Undergraduate Courses in Physics

Program

Traditionally, many physics undergraduates continue in graduate school in pursuit of Ph.D. degrees. In addition, students who complete a physics concentration also enter a variety of other fields, including among many others, archaeology, biology, mathematics, computer science, high school teaching, law, medicine, environmental sciences, operations research, technical sales, industrial management, engineering, and oceanography. Undergraduate work in physics followed by specialization in other areas has become one of the preferred preparations for many activities that are setting new directions in society because physicists are scientific generalists. The requirements for concentration in physics are deliberately flexible, and are designed to prepare people for either graduate work in physics or for later specialization in other areas.

Students completeing a concentration in physics must take Physics 101, 102, 201, 208, 251, 252, 313, 401, two of the four courses Physics 303, 314, 402, 403, and either Senior Project (Physics 451-452) or Honors Thesis (Physics 495-496), so that all majors engage in independent research during their senior year. Because of the extensive facilities available through the graduate program of the department, the senior projects generally deal with problems at the frontiers of physics. It is only through being actively involved in such pursuits that a student can appreciate the nature of the discipline.

Students who want to become physicists should be prepared in such a way that they can succeed in the best graduate schools. The following statements are advice appropriate to such students:

• Physics 101-102 and calculus should be taken during the freshman year.
• Physics 201-208 and 251-252 should be included in the sophomore year.
• Physics 303, 309, 313, 314, 351-352, 401 and selections from 402, 403-404, 475, 481 and 482 should be completed during the junior and senior years. Students who intend to become physics majors are strongly advised to take the lab courses 251-2, 351-2 in order to be prepared adequately for their senior project.
• Suitable mathematics courses should also be included.

101-102. General Physics.

(AL) Fall-Spring (4, 4) Mr Perdrisat, Mr Griffioen, and Staff. Lectures, discussions, and laboratory six and one-half hours.

This course is designed to develop an understanding of the fundamental concepts of physics. Emphasis is placed upon Newtonian mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism and modern physics; current research and applications are discussed. Designed for students who are considering concentrating in one of the sciences or mathematics. Concurrent registration in calculus is recommended.

105. Great Ideas of Physics.

(A) Fall (3) Mr von Baeyer. Lecture 3 hours.

Introduction to the fundamental laws and dominant themes of modern physics, illustrated with selections from the classics of science writing. The course is intellectually sophisticated, but requires no math beyond ratios.

107-108. Physics for the Life Sciences.

(A,L) Fall-Spring (4, 4) Mr Sher. Lectures, discussions,; A two hour laboratory is required.

Covers the fundamental concepts of physics. Newtonian mechanics, wave motion, electric and magnetic fields, simple circuits, and some modern physics are discussed. Deisgned for students in the life sciences, including pre-meds. High school science as well as algebra and trigonometry are assumed.

108. Physics for the Life Sciences

(A) Spring (3) Staff. Prerequisite: P107 or P1O1.

Building on ideas introduced in P107, this course covers the physics of wave motion, the phenomena of electricity and magnetism, light and oplics. Elements of twentieth centuryphysics including Einstein's theory of special relativity, the quantum theory of atoms, nuclei and radioactivity are also studied.

109. Practical Physics - How Things Work

(A) Spring (3) Mr Welsh.

Bicycles, guitars, cameras and other ordinary objects are studied and explained to obtain an appreciation of the underlying laws of nature. Mechanics, wave motion, optics, acoustics, thermodynamics, and some electromagnetism and nuclear/particle physics are discussed and demonstarted by understanding the functioning of objects of everyday experience. The required mathematics is limited to algebra. The associated laboratory is strongly encouraged but not required.

121. Physics of Music.

(A) Fall (3) Mr Griffioen. Lecture and laboratory three hours.

Basic concepts of physics, particularly acoustics, needed for an understanding of the properties of sound and music. The course will be in the form of a workshop-students will participate in the performance of experiments which illustrate the ideas.

150. Freshman Seminar.

(A) Fall and Spring (4) Mr Remler.

An exploration of a specific topic in physics. Does not count toward a concentration in physics. Writing is emphasized.

175. Development of Physics and Cosmology.

(A) Fall and Spring (3) Mr Brown.

The evolution of ideas about the structure and nature of the universe from the time of the Renaissance to the present. The role of modern physics in understanding the history of the universe is stressed.

176. Introductory Astronomy.

(A,L) Fall and Spring (4) Mr Welsh. Lecture three hours, laboratory two hours.

Descriptive study of the solar system; theories of the origin of the solar system. Star classification; descriptive studies of star clusters and galaxies. Recent developments such as quasars, pulsars, neutrino astronomy and radio astronomy. Current theories of the origin of the universe.

201. Modern Physics.

(S) Fall (3) Mr Delos. Prerequisites: Physics 101-102 or 107-108.

Twentieth century developments in physics. Relativity theory; the nature of space and time, the paradox of the twins, the equivalence of mass and energy. Introductory quantum theory; the particle nature of light, the wave nature of electrons, atomic and molecular structure, the structure of the nucleus and the discovery of new particles. This course is appropriate for all those majoring in Area III.

208. Classical Mechanics of Particles and Waves 1.

(S) Spring (4) Mr Carlson.

Newton's laws, the simple harmonic oscillator, the central force problem, multi-particle systems including coupled oscillators and rigid bodies.

