The College Catalogue

Introductory, Intermediate, and Advanced Courses

[63 {1063} a - MCSR. Physics of the Twentieth Century.]

[81 {1081} a - INS. Physics of the Environment. (Same as Environmental Studies 81 {1081}.)]

[82 {1082} a - MCSR, INS. Physics of Musical Sound.]

93 {1093} a - MCSR. Introduction to Physical Reasoning. Fall 2012. Dale Syphers.

Climate science. Quantum Physics. Bioengineering. Rocket science. Who can understand it? Anyone with high school mathematics (geometry and algebra) can start. Getting started in physics requires an ability to mathematically describe real world objects and experiences. Prepares students for additional work in physical science and engineering by focused practice in quantitative description, interpretation, and calculation. Includes hands-on measurements, some introductory computer programming, and many questions about the physics all around us. Registration for this course is by placement only. To ensure proper placement, students must have taken the physics placement examination prior to registering for Physics 93.

103 {1130} a - MCSR, INS. Introductory Physics I. Every semester. Fall 2012. Yuk Tung Liu and Madeline Msall. Spring 2013. The Department.

An introduction to the conservation laws, forces, and interactions that govern the dynamics of particles and systems. Shows how a small set of fundamental principles and interactions allow us to model a wide variety of physical situations, using both classical and modern concepts. A prime goal of the course is to have the participants learn to actively connect the concepts with the modeling process. Three hours of laboratory work per week. To ensure proper placement, students are expected to have taken the physics placement examination prior to registering for Physics 103.

Prerequisite: Previous credit or concurrent registration in Mathematics 161 or higher, or permission of the instructor.

104 {1140} a - MCSR, INS. Introductory Physics II. Every semester. Fall 2012. Stephen Naculich. Spring 2013. Dale Syphers.

An introduction to the interactions of matter and radiation. Topics include the classical and quantum physics of electromagnetic radiation and its interaction with matter, quantum properties of atoms, and atomic and nuclear spectra. Three hours of laboratory work per week will include an introduction to the use of electronic instrumentation.

Prerequisite: Physics 103 and previous credit or concurrent registration in Mathematics 171, 172, or 181, or permission of the instructor.

107 {1510} a - INS. Introductory Astronomy. Every spring. The Department.

A quantitative introduction to astronomy with emphasis on stars and the structures they form, from binaries to galaxies. Topics include the night sky, the solar system, stellar structure and evolution, white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes, and the expansion of the universe. Several nighttime observing sessions required. Does not satisfy pre-med or other science departments’ requirements for a second course in physics. Not open to students who have credit for Physics 62 or Physics 162.

Prerequisite: Mathematics 161 or higher, or permission of the instructor.

[162 {1560} a - INS. Stars and Galaxies.]

223 {2130} a - INS. Electric Fields and Circuits. Every fall. Fall 2012. Mark Battle.

The basic phenomena of the electromagnetic interaction are introduced. The basic relations are then specialized for a more detailed study of linear circuit theory. Laboratory work stresses the fundamentals of electronic instrumentation and measurement with basic circuit components such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, and transistors. Three hours of laboratory work per week.

Prerequisite: Physics 104 or permission of the instructor.

224 {2140} a - MCSR. Quantum Physics and Relativity. Every spring. Spring 2013. Stephen Naculich.

An introduction to two cornerstones of twentieth-century physics, quantum mechanics, and special relativity. The introduction to wave mechanics includes solutions to the time-independent Schrödinger equation in one and three dimensions with applications. Topics in relativity include the Galilean and Einsteinian principles of relativity, the “paradoxes” of special relativity, Lorentz transformations, space-time invariants, and the relativistic dynamics of particles. Not open to students who have credit for or are concurrently taking Physics 275, 310, or 375.

Prerequisite: Physics 104 or permission of the instructor.

229 {2150} a. Statistical Physics. Every spring. Spring 2013. Mark Battle.

Develops a framework capable of predicting the properties of systems with many particles. This framework, combined with simple atomic and molecular models, leads to an understanding of such concepts as entropy, temperature, and chemical potential. Some probability theory is developed as a mathematical tool.

Prerequisite: Physics 104 or permission of the instructor.

[235 {2220} a. Engineering Physics.]

240 {2230} a. Modern Electronics. Every other spring. Spring 2013. Dale Syphers.

A brief introduction to the physics of semiconductors and semiconductor devices, culminating in an understanding of the structure of integrated circuits. Topics include a description of currently available integrated circuits for analog and digital applications and their use in modern electronic instrumentation. Weekly laboratory exercises with integrated circuits.

Prerequisite: Physics 103 or 104, or permission of the instructor.

