Bryn Mawr College

Bryn Mawr Physics Courses

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Bryn Mawr physics course list on Tri-Co Course Guide:  Spring 2013, Fall 2012, Spring 2012

Overview of introductory physics courses and sections

Math readiness for Physics 101/102

Information for physics majors

Physics Courses at Haverford

 

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This page displays the schedule of Bryn Mawr courses in this department for this academic year. It also displays descriptions of courses offered by the department during the last four academic years.

For information about courses offered by other Bryn Mawr departments and programs or about courses offered by Haverford and Swarthmore Colleges, please consult the Course Guides page.

For information about the Academic Calendar, including the dates of first and second quarter courses, please visit the College's master calendar.

Spring 2013

COURSE	TITLE	SCHEDULE/ UNITS	MEETING TYPE TIMES/DAYS	LOCATION	INSTRUCTOR(S)
PHYS B102-001	Introductory Physics II	Semester / 1	Lecture: 10:00 AM-11:00 AM MWF	Park 243	Department staff,T., Matlin,M., McCormack,E.
			Recitation: 9:00 AM-10:00 AM T	Park 243
			Recitation: 1:00 PM- 2:00 PM F	Park 338
PHYS B102-002	Introductory Physics II	Semester / 1	Lecture: 9:00 AM-10:00 AM MWF	Park 243	Beckmann,P., Matlin,M.
PHYS B102-00A	Introductory Physics II	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 1:45 PM- 3:45 PM M	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B102-00B	Introductory Physics II	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 4:00 PM- 6:00 PM M	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B102-00C	Introductory Physics II	Semester / 1	LEC: 10:45 AM-12:45 PM T	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B102-00D	Introductory Physics II	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 1:00 PM- 3:00 PM T	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B102-00E	Introductory Physics II	Semester / 1	LEC: 11:00 AM- 1:00 PM W	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B102-00F	Introductory Physics II	Semester / 1	LEC: 1:15 PM- 3:15 PM W	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B102-00G	Introductory Physics II	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 10:45 AM-12:45 PM TH	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B102-00H	Introductory Physics II	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 1:00 PM- 3:00 PM TH	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B122-001	Classical Mechanics	Semester / 1	Lecture: 11:00 AM-12:00 PM MWF	Park 243	Matlin,M., Noel,M.
PHYS B122-00A	Classical Mechanics	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 1:45 PM- 3:45 PM M	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B122-00B	Classical Mechanics	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 4:00 PM- 6:00 PM M	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B122-00C	Classical Mechanics	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 10:45 AM-12:45 PM T	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B122-00D	Classical Mechanics	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 1:00 PM- 3:00 PM T	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B122-00E	Classical Mechanics	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 11:00 AM- 1:00 PM W	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B122-00F	Classical Mechanics	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 1:15 PM- 3:15 PM W	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B122-00G	Classical Mechanics	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 10:45 AM-12:45 PM TH	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B122-00H	Classical Mechanics	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 1:00 PM- 3:00 PM TH	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B142-001	The Search for Life in the Universe	Semester / 1	LEC: 12:00 PM- 1:00 PM MWF	Park 338	Matlin,M.
PHYS B142-00A	The Search for Life in the Universe	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 1:45 PM- 3:45 PM M	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B142-00B	The Search for Life in the Universe	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 4:00 PM- 6:00 PM M	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B142-00C	The Search for Life in the Universe	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 10:45 AM-12:45 PM T	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B142-00D	The Search for Life in the Universe	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 1:00 PM- 3:00 PM T	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B142-00E	The Search for Life in the Universe	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 11:00 AM- 1:00 PM W	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B142-00F	The Search for Life in the Universe	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 1:15 PM- 3:15 PM W	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B142-00G	The Search for Life in the Universe	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 10:45 AM-12:45 PM TH	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B142-00H	The Search for Life in the Universe	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 1:00 PM- 3:00 PM TH	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B172-001	The Search for Life in the Universe	Semester / 1	LEC: 12:00 PM- 1:00 PM MWF	Park 338	Matlin,M., Noel,M.
PHYS B214-001	An Introduction to Quantum Mechanics	Semester / 1	Lecture: 10:00 AM-11:00 AM MWF	Park 337	Schulz,M.
			Laboratory: 1:00 PM- 4:00 PM TH	Park 154
PHYS B309-001	Advanced Electromagnetic Theory	Semester / 1	Lecture: 11:15 AM-12:45 PM TTH	Park 337	Matlin,M.
PHYS B324-001	Optics	Semester / 1	Lecture: 9:00 AM-10:00 AM MWF	Park 337	Noel,M.
PHYS B331-001	Advanced Experimental Physics	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 1:00 PM- 4:00 PM M	Park 154	Dept. staff, TBA
			Laboratory: 1:00 PM- 4:00 PM F	Park 154
			Lecture: 12:00 PM- 1:00 PM F	Park 337
PHYS B399-001	Senior Seminar II	Semester / 0.5	Lecture: 2:15 PM- 3:45 PM TH	Park 337	Dept. staff, TBA
PHYS B403-001	Supervised Research	Semester / 1			Dept. staff, TBA
PHYS B403-001	Supervised Research	Semester / 1			Dept. staff, TBA
PHYS B504-001	Electromagnetic Theory II	Semester / 1	LEC: 11:00 AM- 1:00 PM M	Park 337	Schulz,M.
			LEC: 11:00 AM-12:30 PM W	Park 337
PHYS B701-001	Supervised Work	Semester / 1
PHYS B701-002	Supervised Work	Semester / 1
PHYS B701-003	Supervised Work	Semester / 1
PHYS B701-004	Supervised Work	Semester / 1
PHYS B701-005	Supervised Work	Semester / 1
PHYS B701-006	Supervised Work	Semester / 1

