The Physics Department offers five degree programs: Physics BA, Physics BS, Physics (Teacher Education), Math/Physics, and 3-2 Engineering (with Cornell, RPI, Clarkson, and Binghamton University). The content of the courses offered in these programs is highly technical. Prospective majors should enroll in PHYS 117-118-120 and MATH 111-112 and speak with a faculty member at their first opportunity.
PHYS 10200-01,02 INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS II 2a LA NS
4 CREDITS
INSTRUCTOR: Andrew Crouse; Center for Natural Sciences 309; ext. 4-5129
ENROLLMENT: 99
PREREQUISITE: PHYS 10100
OBJECTIVES: A continuation from PHYS 10100 of the principles and concepts of classical physics. Standing waves and sound, physical and geometrical optics, electrostatics, magnetism, DC and AC circuits, and an introduction to atomic physics.
FORMAT & STYLE: Three lectures and one recitation/laboratory per week or three two-hour lecture/recitation/laboratory sessions per week.
REQUIREMENTS: Math placement in group 2
GRADING: Normal/Standard
PHYS 11800-01 PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS II: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM 2a LA NS
4 CREDITS
INSTRUCTOR: Beth Ellen Clark Joseph; Center for Natural Sciences 267; ext 4-3968
ENROLLMENT: 50
PREREQUISITE: PHYS 11700; MATH 11200 (may be taken concurrently)
OBJECTIVES: Intended as the second semester of college physics for students majoring in science or 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 placed on mathematical analysis.
FORMAT & STYLE: Lecture, problem solving and short labs
PHYS 12000-01-03 INTRODUCTORY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LA NS
3 CREDITS
INSTRUCTOR: Michael Rogers; Center for Natural Sciences 265; ext. 4-3963
ENROLLMENT: 32
PREREQUISITE: PHYS 11800 (may be taken concurrently).
OBJECTIVES: A laboratory course designed to develop experimental skills. Focus is 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.
FORMAT & STYLE: Lecture and laboratory
PHYS 16000-01 PHYSICS OF SOUND 2a LA NS
3 CREDITS
INSTRUCTOR: Matthew Price; Center for Natural Sciences 266; ext. 4-3849
ENROLLMENT: 90
PREREQUISITE: High school algebra or equivalent (simple trigonometry highly recommended)
OBJECTIVES: Physics of Sound will introduce students to sound and sound production from a scientist’s point of view. This will include the wave nature of sound and how sound travels, sound wave production in a variety of sound producers like the human voice and musical instruments, the decibel scale of sound level measurement, resonance and sound, room acoustics, application of ultra-sound and infra-sound, basic sound recording and reproduction, and the Doppler effect.
STUDENTS: This course is open to all interested students. Spring and fall semesters will offer the same course content.
FORMAT AND STYLE: Lecture format with many in-class experiments and demonstrations; student participation in class discussions is required; minimal homework; exams are a mixture of multiple choice and short calculations and essays; three prelims and a final exam.
GRADING: Based on class participation and homework (roughly 20%), prelims (roughly 60%), and a final exam (roughly 20%).
PHYS 17500-01,02 STARS, GALAXIES, AND THE UNIVERSE 2a LA NS
3 CREDITS
INSTRUCTOR: Matthew Price; Center for Natural Sciences 266; ext. 4-3849
ENROLLMENT: Section 01: 99, Section 02: 66
OBJECTIVES: 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.
FORMAT & STYLE: Lectures and class discussion.
REQUIREMENTS: High school algebra recommended.
GRADING: Normal or Standard.
PHYS 21800-01 PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS IV: MODERN PHYSICS LA NS
4 CREDITS
INSTRUCTOR: Daniel Briotta, Center for Natural Sciences 268; ext. 4-3965
ENROLLMENT: 16
PREREQUISITE: PHYS 21700
OBJECTIVES: 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.
FORMAT & STYLE: Three lectures and one recitation per week
PHYS 29600 INDEPENDENT STUDY: PHYSICS LA
0.5-3 CREDITS; 6 credit limit
PREREQUISITE: Sophomore standing or above; permission of instructor.
OBJECTIVES: One-semester course in which a student may pursue a topic of interest in physics. Offered on demand only.
