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.
A survey of astronomy, including the following topics: the development of astronomy as a modern science, the birth and death of stars (white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes), the origin of the solar system, galaxies and the origin of the universe, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. Four semester hours. (S.)
An examination of physics and astronomy as portrayed in popular film and television. It will include the following physical topics: conservation laws, mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and introductory quantum physics. It will also explore the relationship between the scientific understanding of those topics and their depiction in various media and styles, as well as the social and cult
An algebra/trigonometry-based introduction to mechanics and thermodynamics. Prerequisite: MATH-105 or equivalent algebra and trigonometry preparation. Three hours of lecture and three hours of lab per week. Four semester hours. (S.)
A continuation of PHYS-111Q. An algebra/trigonometry-based introduction to waves, electricity, magnetism, and light. Prerequisite: MATH-105 or equivalent algebra and trigonometry preparation. Three hours of lecture and three hours of lab per week. Four semester hours. (S.)
A study of special relativity and an introduction to quantum physics, utilizing the principles of calculus in the presentation and in exercises. Topics will include spacetime diagrams, the relativity of simultaneity, time dilation, relativistic kinematics, probability, quantization, and interference. Prerequisite or corequisite: MATH-105 or MATH-111, or permission of the instructor. Three hours of lecture
A study of electricity and magnetism and thermal physics. Introduction to vector calculus. Prerequisite or corequisite: PHYS-121, MATH-106 or MATH-111; or permission of the instructor. Three hours of lecture and three hours of lab per week. Offered spring semester. Four semester hours. (S.)
Seminar on teaching physics combined with working as an undergraduate teaching assistant. Students will assist in the teaching of laboratory classes for PHYS-111Q. Students attend a weekly meeting focused on pedagogy and preparation for the following week’s activities. Prerequisites: PHYS-121, 122, and permission of the instructor. One hour per week. One semester hour. Graded S/U.
Seminar on teaching physics combined with working as an undergraduate teaching assistant. Students will assist in the teaching of laboratory classes for PHYS-112. Students attend a weekly meeting focused on pedagogy and preparation for the following week’s activities. Prerequisites: PHYS-121, 122, and permission of the instructor. One hour per week. One semester hour. Graded S/U.
Seminar on teaching physics combined with working as an undergraduate teaching assistant. Students will assist in the teaching of laboratory classes for PHYS-121Q. Students attend a weekly meeting focused on pedagogy and preparation for the following week’s activities. Prerequisites: PHYS-121, 122, and permission of the instructor. One hour per week. One semester hour. Graded S/U.
Seminar on teaching physics combined with working as an undergraduate teaching assistant. Students will assist in the teaching of laboratory classes for PHYS-122Q. Students attend a weekly meeting focused on pedagogy and preparation for the following week’s activities. Prerequisites: PHYS-121, 122, and permission of the instructor. One hour per week. One semester hour. Graded S/U.
Seminar on teaching physics combined with working as an undergraduate teaching assistant. Students will assist in the teaching of laboratory classes for PHYS-101. Students attend a weekly meeting focused on pedagogy and preparation for the following week’s activities. Prerequisites: PHYS-121, 122, and permission of the instructor. One hour per week. One semester hour. Graded S/U.
Seminar on teaching physics combined with working as an undergraduate teaching assistant. Students will assist in the teaching of laboratory classes for PHYS-110. Students attend a weekly meeting focused on pedagogy and preparation for the following week’s activities. Prerequisites: PHYS-121, 122, and permission of the instructor. One hour per week. One semester hour. Graded S/U.
Vectors, vector calculus, classical mechanics, statics, kinematics, dynamics of a particle, energy, harmonic motion, moving reference systems, central forces, chaos. Prerequisite or corequisite: PHYS-122, MATH-112; or permission of the department. Three hours of lecture. Offered fall semester. Four semester hours .
Origins of quantum theory, physics of atoms, molecules, solids, nuclei, and elementary particles. Work will include a literature review and presentation on a topic of current interest. Offered spring semester. Prerequisites: PHYS-122Q. Three hours per week. Four semester hours.
Study and discussion of topics in physics. These could include recent discoveries, career development, skill building, problem solving, experiential opportunities, or supplemental work for other courses. Students must consult the chair of the department before registering for this course. One hour per week. One semester hour. One semester hour. Graded S/U.
Ordinary differential equations, special functions of mathematical physics, linear algebra, coordinate transformations, vector analysis, Fourier series, numerical solution of algebraic equations. Offered spring semester. Prerequisites: PHYS-122, MATH-112. Three hours per week. Four semester hours.
Astrometry, astronomical photometry, CCD imaging and image processing, spectroscopy. The astronomical two-body problem, tidal forces, the Sun and planets, observable properties of stars, stellar structure and evolution, binary stars, galaxies and cosmology. Prerequisites: PHYS-201, 207. Three hours lecture and three hours lab per week. Four semester hours. (S.)
