67 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 005Concepts In Physics4
Fundamental discoveries and concepts of physics and their relevance to current issues and modern technology. For students not intending to major in science or engineering. Lectures, demonstrations, group activities, and laboratories using modern instrumentation and computers. This is a non-calculus course; no previous background in physics is assumed. Three class meetings and one laboratory period per week. Attribute/Distribution: NS, NW, Q
For students who have Advanced Placement or transfer credit for 2 or 3 credits of PHY 11. The student will be scheduled for the appropriate part of PHY 11 to complete the missing material. The subject matter and credit hours will be determined by the Physics Department for each student. Students with AP Physics C credit for mechanics will take the thermodynamics and kinetic theory part of PHY 11 for one credit. Consent of department required. Prerequisites: MATH 021 or MATH 031 or MATH 051 or MATH 076 or MATH 075 Can be taken Concurrently: MATH 021, MATH 031, MATH 051, MATH 076, MATH 075 Attribute/Distribution: NS, NW, Q
Statics, dynamics, conservation laws, thermodynamics, kinetic theory of gases, fluids. Primarily for architecture, biological science, earth and environmental science students. Prerequisites: MATH 021 or MATH 031 or MATH 051 or MATH 076 or MATH 075 Can be taken Concurrently: MATH 021, MATH 031, MATH 051, MATH 076, MATH 075 Attribute/Distribution: NS, NW, Q
Kinematics, frames of reference, laws of motion in Newtonian theory and in special relativity, conservation laws, as applied to the mechanics of mass points; temperature, heat and the laws of thermodynamics; kinetic theory of gases. Two lectures and two recitations per week. Prerequisites: MATH 021 or MATH 031 or MATH 051 or MATH 076 or MATH 075 Can be taken Concurrently: MATH 021, MATH 031, MATH 051, MATH 076, MATH 075 Attribute/Distribution: NS, NW, Q
A laboratory course taken concurrently with PHY 10 or 11. Experiments in mechanics, heat, and DC electrical circuits. One three-hour laboratory period per week. Prerequisites: PHY 010 or PHY 011 Can be taken Concurrently: PHY 010, PHY 011 Attribute/Distribution: LS, NS, NW
A continuation of PHY 10, primarily for biological science and earth and environmental science students. Electrostatics, electromagnetism, light, sound, atomic physics, nuclear physics, and radioactivity. Prerequisites: (PHY 010 or PHY 011) and (MATH 021 or MATH 031 or MATH 051) Can be taken Concurrently: MATH 021, MATH 031, MATH 051 Attribute/Distribution: NS, NW, Q
For students who have Advanced Placement or transfer credit for 2 or 3 credits of PHY 21. The student will be scheduled for the appropriate part of PHY 21 to complete the missing material. The subject matter and credit hours will be determined by the Physics Department for each student. Students with AP Physics C credit for electricity and magnetism will take the optics and modern physics part of PHY 21 for one credit. Consent of instructor required. Prerequisites: (PHY 010 or PHY 011) and (MATH 022 or MATH 032 or MATH 052) Attribute/Distribution: NS, NW, Q
A continuation of PHY 11. Electrostatics and magnetostatics; DC circuits; Maxwell’s equations; waves; physical and geometrical optics; introduction to modern physics. Two lectures and two recitations per week. Prerequisites: (PHY 010 or PHY 011) and (MATH 022 or MATH 032 or MATH 052) Attribute/Distribution: NS, NW, Q
A laboratory course to be taken concurrently with PHY 13 or 21. One three-hour laboratory period per week. Prerequisites: (PHY 012) and (PHY 021 or PHY 013) Can be taken Concurrently: PHY 021, PHY 013 Attribute/Distribution: LS, NS, NW
Experimental basis and historical development of special relativity and quantum mechanics; the Schroedinger equation; one-dimensional problems; angular momentum and the hydrogen atom; many-electron systems; spectra; selected applications. Prerequisites: PHY 013 or PHY 021 Attribute/Distribution: NS, Q
PHY 120Physics of Medical Imaging: Ultrasound and Radiography3