PHYS 29900 INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - INTRODUCTION LA
0.5-3 CREDITS; 6 credit limit
PREREQUISITE: Sophomore standing or above; permission of instructor.
OBJECTIVES: Original research participation with faculty member in a specialized field.
PHYS 29901-05 INDEPENDENT RESEARCH LA
0.5-3 CREDITS; 6 credit limit
INSTRUCTOR: Matthew C. Sullivan; Center for Natural Sciences 262; ext. 4-3964
PREREQUISITE: Sophomore standing or above; permission of instructor.
OBJECTIVES: Original research participation with faculty member in a specialized field.
PHYS 31100-01 ANALYTICAL MECHANICS LA NS
3 CREDITS
INSTRUCTOR: Daniel Briotta, Center for Natural Sciences 268; ext. 4-3965
ENROLLMENT: 16
PREREQUISITE: PHYS 11800; PHYS 30100
OBJECTIVES: Intermediate mechanics, including statics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies, central forces, planetary motion, Lagrange's equation, and Hamilton's equation. Extensive computer analysis.
FORMAT & STYLE: Lectures and discussion
PHYS 32000-01 THERMODYNAMICS LA NS
3 CREDITS
INSTRUCTOR: Michael Rogers; Center for Natural Sciences 265; ext. 4-3963
ENROLLMENT: 16
PREREQUISITE: PHYS 21700
OBJECTIVES: Topics include laws of thermodynamics with applications, thermodynamic functions and potentials, kinetic theory, real and idealized systems, and intermolecular processes.
FORMAT & STYLE: Lectures, problem solving and laboratory work
PHYS 32600-01 ANALOG ELECTRONICS LA NS
3 CREDITS
INSTRUCTOR: Daniel Briotta, Center for Natural Sciences 268; ext. 4-3965
ENROLLMENT: 12
PREREQUISITE: PHYS 25500
OBJECTIVES: This is a laboratory course covering transistors (bi-polar and field-effect), op-amps, and microcontrollers.
FORMAT & STYLE: Lectures and laboratories
PHYS 36000-01 ADVANCED LABORATORY I LA NS
3 CREDITS
INSTRUCTOR: Matthew C. Sullivan; Center for Natural Sciences 262; ext. 4-3964
ENROLLMENT: 16
PREREQUISITE: PHYS 21800; PHYS 22500
OBJECTIVES: 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 placed on the development of good laboratory techniques 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.
FORMAT & STYLE: Laboratory
PHYS 39800-01 SENIOR THESIS PROPOSAL LA NS
1 CREDIT
INSTRUCTOR: Matthew Price; Center for Natural Sciences 266; ext. 4-3849
ENROLLMENT: 15
PREREQUISITE: Junior Level Physics BS Student or Permission of Instructor
OBJECTIVES: Students will use scientific and technical writing skills to develop a written description of their basic or applied research leading to a formal written senior thesis with the physics department. Written proposals will describe the problem, methodology, and data analysis needed to successfully complete the research. Completed written proposals will be evaluated for research merit by the physics department.
PHYS 39900 INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - INTERMEDIATE LA
0.5-3 CREDITS
PREREQUISITE: One credit of PHYS 29900; junior standing or above; permission of instructor
OBJECTIVES: Original research participation with faculty member in a specialized field.
PHYS 49800 – SENIOR THESIS LA NS
3 CREDITS
INSTRUCTOR: Matthew Price; Center for Natural Sciences 266; ext. 4-3849
ENROLLMENT: 12
PREREQUISITE: PHYS 39900, concurrent registration in PHYS 49900, senior standing; permission of instructor.
OBJECTIVES: The Senior Thesis in Physics is a capstone experience in which seniors prepare, summarize, and present their own basic or applied research in Physics. This course has three main components: A professional-level research paper written and formatted in a style suitable for submission to a physics journal; a full-length (40-50 minute) research talk; and an oral defense of the thesis. The senior thesis will be mentored by a physics faculty member. Completion of the senior thesis is required for the Bachelor of Science in Physics.
FORMAT & STYLE: Seminar style
PHYS 49900 INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - ADVANCED LA
0.5-3 CREDITS
PREREQUISITE: One credit of PHYS 39900; senior standing; permission of instructor
OBJECTIVES: Original research participation with faculty member in a specialized field.
