Physics Course Descriptions
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.
Course Description
Physics Upper Level Note
To enter third-year Physics at TRU, the student should complete one of the following sequences with grades of C- or better and meet with the B.Sc. Program Advisor, Dr. Eric Littley:
(a) PHYS 1100/1200, PHYS 2000, PHYS 2150, PHYS 2200 and PHYS 2250
(b) PHYS 1150/1250, PHYS 2000, PHYS 2150, PHYS 2200 and PHYS 2250
and complete COMP 1000 or the preferred COMP 1130 in the first two years.
Most upper level Physics courses are offered in alternating years. Check with the B.Sc. Program Advisor, Dr. Eric Littley, for availability in any particular year. It is the student's responsibility to check transfer requirements at any university to which they intend to transfer.
PHYS 1100
PHYS 1100
Fundamentals of Physics 1 (3,0,3)(L) 3 credits
A survey course for students with some secondary school physics background. Topics covered include mechanics, fluid mechanics, waves and heat.
Prerequisite: Principles of Mathematics 12 or MATH 0610, Physics 11 or PHYS 1130 or equivalent
Corequisite: MATH 1130 or 1140 or 1150
PHYS 1130
PHYS 1130
Introductory Physics 1 (3,0,3)(L) 3 credits
A survey of physics at an introductory level for students with little or no background in the subject. Topics covered are mechanics, vibration, heat, optics and fluids.
Prerequisite: Principles of Mathematics 11 or MATH 0510 or equivalent or PHYS 0500
Note: PHYS 1130 can be taken to partially fulfill the science requirements in the B.A. Program
PHYS 1150
PHYS 1150
Mechanics and Waves (3,0,3)(L) 3 credits
This course is intended for students with a good secondary school background in physics. Calculus will be introduced and used in the course. Topics covered include a short review of mechanics, simple harmonic motion, mechanical waves, sound, wave optics and geometric optics.
Prerequisite: Principles of Mathematics 12 or MATH 0610 or MATH 1000, Physics 12 (or PHYS 1130 with an A and consent of the instructor)
Corequisite: MATH 1130 or 1140
Note: PHYS 1150/1250 is recommended for students planning to major in physics or chemistry, and is strongly recommended for students planning to transfer into Engineering after a year of Science.
PHYS 1200
PHYS 1200
Fundamentals of Physics 2 (3,0,3)(L) 3 credits
A continuation of PHYS 1100. Topics covered include electricity and magnetism, optics, and selected topics from nuclear physics and modern physics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 1100; MATH 1130 or MATH 1140 or MATH 1150
Corequisite: MATH 1230 or 1240 or 1250
PHYS 1250
PHYS 1250
Thermodynamics, Electricity and Magnetism (3,0,3)(L) 3 credits
This course is a continuation of PHYS 1150. Topics covered include thermodynamics, kinetic theory of gases, electricity and magnetism.
Prerequisite: PHYS 1150, MATH 1130 or 1140
Corequisite: MATH 1230 or 1240
PHYS 1510
PHYS 1510
Applied Physics 1 (3,0,2)(L) 3 credits
This course gives a basic introduction to the following concepts: motion, force, friction, equilibrium, energy, momentum, simple machines and dc circuit analysis. Circular motion and rotation will be considered as well as linear motion.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Architectural and Engineering Technology Program
PHYS 1580
PHYS 1580
Physics for Respiratory Therapists (3,0,3)(L) 3 credits
The basic physical concepts of fluid mechanics, the properties of fluids, and applied electricity will be covered. Emphasis is placed on laboratory work, particularly in the use of electrical and electronic measuring devices.
Prerequisite: Admission to year one of the Respiratory Therapy diploma program
PHYS 1610
PHYS 1610
Applied Physics 2 (3,0,2)(L) 3 credits
In a continuation of PHYS 1510, the following topics are covered: strength of materials, fluid statics and dynamics, thermal energy and heat transfer, vibrations and wave motion, optics.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Architectural and Engineering Technology Program
PHYS 2000
PHYS 2000
Relativity and Quanta (3,1,0) 3 credits
Special relativity: Lorenz transformations; dynamics and conservation laws. Quantum Physics: the experimental evidence for quantization; a qualitative discussion of the concepts of quantum mechanics and their application to simple systems of atoms and nuclei. This course is the same as CHEM 2000.
Prerequisite: PHYS 1100/1200 or PHYS 1150/1250, MATH 1130/1230 or MATH 1140/1240 or MATH 1150/1250
Note: Credit will not be given for both CHEM 2000 and PHYS 2000
PHYS 2150
PHYS 2150
Circuit Analysis (3,1,3)(L) 3 credits
Analysis of linear electrical circuits, network theorems, first and second order circuits and transfer functions.
