[Physics Department Curriculum Course Listing]

[curricular structure] | [curriculum overview]

Note: Mathematics 140, 150, and 160 constitute a three-term sequence in calculus; Mathematics 210 is a course in differential equations and linear algebra. Each course in this four-course sequence is prerequisite for the next course in the sequence.

PHYS 103
LIGHT! MORE LIGHT!

Focuses on the nature of light and its interaction with matter. Topics include waves, quanta, lasers, modern optics, wave-particle duality, and the following paradox: The theory of light is unsurpassed in elegance, predictive success, and heuristic influence, yet light remains mysterious and continues to defy common sense. Weekly laboratory on laser physics and modern optics. Enrollment limit: 20. Prerequisites: High school physics and trigonometry. Offered every two or three years.

PHYS 107
PHYSICS OF MUSIC

Explores the relationship between physics and music, covering such topics as vibrations, waves, interference, resonance, wave forms, scales and temperament, physics of musical instruments, characteristics of auditoriums, impact of electronics. Weekly laboratory. Enrollment limit: 48. Offered in 2007-08 and in alternate years thereafter.

Spring 2006 Syllabus (PDF 98 kB)

PHYS 110
TOPICS IN ASTRONOMY


Treats selected topics in astronomy and cosmology: the solar system, stellar evolution and death, black holes, galaxies, the big bang theory of the early universe, .... Astronomical observations are interpreted in light of known physical laws to form a comprehensible picture of the universe. Note that Physics 110 will not satisfy the laboratory science requirement for a Lawrence degree. Enrollment limit: 35.

Fall 2000 Syllabus

PHYS 112
ENERGY TECHNOLOGY, SOCIETY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Explores energy production, storage, and usage as they are currently practiced. Certain emerging technologies will also be addressed. Environmental and socio-economic impact will be discussed in the context of limitations imposed by the laws of physics. Enrollment limit: 20. Offered in 2005--06 and every two or three years thereafter.

Winter 2006 Syllabus (46 kB HTML)

PHYS 115
ASPECTS OF PHYSICS

Treats topics selected for the non-scientist who wants one-term of physics. In recent years, the course has treated special and general relativity and energy and the environment. Physics 115 is not intended to serve as a general introduction to physics, as are Physics 120, 130 and Physics 150, 160, and does not supply an adequate background for intermediate or advanced courses. Enrollment limit: depends on topic. Offered every two or three years.

Topic for 2005-06: Relativity

Recognizing the World Year of Physics, which celebrates the 100th anniversary of Einstein's publication in 1905 of the special theory of relativity, the course in 2005-06 will focus on the way special and general relativity have changed our notions of space and time. Lecture only. Limit: 20.

Syllabus for Relativity Fall 2005 (92 kB PDF)

PHYS 120
FOUNDATIONS OF PHYSICS I

An algebra-based introduction to the fundamental concepts of classical physics: Newton's laws, particle motion, conservation laws, gravity, fluids, waves, optics, and thermodynamics. Weekly laboratory emphasizes the acquisition, reduction, and interpretation of experimental data and the keeping of complete records. The course is designed to meet the needs of those students who do not intend to major in physics. (Students intending to major in physics or engineering must enroll in Physics 150 and 160; other science majors with strong mathematics and physics backgrounds are also encouraged to enroll in Physics 150 and 160.) Offered every year.

Fall 2006 Syllabus (28 kB PDF)

PHYS 130
FOUNDATIONS OF PHYSICS II

A continuation of Physics 120. Physics 130 is divided between classical and modern topics, including electricity and magnetism, circuits, special relativity, quantum aspects of nature, atomic and nuclear structure, and elementary particles. Weekly laboratory. Prerequisite: Physics 120. Offered every year.

Winter 1999 Syllabus -- Winter 2000 Syllabus

PHYS 150
PRINCIPLES OF CLASSICAL PHYSICS

Treats the basic topics in classical physics developed prior to 1900: classical mechanics; thermal physics; electricity and magnetism; and waves. Weekly laboratories emphasize the acquisition, reduction, and interpretation of experimental data and the keeping of complete records. The course is designed to serve the needs of physics and engineering students and is substantially more demanding than Physics 120 and 130. Only for students with strong backgrounds in mathematics and physics. Prerequisites: One year of high school physics and Mathematics 140. Offered every year.

