Courses
PHY 111
Introduction to Astronomy
Prerequisite: Completion or waiver of MAT 012
Offered: Typically every Fall Term
This course will explore topics in modern astronomy, including the formation of the solar system, the lives and deaths of stars, the structure of the galaxy, and the origin and evolution of the universe. Both lecture and lab will emphasize a hands-on approach to understanding the underlying physical principles that govern astronomy. Three one-hour lecture periods and one two-hour laboratory each week. Practical Reasoning with Quantitative Emphasis (PRQ). Course Fee: $20.
Offered: Typically every Fall Term
This course will explore topics in modern astronomy, including the formation of the solar system, the lives and deaths of stars, the structure of the galaxy, and the origin and evolution of the universe. Both lecture and lab will emphasize a hands-on approach to understanding the underlying physical principles that govern astronomy. Three one-hour lecture periods and one two-hour laboratory each week. Practical Reasoning with Quantitative Emphasis (PRQ). Course Fee: $20.
1 Course
PHY 217
General Physics I with Algebra
Prerequisite: Completion or waiver of MAT 115 (or concurrent enrollment)
Offered: Typically every Fall Term
First half of a two-course sequence stressing the basic concepts of physics and problem solving, suitable for the student intending to major in the physical sciences, as well as for students in the life sciences and arts who seek a liberal-arts course in classical and modern physics. Topics include Newtonian Mechanics, heat, and energy. Three one-hour periods each week and one two-hour period for discussion or laboratory work.
Offered: Typically every Fall Term
First half of a two-course sequence stressing the basic concepts of physics and problem solving, suitable for the student intending to major in the physical sciences, as well as for students in the life sciences and arts who seek a liberal-arts course in classical and modern physics. Topics include Newtonian Mechanics, heat, and energy. Three one-hour periods each week and one two-hour period for discussion or laboratory work.
1 Course
PHY 218
Gen Physics II with Algebra
Prerequisite: PHY 217; completion or waiver of MAT 125 (or concurrent enrollment); OR permission of instructor
Offered: Typically every Spring Term
Second half of the introductory physics sequence. Topics include wave motion, fluids, electricity & magnetism, electric circuits, light and optics. Three one-hour periods each week plus one two-hour period for discussion or laboratory work, where appropriate.
Offered: Typically every Spring Term
Second half of the introductory physics sequence. Topics include wave motion, fluids, electricity & magnetism, electric circuits, light and optics. Three one-hour periods each week plus one two-hour period for discussion or laboratory work, where appropriate.
1 Course
PHY 225
Math Methods in Physics I
Prerequisites: MAT 135 (or waiver), or concurrent enrollment; OR permission of instructor
Offered: Typically every Fall Term
This course stresses applications of Mathematical methods and techniques to Physics that are needed in the physical sciences. Topics generally include: simple functions of applied math, quadratic and higher-power equations, simultaneous equations, matrices, determinants, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, geometry, vectors, complex numbers, series and approximations, differential operators, and simple integration. Four hours of lectures each week.
Offered: Typically every Fall Term
This course stresses applications of Mathematical methods and techniques to Physics that are needed in the physical sciences. Topics generally include: simple functions of applied math, quadratic and higher-power equations, simultaneous equations, matrices, determinants, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, geometry, vectors, complex numbers, series and approximations, differential operators, and simple integration. Four hours of lectures each week.
1 Course
PHY 315
Intro Physics I with Calculus
Prerequisite: MAT 135 (or waiver) or concurrent enrollment
Offered: Typically every Spring Term
This is the first half of a two-course sequence in classical physics with calculus. The focus of the first term is classical mechanics, with emphasis on the relationship between force, momentum, and energy. Topics to be covered include Newtonian dynamics, fundamental forces, conservation of momentum and energy, and rotational motion. Three one-hour lectures and one two-hour laboratory each week.
Offered: Typically every Spring Term
This is the first half of a two-course sequence in classical physics with calculus. The focus of the first term is classical mechanics, with emphasis on the relationship between force, momentum, and energy. Topics to be covered include Newtonian dynamics, fundamental forces, conservation of momentum and energy, and rotational motion. Three one-hour lectures and one two-hour laboratory each week.
1 Course
PHY 316
Intro Physics II with Calculus
Prerequisites: PHY 315 and MAT 225, or concurrent enrollment
Offered: Typically every Fall Term
A continuation of the introductory sequence in classical physics with calculus. The second term will focus on the phenomena of electromagnetism and waves. Topics include wave motion, electrostatics, electric and magnetic fields, fundamentals of DC circuits, and electromagnetism. Three one-hour lectures and one two-hour laboratory each week.
Offered: Typically every Fall Term
A continuation of the introductory sequence in classical physics with calculus. The second term will focus on the phenomena of electromagnetism and waves. Topics include wave motion, electrostatics, electric and magnetic fields, fundamentals of DC circuits, and electromagnetism. Three one-hour lectures and one two-hour laboratory each week.
1 Course
PHY 320
Modern Physics
Prerequisites: PHY 316 and MAT 135 (or waiver); OR permission of instructor
Offered: Typically annually
This course provides an introduction to topics in 20th century physics including relativity, introductory quantum mechanics, and atomic and nuclear physics. Other topics of interest may be covered as time allows. Four one-hour lectures each week.
Offered: Typically annually
This course provides an introduction to topics in 20th century physics including relativity, introductory quantum mechanics, and atomic and nuclear physics. Other topics of interest may be covered as time allows. Four one-hour lectures each week.