250 {2240} a - MCSR. Acoustics. Fall 2012. Madeleine Msall.

An introduction to the motion and propagation of sound waves. Covers selected topics related to normal modes of sound waves in enclosed spaces, noise, acoustical measurements, the ear and hearing, phase relationships between sound waves, and many others, providing a technical understanding of our aural experiences.

Prerequisite: Physics 104 or permission of the instructor.

[251 {2250} a. Physics of Solids.]

[257 {2810} a. Atmosphere and Ocean Dynamics. (Same as Earth and Oceanographic Science 257 {2810} and Environmental Studies 253 {2253}.)]

262 {2510} a. Astrophysics. Every other fall. Fall 2012. Yuk Tung Liu.

A quantitative discussion that introduces the principal topics of astrophysics, including stellar structure and evolution, planetary physics, and cosmology.

Prerequisite: Physics 104 or permission of the instructor.

280 {2260} a. Nuclear and Particle Physics. Every other spring. Spring 2013. Stephen Naculich.

An introduction to the physics of subatomic systems, with a particular emphasis on the standard model of elementary particles and their interactions. Basic concepts in quantum mechanics and special relativity are introduced as needed.

Prerequisite: Physics 224 or permission of the instructor.

285 {2900}. Topics in Contemporary Physics. Fall 2012. Mark Battle.

Seminar exploring recent results from research in all fields of physics. Focuses on discussion of papers in the scientific literature. Grading is Credit/D/Fail. One-half credit.

Prerequisite: Physics 223, 224, or 229, or permission of the instructor.

291–294 {2970–2973} a. Intermediate Independent Study in Physics. The Department.

Topics to be arranged by the student and the faculty. If the investigations concern the teaching of physics, this course may satisfy certain of the requirements for the Maine State Teacher’s Certificate. Students doing independent study normally have completed a 200-level physics course.

299 {2999} a. Intermediate Collaborative Study in Physics. The Department.

300 {3000} a. Methods of Theoretical Physics. Every fall. Fall 2012. Stephen Naculich.

Mathematics is the language of physics. Similar mathematical techniques occur in different areas of physics. A physical situation may first be expressed in mathematical terms, usually in the form of a differential or integral equation. After the formal mathematical solution is obtained, the physical conditions determine the physically viable result. Examples are drawn from heat flow, gravitational fields, and electrostatic fields.

Prerequisite: Physics 104 and Mathematics 181, or permission of the instructor.

301 {3010} a. Methods of Experimental Physics. Every spring. Spring 2013. Madeleine Msall.

Intended to provide advanced students with experience in the design, execution, and analysis of laboratory experiments. Projects in optical holography, nuclear physics, cryogenics, and materials physics are developed by the students.

Prerequisite: Physics 223 or permission of the instructor.

[302 {3020} a. Methods of Computational Physics.]

310 {3140} a. Quantum Mechanics. Every fall. Fall 2012. Dale Syphers.

A mathematically rigorous development of quantum mechanics, emphasizing the vector space structure of the theory through the use of Dirac bracket notation. Linear algebra will be developed as needed.

Prerequisite: Physics 224 and 300, or permission of the instructor.

[320 {3130} a. Electromagnetic Theory.]

357 {3810} a. The Physics of Climate. Every other spring. Spring 2013. Mark Battle.

A rigorous treatment of the earth’s climate, based on physical principles. Topics include climate feedbacks, sensitivity to perturbations, and the connections between climate and radiative transfer, atmospheric composition, and large-scale circulation of the oceans and atmospheres. Anthropogenic climate change also studied. (Same as Earth and Oceanographic Science 357 {3050} and Environmental Studies 357 {3957}.)

Prerequisite: Physics 229, 257 or 300, or permission of the instructor.

370 {3120} a. Advanced Mechanics. Every other spring. Spring 2013. Madeleine Msall.

A thorough review of particle dynamics, followed by the development of Lagrange’s and Hamilton’s equations and their applications to rigid body motion and the oscillations of coupled systems.

Prerequisite: Physics 300 or permission of the instructor.

375 {3500} a. General Relativity.]

401–404 {4000–4003} a. Advanced Independent Study in Physics. The Department.

Topics to be arranged by the student and the faculty. Students doing advanced independent study normally have completed a 300-level physics course.

405 {4029} a. Advanced Collaborative Study in Physics. The Department.

451–452 {4050–4051} a. Honors in Physics. The Department.

Programs of study are available in semiconductor physics, microfabrication, superconductivity and superfluidity, astrophysics, relativity, ultrasound, and atmospheric physics. Work done in these topics normally serves as the basis for an honors paper.

Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.