An introduction and analysis of the physical principles and effects that underlay medical imaging techniques such as those using ultrasound, x-rays or other high-energy radiation. The course will serve as an introduction to intermediate quantum physics and electromagnetism concepts and discuss the effects and data collection techniques that ultimately allow to create an image that a physician can interpret for clinical purposes. Prerequisites: PHY 021 or PHY 013 Attribute/Distribution: NS, Q, W
PHY 122Physics of Medical Imaging: Magnetic Resonance3
An introduction and analysis of the physical principles and effects that underlay medical imaging techniques based on nuclear magnetic resonance, such as MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). The course will serve as an introduction to intermediate/advanced quantum physics and electromagnetism concepts and discuss the effects and data collection techniques that ultimately allow to create an image that a physician can interpret for clinical purposes. Prerequisites: PHY 021 or PHY 013 Attribute/Distribution: NS, Q, W
A development of the special theory of relativity at an introductory/intermediate level. Starting from the equivalence between inertial reference frames, the course will introduce the Lorentz transformations, space and time in different reference frames, the new relativistic versions of kinematics and mechanics, and the relationship between relativity and electromagnetism. Topics include momentum and energy, four-vectors, acceleration and forces, the relativistic version of Newton’s second law, zero-mass particles, and the relation between electric and magnetic fields. Prerequisites: PHY 013 or PHY 021 Attribute/Distribution: NS, Q
This course will provide an introduction to several research methods that are essential in physics and astrophysics. Students will learn python programming for scientific computing applications such as data visualization, working with large data sets, model fitting techniques, time series analysis, and error analysis. The course also includes reading and citing peer-reviewed literature and ethical conduct of research. This course is intended for students who plan to major in physics, astronomy, or astrophysics. Prerequisites: PHY 011 Attribute/Distribution: Q
Electrostatics, magnetostatics, and electromagnetic induction. Prerequisites: (PHY 021 or PHY 013) and (MATH 023 or MATH 033) Can be taken Concurrently: MATH 023, MATH 033 Attribute/Distribution: NS, Q
Maxwell’s equations, Poynting’s theorem, potentials, the wave equation, waves in vacuum and in materials, transmission and reflection at boundaries, guided waves, dispersion, electromagnetic field of moving charges, radiation, Lorentz invariance and other symmetries of Maxwell’s equations. Prerequisites: PHY 212 Attribute/Distribution: NS, Q, W
Kinematics and dynamics of point masses with various force laws; conservation laws; systems of particles; rotating coordinate systems; rigid body motions; topics from Lagrange’s and Hamilton’s formulations of mechanics; continuum mechanics. Prerequisites: (PHY 021 or PHY 013) and MATH 205 and (MATH 023 or MATH 033) Can be taken Concurrently: MATH 205, MATH 023, MATH 033 Attribute/Distribution: NS, Q
In a lab/lecture format, students learn basic elements needed for experimental, observational and computational work in physics, astrophysics and other technical areas. This course and its continuation as PHY 221 include topics such as electronics, optics, vacuum systems, data acquisition and analysis, curve fitting, scientific computing, interfacing of computers to experiments, and modern machining. These methods will be utilized in the examination of various physical systems; e.g., atomic and molecular spectroscopy, astronomical observations, condensed-matter phenomena, and others. Prerequisites: PHY 021 and (PHY 022 or CSE 003 or CSE 007) Attribute/Distribution: LS, NS, Q, W
Participation in current research projects being carried out within the department. Repeat Status: Course may be repeated. Attribute/Distribution: NS, Q
Supervised participation in various aspects of the teaching of a course. Consent of instructor, department chairperson, and permission of the Dean required. Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.