An introduction to thermodynamics and classical and quantum statistical mechanics with an emphasis on the statistical foundations. Topics include temperature, laws of thermodynamics, work, heat, energy, entropy, thermodynamic potentials, kinetic theory of dilute gases, equations of state. Offered fall semester in even numbered years. Prerequisites: PHYS-122, PHYS-299. Three hours per week. Four semester ho
Development of Einstein’s theory of general relativity from basic physical principles. Introduction to the mathematics of curved spacetime. Astrophysical applications, including gravitomagnetism, blackholes, cosmology and the creation and detection of gravitational waves. Prerequisite: PHYS-201, 299. Three hours per week. Four semester hours.
A study of the basic principles necessary to understand structure-property relations in engineering materials. Topics will include the study of structure-property relationship in materials, tools for characterization, properties ranging from mechanical, thermal, electrical, optical, magnetic, and chemical in nature and the application of modern materials. Prerequisites: PHYS-121, 122; or permission of the
Foundations of analog circuits, including DC and AC circuits, transistors, and operational amplifiers with emphasis on laboratory techniques and the written communication of scientific results. Prerequisite: PHYS-122. One hour of lecture; an average of three hours of laboratory per week. Two semester hours.
Foundations of digital electronics, including data acquisition systems, with emphasis on laboratory techniques and the written communication of scientific results Prerequisite: PHYS-122. One hour of lecture; an average of three hours of laboratory per week. Two semester hours.
Experimental investigations of physical phenomena with emphasis on laboratory techniques and the written and oral communication of scientific results. Offered spring semester. Prerequisites: PHYS-207W. One hour of lecture; an average of three hours of laboratory per week. Two semester hours.
Experimental investigations of physical phenomena with emphasis on laboratory techniques and the written and oral communication of scientific results. Offered spring semester. Prerequisites: PHYS-207W. One hour of lecture; an average of three hours of laboratory per week. Two semester hours.
Study and discussion of advanced topics or recent developments in physics. Students must consult the chair of the department before registering for this course. Three hours per week. Four semester hours.
A laboratory project in cooperation with industry at an industrial site, a national lab, or other appropriate academic site. Students must document their experience according to the requirements delineated in the College catalogue section on Internships. Before beginning the internship, the student must submit a proposal to be approved by the Physics faculty and the on-site supervisor. Upon completion of t
A laboratory project in cooperation with industry at an industrial site, a national lab, or other appropriate academic site. Students must document their experience according to the requirements delineated in the College catalogue section on Internships. Before beginning the internship, the student must submit a proposal to be approved by the Physics faculty and the on-site supervisor. Upon completion of t
The hydrogen atom, angular momentum, systems of identical particles, perturbation theory, and other applications selected from atomic, molecular, solid-state, and nuclear physics. Offered fall semester in odd numbered years. Prerequisites: PHYS-207W, 299. Three hours per week. Four semester hours.
Electric and magnetic fields and potentials, Laplace’s equation, dielectrics and magnetic materials, Maxwell’s equations, electromagnetic waves. Offered spring semester in even-numbered years. Prerequisites: PHYS-122, 201, 299. Three hours per week. Four semester hours.
Dynamics of a system of particles, mechanics of rigid bodies, general motion of a rigid body, Lagrange’s equations, Hamilton’s equations, theory of vibrations, with an emphasis on numerical problem solving and visualization. Offered spring semester in odd-numbered years. Prerequisites: PHYS-201, 299 Three hours per week. Four semester hours.
Investigations, of experimental or theoretical nature, pursued independently by the student. The preparation of a summarizing report is required. To register for this course, a student must have the consent of a member of the physics Faculty to serve as the adviser. This course can be taken more than once. An average of three hours of research work per week. Graded S/U. One semester hour.
Continuation of PHYS-411. This course can be taken more than once. An average of three hours of research work per week. Graded S/U. One semester hour.
Same as PHYS-411, but more extensive in scope. This course can be taken more than once. An average of six hours of research work per week. Graded S/U. Two semester hours.
Continuation of PHYS-421. This course can be taken more than once. An average of six hours of research work per week. Graded S/U. Two semester hours.
Same as PHYS-421, but more extensive in scope. This course can be taken more than once. An average of nine hours of research work per week. Graded S/U. Three semester hours. (XLP.)
Continuation of PHYS-431. An average of nine hours of research work per week. Graded S/U. Three semester hours. (XLP.)
The Seminar is the capstone course in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Each student will select a topic of current interest in physics and investigate the primary literature on that topic. Students pursuing the astrophysics or applied physics tracks will select topics within those domains. Students will meet and give a series of informal presentations on their chosen topics. The final products of t
This course is open to candidates for departmental honors and to other students with the permission of the departmental chairman. This course can be taken more than once. Twelve hours per week. Four semester hours. (XLP.)
A continuation of PHYS-491. Writing a major paper and giving an oral presentation are required. Prerequisite: PHYS-491. Twelve Hours per Week. Four semester hours. (XLP.) Physics and Astronomy Department
Source: Ursinus College's catalog, linked per course · table learning_unit · CourseShelf publish 59
