Physics & Geology
Physics see also: 2002-2003
Course Schedule
Geology see also: 2002-2003
Course Schedule
Physics is a discipline primarily concerned with the study of matter
and energy. It is an analytical science based on observation of mechanistic
processes in nature. It has as its goal the enunciation and refinement
of postulated "laws" which form the basis for descriptive
models of the physical universe. Physics is a discipline worthy of
study in its own right, but the fundamental nature of the subject
also makes an understanding of its principles, techniques and limitations
important in the acquisition and extension of knowledge in the other
sciences. In addition, it has historical connections to metaphysics
and natural philosophy, which further justify its place in a balanced
liberal arts curriculum. The Physics and Geology Department therefore
strives to provide a broad enough range of courses so that all students,
regardless of their specific majors, can pursue interests in this
field of study.
Physics Major: consists of 32 credits, of which at least 18
must be upper division. Required courses include:
PHY 271-272 Analytical Physics
PHY 271L-272L Analytical Physics Laboratory
PHY 240 Electronics
PHY 240L Electronics Laboratory
PHY 301 Theoretical Mechanics
PHY 313 Statistical Mechanics
PHY 330 Electricity and Magnetism
PHY 402 Quantum Mechanics
PHY 494 Independent Study
Physics majors should recognize and gracefully accept that an ability
to acquire and use mathematical tools is an assumed part of their
programs. Students are therefore expected to complete, at minimum,
MAT 152, 251 and 352 or their equivalents. Some facility with a general
purpose programming language will also be expected.
Physics Minor: consists of 20 credits, to include PHY 231-232
and 231L-232L, or 271-272 and 271L-272L, and 10-12 additional credits
of upper-division physics. Note that upper-division physics courses
normally require completion of MAT 352.
Pre-Engineering Option: This pre-professional option is coordinated
by the Physics Department, but is not strictly a program in physics.
Requirements are PHY 170, 271-272, 271L-272L; MAT 152, 251 and 352;
CHE 141-142; and completion of the General Graduation Requirements
(see Academic Information).
Also see Geography/Geology
for course descriptions.
Interdisciplinary (IND)
IND-308 The Cuba Experience 6.0 cr.
Winter 2003. An on-site interdisciplinary study of Cuban and
Cuban-American literature, the geography of Cuba, and the sociology of
post-revolutionary Cuba. activities will include a chartered bus
tour of the island, visiting cultural and educational sites, working
with our counterparts at Cuban universities, and meeting with Cubans
in various walks of life. The last three weeks of the course
will be conducted in Cuba. This six-credit course may fulfill two
general graduation requirements in the following areas: literature (3
credits), social science (3 credits), natural science (non-lab, 3
credits), cultural diversity (3 credits). Students will
designate which general graduation requirements are to be fulfilled at
the beginning of the course.
SCI-101 Science 3.0 cr.
Spring. A multidisciplinary approach to science, scientific methods,
and major theories of science. Includes topics in biology, chemistry,
earth science, and physics, with an emphasis on living systems. Students
may fulfill the general graduation requirement in natural sciences
by taking this course and one other four-credit laboratory course in
any of the natural sciences.
Physics (PHY)
LOWER DIVISION
PHY-105 Introduction to CAD 2.0 cr.
Winter. A beginning level survey of computer drafting and engineering
graphics. No previous CAD experience is required but students should
have some basic understanding of science and mathematics as well as
some experience as a computer user. Pass/fail only. This course does
not count toward the general graduation requirement in natural science.
PHY-115 The Solar System 2.0 cr.
Fall. First six weeks. A course for non-physics majors that examines
the celestial sphere and constellations, measurements of time, astronomical
instruments, earth as a planet, the moon, eclipses, planets and their
satellites, comets, meteors, and theories of the origin of the solar
system. May be taken with or without PHY 116. (NON-LAB
NATURAL SCIENCE)
PHY-116 Stars and Galaxies 2.0 cr.
Fall. Second six weeks. A course for non-science majors that examines
the sun as a star, physical properties of stars, principles of spectroscopy
as applied to astronomy, double stars, variable stars, star clusters,
gaseous nebulae, stellar motions and distribution, Milky Way system,
external galaxies, expanding universe, and cosmic time scale. May be taken with or without PHY 115.
(NON-LAB NATURAL SCIENCE)
PHY-121 Astronomy Project 1.0 cr.
