PHYS 100 HOW THINGS WORK (3 credits)

Introduction to physical concepts behind modern technology. Studies of science of every day phenomena considered, including how electricity is generated, how refrigerators operate, and how CDs and DVDs contain information. Lecture, readings, writing, and discussion.

Prerequisites: MATH 105 or equivalent recommended.

(NATURAL WORLD)

PHYS 101 DESCRIPTIVE ASTRONOMY (3 credits)

The solar system, stars and their evolution, galaxies and cosmology. Emphasis on observational evidence. Lecture, discussion, and occasional evening observing sessions.

(NATURAL WORLD)

PHYS 102 THE PHYSICS OF ART & MUSIC (3 credits)

Ways that artistic expression are explained through physical mechanisms. Studies of light, color, and sound will be explored. Lecture, discussion, and occasional evening trips.

Total Course fees: $50.00

Typically offered: January Term, As Needed

(NATURAL WORLD)

PHYS 210 INTRODUCTION TO MECHANICS (4 credits)

Introduction to the various ways in which the mechanical universe is described, using the concept of particles, waves, and flows. Extensive treatment of Newtonian mechanics, including motion, forces, energy, and waves. The special theory of relativity and basic ideas of quantum mechanics are introduced. Lecture and laboratory.

Total Course fees: $15.00

Corequisites: PHYS 210L required co-requisite.

Concurrent Or Previous Courses: MATH 170 (may be taken concurrently).

Typically offered: Fall and Spring Semesters, Annually

(NATURAL WORLD, QUANTITATIVE REASONING)

PHYS 211 INTRODUCTION TO ELECTROMAGNETISM (4 credits)

Introduction to the study of electromagnetic force, including the basic laws of electricity and magnetism, the concept of a field, Maxwell's equations, basic circuits, electromagnetic radiation, and optics. The relationship of electromagnetism to the special theory of relativity. Lecture and laboratory.

Total Course fees: $15.00

Prerequisites: PHYS 210 and MATH 170. MATH 175 recommended to be taken concurrently. PHYS 211L required co-requisite.

Concurrent Or Previous Courses: PHYS 211L required co-requisite. Recommended: MATH 175 concurrently.

Typically offered: Fall and Spring Semesters, Annually

(NATURAL WORLD, QUANTITATIVE REASONING)

PHYS 215 MODERN PHYSICS (4 credits)

Developments since 1900; relativity, the nature of radiation and matter and their interaction, radioactivity, elementary quantum mechanics, introductory atomic and nuclear physics. Lecture and laboratory.

Prerequisites: PHYS 211 and MATH 175.

Corequisites: PHYS 215L required co-requisite.

Concurrent Or Previous Courses: CHEM 210 recommended co-requisite.

Typically offered: Fall Semester, Annually

(NATURAL WORLD)

PHYS 220 THERMAL & STATISTICAL PHYSICS (3 credits)

Study of solids, liquids, and gases at the atomic level to develop appreciation for and mathematical understanding of their thermal properties. Topics derive from thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and solid state physics including transport processes, energy distributions, classical and quantum statistical development. CHEM 210 recommended.

Prerequisites: PHYS 211 and MATH 175. CHEM 210 recommended.

Typically offered: Spring Semester

PHYS 298 SPECIAL TOPICS: JAN TERM TRAVEL (4 credits)

See specific sections for descriptions.

Prerequisites: IDST 098 previous fall.

PHYS 303 INTRODUCTION TO MATERIALS SCIENCE (3 credits)

Introduction to the science of materials (metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, and semiconductors). Crystal structures and designations. Techniques of materials characterization. Mechanical, thermal, electrical, and magnetic properties. Forming and materials processing. Problem solving, lecture, discussion, and field trips. (Listed as ENGR 303 and PHYS 303)

Prerequisites: PHYS 215.

PHYS 315 CIRCUITS AND ELECTRONICS I (4 credits)

Electrical concepts and measurements. Circuit laws and theorems. Analysis of dc and ac steady state circuits, including phasor analysis techniques and Bode plots. Operational amplifiers and diodes. Digital combinational and sequential logic circuitry. Lecture, discussion, and laboratory. (Listed as ENGR 315 and PHYS 315)

Prerequisites: MATH 170. PHYS 211, junior standing recommended. PHYS 315L required co-requisite.

