29 courses with the subject PHYS, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
PHYS 112Introductory Astronomy
A basic introduction to astronomy, this course concentrates on how we know what we know. Students explore questions such as "How do we measure the distance to a star?" and "How do we know the universe is expanding?" In addition to studying the solar system, stars, black holes, galaxies, and the history of the universe, students engage in observation using the department's telescopes. Offered every other year. Does not count toward physics major. Prerequisite: proficiency in algebra and geometry. OLE Core Requirement: Natural Science.
Using visual art as a lens, students examine vision starting with light and its interactions with matter as well as optical and physiological responses to art elements: elements; value, color, line, shape, form, and texture. Students scientifically analyze artworks using tools from physics, neurobiology, and psychology seeking strategies employed by visual artists to create compelling images and adopt these strategies to generate original work. No prerequisites, but foundational experience in studio art or art history is valuable. Offered alternate years during January term. Does not count toward physics major.
This two-semester in-depth course addresses topics in classical and modern physics using algebra, geometry, and some calculus. The course is well suited for students of biology or chemistry or for those desiring a thorough introduction beyond the high school level. Physics 124 takes up the Newtonian mechanics of point particles (motion, mass, force, torque, energy, momentum, and gravitation), Einstein's reexamination of space time (relativity), and nuclear physics. Students attend lectures plus one 2.5-hour laboratory per week. Offered annually in the fall semester. Does not count toward physics major. Prerequisite: MATH 119 or MATH 120 or equivalent.
This two-semester in-depth course addresses topics in classical and modern physics using algebra, geometry, and some calculus. The course is well-suited for students of biology or chemistry or for those desiring a thorough introduction beyond the high-school level. Physics 125 explores the character of electric and magnetic forces and fields, then takes up the extended description of matter (vibrations, waves - sound and light). Finally, both particle and wave descriptions are shown to be necessary for discussing quantum mechanics and its application to atomic physics. Students attend lectures and one 2.5-hour laboratory per week. Offered annually in the spring semester. Does not count toward physics major. Prerequisites: PHYS 124 and either MATH 119 or MATH 120 or equivalent.
This three-semester calculus-based sequence leads the student through the basic principles that account for the processes involved in baseballs, car engines, electrical power distribution systems, stereos, and black holes. It is the starting point for a major in physics and is also appropriate for majors in fields such as chemistry or mathematics who desire more mathematical depth than would be used in the two-semester PHYS 124 - PHYS 125 sequence. Physics 130 is a study of Newtonian mechanics --- motion, forces, energy, gravity, and rotation. Students attend lectures plus one 2.5-hour laboratory per week. Offered annually in the fall semester. Prerequisite: concurrent registration in (or previous completion of) MATH 119 or MATH 120 or equivalent. OLE Core Requirement: Natural Science.
Physics 131, the second course in the three-semester calculus-based sequence, treats electricity, magnetism, and electromagnetic waves. Students attend lectures and one 2.5-hour laboratory per week. Offered annually in the spring semester. Prerequisites: PHYS 130 and concurrent registration in (or previous completion of) MATH 126 or MATH 128. OLE Core Requirement: Natural Science.
This course takes a holistic, process approach to design. Student teams identify human-centered needs, define problems, develop and prototype solutions, test, redesign, and present final recommendations. This hands-on course emphasizes the application of scientific principles, analysis, and design to real world problems. Students write throughout the course to develop and share ideas. In the January Term, students attend lectures and a daily laboratory. In the full semester offering, students attend lectures and one 2.5-hour laboratory per week. Offered annually. Prerequisites: MATH 119 or MATH 120 and at least one of the following: PHYS 130, PHYS 124, CHEM 122, CHEM 125, BIO 150, PSYCH 125, CSCI 121, or permission of instructor. OLE Core Requirement: Natural Science; Creativity.
Introductory study of selected topics in physics in a full-semester format. Topics are chosen to engage students in physics based on available staff. Offered periodically during spring semester. Potential topics include quantum computing, astrophysics and the physics of energy. OLE Core Requirement: Natural Science.
Physics 232, the third course in the three-semester calculus-based sequence, explores special relativity, waves and oscillations, and the quantum mechanics of light and matter. Students attend lectures and one 2.5-hour laboratory per week. Offered annually in the fall semester. Prerequisites: PHYS 131 or permission of instructor, and concurrent registration in (or previous completion of) MATH 220. OLE Core Requirement: OLE Experience in Practice.
Quantum mechanics has changed the conceptual framework for our understanding of atoms and molecules, both as free particles and in condensed states of matter. It also guides our understanding of the nucleus and elementary particles. This course examines these discoveries and several applications they produced. Offered annually in the spring semester. Prerequisites: PHYS 232 and concurrent registration (or previous completion of) MATH 230; concurrent registration in PHYS 245 is required.
This course, meeting once a week for three hours, uses both historical experiments and open-ended investigations with modern instrumentation to examine in detail the important developments covered in PHYS 244. Offered annually in the spring semester.
Modern scientific work relies heavily on electronic circuitry and computation. This course examines the fundamentals of analog and digital electronics, explores the applications of discrete and integrated circuits, and introduces the broad topic of computer control of experiments. Students develop hands-on skills in circuit building, computer interfacing, and programming in LabView®. Students attend lectures and one 2.5-hour laboratory per week. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: PHYS 125 or PHYS 131.
