51 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 101Elementary College Physics I4
First semester of a two semester algebra-based introduction to the fundamental principles of physics. Topics include kinematics, Newtonian statics and dynamics, gravitation, oscillations, and mechanical waves.
Second semester of a two semester algebra-based introduction to the fundamental principles of physics. Topics include electric and magnetic fields, circuits, electromagnetic waves, and optics.
Introduces the nature of science to the nonscientist by emphasizing the concepts underlying four great ideas in physics: the conservation of energy, the second law of thermodynamics, the relativity of time, and the wave-particle duality of nature. Explores the mutual influence of science and the humanities (literature, philosophy, history, and the arts).
Prepares individuals with the physics needed to be effective world leaders by stressing conceptual understanding rather than mathematics with applications to current events. Physics is critical to our understanding of energy, space, global warming, nuclear power, and technology.
Survey of topics in physics for non-science majors covering the fundamentals of mechanics, heat, light, sound, and electricity and magnetism, and their application in today’s society.
Application of physics principles to sailing. Topics include kinetics, vectors, Newtonian mechanics, and fluid mechanics. Basic keelboat sailing is taught in the laboratory component, leading to American Sailing Association ASA 101, certification. Three lecture and two laboratory hours each week. Fee required.
Topics in algebra-based physics as applied to the global climate system and global energy balance. Introduction to the physics of the atmosphere and ocean, including vertical and meridional structure, atmospheric circulation and convection, wind-driven and thermohaline ocean circulation, climate variability and global warming, climate modeling and the modern international climate science process.
Detailed knowledge of the motions of the sun, moon, planets, and stars is used to understand ancient skywatching techniques, calendars, celestial lore, sky mythology, cosmological concepts and traditions; the impact of astronomy on the architecture, city planning and cultures of prehistoric societies: ancient European (Stonehenge), Babylonian, Egyptian, Mesoamerican, and Native North American. Occasional night viewings.
First semester of a two semester calculus-based introduction to the fundamental principles of physics for the physical and mathematical sciences. Topics include kinematics, Newtonian statics and dynamics, gravitation, oscillations, and mechanical waves.
Second semester of a two semester calculus-based introduction to the fundamental principles of physics for the physical and mathematical sciences. Topics include electric and magnetic fields, circuits, Maxwell’s equations, electromagnetic waves, and optics.
PHY 215Introduction to Computing in the Physical Sciences1
The computational methods commonly used to display and analyze data in the physical sciences by introducing students to the basics of MATLAB (tm) or a similar programming language. Topics include: control structures, handle graphics functions and matrix algebra. Laboratory setting, emphasiziing work with real environmental data and project-based.
An introduction to the physical principles underlying music. Study of resonance, the overtone series, and timbre for both acoustic and electronic instruments, as well as psychoacoustics, pitch, and Western and non-Western musical scales. Familiarity with pre-college trigonometry and algebra is presumed.
Practical introduction to making consumer electronic circuits in three formats: breadboard prototypes; hard-wired through-hole component circuits; and surface mount-circuits, laid out using photo-lithography. Study of software tools to document and test circuit designs, and to create photo-lithographic masks to use in creating printed circuit boards.
Study of passive (resistors, capacitors, inductors) and active (diodes, transistors) components in AC and transient circuits, and integrated circuits utilizing them; skills such as soldering, splicing, and component testing. Culminates in the design and construction of a functional electronic device.
Introduction to mathematical techniques in physics: vector analysis, operator and matrix analysis; functions of a complex variable and calculus of residues; functions of mathematical physics; eigenfunctions and the Sturm-Liouville equation; and Fourier series and transforms.
An introduction to the solution of common physics problems using computers. Assuming no previous computer programming experience, the course will introduce basic scientific programming skills as applied to solve problems in mechanics, chaos, nonlinear dynamics, electromagnetism, fluid dynamics, and other areas.
PHY 321 or MAT 361 . Introduction to numerial modeling techniques for solving problems in physics and complex systems. Numerial techniques will be applied to classical mechanics, bifurcation and dynamical systems, chaotic systems, thermodynamics, optimization, cellular automata, and self-organization. Credit Hours: 3 University Studies: Explorations Beyond the Classroom, Building Competencies/Information Literacy Course Repeatability: Course may not be repeated.
PHY 321Classical Dynamics I4
Newtonian and Lagrangian formulations of mechanics applied to single particles and systems of particles, central forces, oscillations, and normal mode analysis. Rotating frames of reference.
Second semester of the Modern Physics sequence. Aims to familiarize students with the fundamental concepts, methods, and open questions in a wide range of subfields through the application of relativity and simple quantum mechanics. Possible topics include atomic physics, nuclear physics, particle physics, solid-state physics, astrophysics, and cosmology.