Fall, winter. An optional supplement to PHY 115 and PHY 116 for
students in need of three credits in the natural sciences. Consists
of independent reading of current astronomy literature and/or completion
of astronomical activities. (NON-LAB NATURAL SCIENCE; NOT
INDEPENDENT WORK)
PHY-170 Engineering Analysis 2.0 cr.
Spring. First six weeks. An application of mathematical modeling
and computer techniques to solving problems in engineering. This course
does not count toward the general graduation requirement in natural
science.
PHY-210 Statics 3.0 cr.
Spring. Prereq.: PHY 271. Structural analysis of beams and trusses
subjected to both concentrated and distributed loads. This course
is normally taken by pre-engineering students. This course does not
count toward the general graduation requirement in natural science.
PHY-230 Digital Electronics 3.0 cr.
Spring. An introduction to digital logic gates, digital integrated
circuits, and the design of combinational and sequential digital systems.
No previous electronics experience is required. This course does not
count toward the general graduation requirement in natural sciences.
PHY-231 General Physics 4.0 cr.
Fall, spring. A non-calculus survey of physics. Facility with
algebra and trigonometry will be assumed. Students with secondary
school experience in physics and/or mathematics through calculus are
strongly urged to take the PHY 271-272 sequence. Three lectures weekly.
In special circumstances, this course may be taken for 3 credits without
lab. Consult instructor. (NATURAL SCIENCE)
PHY-231L General Physics Lab 0.0 cr.
An integral part of PHY 231-232 with which the lab should normally
be taken concurrently. One laboratory weekly. (NATURAL SCIENCE LAB)
PHY-232 General Physics 4.0 cr.
Fall, spring. A noncalculus survey of physics. Facility with algebra
and trigonometry will be assumed. Students with secondary school experience
in physics and/or mathematics through calculus are strongly urged
to take the PHY 271 272 sequence. Three lectures weekly. In special
circumstances, this course may be taken for 3 credits without lab. Consult
instructor. (NATURAL SCIENCE)
PHY-232L General Physics Lab 0.0 cr.
An integral part of PHY 231232 with which the lab should normally
be taken concurrently. One laboratory weekly. (NATURAL SCIENCE
LAB)
PHY-240 Electronics 3.0 cr.
Fall. An introduction to DC and AC circuits, circuit principles,
semiconductor devices and applications. PHY 240L should be taken concurrently.
Three lectures weekly.
PHY-240L Electronics Lab 1.0 cr.
Fall. An introduction to measurement techniques in electronics.
PHY 240L may be taken independently of 240. One laboratory weekly.
PHY-271-272 Analytical Physics & Lab 4.0 cr.
Fall, spring. Prereq.: Completion of one full year of calculus;
PHY 271 is a prerequisite for PHY 272. A general survey of physics
for physics majors and pre-engineering students and strongly recommended
for any student who plans to do graduate work in any of the sciences
or mathematics. The course utilizes laboratory and computational methods
to examine mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism and
optics. Calculus is used extensively and some familiarity with computers
is assumed. (NATURAL SCIENCE LAB)
PHY-294 Independent Study 1.0 to 3.0 cr.
Fall, winter, spring. Prereq.: Freshman or sophomore standing.
May be repeated up to a maximum of 4 credits and is subject to arrangement
with the Physics Department. This course does not fulfill the
general graduation requirement for independent work. See independent study
guidelines.
UPPER DIVISION
PHY-301 Theoretical Mechanics 3.0 cr.
Fall. Prereq: PHY 272 and MAT 352. A survey of classical and modern
topics in dynamics. Topics include orbital mechanics, noninertial
reference frames, rigidbody motion, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian methods,
and elements of nonlinear mechanics and chaos.
PHY-304 Advanced Laboratory 2.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. Prereq.: PHY 272 and MAT 352. An
advanced laboratory in modern physics. The course will be project
oriented and may include topics in atomic physics, nuclear physics,
solid state physics and computer assisted experimentation. Two 2-hour
laboratory periods weekly.
PHY-306 Modern Optics 3.0 cr.
Fall. Alt. years. Prereq.: PHY 272 and MAT 352. A study
relating optical physics to classical and contemporary applications
in research and technological instrumentation. Topics include models
of light, imaging systems, interferometers, sources and detectors.
PHY-312 Special Topics 2.0 cr.
Winter. Prereq.: permission. Independent study of selected areas
of physics not available in the regular curriculum.
PHY-313 Statistical Mechanics 3.0 cr.
Fall. Alt. years. Prereq.: PHY 272 and MAT 352. An
introduction to Maxwell-Boltzmann, Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac statistics
and their application to the solution of thermal, mechanical and electrical
problems in fluids and solids.
