39 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 1071st Year Seminar for Physics Majors Credits: 22
Intended for 1st year physics majors. Offers an overview of major sub-fields of physics; develops some of the problem solving skills necessary to start a rigorous Physics curriculum; and encourages students to develop and refine career and education goals, including researching and securing internships.
MATH 175 (may be taken concurrently) or MATH 211 (may be taken concurrently) or MATH 212 (may be taken concurrently)
PHYS 108Astronomy Credits: 33
Introductory, non-mathematical course on astronomy and astrophysics. Main goal is to provide a qualitative but extensive survey of what is known about planets, stars, galaxies, black holes, pulsars, quasars, and the origin of the universe. Topics such as Newton’s laws of motion, gravitation, radiation spectra, and thermodynamics are discussed and treated quantitatively.
Introductory non-mathematical course about modern physics with emphasis on those topics having great influence upon our present society. Topics typically covered include space travel, Einstein’s relativity, radioactivity, nuclear energy, elementary particles of matter, solid state properties of matter, lasers, and low temperature phenomena.
PHYS 121Introductory Physics I - Lecture Credits: 33
Introductory course in classical mechanics. Some of the topics introduced are the description of motion, Newton’s laws of motion, equilibrium conditions, concepts of work and energy, momentum, periodic phenomena, and rotational motion. Additional topics may include the concepts of heat and temperature, kinetic theory of gases, and the behavior of real and ideal gases. Origin, characteristics, transmission, and detection of sound may also be studied. Recommended students take concurrently PHYS 123 .
MATH 117 (may be taken concurrently) or math placement level of 3 Category: Natural World & Technology - N
PHYS 122Introductory Physics II - Lecture Credits: 33
Introductory course in electricity, magnetism, and optics. Topics introduced include the behavior of electric charges, the electric field, D.C. circuits resistance, capacitance, inductance, electromagnetic induction, geometric and physical optics, wave and particle analysis of light. Additional topics may include optical spectra, X-rays, atomic structure, and radioactivity. Recommended students take concurrently PHYS 125 .
Introductory study of the laws of mechanics governing motion of objects acted upon by forces. Beginning spent on kinematics (the study of motion in terms of position, velocity, and acceleration). Newton’s laws, which determine how forces generate motion, studied next. Remainder spent on direct applications of Newton’s laws. These include the description of motion in terms of energy, the description of collisions and a brief study of rotational dynamics. Also presents a brief introduction to some of the elementary concepts involved in theories of special and general relativity. Vectors and differential calculus used.
MATH 211 (may be taken concurrently) Category: Natural World & Technology - N
PHYS 207Intermediate Physics III Credits: 33
Introduction to rotational motion, oscillations and wave motion, fluid physics, and heat and thermodynamics. Newton’s laws for rotation of solid objects are investigated. Matter waves are studied with applications to the science of sound. Study of incompressible fluids in equilibrium extends Newtonian mechanics to more complex systems. Concludes with a study of heat, temperature, the kinetic theory of gases, and the laws of thermodynamics. Three periods lecture per week.
An introductory study of the laws of Mechanics. Topics covered include: Kinematics; Newton’s laws; Energy: The Work-energy theorem, Potential Energy, Power, conservation of Energy; Momentum: Center of Mass, Collisions, Momentum Conservation; Rotational Dynamics; Fluids; Oscillations (Simple Harmonic Oscillator) and Waves. Four hours lecture/two hours lab/week.
Second course in a required series for physics majors. An introductory study of electricity and magnetism. Topics covered include: electric force, E-field, Gauss’ law, E-potential; currents and circuits, capacitors, RC circuits; magnetic fields, inductance; AC circuits; EM waves; interference and diffraction of light; geometrical optics: Snell’s law, refracting lenses, mirrors. Four hours lecture/two hours lab/week.
MATH 211 (may be taken concurrently) and PHYS 221 (may be taken concurrently)
PHYS 301Mathematical and Numerical Techniques in the Sciences Credits: 44
Introduces common mathematical and computational tools used extensively in the undergraduate physics curriculum, including: linear algebra; vector analysis; Fourier series; differential and partial differential equations and their solutions; numerical integration and solutions to ordinary and partial differential equations; and Introduction to chaos. Four hours lecture/four hours lab/week.
PHYS 221 and PHYS 222 and ( PHYS 301 with minimum grade of C or ELEN 310 with minimum grade of C)
PHYS 325Semiconductor Devices Credits: 44
Lecture/Lab course covers modern topics in Solid State Physics with an emphasis on semiconductor devices and device fabrication. Topics covered include the free electron gas, carrier modeling, the band model, pn-junction diodes, bipolar junction transistors, field effect transistors and optoelectronic devices. The techniques for fabricating and characterizing semiconductor devices are also covered in both the lecture and the laboratory.
( PHYS 311 and MATH 322 ) or ( CHEM 363 and PHYS 461 ) or permission of instructor
PHYS 331Mechanics I Credits: 44
First of two courses aimed at providing students with a solid grounding in classical mechanics. Topics include: rotational dynamics: angular variables in 3d, =I, fixed and CM axis dynamics, angular momentum, moments of Inertia, rotational kinetic energy; simple harmonic oscillator including driven and driven-damped oscillators; resonance and chaos; central force motion, planetary orbits, Kepler’s laws; non-inertial coordinate system including the Coriolis force; and special relativity (SR): Invariant interval, 4-vectors, 4-velocity, energy-momentum 4-vector, Lorentz transforms, SR paradoxes. Three hours of lecture/week, two hours lab/biweekly.
