Physics (Phys)
2A-B. General Physics (4-4)
Prerequisite: two years of high school algebra or Math 4. Mechanics, properties
of matter, heat, sound, light, electricity and magnetism, and modern physics.
(3 lecture, 3 lab hours)
4A. Mechanics and Wave Motion (4)
Prerequisite: Math 76 or concurrently. Statics, forces, motion, properties
of matter, wave motion. (3 lecture, 3 lab hours)
4B. Electricity, Magnetism, Heat (4)
(Offered for the last time fall '78.) Prerequisite: Math 75, 76. Electrostatics,
concepts of field and potential, capacitance, 0.C circuits, chemical and
thermal effects, magnetic fields, induced current, alternating current circuits,
temperature, calorimetry, heat flow, thermodynamics. (3 lecture, 3 lab hours)
4C. Light and Modern Physics (4)
(Offered for the last time spring '79.) Prerequisite: Phys 4B. interference
and diffraction phenomena, optical instruments, spectra, atomic structure,
radioactivity, X-rays, and nuclear physics. (3 lecture, 3 lab hours)
22A-B. General Astronomy (3-3)
Prerequisite: Phys 1A, 2A or 4A or permission of instructor. Survey of astronomy
including astronomical coordinate systems, telescopes, solar system, stars
and stellar systems, galaxies and. cosmology. (Occasional observation or
lab hour)
55. Sound (3)
For music students and others interested in the physical basis of music.
Vibrations and spectra of various musical instruments; harmony and discord,
the tempered scale; acoustics; reproducing instruments; hearing.
100A-B. Modern Physics (2-2)
Prerequisite: Phys 2A-B. Classical and quantum physics, electromagnetic
spectrum, relativity, radiation and atomic structure, wave nature of matter,
natural and artificial radioactivity, properties of nuclear radiations,
structure of nucleus, fission process, fusion. Topics treated without use
of calculus.
102. Modern Physics (3)
Prerequisite: Phys 4C. Fundamental concepts of atomic and nuclear structure,
transitions and radiation. Includes discussions of relativistic mechanics,
quantum mechanics, solid state physics. Special topics as they pertain to
modern developments in physics, engineering, and chemistry.
105A-B. Analytical Mechanics (3-3)
Prerequisite: Phys 4C. (A) Analytical and vector treatment of the fundamental
principles of statics, kinematics, and dynamics. (B) Advanced dynamics;
harmonic motion, central force fields, and Lagrange's equations.
107A-B. Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism (3-3)
Prerequisites: Phys 105A, Math 81. (A) Mathematical analysis of electrostatics
and magnetostatics, Gauss' law, solutions of Laplace's equation, images,
theory of conduction, magnetic potentials. (B) Motion of ions in electric
and magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction, Maxwell's equations and
wave propagation, electron theory, and magnetic properties.
108A-B. Astrophysics (3-3)
Prerequisite: Phys 22A-B, 102, 103A. Telescopes, spectrographs, classification
of stellar spectra, formation of absorption lines, radiative energy transport,
multicolor photometry, interstellar material, energy generation in stars,
stellar evolution, clusters.
109A-B. Practice in Observation (2-2)
Prerequisite: Phys 22A-B. Modern astronomical techniques of observation,
experiments and projects in multicolor photometry, spectroscopy, visual
observations, photography, telescope operation.
110. Physical Optics (3)
Prerequisites: Phys 4C, 4CL, Math 81. Theory of optical phenomena; wave
theory of light with applications to optical instruments; interference and
diffraction phenomena, dispersion, polarization, coherence, and laser phenomena.
Practical experience in using lasers and optical instruments. (2 lecture,
3 lab hours)
115. Quantum Mechanics (3)
Prerequisites: Phys 102, 105A, 170A (or concurrently), Math 81. Historical
background, postulates, meaning, and meth- ods of quantum mechanics; applications
to atomic phenomena.
116. Quantum Physics of Atoms (3)
Prerequisites: Phys 115, or Chem 110B and permission of instructor, or Chem
215. Quantum mechanics applied to atomic and nuclear physics.
120. Electrical Measurements (3)
Theory, operation, and use of electrical and electronic instruments and
circuits commonly used in science laboratories. (2 lecture, 3 lab hours)
130A-B. Advanced Laboratory (2-2)
Prerequisites: Phys 102, 129. Advanced experiments in mechanics, electricity,
and magnetism, atomic and nuclear physics. Opportunity for at least one
individual project. (6 lab hours)
140. Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory (3)
Prerequisite: Math 81. Fundamental concepts and laws of classical thermodynamics.
Rudiments of kinetic theory and statistical thermodynamics with application
to physical and chemical systems.
162. Solid State Physics (3)
Prerequisites: Phys 102, or Chem 110B and permission of instructor, or Chem
215. Classification of solids; crystalline state and lattice vibrations;
properties of metallic lattices and dielectrics; magnetic properties of
solids; free electron theory and band theory of metals; semiconductors;
imperfections.
170A-B. Mathematical Physics (3-3)
Prerequisite: Math 81. Application of mathematical methods to the solution
of problems in physics.
175T. Topics in Contemporary Physics (1-4; max total 12)
Designed to provide students with special work in such areas of physics
as biophysics, modern optics, plasmas, high energy physics, solid state,
chaos theory, nuclear structure, astrophysics, low temperature phenomena.
Some topics may have labs.
180A-B. Seminar in Physics (1-1)
Prerequisite: senior or graduate physics major or permission of department
chair.
190. Independent Study (1-3; max see reference)
See Academic Placement -- Independent Study.
(See Course Numbering System.)
Physics (Phys)
203A-B. Theoretical Physics (3-3)
Advanced treatment of classical analytical mechanics including Lagrange's
and Hamilton's formulation of the laws of motion, special relativity, small
oscillation theory, hydrodynamics.
220A-B. Advanced Electricity and Magnetism (3-3)
Electromagnetic theory and its applications; electrostatics, boundary-value
problems in electrostatics, dielectrics, multipoles, magnetostatics, Maxwell's
equations, electromagnetic radiation, optical properties of materials, wave
guides and resonant cavities.
221A-B. Atomic and Nuclear Physics (3)
The nature of matter and radiation as deduced from the classical and quantum
mechanical theories; atomic and nuclear structure; the nature of the nucleus
as deduced from classical and quantum mechanical theories; models of nuclear
structure.
222A-B. Quantum Mechanics (3)
Non-relativistic quantum theory; quantum mechanical pictures and representations,
angular momentum, perturbation theory, applications to central force problems,
scattering, solid state and atomic systems.
223. Statistical Mechanics (3)
Theoretical principles of classical and quantum statistics.
280A-B. Group Study of Selected Topics (3-3)
290. Independent Study (1-3; max see reference)
See Academic Placement -- Independent Study.
299. Thesis (2-6; max total 6)
Prerequisite: See Criteria for Thesis and Project. Preparation, completion,
and submission of an acceptable thesis for the master's degree.