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An introduction to the study of the Sun and its contingent of planets, moons, comets, and asteroids. Up-to-date details of the orbits, surfaces, atmospheres, and interior structures as deduced from telescopic and spacecraft data are discussed. The elementary physics of gravity, orbits, and distance measurement leads to a limited amount of problem solving. Includes weekly laboratory sessions and occasional nighttime observing sessions with telescopes. Requires only high school algebra and trigonometry. Counts toward the Natural Sciences Unit of the Common Course of Study. Taught in the fall semester each year.
A study of the nature and evolution of stars, galaxies, and the universe as a whole. Confrontation of theory with observational data from many telescopes and spacecraft is stressed throughout. Open to all, but specifically intended for those who have not previously studied physics. Requires only high school algebra and trigonometry. Counts toward the Natural Sciences Unit of the Common Course of Study. Taught in the spring semester each year.
Classical mechanics of particles and rigid bodies; laws of thermodynamics with emphasis on microscopic foundation; oscillations. Physical ideas are stressed, but considerable emphasis is placed on problem solving. Not open to students who have credit for PHYS 131 or PHYS 151 except by permission of instructor.Counts toward the Natural Sciences Unit of the Common Course of Study. Taught in fall each year.
Co-requisite: Math 125, 141 or 161.
Electric and magnetic fields; electromagnetic induction; electric circuits; waves; geometrical and physical optics; foundations of quantum mechanics; and nuclear physics. Physical ideas are stressed, but considerable emphasis is placed on problem solving.Not open to students who have credit for PHYS 133 or PHYS 152 except by permission of instructor. Counts toward the Natural Sciences Unit of the Common Course of Study. Taught in spring each year.
Prerequisite: Phys 111. Math 125, 141 or 161
The first part of this course introduces special relativity, the modern theory of spacetime. Topics include Lorentz contraction, time dilation, the spacetime metric, and conservation laws. Concepts such as energy and momentum are introduced as needed. This is followed by a topic of contemporary physics research. The topic varies; it will be drawn from an area such as cosmology, subatomic particles, nanophysics, or biophysics. The lab explores contemporary physics experiments. Counts toward the Natural Sciences Unit of the Common Course of Study.
Taught fall semester.
Co-requisite: Math 161 or permission of the instructor
A rigorous introduction to the study of physics for science and engineering majors; a foundation on which an understanding of physics, physical chemistry, or engineering can be built. Kinematics and dynamics are studied with an emphasis on conservation laws for linear momentum, angular momentum, and energy. A calculus-based course satisfying degree requirements in all B.S. or A.B. degree programs, including the Natural Sciences Unit of the Common Course of Study. Not open to students with credit for Physics 151. Taught in the spring semester.
Prerequisite: Math 161 or permission of the instructor
This course is a rigorous calculus-based introduction to the foundations of electricity, magnetism, and waves, intended for students majoring in science or engineering. Our emphasis will be on identifying, understanding, and applying the fundamental principles of electric fields and potentials, basic circuits, magnetic fields, and electromagnetic waves. Not open to students with credit for Phys 152. Taught in the fall semester.
Prerequisite: Phys 131 or 151, Math 162 or permission of instructor
An accelerated calculus-based introduction to the foundations of classical mechanics and thermodynamics, this course is intended for students majoring in science or engineering; a foundation on which an understanding of physics, physical chemistry, or engineering can be built. Topics include dynamics; conservation laws for linear momentum, angular momentum, and energy; mechanical oscillations and waves; and thermodynamics. A course satisfying degree requirements in all B.S. or A.B. degree programs. Counts toward the Natural Sciences Unit of the Common Course of Study. Not open to students with credit for Phys 131. Taught in spring semester each year.
Prerequisite: Math 161
An accelerated calculus-based introduction to the study of physics for science and engineering majors; a foundation on which an understanding of physics, physical chemistry, or engineering can be built. Topics include electrostatics, electric currents, magnetostatics, induction, electromagnetic waves, ray optics, interference, and diffraction. A course satisfying degree requirements in all B.S. or A.B. degree programs. Counts toward the Natural Sciences Unit of the Common Course of Study. Not open to students with credit for Phys 133. Taught in fall semester each year.
Prerequisites: Phys 151 or permission of the instructor; Math 162
An introduction to the topics of modern physics needed to understand the fundamentals of atomic, nuclear, solid state, and elementary particle physics. The course focusses on quantum mechanics, first describing the wave-particle duality of nature evidenced by the photon behavior of light and DeBroglie’s matter waves, then establishing the foundations of the modern quantum theory. An emphasis is placed on the wave mechanics of Schrodinger and its probabilistic interpretation. The Schrodinger Equation is applied to several simple model systems, and the course then develops an accurate model of the hydrogen atom, exploring multi-electron systems, and introducing the quantum mechanical approach to angular momentum. The course concludes with quantum statistics, molecular spectra, lasers, and introductory solid state physics.
Programming in Mathematica will be used. Taught in the spring semester each year.
