Undergraduate Course Atlas - Fall Semester 2007

Content: A descriptive overview of astronomy. Topics covered include the celestial coordinate system, time keeping, constellations, ancient astronomy, the planetary system, the sun, stellar evolution, neutron stars, black holes, galactic astronomy, cosmology and the origin of the Universe.

Audience: Only a minimal mathematical ability is required. Students who have completed or who are enrolled in Physics 116 may not enroll in Physics 115.

Particulars: There will be three in-class exams and a final comprehensive exam.

Williamon 000

Williamon 001

TTh

TTh

10:00 AM - 11:15 AM

11:30 AM - 12:45 AM

MAX: 38

MAX: 38

Credit: 4 Hours

Credit: 4 Hours

Lab Sections:
LA1
LB1
LC1
LD1

M
Tu
W
Th

7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM

MAX: 19
MAX: 19
MAX: 19
MAX: 19

Content: A descriptive astronomy course with laboratory. Topics covered include celestial mechanics, light and telescopes, the solar system, the Sun, stellar evolution, black holes, galaxies, and the origin and fate of the Universe.

Audience: Only a minimal mathematical ability is required. Students who have completed or who are enrolled in Physics 115 may not enroll in Physics 116.

Particulars: There will be three in-class exams and a final comprehensive exam. There is one 3-hour lab session, held weekly, which requires registration.

Content: This course explores the connection between science and the world in which we live. It conveys an understanding and appreciation for science by finding physics concepts and principles within the familiar objects of everyday experience such as baseball bats, automobiles, copying machines, audio players, lasers and many more. We will see that most of our world is predictable rather than magical. We will find that a few simple laws allow us to understand some quite complicated things, and that technical complexity need not be intimidating.

Audience: This course is especially appropriate for non-science majors with some curiosity about how things work.

Particulars: Mid-term exam, a final exam, and a term paper.

Text: How Things Work: The Physics of Everyday Life, Bloomfield

Content: Introduction to classical mechanics and thermodynamics. Physics 141 is the first course of a two-semester non-calculus introductory physics sequence.

Audience: The student is expected to be competent in algebra, trigonometry, and plane geometry. Physics 141 and 142 are appropriate courses to satisfy a one-year physics requirement of various professional schools. Students who expect to pursue a BS degree in mathematics or one of the sciences should seriously consider Physics 151.

Particulars: There is one three-hour laboratory each week which requires registration as a related component.

Texts:TBA, and PRS RF clicker.
Physics 141-142 Laboratory Manual, Emory University Physics Department

Content: Introduction to classical mechanics and thermodynamics. Differential and integral calculus are employed from the beginning and more advanced mathematical techniques are introduced throughout the course. Physics 151 is the first course of a two-semester introductory physics sequence.

Audience: Physics 151 and 152 are strongly recommended for students who contemplate the completion of a BS degree in science or mathematics, or who plan to pursue graduate studies in the sciences or engineering. If you have AP credit in physics and are considering majoring in physics, please contact the instructor for advice.

Prerequisites: Mathematics 112, 112S or 112Z (may be taken concurrently).

Particulars: There is one three-hour laboratory each week.

Content: An introductory study of Einstein's contributions with emphasis on space-time, special relativity, general relativity, gravitation, black holes, time travel, and cosmology and their relation to current philosophical problems. The topics include a review of the pre-Einstein notions about space and time.

Audience: Freshman only. Permission of Dean Brown required prior to enrollment.

Particulars:Seminar discussion format; journal writing, brief quizzes, a mid-term exam, and a term paper

Content:The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the developments in materials science and technology that have led to the so-called information revolution. A qualitative description of the basic properties of semiconductors, and of the operating characteristics of electronic devices, and of the systems based on these devices, will be presented. The course will also address the revolutionary impact of information technology on economic, military, social, cultural, ethical and global aspects of modern life. Especially appropriate for non-scientists who want to discuss the technological basis of the information age with minimal mathematics and for science majors who want to broaden their background.

Audience: Freshman only. Permission of Dean Brown required prior to enrollment.

Particulars: Seminar discussion format; brief quizzes, a mid-term exam, and a final term paper.

Texts:The Quantum Dot: A Journey into the Future of Microelectronics, Richard Turton.

Content: A course about understanding light and vision from the scientific and human viewpoints. Especially appropriate for non-scientists who want to discuss some important ideas with minimal mathematics, and for science majors who want to broaden their background. Early theories of light; light in culture and art; how the eyes and brain interpret light; the beginning (Big Bang) and the end (Big Crunch) of light; light in quantum theory and the theory of relativity; illumination, optical devices, and the 21st-century technology of light.

