Undergraduate Course Descriptions
- 101-3 Physics that Changed the Word: from Greek Astronomy to
Nuclear Power (University Core Curriculum, formerly GEA 101)
- This course will survey some of the most important developments in
Physics which have occurred over the past two millenia. Along the way,
students will be introduced to fundamental physicsal principles such as
energy conservation. Topics will include early astronomy, laws of motion,
electricity, magnetism, waves, quantum mechanics, and relativity.
- 102-1 Everybody's Einstein
- A non-mathematical presentation of Einstein's relativity theories on a
popular level. No prerequisite.
- 103-3 Astronomy (University Core Curriculum, formerly GEA 202)
- Fundamental concepts of the physical sciences are used in the
exploration of the observable universe. Studies include the history and
techniques of astronomy, planets, stars, black holes, galaxies and
cosmology. Lectures are supplemented by laboratory work, outdoor
astronomical observations.
- 203-6 (3, 3) College Physics
- Designed to meet preprofessional requirements and the needs of all
students in the sciences, except physics and engineering. (a)
Mechanics, heat, and sound. Prerequisite: Mathematics 108 and 109 or 111.
(b) Electricity, magnetism, light, and some aspects of modern
physics. Prerequisite: 203a.
- 205-9 (3, 3, 3) University Physics
- Designed to meet requirements of physics, engineering, and chemistry
majors. (a) Mechanics, heat, and thermodynamics. Prerequisite: Mathematics
150 or concurrent enrollment. (b) Electricity, magnetism, and
optics. Prerequisite: 205a. (c) Concepts in modern atomic,
molecular, nuclear physics, quantum physics, and relativity.
Prerequisite: 205a,b or consent of instructor.
- 253-2 (1, 1) College Physics Laboratory
- One two-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: completion of
or concurrent enrollment in 203a,b respectively; if the corresponding
lecture course is dropped, the laboratory course must also be dropped.
- 255-3 (1, 1, 1) University Physics Laboratory
- One two-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: completion of
or concurrent enrollment in 205a,b,c respectively; if the corresponding
lecture course is dropped, the laboratory course must also be dropped.
- 301-3 Theoretical Methods in Physics
- Introduction to theoretical methods of general usefulness in
intermediate and advanced undergraduate physics, with particular emphasis
on applications of vector algebra and calculus, complex numbers, matrices,
ordinary differential equations and Fourier series to selected topics in
physics. Required of all physics majors prior to or concurrently taking
310 or 320. Prerequisite: 205a, Mathematics 250 or consent of
instructor.
- 302-3 Astronomy - Honors
- Current knowledge of the universe and the gathering of that knowledge.
Includes properties of the solar system and theories of its origin, the
structure and evolution of stars. Supplemented by occasional hours of
evening observation. Prerequisite: one of 203a, 204a, 205a, plus
Mathematics 111, or consent of instructor.
- 310-3 Mechanics I
- Motions of systems of particles and rigid bodies. Prerequisite: 301
or Mathematics 305 or concurrent enrollment.
- 320-3 Electricity and Magnetism I
- The theory of electric and magnetic fields; electrostatic fields in
vacuum and in material media, special methods for the solution of
electrostatics problems, energy, and force relations in electrostatic
fields; stationary electric fields in conducting media, electric currents,
magnetic fields, magnetic properties of matter. Prerequisite: 301
or Mathematics 305 or concurrent en-rollment.
- 324-3 Analog Electronics for the Scientist
- Coordinated two-hour lecture and two-hour laboratory study in analog
electronics. Emphasis is on overall modern electronics and its
applications in the experimental research laboratory setting. Topics
include DC and AC circuit theory, transducers and measurement techniques,
semiconductor active devices, operational amplifiers and feedback, signal
recovery and processing techniques, and noise reduction. Prerequisite: 203b
or 205b and Mathematics 111.
- 328-2 Light
- Light propagation, reflection, refraction, interference, diffraction,
polarization, and optical instruments. Prerequisite: 203 or 205.
- 345-3 Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
- Thermal behavior of macroscopic matter, the laws of thermodynamics;
basis for thermodynamics in statistical mechanics; basic methods and
applications of classical and quantum statistical mechanics. Elementary
kinetic theory of matter. Prerequisite: 301, Mathematics 251.
- 410-3 Mechanics II.
- Gravitation, continuous media, transformation properties, Lagrangian
and Hamiltonian formalisms. Prerequisite: 310 or consent of
instructor.
- 420-3 Electricity and Magnetism II
- Induced electromotive force, quasisteady currents and fields,
MaxwellÕs equations, electromagnetic waves and radiation, with
applications. Prerequisite: 320 or consent of instructor.
- 424-3 Digital Electronics for the Scientist
- Coordinated two-hour lecture and two-hour laboratory study of digital
electronics, microprocessors and minicomputers with emphasis on their
application to the experimental research laboratory setting. Topics
include Boolean algebra, basic digital techniques, large scale integration
devices, analog to/from digital conversion, microprocessors and
minicomputers, and data acquisition. Prerequisite: 324 or consent
of instructor.
- 425-3 Solid State Physics I
- Structure of a crystalline solid; lattice vibrations and thermal
properties; electrons in metals; band theory; electrons and holes in
semiconductors; opto-electronic phenomena in solids; dielectric and
magnetic properties; superconductivity. Prerequisite: 310, 320,
345, and 430 or consent of instructor.
- 428-3 Modern Optics and Lasers
- Properties of electromagnetic waves in space and media, polarization
and interference phenomena and devices, electro- and magneto-optic
effects, optical gain, and lasers. Prerequisite: 420 or consent of
instructor.
- 430-3 Quantum Mechanics I
- An introduction to quantum mechanics including its experimental basis
and application in atomic physics. Prerequisite: 205c, 310 and
320. Prior or concurrent enrollment in 410 and 420 is desirable.
- 431-3 Atomic and Molecular Physics I
- Atomic spectra and structure; molecular spectra and structure.
Prerequisite: 430 or consent of instructor.
- 432-3 Nuclear Physics I
- Basic nuclear properties and structure; radioactivity, nuclear
excitation, and reactions, nuclear forces; fission and fusion.
Prerequisite: 430 or consent of instructor.
- 445-3 Statistical Mechanics I
- An introductory course in the principles and applications of classical
and quantum statistical mechanics, and the elementary kinetic theory of
matter. Prerequisite: 345.
- 450-1 Modern Physics Laboratory
- Introduces students to experimental research and encourages them to
develop and carry out experiments. Prerequisite: 205c or consent of
instructor.
- 458-2 Laser and Optical Physics Laboratory
- Properties of laser beams and resonators, fluorescence and two photon
spectroscopy, diffraction, Fourier transformation and frequency filtering,
electro- and magneto-optic modulation, fiber propagation and related
experiments. Prerequisite: 428 or consent of instructor.
- 470-1 to 3 Special Projects
- Each student chooses or is assigned a definite investigative project
or topic. Prerequisite: 310, 320 or consent of instructor.
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