Course Offerings
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- Winter 2024
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Winter 2024▲
See complete information about these courses in the course offerings database. For more information about a specific course, including course type, schedule and location, click on its title.
General Physics I
PHYS 111 - Mazilu, Dan A.
An introduction to classical mechanics. Topics include kinematics, Newton's laws, solids, fluids, and wave motion.
General Physics II
PHYS 112 - Nguyen, Thai Son (Son)
A continuation of PHYS 111. Topics include thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, and optics.
General Physics II
PHYS 112 - Mazilu, Dan A.
A continuation of PHYS 111. Topics include thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, and optics.
General Physics II (FY Only)
PHYS 112A - McClain, Thomas J. (Tom)
A continuation of PHYS 111. Topics include thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, and optics.
Stellar Evolution and Cosmology
PHYS 151 - Sukow, David W.
An introduction to the physics and astronomy of stellar systems and the universe. Topics include the formation and lifecycle of stars, stellar systems, galaxies, and the universe as a whole according to "Big Bang" cosmology. Observational aspects of astronomy are also emphasized, including optics and telescopes, star maps, and knowledge of constellations. Geometry, trigonometry, algebra, and logarithms are used in the course.
Electronics
PHYS 208 - Erickson, Jonathan C. (Jon)
Same as ENGN 208. An introduction to digital electronics emphasizing design, construction, and measurement of electronics systems. The first half of the course focuses on foundational concepts including: transistor/semiconductor technology, digital logic gates, RAM and Flash memory, Analog-to-Digital and Digital-to-Analog converters, digital communication protocols (SPI and I2C), wireless devices, and microcontroller operation. The second half of the course is project-based: student teams develop an electronics system that solves a real world problem.
Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering
PHYS 225 - Mazilu, Irina
Study of a collection of mathematical techniques particularly useful in upper-level courses in physics and engineering: vector differential operators such as gradient, divergence, and curl; functions of complex variables; Fourier analysis; orthogonal functions; matrix algebra and the matrix eigenvalue problem; ordinary and partial differential equations.
Electricity and Magnetism
PHYS 275 - Rutkowski, Todd C.
An introduction to the classical theory of electric and magnetic fields. The basic equations of electromagnetism (Maxwell's equations) are developed through a study of electrostatics, steady-state magnetism, and electromagnetic induction.
Observational Astrophysics
PHYS 291 - Sukow, David W.
This course is a project-based course using multi-wavelength astrophotography to learn about celestial objects that populate our Universe: planets, stars, nebulae, and galaxies. Students will use robotic telescopes, create beautiful color images with visible and invisible light using digital processing techniques, interpret the results in terms of the physics of emission, infer the nature of astrophysical structures and processes, and communicate results through blog posts.
Statistical Physics
PHYS 345 - Rutkowski, Todd C.
A study of the statistical methods used in various branches of physics. The Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein distribution functions are derived and applied to problems in thermodynamics and the physics of solids.
Honors Thesis
PHYS 493 - Mazilu, Irina
Honors Thesis.
Fall 2023▲
See complete information about these courses in the course offerings database. For more information about a specific course, including course type, schedule and location, click on its title.
General Physics I
PHYS 111 - Mazilu, Irina
An introduction to classical mechanics. Topics include kinematics, Newton's laws, solids, fluids, and wave motion.
General Physics I
PHYS 111 - Mazilu, Dan A.
An introduction to classical mechanics. Topics include kinematics, Newton's laws, solids, fluids, and wave motion.
General Physics I
PHYS 111 - Nguyen, Thai Son (Son)
An introduction to classical mechanics. Topics include kinematics, Newton's laws, solids, fluids, and wave motion.
General Physics I
PHYS 111 - McClain, Thomas J. (Tom)
An introduction to classical mechanics. Topics include kinematics, Newton's laws, solids, fluids, and wave motion.
General Physics I (FY Only)
PHYS 111A - Rutkowski, Todd C.
An introduction to classical mechanics. Topics include kinematics, Newton's laws, solids, fluids, and wave motion.
Foundations of Quantum Computing and Quantum Information
PHYS 190 - Mazilu, Irina
This course offers a gentle introduction to the emerging field of quantum information science. Quantum computing holds great promise for the future and is a rapidly growing field of study. In this course we will cover the basics of quantum computation, from its quantum mechanics foundation to quantum circuits, entanglement, quantum teleportation, and algorithms and their technological implementation. No knowledge of quantum mechanics is required. We will cover the necessary physics and mathematics concepts that are needed for this course.
Electrical Circuits
PHYS 207 - Erickson, Jonathan C. (Jon)
Same as ENGN 207. A detailed study of electrical circuits and the methods used in their analysis. Basic circuit components, as well as devices such as operational amplifiers, are investigated. The laboratory acquaints the student both with fundamental electronic diagnostic equipment and with the design and behavior of useful circuits.
Modern Physics
PHYS 210 - Sukow, David W.
An introduction to the special theory of relativity and the physics of the atom. Topics in relativity include the Lorentz transformations, relativistic velocity addition, and relativistic momentum and energy. Topics in atomic physics include the wave description of matter, introductory quantum mechanics, the hydrogen atom, and the historical experiments that led to the modern theory.
Intermediate Special Topics in Physics: Quantum Gravity
PHYS 295C - McClain, Thomas J. (Tom)
A non-technical introduction to the topic of quantum gravity, including why we think we need a quantum theory of gravity, what counts as a quantum theory of gravity, and a survey of current quantum gravity theories. As part of our introduction, we will explore the physical meanings of general relativity, quantum mechanics, and quantum field theory from the quantum gravity perspective and discuss what it means to propose a new theory in physics and how we evaluate competing theories.
Quantum Mechanics
PHYS 340 - Sukow, David W.
A study of the postulates and formalism of quantum theory emphasizing the Schroedinger approach. The probabilistic theory is applied to one-dimensional bound and scattering states and the three-dimensional central force problem. Investigation of spin and angular momentum, Clebsch-Gordan coefficients, indistinguishable particles, and perturbation theory. Mathematical formalism includes operators, commutators, Hilbert space, and Dirac notation.
Directed Individual Research
PHYS 421 - Mazilu, Dan A. / Mazilu, Irina
Directed research in physics.
Directed Individual Research
PHYS 421 - McClain, Thomas J. (Tom)
Directed research in physics.
Directed Individual Research
PHYS 421 - Sukow, David W.
Directed research in physics.
Directed Individual Research
PHYS 422 - Toporikova, Natalia
Directed research in physics.
Honors Thesis
PHYS 493 - Mazilu, Irina
Honors Thesis.
Spring 2023▲
See complete information about these courses in the course offerings database. For more information about a specific course, including course type, schedule and location, click on its title.
Stellar Evolution and Cosmology
PHYS 151 - Sukow, David W.
An introduction to the physics and astronomy of stellar systems and the universe. Topics include the formation and lifecycle of stars, stellar systems, galaxies, and the universe as a whole according to "Big Bang" cosmology. Observational aspects of astronomy are also emphasized, including optics and telescopes, star maps, and knowledge of constellations. Geometry, trigonometry, algebra, and logarithms are used in the course.