Observation and theory of X-ray and gamma-ray sources, quasars, pulsars, radio galaxies, neutron stars, black holes. Results from ultraviolet, X-ray and gamma-ray satellites. Generally offered in the spring of odd-numbered years. Prerequisites: (PHY 021) and (MATH 023 or MATH 033) and PHY 031 and PHY 215 Can be taken Concurrently: MATH 023, MATH 033 Attribute/Distribution: NS, Q
Basic principles of thermodynamics, kinetic theory, and statistical mechanics, with emphasis on applications to classical and quantum mechanical physical systems. Prerequisites: (PHY 013 or PHY 021) and (MATH 023 or MATH 032 or MATH 052) Attribute/Distribution: NS, Q
An introduction to Einstein’s theory of general relativity. Topics covered: the geometry of spacetime; curvature and the gravitational field equations; the Schwarzschild and Kerr black holes and more general spacetime geometries; black hole thermodynamics; gravitational waves; the Friedmann–Robertson–Walker geometry and inflationary cosmology; dark energy and the cosmological constant problem. Prerequisites: (PHY 021) and (MATH 023 or MATH 033) and PHY 215 Can be taken Concurrently: MATH 023, MATH 033, PHY 215 Attribute/Distribution: NS, Q
This course covers the large-scale evolution of our universe from the big bang until today and into the far future. Topics covered: Hubble expansion, Friedman equations, Einstein’s biggest blunder, dark energy, dark matter, the standard model of cosmology (the so-called ΛCDM model), the cosmic microwave background, nucleosynthesis and inflation. Prerequisites: PHY 021 and (MATH 023 or MATH 033) Can be taken Concurrently: MATH 023, MATH 033 Attribute/Distribution: NS
Single particle behavior in electric and magnetic fields, plasmas as fluids, waves in plasmas, transport properties, kinetic theory of plasmas, controlled thermonuclear fusion devices. Must have senior standing or consent of the department chair. Prerequisites: PHY 021 and MATH 205 Attribute/Distribution: NS, Q
Paraxial optics, wave and vectorial theory of light, coherence and interference, diffraction, crystal optics, and lasers. Prerequisites: MATH 205 and (PHY 213 or ECE 203) Can be taken Concurrently: PHY 213, ECE 203 Attribute/Distribution: NS
This course introduces the fundamental principles of photonics, focusing on how certain materials can mediate photon-photon interaction and how this can enable a range of applications. Topics include a fundamental introduction to nonlinear optical susceptibilities and the physical tools used to describe the nonlinear interaction of optical radiation with matter, or, equivalently, multi-photon interactions. Effects that will be discussed include the generation of new wavelengths (second and third-harmonic generation), electro-optics, self and cross phase modulation, or four-wave mixing. Prerequisites: PHY 213 or ECE 203 Can be taken Concurrently: PHY 213, ECE 203 Attribute/Distribution: NS, Q
Principles and basic applications of quantum mechanics. The Schrödinger equation and one-dimensional problems. Observables as operators; eigenfunctions and eigenvalues. Angular momentum, central potentials, the hydrogen atom, and spin. Addition of angular momentum. Exchange symmetry, Pauli principle, and multi-electron atoms. Selected applications to atoms and molecules, solids, quantum technologies, nuclei, and elementary particles. Prerequisites: (PHY 031 or CHM 341) and MATH 205 Attribute/Distribution: NS, Q
Introduction to the theory of solids with particular reference to the physics of metals and semiconductors. Prerequisites: (PHY 031 or MAT 316 or CHM 341) and PHY 340 Can be taken Concurrently: PHY 340 Attribute/Distribution: NS, Q
Models, properties, and classification of nuclei and elementary particles; nuclear and elementary particle reactions and decays; radiation and particle detectors; accelerators; applications. Prerequisites: PHY 031 and MATH 205 and PHY 362 Attribute/Distribution: NS, Q
Concepts of fluid dynamics; continuum and molecular approaches; waves, shocks and nozzle flows; nature of turbulence; experimental methods of study. Prerequisites: (PHY 212 or ECE 202) and (PHY 340 or ME 104) Can be taken Concurrently: PHY 212, ECE 202, PHY 340, ME 104 Attribute/Distribution: NS
Introduction to string theory for upper-level undergraduates and beginning graduate students. Building on Einstein’s theory of general relativity and quantum theory, this course covers the fundamentals of string theory and the latest developments. Advanced topics such as D-branes, non-perturbative dualities and holography will also be covered. The course content is appropriate to students who have a working knowledge of quantum mechanics and special relativity, and have had some exposure to general relativity. Instructor permission required in lieu of PHY 362/369. Prerequisites: PHY 031 and PHY 215 and (PHY 362 or PHY 369) Can be taken Concurrently: PHY 369 Attribute/Distribution: NS, Q, W
Introduction to the physics of soft materials at the undergraduate level, including polymers, colloids, and liquid crystals. Topics include polymer conformations and elasticity, colloidal interactions and self-assembly, liquid crystalline order, hydrodynamics of complex fluids. The course also provides an introduction to active matter and to soft matter in biological systems. The course integrates theoretical concepts with descriptions of experimental methods and provides an introduction to computational investigations of soft matter systems. Prerequisites: PHY 021 and MATH 023 Attribute/Distribution: NS, NW, Q
Applications of quantum mechanics to more complex problems. Bose and Fermi statistics of identical particles. Perturbation theory and applications to atomic structure. Variational method, WKB approximation, and scattering theory. Time-dependent perturbation theory and Fermi’s golden rule. Selection of special topics. Prerequisites: PHY 031 and MATH 205 and PHY 215 and PHY 362 Attribute/Distribution: NS, Q
