36 courses with the subject PHY, 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.
PHY 101Removing the Barriers to Inclusivity in Physics and Astronomy
Instructor Belloni This course will examine the historical and current barriers to diversity, equity, and inclusivity in physics and astronomy (that also apply to other STEM fields), and how to reduce barriers that exclude individuals from STEM based on intersecting domains of identity (race, gender, sexuality, socioeconomic status, physical ability, etc.). Scholarship from the physics and astronomy education research community will form the course’s foundation, with specific readings that focus on lack of diversity, equity, and inclusivity, and the proven techniques that can mitigate these factors. Students will contribute their diverse experiences, interests, and personal knowledge of barriers to inclusion in STEM to examine diversity, equity, justice, and inclusivity, to analyze techniques that can mitigate inequities, and to implement evidence-based strategies. Satisfies a major requirement in Educational Studies via CIS Satisfies a minor requirement in Educational Studies Satisfies the Justice, Equality, and Community requirement
Instructor Staff A study of the physical laws and processes that underlie environmental phenomena with a special focus on energy. Technical, economic and social consequences of these laws and processes will be examined to better delineate the complex decisions related to environmental issues. No laboratory. Satisfies the Liberal Studies requirement. Satisfies depth or breadth course requirement in Natural Science Track of the Environmental Studies major or interdisciplinary minor. Prerequisites & Notes Designed for non-science majors. (Not offered 2016-2017.)
Instructor Staff A study of the physical laws and processes that underlie environmental phenomena with a special focus on energy. Technical, economic and social consequences of these laws and processes will be examined to better delineate the complex decisions related to environmental issues. One laboratory period each week. Satisfies depth and breadth course requirement in Natural Science Track of the Environmental Studies major or interdisciplinary minor. Satisfies the 100-level laboratory requirement in the Experimental Physics minor. Satisfies the Natural Science requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Designed for non-science majors. Not open to students with credit in PHY 103.
Instructor Thompson A survey of the current scientific view of the Universe. Emphasis on the physical and mathematical principles necessary to understand how astronomers observe and interpret phenomena. Topics include the historical development of major astronomical theories, the interaction of light and matter, the life cycle of stars, and the structure and evolution of the Universe. One laboratory period per week which will include daytime laboratories and evening observing and astrophotography sessions. Satisfies the Natural Science requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Not open to students with credit in PHY 105. (Fall)
Instructor Staff A descriptive course, intended primarily for non-science majors, concerning the laws of mechanics, heat, electricity, light, magnetism, the atom, and the nucleus as applied to the devices and technology used and the natural occurrences observed in everyday experience. No laboratory. Prerequisites & Notes Designed for non-science majors. Not open to students with credit for Physics 120, 220, 130 or 230.
Instructor Boye Scientific principles applied to musical sound production, propagation, storage, detection, and perception . Students will work individually and in teams to analyze and appreciate diverse world music styles, create and play instruments, and examine current practices in live performance. Class meets for 1 hour 3 times/week in a combined discussion/presentation setting and 3 hours of laboratory activity per week. Satisfies a requirement in the Experimental Physics minor. Satisfies a requirement in the Music major and minor. Satisfies the Natural Science requirement. Does not count for credit in the Physics major. Prerequisites & Notes Who Should Take This Class? This class welcomes all Davidson students, especially first- and second-year students that have not yet chosen a major, non-science major students, and anyone who loves music. There are no math or science prerequisites, and no prior experience in physics is expected. Of course, we will need to use math - at the level of high school algebra and trigonometry - in this course. The creative and open-ended nature of the labs and final project will give all students the opportunity to work at an appropriate and rewarding level consistent with relevant STEM preparation. Students of all cultures, backgrounds, and abilities are welcome, valued, and appreciated in this class.