This course offers an introduction to the physics of sound waves, the biological, physical and psychological origins of sound perception, and the synthesis of sounds and sound production in different instruments. Students explore these topics, as well as sound recording and reproduction systems, through lectures, discussions, laboratory experiments, and student presentations. Offered during January Term. Prerequisite: proficiency in algebra and geometry. Musical experience is helpful but not required. OLE Core Requirement: Natural Science.
Independent research is offered for students dedicated to an in-depth research experience. Emphasis is placed on the iterative process of research, through experimentation, theorizing, and/or computation followed by analysis and further questioning. Students interested in independent research may enroll in PHYS 297 or PHYS 398. Each course requires a faculty supervisor. Prerequisite: approval of instructor.
Independent work is guided by a faculty member. Students need to have the necessary background, including appropriate coursework, before an independent project is approved. A student may not substitute an IS/IR course for a course regularly offered in a department or program. IS/IR culminates in at least one product (a paper, laboratory report, work of art, etc.). Normally, the student and faculty instructor are expected to meet at least once a week. Prerequisites: at least second-year standing; at least 2 relevant courses for 298 (IS); approval from the faculty instructor, the academic advisor, and the department chair or program director. See catalog for more information under registration and course enrollment.
This course introduces students to the vibrant, interdisciplinary, and growing fields of materials engineering and nanoscale science. Students focus primarily on the relationship between the structure and physical properties of materials, on length scales ranging from millimeters to nanometers. Students research articles from the peer-review literature that highlight the latest developments in the field. Students also discuss the technological and societal impacts of different materials and their applications. Offered annually. Prerequisite: PHYS 244.
This course is an analytical and computational study of Newtonian mechanics, including the harmonic oscillator, central force motion, non-linear oscillators, chaos, and an introduction to the Lagrangian formulation. Students use computers extensively. Offered annually in the fall semester. Prerequisites: PHYS 232 and MATH 230.
This course utilizes integral and vector calculus in a thorough and analytic examination of classical electromagnetic theory and the physical laws on which it is based. Topics include electric and magnetic fields, macroscopic interaction of electromagnetism with matter, and the propagation of electromagnetic waves in various media. Students in this course are normally registered for PHYS 385 as well, in order to complete the requirements for the physics major. Offered annually in the spring semester. Prerequisites: PHYS 232 and MATH 230, and MATH 226 or CSCI 251 or similar course upon approval of the department chair.
Students investigate Quantum Theory, in which a particle's behavior is described through a statistically-interpreted wave function rather than through the concepts of Newtonian mechanics. Topics include an examination of the conceptual framework of Quantum Mechanics, solution of the Schrodinger Equation for systems such as the harmonic oscillator and the hydrogen atom, and approximation methods for treating more complex systems and the interaction of radiation with matter. Students in this course are normally registered for PHYS 386 as well, in order to complete the requirements for the physics major. Offered annually in the fall semester. Prerequisites: PHYS 244, PHYS 374, and MATH 226 or CSCI 251, or similar course upon approval of the department chair.
How do macroscopic variables (e.g. energy, pressure) develop through the collision or interaction of microscopic objects? Why is the spread of disease in an orchard similar to a piece of iron becoming magnetized? Students study classical and quantum gases, followed by magnets and phase transitions (Ising Model, percolation, renormalization) and employ both analytical and computer methods (Monte-Carlo sampling, simulations, molecular dynamics). Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: PHYS 244.
Experiments in the areas of mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and materials science. Emphasis is on the development of good laboratory techniques, analytical skills, and the ability to work independently. Each 0.25-course registration includes one three-hour laboratory per week. Offered annually in the spring semester. Prerequisite: concurrent registration in (or previous completion of) PHYS 245.
Experiments explore various topics in physics. Emphasis is on the development of good laboratory techniques, analytical skills, and the ability to work independently. Each 0.25-course registration includes one three-hour laboratory per week. Offered annually in the fall semester. Prerequisite: PHYS 245.
In-depth study of particular topics in physics in a full-semester format. Topics are based on student interest and available staff. Recently taught courses include solid state physics, cosmology, stellar evolution, and general relativity. Offered periodically. Prerequisites: PHYS 244 and MATH 230.
This course provides a comprehensive research opportunity, including an introduction to relevant background material, technical instruction, identification of a meaningful project, and data collection. The topic is determined by the faculty member in charge of the course and may relate to their research interests. Offered based on department decision. May be offered as a 1.00 credit course or .50 credit course. Prerequisite: determined by individual instructor. OLE Core Requirement: OLE Experience in Practice.
Independent work is guided by a faculty member. Students need to have the necessary background, including appropriate coursework, before an independent project is approved. A student may not substitute an IS/IR course for a course regularly offered in a department or program. IS/IR culminates in at least one product (a paper, laboratory report, work of art, etc.). Normally, the student and faculty instructor are expected to meet at least once a week. See catalog for more information under registration and course enrollment. Prerequisites: at least second-year standing; at least 5 relevant courses for 398 (IR); approval from the faculty instructor, the academic advisor, and the department chair or program director.
Seniors and faculty members study topics of current interest. Discussions are based on journal articles, other readings, library research, and presentations by faculty, participants, or visitors. P/N only. May be repeated if topic is different. Prerequisites: PHYS 374 and PHYS 375.
