A mark of a great book is that everyone knows the ideas it contains even if most may not know that the book exists. Such is the case with Thomas Kuhn’s The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. Kuhn’s influence is felt every time one speaks of a “paradigm shift” or “disruption in the marketplace”. This course examines revolutionary periods in western science in cultural and intellectual context, from ancient Greece, to the transformative periods of 16th and 17th century Europe, to modern revolutions in quantum theory, cosmology, complexity, and biology. Students will investigate the applicability of Kuhn’s model in each situation. A study, designed for non-science majors, of developments in scientific thinking from Aristotle to Einstein. The focus of the course is on the transition from Aristotelian, to Newtonian, to Modern Physics. This course does not have a lab component.

Occasionally

Previously: PHYS 120

The hardest part of energy problems are the associated environmental costs. The most difficult part of our environmental challenge is energy demand. Energetic processes are governed by strict physical laws and tend to increase the disorder of physical systems. Traditionally, these processes have used highly efficient but increasingly limited natural resources. Against this backdrop we are called to “love your neighbor as yourself”. As society seeks to move to more sustainable energy sources and deal with the consequences of previous energy related practices, this course will examine the complexities involved in balancing physical, moral, environmental, economic, and international policy aspects of the energy challenge.

Every other Spring, even years

Previously: PHYS 140

Light surrounds us and informs our daily life.  In this course for non-physics majors, we will examine many aspects of light and its impact on the world around us.  We will begin by studying geometric optics - the optics of shadows, lenses, fiber optics, and rainbows. We will then move onto wave optics - the optics of anti-reflective coatings, pointillism, and polarized sunglasses.  Finally, we will wrap up by considering the quantum mechanical nature of light - the physics behind solar power, LASERs, and optical tweezers. As we study these topics, emphasis will be placed on the everyday applications of the physics concepts and their impact on the world.

Every Interim

Previously: PHYS 142

A survey of our current knowledge about the physical universe. Designed for the student interested in such topics as the solar system, nova, comets, stars, nebulae, galaxies, black holes, extraterrestrial life and who wants to increase his or her knowledge of our place in the cosmos. Includes observations of the night sky. 

Every Fall

Previously: PHYS 190

This is an introductory physics course with an emphasis on life science applications. Calculus will be used primarily for motivation of concepts and will be introduced as necessary. Topics include motion, dynamics, and force laws, conservation of momentum and energy, fluids, and thermodynamics.

Every Fall

Previously: PHYS 201

This is an introductory physics course with an emphasis on life science applications. Calculus will be used primarily for motivation of concepts and be developed in the course as necessary. Topics include electricity, magnetism, waves, optics, light, imaging, special relativity, atomic and nuclear physics.

Prerequisites

PHYS 1510

Every Spring

Previously: PHYS 202

Major topics include mechanics and thermodynamics. Vectors and calculus are used. Laboratory work is mainly an introduction to experimental techniques including the use of a computer.

Prerequisites

MATH 1501

Every Fall and Spring

Previously: PHYS 221

Major topics include electricity, magnetism, optics and introductory atomic and nuclear physics. Extensive use of vectors and calculus. Laboratory work mainly emphasizes concepts and techniques.

Prerequisites

MATH 1501; PHYS 1610

Every Fall and Spring

Previously: PHYS 222

This course is a combination of two Project Lead The Way courses. This course will satisfy the lab science general education requirement. 

Intro to Engineering Design: Students use the design process and industry standard 3D modeling software to design solutions to solve proposed problems.

Principles of Engineering: Students are exposed to major concepts like mechanisms, energy, statics, materials and kinematics.

Previously: PHYS 100PL

Students may take one or more of the following specializations:

Aerospace Engineering: Students explore the evolution of flight, flight fundamentals, navigation and control, aerospace materials, propulsion, space travel and orbital mechanics.

Biotechnical Engineering: Hands-on projects engage students in engineering design problems related to biomechanics, cardiovascular engineering, genetic engineering, tissue engineering, biomedical devices, forensics and bioethics.

Civil Engineering and Architecture: Students design and develop residential and commercial properties using 3D architectural design software.

