Physics
Physics is an organized way of conversing with nature. Physicists ask questions; nature responds. For many questions, the answers are almost predictable, but when the question is a particularly good one, the answer can be unexpected and give us new knowledge of the way the world works. The fundamental ideas of physics underlie all basic science - astronomy, biology, chemistry, and geology. Physics is also essential to the applied sciences and engineering. Physics graduates enjoy a broad range of careers in medicine, basic and applied research, engineering, education, energy, business, law and publishing.
The Department of Physics offers degree programs in physics as well as outstanding pre-engineering education and a physics-engineering dual degree program.
Department of Physics Faculty Listing
Academic Programs
Computational Physics Certificate Physics - BA Physics - BS Physics Minor Pre-EngineeringCourses
The course will introduce the physics and engineering disciplines and develop the student's abilities in problem solving, experimental design and technical writing through individual and group activities. Career fields and pathways in physics and engineering will also be explored.
Concepts of the physical sciences are presented as related to our physical environment. A nonmathematical overview of the physical sciences for students who have little or no previous physical science.
The process of science is investigated including observation, data collection, predicting, and formulating hypotheses by selecting activities from the broad physical science areas of chemistry, geology, meterology, astronomy, and physics. This laboratory meets two contact hours per week.
A brief introduction to physics with the idea of conveying physics as a human activity. Concepts of physics, as well as their historical and philosophical implications, are stressed rather than mathematical concepts.
An introduction to forces, motion, matter, and energy with special emphasis to life sciences. Designed for pre-professional students, lifescience majors, the general liberal arts student and prospective teachers.
A continuation of introductory physics covering wave motion (includes light and sound), electricity and magnetism, and modern physics again stressing applications to the life sciences in each of those areas.
Ground instruction in aeronautical knowledge appropriate to the private pilot written examination (FAR 61.103, 61.105 and 61.35). A passing score on the FAA written exam is required for credit. Special fees: lab fees. Requisites: permission only.
Flight instruction covering procedure and maneuvers as stated in FAR 61.107 and 91.109. A pass on a flight proficiency check ride required for credit. Extra costs involved. Special fees: lab fees. Requisites: permission only.
This course is designed to receive non-equivalent elective transfer credit.
An introduction to the basic concepts of physics and a study of x-rays and radioactivity.
A study of weather phenomena, general climatology, meteorological controls, and the techniques and problems of weather forecasting.
A calculus-based study of mechanics, wave motion and thermodynamics for majors in science and engineering.
A calculus-based study of electricity, magnetism, and optics.
Ground instruction in aeronautical knowledge appropriate to the commercial pilot written exam (FAR 61.125). A passing score on the FAA written exam is required for credit. Special fees: lab fees. Requisites: permission only.
Flight instruction covering proficiencies stated in FAR 61.127 and 61.129. Pass on flight proficiency check ride required. Extra costs involved. Special fees: lab fees. Requisites: Permission only.
Coplanar forces, friction, force analysis of simple structures, and machine elements (cross referenced with MATH 221).
The course will involve fundamental principles of telecommunication systems and information networks.
The student is introduced to the principles of electronics and of the components used in modern electronic instrumentation, including transducers of temperature, light, sound, force and displacement.
This course which is the third course in a sequence will provide the student with a working knowledge of complete instrumentation systems.
Provides the student with an off-campus opportunity to gain practical experience in a supervised technical situation. May be repeated for up to 8 cr. hrs.
A non-calculus level survey of atomic and nuclear physics and the concepts of relativity and quantum theory.
This course is designed to assist students in nursing and allied health fields in acquiring a knowledge of the principles of physics and the relationships of these principles to the functioning of the human body.
A study of principles and application of mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism with particular emphais on applications in applied technology.
Topics include the history of astronomy, constellation identification, characteristics and evolution of stars and galaxies, the nature of our solar system and the search for extraterrestrial life. A few night observations.
An introduction to the Linux operating system and its use in many fields of science. Several tools used for creating plots, analyzing data, writing scientific papers, and running simulations are covered.
