Students gain experience with basic laboratory instrumentation and techniques, written and oral technical communication, and literature searching.
Every Fall
Previously: PHYS 281
Detailed study of kinematics, Newtonian dynamics and rigid bodies. Introduction to Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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