Fall 2013

COURSE	TITLE	SCHEDULE/ UNITS	MEETING TYPE TIMES/DAYS	LOCATION	INSTRUCTOR(S)
PHYS B101-001	Introductory Physics I	Semester / 1	Lecture: 10:00 AM-11:00 AM MWF	Park 243	McCormack,E.
PHYS B101-002	Introductory Physics I	Semester / 1	Lecture: 9:00 AM-10:00 AM MWF	Park 243	Dept. staff, TBA
PHYS B101-00A	Introductory Physics I	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 1:45 PM- 3:45 PM M	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B101-00B	Introductory Physics I	Semester / 1	LEC: 4:00 PM- 6:00 PM M	Park 234
PHYS B101-00C	Introductory Physics I	Semester / 1	LEC: 10:45 AM-12:45 PM T	Park 234
PHYS B101-00D	Introductory Physics I	Semester / 1	LEC: 1:00 PM- 3:00 PM T	Park 234
PHYS B101-00E	Introductory Physics I	Semester / 1	LEC: 10:45 AM-12:45 PM W	Park 234
PHYS B101-00F	Introductory Physics I	Semester / 1	LEC: 1:00 PM- 3:00 PM W	Park 234
PHYS B101-00G	Introductory Physics I	Semester / 1	LEC: 1:00 PM- 3:00 PM TH	Park 234
PHYS B101-00H	Introductory Physics I	Semester / 1	LEC: 3:30 PM- 5:30 PM TH	Park 234
PHYS B121-001	Modeling the Physical World	Semester / 1	Lecture: 11:00 AM-12:00 PM MWF	Park 243	Beckmann,P.
PHYS B121-00A	Modeling the Physical World	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 1:45 PM- 3:45 PM M	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B121-00B	Modeling the Physical World	Semester / 1	LEC: 4:00 PM- 6:00 PM M	Park 234
PHYS B121-00C	Modeling the Physical World	Semester / 1	LEC: 10:45 AM-12:45 PM T	Park 234
PHYS B121-00D	Modeling the Physical World	Semester / 1	LEC: 1:00 PM- 3:00 PM T	Park 234
PHYS B121-00E	Modeling the Physical World	Semester / 1	LEC: 10:45 AM-12:45 PM W	Park 234
PHYS B121-00F	Modeling the Physical World	Semester / 1	LEC: 1:00 PM- 3:00 PM W	Park 234
PHYS B121-00G	Modeling the Physical World	Semester / 1	LEC: 1:00 PM- 3:00 PM TH	Park 234
PHYS B121-00H	Modeling the Physical World	Semester / 1	LEC: 3:30 PM- 5:30 PM TH	Park 234
PHYS B201-001	Electromagnetism	Semester / 1	Lecture: 10:00 AM-11:00 AM MWF	Park 337	Dept. staff, TBA
			Laboratory: 1:00 PM- 4:00 PM T	Park 241
PHYS B306-001	Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences	Semester / 1	Lecture: 12:00 PM- 1:00 PM MWF	Park 337	Dept. staff, TBA
PHYS B308-001	Advanced Classical Mechanics	Semester / 1	Lecture: 11:15 AM-12:45 PM TTH	Park 337	Matlin,M.
PHYS B322-001	Solid State Physics	Semester / 1	Lecture: 2:30 PM- 4:00 PM MW	Park 337	Cheng,X.
PHYS B398-001	Senior Seminar I	Semester / 0.5	Lecture: Date/Time TBA		Dept. staff, TBA
PHYS B403-001	Supervised Research	Semester / 1			Dept. staff, TBA
PHYS B403-001	Supervised Research	Semester / 1			Dept. staff, TBA
PHYS B507-001	Statistical Mechanics I	Semester / 1	Lecture: Date/Time TBA		Beckmann,P.
PHYS B522-001	Solid State Physics	Semester / 1	Lecture: 2:30 PM- 4:00 PM MW	Park 337	Cheng,X.
PHYS B701-001	Supervised Work	Semester / 1
PHYS B701-002	Supervised Work	Semester / 1
PHYS B701-003	Supervised Work	Semester / 1
PHYS B701-004	Supervised Work	Semester / 1
PHYS B701-005	Supervised Work	Semester / 1
PHYS B701-006	Supervised Work	Semester / 1

