calculus-based introduction to the classical
mechanics of particles and systems-kinematics, laws of motion, conservation
principles, rotational dynamics, oscillators, gravitation.
Spring semester
electricity and magnetism, optics, and other topics at the discretion of
the instructor. Corequisite: Mathematics 111 or equivalent. Lecture-conference-laboratory.
Physics 101 : Introductory Topics in Physics
Full course for one semester.
An introductory course for students who do not
plan to major in science. The methods of physics will be applied to the study
of the natural universe or the human environment or both, with specific topics
varying from year to year. In every four-year period, at least two distinct
versions of the course are offered, both of which may be taken for credit.
The topics for 2003-04:
Reflections on Light: Newton to the Quantum Theory-Fall
An introductory course exploring the evolution of modern physical theories of
light by examining three theories, one from each of the eighteenth, nineteenth,
and twentieth centuries. In addition to understanding the theories themselves,
we will consider why they rose to prominence, why they enjoyed long tenures
as the prevailing theory, and why two of them were ultimately subsumed or
replaced. Readings will include standard physics texts that describe the
phenomena, theories, and applications, as well as readings in the history
of science that discuss the evolution of optical science in the context of
the broader cultural evolution. We will also examine human perception of
light and color. Lecture-conference-laboratory.
Introductory Astronomy-Spring
An introduction to historical and modern astronomy including planetary systems,
stellar physics, galaxies, cosmology, astrobiology, and other topics of current
interest. Emphasis will be placed on the scientific discovery process and
how we know what we think we know about the universe. Weekly evening lab
sessions will include computer-based labs as well as observational labs in
optical and radio astronomy. Lecture-conference-laboratory.
Physics 200 : General Physics II
Full course for one year.
Fall semester
AC circuits, damped and driven vibrations,
coupled oscillators, waves. Related mathematical methods are introduced:
complex numbers, ordinary differential equations, linear algebra, and Fourier
analysis. Weekly laboratories provide an introduction to scientific computation
and basic electronics, from filters and voltage dividers to transistors and
operational amplifiers.
Spring semester
thermal physics, modern physics-introduction
to special relativity and quantum mechanics, with applications to atomic,
nuclear, and particle physics, and condensed matter, as time permits. Weekly
laboratories include the Millikan oil drop experiment, measurement of the
speed of light, determination of Planck's constant, finding the charge-to-mass
ratio of the electron, exploration of microwaves and high-temperature superconductors.
Prerequisite
Physics 100; Mathematics 111 and 112; Mathematics 211-212 should
be taken concurrently. First-year students who have successfully completed
the equivalent of Physics 100 at a college may petition the physics department
to take Physics 200 in their freshman year. The petition must offer evidence
of proficiency in calculus-based electricity and magnetism. Lecture-conference-laboratory.
Physics 211 : Molecular Biophysics
Full course for one semester.
The course will cover the physics of measurement
techniques for studying the most significant intermolecular interactions
of synaptic transmission. An introduction to the biology of neurons will
be provided. Measurement techniques such as evanescent wave microscopy, confocal
microscopy, X-ray diffraction, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, and
Raman and infrared spectroscopy will be explained in terms of the physics
of the experiment and its implementation. A clear idea of how these measurements
inform the models of cellular processes such as exocytosis as well as the
atomic level models of neuromolecular structure and function will be presented.
The course will include demonstrations of selected measurement techniques
such as total internal reflection microscopy, infrared absorption, and crystallography.
Prerequisites
Physics 100, Mathematics 111 and 112. Lecture.
Physics 311 : Classical Mechanics I
Full course for one semester.
Careful examination of the foundations and limitations
of Newtonian mechanics leads to development of the Lagrangian formulation,
variational principles, Hamiltonian mechanics, and the theory of canonical
transformations. Applications to the motion of rigid bodies, systems of coupled
oscillators, and celestial mechanics are treated as time permits.
Prerequisite
Physics 200. Lecture.
Physics 321 : Electrodynamics I
Full course for one semester.
Electrostatics and magnetostatics in vacuum and
in matter, electromagnetic induction, force and energy in electrodynamics,
Maxwell's equations. Mathematical methods introduced include multivariable
calculus and the solution of partial differential equations by separation
of variables.
Prerequisite
Physics 200. Lecture.
Physics 322 : Electrodynamics II
Full course for one semester.
A continuation of Physics 321, this course emphasizes
time-varying electric and magnetic fields. Topics include radiation from
point charges and dipoles; propagation of electromagnetic plane waves in
vacuum and in matter; reflection, refraction, and dispersion; and the relativistic
formulation of electrodynamics.
Prerequisite
Physics 321. Lecture.
Physics 323 : Optics
Full course for one semester.
Theories of light, from the seventeenth century
to the present. Electromagnetic theory and the modern photon picture. Applications
of geometrical optics, including lenses, prisms, polarizers, wave plates;
reflection and refraction in general. Huygens' Principle, Fermat's Principle,
diffraction and holography.
Prerequisite
Physics 200. Lecture-laboratory.