Winter 2007 Syllabus (105 kB HTML)

PHYS 160
PRINCIPLES OF MODERN PHYSICS

Treats basic ideas developed since 1900: quantum aspects of nature; special relativity; atomic and nuclear structure; fundamental particles. Weekly laboratory. Prerequisites: Physics 150 and Mathematics 140. Offered every year.

Spring 2002 Syllabus (64 kB HTML) -- Spring 2007 Syllabus (77 kB HTML)

PHYS 205
ENTANGLEMENT: 20TH CENTURY PHYSICS AND PHILOSOPHY

(Cross-listed as Philosophy 250) An introduction to some key physics breakthroughs of the 20th century and their philosophical implications. Topics which will be covered include the theory of relativity, quantum mechanics, and questions of appearance and reality. Enrollment limit: 20. Prerequisite: One course in either philosophy or physics, or consent of the instructor. Offered in 2006-07.

Spring 2007 Syllabus (32 kB PDF)

PHYS 220
PHYSICAL ELECTRONICS

A laboratory course covering analysis, construction, and testing of circuits used in present-day experimental research. Strict adherence to standard laboratory practice is required. Two laboratories and one lecture per week. Enrollment limit: 20. Note: To register you must sign up with instructor. Prerequisites: Physics 120 or 150 and Mathematics 130 or 140, or consent of instructor. Offered every year.

Fall 2003 Syllabus (49 kB HTML)

PHYS 225
COMPUTATIONAL MECHANICS

Introduces symbolic and numerical computation through examples drawn mainly from classical mechanics but also from classical electromagnetism and quantum mechanics. Tnis course emphasizes computer-based approaches to graphical visualization, the solution of ordinary differential equations, the evaluation of integrals and the finding of roots, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors. Prerequisites: Physics 150 and Mathematics 210. Offered every year.

Winter 2006 Syllabus (164 kB PDF)

PHYS 230
ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM

Develops and explores charge and current densities; particle motions; electrostatics; magnetostatics; induction; Maxwell's equations; electromagnetic waves; responses of matter. Prerequisites: Physics 150 and 225 and Mathematics 210. Offered every year.

Spring 2007 Syllabus (9 kB HTML) -- Spring 2007 Schedule (30 kB HTML)

PHYS 310
QUANTUM MECHANICS

Develops the theoretical framework used to describe microscopic phenomena: wave-particle duality; wave functions; states and observables; Schrodinger equation; uncertainty relations; bound states; quantum scattering; angular momentum; spin; stationary and time-dependent perturbation theories. Prerequisites: Physics 225, Mathematics 210 and some exposure to quantum mechanics (e.g., Physics 160, Chemistry 470). Offered every year.

Fall 2003 Syllabus (112 kB PDF)

PHYS 320
THERMAL PHYSICS

Treats elementary statistical mechanics; Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac statistics; kinetic theory; and classical thermodynamics. Prerequisites: Physics 160 and 225 and Mathematics 210. Offered in 2006-07 and in alternate years thereafter.

Winter 2007 Syllabus (17 kB PDF)

PHYS 330
ADVANCED LABORATORY

Independent work on experiments selected from the following areas: optical, Mossbauer, alpha, beta, gamma and x-ray spectroscopy; optical double resonance; magnetic resonance; vacuum techniques; solid-state physics; laser physics; nuclear physics. Three laboratories weekly; no lectures. Prerequisites: Physics 160, 220, and 225. Physics 310 recommended. Offered every year.

Spring 2006 Syllabus (196 kB HTML)

PHYS 340
OPTICS

Treats geometrical optics, interference, diffraction, polarization, and various other topics in classical and contemporary optics. Prerequisites: Physics 160 and Physics 230. Offered in 2007-08 and in alternate years thereafter

Winter 2006 Syllabus (61 kB PDF)

PHYS 350
PHYSICS ON YOUR FEET I

This course is the first part of a two-course sequence in which approaches to a wide variety of problems in all major areas of physics are discussed. Special emphasis is placed on quickly identifying relevant fundamental principles and making order of magnitude estimates. Topics covered include classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, and elementary relativity. 2 units; S/U only. Prerequisites: Physics 225, 230, and 310. Offered every year.