A survey of atomic physics, relativity and an introduction to quantum theory.
Ground instruction appropriate to IFR navigation and the air traffic control system. (FAR 61.65 (B)). A passing score on the FAA written exam is required for credit. Special fees: lab fees. Requisites: Permission only.
Instruction in flying an aircraft by instruments reference only (FAR 61.65). A proficiency check ride required for credit. Extra costs involved. Special fees: lab fees. Requisites: permission only.
An introduction to the study of electronic circuits. Included are circuit theory, diodes, transistors and integrated circuits as used in power supplies, amplifiers; and logic circuitry.
This course is an introduction to the principles and characteristics of reactive and active circuits, and the concepts of digital circuits.
An introduction to the methods used to solve problems in science and engineering by utilizing freely available software. The course will emphasize utilizing existing software libraries to solve problems that are not feasible using analytical techniques. Data visualization and computer graphics will also be introduced.
This course is designed to receive non-equivalent elective transfer credit.
Special fees: lab fees. Requisites: permission only
This course is designed to provide practical experience in teaching and administration in physical science.
Topics of general interest in physics offered for the benefit of anyone who would like a brief encounter with topical subjects in physics. This course may be repeated for credit so long as a section by a different title is chosen each time.
Topics of general interest in physics offered for the benefit of anyone who would like a brief encounter with topical subjects in physics. This course may be repeated for credit so long as a section by a different title is chosen each time.
Anaylsis of experimental data using computers to perform common analyses including statistics, function fitting, data filtering, and error correction. An emphasis will be given to automation. In addition students will conduct experiments to analyze various aspects of numerical methods used in data analysis and simulation.
Anaylsis of experimental data using computers to perform common analyses including statistics, function fitting, data filtering, and error correction. An emphasis will be given to automation. In addition students will conduct experiments to analyze various aspects of numerical methods used in data analysis and simulation.
Provides an opportunity for participants to select a project for study. May be repeated for credit so long as content is not duplicated.
Provides an opportunity for participants to select a project for study. May be repeated for credit so long as content is not duplicated.
An introduction to secondary and middle school science teaching methods. The course provides opportunities for designing units and teaching lessons across science disciplines. Topics include learning theories and styles, teaching strategies, topics in science education research, student assessment, instructional technologies, standard-based instruction, and teaching students with special needs (the handicapped and the gifted).
An introduction to secondary and middle school science teaching methods. The course provides opportunities for designing units and teaching lessons across science disciplines. Topics include learning theories and styles, teaching strategies, topics in science education research, student assessment, instructional technologies, standard-based instruction, and teaching students with special needs (the handicapped and the gifted).
Topics selected from areas of physics such as classical mechanics, modern physics, relativity and wave mechanics are studied from a theoretical viewpoint.
Topics selected from areas of physics such as classical mechanics, modern physics, relativity and wave mechanics are studied from a theoretical viewpoint.
An elementary working knowledge of the application of vector analysis, differential equations, orthogonal functions, complex variables, probability and statistics. May also be used as MATH 540 Mathematics for the Physical Sciences.
An elementary working knowledge of the application of vector analysis, differential equations, orthogonal functions, complex variables, probability and statistics. May also be used as MATH 540 Mathematics for the Physical Sciences.
A study of the motion of particles and rigid bodies using methods of calculus and vector algebra. Includes an introduction to Lagrange equations.
A study of the motion of particles and rigid bodies using methods of calculus and vector algebra. Includes an introduction to Lagrange equations.
A study of electrostatics, magnetostatics and Maxwell's equations.
A study of electrostatics, magnetostatics and Maxwell's equations.
A study of radioactive disintegration, alpha, beta, and gamma ray spectra, nuclear models: and atomic fission and fusion.
A study of radioactive disintegration, alpha, beta, and gamma ray spectra, nuclear models: and atomic fission and fusion.
Students will conduct experiments in the areas of optics, electricity and magnetism, heat, mechanics, and atomic physics.
Students will conduct experiments in the areas of optics, electricity and magnetism, heat, mechanics, and atomic physics.
