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• Undergraduate Spring 2010
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Undergraduate Physics

2010 Spring Term

Class Schedule

ENERGY (GM)

PHYSCS 100

An examination of energy; its nature, the forms in which it appears, its transformation, current and future sources, and energy issues faced by an informed electorate. Three one-hour lectures per week.

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

FROM EINSTEIN TO STAR TREK (GM)

PHYSCS 150

This introductory survey course will focus on areas of modern physics that are frequently discussed but often misunderstood. The theories of Einstein and other physicists will be used to examine science fiction devices such as time machines, warp drives, and mass transporters. Integrated throughout wil be a discussion of what are science, science fiction, and pseudo-science. Not applicable toward any physics major or minor. Three hours of lecture a 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

MICROPROCESSOR LABORATORY

PHYSCS 303

Laboratory experience in microprocessor addressing, digital logic circuits, microcomputer input and output techniques, digital to analog and analog to digital interfacing and device control by microcomputers. This course will not satisfy the laboratory work requirements for the physics major; the credit will count toward the major.

Class Schedule

MECHANICS - DYNAMICS

PHYSCS 310

A study of classical mechanics. Topics to be covered will include vector calculus techniques, dynamics of particles and systems and central force systems. Required of all majors and minors in physics. Three one-hour lectures 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

QUANTUM MECHANICS

PHYSCS 425

This course will explore the tools and postulates of Quantum Mechanics. Topics will include one and three-dimensional problems, angular momentum, as well as approximation methods such as time independent perturbation theory, and Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin (WKB) methods. Three one-hour lectures per week.

Class Schedule

PHYSICS SEMINAR

PHYSCS 494

Variable topics. Group activity. An advanced course of study in a defined subject matter area emphasizing a small group in intense study with a faculty member. Repeatable.

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.