Emphasizes fundamental physical principles; fluid statics, fluid kinematics, integral and differential forms of the conservation laws for mass, momentum and energy; Bernoulli equation; laminar flows; potential flows; vorticity dynamics; dyanamic similarity; boundary layers; turbulence.
Seminal experiments illuminating a particular branch of modern physics, using topics drawn from atomic, nuclear, solid-state, plasma, and optical physics. Students participate in the design and implementation of experiments and acquire skills such as data organization, error analysis, and interpretation of results.
Electric and magnetic field theory; Poisson’s and Laplace’s equation; harmonic methods, special methods for solution of electrostatics problems, material media and boundary value problems; electromagnetic waves.
Introduction to the practical fabrication of devices. Students will learn to use CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software to design projects and will also learn how to use hand tools, standard and CNC (Computer Numerical Controlled) machine tools, and 3D printers to fabricate objects. This class is intrinsically project oriented.
A study of the basic properties of solids–crystal structure; mechanical, thermal and electromagnetic properties as determined by the phonon, electron, and magnon characteristics.
The course introduces students to the physics governing the properties of materials in general. Topics include atomic structure and bonding and how these influence the structure (crystalline and amorphous) of solids, the origin of the physical (i.e., electrical, thermal, and mechanical) properties of solids, diffusion dynamics, and phase transistions.
Integration of fabricated objects with hand-built electronic circuits and microprocessors in order to make sophisticated devices for practical use. This class is intrinsically project oriented.
Analysis of natural and anthropogenic global climate change. Historical and geological records of climate including sediment, tree ring, and ice core analysis. Physics and chemistry of climate, including Earth’s energy balance, global carbon cycle, climate modeling, atmospheric composition and dynamics.
The quantum theory of atomic and molecular structure and spectra. Topics include relativistic and electromagnetic interactions; the hydrogen atom, the helium atom, multielectron atoms; radiative and Auger transitions, selection rules; diatomic and simple polyatomic molecules.
Introduction to basic principles of quantum mechanics. Topics include operators, symmetry, orbital and spin angular momentum, perturbation theory, and applications to simple systems.
Principles of thermodynamics and heat transfer; response of molecules to temperature effects illustrated by introduction to kinetic theory and statistical mechanics.
Data analysis techniques used in experimental and applied physical science. Topics include propagation of errors, probability distributions, data reduction techniques, covariance and convolution, autocorrelation, linear regression, time series analysis, and spectral analysis.
An introduction to the descriptive and dynamical features of ocean circulation. Topics include: the physical properties of seawater; oceanic heat budget; dynamics of ocean currents; descriptive oceanography; waves and tides.
PHY 477Observational Methods in Physical Oceanography3
Description of instrumentation used to measure temperature, salinity, pressure, and current in the ocean. Hands-on use of techniques and instrumentation to collect and analyze real oceanographic data. Credit is not allowed for both PHY 477 and PHY 577 .
The fundamental principles governing the flow of a density-stratified fluid on a rotating planet, with applications to the motions of the ocean and atmosphere. Equations of state, compressibility, Boussinesq approximation. Geostrophic balance, Rossby number. Poincare, Kelvin, Rossby waves, and geostrophic adjustment. Credit is not allowed for both PHY 478 and PHY 578 .
Focus on results of World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE), a multi-national, multi-decadal program designed to observe the global ocean. Explores large-scale circulation and properties of the ocean as foundation for understanding the future of the world oceans and their role in climate change. Credit is not allowed for both PHY 479 and PHY 579 .
Introduction to the physical processes operating within coastal and estuarine systems. Focus on the dynamical description of topics such as gravity waves, surf zone hydrodynamics, storm surge, tides, estuarine hydraulics, sediment transport, and morphodynamics. Credit is not allowed for both PHY 480 and PHY 580 .
Students work under the tutelage of a faculty member to develop skills needed to prepare, conduct and evaluate introductory laboratory assignments. Some instruction and evaluation in an ongoing physics laboratory is required; specific responsibilities are set by the supervisor in consultation with the student trainee.
Provides instruction in communication skills related to presenting scientific information such as writing papers, presenting talks, and creating posters in LaTeX for physics and physical oceanography. Students may work with individual faculty in the department leading to a presentation on their research topic.
This course serves as an opportunity to read and present both classic and more recent peer-reviewed journal articles in the fields of physics and physical oceanography. Articles will be chosen by the instructor and will vary each semester. Meetings will occur once a week during the semester and last for one hour.
Practical experience and academic training in the student’s principal area of interest. Joint supervision and evaluation by a physics faculty member and an on-site supervisor.
