Union College · Courses

PHY

34 courses with the subject PHY, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.

PHY 010Physics and Astronomy Seminar0.0

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 0
Credits (max): 0
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu

PHY 100Exploring Physics & Astronomy1.0

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu
Prerequisite: Department chair permission required. CQ: SET

PHY 110Physics for the Life Sciences 11.0

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu
Prerequisite: MTH 112 or MTH 113 (may be taken concurrently).
Corequisite: PHY 110L CQ: SCLB Lecture/

PHY 111Physics for the Life Sciences 21.0

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu
Prerequisite: PHY 110 , PHY 120 , MTH 102 , MTH 112 ,or MTH 113
Corequisite: PHY 111L CQ: SCLB Lecture/

PHY 120Matter in Motion1.0

Course Calculus-based introduction to classical mechanics; Newtonian dynamics and energetics of a single particle and of systems of particles. Integrated class and lab meets four times each week. Prerequisite(s): MTH 102 or MTH 112 or MTH 113 (may be taken concurrently). CC: SCLB, GNPS ISP: ENS

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu
Prerequisite: MTH 112 or MTH 113 (may be taken concurrently). CQ: SCLB, GNPS, GDQR ISP: ENS

PHY 121Principles of Electromagnetics1.0

Course Calculus-based introduction to waves, electro and magneto statics, and electrodynamics through Maxwell's equations. Integrated class and lab meets four times each week. Prerequisite(s): PHY 120 or IMP 120 and MTH 102 or MTH 112 or MTH 113 (may be taken concurrently) CC: SCLB, GNPS ISP: ENS Note: Typically, students complete introductory biology, chemistry and math courses in their first year. In addition to the courses above, students are required to take 3 additional electives. Two additional Biology courses to be chosen from:

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu
Prerequisite: PHY 120 or IMP 120 and MTH 112 or MTH 113 CQ: SCLB, GNPS, GDQR ISP: ENS

PHY 122Relativity, Quantum, and Their Applications1.0

Course Calculus-based introduction to the structure of matter, including quantum effects, particle, nuclear, atomic, molecular, and solid state physics, and applications to materials of interest to engineers and scientists. Prerequisite(s): PHY 121 IMP 113 or IMP 121 . Corequisite(s): PHY-122L Lecture/Lab Hours Three lab hours each week. ISP: ENS

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2024-2025
Source: catalog.union.edu

PHY 123Heat and Light1.0

Course Calculus-based introduction to thermodynamics, geometric and physical optics, and astrophysics. Integrated class and lab meets four times each week. Prerequisite(s): PHY 121 or IMP 121 . CC: ENS

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2024-2025
Source: catalog.union.edu

PHY 170Thermal Physics1

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu
Prerequisite: PHY 121 or IMP 121
Corequisite: MTH 115 CQ: WAC

PHY 171Modern Physics: Particles and Waves1

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu
Prerequisite: PHY 170 and MTH 115

PHY 199Mathematical Methods: Thinking Like A Physicist1

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu
Prerequisite: PHY 171

PHY 200Molecular Biophysics1.0

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu
Prerequisite: PHY 111 or PHY 121 or IMP 121 , and some exposure to biology or permission of the instructor.

PHY 210The Physics of Modern Medicine: Applications in Imaging, Surgery and Therapy1.0

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu
Prerequisite: PHY 111 or PHY 121 or IMP 121 , or permission of the instructor. CQ: WAC, WAC-R

PHY 220Relativity and Introduction to Quantum Mechanics1.0

Course A second course in modern physics covering special relativity and an introduction to quantum mechanics. Topics include relativistic kinematics, relativistic dynamics, four-vector notation, relativistic collisions, origins of quantum mechanics, Schrodinger's equation and the development of wave mechanics, applications of wave mechanics in one and three dimensions (step potential, square well, harmonic oscillator), angular momentum operators, the hydrogen atom, Dirac notation and matrix formulation of linear operators, Dirac Delta function, spin angular momentum, measurement theory, and time-independent perturbation theory. Prerequisite(s): PHY 122 CC: ENS Lecture/Lab Hours One hour computational lab each week.