Computer Integrated Manufacturing: Students explore manufacturing history, individual processes, systems and careers. The course also incorporates finance, ethics and engineering design.

Digital Electronics: Students are introduced to the process of combinational and sequential logic design, engineering standards and technical documentation. They are also exposed to programming integrated circuit kits and microcontrollers.

Previously: PHYS 101PL

Designed to prepare the student for upper-level physics courses by studying such topics as vector analysis, Fourier series, Laplace and Fourier transforms, and ordinary and partial differential equations of physical systems. Emphasis is placed on the development of computer-based computation skills.

Prerequisites

PHYS 1620; MATH 1502

Every Fall

Previously: PHYS 321

This course will introduce a series of physical principles, based on statistical mechanics, which can be used to examine biological questions, specifically questions involving how cells function. Calculus will be used without apology.

Prerequisites

PHYS 1520 or PHYS 1620; CHEM 1040 or CHEM 1050

Every other Spring, even years

Previously: PHYS 303, BIOL 303

Theory and applications of DC and AC circuits. Theory of solid state devices such as diodes and transistors. Applications of these devices to power supplies, amplifiers, operational amplifiers, integrated circuits, analog to digital and digital to analog converters and other instrumentation.

Prerequisites

PHYS 1620

Occasionally

Previously: PHYS 331

Students gain experience with basic laboratory instrumentation and techniques, written and oral technical communication, and literature searching.

Prerequisites

PHYS 1620

Every Fall

Previously: PHYS 281

Historical development of the transition from classical to quantum physics, Bohr's atomic theory, Schroedinger's equation and applications to atomic, nuclear, and solid state systems. Introduction to relativity and to elementary particles.

Prerequisites

PHYS 1620

Every Spring

Previously: PHYS 371

Students will gain experience with laboratory instrumentation as they perform a laboratory exploration of some of the experiments that led to the transition from the classical physics paradigm to quantum mechanics. Some of the experiments for this course may include the photelectic effect, measurement of the speed of light, the measurement of charge-to-mass ratio of the electron and studies of nuclear decays.

Every Spring

Previously: PHYS 370

Detailed study of kinematics, Newtonian dynamics and rigid bodies. Introduction to Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations.

Prerequisites

PHYS 2600

Every other Spring, even years

Previously: PHYS 341

Equations of state, ideal and real gases, laws of thermodynamics, introduction to statistical mechanics. Topics developed from both macroscopic and microscopic points of view.

Prerequisites

PHYS 2600

Every other Spring, odd years

Previously: PHYS 351

Electrostatics, dielectrics, magnetostatics, Faraday's induction laws, and Maxwell's equations. Working knowledge of vector calculus is assumed.

Prerequisites

PHYS 2600

Every other Fall, even years

Previously: PHYS 361

This course includes: 1) an introduction to modern concepts in optics including electromagnetic waves, propagation of light through media, geometrical optics of lenses and mirrors, interference, coherence, Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffractions; and 2) a brief introduction to modern optical applications, including Fourier optics, holography, light scattering, interferometry and laser technology.

Prerequisites

PHYS 2600

Occasional Interims

Previously: PHYS 363

This course will cover the general structure and formalism of quantum mechanics. Topics will include: Schrödinger's Equation and solutions for one-dimensional problems; Dirac notation and matrix mechanics; the harmonic oscillator; the hydrogen atom; angular momentum and spin; and approximation methods.

Prerequisites

PHYS 3610 or CHEM 3410; PHYS 2600

Every other Fall, odd years

Previously: PHYS 373

See Physics advisor.  Additional fees may apply.

Previously: PHYS 395

Selected topics in Physics.

Previously: PHYS 397

Continuation of Physics 3601. Includes an emphasis on independent technical writing. Taken senior year.

Prerequisites

PHYS 3601

Every Spring

Previously: PHYS 381

Directed investigations in theoretical or experimental physics for physics majors. Satisfies a requirement for graduation with distinction in physics. Students will propose, carry out, write, and defend a thesis project.

Prerequisites

Permission of the Department Chair

Every Fall

Previously: PHYS 391