PHYS 350
PHYSICS ON YOUR FEET II

This course is the second part of a two-course sequence in which approaches to a wide variety of problems in all major areas of physics are discussed. Special emphasis is placed on quickly identifying relevant fundamental principles and making order of magnitude estimates. Topics covered include optics and waves, quantum mechanics, atomic physics, laboratory methods, and several specialized topics (nuclear and particle physics, radioactive decay, fission and fusion, elementary particles, condensed matter, astrophysics, mathematical methods, computer applications). 2 units; S/U only. Prerequisites: Physics 225, 230, and 310. Offered every year.

PHYS 410
ADVANCED MECHANICS

Treats several topics selected from mechanics of rigid bodies; Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations; variational principles; fluids; classical scattering; relativistic mechanics; theory of small vibrations; Hamilton-Jacobi theory. Offered in 2006-07 and in alternate years thereafter. Prerequisites: Physics 225 and Mathematics 210.

Fall 2006 Syllabus (44 kB HTML)

PHYS 430
ADVANCED ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM

Treats several topics selected from multipole expansions; radiation from accelerated charges; solutions to Laplace's equations; retarded potentials; wave guides; modern optics; and electron physics. Prerequisites: Physics 230 and Mathematics 210. Offered in 2007-08 and in alternate years thereafter.

Spring 2002 Syllabus (36 kB PDF)

PHYS 440
MATHEMATICAL METHODS OF PHYSICS

Treats several topics selected from Fourier series and transforms; partial differential equations; special functions; numerical methods; matrix methods; calculus of variations. Prerequisite: Physics 225 and Mathematics 210. Offered in 2006-07 and in alternate years thereafter.

Spring 2005 Syllabus (156 kB PDF) -- Spring 2007 Syllabus (8 kB HTML) -- Spring 2007 Schedule (8 kB HTML)

PHYS 460
ADVANCED MODERN PHYSICS

Treats quantum mechanically various topics selected from atomic and nuclear physics. This course will concentrate on properties of atoms and nuclei, atomic and nuclear structure, the deuteron, nucleon-nucleon scattering, nuclear models, and nuclear decay. Six supplemental laboratory exercises that focus on laser spectroscopy will be arranged. Prerequisites: Physics 310 and Mathematics 210. Offered in 2005-06 and every two or three years thereafter.

PHYS 500
SPECIAL TOPICS IN PHYSICS


Treats selected topics, such as relativity, fundamental particles, fluid mechanics, and surface physics that vary according to the interests of students and staff. Offered in 2005-06 and every two or three years thereafter. Prerequisite: Depends on topic.

PHYS 520
PLASMA PHYSICS


Explores the properties of hot, ionized gases: motion of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields, plasma kinetic theory, fluid models, waves and instabilities, wave-particle interactions (Landau damping), plasma confinement and transport. Offered in 2005--06 and every two or three years thereafter. Prerequisite: Physics 230.

Spring 2006 Syllabus (45 kB HTML)

PHYS 530
SOLID STATE PHYSICS


Explores the fundamental properties of crystalline solids from an experimental perspective. Experimental investigations using scanning probe microscopy and x-ray diffraction introduce the topics of crystal structures and the reciprocal lattice, phonons, and the quantum theory of electronic band structure. Insights from experiments will guide theoretical developments. Prerequisite: Physics 310. Offered every two or three years.

Spring 2007 Syllabus (39 kB PDF)

PHYS 540
COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS

Treats computational approaches to problems in physics with particular emphasis on finite difference and finite element methods for solving partial differential equations as they arise in electromagnetic theory, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and quantum mechanics and on techniques for graphical visualization of the solutions. Prerequisite: Physics 225. Offered in 2006-07 and every two or three years thereafter.

Fall 2006 Syllabus (94 kB PDF)

PHYS 190, 390, 590, 690
TUTORIAL STUDIES IN PHYSICS

Readings of texts and/or current literature to study a topic not covered in regular offerings. Topics must be carefully defined and a bibliography assembled before permission to enroll is granted. Recent tutorial studies have focused on general relativity, musical acoustics, fluid mechanics, philosophy of quantum mechanics, cosmology, and atomic physics. Variable credit.

PHYS 199, 399, 599, 699
INDEPENDENT STUDY IN PHYSICS

Theoretical or experimental independent study. A written proposal must be submitted to the department at least one term before enrolling. Recent independent studies have been undertaken in fludi mechanics, general relativity, atomic systems couipled to electromagnetic fields, p hase transitions in liquid crystals, plasma physics, and robotics. Variable credit.

Last updated: 18 April 2007