Prerequisites: Phys 133 or 152
A continuation of the study of oscillations and waves begun in the fundamental courses, with a significant emphasis on experimental work using computerized data collection and analysis techniques. The course focuses on both experimental and theoretical methods in physics, examining oscillatory and wave phenomena found throughout nature. Phenomena studied include vibration of mechanical systems, oscillations in electrical circuits, the general behavior of damped oscillations and resonance, normal mode analysis, standing wave phenomena, wave propagation, optics, and other such physical phenomena found in nature. The student will be introduced to the theoretical techniques used to analyze these phenomena as needed. Three hour lecture and one 3-hour laboratory period required. Programming in Mathematica will be used to explore algorithms for the numerical solution of differential equations and animation of results. Taught in the spring semester each year.
Prerequisites: Phys 133 or 152. Corequisite: Math 264
This course demonstrates how the principles, tools, and strategies of physicists can be applied to problems that have biological, medical, or ecological import. Methods taught in this course are applied to a broad range of interdisciplinary problems from biomechanics to nerve impulse propagation to the latest imaging techniques, including three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging and magnetic resonance imaging. The course is aimed at students nearing a decision on a career direction who are curious about what areas of research are open to them, or to those who simply wish to broaden their biophysical or biomedical outlook. Counts as a Writing (W) course.
Prerequisites: Phys 112 or 133 or 152
A study of the methods used for making astronomical observations and analyzing the data these observations produce. The course examines what can be learned about stars, planets, galaxies, and the universe through these observations. Topics include radio, infrared, optical, ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma-ray astronomy, and observations of neutrinos, cosmic rays, and gravitational waves. Students complete an independent observation or data analysis project.
Prerequisites: Phys 130, 215
An introduction to astronomy and astrophysics for students with some background in physics. Studies are: stellar structure and evolution; galactic structure and evolution; physical processes in the early universe; and radioastronomy.
Prerequisites: Phys 130, 215
A rigorous development of non-relativistic mechanics: nonlinear oscillations; central-force motion, celestial mechanics, and the N-body problem; Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations; rotation and rigid body motion; and collisions and scattering. Programming in Mathematica will be used for numerical solutions of partial differential equations and coupled differential equations as well as numerical integration. Taught in the spring semester each year.
Prerequisites: Phys 218; Math 264
The fundamental concepts of heat, temperature, work, internal energy, entropy, reversible and irreversible processes, thermodynamic potentials, etc., are considered from a modern microscopic as well as the traditional macroscopic viewpoint. Statistical thermodynamics is used primarily to study the equilibrium properties of ideal systems and simple models. Taught in the fall semester of even years.
Prerequisites: Phys 215; Math 263.
Design of experiments, statistical analysis of observations, report writing, and fundamental experiments in atomic, nuclear, and condensed matter physics. Also, experiments selected from electron spin resonance, nuclear magnetic resonance, properties of liquids at high pressures, and properties of matter at low temperatures. Computer interfacing with instruments for online data collection and analysis. May involve independent investigation if appropriate. Taught in the spring semester in even years. Counts as a Writing (W) course.
Prerequisites: Phys 130, 215, 218; Math 264
Studied are: electric fields due to static charges; magnetic fields due to steady currents; fields in matter; Laws of Coulomb, Gauss, Biot-Savart, Ampere, and Faraday; scalar and vector potentials; solutions of Laplace’s and Poisson’s equations. Taught in the fall semester in odd years.
Prerequisites: Phys 133 or 152, 218; Math 264
The failure of classical physics, the basic concepts of quantum mechanics, Schrodinger’s equation, one dimensional systems including barriers and the harmonic oscillator, Hermitian operators, angular momentum, the hydrogen atom, perturbation theory, and interpretations of quantum mechanics are studied. Programming in Mathematica will be used for numerical solutions of partial differential equations and for numerical integration. Taught in the fall semester each year.
Prerequisites: Phys 215, 218; Math 264
Investigation of special topics under supervision of a faculty advisor.
Juniors and seniors may investigate a research topic in physics under the supervision of a faculty member. The project will culminate in an extensive report. Departmental permission in required for enrollment. See individual faculty members about topics of interest. Recent individual study courses taught include: acoustics, advanced quantum mechanics, philosophy of quantum mechanics, biophysics, general relativity, astronomical image analysis, radio-astronomy, and electronics.
The fundamental aspects of solid state phenomena and the basic quantum physics needed to properly understand these phenomena. Topics include the basic principles of quantization and matter waves; Fermi statistics; crystal structures; diffraction phenomena in crystals; conduction electrons in metals; the concept of conduction by holes; and the basic physics of electrons and holes in both homogeneous and doped semiconductors. Taught in the spring semester in odd years.
Prerequisites: Phys 335, 351
To be studied are: Maxwell’s equations; wave equations for dielectrics and conductors; reflection; refraction; interference; diffraction; guided waves; and radiation.
Prerequisites: Phys 342
Additional topics in quantum mechanics, depending upon student interests. Possible topics include addition of angular momenta, applications of perturbation theory, scattering theory, and relativistic quantum mechanics.
Prerequisite: Phys 351
Independent study of a topic chosen for participation in the honors program, culminating in the presentation of a complete written report. See individual faculty members whose research interests are most closely aligned with your own. Click here for a detailed description of the procedures to be followed.
Second semester of Phys. 495.
Counts as a Writing (W) course.