Courses Offered
Physics and Astronomy
A list of regularly offered courses follows. The indication of when a course will be offered is based on the best projection of the department and can be subject to change.
Please note the key for the following abbreviations: (A) Arts; (H) Humanities; (S) Social Sciences; (N) Natural Sciences with Laboratory; (LS) Language Studies requirement; (NSP) Natural Science in Perspective; (NW) Non-Western Cultures requirement.
PHYSICS
PHY111. Fundamental Physics I. (N) Every Semester
First semester of a two-semester sequence that investigates the physical laws governing the behavior of particles and systems. PHY 111 always covers Newtonian mechanics. Additional topics, such as special relativity, thermodynamics and wave phenomena are covered at appropriate times during the sequence. Corequisite: MAT 109. Staff
PHY112. Fundamental Physics II. (N) Every Semester
Second semester of a two-semester sequence that investigates the physical laws governing the behavior of particles and systems. PHY 112 always covers electromagnetism, optics, atomic and nuclear physics. Additional topics such as special relativity, thermodynamics and wave phenomena are covered at appropriate times during the sequence. Prerequisites: PHY 111. Corequisite: MAT 110. Staff
PHY222. Electronics. (N) Spring 2011
Basic electronic concepts, devices and circuits, d.c. and a.c. circuit theory with emphasis on equivalent circuit models. Design and analysis of power supplies, amplifiers and oscillators. Laboratory work with instruments and circuits. Prerequisites: PHY 112. Krebs
PHY223. Modern Physics. (N) Every Fall
Topics include special relativity, vibrations and waves, kinetic theory, basic quantum mechanics, quantum statistics and selections from atomic, molecular, solid state, nuclear and high energy physics, or astrophysics. The course includes emphasis on development of laboratory, data analysis and mathematical skills. Prerequisite: PHY 112 or permission of instructor. Adkins
PHY226. Analytical Mechanics. Every Spring
Newton’s laws applied to particles: rectilinear motion; simple, damped and driven oscillations; gravitation and central forces; Lagrange’s equations and the Hamiltonian; non-inertial frames of reference; and dynamics systems of particles. Prerequisites: PHY 111. Corequisite: MAT 229. Stubbins
PHY237. Physics of the Earth. (N) Fall 2010
Principles of physics as applied to understanding features and properties of the solid earth. Gravity, seismology, geomagnetism and paleomagnetism, heat flow; geophysical surveys. Laboratory. Prerequisite: GEO 110 or 114 or 118. Same as GEO 237. Sternberg
PHY333. Electric and Magnetic Fields. Every Fall
Topics include Coulomb force, electrostatic field and potential, Gauss’s Law, dielectrics, Ampère’s Law, Faraday’s Law, magnetic properties of matter, Maxwell’s equations and electromagnetic radiation. Corequisite: PHY 334 or permission of the instructor Fritz
PHY334. Mathematical Methods of Physics. Every Fall
Mathematical techniques important in analyzing physical systems; topics include Fourier series; series solutions of differential equations with applications such as Schrödinger’s equation and electrostatic potential theory; partial differential equations, with multi-dimensional applications to electrostatic potentials, the heat flow and wave equations, Poisson’s equation and electromagnetic radiation. Prerequisite: PHY 226 or permission of the instructor. Larochelle
PHY344. Quantum Mechanics. Every Spring
Basic postulates of quantum mechanics; wave equation in one and three dimensions; non-degenerate, degenerate and time-dependent perturbation theory; the hydrogen atom. Prerequisite: PHY 333. Corequisite: PHY 334 or permission of the instructor. Krebs
PHY364. Experimental Methods of Physics. (N) Every Fall
Designed to familiarize students with equipment and procedures used in a research laboratory. Experiments will illustrate principles involved in atomic, molecular and solid-state physics. Computer interfacing of apparatus using LabView or similar software will be introduced. Prerequisite: PHY 222. Corequisite: PHY 333. Krebs
PHY431. Statistical and Thermal Physics. Spring 2011
Physical concepts and methods used in describing the behavior of systems consisting of large numbers of particles. Statistical mechanics and thermodynamics discussed from a unified point of view. Connection between the microscopic content of the theory and the laws of thermodynamics developed. Prerequisite: PHY 226 or permission of the instructor. Staff
PHY442. Condensed Matter Physics. Spring 2010
Development of concepts and methods for understanding the behavior of solids. Semiconductor physics. Laboratory projects related to the physics of solids and applications. Prerequisites: PHY 333 or permission of the instructor. Larochelle
PHY490. Independent Study. Every Semester
Independent study directed by the Physics staff. Permission of the department chair is required.
ASTRONOMY
AST170. Survey of Astronomy. (N) Fall 2009
A survey of important areas and concepts of astronomy. Topics may include development of astronomy from ancient to modern times, including studies of the night sky; our solar system, including the laws governing the motion of the planets; evolution and properties of stars; black holes and neutron stars; structure, origin and evolution of galaxies; and the history and present properties of the universe. Weekly laboratory meetings at the Observing Deck, Planetarium or Computer Classroom. Staff
AST171. Introduction to Astrophysics. (N) Fall 2009
A quantitative introduction and exploration of some of the main ideas in modern astrophysics with an emphasis on the relationship of contemporary physics to astronomy. Topics may include astronomical instrumentation, radiation laws and spectra, physical characteristics of the sun and other stars, stellar formation and evolution, the solar system, compact objects, extragalactic astronomy and galaxies and cosmology. Weekly laboratory meetings at the Observatory Deck, Planetarium or Computer Classroom. Corequisite: MAT109. Lommen
AST370. Stellar Astrophysics
A study of the physics of stars (including the Sun), star formation, the interstellar medium, structure and evolution of stars, properties of normal stars, stellar interiors, and stellar kinematics; exotic end-states of stars. (Pre-requisite AST 121 or 100, Co-requisite PHY 226.)
AST386. Changing Concepts of the Universe. (NSP) Fall 2010
Historical examination of primitive and early cosmologies to present-day theories of the organization, extent and nature of the universe. Early Greek astronomy to present-day “big bang” theory. Use of simple astronomical instruments to reproduce observations of early astronomers. Not a laboratory course. Same as STS 386. Lommen
AST387. Archeoastronomy. Spring 2011
Fundamental astronomy of ancient cultures: Stonehenge and other stone rings in England and Europe; circles and temples in the Americas, Asia and Africa; time-keeping and calendars; prediction of seasons and eclipses. Methods of analysis: motions of celestial bodies; use of planetarium, celestial globes and grids; surveying of sites. Not a laboratory course. Same as STS 387. Staff
AST390, 490. Independent Study. Every Semester
Independent study directed by the Astronomy staff. Permission of the department chair is required.
AST391. Directed Reading. Every Semester
Directed reading directed by the Astronomy staff.
TOPICS COURSES EXPECTED TO BE OFFERED IN 2009–2010
Topics in Physics.
Survey of Astronomy.
Introduction to Astrophysics.
Stellar Astrophysics.