Spring 2014

COURSE	TITLE	SCHEDULE/ UNITS	MEETING TYPE TIMES/DAYS	LOCATION	INSTRUCTOR(S)
PHYS B102-001	Introductory Physics II	Semester / 1	Lecture: 10:00 AM-11:00 AM MWF	Park 243	Cheng,X.
PHYS B102-002	Introductory Physics II	Semester / 1	Lecture: 9:00 AM-10:00 AM MWF	Park 243	Dept. staff, TBA
PHYS B102-00A	Introductory Physics II	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 1:45 PM- 3:45 PM M	Park 234	Dept. staff, TBA
PHYS B102-00B	Introductory Physics II	Semester / 1	Labortory: 4:00 PM- 6:00 PM M	Park 234	Dept. staff, TBA
PHYS B102-00C	Introductory Physics II	Semester / 1	LEC: 10:45 AM-12:45 PM T	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B102-00D	Introductory Physics II	Semester / 1	LEC: 1:00 PM- 3:00 PM T	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B102-00E	Introductory Physics II	Semester / 1	LEC: 11:00 AM- 1:00 PM W	Park 234	Dept. staff, TBA
PHYS B102-00F	Introductory Physics II	Semester / 1	LEC: 1:15 PM- 3:15 PM W	Park 234	Dept. staff, TBA
PHYS B102-00G	Introductory Physics II	Semester / 1	LEC: 1:00 PM- 3:00 PM TH	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B102-00H	Introductory Physics II	Semester / 1	LEC: 3:30 PM- 5:30 PM TH	Park 234	Matlin,M.
PHYS B122-001	Classical Mechanics	Semester / 1	Lecture: 11:00 AM-12:00 PM MWF	Park 243	McCormack,E.
PHYS B122-00A	Classical Mechanics	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 1:45 PM- 3:45 PM M	Park 234	Dept. staff, TBA
PHYS B122-00B	Classical Mechanics	Semester / 1	LEC: 4:00 PM- 6:00 PM M	Park 234
PHYS B122-00C	Classical Mechanics	Semester / 1	LEC: 10:45 AM-12:45 PM T	Park 234
PHYS B122-00D	Classical Mechanics	Semester / 1	LEC: 1:00 PM- 3:00 PM T	Park 234
PHYS B122-00E	Classical Mechanics	Semester / 1	LEC: 11:00 AM- 1:00 PM W	Park 234
PHYS B122-00F	Classical Mechanics	Semester / 1	LEC: 1:15 PM- 3:15 PM W	Park 234
PHYS B122-00G	Classical Mechanics	Semester / 1	LEC: 1:00 PM- 3:00 PM TH	Park 234
PHYS B122-00H	Classical Mechanics	Semester / 1	LEC: 3:30 PM- 5:30 PM TH	Park 234
PHYS B142-001	The Search for Life in the Universe	Semester / 1	Lecture: 12:00 PM- 1:00 PM MWF	Park 243	Matlin,M.
PHYS B142-00A	The Search for Life in the Universe	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 1:45 PM- 3:45 PM M	Park 234	Dept. staff, TBA
PHYS B142-00B	The Search for Life in the Universe	Semester / 1	LEC: 4:00 PM- 6:00 PM M	Park 234
