Physics Minor

103/113: CONCEPTUAL PHYSICS/CONCEPTUAL PHYSICS LABORATORY

PHYS 103 and 113 are corequisites. A course for non-science majors that examines how physical laws and material explanations account for the world around us, from everyday phenomena to the Cosmos. The laboratory work involves experiments in mechanics, fluid mechanics, heat, wave motion, light, sound, electric and magnetic fields, and electricity. NATURAL SCIENCES EXPLORATION.

104/114: PHYSICS I/PHYSICS LABORATORY I 

Prerequisite or corequisite: MATH 115; PHYS 104 and 114 are corequisites. A calculus-based introduction to classical and fluid mechanics. Topics include kinematics, Newton’s laws of motion, linear and rotational dynamics of point masses and rigid bodies, fluid mechanics, and their application to other disciplines. The laboratory work involves an introduction to laboratory techniques including experimental design, data analysis, and reporting of results. Experiments are drawn from applications of statics, dynamics, acoustics, and fluid mechanics. Spring. NATURAL SCIENCES EXPLORATION.

105/115: PHYSICS II/PHYSICS LABORATORY II 

Prerequisites: MATH 115, PHYS 104/114; PHYS 105 and 115 are corequisites. A calculus-based introduction to electromagnetism and optical phenomena. Topics include electrical forces and fields, magnetic forces and fields, electrical circuits and circuit components, electrical properties of materials, optical phenomena, and an introduction to the wave description of light. Laboratory work involves data analysis and circuit building. Experiments are drawn from applications of electricity, magnetism, optics, and wave phenomena. Fall. NATURAL SCIENCES EXPLORATION.

302/304: MODERN PHYSICS/MODERN PHYSICS LABORATORY 

Prerequisite: PHYS 105/115. PHYS 302 and 304 are corequisites. An overview of the theoretical and experimental advances in physics that stemmed from the advent of relativity and quantum theory. Topics include special relativity, wave/particle duality, quantum mechanics, atomic structure, quantum statistics, and the standard models of twenty-first century physics. Laboratory work includes explorations of wave optics, the speed of light, particle quantization, optical and energy-loss spectroscopy, wave/particle duality, and applications of quantum theory. Spring.

312/314: ANALYTICAL MECHANICS/ANALYTICAL MECHANICS LABORATORY 

Prerequisites: PHYS 105/115 and MATH 201. PHYS 312 and 314 are corequisites. A vector treatment of the kinematics and kinetics of particles and rigid bodies. Topics include constants of motion, motion under constraints, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms, the damped and driven harmonic oscillator, Fourier analysis, generalized and accelerated coordinate systems, and normal modes of coupled oscillators. Laboratory projects focus on numerical programming and have students model classic systems (projectiles, oscillators, planets) beyond the analytical treatments. Fall of even years.

321/323: THERMAL AND STATISTICAL MECHANICS/THERMAL AND STATISTICAL MECHANICS LAB

Prerequisites: PHYS 105/115 and MATH 201. PHYS 321 and 323 are corequisites. An intermediate treatment of thermal and statistical physics theories, with laboratory activities focused on thermal physics. Class topics include the laws of thermodynamics; probability, energy, and entropy; heat engines and refrigeration cycles; free energy and equilibrium; Boltzmann, Bose-Einstein, and Fermi-Dirac statistics; and the Ising model. Laboratory work includes measurements of specific and latent heat, and of thermal conductivity and diffusivity, plus computational work. Fall of odd years.

396: SELECTED TOPICS 

A detailed study of an area of physics not normally offered in the regular physics curriculum. This course may be repeated for credit for different topics.

400:INTERNSHIP

Prerequisites: Junior standing and recommendation of the Physics Department faculty. A written and oral report on the work conducted is required. Offered on demand.

402: CAPSTONE SEMINAR

Prerequisite: PHYS 302. Corequisite: TREK 250. A course to explore career options after college, with a focus on presentation and communication skills. The course includes a review of undergraduate physics. Students assemble a portfolio of undergraduate work and complete a polished report on a career area of interest. This course satisfies the career component of Trek.

404. ELECTROMAGNETISM AND ELECTRONICS 

Prerequisites: PHYS 105/115 and MATH 303. An advanced treatment of electromagnetic theory and practice. Topics include: electrical fields, forces, and potentials; current, voltage, power, and electronic components and circuits; magnetic field and forces; electrical and magnetic materials; Maxwell’s equations; and electromagnetic waves. The course includes a laboratory with activities that focus on breadboarding; use of test and measurement equipment; experimentation with resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, transistors, and integrated circuits; the analysis of current, voltage, power, and electronic circuits; and the generation of magnetic fields and electromotive forces.

424: QUANTUM MECHANICS

Prerequisites: PHYS 302/304 and MATH 303. An advanced treatment of non-relativistic quantum theory which introduces the student to the essential formal tools of quantum mechanics.

426. LIGHT AND OPTICS

Prerequisites: PHYS 105/115. Corequisite: MATH 303. A general treatment of the principles of physical optics including theory of waves; interference, diffraction, polarization; Fourier optics; quantum aspects of lights; and applications to lasers and spectroscopy.

900: SENIOR ASSESSMENT

Physics majors must take the major field test in physics prior to graduation.