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu
Prerequisite: PHY 171 and MTH 117 or permission of the instructor. Lecture/

PHY 230Intermediate Classical Mechanics1.0

Course An analytical treatment of classical mechanics. Topics include motion of a particle in one, two, and three dimensions; planetary motion; collision theory; moving coordinate systems; dynamics of rigid bodies; and the Lagrangian form of the equations of motion. Prerequisite(s): PHY 110 or PHY 120 or IMP 120 Prereq/Corequisite(s): MTH 117 (pre- or co-requisite), or permission of the instructor. Lecture/Lab Hours One hour computational lab each week.

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu
Prerequisite: PHY 199 , MTH 117 or permission of the instructor. Lecture/

PHY 270Intermediate Electromagnetism1.0

Course Electric and magnetic fields and potentials; electric and magnetic properties of matter; Maxwell's field equations. Prerequisite(s): PHY 121 and MTH 117 or IMP 121 , or permission of the instructor. Lecture/Lab Hours One hour computational lab each week.

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu
Prerequisite: PHY 121 and MTH 117 or IMP 121 , or permission of the instructor. Lecture/

PHY 290Physics Practicum 10

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 0
Credits (max): 0
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu

PHY 291Physics Practicum 20

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 0
Credits (max): 0
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu

PHY 292Physics Practicum 30

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 0
Credits (max): 0
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu

PHY 295HPhysics Honors Independent Project 10.0

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 0
Credits (max): 0
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu

PHY 296HPhysics Honors Independent Project2

Course Units: 1.0 Topic to be chosen in consultation with a faculty member and the student's advisor.

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 2
Credits (max): 2
Type: course
Edition: 2024-2025
Source: catalog.union.edu

PHY 300Methods of Modern Experimental Physics1.0

Course A laboratory-based course dealing with contemporary techniques in experimental physics. Prerequisite(s): PHY 122 and one physics course at the 200-level or higher, or permission of the instructor. CC: WAC ISP: ENS

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu
Prerequisite: PHY 171 and one physics course at the 200-level or higher, or permission of the instructor. CQ: WAC, WAC-R ISP: ENS

PHY 310Advanced Topics in Physics 11.0

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu
Prerequisite: PHY 171 Course open to juniors and seniors only. Enrollment by permission of the instructor. ISP: ENS

PHY 311Advanced Topics in Physics 21.0

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu
Prerequisite: PHY 122 CQ: WAC

PHY 312Advanced Topics in Physics 31.0

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu

PHY 350Advanced Quantum Mechanics1.0

Course A second course in quantum mechanics with applications to selected problems in atomic, nuclear, and solid state physics. Prerequisite(s): PHY 220 and MTH 117 , or permission of the instructor.

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu
Prerequisite: PHY 220 and MTH 117 , or permission of the instructor.

PHY 490Physics Two-Term Senior Thesis 10.0

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 0
Credits (max): 0
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu
Corequisite: Completion of PHY 491 earns the total credits.

PHY 491Physics Two-Term Senior Thesis 22.0

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 2
Credits (max): 2
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu
Prerequisite: PHY 490 CQ: WS

PHY 492Physics Senior Thesis 31.0

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu
Prerequisite: PHY 491 CQ: WS (final term)

PHY 493Physics Senior Writing Project1.0

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu

PHY 495Physics Independent Study 11.0

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu

PHY 496Physics Independent Study 21.0

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu

PHY 497Physics Independent Study 31.0

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu

PHY 498Physics Independent Study 41.0

Subject: PHY
Credits (min): 1
Credits (max): 1
Credit unit: Units
Type: course
Edition: 2026-2027
Catalog: Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Source: catalog.union.edu

Source: Union College's catalog, linked per course · table learning_unit · CourseShelf publish 61