A study of geometrical and physical optics. Taught spring semester of even-numbered years.
A study of geometrical and physical optics. Taught spring semester of even-numbered years.
Continuation of PHYS 651. Experiments in various fields of modern physics such as gamma and x-ray spectroscopy, atomic physics and nuclear physics.
Continuation of PHYS 651. Experiments in various fields of modern physics such as gamma and x-ray spectroscopy, atomic physics and nuclear physics.
An introduction to the physics governing the crystalline state of matter. Modern theories describing lattice vibrations, energy bands, crystal binding, and optical properties are presented. These ideas are then applied to the understanding of technologically important areas such as superconductivity, doped semiconductors, ferroelectric materials, and photorefractivity.
An introduction to the physics governing the crystalline state of matter. Modern theories describing lattice vibrations, energy bands, crystal binding, and optical properties are presented. These ideas are then applied to the understanding of technologically important areas such as superconductivity, doped semiconductors, ferroelectric materials, and photorefractivity.
Concentrated study by teachers of selected areas from the natural sciences. Problems of special interest to teachers will be discussed. May be repeated for credit as long as subject matter is not duplicated.
Concentrated study by teachers of selected areas from the natural sciences. Problems of special interest to teachers will be discussed. May be repeated for credit as long as subject matter is not duplicated.
A program consisting of a series of related topics of science studied intensively. For both elementary and secondary teachers. May be repeated for credit as long as subject matter is not duplicated.
A program consisting of a series of related topics of science studied intensively. For both elementary and secondary teachers. May be repeated for credit as long as subject matter is not duplicated.
A study of temperature, heat, heat transfer, entrophy, the kinetic theory of gases and statistical mechanics. Taught spring semester of odd-numbered years.
A study of temperature, heat, heat transfer, entrophy, the kinetic theory of gases and statistical mechanics. Taught spring semester of odd-numbered years.
Opportunity is given for advanced students to work on problems of their own choosing.
Opportunity is given for advanced students to work on problems of their own choosing.
An experimental or theoretical project will be undertaken by the student and the results reported in a seminar. Students who have not taken the ETS major field test in physics are required to do so while enrolled in seminar.
An experimental or theoretical project will be undertaken by the student and the results reported in a seminar. Students who have not taken the ETS major field test in physics are required to do so while enrolled in seminar.
This course is designed to provide practical experience in teaching and administration in physics and physical science.
This course is designed to provide practical experience in teaching and administration in physics and physical science.
Course covers wave mechanics, postulates of quantum mechanics, angular momentum, particles and spin.
Course covers wave mechanics, postulates of quantum mechanics, angular momentum, particles and spin.
Course covers perturbation theory, scattering, atoms, molecules and nuclei.
Course covers perturbation theory, scattering, atoms, molecules and nuclei.
Provides an opportunity for participants to select a project for study. May be repeated for credit so long as content is not duplicated.
This course provides the student who is preparing to become a secondary teacher with an opportunity to organize and present lessons in a science laboratory classroom.
Topics selected from areas of physics are studied from a theoretical and applied viewpoint.
A study of the mechanics of particles, calculus of variations, Hamilton's principle, theory of vibrating strings, magnetohydro-dynamics, field theory, and the restricted theory of relativity.
A study of magnetism, thermoelectricity, high frequency currents, electromagnetic radiation, and plasma physics.
A non-calculus level survey of atomic and nuclear physics and the concepts of relativity and quantum theory.
Concentrated study by teachers of selected areas from the natural sciences. Problems of special interest to teachers will be discussed. May be repeated for credit as long as subject matter is not duplicated.
A program consisting of a series of related topics of sciences studied intensively. For both elementary and secondary teachers. May be repeated for credit as long as subject matter is not duplicated.
Opportunity is given for advanced students to work on problems of their own choosing.
An experimental or theoretical project will be undertaken by the student and the results reported in a seminar. May be repeated for a maximun of 2 cr. hrs.
This course is designed to provide practical experience in teaching and administration in physics.
Fort Hays State University
600 Park Street
Hays, KS 67601-4099
785-628-FHSU (3478)