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Physics
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
ISC 3523C Research Methods
Credits: 3; Prereq: UFTeach Step 1; One year of college biology, chemistry, or physics.
Students will learn the tools scientists use to solve scientific problems, including use of experiments to answer scientific questions, design of experiments to reduce systematic and random errors, use of statistics to interpret experimental results and deal with sampling errors, mathematical modelling of scientific phenomena, and oral presentation of scientific work.)
MET 1010 Introduction to Weather and Climate
Credits: 3; Prereq: high school algebra.
A course designed for non-science students interested in understanding the phenomena of daily weather. Several principles of physics are introduced where needed. (P)
PHY 1033C Discovering Physics
Credits: 3.
A description of the fundamental concepts of physics which shape a scientist's view of the laws of Nature. A laboratory experience is included, which emphasizes the importance of measurement for the testing of scientific hypotheses. (P)
PHY 2004 Applied Physics 1
Credits: 3; Prereq: algebra and trigonometry.
Emphasizes the practical applications of basic physics to a wide range of professions including architecture, agricultural sciences, building construction, and forest resources. Mechanics of motion, forces, energy, momentum, wave motion and heat. (P)
PHY 2004L Laboratory for PHY 2004
Credits: 1; Coreq: PHY 2004. (P)
PHY 2005 Applied Physics 2
Credits: 3; Prereq: PHY 2004.
Continuation of the sequence. Electric and magnetic fields. Geometrical, wave and applied optics. Modern and nuclear physics. (P)
PHY 2005L Laboratory for PHY 2005
Credits: 1; Coreq: PHY 2005. (P)
PHY 2020 Introduction to Principles of Physics
Credits: 3; Prereq: high school algebra and trigonometry or the equivalent.
The course introduces fundamental principles of physics in mechanics, electricity and modern physics as applied to conservation laws. An in-depth analysis of selected topics with lecture demonstration, films and other teaching aids. (P)
PHY 2048 Physics with Calculus 1
Credits: 3; Prereq: high-school physics or PHY 2020 or the equivalent. and MAC 2311; Coreq: MAC 2312.
The first of a two-semester sequence of physics for scientists and engineers. The course covers Newtonian mechanics and includes motion, vectors, Newton's laws, work and conservation of energy, systems of particles, collisions, equilibrium, oscillations and waves. (P)
PHY 2048L Laboratory for PHY 2048
Credits: 1; Coreq: PHY 2048 or the equivalent. (P)
PHY 2049 Physics with Calculus 2
Credits: 3; Prereq: PHY 2048 and MAC 2312; Coreq: MAC 2313.
The second of a two-semester sequence of physics for scientists and engineers. Content includes Coulomb's law, electric fields and potentials, capacitance, currents and circuits, Ampere's law, Faraday's law, inductance, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves, ray optics, interference and diffraction. (P)
PHY 2049L Laboratory for PHY 2049
Credits: 1; Coreq: PHY 2049 or the equivalent. (P)
PHY 2053 Physics 1
Credits: 4; Prereq: high school algebra and trigonometry or the equivalent.
First semester of introductory physics de-emphasizing calculus. Structure and properties of matter; kinematics, dynamics and statics; momentum and energy; rotation, elasticity; vibration; fluids; temperature and expansion, heat transfer, thermal behavior of gases; wave motion and sound. (P)
PHY 2053L Laboratory for PHY 2053
Credits: 1; Coreq: PHY 2053 or the equivalent. (P)
PHY 2054 Physics 2
Credits: 4; Prereq: PHY 2053 or the equivalent.
Second semester of introductory physics de-emphasizing calculus. Electric charge, fields and circuits; electromagnetism, applied electricity; geometrical optics, wave optics, applied optics; electrons and photons; atoms and nuclei. (P)
PHY 2054L Laboratory for PHY 2054
Credits: 1; Coreq: PHY 2054 or the equivalent. (P)
PHY 2060 Enriched Physics with Calculus 1
Credits: 3; Prereq: instructor permission; Coreq: MAC 2312 or the equivalent.
