Physics Course Descriptions
Physics 100
- General Physics I
Full course for one year. Fall semester: calculus-based
introduction to the classical mechanics of particles and
systems--kinematics, laws of motion, conservation principles,
rotational dynamics, oscillators, gravitation. Spring semester:
electricity and magnetism, optics, and other topics at the
discretion of the instructor. Corequisite: Mathematics 111 or
equivalent. Lecture-conference-laboratory.
Physics 200
- General Physics II
Full course for one year. Fall semester: AC circuits, damped and
driven vibrations, coupled oscillators, waves. Related mathematical
methods are introduced: complex numbers, ordinary differential
equations, linear algebra, and Fourier analysis. Weekly
laboratories provide an introduction to basic electronics, from
filters and voltage dividers to transistors and operational
amplifiers as well as damped, driven, and coupled oscillators.
Spring semester: thermal physics, modern physics--introduction to
special relativity and quantum mechanics, with applications to
atomic, nuclear, and particle physics, and condensed matter, as
time permits. Weekly laboratories include scientific computation,
the Millikan oil drop experiment, measurement of the speed of
light, determination of Planck’s constant, finding the
charge-to-mass ratio of the electron, exploration of microwaves and
high-temperature superconductors. Prerequisites: Physics 100;
Mathematics 111 (or equivalent) and 112; Mathematics 211-212 should
be taken concurrently. First-year students who have successfully
completed the equivalent of Physics 100 at the college level may
petition the physics department to take Physics 200 in their
freshman year. The petition must offer evidence of proficiency in
calculus-based electricity and magnetism.
Lecture-conference-laboratory.
Physics 211
- Molecular Biophysics
Full course for one semester. The course will cover the physics of
measurement techniques for studying the most significant
intermolecular interactions of synaptic transmission. An
introduction to the biology of neurons will be provided.
Measurement techniques such as evanescent wave microscopy, confocal
microscopy, X-ray diffraction, fluorescence resonance energy
transfer, and Raman and infrared spectroscopy will be explained in
terms of the physics of the experiment and its implementation. A
clear idea of how these measurements inform the models of cellular
processes such as exocytosis as well as the atomic level models of
neuromolecular structure and function will be presented. The course
will include demonstrations of selected measurement techniques such
as total internal reflection microscopy, infrared absorption, and
crystallography. Prerequisites: Physics 100, Mathematics 111 and
112. Lecture.
Physics 311
- Classical Mechanics I
Full course for one semester. Careful examination of the
foundations and limitations of Newtonian mechanics leads to
development of the Lagrangian formulation, variational principles,
Hamiltonian mechanics, and the theory of canonical transformations.
Applications to the motion of rigid bodies, systems of coupled
oscillators, and celestial mechanics are treated as time permits.
Prerequisite: Physics 200. Lecture.
Physics 321
- Electrodynamics I
Full course for one semester. Electrostatics and magnetostatics in
vacuum and in matter, electromagnetic induction, force and energy
in electrodynamics, Maxwell’s equations. Mathematical methods
introduced include multivariable calculus and the solution of
partial differential equations by separation of variables.
Prerequisite: Physics 200. Lecture.
Physics 322
- Electrodynamics II
Full course for one semester. A continuation of Physics 321, this
course emphasizes time-varying electric and magnetic fields. Topics
include radiation from point charges and dipoles; propagation of
electromagnetic plane waves in vacuum and in matter; reflection,
refraction, and dispersion; and the relativistic formulation of
electrodynamics. Prerequisite: Physics 321. Lecture.
Physics 323
- Optics
Full course for one semester. Theories of light, from the
seventeenth century to the present. Electromagnetic theory and the
modern photon picture. Applications of geometrical optics,
including lenses, prisms, polarizers, wave plates; reflection and
refraction in general. Huygens’ Principle, Fermat’s Principle,
diffraction and holography. Prerequisite: Physics 200.
Lecture-laboratory.
Physics 331
- Advanced Laboratory I
One-half course for one semester. A study of advanced electronics
and computer-assisted data acquisition and analysis intended to
provide the student with a basis for understanding and designing
laboratory systems used in contemporary experimental physics.
Topics include operational amplifiers, filters, oscillators, logic
circuits, and computer interfacing and analysis using a LabVIEW
system. Prerequisite: Physics 200. Lecture-laboratory.