Prerequisite: PHYS 1100/1200 (with written permission of the Instructor) or PHYS 1150/1250, MATH 1130/1230 or MATH 1140/1240 or MATH 1150/1250 (with permission of the instructor)
PHYS 2200
PHYS 2200
Mechanics (4,0,0) 3 credits
Statics of particles and rigid bodies, friction, moments of inertia and distributed forces. Dynamics of particles in inertial and non-inertial frames of reference, systems of particles, kinetics and dynamics of rigid bodies, rotational motion and simple harmonic motion.
Prerequisite: PHYS 1100/1200 or PHYS 1150/1250; MATH 2110
PHYS 2250
PHYS 2250
Intermediate Electromagnetism (3,0,3)(L) 3 credits
This course extends the topics covered in PHYS 1200/1250 and examines the basic principles of electromagnetism using a more sophisticated mathematical approach. Topics include vector algebra, electrostatics, magnetostatics, electric and magnetic fields in matter, as well as an introduction to electrodynamics. The course will be presented using lectures and laboratory experiments.
Prerequisite: PHYS 1100/1200 or PHYS 1150/1250; MATH 1130/1230 or MATH 1140/1240 or MATH 1150/1250 (with permission of the instructor)
Corequisite: MATH 2110
Physics Upper Level Note
To enter third-year Physics at TRU, the student should complete one of the following sequences with grades of C- or better and meet with the B.Sc. Program Advisor, Dr. Eric Littley:
(a) PHYS 1100/1200, PHYS 2000, PHYS 2150, PHYS 2200 and PHYS 2250
(b) PHYS 1150/1250, PHYS 2000, PHYS 2150, PHYS 2200 and PHYS 2250
and complete COMP 1000 or the preferred COMP 1130 in the first two years.
Most upper level Physics courses are offered in alternating years. Check with the B.Sc. Program Advisor, Dr. Eric Littley, for availability in any particular year. It is the student’s responsibility to check transfer requirements at any university to which they intend to transfer.
PHYS 3080
PHYS 3080
Optics (3,0,3) 3 credits
Physical optics: Interference, diffraction, polarization, Fourier optics, Abbe theory and modern applications. Selected experiments in optics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2250
PHYS 3090
PHYS 3090
Analog Electronics (0,2,3)(L) 3 credits
This laboratory course introduces students to the theory of operation of diodes, bipolar transistors, field-effect transistors, and operational amplifiers. The topics of feedback, gain, input and output impedances, as well as frequency response are also covered. Students learn to design, assemble, and test analog circuits including power supplies, amplifiers, filters, and mixers. The software LabView is used to acquire and analyze experimental data.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2150
PHYS 3100
PHYS 3100
Digital Electronics (0,2,3)(L) 3 credits
This laboratory course introduces the students to Boolean algebra and logic gates, combinational and sequential logic circuits, the architecture and programming of a microcontroller, as well as the use of the software LabView to create complete measurement systems. Students learn to design, assemble, and test digital logic circuits using discrete components, programmable gate arrays, and microcontrollers.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2150
PHYS 3120
PHYS 3120
Introduction to Mathematical Physics (3,1,0) 3 credits
This course has three parts. The first part examines some methods for solving ordinary differential equations. Power series methods are applied to obtain solutions near ordinary points and regular singular points, and the real Laplace transform is discussed. The second part deals with Sturm-Liouville boundary-value problems, Fourier series, and other series of eigenfunctions, including Fourier-Bessel series. The final part is an introduction to boundary-value problems involving partial differential equations, primarily the heat equation, the wave equation and Laplace’s equation, with applications in Physics. The method of separation of variables is used.
Prerequisite: MATH 2240
Note: This course is the same as MATH 3160. Credit will be only given for one of PHYS 3120 and MATH 3160.
PHYS 3140
PHYS 3140
Fluids (3,0,0) 3 credits
Kinetic theory: particle flux, the equation of state, Boltzmann statistics, the Maxwell distribution, equipartition, mean free path, transport. Fluid mechanics: Euler’s equation, the equation of continuity, hydrostatics, steady flow, the Bernoulli equation, the one-dimensional approximation, flow of viscous fluids, the energy equation, flow in pipes, flow over immersed bodies, open channel flow. Water waves: description, the dispersion relation, capillary and gravity waves.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2200
Corequisite or prerequisite: MATH 2240
PHYS 3150
PHYS 3150
Physics of Materials (3,0,0) 3 credits
Bonding in solids, crystal structure, defects, strength of materials, strength of perfect and real metals, heat capacity, lattice vibrations and phonons, electrical properties of solids, band theory, semiconductors, liquid crystals, and polymers.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2000 or CHEM 2000; MATH 2110
PHYS 3160
PHYS 3160
Classical and Statistical Thermodynamics (3,0,0) 3 credits
This course introduces the principles of elementary classical thermodynamics, kinetic theory, and statistical mechanics. The theories are then applied to a variety of physical processes and systems, such as ideal and real gases, heat engines, and quantum systems.
