DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
PHYSICS DEPARTMENT COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Spring 2010
Physics 107N - Astronomy
(4 credits)
Voytas, Paul
Pre-requisite: Minimum Math Placement 22.
This course surveys fundamental concepts and recent developments in astronomy and astrophysics. We will not only look at what kind of things astronomy is concerned with, we will look hard at how we know what we
know about those things, whether they are comets, black holes, or the universe itself. This course is accompanied by periodic observing sessions. This is a math-intensive course.
Physics 200B - Mechanics & Waves
(5 credits)
Fleisch, Dan
Pre-requisite: Placement into Math 201 is required. Math 201 is strongly suggested as a co-requisite.
The study of classical mechanics and waves. Topics include kinematics (the description of motion), dynamics (forces and Newton's laws), work and energy, impulse and momentum, statics, rotational motion, and waves. There will be 3 class meetings and one 3-hour lab each week. This is the first course in various introductory physics sequences designed for science majors and pre-health students: PHYS 200B & PHYS 205 for pre-health, biology, and geology; PHYS 200B & PHYS 218 for chemistry and math/computer science; PHYS 200B, PHYS 213, PHYS 214, PHYS 215, PHYS 218, & PHYS 220 for physics and pre-engineering majors.
Physics 213 - Thermodynamics and Optics
(2 credits, 1st half)
George, Elizabeth
Pre-requisite: Physics 200; Suggested co-requisite: Mathematics 202.
This course builds upon the foundation laid in Physics 200 for understanding the nature and behavior of heat and light. Specific topics include the ideal gas, heat and temperature, energy and entropy, thermodynamic processes, mirrors, lenses, and interference and diffraction of light. Applications to the efficiency of engines, thermal insulation and energy conservation, reflecting and refracting telescopes, and the human visual system will be discussed.
Physics 214 - Intermediate Physics Laboratory
(1 credit)
Williams, Jeremiah
Pre-requisite: Physics 200; Required co-requisite: Physics 213.
This laboratory course provides the opportunity for students to conduct experiments that elucidate and extend the concepts presented in Physics 213 and 215. Specific topics include heat and temperature, thermodynamic processes, mirrors and lenses, diffraction and interference, and some modern physics experiments.
Physics 215 - Special Relativity and Applications
(2 credits, 2nd half)
Williams, Jeremiah
Pre-requisite: Physics 200; Suggested co-requisite: Mathematics 202.
Einstein’s Theory of Special Relativity revolutionized our understanding of space and time. This course introduces the student to Special Relativity as well as its consequences and apparent paradoxes. Concepts such as energy and momentum are redefined. Other modern developments in our understanding of the nature and structure of matter will be discussed.
Physics 220 - Modern Physics
(5 credits)
George, Elizabeth
Pre-requisite: Physics 218. Co-requisite: Physics 215.
An introduction to quantum mechanics with applications from atomic, molecular, condensed matter, nuclear, and particle physics. The lab will include experiments that illustrate the ideas of quantum mechanics as well as experiments that introduce you to contemporary research laboratory equipment and techniques. The course is writing intensive, so an emphasis will be placed on communicating scientific ideas and experimental results in writing.
Physics 312 - Wave Phenomena
(5 credits)
Williams, Jeremiah
Pre-requisite: Physics 220. Math 212 and 215 are recommended.
This course is a unified treatment of the general properties of waves including the mathematical representation of mechanical, electromagnetic, and matter waves. Topics include wave propagation, reflection and refraction, geometrical optics, interference, diffraction, and polarization. This is a laboratory course and it is writing intensive.
Physics 320 - Computational Physics
(2 credits)
Williams, Jeremiah
Pre-requisites: Physics 220 and Math 202 and Comp 150.
This course builds upon the foundation laid in Physics 220, Mathematics 202, and Computer Science 150. We will explore computational physics by developing numerical solutions to a variety of physics problems that do not have analytic solutions. We will also look at various means of visualizing the complex data sets that frequently arise from this type of problem solving.
Physics 360 - Junior Seminar
(1 credit)
Williams, Jeremiah
This course, intended for upper-level physics majors, has the following goals: to develop the skills required to make clear presentations on technical topics; to learn to use reference materials pertinent to physics; and to get a feel for what is currently interesting and important in physics and related fields, including societal, ethical, and career issues. CLAC option available. Please consult the Language Department Course Descriptions for more specific information.
Physics 411 - Quantum Mechanics
(4 credits)
Voytas, Paul
Pre-requisite: Physics 311 - Writing intensive.
In-depth study of quantum mechanics with an emphasis on simple systems, the operator approach as applied to the harmonic oscillator and angular momentum, and perturbation theory (time--independent and time-dependent). Numerical approaches will be developed to allow the exploration of arbitrary systems.
Physics 460 - Senior Seminar
(1 credit)
Willliams, Jeremiah
This course, intended for upper-level physics majors, has the following goals: to develop the skills required to make clear presentations on technical topics; to learn to use reference materials pertinent to physics; and to get a feel for what is currently interesting and important in physics and related fields, including societal, ethical, and career issues. CLAC option available. Please consult the Language Department Course Descriptions for more specific information.
Physics 490 - Independent Study
(variable credit)
Staff
Physics 491 - Internship
(variable credit)
Staff
Course reserved for supervised research during summers or while off campus.
Physics 498 - Senior Thesis
(variable credit)
Staff
Writing intensive. Offered on demand.
Physics 499 - Senior Honors Thesis
(variable credit)
Staff
Writing intensive. Offered on demand