First of the enriched sequence for physics majors and others wishing a deeper understanding of mechanics, kinematics, conservation laws, harmonic motion, central forces and special relativity. (P)
PHY 2061 Enriched Physics with Calculus 2
Credits: 3; Prereq: PHY 2060, or instructor permission; Coreq: MAC 2313 or the equivalent.
Second course of the enriched sequence. Electricity and magnetism, including electrostatics, Gauss's Law, potentials, vector analysis, Laplace's equation, conductors and insulators, circuits, magnetism, Maxwell's equations and EandM fields in matter. (P)
PHY 2064L Accelerated Physics with Calculus Laboratory
Credits: 2; Prereq: PHY 2048 or PHY 2060; Coreq: PHY 2049 or PHY 2061.
A cross-disciplinary, inquiry-based curriculum that focuses on major themes and concepts in physics, with an emphasis on their application in modern, quantitative life sciences research. Equivalent to PHY 2048L + PHY 2049L or PHY 2060L + PHY 2061L.
PHY 2464 The Physical Basis of Music
Credits: 3; Prereq: high school algebra and trigonometry or the equivalent.
Vibration and wave behavior as applied to musical instruments; studies of the generation and reception of sound waves, musical intervals and scales, musical acoustics and musical electronics. (P)
PHY 3031 Development of Modern Ideas in Physics: The How and Why of Science
Credits: 3; Prereq: a college algebra or pre-calculus algebra and MAC 1114.
This course covers important innovations in physics since the time of Aristotle, with emphasis on work since 1600, in order to understand the underpinnings of our current world view of the physical university. Designed for non-majors. (P) (WR)
PHY 3063 Enriched Modern Physics
Credits: 3; Prereq: PHY 2061, or instructor permission and MAP 2302 or the equivalent.
Theory of relativity and introduction to quantum theory. Course includes wave mechanics, quantum theory of solids, and nuclear and particle physics and cosmology.
PHY 3101 Introduction to Modern Physics
Credits: 3; Prereq: PHY 2049 or the equivalent.
Modern and atomic physics, relativity, wave phenomena and the basis of quantum physics. (P)
PHY 3221 Mechanics 1
Credits: 3; Prereq: PHY 2049 or the equivalent; Coreq: MAP 2302 or the equivalent.
First part of two-semester sequence in classical mechanics. Topics include matrices, vector calculus, Newtonian mechanics, frames of reference, conservation laws, harmonic oscillator. (P)
PHY 3323 Electromagnetism 1
Credits: 3; Prereq: PHY 2049, PHY 2061 or the equivalent; MAP 2302 or the equivalent.
First part of the sequence in electromagnetism. Static electric and magnetic fields, electric circuits. Maxwell's equations, propagation of electromagnetic waves and radiation. (P)
PHY 3400 Light, Color and Holography
Credits: 3.
Demonstrations and discussion of commonly observed phenomena of light, color, and vision such as rainbows, sunsets, the blue sky, and perceptual illusions. A study of the principles of holography and applications. (P)
PHY 3513 Thermal Physics 1
Credits: 3; Coreq: PHY 2049 or the equivalent.
First part of sequence PHY 3513-4523. Treatment of classical thermodynamics including fundamental postulates, entropy, equations of states. Thermodynamic equilibrium and potentials, Maxwell relations, phase transitions. (P)
PHY 3840L Building Scientific Equipment
Credits: 2; Prereq: PHY 2061 or PHY 3101 or the equivalent.
Hands-on experience in mechanical fabrication of research apparatus. Shop drawings, properties of materials, metal cutting including lathe and milling-machine operation, and metal joining.
PHY 3905 Individual Work
Credits: 1 to 4; can be repeated with change in content up to 8 credits. Prereq: instructor permission.
A guided course of study or special projects for selected undergraduates, primarily those with fewer than 10 credits of course work in physics or allied fields.
PHY 4222 Mechanics 2
Credits: 3; Prereq: PHY 3221; differential equations.
Second part of sequence in classical mechanics. Rigid body mechanics; motion in a noninertial frame, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics; elements of fluid mechanics; relativity theory.