251. Experimental Atomic Physics.

Fall (1) Mr Kane. Corequisite: Physics 201.Laboratory three hours.

Fundamental experiments in atomic physics. Modern scientific methods and instruments are used in such classical experiments as the measurement of the speed of light, the Millikan oil drop experiment, the photoelectric effect and optical spectroscopy.

252. Electronics I.

Spring (2) Mr Kossler. Lecture plus three laboratory hours.

Introduction to passive analysis and electrical networks, application of circuit analogs to mechanical systems, including wave motion.

276. Modern Astronomy and Astrophysics.

(AS) Spring (3) Staff.

A comprehensive introduction to topics in planetary science, stellar characteristics and evolution, galaxies, cosmology and the tools and techniques of astronomy and astrophysics. Recommended for Area III concentrators. May not be counted toward concentration in physics.

303. Classical Mechanics of Particles and Waves II.

(S) Fall (4) Mr Carlson.

Mechanics of continuous media, waves, Lagrange and Hamiltonian mechanics, tensors.

309. Undergraduate Seminar.

Spring and Fall (1, Pass/Fail) Mr Remler and Staff. For physics concentrators.

Discussion of contemporary research in physics. Faculty members give survey talks during the first part of the semester. During the second part, students give talks based on their reading and research. May be repeated for credit.

313-314. Introduction to Quantum Physics.

Fall and Spring (3, 3) Mr Schone. Prerequisite: Physics 201, 208.

Introduction to non-relativistic quantum mechanics, emphasizing basic principles with illustrations from atomic, solid state and nuclear physics.

351. Electronics II.

Fall (1) Mr Kossler. Laboratory three hours.

Design and construction of active circuits and devices used in experimental research. This course includes instruction in machine shop.

352. Experimental Modern Physics.

Spring (1) Mr Kane. Laboratory three hours.

Experiments in atomic, nuclear, solid state and elementary particle physics.

401-402. Electricity and Magnetism.

Spring and Fall (3, 3) Mr Champion. Prerequisite: Physics 208.

Development of the theory of electricity and magnetism from fundamental principles. Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves and radiation.

403. Thermodynamics and Introduction to Statistical Mechanics.

Fall (3) Ms Hoatson. Prerequisite: Physics 201.

The principles of theromodynamics, kinetic theory of gases, and elementary statistical mechanics.

404. Quantum Physics.

Spring (3) Ms Hoatson. Prerequisite: Physics 313-314.

The quantum theory in its application to atomic, solid state, nuclear and elementary particle physics.

416. Philosophical Problems in Physical Science.

Spring (3) Mr McKnight. Prerequisite: one course in physics or philosophy or permission of instructor.

A study of philosophical problems arising in experiment and theory in classical physics, quantum theory and relativity; the status of observables, measurements, time and elementary particles. Philosophical implications of contemporary physics. (Same as Philosophy 416). (Not offered in 1995).

417. History of Physical Science: Its Origins, Sixth Century B.C., through the Renaissance.

Spring (3) Mr McKnight.

A study of the Greek and Hellenistic endeavors to explain observed physical phenomena, of Arab science in the Middle Ages, of the revival of academic science during the rise of the European universities, and of the Renaissance beginnings of modern physics and astronomy. (Same as History 481).

418. History of Physical Science: The Classical Period, 1687-1900.

Fall (3) Mr McKnight.

A study of the development of the physical sciences after the publication of Newton's Principia. Emphasis will be placed on influences acting on and within the scientific community, on the impact of science on the institutions of society, and on the interrelations between the development of science and that of mathematics and philosophy. (Same as History 482). (Not offered in 1994).

451-452. Physics Research.

Fall and Spring (1-3,1-3) Mr Eckhause.

Independent study including bibliographic and experimental or theoretical research and a research paper. The student will be required to submit a preliminary draft of the research paper during the first semester and will be expected to work closely with an adviser both in the actual research and in preparation of an acceptable report. If satisfactorily completed, this course will meet the college writing requirement. May be repeated for credit.

475. Introduction to Mathematical Physics.

Spring (3) Mr von Baeyer

Vector analysis, complex variables, matrices, series solutions of differential equations, orthogonal functions and partial differential equations. (Same as Applied Science 446).

481. Topics in Physics.

Fall (to be arranged) Staff.

May be repeated for credit when the instructor determines that there will not be a duplication of material.

482. Topics in Physics.

Spring (to be arranged) Staff.

May be repeated for credit when the instructor determines that there will not be a duplication of material.

495-496. Honors.

Fall and Spring (3, 3) Mr Eckhause.

Students admitted to Honors Study in Physics will be enrolled in this course during both semesters of their senioryear. Each candidate will be responsible for (a) reading and discussion of a selected list of books in some specific area of the literature of physics; (b) the preparation and presentation by April 15 of an Honors Essay based on the student's own research, or, part of a major research project; (c) satisfactory completion of a comprehensive oral examination on essay and related topics. If successfully completed this course will satisfy the college writing requirement.

Graduate Program

The department offers the degrees of Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy. For degree requirements and a full description of graduate courses in physics, write to the Director of Graduate Program in Physics for a graduate catalog.

Eric J. Dawnkaski, November 6, 1997. ejd@physics.wm.edu