12143

PHYS 120      Global Energy

Paul Cadden-Zimansky

M  W   10:10 am-11:30 am     F     9:30 am-11:30 am

HEG 201 HEG 107

LS

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

 

 

12144

PHYS 141      Introduction to Physics I

Shuo Zhang

M  W  F   10:10 am-11:30 am

HEG 102

LS

SCI

 A calculus-based survey of Physics.  This first semester covers topics in mechanics, heat and thermodynamics, and wave motion.  The course stresses ideas--the unifying principles and characteristic models of physics.  Labs develop the crucial ability to elicit understanding of the physical world. Corequisite: MATH 141.  This course has four Lab options, see below. 

Class size: 24

 

12145

PHYS 141 LBA  Introduction to Physics I Lab

Shuo Zhang

M          1:00 pm-3:00 pm

HEG 107

LS

SCI

Class size: 12

 

12146

PHYS 141 LBB  Introduction to Physics I Lab

Shuo Zhang

M          3:10 pm-5:10 pm

HEG 107

LS

SCI

 Class size: 12

 

12147

PHYS 142      Introduction to Physics II

Antonios Kontos

M  W  F   10:10 am-11:30 am

HEG 106

LS

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: 24

 

12148

PHYS 142 LBA  Introduction to Physics II Lab

Harold Haggard

T         1:00 pm-3:00 pm

HEG 107

LS

SCI

Class size: 12

 

12149

PHYS 142 LBB  Introduction to Physics II Lab

Antonios Kontos

W       1:30 pm-3:30 pm

HEG 107

LS

SCI

Class size: 12

 

12150

PHYS 210      Introduction to Electronics

Paul Cadden-Zimansky

T  Th  3:10 pm-5:10 pm

ROSE 108

LS

SCI

 This course is an introduction into the construction and understanding of the analog and digital electronics that factor into almost every piece of modern technology. Beginning with analog components such as voltage dividers, filters, rectifiers, and transistors, we will proceed to use these building blocks to create and understand amplifiers, oscillators, and integrated circuits, before concluding the course with an exploration of logic circuits and computational architecture.  The course meetings will be a combined lecture-lab format with equal parts mathematical modeling of circuits and hands-on assembly.  Pre-requisites:  Facility with the basics of differential and integral calculus (e.g. Math 141 & 142) and the ability to solve physics problems involving fundamental electrical concepts such as current, voltage, and resistance (e.g. Physics 142).  Enrollment by permission of the instructor.

Class size: 16

 

12151

PHYS 222      Mathematical Methods II

Antonios Kontos

M  W   11:50 am-1:10 pm     F     1:30 pm-2:50 pm

HEG 106 HEG 106

MC

MATC

Cross-listed: Mathematics

 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 I. 

Class size: 16

 

12152

PHYS 303      Mechanics

Matthew Deady

M  W  F   8:30 am-9:50 am

HEG 106

MC

MATC

 Particle kinematics and dynamics in one, two, and three dimensions. Conservation laws, coordinate transformations, and problem‑solving techniques in differential equations, vector calculus, and linear algebra. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulation of dynamics.   Prerequisites: Physics 141‑142, Mathematics 141‑142. 

Class size: 16

 

12153

PHYS 321      Quantum Mechanics

Harold Haggard

M  W   10:10 am-11:30 am     F     10:10 am-11:30 am

HEG 107 HEG 201

MC

MATC

 The course explores the Schroedinger equation and Hilbert space formalism of quantum mechanics and uses it to examine simple quantum systems including objects in potential wells, the quantum harmonic oscillator, and hydrogen atom electronic states.  Additional material includes an introduction to qubits, quantized angular momentum, and wave packets.  Prerequisites: Physics 241, and either Physics 221, Mathematics 213 or Mathematics 242.

Class size: 16

 

 

Cross-listed courses:

 

12118

CHEM 455      Energy Materials

Miles White

T        12:30 pm-2:50 pm

RKC 122

Cross-listed: Physics Class size: 12