Western Carolina University · Courses
PHYS 20 courses with the subject PHYS, 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.
Catalogs 64 Programs 441 Checklists 399 Courses 2,463 Policies 16 Agreements 2 Pathways 1 Comparability 17 Accreditation 12 Subject ACCT 22 ANTH 47 ART 65 ASI 6 AST 4 ATTR 11 BA 11 BIOL 103 BK 21 BKSE 8 CE 18 CHEM 71 CHER 8 CHIN 5 CIS 21 CJ 48 CM 32 COMM 56 COUN 3 CPE 7 CS 27 CSD 19 DA 17 DSGN 22 ECET 21 ECO 2 ECON 25 EDCI 13 EDEL 18 EDM 39 EDMG 14 EDPY 1 EDRD 10 EDSE 7 EE 33 ELMG 7 EMC 41 ENGL 103 ENGR 29 ENT 15 ENVH 33 ES 9 ESI 2 ET 35 FIN 22 FOR 1 FPA 4 FREN 17 FS 12 FTP 41 GBS 3 GEOG 13 GEOL 30 GER 16 HEAL 4 HIST 99 HPE 30 HSCC 17 HT 26 IDES 24 IE 10 INST 5 JPN 20 LATX 2 LAW 31 LEAD 23 MATH 52 ME 14 MFE 8 MFL 1 MGT 20 MKT 22 MUS 102 NAS 6 ND 30 NEUR 4 NRM 30 NSG 57 PAR 40 PE 48 PHYS 20 PRM 52 PSC 51 PSY 45 QA 4 RAE 11 RTH 41 SCI 5 SJ 2 SM 19 SOC 35 SOCW 28 SPAN 32 SPED 30 THEA 61 UE 1 USI 11 WLL 5 No subject 17 PHYS 105 Contemporary Physics 3
A lecture/laboratory integrated course covering some basic subject areas in physics, as well as some historical background. Topics include motion, forces, pressure/fluids, wave motion, nuclear physics, relativity and string theory, and energy. 3 Lecture/Lab. (Liberal Studies C5)
Subject PHYS Credits (min) 3 Credits (max) 3 Credit unit Credits Type course Edition 2026-2027 Catalog CURRENT 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog Source catalog.wcu.edu PHYS 130 Introductory Physics I 4
Noncalculus-based treatment of motion, force, energy, and heat. 3 Lecture, 2 Lab (Lecture-3 credits, Lab 1 credit) (Lab is required) (Liberal Studies C5).
Subject PHYS Credits (min) 4 Credits (max) 4 Credit unit Credits Type course Edition 2026-2027 Catalog CURRENT 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog Source catalog.wcu.edu PHYS 131 Introductory Physics II 4
A continuation of PHYS 130 covering electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics. 3 Lecture, 2 Lab (Lecture 3 credits, Lab 1 credit) (Lab is required) (Liberal Studies C5).
Subject PHYS Credits (min) 4 Credits (max) 4 Credit unit Credits Type course Edition 2026-2027 Catalog CURRENT 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog Source catalog.wcu.edu Prerequisite PHYS 130 . Corequisite Lab must be taken concurrently with lecture. Credits: 4 PHYS 230 General Physics I 4
Calculus-based study of motion, force, energy, wave motion, and thermodynamics. 3 Lecture, 3 Lab. (Lecture-3 credits, Lab-1 credit) (Lab is required) (Liberal Studies C5).
Subject PHYS Credits (min) 4 Credits (max) 4 Credit unit Credits Type course Edition 2026-2027 Catalog CURRENT 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog Source catalog.wcu.edu Prerequisite MATH 153 . Corequisite Lab must be taken concurrently with lecture. Credits: 4 PHYS 231 General Physics II 4
A continuation of PHYS 230 covering electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern topics. 3 Lecture, 3 Lab. (Lecture 3 credit, Lab 1 credit) (231 Lab is not required for Electrical Engineering Majors) (Liberal Studies C5).
Subject PHYS Credits (min) 4 Credits (max) 4 Credit unit Credits Type course Edition 2026-2027 Catalog CURRENT 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog Source catalog.wcu.edu Prerequisite PHYS 230 . Credits: 4 PHYS 310 Modern Physics 3
Special relativity, quantum physics, the wave nature of matter, atomic and nuclear structure, and elementary particles.
Subject PHYS Credits (min) 3 Credits (max) 3 Credit unit Credits Type course Edition 2026-2027 Catalog CURRENT 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog Source catalog.wcu.edu Prerequisite ( MATH 140 or MATH 153 ) and ( PHYS 131 or PHYS 231 ). Credits: 3 PHYS 311 Nuclear Physics 3
This course is a calculus-based introduction to concepts in nuclear physics as well as its history and politics. Topics include basic atomic theory, radioactivity, nuclear reactions, fission, fusion, introductory thermodynamics, nuclear weapons, nuclear power plant design, radioactive waste, nuclear accidents, and particle physics.
Subject PHYS Credits (min) 3 Credits (max) 3 Credit unit Credits Type course Edition 2026-2027 Catalog CURRENT 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog Source catalog.wcu.edu Prerequisite MATH 153 and ( PHYS 131 or PHYS 231 ) Credits: 3 PHYS 320 Mathematical Methods of Physics 3
Complex numbers and functions, series, Fourier series, cylindrical and spherical polar coordinate systems, ordinary and partial differential equations.