PHY-324 Solid State Physics 3.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. Prereq.: PHY 272 and MAT 352. The
physics of solids, including crystalline structure and symmetry, lattice
dynamics, thermal properties, the free electron model and the band
theory of solids.
PHY-330 Electricity & Magnetism 3.0 cr.
Spring. Prereq.: PHY 272 and MAT 352. An intermediate level survey
of classical electro magnetic theory up to and including the unification
of the subject matter in the form of Maxwell's equations.
PHY-355 Computational Methods in the Sciences 3.0 cr.
Fall. Alt. years. Prereq.: PHY 272 and MAT 352. Computing and
mathematical methods and techniques applied to a broad spectrum of
physical science problems. Emphasis on least squares method and other
curve fitting techniques of nonlinear functions, monte carlo methods,
data manipulation, fourier analysis, and partial differential equations.
This course does not count toward the General Graduation Requirement
in natural science.
PHY-399T.01 Digital Image Analysis 3.0 cr.
(Same as MAT 399T.01) Spring 2003. Prereq.: MAT 150 or 151 and
MAT 137 or permission. MAT 233.1 recommended. Topics
covered include color concepts, display devices, image compression
algorithms and storage formats, two- and three-dimensional graphics
concepts, digital imaging, and simple pattern matching
algorithms. The collection, processing, and analysis of digital
images will be demonstrated mainly through astronomical
applications. Other imaging techniques such as Magnetic
Resonance Imaging, Ultrasound, and Computer Tomography will also be
explored. This course does not fulfill any general graduation
requirement.
PHY-402 Quantum Mechanics 3.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. Prereq.: PHY 272 and MAT 352. An
introduction to Schroedinger's wave mechanics, including applications
to atomic and molecular, solid state and nuclear systems.
PHY-441 Relativity 3.0 cr.
Fall. Alt. years. Prereq.: Mathematics through multivariate calculus
and differential equations and physics through theoretical mechanics
and electromagnetism. Principles of special and general relativity
and associated tensor calculus.
PHY-494 Independent Study 1.0 to 3.0 cr.
Fall, winter, spring. Prereq.: Junior or senior standing. May
be repeated up to a maximum of 4 credits and is subject to arrangement
with the Physics Department. See independent study guidelines.
(INDEPENDENT WORK)
PHY-497 Internship 1.0 to 3.0 cr.
Fall, winter, spring, summer. Prereq.: junior or senior standing
and permission. Individually arranged programs of work and study with
the department, academic institutions, private industries, or government
agencies. See internship guidelines. (INDEPENDENT WORK)
Geography (GOG)
GOG-150 Physical Geography 3.0 cr.
Fall. Alt. years. This course will examine major natural systems
within our physical environment: climate, vegetation, soils, hydrology,
and landforms. Emphasis will be given to analysis of the processes
and environmental interactions that shape these systems. Students
will develop skills in 1) the collection of both historical and primary
data; 2) the utilization of geographic models to explain processes;
3) the complexity and application of maps and mapmaking techniques;
4) examining GIS output as an analytical tool for solving location
problems in different scientific fields. (NON-LAB NATURAL SCIENCE)
GOG-152 Cultural Geography 3.0 cr.
Fall. Alt. Years. An introduction to the basic cultural elements
of geography. Culture can be defined as the total of the knowledge,
attitudes, and habitual behavior patterns shared and transmitted by
the members of a society. Cultural geography examines how place shapes
culture and how cultures shape place. The major themes of cultural
geography to be addressed include culture hearths, cultural diffusion,
cultural ecology, cultural landscapes, and culture regions.
(CULTURAL DIVERSITY NOT NATURAL SCIENCE)
Geology (GOL)
GOL-101 Physical Geology 4.0 cr.
Fall, spring. Physical geology is the study of the materials the
earth is made of and the processes that occur both on and beneath
the surface. The course heightens awareness of how the earth continually
changes, the rates of geologic change, and the finite character of
the earth's resources. The course is designed to help students develop
their own views of how human activity impacts geologic processes,
and how geologic processes affect human activity. (NATURAL SCIENCE
LAB)
GOL-102 Historical Geology 4.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. Recommended prereq.: GOL101. Historical geology
is the study of the sequence of events involved in the physical evolution
of continents and ocean basins. Emphasis will be placed on the growth
and development of the North American continent as can be deciphered
from the rock and fossil records. (NATURAL SCIENCE LAB)
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