Our physics curriculum is built of three rather unique pieces : the introductory sequence, the upper-level course pool, and the upper-level laboratory (see also catalogue description).
The main pillars of our introductory sequence are General Physics I (PHYS120) and General Physics II (PHYS121) [webpage]. In a pioneering effort to revitalize the introductory sequence, our first two introductory courses are "theme-based." General Physics I is the first physics course that we offer. It introduces the scientific method of understanding nature, by experimentation and by forming models that combine concepts and mathematics. The topic for this introductory course is not conventional mechanics, but an introduction to 20th Century physics. Focusing on understanding the atom, the course moves through a sequence of fascinating topics of modern physics, such as relativity, wave-particle duality, atomic particles and the quantum nature of the atom. The development of this course involved a major departmental effort. The essence of this course is described in a recent article published in the American Journal of Physics, entitled `Modernizing Introductory Physics' (by C.H. Holbrow, J.C. Amato, E.J. Galvez, and J.N. Lloyd, Vol. 63, pp 1078-1090, December 1995). The textbook for this course has been published recently.
More recently we have introduced two new chapters that lead us into the physics of the 21st century: quantum mechanics fundamentals. One chapter discusses quantum interference and the next chapter deals with reality, determinism and nonlocality, concepts that are challenged by quantum mechanics. A new edition of the text is in the works.
General Physics II is a calculus-level course that uses the Universe as the setting for understanding the principles of classical mechanics. We have named it Physics from Spaceship Earth. It also involves pioneering efforts at teaching mechanics from this unconventional perspective. We use a number of mechanical examples based astronomical themes: Greek astronomy and retrograde motion to introduce geometry and vectors, planetary flybys as examples of collisions and center of mass motion, and orbital motion for conservation of energy and dynamics. A number recent discoveries are also introduced in a quantitative fashion: Near's visit to Eros, Galileo's planetary rendezvous, the discovery of new planets, Shoemaker-Levi comet, Deep Space's propulsion, and other recent planetary missions.
Both courses are taught in a format of two days of big-class lecture interlaced with two days of small-group (10-16 students) sessions.
The sequence continues with General Physics III (PHYS122), which is the calculus-level course in electricity and magnetism. All three courses have weekly laboratories that go with the topics covered in the course. In the fourth semester, declared majors take Waves and Modern Physics (PHYS216) and Electronics and Instrumentation (PHYS 282). This very popular course has an important laboratory component, highlighted by mid- and end-of-the-year projects for which students design ingenious electronic devices that they demonstrate publicly at the end of the year.
The remaining courses for the major are a pool of elective
courses plus a required upper-level laboratory course,
Advanced Topics and Experiments (PHYS410).
Students are required to take a minimum of three courses from the pool of
courses. Our offerings are:
Core courses (recommended for physics graduate school):
Applied or topical courses:
All the courses are taught in two-year cycles. Recognizing that not all students choose to go to graduate school in physics, the faculty opted for this lateral structure to the major. In this way students can choose the courses they take according to their own interests and aspirations. Those planning to go to physics graduate school are strongly encouraged to take at least the first four of the above list. Honor students are required to take a minimum of five courses from the pool. This sequence has brought much vitality to the concentration in the form of higher enrollments.
The culmination of our program, both for physics and astronomy is the upper-level laboratory, Advanced Topics and Experiments, offered every Fall semester. It is mandatory for all seniors (PHYS410). Students may also elect to take this course in the spring of their junior year (PHYS310). It consists of a semester-long research project, done under the supervision of a faculty advisor. There are no classes, but students are expected to work on it at least 10 hours per week. Throughout the semester students give talks about their projects and work on a manuscript due at the end of the semester. The course culminates with an end of the semester Physics and Astronomy Symposium, where all students give formal presentations about their projects.
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