Undergraduate Physics
Undergraduate Physics
2022 Fall Term
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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.
PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS I
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.
PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS II
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.
PHYSICS FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS I
PHYSCS 180
A lecture/lab course in introductory physics including a mathematically rigorous analysis of mechanics, vibrations, wave motion, and thermodynamics using calculus. For majors and minors in physics, engineering, chemistry, mathematics. Four one-hour lectures and one two-hour lab per week. Previous study of calculus recommended.
FRONTIERS OF ENGINEERING AND PHYSICS
PHYSCS 190
An introduction to career tracks and career opportunities in engineering and physics. This course will feature readings on different career possibilities in engineering and physics and visiting lectures by practicing physicists and engineers. Professional skills, identification of career tracks, and scientific and technical communication will be emphasized. One hour lecture per week.
PHYSICS FOR EVERYDAY THINKING
PHYSCS 212
An activity-based, hands-on learning course that focuses on conceptual understanding of physics phenomena. The course emphasizes a student-oriented pedagogy. Topics include motion, forces, energy, light, heat, electricity, and magnetism as well as the nature of science. Elementary education students will find this course particularly helpful as it explores ideas related to how children and students learn physics.
INTERMEDIATE LABORATORY
PHYSCS 221
A laboratory course concentrating on techniques of recording, interpretation of, and reporting experimental data. Extensive use will be made of computers in data processing. Topics covered include data acquisition and the recording of data, error analysis, numerical analysis, graphing techniques, computational tools and report writing.
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.
MECHANICS - STATICS
PHYSCS 305
A study of forces on rigid bodies in equilibrium. Topics include force systems, equilibrium, distributed forces, structures, friction, internal forces, centroids and moments of inertia. This course also introduces notations and operations associated with tensor calculus.
METHODS OF THEORETICAL PHYSICS
PHYSCS 324
Topics covered include methods of theoretical physics, vector analysis, differential equations of mathematical physics, analytic functions and integration in the complex plane, Laplace transforms, Fourier series, Fourier transforms, and their applications in physics.
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.
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.
SENIOR SEMINAR
PHYSCS 489
Students will review introductory and upper-level topics covered as part of the physics major. This course will consist of weekly homework sets and quizzes to prepare students for the Physics Major Field Test as the final exam for the course. Students will also learn about career and graduate school options and meet with visiting engineers and physicists.
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.
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.