational methods in physics: proprietary software (such as Maple); numerical differentiation and integration in physics; differential equations in electromagnetism, chaos, and quantum mechanics; Monte Carlo methods in scattering. Letter grade only.
PHY 560 - Applied Optics: Design and analysis of optical systems, including imagers, spectrometers, and detectors. Letter grade only. Prerequisite: satisfactory completion of undergraduate optics or instructor's consent.
PHY 581 - Solid State Physics: This course involves the study of solids from the perspective of the underlying microscopic structure of rigid matter. The use of statistical physics and quantum mechanics is used to uncover the properties of solids such as heat capacity and electronic band structure. Cross-listed with BE 581. Co-convened with PHY 481. Letter grade only.
PHY 582 - Solid State Physics II: This course involves the study of solids from the perspective of the underlying microscopic structure of rigid matter and will focus upon materials with nanoscale dimensions. Co-convened with PHY 482. Letter grade only.
PHY 593 - Public School In-service Workshop: Topical instruction involving exchange of ideas, practical methods, skills, and principles. Normally you may count up to 6 hours of 593 toward your graduate program. Pass-fail only. May be repeated for credit.
PHY 597 - Reading For Comprehensive Exams: Preparation for comprehensive examination. Pass-Fail only.
PHY 599 - Contemporary Developments: Examines recent trends and investigations in a selected area of a particular field of study. May be offered no more than three times before being submitted for a permanent course number. Letter grade only. May be repeated for credit.
PHY 608 - Fieldwork Experience: Supervised field experience in an appropriate agency, organization, or situation. Department consent required. Pass-fail only. May be repeated for up to 12 units of credit.
PHY 685 - Graduate Research: Department consent required. Letter grade or pass-fail. May be repeated for up to 6 units of credit.
PHY 687 - Professional Development Seminar: Designed to assist in preparing you for entry into your professional arena. Pass-Fail or letter grade, depending on department policy.
PHY 697 - Independent Study: Individualized directed study on selected topics. Note that no more than 3 units may be included on a master's plan in education. Department consent required. Letter grade or pass-fail. May be repeated for credit. Please complete the Independent Study Proposal form and obtain signatures of approval BEFORE registering. https://nau.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/Independent_Study_Form_FINAL-3.pdf
PHY 698 - Graduate Seminar: Department consent required. Letter grade or pass-fail. May be repeated for credit.
PHY 699 - Thesis: Individualized directed research, writing, and oral defense of selected thesis topic. Instructor's consent required. Pass-fail only. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Admission to master's program.