THE PHYSICS MINOR: Students minoring in physics are required to complete six courses:
PY207,
208,
210, and three elective
courses in physics, two of which are at the 300 level. These
electives must be approved by the student's physics advisor
before they can be applied toward the minor.
PY 103. ORIGINS
OF CLASSICAL PHYSICS 4
Designed for the nonscience student.
This course presents the development of physics up to the beginning
of the twentieth century. Topics include gravity and motion,
matter and energy, sound and light. Three hours of lecture,
two hours of lab per week. Prerequisite: QR1. (Fulfills
QR2 and natural sciences requirements.) The Department
PY 105. BREAKTHROUGHS
IN MODERN PHYSICS 3
Designed for the nonscience student.
This course presents the development of modern physics starting
from the beginning of the twentieth century. Topics include
atomic and nuclear physics, relativity, quantum mechanics, and
superconductivity. Prerequisite: QR1. (Fulfills QR2 requirement.) The Department
PY 106. BREAKTHROUGHS
IN MODERN PHYSICS WITH LAB 4
Designed for the nonscience student.
This course presents the development of modern physics starting
from the beginning of the twentieth century. Topics include
atomic and nuclear physics, relativity, quantum mechanics, and
superconductivity. Three hours of lecture, two hours of lab per week.
Prerequisite: QR1. (Fulfills QR2 and natural
sciences requirements.) The Department
PY 107. LIGHT AND COLOR 4
This course traces the evolution
of our understanding of light and color from the earliest recorded
ideas to the present. It will emphasize the crucial roles of
experimentation and mathematical modeling in the creation and
refinement of the contemporary theory of light, and will give
students the opportunity to observe and to experiment with many
of the important properties of light and color. The course will
also give students a sense of the importance of light as a technological
tool in the modern world. Three hours of lecture, two hours
of lab per week. This course may not be applied toward the major
in physics. (Fulfills natural sciences requirement.) W. Standish
PY 108. SOUND AND MUSIC 3
The physical principles of sound—how
it is produced, propagated, and perceived. Illumination of principles
will emphasize examples from music. Mechanisms used to produce
different types of musical sounds will be discussed as well
as the physical principles behind the reproduction of music
in its many forms such as radio, tape recorders, and CD players.
(Fulfills QR2 requirement.) J. Linz
PY 109. SOUND
AND MUSIC WITH LAB 4
The physical principles of sound—how
it is produced, propagated, and perceived. Illumination of principles
will emphasize examples from music. Mechanisms used to produce
different types of musical sounds will be discussed as well
as the physical principles behind the reproduction of music
in its many forms such as radio, tape recorders, and CD players.
The laboratory component will include measurement of the speed
of sound, frequency analysis of musical instruments, and sound
recording. (Fulfills QR2 and natural sciences requirements.) J. Linz
PY 192. PRINCIPLES
OF ASTRONOMY 3
An introduction to planets, stars,
galaxies, and evolution of the universe. This course also introduces
astronomical methods, from simple stargazing to modern telescopic
techniques. Prerequisite: QR1. (Fulfills QR2
requirement.) M. Odekon
PY 194. PRINCIPLES
AND PRACTICE OF ASTRONOMY 4
Supplements the lectures of
PY192 with telescopic observations, laboratory experiments, and analysis
of other astronomical data. Three hours of lecture, two hours
of lab per week. Prerequisite: QR1. (Fulfills QR2 and natural
sciences requirements.) M. Odekon
PY 207. GENERAL
PHYSICS I 4
A calculus-based introduction
to the concepts and principles of mechanics, emphasizing translational
and rotational kinematics and dynamics, work and energy, conservation
laws, and gravitation. Hands-on exploration of physical systems
using computer-interfaced laboratory equipment and spreadsheet
modeling techniques are used to elucidate physical principles.
Prerequisite: QR1. Corequisite:
MA111.
Six hours of lecture, guided activities, laboratory experiments and problem
solving a week. (Fulfills QR2 and natural sciences
requirements.) The Department
PY 208. GENERAL
PHYSICS II 4
A continuation of PY207
into the areas of oscillations, electricity, and magnetism. Prerequisite:PY207. Corequisite:
MA113.
Six hours of lecture, guided activities, laboratory experiments,
and problem solving a week. The Department
PY 210. FOUNDATIONS
OF MODERN PHYSICS 4
The significant historical discoveries
leading to the development of atomic theory and quantum mechanics.