PHYS B142-00C	The Search for Life in the Universe	Semester / 1	LEC: 10:45 AM-12:45 PM T	Park 234
PHYS B142-00D	The Search for Life in the Universe	Semester / 1	LEC: 1:00 PM- 3:00 PM T	Park 234
PHYS B142-00E	The Search for Life in the Universe	Semester / 1	LEC: 11:00 AM- 1:00 PM W	Park 234
PHYS B142-00F	The Search for Life in the Universe	Semester / 1	LEC: 1:15 PM- 3:15 PM W	Park 234
PHYS B142-00G	The Search for Life in the Universe	Semester / 1	LEC: 1:00 PM- 3:00 PM TH	Park 234
PHYS B142-00H	The Search for Life in the Universe	Semester / 1	LEC: 3:30 PM- 5:30 PM TH	Park 234
PHYS B172-001	The Search for Life in the Universe	Semester / 1	Lecture: 12:00 PM- 1:00 PM MWF	Park 243	Matlin,M.
PHYS B214-001	An Introduction to Quantum Mechanics	Semester / 1	Lecture: 10:00 AM-11:00 AM MWF	Park 337	Department staff,T., McCormack,E.
			Laboratory: 1:00 PM- 4:00 PM T	Park 154
PHYS B302-001	Advanced Quantum Mechanics and Applications	Semester / 1	Lecture: 11:15 AM-12:45 PM TH	Park 337	Dept. staff, TBA
PHYS B305-001	Advanced Electronics Lab	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 12:00 PM- 4:00 PM M	Park 241	Noel,M.
			LEC: 12:00 PM- 4:00 PM F	Park 241
PHYS B305-001	Advanced Electronics Lab	Semester / 1	Laboratory: 12:00 PM- 4:00 PM M	Park 241	Noel,M.
			LEC: 12:00 PM- 4:00 PM F	Park 241
PHYS B399-001	Senior Seminar II	Semester / 0.5	Lecture: 2:15 PM- 3:45 PM TH	Park 339	Dept. staff, TBA
PHYS B403-001	Supervised Research	Semester / 1			Dept. staff, TBA
PHYS B403-001	Supervised Research	Semester / 1			Dept. staff, TBA
PHYS B701-001	Supervised Work	Semester / 1	Lecture: Date/Time TBA		Battat,J.
PHYS B701-002	Supervised Work	Semester / 1	Lecture: Date/Time TBA		Noel,M.
PHYS B701-003	Supervised Work	Semester / 1	Lecture: Date/Time TBA		McCormack,E.
PHYS B701-004	Supervised Work	Semester / 1	Lecture: Date/Time TBA		Cheng,X.

Physics and Astronomy Courses at Haverford

Fall 2012

COURSE	TITLE	SCHEDULE/UNITS	MEETING TYPE TIMES/DAYS	LOCATION	INSTRUCTOR(S)
Physics H308-001	Mechanics of Discrete and Continuous Systems		TTh 8:30-10:00	Hlls 108	Love, P.
Physics H326-001	Advanced Physics Laboratory		MF 1:15-4:00	Hlls 106	Smith, W.
Astronomy H205-001	Introduction to Astrophysics I		TTh 10:00-11:30	Obsr	Boughn, S.
Astronomy H341-001	Advanced Topics: Observational Astronomy		M 7:00-9:30pm	Obsr	Boughn, S.

