Physics (PH)

Physics (PH)

Course usage information

PH-101   Physics in Our LivesCredits: 3   

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): NS

Presents major concepts and methodologies in physics and their importance in today's society. Introduction to principles of physics and their applications to today's technology using lectures and demonstration.

Course usage information

PH-103   The Physics of Sound and MusicCredits: 3   

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): NS

Presents the topics of sound and music from a physics point of view. Covered topics are harmonic motion, waves (both traveling and standing), the human voice and ear, the production of music and musical scales and the physics of several representative instruments.

Course usage information

PH-105   Physics for the Life Sciences ICredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): MA-101 or MA-109 or MA-115 or higher Math courses passed with grade of C- or higher.

Co-requisite(s): PH-105L

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): NS

An introduction to classical physics intended primarily for students majoring in the life sciences. Topics include: mechanics, dynamics, heat, electricity, magnetism, and optics.

Course usage information

PH-105L   Physics for the Life Sciences Laboratory ICredits: 1   

Co-requisite(s): PH-105

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): None

Laboratory work to complement PH-105. Experiments in the fields of statics, dynamics, energy, momentum, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, optics, and spectroscopy. Three hours per week.

Course usage information

PH-106   Physics for the Life Sciences IICredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PH-105 and PH-105L both passed with a grade of C- or higher

Co-requisite(s): PH-106L

Course Type(s): NS

An introduction to classical physics intended primarily for students majoring in the life sciences. Topics include, mechanics, dynamics, heat, electricity, magnetism, and optics.

Course usage information

PH-106L   Physics for the Life Sciences Laboratory IICredits: 1   

Co-requisite(s): PH-106

Course Type(s): None

Laboratory work to complement PH-106. Experiments in the fields of sound, electricity, magnetism, optics, and spectroscopy. Three hours per week.

Course usage information

PH-150   Principles of AstronomyCredits: 3   

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): NS

The historical development of astronomy and the modern concepts of the universe, including demonstrations and viewing sessions with optical telescopes.

Course usage information

PH-199   Independent Study in PhysicsCredits: 1   

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): None

Guided study of a selected topic in physics not substantially treated in a regular course, under the direction of a member of the Physics faculty. Prior permission of the directing professor and department chair is required to take this course.

Course usage information

PH-211   General Physics with Calculus ICredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): MA-116 or MA-125

Co-requisite(s): PH-211L

Term Offered: Fall Term

Course Type(s): NS

The first of a two-semester sequence of courses that, taken together, provide a thorough introduction to classical physics using calculus. Topics covered include: one- and two-dimensional motion, Newton's laws and their applications, energy, momentum and impulse, rotational mechanics, and thermodynamics.

Course usage information

PH-211L   General Physics with Calculus Laboratory ICredits: 1   

Co-requisite(s): PH-211

Term Offered: Fall Term

Course Type(s): None

Laboratory experiments to complement the topics covered in PH-211. Includes experiments in statics, dynamics, and thermodynamics.

Course usage information

PH-212   General Physics with Calculus IICredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PH-211 and PH-211L passed with a grade of C- or higher.

Co-requisite(s): PH-212L

Term Offered: Spring Term

Course Type(s): NS

The second of a two-semester sequence of courses that, taken together, provide a thorough introduction to classical physics using calculus. Topics covered include: sound and wave mechanics, electrostatics, circuits, magnetic forces and fields, Faraday's Law, reflection and refraction, and optics.

Course usage information

PH-212L   General Physics with Calculus Laboratory IICredits: 1   

Co-requisite(s): PH-212

Term Offered: Spring Term

Course Type(s): None

Laboratory experiments to complement the topics covered in PH-212. Includes experiments in sound, electricity, magnetism, circuits, and optics.

Course usage information

PH-270   Physical OceanographyCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): BY-109, CE-111, CE-111L, CE-112, and CE-112L

Term Offered: Fall Term

Course Type(s): MEBP

Physical Oceanography provides a survey of physical, chemical and geological processes that define and affect the coastal ocean including ocean basins, beach formation and dynamic ocean processes(currents, waves, wind, weather). Environmental considerations include the role of the ocean in the association with global climate change issues, problems associated with coastal development, exploitation of marine resources, and ocean and coastal pollution.

Course usage information

PH-298   Special Topics in Physics (200 Level)Credits: 1-3   

Term Offered: Spring Term

Course Type(s): None

An intensive study of a particular subject or problem in physics to be announced prior to registration. May be conducted on either a lecture-discussion or a seminar basis. If a prerequisite is required it will be announced in the course schedule.

Course usage information

PH-299   Independent Study in PhysicsCredits: 1-3   

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): None

Guided study of a selected topic in physics not substantially treated in a regular course, under the direction of a member of the Physics faculty. Prior permission of the directing professor and department chair is required to take this course.

Course usage information

PH-311   Theoretical PhysicsCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PH-212 passed with a grade of C- or higher

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): None

Presents physics topics aimed at the advanced undergraduate level. The subjects range over classical mechanics, electromagnetism, and statistical mechanics, with explicit links made to topics from PH-301. The course is calculus-based, and seeks to round out the physics education of physics minors.

Course usage information

PH-312   Modern PhysicsCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): PH-311 passed with a grade of C- or higher

Term Offered: Spring Term

Course Type(s): None

Topics from physics of the twentieth century, including special relativity, the origins of quantum theory, quantum mechanics, atomic structure, nuclear physics, and elementary particles.

Course usage information

PH-350   Research in PhysicsCredits: 1-3   

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): EX5

Original research work, carried out under the mentorship of a faculty research advisor. Research conducted by the students may be submitted for presentation, publication, or review, as appropriate. The number of course credits will be determined by arrangement with the advisor. Three hours/week per credit, 1-3 credits.

Course usage information

PH-399   Independent Study in PhysicsCredits: 1-3   

Term Offered: Spring Term

Course Type(s): None

Reading and research on a selected topic under the direction of a Physics faculty member. Prior permission of the directing professor and department chair is required to take this course.

Course usage information

PH-499   Independent Study in Physics (400 Level)Credits: 1-3   

Course Type(s): None

Reading and research on a selected topic under the direction of a Physics faculty member. Three hours per week per credit. Prior permission of the directing professor and department chair is required to take this course.