PHY 4324 Electromagnetism 2
Credits: 3; Prereq: PHY 3323; differential equations.
The second course in the electromagnetism sequence.
PHY 4422 Optics 1
Credits: 3; Prereq: PHY 3323, or instructor permission.
The phenomena of reflection, refraction, dispersion, interference, diffraction and polarization of light.
PHY 4523 Statistical Physics
Credits: 3; Prereq: PHY 3513 and PHY 4604; differential equations.
Second of the PHY 3513-4523 sequence. Introduction to statistical physics.
PHY 4550 Cryogenics
Credits: 3; Prereq: PHY 3101 or the equivalent; Coreq: PHY 3513 or the equivalent.
History of cryogenics, air separation, liquefaction of permanent gases and natural gases, and superconducting devices and electronics.
PHY 4604 Introductory Quantum Mechanics 1
Credits: 3; Prereq: PHY 3101 or PHY 3063; MAP 2302 or the equivalent.
First of the PHY 4604-4605 sequence. Basic concepts of quantum mechanics with applications in atomic and nuclear physics and condensed matter. (P)
PHY 4605 Introductory Quantum Mechanics 2
Credits: 3; Prereq: PHY 4604.
Second of the PHY 4604-4605 sequence.
PHY 4802L Laboratory Physics 1
Credits: 3; Coreq: PHY 3323 or the equivalent.
Electronics in the laboratory.
PHY 4803L Laboratory Physics 2
Credits: 3; Prereq: PHY 4604 and PHY 4802L.
Current laboratory techniques.
PHY 4905 Individual Work
Credits: 1 to 4; can be repeated with change in content up to 10 credits. Prereq: 12 credits of physics, instructor permission.
Qualified undergraduate students may study selected topics in physics.
PHY 4910L Individual Laboratory Work
Credits: 1 to 3; can be repeated with change in content up to 3 credits. Prereq: 12 credits of physics.
Qualified undergraduate students may pursue a special project in the laboratory.
PHZ 3113 Introduction to Theoretical Physics
Credits: 3; Prereq: MAC 2313 and PHY 2061, or instructor permission.
This course expands and systematizes the treatment of standard problems previously encountered in elementary physics. Mathematical techniques are developed to study problems in thermodynamics, statistical physics, the motion of coupled oscillators and electrodynamics.
PHZ 4390 Introduction to Elementary Particle Physics
Credits: 3; Prereq: PHY 3101 or PHY 3063; Coreq: PHY 4604.
History and phenomenology of particle physics, physics of the Standard Model and beyond, and particle accelerators and detectors.
PHZ 4710 Introduction to Biophysics
Credits: 3; Prereq: one year of introductory physics (PHY 2053/2054, PHY 2048/2049 or the equivalent.), or instructor permission.
General discussion of dimensions accessible by microscopes and probes used in imagining science techniques (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomograph, x-ray synchrotron crystallography, various scanning microscopes, gel electrophoresis and magnetoencephalography) and effects of radiation (including electromagnetic waves or EMFs) on biological tissue. (WR)
PSC 3803C Our Physical World-Physical Science for Elementary Teachers
Credits: 3.
Basic physical science with everyday applications, correlated with the Sunshine State Standards. Topics include scientific method, the universe, gravity, mechanics, energy, heat/thermodynamics, electricity, waves and radiation, atoms and weather. Includes hands-on laboratory/activity sessions. (P)

General Education Categories

Consult Schedule of Courses for specific information.

  • Biological Sciences (B)
  • Composition (C)
  • Diversity (D)*
  • Humanities (H)
  • International (N)*
  • Mathematics (M)
  • Physical Sciences (P)
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (S)

* Students who entered UF prior to Summer B 2007 and/or whose catalog year is not 2007-08: Current students who have not completed six hours of international/diversity (I) credits can do so now by taking D and N courses.

Symbols Used in Course Descriptions

  • (WR): the course satisfies the writing requirement.
  • (MR): the course satisfies the math requirement.
  • (S-U): the course may be taken on a satisfactory-unsatisfactory basis.
  • Refer to the Schedule of Courses for specific information.