Concurrent Or Previous Courses: PHYS 315L required co-requisite.

Typically offered: Fall Semester, Even Years

(NATURAL WORLD)

PHYS 316 CIRCUITS AND ELECTRONICS II (4 credits)

Semiconductor materials and solid-state devices. Diode and transistor circuits. Selected topics such as magnetism, inductors, and transformers; second-order ac and dc circuit analysis; Laplace and Fourier transforms; analog to digital conversion; and electronic system design. Completion of an independent project. Lecture, discussion, and laboratory. (Listed as ENGR 316 and PHYS 316)

Prerequisites: PHYS 315. PHYS 316L required co-requisite.

Concurrent Or Previous Courses: PHYS 316L required co-requisite.

Typically offered: Spring Semester, Odd Years

(QUANTITATIVE REASONING)

PHYS 325 COMPUTATIONAL MODELING AND SIMULATION (4 credits)

Use of various numerical methods (numerically solving ODE's, numerical integration, random simulation) coded in Python to develop models and explore different systems (nuclear decay, projectile motion with drag, oscillatory motion, electric fields, random systems). Detail explorations in scientific writing style using LaTeX.

Prerequisites: MATH 170 and PHYS 211 or consent of instructor.

Typically offered: Spring Semester, Even Years

(QUANTITATIVE REASONING)

PHYS 370 ADVANCED TOPICS IN PHYSICS (3 credits)

Selected advanced physics topics.

Prerequisites: PHYS 215 or consent of instructor.

PHYS 386 RESEARCH METHODS AND INSTRUMENTATION (2 credits)

Design, execution, and results analysis of longer-term physics experiments. Most projects will be drawn from topics in materials physics using microscopy. The work will be reported using standard journal style. The final project will extend work done into a senior thesis proposal.

Prerequisites: PHYS 215. Junior standing is recommended.

Typically offered: Spring Semester, Annually

PHYS 398 SPECIAL TOPICS: JAN TERM TRAVEL (4 credits)

See individual sections in specific terms for descriptions. 4 credits.

Prerequisites: IDST 098 previous fall.

(GLOBAL PLURALISM, NATURAL WORLD)

PHYS 420 CLASSICAL MECHANICS (4 credits)

Classical theories and analytical methods of statics and dynamics: kinematics, vectors and tensors, potential theory, moving coordinate systems and generalized methods. Lecture and discussion. MATH 210 recommended.

Prerequisites: PHYS 211 and MATH 200. MATH 210 recommended.

Typically offered: Fall Semester

PHYS 445 ELECTRICITY & MAGNETISM (4 credits)

Review of vector analysis, electrostatic and magnetostatic theory, electrodynamics, and electromagnetic waves. Lecture and discussion.

Prerequisites: MATH 210 is recommended. PHYS 211.

Typically offered: Fall Semester, Alternate Years

PHYS 475 QUANTUM PHYSICS (4 credits)

Quantum mechanics and its application in studies of atomic systems and nuclei. Lecture and discussion. PHYS 420, MATH 210, MATH 250 and junior standing recommended.

Prerequisites: PHYS 215 and MATH 200. PHYS 420, MATH 210, MATH 250 and junior standing recommended.

Typically offered: Spring Semester

PHYS 480 INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-5 credits)

Supplemental work for students with advanced standing in physics. By permission.

PHYS 485 PHYSICS COLLOQUIUM (1 credit)

Presentations of topics of current interest by visiting speakers, faculty, and students. May be repeated for credit.

PHYS 488 RESEARCH (1-5 credits)

Individual research projects for Physics and Applied Physics majors. Work done in collaboration with faculty. Departmental permission required. May be repeated for credit.

Prerequisites: Departmental permission required.

PHYS 489 THESIS RESEARCH (1-5 credits)

Required of all Physics and Applied Physics majors in the senior year.

Prerequisites: PHYS 386.

PHYS 490 SENIOR THESIS (3 credits)

Comprehensive written report on advanced level individual investigative project. Also requires public oral presentation of project and participation in Physics Colloquium. Baccalaureate thesis required of all Physics and Applied Physics majors.

Prerequisites: PHYS 489 or ENGR 489 and senior standing.

Typically offered: Spring Semester

(MAJOR WRITING INTENSIVE)