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• Undergraduate Spring 2003
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Undergraduate Physics

2003 Spring Term

Class Schedule

LIGHT AND COLOR

PHYSCS 120

An introduction to light science for students in the visual arts and for students with an interest in art. The course includes the properties of light and color, the interaction of light with matter, the formation of visual images, and color vision. Three one-hour lectures and one two-hour laboratory per week.

Class Schedule

PHYSICS FOUNDATIONS

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

GENERAL PHYSICS II

PHYSCS 162

A non-calculus course in general physics concerned with the philosophy, nature and methods as well as the fundamental concepts of physics. The content covers the basic principles of electricity and magnetism, modern physics, light, and optics. Emphasizes applications of physics to the life and health sciences. Four one-hour lectures per week.

Class Schedule

GENERAL PHYSICS LABORATORY II

PHYSCS 163

A laboratory in general physics with experiments in optics, electricity and magnetism and modern physics. This is the laboratory companion of PHYSCS 162. One three-hour laboratory per week.

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INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS II

PHYSCS 172

A lecture course in introductory physics in which some calculus is used and concentrating on the areas of wave motion, sound, heat, thermodynamics and light. For majors and minors in physics, chemistry, mathematics and pre-engineering. Three one-hour lectures per week.

Class Schedule

INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS LABORATORY I

PHYSCS 173

A laboratory course in introductory physics concentrating on experiments in mechanics, sound, heat and thermodynamics. For majors and minors in physics, chemistry, mathematics and pre-engineering. One three-hour laboratory per week.

Class Schedule

DESCRIPTIVE PHYSICS

PHYSCS 210

An introduction to physics in a course designed for K-8 education students and open to all education majors. Topics covered include motion, energy, light, heat, electricity and magnetism. Two seventy-five minute lecture-activity periods per week.

Class Schedule

PHYSICS OF SOUND AND MUSIC

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

ENGINEERING MECHANICS: DYNAMICS

PHYSCS 282

A study of the action of forces in producing or modifying the motion of rigid bodies. Topics covered include motion, force-mass-acceleration relations, energy, momentum and vibrations. This course is designed for pre-engineering students and will not ordinarily be taken by physics majors or minors. Three one-hour lectures per week.

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ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM II

PHYSCS 322

A study of electrodynamics. Topics include magnetic induction, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves, and dipole radiation. Three one-hour lectures per week.

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ANALOG AND DIGITAL ELECTRONICS

PHYSCS 330

An introductory course in electronics with emphasis on solid state devices, diode and amplifier circuits, waveform generation, operational amplifiers, digital circuitry and microcomputer applications to physical measurement. Three one-hour lectures per week.

Class Schedule

ANALOG AND DIGITAL ELECTRONICS LABORATORY

PHYSCS 331

A laboratory course in electronics with emphasis on solid state devices, diode and amplifier circuits, waveform generation, analog computer circuitry, digital circuitry and microcomputer applications to physical measurement. One two-hour laboratory per week.

Class Schedule

THERMAL PHYSICS

PHYSCS 364

A study of the thermodynamics and statistical mechanics including the laws of classical thermodynamics, equations of state, thermodynamical processes, and applications to classical and quantum mechanical systems. Three one-hour lectures per week.

Class Schedule

MODERN PHYSICS II

PHYSCS 412

A continuation of Modern Physics I. Topics covered include statistical mechanics, atomic and molecular spectra, x-ray spectra, physics of the solid state and nuclear physics. Three one-hour lectures per week.

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MODERN PHYSICS LABORATORY II

PHYSCS 413

A laboratory course in modern physics. The experiments performed in this course complement the lectures of Modern Physics II. It is recommended that this course be taken concurrently with Modern Physics II. One two-hour laboratory per week.

Class Schedule

PHYSICS SENIOR SEMINAR

PHYSCS 489

The course will train students in making scientific presentations, summarize the concepts and methods taught in the physics major curriculum, and prepare them for the Physics Major Field Test as the final exam in the course. Students will become familiar with physics literature and learn to write abstracts and project proposals. The will demonstrate proper methods of verbal and visual presentation by delivering a graded series of talks, concluding with a satisfactory colloquium on a physics topic. Two one-hour sessions a week.

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.