Jump to Menu

• Undergraduate Spring 2018
• Physics

Undergraduate Physics

2018 Spring Term

Class Schedule

PHYSICS FOUNDATIONS (GL)

PHYSCS 130

This course will explore topics in classical physics (motion, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, and light) and modern physics (atomic structure, quantum mechanics, and relativity) with an emphasis on how the principles explain and predict phenomena we observe every day. Four one-hour lectures and one two-hour laboratory per week.

Class Schedule

PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS I (GL)

PHYSCS 140

An algebra-based course in classical mechanics at the introductory level. The content covers kinematics, Newton's laws, conservation laws, oscillations and waves, applications to fluids and elasticity, and thermodynamics and kinetic theory. Applications to the life and health sciences are emphasized, and essential MCAT subject matter is included. Basic understanding of trigonometry and the manipulation of vectors is necessary. Students with adequate mathematical preparation may wish to consider taking the PHYSCS 180 series. Four one-hour lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.

Class Schedule

PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS II (GL)

PHYSCS 141

An algebra-based course in electricity and magnetism, circuits, electromagnetic waves, optics and an introduction to modern physics. Applications to the life and health sciences are emphasized, and essential MCAT subject matter is included. Basic understanding of trigonometry and the manipulation of vectors is necessary. Students with adequate mathematical preparation may wish to consider taking the PHYSCS 180 series. Four 0ne-hour lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.

Class Schedule

PHYSICS FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS II (GL)

PHYSCS 181

A course in introductory physics including a mathematically rigorous analysis of electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and modern physics using calculus. For majors and minors in physics, engineering, chemistry, and mathematics. Four one-hour lectures and one three-hour lab per week.

Class Schedule

PHYSICS FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS (GL)

PHYSCS 212

This course is a one-semester introduction to physics with curriculum and instruction designed as an activity-based hands-on course for K-8 elementary education students and open to all education majors. The course emphasizes a student-oriented pedagogy in order to develop various physics concepts and the nature of science. Topics covered include motion, forces, energy, light, heat, electricity, and magnetism.

Class Schedule

PHYSICS OF SOUND AND MUSIC (GM)

PHYSCS 240

A descriptive course that deals with various properties of sound, the generation of sound by traditional musical instruments and the electronic production and reproduction of sound. The physical process of hearing and the acoustical properties of rooms are also included. Three one-hour lecture periods per week.

Class Schedule

MECHANICS - DYNAMICS

PHYSCS 310

A study of classical mechanics. Topics will include Newtonian mechanics, Lagrangean and Hamiltonian formalisms, symmetry principles, conservation laws, oscillations, central force and two-body problems, collisions and scattering cross-sections, motion in non-inertial reference frames, and rigid body motion. Required of all majors and minors in physics. Three one-hour lectures per week.

Class Schedule

CLASSICAL ELECTROMAGNETISM

PHYSCS 325

A study of the electrostatic field, electric multipoles, dielectrics, special methods in electrostatics, the magnetic field, magnetic materials, time-varying fields, conservation laws, and electromagnetic waves. Three one-hour lectures per week.

Class Schedule

MODERN PHYSICS

PHYSCS 344

Topics covered include relativity, elementary quantum physics, atomic and molecular structure, elementary nuclear physics and fundamental particles. Laboratory experiments complement material presented in lectures. Three one-hour lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.

Class Schedule

OPTICS

PHYSCS 360

This course provides an introductory study of optical phenomena. Geometrical and physical optics beginning with a mathematical treatment of light waves and their interaction with materials. Topics also include interference diffraction, spectroscopy and spectroscopic instruments, polarization, light sources and detectors, lasers, holography, and some topics in modern optics. Three one-hour lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.

Class Schedule

THERMAL PHYSICS

PHYSCS 364

A study of the Laws of Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics. Thermodynamic topics include potentials, equilibrium, phase transitions and critical phenomena with applications to gasses, liquids and solids. Statistical Mechanics topics include Maxwell-Boltzmann, Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein Statistics. Three one-hour lectures per week.

Class Schedule

TRAVEL STUDY

PHYSCS 491

Variable topics. Faculty-led field courses.

Class Schedule

PHYSICS COOPERATIVE EDUCATION

PHYSCS 493

The course gives the student an opportunity to intersperse full time study with full time employment. The student will be interviewed by a potential employer identified by the Physics Department. If accepted as an employee, the student may work from one to four terms. A work term is defined as a semester or a summer of employment. No more than two credits may be counted towards the Physics Major. A written report is required.

Class Schedule

SPECIAL STUDIES

PHYSCS 496

Variable topics. Group activity. Not offered regularly in the curriculum but offered on topics selected on the basis of timeliness, need, and interest, and generally in the format of regularly scheduled Catalog offerings. Repeatable for a maximum of 3 credits in major or minor in physics.

Class Schedule

INDEPENDENT STUDY

PHYSCS 498

Study of a selected topic or topics under the direction of a faculty member. Repeatable for a maximum of 3 credits in major or minor in physics.

Class Schedule

INDEPENDENT STUDENT - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

PHYSCS 498R

Study of a selected topic or topics under the direction of a faculty member. Repeatable for a maximum of 3 credits in major or minor in physics.