Courses in Physics cover the underlying laws of nature at every scale—from subatomic particles, to the emergent properties of complex materials, to the forces shaping the structure of the universe.
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Broadly speaking, our courses are designed for three groups of students: non-science majors, science majors, and Physics majors. Below is a sampling of courses for each of these groups.
These courses are intended for students majoring in the humanities, social sciences, business, music, and education. You do not need to have a background in science. You should expect to use math at the level of one year of high school algebra. These courses are not open to Physics majors.
Physical principles involved in the description, generation, and reproduction of sound. Topics include physics of vibrations and waves, propagation, Fourier decomposition of complex wave forms, harmonic spectra, standing waves and resonance, sound loudness and decibels, room acoustics, analog/digital recording/ reproduction.
Fulfills the physical science requirement for elementary education majors. Introduction to topics such as motion, forces, energy, states of matter, electricity, magnetism, and light. Two lectures and one laboratory each week. Enrollment is limited to majors in the School of Education.
An exploration of the physics involved in our technology. The course introduces ideas from physics needed to understand the function of a selection of modern devices and systems.
Provides physical basis for understanding the interaction of technology and society, and for solution of problems, such as energy use and the direction of technological change. Credit given for only one of P120 or P110.
Newtonian mechanics, oscillations, and waves. Bulk properties of matter and thermodynamics at the discretion of the instructor. Applications of physical principles to related scientific disciplines, including life sciences. Three lectures, one discussion, and one two-hour laboratory period each week.
For biological and physical science majors. Relationship of physics to current environmental problems: energy production, comparison of sources and byproducts, nature of and possible solutions to problems of noise and particulate matter in atmosphere.
Computer skills with application to upper-division physical science courses: use of Python as a programming language and Mathematica for symbolic manipulation; data fitting and visualization; numerical and Monte Carlo methods.
Practical electronics as would be encountered in a research laboratory or industrial setting. Both analog (filters, power supplies, transistors, amplifiers, op-amps, comparators, oscillators, transducers including the analysis of circuits using computer-aided techniques) and digital devices (storage elements, discrete gates, and programmable devices).
These courses are recommended for Physics majors and those students who desire a strong background in physics. Prospective Physics majors are strongly encouraged to consult with the physics department undergraduate advisor, to start the P221-P222 sequence in their freshman year, and to strongly consider enrolling in the honors section of P221-P222.
First semester of a three-semester, calculus-based sequence intended for science majors. Newtonian mechanics; oscillations and waves; heat and thermodynamics. Three lectures, two discussion sections, and one two-hour lab each week. Physics majors are encouraged to take P221 in the fall semester of the freshman year.
Third semester of a three-semester, calculus-based sequence. Special theory of relativity; introduction to quantum physics; atomic, nuclear, condensed matter, and elementary particle physics. Intended for science and mathematics majors. Three lecture-discussion periods each week.
Electrostatic fields and differential operators, Laplace and Poisson equations, dielectric materials, steady currents, power and energy, induction, magnetic fields, scalar and vector potentials, Maxwell’s equations.
The Schroedinger equation with applications to problems such as barrier transmission, harmonic oscillation, and the hydrogen atom. Discussion of orbital and spin angular momentum and identical particles. Introduction to perturbation theory.
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