Physics Course Descriptions

Explores the relationship between physics and music, covering such topics as vibrations, waves, interference, resonance, wave forms, scales and temperament, physics of musical instruments, characteristics of auditoriums, impact of electronics. Weekly laboratory.

Treats selected topics in astronomy and cosmology: the solar system, stellar evolution and death, black holes, galaxies, the big bang theory of the early universe. Astronomical observations are interpreted in light of known physical laws to form a comprehensible picture of the universe. Weekly laboratory.

Explores energy production, storage, and usage as they are currently practiced. Certain emerging technologies will also be addressed. Environmental and socio-economic impact will be discussed in the context of limitations imposed by the laws of physics. Students cannot receive credit for this course if they have previously received credit for CHEM 112/ENST 112

Treats topics selected for the non-scientist who wants one term of physics. In recent years, the course has sometimes focused on the nature of time and relativity. Physics 115 is not intended to serve as a general introduction to physics, as are Physics 141 and 151, and does not supply an adequate background for intermediate or advanced courses.

A laboratory course to introduce first year students to physics research in order to build technical and communication skills. This inquiry-driven course will cover STEM research skill focused pedagogy by supporting students in identifying and addressing research challenges, using observations to conduct studies, disseminating research results, and introducing inclusivity and ethics standards.

An introduction to the application of science and engineering in everyday life by thinking about problems and their solutions and incorporating modern engineering design practices. Students will work on strengthening their creative problem-solving techniques, developing teamwork strategies, evaluating ethical decisions, and analyzing fundamental engineering problems applicable across various disciplines such as mechanical, electrical, and environmental. The course is targeted for students interested in 3-2 Engineering. PREREQUISITES: Instructor Approval

A calculus-based introduction to fundamental concepts in mechanics, energy, momentum, fluids, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, nuclear, particle physics, and cosmology. Laboratory activities emphasize asking scientific questions and designing experiments to test those questions. Explicit instruction in calculus will be provided. PREREQUISITES: ALEKS score of 60, or successful completion of MATH 103 (with grade of C- or better)

A continuation of Physics 141. Physics 151 offers a brief review of mechanics, and covers electricity, magnetism, circuits, waves, optics and special relativity. Laboratory activities emphasize the acquisition, reduction, and interpretation of experimental data. PREREQUISITES: PHYS 141 OR the combination of an ALEKS score of 75 and one year of high school physics.

Directed study follows a syllabus set primarily by the instructor to meet the needs or interests of an individual student or small group of students. The main goal of directed study is knowledge or skill acquisition, not research or creative work. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

Newtonian Lit is a course that investigates the connections between the literature and science of the Enlightenment, particularly with respect to contemporary notions of space and time. Students will analyze important texts from the fields of English and Physics, notably Laurence Sterne’s The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman and Isaac Newton’s Principia. PREREQUISITES: One natural-science class or one English class.

A laboratory course focusing on construction and behavior analysis (including prediction) of analog and digital circuits used in present-day experimental research while maintaining research-style laboratory notebooks and preparing a scientific report. Students explore linear (resistors, capacitors, inductors) and nonlinear elements (diodes, transistors) and integrated circuit chips (operation amplifiers, logic gates). Culminating group project requires the construction of a multi-component circuit of their own design. PREREQUISITES: PHYS 151 and MATH 140

Introduces symbolic and numerical computation through examples drawn mainly from classical mechanics but also from classical electromagnetism and quantum mechanics. This course emphasizes computer-based approaches to graphical visualization, the solution of ordinary differential equations, the evaluation of integrals, and the finding of roots, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors. PREREQUISITES: PHYS 151 and MATH 155

Develops and explores charge and current densities, particle motions, electrostatics, magnetostatics, induction, Maxwell’s equations, electromagnetic waves, responses of matter. PREREQUISITES: PHYS 225

Treats foundational ideas of quantum physics: quantized aspects of nature, wave-particle duality, elementary wave mechanics, atomic and nuclear structure, fundamental particles, cosmology. Weekly laboratory. PREREQUISITES: PHYS 230 and MATH 200 as pre- or co-requisite or CHEM 470

Biophysics explores processes at the interface between biology and physics. This course uses physical principles to build mathematical and computational models of living systems. Students will learn to create models, compare models with experimental data, and refine their understanding of the living systems using these physics-based models. PREREQUISITES: Physics 151 or Biology 170

Develops the theoretical framework used to describe microscopic phenomena: wave-particle duality, wave functions, states and observables, Schrödinger equation, uncertainty relations, bound states, quantum scattering, angular momentum, spin, and stationary and time-dependent perturbation theories. PREREQUISITES: PHYS 260 or CHEM 470 and MATH 250

