Schedule of Online Classes
While we do not offer a fully online degree in physics, our select online classes are regular Michigan Tech classes available to anyone qualified to take classes at Tech, anywhere in the world. Students earn course credit, the same as any on-campus class. Students are charged their normal tuition rate, plus an extra online class fee. Payment, plus the usual academic prerequisites, defines who is qualified.
Classes for High School and Early College Students
PH1090 The Physics Behind the Music (3 cr.)
PH1600 Introductory Astronomy (2 cr.)
Physics Online Courses Summer 2022
Experiments covering kinematics, force, conservation of momentum, conservation of energy, and waves are explored through guided construction. The course emphasizes understanding physical concepts through inquiry and the scientific method
- Credits: 1.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-2)
- Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
- Pre-Requisite(s): MA 1160(C) or MA 1161(C) or MA 1121(C)
An overview of basic principles of kinematics, dynamics, elasticity, fluids, heat, thermodynamics, mechanical waves, and interference and diffraction of mechanical waves.
- Credits: 3.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
- Semesters Offered: Fall, Summer
- Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following College(s): College of Engineering; May not be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Physics, Construction Management, Surveying Engineering, Electrical Eng Tech, General Technology, Mechanical Engineering Tech, Applied Physics, Computer Network & System Admn
- Co-Requisite(s): PH 1111
- Pre-Requisite(s): MA 1031 or MA 1032 or MA 1120 or MA 1135(C) or MA 1160(C) or MA 1161(C) or MA 1121(C) or ALEKS Math Placement >= 76 or CEEB Calculus AB >= 2 or CEEB Calculus BC >= 2 or CEEB Calculus AB Subscore >= 2 or ACT Mathematics >= 26 or SAT MATH SECTION SCORE-M16 >= 610
Experiments covering kinematics, forces, conservation of momentum and energy, waves, and thermodynamics are explored through guided construction. The course provides inquiry-based laboratory experiences for concepts explored in PH1110.
- Credits: 1.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-2)
- Semesters Offered: Fall, Summer
- Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following College(s): College of Engineering; May not be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Physics, Construction Management, Surveying Engineering, Electrical Eng Tech, General Technology, Mechanical Engineering Tech, Applied Physics, Computer Network & System Admn
- Co-Requisite(s): PH 1110
An overview of basic principles of static and dynamic electricity and magnetism, electromagnetic waves, reflection and refraction of light, interference and diffraction of light, special theory of relativity, wave theory of matter, particle theory of electromagnetic waves, theory of the atom, the nucleus, and elementary particles.
- Credits: 3.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
- Semesters Offered: Spring, Summer
- Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following College(s): College of Engineering; May not be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Physics, Construction Management, Surveying Engineering, Electrical Eng Tech, General Technology, Mechanical Engineering Tech, Applied Physics, Computer Network & System Admn
- Pre-Requisite(s): PH 1200(C) and (PH 1110 or PH 1100)
Introduces fundamentals of astronomy. Topics include Kepler's and Newton's laws of motion, origin and evolution of the solar system, galactic astronomy, extra-galactic astronomy, cosmology, and modern instrumentation, including space-based astronomy.
- Credits: 2.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-0)
- Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
A calculus-based introduction to waves and modern physics. Topics include interference and diffraction, special relativity, photons and matter waves, the Bohr atom, wave mechanics, atomic physics, molecular and solid-state physics, and nuclear physics.
- Credits: 3.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
- Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
- Pre-Requisite(s): PH 2200 or PH 2260
Physics Online Courses Fall 2022
Physics concepts and methods associated with musical instruments, musical recording, and musical acoustics are discussed at an introductory level. Topics include periodic motion, normal modes and resonance, superposition and Fourier series, waves, sound and acoustics, magnetism and electromagnetic induction, and topics from non-linear physics. Course is also offered online on demand in spring and summer semesters.
- Credits: 3.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
- Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
- Pre-Requisite(s): MA 1031(C) or MA 1032(C) or MA 1120(C)
Demonstrates fundamentals of astronomy using non-telescopic and telescopic observations, and computer simulations. Topics include angular size measurements, season-dependent measurements, phases of the moon, phases and orbits of planets, brightness of stars, introduction to the use of MTU's Observatory, instrumentation, and applications of computer programs involving cosmology.
- Credits: 1.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-2)
- Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
- Co-Requisite(s): PH 1600
A calculus-based introduction to waves and modern physics. Topics include interference and diffraction, special relativity, photons and matter waves, the Bohr atom, wave mechanics, atomic physics, molecular and solid-state physics, and nuclear physics.
- Credits: 3.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
- Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
- Pre-Requisite(s): PH 2200 or PH 2260
Physics Online Courses Spring 2023
Physics concepts and methods associated with musical instruments, musical recording, and musical acoustics are discussed at an introductory level. Topics include periodic motion, normal modes and resonance, superposition and Fourier series, waves, sound and acoustics, magnetism and electromagnetic induction, and topics from non-linear physics. Course is also offered online on demand in spring and summer semesters.
- Credits: 3.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
- Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
- Pre-Requisite(s): MA 1031(C) or MA 1032(C) or MA 1120(C)
Extraordinary concepts will be surveyed. Included will be time dilation and length contraction in Special Relativity, physics of Time Travel, curvature in General Relativity, interpretations of Uncertainty Principle, counter-intuitive examples of Two-Slit Experiment, Schrodinger's Cat, Maxwell's Demon, Bell's Inequality, curvature in cosmology, dark matter, dark energy, black hole evaporation, string theory, and gravitational lensing.
- Credits: 2.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-0)
- Semesters Offered: On Demand
Introduces fundamentals of astronomy. Topics include Kepler's and Newton's laws of motion, origin and evolution of the solar system, galactic astronomy, extra-galactic astronomy, cosmology, and modern instrumentation, including space-based astronomy.
- Credits: 2.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-0)
- Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Demonstrates fundamentals of astronomy using non-telescopic and telescopic observations, and computer simulations. Topics include angular size measurements, season-dependent measurements, phases of the moon, phases and orbits of planets, brightness of stars, introduction to the use of MTU's Observatory, instrumentation, and applications of computer programs involving cosmology.
- Credits: 1.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-2)
- Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
- Co-Requisite(s): PH 1600
A calculus-based introduction to fluids and thermal physics. Topics include fluid motion, propagation of heat and sound, temperature and the kinetic theory of gases, heat capacity and latent heat, first law of thermodynamics, heat engines and the second law, entropy, and an introduction to statistical mechanics. Offered second half of spring semester.
- Credits: 2.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (4-0-0)
- Semesters Offered: Spring
- Pre-Requisite(s): PH 1160 or PH 2100
A calculus-based introduction to waves and modern physics. Topics include interference and diffraction, special relativity, photons and matter waves, the Bohr atom, wave mechanics, atomic physics, molecular and solid-state physics, and nuclear physics.
- Credits: 3.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
- Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
- Pre-Requisite(s): PH 2200 or PH 2260