Physics and Astronomy

physics and astronomy philosophy

PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

Professors Bloom, Cheyne, McDermott; Associate Professors Keohane, Thurman; Visiting Associate Professor Holt Chair: Jonathan W. Keohane

The requirements for a major in Physics are 34 hours within the Department of Physics and Astronomy, including Physics 131, 132, 151, 152, 233, 244, 331, 332, either Physics 106 or 243, and at least one of Physics 351, 352, or 461. Of the remaining 9 hours, 3 hours must be at the 200-level or above and 3 hours must be at the 300-level or above. Students majoring in Physics must complete Mathematics 141, 142, and 242.

The requirements for a major in Engineering Physics are 36 hours, including Physics 101, 106, 131, 132, 151, 152, 215, 243, 244, 331, 451, and 452. The remaining 6 hours must be at the 200 level or higher. Students majoring in Engineering Physics must complete Mathematics 141, 142, 242, 231, and 243. Students majoring in Engineering Physics must complete either Physics 220 or Computer Science 261. A student may not major in both Physics and Engineering Physics. Physics majors seeking Distinction in Physics must complete Physics 461-462 and may not use these courses to fulfill elective hours in the major. Engineering Physics majors seeking Distinction in Engineering Physics must complete Physics 461-462 as a replacement for Physics 451-452 and meet all requirements as defined by the department. The requirements for a minor in Astronomy are 18 hours, including Astronomy 110, 151, 210, and 310; and Physics 131, 132, 151, and 152. Of these classes, only Physics 131, 132, 151, and 152 may count for both this minor and another major or minor that lists these courses among its requirements. The requirements for a minor in Physics are 19 hours within the Department of Physics and Astronomy, including: Physics 131, 132, 151, 152, 233, and one semester of Physics 351 or 352. Of the remaining 6 hours, at least 3 hours must be at the 300-level or above. Students minoring in Physics must complete Mathematics 141 and 142, with Mathematics 242 being highly recommended. No student may both minor in Physics and complete a major within the Department of Physics and Astronomy. For more information about the department, see its web page.

ASTRONOMY

ASTRONOMY 110. (3) INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMY. An examination of astronomy: its methods and history, and the origin and development of the solar system, the galaxy, and the universe. Prerequisite: none. Corequisite: Astronomy 151. Offered: each semester. ASTRONOMY 125. (3) LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE. This course concentrates on the astronomical and biological conditions which have made possible the development of life on Earth. Our knowledge of the cosmos is critically examined to estimate the probabilities for life to arise elsewhere. Methods of searching for intelligent extraterrestrial life are reviewed. This is a one-semester course intended for the non-physicalscience major. Prerequisite: none. Offered: on sufficient demand.

ASTRONOMY 210. (3) OBSERVATIONAL ASTRONOMY. Optical and radio astronomy are introduced, with an emphasis on measurement techniques, instrumentation, and data analysis. Prerequisites: Astronomy 110 and Astronomy 151. Offered: spring semester of even-numbered years.

ASTRONOMY 310. (3) ASTROPHYSICS.. The study of the physics of astronomical processes in order to understand what can be learned from the radiations observed from astronomical objects. Prerequisites: Physics 132 and Mathematics 141. Offered: spring semester of oddnumbered years. (Cross-listed as Physics 310.)

PHYSICS

PHYSICS 101. (3) INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING PHYSICS. Introduction to the professions of engineering and engineering physics with emphasis on developing fundamental basis of scientific exploration into engineering using physics, communication, teamwork, creativity, and analysis. Prerequisite: None. Not open to juniors or seniors without prior consent from the professor. PHYSICS 105. (3) PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY OF SCIENCE FICTION. An overview of the physics and astronomy content of popular television, film and literature, with a focus on analyzing common science fiction tropes such as: intelligent life in the universe, robots, space travel, and teleportation. Prerequisite: none. PHYSICS 106. (3) ELECTRONICS I. An inquiry-based approach to the study of electronics including transistors, integrated circuits, and digital logic. Prerequisite: none. Not open to juniors or seniors without prior consent from the professor. PHYSICS 107. (3) ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT. An introductory course focusing on the basic physical principles behind production, consumption, conservation and pollution due to the use of energy. Topics include fossil fuels, renewable energy sources, conservation techniques, transportation, and climate change. Prerequisite: none. Offered: fall semester of odd-numbered years. PHYSICS 108. (3) METEOROLOGY AND CLIMATOLOGY. An elementary introduction to meteorology and climatology including properties of the atmosphere and their effects on the weather, climate change and global warming. Prerequisite: none. Offered: spring semester.

