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Courses
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. Prerequisites: prior physics course and permission of the department. The Department
PY 261. PHYSICS JOURNAL FORUM 1
A discussion of research in physics, based primarily on discussion of journal articles. Primarily intended for physics majors or potential physics majors, this course is open to any student who is taking or who has taken another physics course. Must be taken S/U. May be repeated for credit. 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. The Department
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. The Department
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. Prerequisite: PY208; corequisite: MA270. The Department
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. The Department
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. Prerequisites: 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. Prerequisites: 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.