Treats elementary statistical mechanics, Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac statistics, kinetic theory, and classical thermodynamics. PREREQUISITES: PHYS 260

Independent work on experiments selected from the following areas: optical, Mössbauer, alpha, beta, gamma ray, and x-ray spectroscopy; optical double resonance; magnetic resonance; vacuum techniques; solid-state physics; laser physics; nuclear physics. Three laboratories weekly; no lectures. PREREQUISITES: PHYS 220 and 260; PHYS 310 recommended

A laboratory course which treats geometrical optics, interference, diffraction, polarization, and various other topics in classical and contemporary optics. Students will be exposed to the techniques of a modern atomic molecular optics (AMO) laboratory. PREREQUISITES: PHYS 260

Readings of texts and/or current literature to study a topic not covered in regular offerings. Topics must be carefully defined and a bibliography assembled before permission to enroll is granted. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

Directed study follows a syllabus set primarily by the instructor to meet the needs or interests of an individual student or small group of students. The main goal of directed study is knowledge or skill acquisition, not research or creative work. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

The academic component of the internship includes readings related to the substance of the internship, discussions with the faculty supervisor, and a written report appropriate to the discipline. Course grades are based on this academic work.

Theoretical or experimental independent study. A written proposal must be submitted to the department at least one term before enrolling. Recent independent studies have been undertaken in fluid mechanics, general relativity, atomic systems coupled to electromagnetic fields, phase transitions in liquid crystals, plasma physics, and robotics. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

Treats various topics selected from: mechanics of rigid bodies, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations, variational principles, fluids, classical scattering, relativistic mechanics, and theory of small vibrations. In addition to analytic approaches, computational methods to solving problems are emphasized, such as finite difference and finite element methods for solving partial differential equations as well as graphical visualization techniques. PREREQUISITES: PHYS 225

Treats several topics selected from: multipole expansions, radiation from accelerated charges, solutions to Laplace’s equations, retarded potentials, wave guides, modern optics, and electron physics. PREREQUISITES: PHYS 230 and MATH 250

Treats several topics selected from: Fourier series and transforms, partial differential equations, special functions, numerical methods, matrix methods, calculus of variations. PREREQUISITES: PHYS 260 and MATH 250 or permission of instructor

Treats various topics from atomic, nuclear, and particle physics. The content in this course varies, but may include advanced quantum mechanical treatments of atomic and nuclear structure, relativistic quantum mechanics (quantum electrodynamics), quantum information and quantum computing, weak and strong interactions, among others PREREQUISITES: PHYS 310

Treats selected topics, such as relativity, fundamental particles, fluid mechanics, and surface physics that vary according to the interests of students and staff.

Treats selected topics in astrophysics and cosmology, such as orbital mechanics, stellar structure and evolution, galactic dynamics, the origin and evolution of the Universe.

Topic for Spring 2024: Topics in Astrophysics
PREREQUISITES: PHYS 230

Readings of texts and/or current literature to study a topic not covered in regular offerings. Topics must be carefully defined and a bibliography assembled before permission to enroll is granted. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

Directed study follows a syllabus set primarily by the instructor to meet the needs or interests of an individual student or small group of students. The main goal of directed study is knowledge or skill acquisition, not research or creative work. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

Theoretical or experimental independent study. A written proposal must be submitted to the department at least one term before enrolling. Recent independent studies have been undertaken in fluid mechanics, general relativity, atomic systems coupled to electromagnetic fields, phase transitions in liquid crystals, plasma physics, and robotics. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

This course is a weekly seminar during which physics majors in their final year work on and deliver oral presentations based on their senior experience study projects. PREREQUISITES: Limited to physics majors in their final year who have completed (or are currently conducting) a senior experience independent study project

Readings of texts and/or current literature to study a topic not covered in regular offerings. Topics must be carefully defined and a bibliography assembled before permission to enroll is granted. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

Directed study follows a syllabus set primarily by the instructor to meet the needs or interests of an individual student or small group of students. The main goal of directed study is knowledge or skill acquisition, not research or creative work. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.

The academic component of the internship includes readings related to the substance of the internship, discussions with the faculty supervisor, and a written report appropriate to the discipline. Course grades are based on this academic work.

Theoretical, experimental and/or computational independent study. Projects undertaken in satisfaction of the senior experience requirement in physics use this designation. A written proposal must be submitted to the department at least one term before enrolling. PREREQUISITES: To register student must complete the Student Initiated Course Form with consultation of supervising instructor.