Not offered 2003-04.
Physics 331 : Advanced Laboratory I
One-half course for one semester. A study of advanced electronics and computer-assisted
data acquisition and analysis intended to provide the student with a basis
for understanding and designing laboratory systems used in contemporary experimental
physics. Topics include operational amplifiers, filters, oscillators, logic
circuits, and computer interfacing and analysis using a LabVIEW system.
Prerequisite
Physics 200. Lecture-laboratory.
Physics 332 : Advanced Laboratory II
One-half course for one semester. Guided and independent experimental investigations
of physical phenomena using research-style measurement techniques.
An introduction to quantum theory, beginning with
the Schrödinger equation and the statistical interpretation of the wave function.
One-dimensional applications, including the infinite square-well, the harmonic
oscillator, and scattering; in three dimensions, the theory of angular momentum,
central potentials, and the hydrogen atom; time-independent perturbation
theory, spin, identical particles, and the Pauli exclusion principle. In
general, this course concentrates on exact solutions to artificial problems,
in contrast to Quantum Mechanics II, which develops approximate solutions
to real problems.
Prerequisite
Physics 200. Lecture.
Physics 351 : Thermal Physics
Full course for one semester.
Examines the essentials of probability and statistics,
the kinetic theory of gases, statistical mechanics, temperature, equations
of state, heat, internal energy, entropy, reversibility, and distribution
functions.
Prerequisite
Physics 200. Lecture.
Physics 362 : Solid State Physics
Full course for one semester.
Crystalline lattice structures, vibrational modes,
and electronic band theory are explored and used to explain the observed
electrical, thermal, optical, and magnetic properties of solids.
Prerequisite
Physics 200. Lecture.
Physics 364 : Selected Topics of Astrophysical Interest
Full course for one semester.
Specific topics vary from year to year, drawn principally
from the following areas: internal constitution, evolution, and death of
stars; structure of galaxies; interstellar medium; radiative processes; and
classical cosmology. The topic for 2003-04 is galactic astrophysics: structure
and dynamics of the Milky Way galaxy, stellar structure and evolution, dynamics
of the interstellar medium, galaxy formation and evolution, and galaxy clusters.
The course will include experiments in optical and radio astronomy.
Prerequisite
Physics 200. Lecture.
Physics 366 : Elementary Particles
Full course for one semester.
Introduction to the theory and phenomenology of
elementary particle physics. The course includes a semi-historical overview,
followed by relativistic kinematics, the Dirac equation, evaluation of simple
Feynman diagrams, and a survey of the strong, electromagnetic, and weak interactions
from the perspective of gauge theory.
Prerequisite
Physics 200. Lecture-conference.
Not offered 2003-04.
Physics 367 : Scientific Computation
Full course for one semester.
This course covers numerical and laboratory methods
for students of science. The primary focus will be on topics in physics,
chemistry, and biology. The course begins with the history and modern importance
of scientific computation, moves on to methodology and specific algorithms,
and closes with individual elective projects to be approved by the instructor.
Basic programming will not be taught; the course will concentrate on scientific,
not programmatic, aspects, so students must be able to write programs largely
on their own. Specific topics include differential equations, matrix methods,
signal and image processing, quantum-theoretic models, astrophysical models,
and non-linear and chaotic systems.
Prerequisites
a sophomore-level course
in one of the sciences and experience with a sufficiently strong computer
language, such as Pascal or C. Lecture-conference-laboratory.
Physics 411 : Classical Mechanics II
Full course for one semester. Specific content varies from year to year. The topic for fall 2003 will be general relativity.
Prerequisite
Physics 311.
Lecture-conference.
Physics 414 : Classical Field Theory
Full course for one semester.
A modern account of the classical dynamics of systems
with infinitely many degrees of freedom. Treats both general principles and
more specialized techniques appropriate to the analysis of topics of exceptional
current interest (solitons, gauge fields). Although primarily for physicists,
the course contains much material of interest to mathematicians. A good command
of classical mechanics, linear algebra, and the theory of differential equations
is assumed. Lecture. Not offered 2003-04.
Physics 442 : Quantum Mechanics II
Full course for one semester.
Content varies from year to year, but the course
can be thought of as a continuation of Physics 342. The emphasis is on approximation
techniques (time-independent and time-dependent perturbation theory, WKB
approximation, variational principles, Born approximation), with applications
to atoms, molecules, and solids, the quantum theory of radiation, and formal
scattering theory.
Prerequisite
Physics 342. Lecture.
Physics 470 : Thesis and Physics Seminar
Full course for one year.
The thesis is independent work on an original problem
and is intended as an introduction to research. In addition to the thesis
project itself, all seniors are expected to participate in a weekly seminar
in which various topics from the current literature are discussed.
Physics 481 : Special Topics in Physics
One-half course or Full course for one semester.
Readings and laboratory work
of an advanced character. Students choose some field in which they are interested;
they are expected to become familiar with the special instruments and methods
of that discipline. Open only to juniors and seniors, by consent of the instructor.
