Physics Department Curriculum
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The requirements for a Physics Major are:
A minimum of 9.5 units of Physics.
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The required courses are: 167,
168, 191, 243,
244, 245, 250,
291, 325, 336, and
350 plus one of the following:
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In addition, certain mathematics courses must be taken as
cognates:
- Mathematics 141, 143 Calculus of a Single Variable
- Mathematics 219 Elementary Differential Equations
- Mathematics 245 Multivariate Calculus
Since the use of computers has become routine in science
and technology, students are strongly urged to include Computer Science 171,
Introduction to Computer Science I, in their curriculum.
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For those contemplating advanced work in physics, these
additional courses are strongly suggested:
The requirements for a Physics Minor are similar to
those for the Major.
A minimum of 5.25 units of Physics.
-
The required courses are: 167,
168, 191, 243,
244, and 250 plus one of the following:
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In addition, the same mathematics courses as those for the
Major must be taken as cognates.
The Physics Department regularly offers these courses for students:
Liberal Arts 101 - Freshman Seminar: The Physics of
Music
In this course, we will explore the physical basis of the three
necessary components of music production: the instrument that produces
the tones, the transmitting medium that conveys the tones between
locales, and the listener who perceives the tones. Additional
topics will include electrified instruments and sound reinforcement,
room acoustics, and computer-based tone storage and generation,
including compression techniques.
PHYS 101 - Basic Concepts of Physics
The basic ideas of physics in a historical and philosophical framework
to give the student insight and appreciation of physics of this century
and how physics relates to our contemporary society. Not intended for
science majors. Offered alternate years.
PHYS 102 - The Physics of Urban and Environmental
Problems
The physics of modern urban and environmental problems with respect to their
causes, effects and possible cures. Topics include transportation, energy
generation and transmission, pollution and resources. This course satisfies the
Environmental Category requirement and is not intended for science majors. Offered alternate years.
Prerequisite: High school algebra.
PHYS 105 - Introductory Astronomy
A study of the night sky, planets, stars, galaxies, cosmology, and our place in
the universe, along with discussion of observational techniques and space
missions. This course satisfies the Scientific Analysis Mode requirement and is
not intended for science and math majors or minors or students who have taken
physics or calculus in high school. Lecture and laboratory, with additional
multiple observing sessions required. Prerequisite: High school algebra.
PHYS 115- General Physics
This course is the first semester introductory course in physics. Various forms
of energy and their interactions: mechanics, sound and heat. Includes
analytical, historical and philosophical aspects. Lecture and laboratory.
Physics 116- General Physics
A continuation of Physics 115. This course covers electricity and
magnetism, optics, and modern physics. Lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisite: PHYS 115.
PHYS 167 - Analytical Physics
The first course in a three-semester calculus-based survey of general physics.
Topics include kinematics, dynamics, and fluid mechanics. Lecture and
laboratory. Prerequisite or Corequisite: MATH 141.
Physics 168 - Analytical Physics
The topics in this second course in the three-semester calculus-based survey
of general physics include thermodynamics and electricity and magnetism.
Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: PHYS 167; Prerequisite or Corequisite: MATH 143.
Physics 191 - Physics and Astronomy Seminar I
Discussion of selected topics in physics and astronomy as determined
by student and staff interest. Led by departmental faculty, visiting
speakers and students. Students are required to read selected scientific
papers, attend presentations and actively participate in discussions. Offered on a credit/no credit
basis.
PHYS 206 - Astronomy and Astrophysics
Covers topics related to cosmology, including our expanding universe. Provides
an understanding of stars and how they work, and examines our solar system.
Intended for mathematics and science majors and minors and for students pursuing
teacher certification in science. Students cannot take both Phys 105 and Phys
206. Prerequisites: MATH 141 and/or previous physics course, or permission of instructor.
PHYS 243 - Introduction to Mathematical Methods in
Physics I
An introduction to the mathematical methods in physics using symbolic and
numerical computational software. Topics include statistical interpretation of
data and distribution functions, functions of a complex variable, coordinate
transformations and curvilinear coordinates. 0.5 unit. Prerequisite: PHYS 168 or
permission of instructor.
