315-10100-315-10200 Introduction to Physics I and II - - - NS LA
Principles and concepts of classical physics. Mechanics, including rotational motion and energy and momentum conservation, properties of matter, heat and thermodynamics, standing waves and sound, physical and geometrical optics, electrostatics, magnetism, DC and AC circuits, and an introduction to atomic physics. Three lectures and one recitation/laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Math placement in Group 2. 4 credits. (315-10100-F, 315-10200-S,Y)
315-11700 - - - Principles of Physics I: Mechanics - - - NS LA 2a
Intended as the first semester of college physics for students majoring in science or mathematics. Topics include vectors, kinematics in one and two dimensions, dynamics, work, energy, momentum, rotational motion, oscillation, and the properties of fluids. Emphasis is on the mathematical analysis of concepts. Prerequisites: At least coregistration in 313-11100. 4 credits. (F,Y)
315-11800 - - - Principles of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism - - - NS LA 2a
Intended as the second semester of college physics for students majoring in science and mathematics. Topics include static electric fields and Coulomb's law, Gauss's law, electric potential, capacitors, Ohm's law, the magnetic field and Ampere's law, induction and Faraday's law, and elementary circuit theory. Emphasis is on mathematical analysis. Prerequisites: 315-11700 and at least coregistration in 313-11200. 3 credits. (S,Y)
315-11900 - - - Problem Solving in Physics - - - U LA
Introduction for beginning physics students to problem solving strategies in physics, physics laboratory work, and the use of computers in physics. It consists of short lectures, problem assignments, and laboratory exercises based on examples from 315-11700 (mechanics) and applications of physics in astronomy. Students work in groups of two solving problems and presenting their solutions to the rest of the class. Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in 315-11700. 2 credits (F,Y)
315-12000 - - - Freshman Laboratory - - - NS LA 2a
A laboratory course designed to develop experimental skills. Focus on the use of modern electronics and computers to measure and analyze data. Students construct analog and digital circuits and then use them to carry out experiments illustrating physical principles from mechanics and electricity and magnetism. Corequisite: 315-11800. 2 credits. (S,Y)
315-14000 - - - Why the Sky Is Blue and All That - - - NS LA 2a
An attempt to alter the usual approach to physics for non- science majors by giving the student an appreciation of the methodology of physics and how physicists view the universe in which we live. Some topics to be discussed are: extent of the physical universe in space and time, motion and forces, the conservation laws of nature, the nature of light (including why the sky is blue), and the ideas of modern physics. The approach is descriptive and nonmathematical. 3 credits. (Y)
315-16000 - - - The Physics of Sound - - - NS LA 2a
Physical basis of sound, with emphasis on musical instruments, the human voice, and sound recording and reproduction. Physics concepts are introduced and developed to understand these areas. Open to all students. Prerequisites: High school algebra. 3 credits. (Y)
315-17400 - - - Solar System Astronomy - - - NS LA 2a
Survey of the solar system from the earliest conceptions of motions in the sky to modern findings of space exploration in the solar system; emphasis on physical processes and dynamics of the moon, earth, planets, comets, meteoric matter, and asteroids; astronomical instruments and measurements. 3 credits. (Y)
315-17500 - - - Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe - - - NS LA 2a
Survey of the universe lying beyond the solar system; introduction to characteristics and motions of stars; stellar structure and evolution; interstellar matter; star clusters, the sun, galaxies; introduction to cosmology; the question of life in the universe; astronomical instruments and measurements. 3 credits. (Y)
315-17600 - - - Solar System Astronomy with Lab - - - NS LA 2a
Introduction to observational procedures in solar system astronomy. Activities include both outdoor observing sessions and indoor lab exercises. Outdoor sessions emphasize learning the night sky and hands-on use of telescopes. Indoor laboratories emphasize data analysis through the use of celestial globes, spectroscopes, computer simulation, and image processing. Students enrolled in this course also attend the lecture of 315-17400, Solar System Astronomy, as well as meet for an additional weekly evening lab. This course is not open to students with prior credit in 315-17400. 4 credits. (Y)
315-17700 - - - Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe, with Lab - - - NS LA 2a
Introduction to observational procedures in stellar and galactic astronomy. Activities include both outdoor observing sessions and indoor lab exercises. Outdoor sessions emphasize learning the night sky and hands-on use of telescopes. Indoor laboratories emphasize data analysis through the use of celestial globes, spectroscopes, computer simulation, and image processing. Students enrolled in this course also attend the lecture of 315-17500, Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe, as well as meet for an additional weekly evening lab. This course is not open to students with prior credit in 315-17500. 4 credits. (Y)
315-21700 - - - Principles of Physics III: Heat and Optics - - - NS LA
The third semester of the introductory sequence for science majors. Topics include the first and second laws of thermodynamics, Maxwell distribution, entropy, geometrical optics, interference, diffraction (single and double slits and gratings), optical spectra and polarization. Prerequisites: 315-11800 and 313-11200. 4 credits. (F,Y)
315-21800 - - - Principles of Physics IV: Modern Physics - - - NS LA
A course aimed at giving students a working knowledge of the concepts of modern physics. Topics include the theory of relativity, interaction of photons with matter, quantum theory, the hydrogen atom, statistical and solid state physics, nuclear physics, and elementary particles. Prerequisites: 315-21700. 4 credits. (S,Y)
315-22500 - - - AC and DC Circuits - - - NS LA
Experiments on DC and AC circuits with emphasis both on test instruments and accurate measurements and on mathematical analysis and theory (including the use of complex numbers for AC theory). Circuits include steady state and transient RC and RL, and series and parallel RLC. Prerequisites: 315-11800, 315-12000. 3 credits. (F,Y)
315-29600 - - - Independent Study - - - U LA
One-semester course in which students may pursue a topic of interest in physics. Offered on demand only. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or above and permission of instructor. 0.5-3 credits; 6-credit limit.
