Undergraduate Physics Courses

John Patrick University is committed to the education and certification of qualified Medical Physicists in the field of radiation oncology.  In addition to offering our Masters of Science degree programs in Medical Physics, Medical Dosimetry, and Medical Health Physics, we have added to our catalog some undergraduate physics courses.  These courses are open to individuals outside our traditional student body.  If you are a Medical Physicist preparing to sit for the ABR board certification exam and are in need of additional physics courses, you may apply for these classes offered by JPU.  The courses are offered online.

Courses are typically offered in the Fall, Spring or Summer sessions. (see **Note** section regarding Anatomy & Physiology)

All courses (with the exception of Anatomy & Physiology) are 3 credit courses and are completed online.  

Per credit hour cost is $533.34.

**Note** Anatomy & Physiology is a 3 credit class plus 1 credit lab.   There is a one (1) day on site requirement to complete the lab practical.  This class will only be offered in the Fall and Spring semesters.  It will not be available in the summer session.

The list of undergraduate physics courses and the description are listed below as well as a link to the online application.  Please call our office if you have questions or need additional information or assistance. We can be reached at 574-232-2408.

BIOL301
Human Anatomy and Physiology

Course Description
This course is intended to provide the student with an overview of human anatomy and physiology in the framework of organ systems. The course is aimed at an audience of non-physician medical professionals, and as part of that end the anatomical component of the course emphasizes cross-sectional anatomy as seen on planar and cross-sectional medical imaging such as CT, PET, and MRI images.

MATH201
Calculus I

Course Description
This course is the first in a series of two designed to familiarize the student with the calculus. This particular course covers the fundamentals of calculus: the derivative and integral. It also covers a selection of topics to prepare the student for the second course in the series.

MATH202
Calculus II

Course Description
This course is the second in a series of two designed to familiarize the student with the calculus. Satisfactory completion of Calculus I is required prior to taking Calculus II. This course starts with a brief introduction of the concepts of vectors, in order to build a discussion of vector-valued functions. This discussion contributes to the development of concepts of three-space necessary to the rest of the course. Partial derivatives, multiple integrals, and line and surface integrals make up the remainder of the course. The latter part of this course is specifically applicable to the understanding of physics concepts, and it is the ultimate object of this course to prepare students to use those concepts in their further work in physics.

PHY201
General Physics I (Calculus Based)

Course Description
This is an introductory course designed specifically for the person who has not taken a calculus based general physics course, but is preparing for a career in Medical Physics. The combination of General Physics I and II will be adequate preparation for the 300 and 400 level physics courses offered by JPU. 

The course is designed to develop the ability to think as a physicist, rather than to survey physical science. To this end the course will deal with the mechanics of particles and rigid bodies, the mechanics of fluids, and thermodynamics. These topics represent an increasing complexity.

PHY202
General Physics II (Calculus Based)

Course Description
This is the sequel to General Physics I. A student prepared in the calculus and vector analysis can take this course before General Physics I, but both courses must be taken. The course includes a historical introduction to electromagnetic fields followed a detailed treatment of the concepts and laws. Gauss’, Oersted’s, and Ampère’s Laws, and Maxwell’s displacement current are central. Energy of the fields and storage elements in circuit theory and practical circuit analysis are treated. Electromagnetic radio and light waves are introduced.

PHY301
Modern Physics

Course Description
This course serves as a transition from the general, historical physics principles covered in a general physics course and the more modern concepts of quantum mechanics, solid state physics, and relativity that are pertinent to the study of modern-day physics. A range of topics are covered in an introductory fashion so that students are familiarized with the background material they will need to succeed in upper-level physics courses.

PHY401
Electricity and Magnetism

Course Description
This is an advanced treatment of the material in General Physics II. There is a mathematical introduction to the vector calculus and the solution of differential equations. The student, however, should be familiar with the calculus and vector analysis. The course is designed to develop first Maxwell’s electromagnetic field equations from the classic experiments that led to them. The motion of charges, waves, and wave energies and momenta are then developed.  Einstein’s special theory of relativity ties fields and particle motion together.

PHY403
Fundamentals of Nuclear Physics

Course Description
A strong foundation in nuclear physics is a fundamental component of any physicist’s tool chest. This is especially true of the medical physicist whose bread and butter is radiation science. In this course, the student is introduced to a broad swath of topics in nuclear physics. First, quantum mechanics are treated briefly to the depth necessary for the rest of the material. Nuclear properties essential to understanding the rest of the course are covered. General principles of radioactive decay are discussed, followed by in-depth discussions of alpha, beta, and gamma decays. The last planned topic is neutron physics, although the chapter on nuclear reactions will be covered if there is time.

PHY405
Thermodynamics

Course Description
This course introduces the student to the basic concepts and laws of thermodynamics. A mathematical introduction is included in the course, although the student must be familiar with the calculus. With the aim of making the approach as simple as possible the thermodynamic potentials (internal energy, enthalpy, Helmholtz energy, and Gibbs energy) are introduced as soon as possible and the remainder of the course built upon them. The molecular picture of matter, statistical mechanics, irreversibility, entropy production, chemical thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, and transition state theory are treated. The course ends with a treatment of phase transitions.