PHYSICS 131. (3) FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICS I. A calculusbased introduction to classical mechanics. Topics include linear kinematics and dynamics, work and energy, momentum, gravitation, rotational kinematics, oscillations, fluids, and mechanical and sound waves. Corequisite: Physics 151. Offered: fall semester.

PHYSICS 132. (3) FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICS II. A calculusbased introduction to electromagnetism and modern physics. Electrostatics, the electric field and potential, electric current and circuits, magnetostatics, induction, light and optics, the atomic nature of matter, the structure of the atom, and the nucleus are studied. Prerequisite: Physics 131. Corequisite: Physics 152. Offered: spring semester. PHYSICS 135. (3) THE PHYSICS OF SOUND. The course begins with an introduction to the basic physics of sound. Additional topics include a study of musical instruments, high-fidelity audio systems, speaker design and placement, microphones, and room acoustics. Prerequisite: none. Offered: fall semester of even- numbered years. PHYSICS 215. (3) STATICS. An application of free-body force diagrams using vector methods to analyze systems in internal and external equilibrium. Other topics will include rigid bodies, centers of gravity, centroids, moments of inertia and applications to structural analysis. Prerequisite: Physics 132. Prerequisite or corequisite: Mathematics 142.

PHYSICS 220. (3) COMPUTATIONAL METHODS IN PHYSICS. An introduction to the techniques of using computers to solve problems in physics. These include numerical differentiation and integration, numerical modeling, and graphical presentation of data. The techniques learned are applied to solve interesting problems in physics. Previous programming experience and computer literacy are helpful but not expected. Prerequisite: Physics 131. Prerequisite or corequisite: Mathematics 141. Offered: fall semester. PHYSICS 233. (3) MODERN PHYSICS I. An introduction to modern physics, which includes a study of special relativity, atoms, molecules, nuclei, waves, and spectra. Prerequisites: Physics 132 and Mathematics 141. Offered: fall semester.

PHYSICS 243. (3) ELECTRONICS II. An inquiry-based approach to the concepts and principles behind interfacing with specific application to experimental control and data collection through the use of microprocessors. Topics to be covered include analog to digital converters, digital to analog converters, and encoders. Prerequisite: Physics 106 or Physics 132. PHYSICS 244. (3) EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS. An instrumentation based course that provides an introduction to modern measurement techniques, instrumentation, and data analysis. Topics include concepts of electronics, spectroscopy systems, and mechanical systems. Emphasis is placed on the principles of data collection and analysis. Prerequisite: Physics 132. Offered: spring semester. PHYSICS 310. (3) ASTROPHYSICS. The study of the physics of astronomical processes in order to understand what can be learned from the radiation observed from astronomical objects. Prerequisites: Physics 131 and Mathematics 141. Offered: spring semester of oddnumbered years. (Cross-listed as Astronomy 310.) PHYSICS 326. (3) MATHEMATICAL METHODS FOR PHYSICS. Selected mathematical techniques most often used in physics are studied. Power Series, Fourier series, linear transformations, ordinary and partial differential equations, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, complex variables, Legendre polynomials, spherical harmonics, and Bessel functions are among the topics considered. These techniques are applied to problems in electricity and magnetism, mechanics, acoustics, and quantum mechanics. Prerequisite: Physics 132. Prerequisite or corequisite: Mathematics 242. Offered: fall semester of oddnumbered years. PHYSICS 331. (3) CLASSICAL MECHANICS. Particle dynamics is treated with special emphasis on harmonic motion, motion in a central force field, and the two-body problem. Prerequisite: Physics 131. Prerequisite or corequisite: Math 242. Offered: fall semester. PHYSICS 332. (3) ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM I. A study of electrostatics, dielectrics, and magnetostatics. Prerequisite: Physics 331 and Mathematics 242. Offered: spring semester. PHYSICS 333. (3) MODERN PHYSICS II. An extension of the material from Modern Physics I with topics to include atomic and molecular physics, multielectron atoms, semiconductor physics, nuclear and particle physics. Prerequisite: Physics 233. Prerequisite or corequisite: Mathematics 242. Offered: on sufficient demand.

PHYSICS 340. (3) ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES AND OPTICS. Topics include transmission lines, electromagnetic waves, and light. In particular, refraction, polarization, diffraction, and emission mechanisms will be covered. Prerequisites: Physics 132. Prerequisite or corequisite: Mathematics 242. Offered: on sufficient demand.

PHYSICS 342. (3) THERMODYNAMICS AND STATISTICAL PHYSICS. An introduction to kinetic theory and thermodynamics, with a brief survey of statistical mechanics. Prerequisites: Physics 132 and Mathematics 242. Offered: spring semester of evennumbered years.