16090

PHYS 116

 Acoustics

Matthew Deady

 T Th    8:30 am-9:50 am

HEG 102

SCI

This laboratory course gives an introduction to the phenomena of acoustics, particularly aspects that are important in the production and perception of music. The physics of sound is covered in depth, and characteristics of acoustic and electronic instruments are discussed. Mathematical and laboratory techniques are introduced as needed. No specific science or mathematics background beyond algebra is assumed.  Class size: 36

 

LAB OPTIONS:

16091

PHYS 116 LBA

 Acoustics Lab

Matthew Deady

 F         8:30 am-9:50 am

HEG 107

SCI

Class size: 12

 

16092

PHYS 116 LBB

 Acoustics Lab

Matthew Deady

 F         10:10 am-11:30 am

HEG 107

SCI

Class size: 12

 

16093

PHYS 116 LBC

 Acoustics Lab

Matthew Deady

 F         1:30 pm-2:50 pm

HEG 107

SCI

Class size: 12

 

 

16094

PHYS 120

 Global Energy

Paul Cadden-Zimansky

 T Th    10:10 am-11:30 am

LAB: Th 3:00 pm-5:00 pm

HEG 201

HEG 107

SCI

Cross-listed: Environmental & Urban Studies  A laboratory-based physics class designed to introduce non-science majors to the different types of energy (mechanical, thermal, electromagnetic, chemical, nuclear); the methods by which modern societies produce, transmit, and convert between these types; how different demand sectors (electricity, heating, transportation) shape our energy production infrastructure; the promises of future energy technology and the insurmountable physical constraints on them; and the environmental and economic costs associated with different types of energy production. The bulk of the course will be an examination of each of the major contemporary means of energy production (fossil fuels, nuclear, hydropower) and the emerging alternative means (wind, solar, biofuels).  The course will seek to emphasize some of the subtleties behind energy production usually glossed over in popular discussion, and will rely heavily on developing students' abilities to perform 'back-of-the-envelope' calculations to estimate quantities of interest on a global scale. 

Class size: 16

 

 

16095

PHYS 142 A

 Introduction to Physics II

Eleni-Alexandra Kontou

M W F  8:30 am-9:50 am

HEG 102

SCI

Part II of a calculus-based survey which will focus on electricity and magnetism, light, electromagnetic radiation, and optics. The course stresses ideas - the unifying principles and characteristic models of physics. Labs develop the critical ability to elicit understanding of our physical world.  Prerequisites:  Physics 141, Mathematics 141.  Class size: 18

 

LAB OPTIONS:

16097

PHYS 142 LBA

 Intro to Physics II Lab

Matthew Deady

M          1:00 pm-3:00 pm

HEG 107

SCI

Class size: 12

 

16098

PHYS 142 LBB

 Intro to Physics II Lab

Eleni-Alexandra Kontou

 T         3:10 pm-5:10 pm

HEG 107

SCI

Class size: 12

 

16099

PHYS 142 LBC

 Intro to Physics II Lab

Eleni-Alexandra Kontou

 T         1:00 pm-3:00 pm

HEG 107

SCI

Class size: 12

 

 

16100

PHYS 210

 Introduction to Electronics

Matthew Deady

 T Th    3:00 pm-5:00 pm

ROSE 108

SCI

This course is a survey of analog electronics ending with a brief introduction to digital electronics. Beginning with Kirchhoff's Laws, voltage dividers and filters, we will proceed to power supplies, amplifiers, oscillators, operational amplifiers, timers, and IC's.  We will employ semiconductor diodes, bipolar and field-effect transistors, and IC's.  We will leave time at the end to explore Boolean algebra and some basic digital electronic functions, ending with construction of a pared down bus-architecture prototype.  The course consists of equal parts lecture and lab.  Corequisites: at least one physics course and one math course numbered above 140. Enrollment by permission of the instructor.  Class size: 16

 

16101

PHYS 222

 Mathematical Methods II

Harold Haggard

M W     12:00 pm-1:00 pm

HEG 106

MATC

(2 credits)  This is the second part of a two-part course series that introduces mathematical topics and techniques that are commonly encountered in the physical sciences, including complex numbers and analytic functions, Fourier series and orthogonal functions, standard types of partial differential equations, and special functions.  Prerequisites: MATH 141 and 142, or the equivalent.  Recommended: PHYS 221, Mathematical Methods of Physics I.  Class size: 16

 

16102

PHYS 314

 Thermal Physics

Paul Cadden-Zimansky

M W F  10:10 am-11:30 am

HEG 201

MATC

This course studies the thermal behavior of physical systems,  employing thermodynamics, kinetic theory, and statistical mechanics.  Thermodynamical topics include equations of state, energy and entropy,  and the first and second laws of thermodynamics.  Both classical and  quantum statistical mechanics are covered, including distribution  functions, partition functions, and the quantum statistics of  Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein systems. Applications include atoms,  molecules, gases, liquids, solids, and phase transitions. Prerequisites: Physics 141-142, Mathematics 141-142.  Class size: 16

 

16103

PHYS 321

 Quantum Mechanics

Eleni-Alexandra Kontou

M W F  3:10 pm-4:30 pm

HEG 106

MATC

Introduces the Hilbert space formalism of quantum mechanics and uses it to examine simple quantum systems including objects in potential wells, hydrogen atom electronic states, and the quantum harmonic oscillator.  Additional material includes perturbation theory, quantized angular momentum, and particle scattering.  Prerequisites: Physics 241, Mathematics 213.  Class size: 16

 

16104

PHYS 327

 General Relativity

Harold Haggard

M W F  1:30 pm-2:30 pm

HEG 201

MATC

This course provides an introduction to Einstein's theory of gravity. Beginning with a discussion of special relativity, this course teaches the mathematics of differential geometry in order to describe the formulation of gravity as the curvature of space and time. Experimental verifications of the theory, such as the variability of the rate of the flow of time with height and the bending of starlight will be discussed. Applications covered in the course might include calibration of the Global Positioning System (GPS), black holes, cosmology, or gravitational waves. Prerequisites: One of PHYS 241, PHYS 303, MATH 241; or permission of course instructor.  Class size: 12