Audience: Freshman only. Permission of Dean Brown required prior to enrollment.

Particulars: Seminar discussion format; brief quizzes, a mid-term exam, and a term paper. Special features include guest discussion leaders and class demonstrations.

Texts: Empire of Light (paperback), Perkowitz; additional readings

Content: This section of Math 211 is designed to meet the needs of physics majors, but math majors and others with strong interest are welcome. Topics include vectors and 3-space, functions of several variables, parametrized curves, vector fields, line integrals, surfaces, gradients, partial derivatives, multiple integrals in various coordinate systems, conservative fields, circulation, flux, Stokes' Theorem. Optimization (for economics) will not be covered.

Prerequisites: Mathematics 112, 112s, or 112Z.

Content: An introduction to combinational and sequential logic circuits, and microprocessor hardware. Topics include transistors, gates, flip-flops, counters, clocks, decoders, displays, microprocessors (internal architecture and programming), memory, input/output circuits, and device interfacing. The course places great emphasis on hands-on experience. This is a Theory-Practice Learning course.

Prerequisite: Physics 142 or 152.

Particulars: A mid-term and a final exam project.

Content: Particle-like properties of electromagnetic radiation, wave-like properties of particles, Schrödinger equation and wave mechanics, hydrogen atom, many-electron atoms, nuclear structure and radioactivity, and the special theory of relativity.

Prerequisites: Physics 142 or 152, and Mathematics 112 or the equivalent.

Particulars: Three tests and one final examination, and weekly homework assignments. There is a three-hour laboratory each week (Monday or Thursday, 2:30-5:30PM).

Content: An advanced mathematical methods course designed for majors in the natural sciences, emphasizing techniques and applications. Topics include complex variables, Fourier series, ordinary differential equations, calculus of variations, special functions, integral transforms, and partial differential equations.

Prerequisites: Physics 142 or 152 and Mathematics 211 and 212, or consent of instructor.

Texts: Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences, M.L. Boas, ISBN 0-471-19826-9

Content: A deeper mathematical and philosophical treatment of classical mechanics, which will also provide experience in reasoning from fundamental principles, and familiarity with some important mathematical techniques. Topics to be covered include vector analysis; conservation laws; rocket motion; central forces and planetary motion; rotations; oscillating systems; scattering problems; variational principles; Lagrangians; and relativistic kinematics.

Audience: Required for Physics BS and Applied Physics BS majors. Physics BA majors may take Physics 361 (in which case they must also take Physics 365: Electromagnetic Fields I) or they can instead take Physics 254: Classical Physics (spring semester).

Prerequisites: Physics 152 and Mathematics 211, or consent of instructor.

Text: Classical Mechanics, John R. Taylor

Content: Varies.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Particulars: Adapted to the particular needs of individual students, with the instructor acting as advisor.

Content: General introduction to scientific research. This course will introduce the students to the numerous areas of scientific research conducted in the Emory physics department as well as give an overview of how modern science is carried out. The students will participate in in-depth tours of active research laboratories, covering diverse fields, in the physics department. In the classroom, we will also discuss topics related to science research in general, including the hprocess of publishing and presenting scientific results, science ethics and some current science issues "in the news."

Audience: For students participaing in the INSPIRE Program.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Text: Class notes and science articles from the instructor.

Content: Entropy, temperature, free energy, statistical mechanics, Gibbs ensembles, partition function, ideal gas, Fermi and Bose gases, principles of classical thermodynamics, Carnot Theorem, phase transitions, and kinetic theory of gases.

Prerequisites: Physics 253, or consent of instructor.

Text: Thermal Physics, 2nd ed., Kittle and Kroemer

Content: Modern experimental techniques and hands-on laboratory projects, including semiconductor device physics, chaos in electronics, X-ray crystallography, and astronomical photometry.

Prerequisite: Physics 253 AND consent of the instructor.

Particulars: Each student will complete written reports for at least three experimental projects. All students must register for both Tu 2:30-5:30 and Wed 2:30-5:30 PM.

Texts: Student Manual for the Art of Electronics

Audience: For students participating in the College Honors Program.

Prerequisite: Consent of the undergraduate physics advisor. Independent research for students invited to participate in the Physics Department's Honors Program.

Audience: For students participating in the College Honors Program.

Prerequisite: Consent of honors research advisor.

Content: Final semester of independant research for students invited to participate in Physics Department Honors Program. WR is satisfied by acceptance of completed honors thesis.

Audience: For students who wish to participate in physics research with the instructor acting as research director.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.