Course credit for appropriate scores on the AP Physics B exam or the AP Physics C (Mechanics) exam. The course does not satisfy the lab science distribution requirement unless significant evidence of laboratory work (in the form of a laboratory notebook or reports) is presented to the Physics Department chair. AP credit for Physics 118 does not satisfy the Natural Science requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Only with specific permission of the chair may the course serve as prerequisite to other courses in Physics. Credit for Physics 118 is forfeited by a student who elects to take Physics 120 or 130.
PHY 119Advanced Placement Credit: Electricity and Magnetism
Course credit for appropriate scores on the AP Physics C (Electricity and Magnetism) exam. The course does not satisfy the lab science distribution requirement unless significant evidence of laboratory work (in the form of a laboratory notebook or reports) is presented to the Physics Department chair. AP credit for Physics 119 does not satisfy the Natural Science requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Only with specific permission of the chair may the course serve as prerequisite to other courses in Physics. Credit for Physics 119 is forfeited by a student who elects to take Physics 220 or 230.
PHY 125General Physics with Calculus I: Studio (Integrated Laboratory and Lecture)
Instructors Levy, Boye, Belloni, Powers Mechanics, rotational motion, fluids, waves, sound, and thermodynamics. Course designed for students who intend to major in chemistry, mathematics, physics, and/or students planning to pursue a degree in engineering or medicine. Class meets for 2 hours, 3 times per week in a combined lecture/laboratory studio setting. Of this time, 3 hours per week are dedicated to laboratory work. The discussion of some topics will require a basic understanding of simple derivatives and integrals. For this reason, prior or concurrent experience with calculus is recommended (especially for students considering taking PHY 235), although it is not required as the course contains a brief review of the prerequisite calculus needed. Satisfies a requirement in the Applied Mathematics interdisciplinary minor. Satisfies the Natural Science requirement. Prerequisites & Notes
MAT 111 or MAT 112 If you register for this course and do not get a seat, we encourage you to contact the instructor to be added to the waitlist
PHY 130General Physics with Calculus I
Instructors Belloni, M. Kuchera, Thompson Mechanics, rotational motion, fluids, waves, sound, and thermodynamics. More comprehensive than Physics 120 and designed for students who intend to major in chemistry, physics, and/or plan to pursure a degree in engineering. One laboratory each week. Satisfies the Natural Science requirement. Prerequisites & Notes
PHY 214Energy, the Environment, and Engineering Design +Lab (=ENV 214)
Instructor Gfroerer Equivalent to ENV 214. An introduction to engineering design through a focus on energy and the environment. Students work in teams to create computer-controlled models of solar-powered buildings. Class meets for 2 hours 3 times/week in a combined discussion/laboratory setting with 3 hours of open laboratory activity per week. Counts as an environmental natural sciences content course for the environmental studies interdisciplinary major and minor. Satisfies a requirement in the Experimental Physics minor. Satisfies the Natural Science requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Does not count for credit in the Physics major. Who Should Take This Class? This class welcomes all Davidson students, especially first- and second-year students that have not yet chosen a major, non-science major students, and students interested in Engineering and/or Environmental Studies. There are no math or science prerequisites, and no prior experience in physics is expected. Of course, we will need to use math - at the level of high school algebra and trigonometry - in this course. The creative and open-ended nature of the labs and final design project will give all students the opportunity to work at an appropriate and rewarding level consistent with relevant STEM preparation. Students of all cultures, backgrounds, and abilities are welcome, valued, and appreciated in this class.
