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Physics College of Engineering
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Mechanics
Prerequisites: PHY 115, 234, MTH 211 or 213
Mechanics of particle systems including central force motion and two body scattering, accelerating coordinate systems, rigid body kinematics and dynamics, coupled oscillators, small vibrations and normal modes, introduction to Lagrangian methods.
Wave Motion
Prerequisites: PHY 234, MTH 211 or 213
Wave phenomena in mechanics, optics, acoustics, and fluids. A study of the wave equation and its applications with emphasis on the general properties of waves. Interference, diffraction, reflection, refraction and polarization, and Fourier decomposition.
Fluid Mechanics Supplement
Prerequisites: PHY 115, MTH 211 or 213
Corequisite: MNE 332
1 hour lecture
To enhance the background of physics students who take MNE 332. Specific topics include distributed force and moment analysis for applications to fluid statics, thermodynamic principals applied to fluid mechanics, Coriolis force in rigid bodies and in the ocean-atmospheric system, and basic force balance for the ocean and the atmospheric flows.
Electronic Devices and Circuits II
2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory
Prerequisite: ECE 211/251 or permission of instructor
A continuation of the introductory semester of electronics with an emphasis on applications using the elements and techniques of modern research, including integrated-circuit devices, digital circuits, and computer interfacing.
Modern Physics and Quantum Mechanics I
Prerequisite: PHY 213
4 classroom hours weekly (includes recitation)
Experimental evidence leading to the development of modern physics, Bohr-Sommerfeld theory of the hydrogen atom. Special relativity, introduction to the Schroedinger equation with solutions to simple problems leading to the study of one electron atoms. Electron spin, magnetic moment, and the fine structure in hydrogen spectra.
Modern Physics and Quantum Mechanics II
Prerequisite: PHY 341
4 classroom hours weekly (includes recitation)
Continuation of PHY 341. Further applications of the principles of quantum mechanics with applications to many particle systems. Quantum statistics, atomic spectra of many electron atoms, nuclear structure, nuclear models and scattering.
Physics of the Environment I
Prerequisites: A one year course in physics and MTH 101 or 131
A course applying scientific concepts and simple mathematical modeling (noncalculus) to environmental problems. Major topics addressed include the cycling of various substances (water, carbon, sulfur, etc.) in the natural environment and effects of anthropogenic perturbations on them.
Physics of the Environment II
Prerequisite: PHY 351
Continuation of PHY 351. Acid rain, climatology and the “greenhouse effect”. Survival of populations. More elaborate mathematical modelling, some of which involves a little calculus, but a knowledge of calculus is not a prerequisite.
Intermediate Astrophysics
Prerequisites: PHY 251, 252; or permission of instructor.
This course explores in greater detail topics in stellar and galactic astronomy that were introduced in PHY 251-252. Variable stars, binary stars, star clusters, and galactic structure will be discussed with an emphasis on areas of current astronomical research. Astronomical imaging and image-processing techniques will be taught using equipment at the observatory.