1 Course
PHY 330
Mathematical Method Physics II
Prerequisites: PHY 225 and MAT 225; OR permission of instructor
Offered: Typically every Spring Term
A course of applied mathematics and techniques often required in physics. Topics may vary, but will generally include partial differential equations and boundary value problems, Fourier analysis and integral transforms, complex integration, group representations, matrices, and determinants. Four hours of lectures each week.
Offered: Typically every Spring Term
A course of applied mathematics and techniques often required in physics. Topics may vary, but will generally include partial differential equations and boundary value problems, Fourier analysis and integral transforms, complex integration, group representations, matrices, and determinants. Four hours of lectures each week.
1 Course
PHY 335
Physical Optics
Prerequisites: PHY 316 or permission of instructor; AND MAT 225
Offered: Typically as student interest and faculty availability allow
The wave nature of light is presented and optical phenomena explained in terms of the model. Modern topics in optics revolving around the laser are included. Three one-hour lectures and one two-hour laboratory session each week.
Offered: Typically as student interest and faculty availability allow
The wave nature of light is presented and optical phenomena explained in terms of the model. Modern topics in optics revolving around the laser are included. Three one-hour lectures and one two-hour laboratory session each week.
1 Course
PHY 341
Advanced General Laboratory
Prerequisites: PHY 218; OR permission of instructor
Offered: Typically as student interest and faculty availability allow
A laboratory course dealing with some of the important experimental techniques in modern physics involving experience with such things as vacuum systems, electronic designs and shop construction; classical experiments in contemporary physics and independent research projects. One three-hour laboratory session each week. May be repeated for credit for sequential of differing learning experiences.
Offered: Typically as student interest and faculty availability allow
A laboratory course dealing with some of the important experimental techniques in modern physics involving experience with such things as vacuum systems, electronic designs and shop construction; classical experiments in contemporary physics and independent research projects. One three-hour laboratory session each week. May be repeated for credit for sequential of differing learning experiences.
1/4 Course
PHY 365
Thermal Physics
Prerequisites: PHY 315 and MAT 225; OR permission of instructor
Offered: Typically as student interest and faculty availability allow
An intermediate course covering classical thermodynamics and the methods of statistical mechanics. Topics covered include the first and second laws of thermodynamics, with applications, statistical theory of entropy, and classical and quantum ensembles. Four one-hour lectures each week.
Offered: Typically as student interest and faculty availability allow
An intermediate course covering classical thermodynamics and the methods of statistical mechanics. Topics covered include the first and second laws of thermodynamics, with applications, statistical theory of entropy, and classical and quantum ensembles. Four one-hour lectures each week.
1 Course
PHY 460
Electromagnetic Theory
Prerequisites: PHY 316 and MAT 330; OR permission of instructor
Offered: Typically alternate Spring Terms
An introduction to the fundamentals of classical electricity and magnetism and electromagnetic waves. Emphasizing vector analysis and the laws of Coulomb, Faraday, and Ampere, leading to the development of Maxwell’s Theory. Four one-hour lectures each week.
Offered: Typically alternate Spring Terms
An introduction to the fundamentals of classical electricity and magnetism and electromagnetic waves. Emphasizing vector analysis and the laws of Coulomb, Faraday, and Ampere, leading to the development of Maxwell’s Theory. Four one-hour lectures each week.
1 Course
PHY 481
Classical Mechanics
Prerequisites: PHY 315 and MAT 330
Offered: Typically alternate years
A course covering topics in Newtonian and Lagrangian Mechanics. Topics include rectilinear motion, oscillations, three-dimensional motion, central forces, generalized coordinates and momenta, and Lagrange multipliers.
Offered: Typically alternate years
A course covering topics in Newtonian and Lagrangian Mechanics. Topics include rectilinear motion, oscillations, three-dimensional motion, central forces, generalized coordinates and momenta, and Lagrange multipliers.
1 Course
PHY 482
Quantum Physics
Prerequisites: PHY 320 and 481; OR permission of instructor
Offered: Typically alternate Spring Terms
An intermediate course in quantum mechanics, with applications. Topics include Schrodinger’s equation, particle in a box, the harmonic oscillator, the hydrogen atom, perturbation theory, and the WKB approximation. Four one-hour lectures each week.
Offered: Typically alternate Spring Terms
An intermediate course in quantum mechanics, with applications. Topics include Schrodinger’s equation, particle in a box, the harmonic oscillator, the hydrogen atom, perturbation theory, and the WKB approximation. Four one-hour lectures each week.
1 Course
PHY 485
Intro to Solid State Physics
Prerequisites: PHY 315, 316, and 320; OR permission of instructor
Offered: Typically as student interest and faculty availability allow
This course provides an introduction to the area of solid-state physics. Topics to be covered include crystal structure; diffraction of waves by crystals; thermal properties of solids; dielectric properties of solids; free electron model of metals; band theory; magnetism and magnetic resonance; and superconductivity. Four one-hour lectures each week.
Offered: Typically as student interest and faculty availability allow
This course provides an introduction to the area of solid-state physics. Topics to be covered include crystal structure; diffraction of waves by crystals; thermal properties of solids; dielectric properties of solids; free electron model of metals; band theory; magnetism and magnetic resonance; and superconductivity. Four one-hour lectures each week.
1 Course
PHY 492
Physics Seminar
Prerequisite: Senior standing or permission of instructor
Offered: Typically Fall and Spring terms
A course centered around readings, experiments, and research on topics approved by departmental faculty. The seminar emphasizes oral presentations, discussion, and preparation of written reports. Normally taken in the senior year, it is open to other advanced students with permission.
Offered: Typically Fall and Spring terms
A course centered around readings, experiments, and research on topics approved by departmental faculty. The seminar emphasizes oral presentations, discussion, and preparation of written reports. Normally taken in the senior year, it is open to other advanced students with permission.
1/4 Course