Physics 332
- Advanced Laboratory II
One-half course for one semester. Guided and independent
experimental investigations of physical phenomena using
research-style measurement techniques. Prerequisite: Physics 331.
Lecture-laboratory.
Physics 342
- Quantum Mechanics I
Full course for one semester. An introduction to quantum theory,
beginning with the Schrödinger equation and the statistical
interpretation of the wave function. One-dimensional applications,
including the infinite square-well, the harmonic oscillator, and
scattering; in three dimensions, the theory of angular momentum,
central potentials, and the hydrogen atom; time-independent
perturbation theory, spin, identical particles, and the Pauli
exclusion principle. In general, this course concentrates on exact
solutions to artificial problems, in contrast to Quantum Mechanics
II, which develops approximate solutions to real problems.
Prerequisite: Physics 200. Lecture.
Physics 351
- Thermal Physics
Full course for one semester. Examines the essentials of
probability and statistics, the kinetic theory of gases,
statistical mechanics, temperature, equations of state, heat,
internal energy, entropy, reversibility, and distribution
functions. Prerequisite: Physics 200. Lecture.
Physics 362
- Solid State Physics
Full course for one semester. Crystalline lattice structures,
vibrational modes, and electronic band theory are explored and used
to explain the observed electrical, thermal, optical, and magnetic
properties of solids. Prerequisite: Physics 200. Lecture.
Physics 364
- Selected Topics of Astrophysical Interest
Full course for one semester. Specific topics vary from year to
year, drawn principally from the following areas: internal
constitution, evolution, and death of stars; structure of galaxies;
interstellar medium; radiative processes; and classical cosmology.
Prerequisite: Physics 200. Lecture. Not offered 2005-06.
Physics 366
- Elementary Particles
Full course for one semester. Introduction to the theory and
phenomenology of elementary particle physics. The course includes a
semi-historical overview, followed by relativistic kinematics, the
Dirac equation, evaluation of simple Feynman diagrams, and a survey
of the strong, electromagnetic, and weak interactions from the
perspective of gauge theory. Prerequisite: Physics 200.
Lecture-conference. Not offered 2005-06.
Physics 367
- Scientific Computation
Full course for one semester. This course covers numerical and
laboratory methods for students of science. The primary focus will
be on topics in physics, chemistry, and biology. The course begins
with the history and modern importance of scientific computation,
moves on to methodology and specific algorithms, and closes with
individual elective projects to be approved by the instructor.
Basic programming will not be taught; the course will concentrate
on scientific, not programmatic, aspects, so students must be able
to write programs largely on their own. Specific topics include
differential equations, matrix methods, signal and image
processing, quantum-theoretic models, astrophysical models, and
non-linear and chaotic systems. Prerequisites: a sophomore-level
course in one of the sciences and experience with a sufficiently
strong computer language, such as Pascal or C.
Lecture-conference-laboratory. Cross-listed as Biology 367.
Physics 411
- Classical Mechanics II
Full course for one semester. Specific content varies from year to
year. In 2005-06 the subject will be general relativity.
Prerequisite: Physics 311. Lecture-conference.
Physics 414
- Classical Field Theory
Full course for one semester. A modern account of the classical
dynamics of systems with infinitely many degrees of freedom. Treats
both general principles and more specialized techniques appropriate
to the analysis of topics of exceptional current interest
(solitons, gauge fields). Although primarily for physicists, the
course contains much material of interest to mathematicians. A good
command of classical mechanics, linear algebra, and the theory of
differential equations is assumed. Lecture. Not offered 2005-06.
Physics 442
- Quantum Mechanics II
Full course for one semester. Content varies from year to year, but
the course can be thought of as a continuation of Physics 342. The
emphasis is on approximation techniques (time-independent and
time-dependent perturbation theory, WKB approximation, variational
principles, Born approximation), with applications to atoms,
molecules, and solids, the quantum theory of radiation, and formal
scattering theory. Prerequisite: Physics 342. Lecture.
Physics 470
- Thesis and Physics Seminar
Full course for one year. The thesis is independent work on an
original problem and is intended as an introduction to research. In
addition to the thesis project itself, all seniors are expected to
participate in a weekly seminar in which various topics from the
current literature are discussed.
Physics 481
- Special Topics in Physics
One-half course or full course for one semester. Readings and
laboratory work of an advanced character. Students choose some
field in which they are interested; they are expected to become
familiar with the special instruments and methods of that
discipline. Open only to juniors and seniors, by consent of the
instructor.
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