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)
315-12000 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)
315-15600 Introduction to Scientific Programming NS LA
An introductory course to teach sufficient programming to solve science problems. Specific techniques covered are: least-squares curve fitting; the Newton-Rapheson method; numerical integration; data file I/0; and graphics. Corequisite: 315-11700. 1 credit per block. (Y)
315-15700 Introduction to Analytic Methods NS LA
This is a course in problem solving. It offers beginning physics students a chance to develop their analytic and problem-solving skills. The emphasis is on understanding the process of solving a problem, and on becoming aware of the thought processes and how they relate to the stages involved in developing a solution. Specific techniques and skills useful to physics students are developed. Corequisite: 315-11700. 1 credit. (F,Y)
315-16000 The Physics of Sound NS LA
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)