Introduction to computational modeling of physical systems. Methods for systems of particles and fields with examples drawn from mechanics, chemical kinetics, planetary motion, chaotic dynamics, normal modes and waves, random walks, electrodynamics, biological, thermal and quantum systems. Converting models into well-documented code organized into manageable tasks. Extracting physical insight. Choice of numerical methods considering accuracy, speed, stability, and conservation laws. Prerequisites: MATH 205 Can be taken Concurrently: MATH 205 Attribute/Distribution: NS, Q, W
Introduction to machine learning methods and applications to physics, as well as to the statistical physics foundations of machine learning. Supervised and unsupervised learning, regression and classification techniques, dimensionality reduction, and feature engineering. Deep learning and neural network architectures, generative models, and reinforcement learning. Applications in diverse physics domains, physics-informed machine learning, and symbolic regression for discovering physical laws. Prerequisites: PHY 021 and MATH 205 Attribute/Distribution: Q
This course focuses on the physical principles underlying the organization of living cells, which spans several orders of magnitude in length and time. It provides an introduction to biological physics and relevant concepts of soft-matter physics. Topics include: self-organization of filaments and motor proteins of the cytoskeleton that determine cell shape and motion; the plasma membrane as a fluid responsive to environmental and biochemical signals; biological waves and pattern formation; mathematical modeling of biological systems; experimental methods and image analysis. Prerequisites: (PHY 010 or PHY 011) and (PHY 013 or PHY 021) Attribute/Distribution: NS, Q, W
Opportunity for Physics majors to pursue an Honors project with consent of department. Repeat Status: Course may be repeated. Attribute/Distribution: Q
Includes the variational methods of classical mechanics, methods of Hamilton and Lagrange, canonical transformations, Hamilton-Jacobi Theory, introduction to chaos and nonlinear dynamics, examples of particle motion in electromagnetic fields.
Electrostatics, magnetostatics, Maxwell’s equations, dynamics of charged particles, multipole fields, electrodynamics, electromagnetic radiation, classical electromagnetic field theory using tensorial language and Lagrangian formulation.
The first course in a two-course sequence on quantum mechanics for graduate students. This course covers the fundamentals of quantum mechanics and quantum dynamics. Topics include matrix mechanics, wave mechanics, and the Dirac formulation; unitary time evolution in the Schrödinger and Heisenberg pictures; exactly solvable problems, such as the harmonic oscillator and the hydrogen atom; theory of angular momentum and addition of angular momentum; and time-independent approximation methods.
The second course in a two-course sequence on quantum mechanics for graduate students. Topics include time-dependent approximation methods and the interaction picture, scattering theory, density matrices and entanglement, and a selection of advanced topics. Prerequisites: PHY 423
Analytical methods of solving the ordinary and partial differential equations that occur in physics and engineering. Includes treatments of tensors, complex variables, Green’s functions, special functions and integral transforms.
Advanced topics in the theory of the electronic structure of solids. Many-electron theory. Theory of transport phenomena. Magnetic properties, optical properties. Superconductivity. Point imperfections. Prerequisites: PHY 363 and PHY 424
General principles of statistical mechanics with application to thermodynamics and the equilibrium properties of matter. Prerequisites: PHY 340 and PHY 369
A continuation of PHY 442. Applications of kinetic theory and statistical mechanics to nonequilibrium processes; nonequilibrium thermodynamics. Prerequisites: PHY 442
Advanced topics in the experimental and theoretical study of atomic and molecular structure. Topics include fine and hyperfine structure, Zeeman effect, interaction of light with matter, multi-electron atoms, molecular spectroscopy, spectral line broadening atom-atom and electron-atom collisions and modern experimental techniques. Prerequisites: PHY 424
Basic concepts, theoretical methods of analysis and experimental development in nonlinear phenomena and chaos. Topics include nonlinear dynamics, including period-multiplying routes to chaos and strange attractors, fractal geometry and devil’s staircase. Examples of both dissipative and conservative systems will be drawn from fluid flows, plasmas, nonlinear optics, mechanics and waves in disordered media. Must have graduate standing in science or engineering, or consent of the chairman of the department.
Introduction to the physics of soft materials at the graduate level, including polymers, colloids, and liquid crystals. Topics include polymer conformations and elasticity, colloidal interactions and self-assembly, liquid crystalline order, hydrodynamics of complex fluids. The course provides an introduction to active matter and to soft matter in biological systems. The course integrates theoretical concepts with descriptions of experimental methods and provides an introduction to computational investigations of soft matter systems.
Design, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive capstone project, conducted either within a campus-based environment or through an external internship under the supervision of a faculty mentor.