PHYS 244 - Introduction to Mathematical Methods in
Physics II
A continuation of Introduction to Mathematical Physics I. Topics include partial
differential equations, Fourier analysis, special functions, and orthogonal
functions. 0.5 unit. Prerequisites: PHYS 168 and PHYS 243 or permission of
instructor.
PHYS 245 - Electronics
The use of linear and integrated circuits, discrete devices, amplifiers, power
supplies, oscillators and digital logic in experimental design and data
acquisition. Applications of measurement instrumentation. Lecture and
laboratory. Prerequisites:
PHYS 168, or PHYS 116 with MATH 141 and MATH 143, or permission of instructor.
PHYS 250 - Introductory Modern Physics
A survey of modern physics. Topics include special relativity, the quantum
theory of light and quantum mechanics of matter with applications in atomic,
nuclear and elementary particle physics. Prerequisites: PHYS 243 and MATH 245 or
permission of instructor. Prerequisites or Corequisites: PHYS 244 and MATH 247.
Physics 291 - Physics and Astronomy Seminar II
Discussion of selected topics in physics and astronomy as determined
by student and staff interest. Led by departmental faculty, visiting
speakers and students. Students are required to read selected scientific
papers, attend presentations, actively participate in discussions, and
give a presentation on a scientific paper of their choice. Offered on a
credit/no credit basis. Prerequisites: Phys 191, junior or senior
standing.
PHYS 308 - Optics
An introduction to geometrical and physical optics which includes paraxial
theory, polarization, interference and diffraction phenomena and optical
instruments. Topics in contemporary optics, including lasers, holography and
Fourier optics will also be discussed. Lecture and laboratory. Offered alternate
years.
PHYS 322 - Solid State & Nuclear Physics
An introduction to the modern quantum mechanical description of solids and the
atomic nucleus. Lecture and laboratory. Offered alternate years.
Prerequisite: PHYS 243 and PHYS 244.
PHYS 325 - Theoretical Mechanics
Review of elementary mechanics, one-dimensional motion, harmonic oscillator,
motion in two and three dimensions, central force motion and orbital mechanics,
many-particle systems, rotational motion, gravitation, moving coordinate systems
and Lagrangian mechanics. Prerequisites: PHYS 243 and PHYS 244 and MATH 247 (minimum Grade:
1.0).
PHYS 336 - Electricity & Magnetism
A through discussion of Maxwell's electromagnetic field equations in
differential form. Major topics are electrostatics, magnetostatics,
electromagnetic induction and electromagnetic waves. Prerequisites: PHYS 243
and PHYS 244
and MATH 245 and MATH 247.
PHYS 350 - Advanced Laboratory
A junior-level laboratory designed to give students experience in independent
research in experimental physics. Experiments include topics in optics,
electricity and magnetism, atomic physics, and quantum physics. Strong emphasis
will be given to statistical analysis of data, error analysis, interpretation of
measurements, techniques of measurement, and experimental design. Computer
control of apparatus and computational analysis will also be emphasized. The
course meets six hours per week. Prerequisite: PHYS 168 and PHYS 243 or
permission of instructor.
PHYS 380 - Mathematical Physics
Mathematical methods in physics including vector calculus transform calculus,
tensor analysis and special functions (viz. Fourier series, Gamma functions,
Hermite polynomials, Bessel functions, spherical harmonics and Laguerre
polynomials).
Same as Mathematics 380. Offered alternate years. Prerequisites: PHYS 243,
PHYS 244, PHYS 325 and PHYS 336 and MATH 245 and MATH 247.
PHYS 384 - Thermodynamics
Classical thermodynamics, including kinetic theory an introduction to
statistical mechanics. Prerequisites: PHYS 168 and MATH 219.
PHYS 387 - Quantum Mechanics
Non-relativistic quantum interpretation of matter and energy, employing both the
wave mechanics of Schroedinger and the matrix mechanics of
Heisenberg. Prerequisites: PHYS 243, PHYS 244, PHYS 325 and PHYS 336.
PHYS 388, 389 - Selected Topics
The course content will vary depending on student and faculty interests.
PHYS 391, 392 - Internship
Offered on a credit/no credit basis.
PHYS 401, 402 - Seminar
Units: 0.50 or 1.00.
PHYS 411, 412 - Directed
Study
Units: 0.50 or 1.00.
Questions or comments? Please send
e-mail to
dseely@albion.edu . |