Subject PHYS Credits (min) 3 Credits (max) 3 Credit unit Credits Type course Edition 2026-2027 Catalog CURRENT 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog Source catalog.wcu.edu Prerequisite MATH 255 and ( PHYS 131 or PHYS 231 ). Credits: 3 PHYS 322 Optics 3
Geometrical and physical optics, introduction to quantum optics.
Subject PHYS Credits (min) 3 Credits (max) 3 Credit unit Credits Type course Edition 2026-2027 Catalog CURRENT 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog Source catalog.wcu.edu Prerequisite MATH 255 and ( PHYS 131 or PHYS 231 ). Credits: 3 PHYS 325 Thermodynamics 3
Classical theory of heat, first and second laws of thermodynamics, enthalpy, entropy, introductory kinetic theory, and statistical thermodynamics.
Subject PHYS Credits (min) 3 Credits (max) 3 Credit unit Credits Type course Edition 2026-2027 Catalog CURRENT 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog Source catalog.wcu.edu Prerequisite MATH 256 and PHYS 131 . Credits: 3 PHYS 330 Geophysics 4
Subject PHYS Credits (min) 4 Credits (max) 4 Credit unit Credits Type course Edition 2026-2027 Catalog CURRENT 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog Source catalog.wcu.edu Prerequisite PHYS 130 or PHYS 230 ; and the completion of, or concurrent enrollment in either PHYS 131 or PHYS 231 . Credits: 4 PHYS 333 Energy Physics 3
Survey of physics topics with emphasis on commercial energy extraction, transmission, and storage based on market demand. The course reviews pertinent topics drawn from but not limited to thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, electromagnetism, solid state, and nuclear physics. The course will address energy production from nuclear, hydroelectric, fossil fuel, solar, and wind sources as well as emerging technologies.
Subject PHYS Credits (min) 3 Credits (max) 3 Credit unit Credits Type course Edition 2026-2027 Catalog CURRENT 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog Source catalog.wcu.edu Prerequisite PHYS 231 , or ( PHYS 131 and MATH 153 ), or permission of instructor. Credits: 3 PHYS 335 Astrophysics 3
Introduction to the basic principles of astrophysics; stellar structure, stellar evolution, galactic astronomy.
Subject PHYS Credits (min) 3 Credits (max) 3 Credit unit Credits Type course Edition 2026-2027 Catalog CURRENT 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog Source catalog.wcu.edu Prerequisite MATH 256 and ( PHYS 131 or PHYS 231 ). Credits: 3 PHYS 360 Laboratory Physics 2
Intermediate experiments in modern physics.
Subject PHYS Credits (min) 2 Credits (max) 2 Credit unit Credits Type course Edition 2026-2027 Catalog CURRENT 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog Source catalog.wcu.edu Prerequisite PHYS 131 or PHYS 231 . Credits: 2 PHYS 380 Research in Physics 1-3
Physics research projects for individual students. Lab; three-hours weekly in lab per credit hour.
Subject PHYS Credits (min) 1 Credits (max) 3 Credit unit Credits Type course Edition 2026-2027 Catalog CURRENT 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog Source catalog.wcu.edu Prerequisite Permission of instructor. Credits: 1-3, R12 PHYS 410 Classical Mechanics 3
Topics in analytical mechanics using vector operators and differential equations.
Subject PHYS Credits (min) 3 Credits (max) 3 Credit unit Credits Type course Edition 2026-2027 Catalog CURRENT 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog Source catalog.wcu.edu Prerequisite MATH 256 or PHYS 320 . Credits: 3 PHYS 440 Electricity and Magnetism 3
Topics in electricity and magnetism using vector operators and differential equations.
Subject PHYS Credits (min) 3 Credits (max) 3 Credit unit Credits Type course Edition 2026-2027 Catalog CURRENT 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog Source catalog.wcu.edu Prerequisite MATH 320 or ( PHYS 320 and PHYS 410 ). Credits: 3 PHYS 450 Quantum Mechanics 3
Origins of quantum theory, the Schrodinger equation, one-dimensional potentials, linear harmonic oscillator, spherically symmetric potentials, and the hydrogen atom.
Subject PHYS Credits (min) 3 Credits (max) 3 Credit unit Credits Type course Edition 2026-2027 Catalog CURRENT 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog Source catalog.wcu.edu Prerequisite MATH 256 and PHYS 310 . Credits: 3 PHYS 454 Computer Interfacing 3
Digital logic, computer design, and interfacing with laboratory instruments. This course is cross-listed with CHEM 454. 3 Lecture.
Subject PHYS Credits (min) 3 Credits (max) 3 Credit unit Credits Type course Edition 2026-2027 Catalog CURRENT 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog Source catalog.wcu.edu Prerequisite A grade of C- or better in PHYS 131 or PHYS 231 . Credits: 3 PHYS 493 Topics in Physics 2-4
Subject PHYS Credits (min) 2 Credits (max) 4 Credit unit Credits Type course Edition 2026-2027 Catalog CURRENT 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog Source catalog.wcu.edu Prerequisite Permission of department head. Credits: 2-4 Source: Western Carolina University's catalog, linked per course · table learning_unit · CourseShelf publish 61
