Physics and Astronomy

Laboratory to accompany PHYS 1310 and 1312. Topics include: DC, AC, and transient circuits, magnetism, geometric optics, interference and diffraction, blackbody radiation, spectroscopy, gamma ray absorption. Corequisite: PHYS 1310 or 1312 must be taken concurrently.

An introduction to the methods and results and philosophical implications of modern physics. Topics include: special and general relatively; the wave-particle theory of light and matter; atomic, nuclear and particle physics; future explorations.

A survey of the nature of the Solar System. Topics include: scale of the Solar System, major and minor planets; moons, asteroids, comets, and other solar system debris; gravity and orbital motion; the nature of light; lunar phases; lunar and solar eclipses; solar wind and planetary magnetospheres; seasons, planetary atmospheres, and comparative planetary climatology; evolution of planetary surfaces; extra-solar planets and the search for life elsewhere in the Galaxy. May be taken without enrolling in PHYS 1103. (Offered every Year).

An introduction to current nanotechnology fabrication methods and applications aimed at nonscience majors. This course will explore how material properties change at the nanoscale and how these properties can be utilized in technological applications and consumer products. Topics include scientific concepts behind nanotechnology, microscopy at the nanoscale, medical applications, consumer applications, ethical concerns, and the environmental impact of nanotechnology.

A calculus-level introduction to electric fields, magnetic fields, light waves, and modern physics. Topics include: electric fields, electric current, electric circuits, magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction, electromagnetic waves, geometrical optics, physical optics, quantum physics, atomic physics, lasers, nuclear physics and applications in biology, medicine, and geology. This course is appropriate for biology, chemistry, and geosciences majors. Only one of PHYS 1310 or 1312 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite: PHYS 1309 or 1311; PHYS 1112 is normally taken concurrently but is not required.

A calculus-level introduction to electric fields, magnetic fields, and light waves. Topics include: electric fields, Gauss's Law, electric potential, magnetism, Ampere's Law, electromagnetic induction, Lenz's Law, Maxwell's Equations, geometrical and physical optics. This course is appropriate for physics and engineering science majors. Only one of PHYS 1310 or 1312 may be taken for credit. Prerequisites: PHYS 1311 (or 1309) and MATH 1312 (may be taken concurrently). Corequisite: PHYS 1112 must be taken concurrently

Attendance at departmental seminars. Grade is based on attendance.

Rigorous experimental work, including data handling and scientific writing. Experiments are drawn from the areas of mechanics, optics, nuclear, and modern physics. Meets 3 hours per week, with significant work outside of the laboratory. (Offered every Spring.) Prerequisites: PHYS 1111, 1112, 1312 (or 1310)

Speaking Physics is a junior level course designed to train physics majors to become effective communicators in their field. Students will gain experience presenting technical research-style talks, with several opportunities for feedback from the instructor and peers. (Offered every Spring)

An introduction to the subjects of statistical mechanics, kinetic theory, thermodynamics and heat. Prerequisites: PHYS 3323 and MATH 2321 (may be taken concurrently).

A quantitative survey of modern physics. Topics include: special relativity, waveparticle duality, and Schroedinger equation, identical particles, solid state, and high energy physics. Prerequisites: PHYS 1312 (or 1310), MATH 1312

An intermediate treatment of oscillations and wave mechanics and the nature of light as electromagnetic waves. General topics include linear oscillators, traveling waves, representations by complex numbers, and Fourier analysis. Topics from physical optics include sources of radiation, guided waves, interactions of light and matter, reflection and refraction, interference and diffraction, and scattering from particles. (Offered every other year.) Prerequisites: PHYS 1312 (or 1310) and MATH 2321.

An intermediate course on electromagnetic theory. Electrostatic field and potential, Gauss's law, conductors, electric dipole and multipoles, solutions to Laplace's equation, method of images, dielectric media, electrostatic energy, electric current. Magnetic field of steady currents, including the law of Biot and Savart, Ampere's law, magnetic vector potential. Electromagnetic induction. Introduction to Maxwell's equations. Prerequisites: PHYS 3322, MATH 3316 (may be taken concurrently).

The physics of planetary atmospheres and the role of the atmosphere in determining climate. Topics include: global radiative equilibrium, radiative transfer, thermodynamic processes in the atmosphere, the general circulation, cloud formation, the ozone layer, instrumentation and data bases. Prerequisite: PHYS 1310 or 1312.

Individual research under faculty supervision or independent study under faculty supervision in fields not covered by other courses. Credit may vary from 1 to 3 hours. This course may be repeated for additional credit; however, no more than three hours may be counted toward a major in physics. Prerequisite: Consent of the Department Chair

An introduction to the use of physical principles and measurements in the study of the Earth's subsurface, with an emphasis on applications in environmental science, engineering, mineral exploration and archeology. Topics include Fourier analysis, seismic waves in elastic media, refraction tomography, reflection seismology, multichannel analysis of surface waves, gravity, electrical resistivity and groundpenetrating radar. (Also listed as GEOS 3412) Three class hours and three laboratory hours per week. Field trips are required; field trip expenses must be paid by each student. Prerequisite: PHYS 1310 or 1312 (may be taken concurrently).

This course is an introduction to nanometer scale aspects of chemistry, physics, and biology, and how these can be combined to fabricate architectures with dimensions in the nanometer scale. Principles of fabrication techniques that underpin this field will be presented with recent developments as case studies, including nanoparticles, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), electromaterials, and other new materials. An extensive series of hands-on laboratory activities is a central part of the course. Students will fabricate and characterize nanoscale structures using a variety of techniques from biology, chemistry, physics, and materials science. In the first few weeks of the semester, we will focus on principles, concepts, and instrumentation utilized in nonfabrication. During the rest of the semester, students will choose a current paper from the literature and attempt to recreate the fabrication process and all characterization techniques. (Offered occasionally). Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor

Advanced experimental techniques covering topics typically not addressed in coursework. Rigorous analysis of experimental data and competent scientific writing form an integral part of the course. Topics include: atomic physics, advanced optics, laser physics, and nanotechnology. There will be a significant expectation for work outside of class, including pre-lab and writing activities. Meets 3 hours per week, with significant work outside of the laboratory. (Offered every other year.) Prerequisites: PHYS 2231

A formal treatment of quantum mechanics emphasizing Dirac notation and matrix methods. Topics include: three dimensional systems, angular momentum, multiparticle systems, identical particles, spin perturbation theory, scattering, and an introduction to high-energy and particle physics. Prerequisites: PHYS 3333, 3335.

An advanced treatment of quantum theories of atoms and solids. Physics of solids and solutions, reciprocal lattices and crystallography, thermodynamic properties of condensed systems. Properties of atoms and photon. Laser cooling, coherent excitation, and atom optics. Prerequisite: PHYS 3333.

Individual research and scholarly investigation under faculty supervision. A written summary of results and presentation at a department seminar are required. Required of all B.S. Physics majors. (Offered every semester.) Prerequisite: Senior standing.

Individual research and scholarly investigation under faculty supervision. A written summary of results and presentation at a department seminar are required. Required for honors in physics. (Offered every semester.) Prerequisite: Senior standing.