315-29900 - - - Independent Research --- Introductory - - - U LA
Original research participation with faculty member in a specialized field. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or above and permission of instructor. 0.5-3 credits per semester; 6-credit limit. (F-S,Y)
315-30100 - - - Mathematical Methods of Physics - - - NS LA
Algebra of complex numbers and complex functions, vector calculus, ordinary differential equations, Fourier and Legendre series, partial differential equations with applications to selected physics topics. While not required, it is highly recommended that 313-21200, Calculus IV be taken prior to this course. Prerequisites: 313-21100 and 315-21800. 3 credits. (F,Y)
315-30500 - - - Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism - - - NS LA
An intermediate course in electricity and magnetism that builds on the foundation received in 315-11800. Topics include electric and magnetic fields, Gauss's law, electric potential, circuits, Ampere's law, Faraday's law, and Maxwell's equations. Prerequisites: 315-21700. 3 credits. (F,Y)
315-31100 - - - Intermediate Mechanics - - - NS LA
Intermediate mechanics, including statics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies, central forces, planetary motion, Lagrange's equation, and Hamilton's equation. Three lecture-recitations per week. Prerequisites: 315-11800, 315-30100. 3 credits. (S,Y)
315-32000 - - - Thermodynamics - - - NS LA
Topics include laws of thermodynamics with applications, thermodynamic functions and potentials, kinetic theory, real and idealized systems, and intermolecular processes. Prerequisites: 315-21700. 3 credits. (S,O)
315-32600 - - - Analog Electronics - - - NS LA
A laboratory course on electronics covering the origination, amplification, processing, and digital conversion of analog signals. Experiments involve bipolar transistors, operational amplifiers, active and passive filters, oscillators, and analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters. Emphasis is on the basic theory underlying the circuits and devices and on general lab techniques. Prerequisites: 315-22500. 3 credits. (S,E)
315-35100 - - - Digital Electronics - - - NS LA
A laboratory course on digital electronics covering combinatorial and sequential logic, microprocessors, and interfacing. Experiments involve basic logic gates, flip-flops, counters, memories, multiplexers, demultiplexers, microprocessors, and interfacing counter/timers. Prerequisites: 315-22500. 3 credits. (S,E)
315-36000 - - - Advanced Laboratory I - - - NS LA
An advanced laboratory course in which students are expected to conduct four or five investigations in areas such as mechanics, optics, thermodynamics, and electricity and magnetism. Emphasis is on the development of good laboratory technique and data-taking procedures. Students work independently and are expected to become familiar with modern developments in instrumentation, formal report writing, and the statistical basis for data analysis. Prerequisites: 315-21800, 315-22500. 3 credits. (S,O)
315-39900 - - - Independent Research --- Intermediate - - - U LA
Prerequisites: Two credits of 315-29900 and/or permission of instructor. 0.5-3 credits. (F-S,Y)
315-42100 - - - Quantum Mechanics - - - NS LA
Emphasis is on understanding the nature of quantum theory and how it differs from classical ideas. Topics include the uncertainty principle, the Schrödinger equation and solutions to various potentials, perturbation theory, and the one-electron atom. Prerequisites: 315-31100 and permission of instructor. 3 credits. (IRR)
315-45100 - - - Advanced Laboratory II - - - NS LA
Students are expected to gain a thorough understanding of several experiments carried out during the term, rather than to complete a large number of small projects. Emphasis is on independent work. Available experiments include nuclear techniques, gamma ray spectroscopy, and the Mossbauer effect. Prerequisites: 315-21800, 315-22500. 3 credits. (S,E)
315-45500 - - - Advanced Electricity and Magnetism - - - NS LA
Builds on the foundation in 315-30500. Topics include electric and magnetic fields, Gauss's law, electric potential, circuits, Ampere's law, Faraday's law, and Maxwell's equations. Prerequisites: 315-30500. 3 credits. (IRR)
315-49900 - - - Independent Research --- Advanced - - - U LA
Prerequisites: Two credits of 315-39900 and permission of instructor. 0.5-3 credits. (F-S,Y)
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