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Engineering Physics (2220)
Examines the physics of materials from an engineering viewpoint, with attention to the concepts of stress, strain, shear, torsion, bending moments, deformation of materials, and other applications of physics to real materials, with an emphasis on their structural properties. Also covers recent advances, such as applying these physics concepts to ultra-small materials in nano-machines. Intended for physics majors and architecture students with an interest in civil or mechanical engineering or applied materials science.
Prerequisite: Physics 1140.
Offered: every other year
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Modern Electronics (2230)
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 1130 or 1140.
Offered: every other spring
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 1140.
Offered: every other fall
Solid state physics describes the microscopic origin of the thermal, mechanical, electrical and magnetic properties of solids. Examines trends in the behavior of materials and evaluates the success of classical and semi-classical solid state models in explaining these trends and in predicting material properties. Applications include solid state lasers, semiconductor devices, and superconductivity. Intended for physics, chemistry, or earth and oceanographic science majors with an interest in materials physics or electrical engineering.
Prerequisite: Physics 2140 or Chemistry 2520.
Offered: every other fall (but not fall 2023)
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Nuclear and Particle Physics (2260)
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 2140.
Offered: every other spring
A laboratory-based introduction to the principles of physical optics and their application to imaging in the life and physical sciences. Students will learn methods of analysis to understand wave propagation, interference, diffraction, and polarization. Topics include the physics of lasers, microscopes, telescopes, spectroscopy, and other examples derived from student interest. Weekly laboratory exercises culminate in final projects.
Prerequisite: Physics 1140.
Offered: every other spring
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Accident Reconstruction: Physics, The Common Good, and Justice (2410)
Introduces the applications of physics pertinent to accident reconstruction and analyzes three complex cases that were criminal prosecutions. Instructor analyzes the first case to show how the physics is applied, the second is done in tandem with students, and the third is mostly analyzed by the students, using what they have learned. The report on this third case serves as the final project for the course. While Physics 1130 is the only prerequisite for the course, familiarity with vectors and matrices, or a desire to learn how to use them, is necessary.
Prerequisite: Physics 1130.
Offered: irregularly
A quantitative discussion that introduces the principal topics of astrophysics, including stellar structure and evolution, planetary physics, and cosmology.
Prerequisite: Physics 1140 and 1510.
Offered: at least every other year
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Atmosphere and Ocean Dynamics (2810)
A mathematically rigorous analysis of the motions of the atmosphere and oceans on a variety of spatial and temporal scales. Covers fluid dynamics in inertial and rotating reference frames, as well as global and local energy balance, applied to the coupled ocean-atmosphere system. (Same as: Earth and Oceanographic Science 2810 and Environmental Studies 2253.)
Prerequisite: Physics 1140.
Offered: every other year
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Topics in Contemporary Physics (2900)
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: One of Physics 2130, 2140, or 2150.
Offered: irregularly