PHYS 221 and PHYS 222 and PHYS 301 (may be taken concurrently) and MATH 322 (may be taken concurrently)
PHYS 341Classical and Statistical Thermodynamics Credits: 44
Covers the traditional approach to thermodynamics as well as a more fundamental introduction to the subject using statistical mechanics. Topics include: ideal gases, equation of state; 1st Law, various thermo processes calculation of work; 2nd Law Cycles, engines and refrigerators. Reversible and irreversible processes; thermodynamic potentials; kinetic theory; statistical thermo: micro and macro states, entropy, quantum description of the ideal gas; heat capacities, paramagnetism; Boltzmann statistics; quantum statistics. Three hours lecture/week, two hours lab/biweekly.
PHYS 221 and PHYS 222 and PHYS 301 (may be taken concurrently)
PHYS 355Electronics Credits: 44
Provides an introduction to electronics with an emphasis on practical knowledge required for modern experimental work. Topics include: electrical quantities and their measurement; linear components and circuit theory; diodes and simple transistors, FET circuits; signal conditioning with Op-amps; Instrumentation amplifiers; transducers: e.g. PIN photodiodes; regulated power supplies; other analog integrated circuits ( e.g. multipliers); and A/D conversion and computer interfacing: microcontrollers. Three hours lecture, two hours lab/week.
Students of junior or senior status engage in a research project under the supervision of a faculty member of the Physics department. Credit hours are to be arranged between the student and the research supervisor, according to the amount of work required by the research project.
Students of senior status engage in a research project under the supervision of a faculty member of the Physics department. Credit hours are to be arranged between the student and the research supervisor, according to the amount of work required by the research project.
Independent study affords students the opportunity to engage in independent study related to their major field, a supporting area, or specialized interest.
Introduction to physical concepts and mathematical formulations of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics. Enables a detailed study of the Schrodinger Equation and its properties. The Schrodinger Equation is solved exactly for the particle in a square well potential, the simple harmonic oscillator, and the hydrogen atom. Both perturbation theory and variational calculation are developed as methods for handling more complicated systems. Spin is introduced as an ad hoc concept and the properties of simple magnetic systems studied. Heavy emphasis on applications to simple systems. Three periods lecture/week.
PHYS 311 and MATH 318 and MATH 322 (may be taken concurrently) Graduate Credit: This course is not available for graduate credit.
PHYS 421Electricity and Magnetism II Credits: 33
A continuation of Electricity and Magnetism I, treating some of the same topics but with an increased sophistication. Provides a solid foundation in one of the core subjects of the discipline. Topics include: electrodynamics and Maxwell’ s equations; conservation laws; electromagnetic waves and relativistic electrodynamics; electromagnetic waves; potentials and fields of moving charges; radiation by moving charges; special relativistic treatment of electrodynamics; electromagnetic radiation by a point charge.
PHYS 321 and MATH 322 Graduate Credit: This course is not available for graduate credit.
PHYS 431Mechanics II Credits: 33
Intermediate course in the treatment of Newton’s laws of motion, vector analysis, and rectilinear and curvilinear motion in a plane, as well as study in areas of statics and dynamics, including concurrent and non-concurrent forces, movements and torques, energy, rotational motion, moments of inertia and oscillatory motion. Three periods of lecture/week.
PHYS 331 and MATH 213 and MATH 318 and MATH 322 (may be taken concurrently) Graduate Credit: This course is not available for graduate credit.
PHYS 450Quantum Materials Credits: 44
Lecture/lab course covers material topics in modern solid state physics with an emphasis on applications to nanotechnology. Topics covered include carbon nanotubes, organic conductors and semiconductors, photonic crystals and microfluidies. Topics in Biological and self-assembled systems including, biomolecular motors, motor proteins and the organic-to silicone interface are also covered. Techniques for manipulating and characterizing materials at the nanoscale are also covered in both the lecture and the laboratory.
( PHYS 311 and MATH 322 ) or ( CHEM 363 and PHYS 461 ) or permission of instructor Graduate Credit: This course is not available for graduate credit.
PHYS 461Mathematical Physics Credits: 33
Introduces some of the many mathematical concepts used routinely by theoretical physicists. Specific topics are left to the discretion of the instructor but can include such subjects as elements of differential geometry, complex analysis, or methods for solving integral and differential equations.
PHYS 301 Graduate Credit: This course is not available for graduate credit.
PHYS 471Computational Physics Credits: 44
Introduces the use of sophisticated numerical techniques to solve physical problems. Topics include: approximation methods; numerical integration; ordinary and partial differential equations; random processes; spectral analysis; and Monte Carlo methods.
PHYS 301 and CMSC 110 and MATH 322 Graduate Credit: This course is not available for graduate credit.
PHYS 481Atoms and Photons Credits: 33
Investigates the structure of matter at the atomic level, the free photon field and their mutual interaction. Possible topics are: hydrogen atom review; generalized angular momentum theory; radial wave functions and self-consistent field solutions; coupling schemes and atomic eigenstates; general excitation and decay dynamics; quantization of the free EM field; coherent and incoherent states of the photon field; atom-photon interaction terms, gauge representations; 1st order process: e.g. absorption and emission; and higher order processes: e.g. 2-photon decay.
PHYS 301 and PHYS 311 and PHYS 321 Graduate Credit: This course is not available for graduate credit.
PHYS 485Optics Credits: 44
Both geometrical and physical optics and applications. Optical instruments, wave propagation, interference diffraction, polarization, and atomic molecular spectra are studied. Spectrascopes, spectrometers, polariscopes, photometers, and interferometers are some of the instruments used. Three periods lecture and two periods lab/week.
Independent study affords students the opportunity to engage in independent study related to their major field, a supporting area, or specialized interest.
