|
Students curious about how the world works will
find that the physics curriculum offers them the
opportunity to learn not only about the principal
phenomena of the physical world but also how physical
theory helps us understand these phenomena. The
curriculum emphasizes laboratory work in which
students become independent workers formulating
and solving their own problems. Students gain
the intellectual skill of moving freely to and
from the concrete and the abstract. Students assess
evidence, follow complex arguments to their logical
conclusions, and practice speaking and writing
clearly and effectively. The major program may
serve as a basis for further study in physics
and allied sciences and in engineering and for
study leading to professions in education, health
sciences and law.
Many careers are open to those who understand
some physics. Graduates work as astronomers, engineers,
material scientists and physicists in government,
industry and universities as well as in geophysics,
oceanography, computer science, medical and health
physics and in patent law.
The physics department is located in Collins Hall.
Individual research space is available and all
laboratories are equipped with a wide variety
of instrumentation. Students at all levels use
computers with sophisticated data acquisition
and analysis software. A set of spectrometers
are available for studies from the ultraviolet
to the far infrared. An X-ray diffractometer is
available for materials studies.
REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE PHYSICS MAJOR (9
credits in Physics, 2 in Mathematics, 1 in Computer
Science)
PHYS
221
(QA; NW) Introductory Physics I (1)
PHYS
222
(QA; NW) Introductory Physics II (1)
PHYS
223
(W) Modern Physics (1) (W will be removed in 2007)
PHYS
339
Mechanics (1)
PHYS
396 (W) Advanced Techniques in Experimental
Physics (1)
PHYS
496 Research Seminar (resident seniors
only) (1)
Choose two courses from the following: (2)
PHYS
335 Thermal Physics
(1)
PHYS
345 Electromagnetism
(1)
PHYS
453 Quantum Mechanics
(1)
One additional course in Physics numbered above
200 (1)
MATH
249
(QA*) Multivariable Calculus (1)
MATH
256
Differential Equations (1)
CS
231 Introduction to
Programming (1)
Graduate
schools
often
require
students
take
courses
similar
to
PHYS
335
(Thermal
Physics),
PHYS
345
(Electromagnetism,
and
PHYS
453
(Quantum
Mechanics).
Students
intending
to
do
graduate
study
in
Physics
should
consider
further
mathematical
study
in
linear
algebra
and
complex
variables.
Students
preparing
for
careers
in
engineering
or
applied
science
should
consider
taking
Wave
Phenomena
and
Electromagnetism
plus
one
other
course
beyond
the
basic
six.
Students
with
other
goals
in
mind
should
consult
the
faculty
concerning
their
choice
of
elective
courses
beyond
the
basic
six.
REQUIREMENTS
FOR
THE
PHYSICS
MINOR
(5
credits)
PHYS
221
(QA;
NW)
Introductory
Physics
I
(1)
PHYS
222
(QA;
NW)
Introductory
Physics
II
(1)
PHYS
223
(W)
Modern
Physics
(1)
Two
additional
Physics
courses
at
300-
or
400-level
(2)
FACULTY
Roberta
A.
Bigelow,
Associate
Professor
of
Physics,
Chair
Mark
A.
Beilby,
Assistant
Professor
of
Physics
Richard
W.
Watkins,
Associate
Professor
of
Physics
COURSE
DESCRIPTIONS
PHYS
110
(NW)
Astronomy
(1)
An
introduction
to
modern
theories
of
the
universe
and
its
evolution.
Topics
include
naked
eye
observations,
the
solar
system,
stars,
galaxies,
and
cosmology.
Emphasis
will
be
placed
on
the
scientific
method
and
how
we
understand
the
universe
in
terms
of
basic
physical
principles.
Understanding
the
Natural
World.
Laboratory.
Fall.
Watkins,
Beilby
PHYS
221
(QA;
NW)
Introductory
Physics
I
(1)
An
introduction
to
classical
mechanics
and
thermodynamics.
This
course
studies
the
concepts
and
techniques
required
to
measure,
describe
and
predict
the
motion
of
particles
and
extended
objects.
Topics
include
kinematics
of
linear
motion,
forces
and
Newton's
laws,
gravitation,
momentum,
work,
energy,
rotational
motion,
angular
momentum,
torque,
fluids,
oscillations,
temperature,
heat,
and
thermal
energy.
Quantitative
and
Analytical
Reasoning,
Understanding
the
Natural
World.
Prerequisite:
MATH
141
(or
concurrent
enrollment).
Every
semester.
Staff
PHYS
222
(QA;
NW)
Introductory
Physics
II
(1)
An
introduction
to
electricity,
magnetism,
and
optics.
This
course
studies
the
concepts
and
techniques
required
to
|