Instructors Belloni, A. Kuchera, Yukich Electricity and magnetism, circuits, optics, and modern physics (special relativity, quantum mechanics, atomic and nuclear physics). One laboratory each week. Satisfies the Natural Science requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Physics 120, 125, or permission of the instructor. (Spring)
PHY 225General Physics II: Studio (Integrated Laboratory and Lecture)
Instructors Levy Electricity and magnetism, circuits, optics, and modern physics (special relativity, quantum mechanics, atomic and nuclear physics). Class meets 6 hours per week (2-hour block, three times per week) in a combined lecture/laboratory setting with time distributed equally between course material and laboratory exercises (3 hours lecture/3 hours laboratory). Satisfies a major requirement for Physics Satisfies a major requirement for Chemistry Satisfies a minor requirement for Astrophysics Satisfies a minor requirement for Applied Physics Prerequisites & Notes PHY 125 or PHY 130 or permission of the instructor. If you register for this course and do not get a seat, we encourage you to contact the instructor to be added to the waitlist
Instructors Boye, M. Kuchera Electricity and magnetism, circuits, optics, and modern physics (special relativity, quantum mechanics, atomic and nuclear physics). More comprehensive than Physics 220 and designed for students who intend to major in Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and/or plan to pursue a degree in engineering. One laboratory each week. Satisfies the Natural Science requirement. Prerequisites & Notes PHY 130 or permission of the instructor. (Fall/Spring)
PHY 235General Physics with Calculus II: Studio (Integrated Laboratory and Lecture)
Instructors Yukich, Bastani, Belloni, Kuchera, Powers Electricity and magnetism, circuits, optics, and modern physics (special relativity, quantum mechanics, atomic and nuclear physics). More comprehensive than Physics 225 and designed for students who intend to major in Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and/or plan to pursue a degree in engineering. Class meets 6 hours per week (2-hour block, three times per week) in a combined lecture/laboratory setting with time distributed equally between course material and laboratory exercises (3 hours lecture/3 hours laboratory). Satisfies a major requirement for Physics Satisfies a major requirement for Chemistry Satisfies a minor requirement for Astrophysics Satisfies a minor requirement for Applied Physics Prerequisites & Notes
PHY 125 or PHY 130 or permission of the instructor. If you register for this course and do not get a seat, we encourage you to contact the instructor to be added to the waitlist.
PHY 240Computational Physics
Instructor M. Kuchera This course is an introduction to computer programming and computational physics using Python. No prior programming experience is necessary. This course will provide studetns with the skills required to write code to solve physics problems in areas including quantum physics, electromagnetism, and mechanics. Structured programming methods will be covered as well as algorithms for numerical integration, solving differential equations, and more. Satisfies a requirement in the Data Science interdisciplinary minor. Satisfies the computational requirement for the Physics major/minor. Satisfies the Mathematical and Quantitative Thought requirement. Prerequisites & Notes
Physics 120, 125, or 130 at Davidson or permission of the instructor. (Spring) Students with credit for CSC 121, MAT 150, and MAT 235 should take MAT 315 instead of PHY 240.
PHY 250Mathematical Methods for Scientists
Instructor Physics Designed to develop a basic competence in many areas of mathematics needed for junior/senior level work in the sciences. Basic methods of power series, complex numbers, Fourier analysis, linear algebra, ordinary and partial differential equations, multivariable and vector calculus covered clearly and carefully but without detailed proofs. Symbolic computation and scientific visualization tools used as appropriate. May not be taken for major credit in the senior year. Satisfies the Mathematical and Quantitative Thought requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Mathematics 113 or 140. (Spring)
Instructor Kuchera M, Boye D A survey of 20th- and 21st-century physics. Topics include relativity, quantum mechanics, atomic and nuclear physics, elementary particles and cosmology. One laboratory period each week. Satisfies the Natural Science requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Physics 220, 225, 230, or 235
Instructor D Boye, A. Kuchera, Yukich Theoretical and laboratory investigations of analog and digital circuits including diodes, transistors, operational amplifiers, and logic gates. Incorporation of these components in power supplies, oscillators, amplifiers, microcomputer systems, computers and other instruments. Introduction to assembly language and LabVIEW programming provided. Two laboratory periods each week. Satisfies the Natural Science requirement. Prerequisites & Notes Physics 220, 225, 230, or 235
Instructor Levy Newtonian principles are used with differential, integral, and vector calculus to analyze classical dynamics. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations of mechanics are also developed and applied. Topics may include: linear and non-linear oscillations, gravitational systems, the calculus of variations, many-particle systems, non-inertial reference frames, rigid-body dynamics, normal modes, and wave theory. Prerequisites & Notes
Instructor J. Yukich Electrostatics, magnetostatics, and electromagnetic waves, with emphasis on the application of Maxwell’s equations. Prerequisites & Notes
Physics 330 or permission of the instructor. (Spring)
Corequisite
Mathematics 160 or Physics 250.