Topics include discovery of the electron, blackbody radiation,
the photoelectric and Compton effects, spectra, the Rutherford-Bohr
atom, deBroglie waves, and Schrödinger's equation. Three
hours of lecture, two hours of lab per week. Prerequisite:PY208. The Department
PY 211. THERMAL
AND STATISTICAL PHYSICS 3
A study of thermodynamics, statistical
mechanics (both classical and quantum), and kinetic theory from
a modern perspective. Using statistical concepts and stressing
the microscopic point of view, the relationships among pressure,
volume and temperature of systems are discussed, as well as
the transfer of energy among thermal systems. Prerequisite:PY210. The Department
PY 212. OPTICS 4
A survey of geometrical, physical,
and quantum optics. Topics include reflection and refraction
of light by plane and spherical surfaces, ray tracing, interference,
Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction, the electromagnetic character
of light, polarization, absorption, scattering and dispersion
of light, photons, lasers, magneto-optics and electro-optics.
Prerequisite:PY210. Three hours of lecture, two hours
of lab per week. The Department
PY 213. ELECTRONICS 3
An introduction to solid-state
electronics. Discrete circuit elements and integrated circuits
are discussed and employed in both digital and analog applications.
Circuit analysis, amplifiers, signal processing, logical networks,
and practical instrumentation are studied. Prerequisite:PY210. Six hours of lab per week. The Department
PY 221H. GALAXIES
AND COSMOLOGY 3
An overview of large-scale structure
and modern cosmological models, from nearby galaxies to the
entire observable universe. Topics include galaxy surveys, quasars,
dark matter, and the early
universe. Prerequisite:PY192 or
194. This is an honors
course. (Fulfills QR2 requirement.) M. Odekon
PY 251, 252. SPECIAL TOPICS IN
PHYSICS 3
A variety of topics at the intermediate
level, available to students with an interest in physics. Some
examples of topics are: exploring the universe, astronomy beyond
the Milky Way, atomic and molecular physics, and particle physics.
Specific choice of topics will depend on student interest and
background. Prerequisite: prior physics course and permission
of the department. The Department
PY 299. PROFESSIONAL
INTERNSHIP IN PHYSICS 3
Internship opportunity for students
whose curricular foundations and cocurricular experience have
prepared them for professional work related to the major field.
With faculty sponsorship and department approval, students may
extend their educational experience into such areas as physics
research, environmental and material science, or electrical
engineering. Prerequisites:PY207,
208.
PY 341. ADVANCED
THEORY AND METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH 4
A series of experiences involving
the lab and mathematical techniques used by practicing physicists.
Areas covered will include familiarization with information
resources, methods of measurement, data recording and analysis,
instrumentation and mathematical techniques in theoretical physics
research. Two hours of lecture, four hours of lab per week. Prerequisite:PY210. D. Atkatz, G. Rodriguez
PY 345. MECHANICS 4
Classical mechanics at the advanced
level. Emphasis is placed on the mathematical formulation of
physical problems and on the physical interpretation of the
mathematical solutions. Topics include Newton's laws of motion,
gravitation, kinematics and dynamics of a particle and of systems
of particles, rigid-body motion, introduction to generalized
coordinates, and Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics. Three
hours of lecture, one hour of discussion per week. Prerequisites:PY210,
MA270. M. Odekon
PY 346. ELECTRICITY
AND MAGNETISM 4
A study of the theory of classical
electromagnetism. Topics include electrostatics, boundary-value
problems, dielectrics and conductors, steady currents, magnetostatics,
magnetic materials, electromagnetic induction, Maxwell's equations
and their solutions. Three hours of lecture, one hour of discussion
per week. Prerequisites:PY208. Corequisite:MA270. W. Standish
PY 348. QUANTUM
MECHANICS 4
The basic postulates of quantum
mechanics and their meaning, Schrödinger's equation and
its solutions for finite and infinite square well and spherical
well potentials, the harmonic oscillator, and the hydrogen atom.
The structure and behavior of simple molecular, atomic, and
nuclear systems are studied . Three hours of lecture, one hour
of discussion per week. Prerequisites:PY210,
MA270. D. Atkatz
PY 351, 352. ADVANCED TOPICS IN
PHYSICS 3, 3
A variety of physics topics at
the advanced level. Possible options include biophysics, condensed-matter
physics, nuclear and particle physics, and advanced quantum
mechanics. The selection of a particular topic will be adjusted
to student interest and background. Prerequisite:PY210 and permission of the department. The Department
PY 373, 374. SENIOR RESEARCH IN
PHYSICS 3, 3
An opportunity for qualified seniors to pursue research in physics under the supervision
of a member of the department. Prerequisite:PY341 and
permission of the department.
PY 399. PROFESSIONAL
INTERNSHIP IN PHYSICS 3 or 6
Professional experience at an
advanced level for juniors and seniors with substantial academic
and cocurricular experience in physics. With faculty sponsorship
and department approval, students may extend their educational
experience into such areas as physics research, environmental
or material science, or electrical engineering. Only three semester
hours may count toward the major or minor in physics. Prerequisite:PY210.