Prerequisite: PHYS 1100/1200 or 1150/1250; MATH 1130/1230 or MATH 1140/1240; MATH 2110
PHYS 3200
PHYS 3200
Advanced Mechanics (3,0,0) 3 credits
The object of this course is to extend the concepts studied in PHYS 2200. 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.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2200, MATH 2110, MATH 2120, MATH 2240 and MATH 3170
PHYS 3250
PHYS 3250
Advanced Electromagnetism (3,1,0) 3 credits
The objective of the course is to provide students with a working knowledge of electrodynamics. This requires a solid grounding in vector calculus, partial differential equations, and an in-depth understanding of Maxwell’s equations. Topics covered include: review of vector calculus; Laplace’s equation; potential theory; electrostatics and magnetostatics in matter; electrodynamics; special relativity and electromagnetism.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2250, MATH 2240 and MATH 3170
PHYS 3300
PHYS 3300
Biophysics (3,0,3*)(L) 3 credits
This course examines how basic principles of physics apply to actions, body design and physical limitations of animals, mainly vertebrates. The topics will include physical concepts of forces, materials structure, fluid mechanics, light and sound, and electricity and magnetism. These topics will be 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.
Prerequisite: PHYS 1100/1200 or 1150/1250; BIOL 1090 or 1110 or 1210 (BIOL 1210 preferred)
PHYS 3400
PHYS 3400
Principles and Applications of Quantum Mechanics 1 (3,0,0) 3 credits
This course aims to build on the basic concepts of quantum physics encountered in PHYS 2000 and develops a formulation of quantum mechanics using initially the wave mechanical approach and then more formally using the state-vector approach. Finally, the theory is applied to one-electron atoms, and other quantum systems.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2000; MATH 2240; MATH 3170
PHYS 3500
PHYS 3500
Selected Topics in Physics (3,0,0) 3 credits
This course introduces the students to current topics in Physics. The course content will vary from year to year but could include topics such as: nanotechnology, superconductivity, photonics, semiconductor physics and optoelectronics.
Prerequisite: Will vary from year to year but will typically consist of a combination of second-year courses in Physics and Mathematics; consult the B.Sc. Program Advisor, Dr. Eric Littley, for specific prerequisites for each offering
PHYS 4140
PHYS 4140
Radioactivity/Nuclear Physics (3,0,0) 3 credits
A survey of basic concepts of nuclear physics with applications in power, medicine, geology, industry, archaeology, cosmology.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2000 or CHEM 2000, PHYS 2250 and MATH 2240
PHYS 4400
PHYS 4400
Principles and Applications of Quantum Mechanics 2 (3,0,0) 3 credits
This course is a continuation of PHYS 3400. It starts with a review of angular momentum and spin and the hydrogen atom. It then proceeds to examine some standard techniques that find wide applications in the study of quantum phenomena; the techniques include the perturbation theories, the variation principle, 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.
Prerequisite: PHYS 3400
PHYS 4480
PHYS 4480
Directed Studies in Physics (L) 3 credits
Students will undertake an investigation of a specific topic involving experimental work as agreed upon by the student and her/his faculty supervisor and co-supervisor.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into Physics Major; approval of supervisor and co-supervisor
EPHY 1150
EPHY 1150
Physics for Engineers 1 (3,1,0) 3 credits
This course is the same as PHYS 1150 except that Engineering students do not do the laboratory portion.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Engineering Program
EPHY 1250
EPHY 1250
Physics for Engineers 2 (3,0,3)(L) 3 credits
This course is the same as PHYS 1250 except that Engineering students may complete different laboratory work.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Engineering Program
ASTR 1140
ASTR 1140
Introductory Astronomy: The Solar System (3,0,0) 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. 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.
Note: Students cannot receive credit for both ASTR 1130 and ASTR 1140
ASTR 1150
ASTR 1150
Introductory Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies (3,0,0) 3 credits
This is a general interest introductory course on the night sky, stars and galaxies, and is intended for non-science majors. 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.
ASTR 3300
ASTR 3300
Topics in Astrophysics (3,0,3*) 3 credits
This course presents selected topics in stellar and galactic astrophysics at a level suitable for an upper level science student. Topics include telescopes, observing techniques and data reduction, stellar properties, stellar evolution, galactic kinematics and dynamics, and external galaxies. A three-hour laboratory will take place every other week. Use of the campus observatory will occur on a regular basis.
Prerequisite: PHYS 1150/1250 or PHYS 1100/1200, MATH 1130/1230 or MATH 1140/1240, MATH 2110