PHY 360Quantum Mechanics I
Instructor Kuchera M Quantum mechanics with applications to exactly-solvable systems. Prerequisites & Notes Mathematics 150 or Physics 250, Physics 305, Physics 330, and PHY 350, or permission of the instructor. (Fall)
Instructor Yukich Open to students with substantial backgrounds in physics with written permission from a supervising professor who reviews and approves the study topic. The independent study typically culminates in a paper and/or an oral presentation.
PHY 397Independent Study in Advanced Software Development in Science
Instructor M. Kuchera Independent study using computers to model dynamical systems in the natural sciences under the direction and supervision of the instructor who approves the specific topic of study. Emphasis is on the use of object-oriented programming and web-based protocols to investigate both dynamical systems and the representation of those systems as data structures and algorithms. Prerequisites & Notes CSC/PHY 260 or CSC 121 and one of PHY 315, CSC 231 or CSC 325, or permission of the instructor. (Fall/Spring)
Instructor Gfroerer An introduction to thermal physics using a statistical approach to describe systems composed of very many particles. The conclusions of classical thermodynamics are derived from statistical results. Prerequisites & Notes Physics 330 or permission of the instructor. (Fall)
Instructor Belloni Astrophysical techniques are considered using the techniques of classical mechanics, electromagnetic theory, statistical mechanics, and quantum mechanics. Topics include: stellar and planetary motions, electromagnetic radiation, radiative transfer, stellar structure and formation, galaxies, gravitational waves, and cosmology. Prerequisites & Notes Two or more of Physics 330, 350, 360, and 400, or permission of the instructor. (Spring)
Instructor Yukich Applications of electromagnetic theory to modern optics and lasers. Topics include electromagnetic wave propagation and superposition, optical elements and devices, Fourier transforms, diffraction, polarization, interference, and coherence theory. Specific applications are made to lasers, spectrometers, interferometers, and optical systems. Prerequisites & Notes Physics 350 or permission of the instructor. (Spring)
Instructor Powers An examination of the properties of solids and their device applications. Topics will include: crystal structure and diffraction; phonons and lattice vibrations; free electron theory and band structure; semiconductors; magnetic properties; electrical properties; and superconductivity. Satisfies a major requirement in Physics. Prerequisites & Notes Physics 330 or permission of the instructor. Physics 350, 360, and 400 are recommended.
Instructor A. Kuchera Properties and applications of atomic nuclei are examined through nuclear structure, reactions, and decays. These topics will be studied from both theoretical and experimental perspectives to understand the nature of the fundamental nuclear forces. Satisfies Physics major requirement. Prerequisites & Notes
Two or more of Physics 330, 350, 360, and 400, or permission of the instructor. (Spring)
PHY 430Advanced Mechanics
Instructors Belloni, Boye Continuation of Physics 330 including computer modeling. Topics include motion in non-inertial reference frames, rigid-body motion, Hamiltonian formalism, coupled oscillations and other selected topics such as special and general relativity. Prerequisites & Notes Physics 330.
Instructor Bastani S, Belloni M, Kuchera M, Thompson K, Yukich J Open to students with substantial backgrounds in physics with written permission of the supervising professor who reviews and approves the research topic. Satisfactory completion of a research project includes a presentation at a departmental seminar. Prerequisites & Notes (Physics 495, Fall; Physics 496, Spring.)
Instructor Belloni M Open to students with substantial backgrounds in physics with written permission of the supervising professor who reviews and approves the research topic. Satisfactory completion of a research project includes a presentation at a departmental seminar. Prerequisites & Notes (Physics 495, Fall; Physics 496, Spring.)
