Undergraduate Course Atlas - Fall Semester 2009

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.

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: 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.

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.

Particulars: There is one three-hour laboratory each week. Prerequisites: Mathematics 112, 112S or 112Z (may be taken concurrently).

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.

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

Content: A 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: Freshman only.

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

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

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.

Particulars: A mid-term and a final exam project. Prerequisite: Physics 142 or 152.

Content: Special theory of relativity, particle-like properties of electromagnetic radiation, wave-like properties of particles, structure the atom, X-rays, Bohr theory of the hydrogen atom, Schrö equation and introduction to quantum mechanics.

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

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.

Particulars: 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; variational principles; Lagrangians; rotational kinematics; chaos and non-linear dynamics.

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).

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

Text: Classical Mechanics, John R. Taylor

Content:For over a decade, intense intellectual debate has gone on in the United States about the role of religion and science in our lives; it is the goal of this course to bring these issues to the attention of students. By reading substantial material that acquaints participants with relevant issues emerging in this field, the students are expected to enrich their own personal knowledge. The topics include science in its historical and cultural contexts, contributions of Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, Einstein, Darwin and others for the scientific understanding of the physical universe, neuroscience perspectives on consciousness, mind and self, and a study of the religious worldviews. Varies.

Particulars: An emphasis on open discussion, serious reflection through journal writing and presentation of personal statements are significant features designed to achieve the course's goal. Requirements include class participation, journal writing, short quizzes and one final paper. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Texts: The Fabric of the Cosmos: Space, Time and the Texture of Reality, Brian Green
What Is Life?, Lynn Marguilis and Dorian Sagan
The Oxford Book of Religion and Science, Philip Clayton

Content: Varies.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

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

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.

Particulars: Prerequisite: 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, or consent of 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.

Text: Student Manual for the Art of Electronics, Thomas C. Hayes and Paul Horowitz

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 who wish to participate in physics research with the instructor acting as research director.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.