Spring 2013

COURSE	TITLE	SCHEDULE/UNITS	MEETING TYPE TIMES/DAYS	LOCATION	INSTRUCTOR(S)
Physics H302-001	Advanced Quantum Mechanics		TTh 8:30-10:00		Love, P.
Physics H335-001	Advanced Topics in Theoretical Physics		TTh 2:30-4:00		Ochoa, J.
Astronomy H205-001	Introduction to Astrophysics I		TTh 10:00-11:30	HTBA	Willman, B.

2013-14 Catalog Data

PHYS B101 Introductory Physics I Fall 2013 PHYS 101/102 is an introductory sequence intended primarily for students on the pre-health professions track. Emphasis is on developing an understanding of how we study the universe, the ideas that have arisen from that study, and on problem solving. Topics are taken from among Newtonian kinematics and dynamics, relativity, gravitation, fluid mechanics, waves and sound, electricity and magnetism, electrical circuits, light and optics, quantum mechanics, and atomic and nuclear physics. An effective and usable understanding of algebra and trigonometry is assumed. First year students who will take or place out of MATH 101 should take PHYS 121. Lecture three hours, laboratory two hours. Division II w/Lab and Quant Quantitative Methods (QM) Quantitative Readiness Required (QR) Scientific Investigation (SI)

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PHYS B102 Introductory Physics II Spring 2014 PHYS 101/102 is an introductory sequence intended primarily for students on the pre-health professions track. Emphasis is on developing an understanding of how we study the universe, the ideas that have arisen from that study, and on problem solving. Topics are taken from among Newtonian kinematics and dynamics, relativity, gravitation, fluid mechanics, waves and sound, electricity and magnetism, electrical circuits, light and optics, quantum mechanics, and atomic and nuclear physics. An effective and usable understanding of algebra and trigonometry is assumed. Lecture three hours, laboratory two hours. Division II w/Lab and Quant Quantitative Methods (QM) Quantitative Readiness Required (QR) Scientific Investigation (SI)

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PHYS B121 Modeling the Physical World Fall 2013 This course presents current conceptual understandings and mathematical formulations of fundamental ideas used in physics. Students will develop physical intuition and problem-solving skills by exploring key concepts in physics such as conservation laws, symmetries and relativistic space-time, as well as topics in modern physics taken from the following: fundamental forces, nuclear physics, particle physics, and cosmology. This course can serve as a stand-alone survey of physics or as the first of a four-semester sequence designed for those majoring in the physical sciences. Lecture three hours, laboratory two hours. Co-requisite: MATH 101. Division II w/Lab and Quant Quantitative Methods (QM) Quantitative Readiness Required (QR) Scientific Investigation (SI)

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PHYS B122 Classical Mechanics Spring 2014 The lecture material covers Newtonian Mechanics of single particles, systems of particles, rigid bodies, and continuous media with applications, one-dimensional systems including forced oscillators, scattering and orbit problems. Lecture three hours, laboratory two hours. Prerequisites: PHYS 121 and MATH 101. Corequisite: MATH 102. Division II w/Lab and Quant Quantitative Methods (QM) Quantitative Readiness Required (QR) Scientific Investigation (SI)

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PHYS B142 The Search for Life in the Universe Spring 2014 This course will investigate the biological, chemical, and astrophysical factors believed to be necessary for extraterrestrial life to exist, and perhaps to communicate with us. It also will explore possible homes to such life in both our solar system and the greater Milky Way galaxy. Lecture three hours, laboratory two hours. Also see PHYS B172 for the lecture only course. Division II w/Lab and Quant Quantitative Methods (QM) Quantitative Readiness Required (QR) Scientific Investigation (SI)

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PHYS B172 The Search for Life in the Universe Spring 2014 This course will investigate the biological, chemical, and astrophysical factors believed to be necessary for extraterrestrial life to exist, and perhaps to communicate with us. It also will explore possible homes to such life in both our solar system and the greater Milky Way galaxy. Also see PHYS B142 for the lecture/laboratory course. Division II and Quantitive Quantitative Methods (QM) Quantitative Readiness Required (QR) Scientific Investigation (SI)

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PHYS B201 Electromagnetism Fall 2013 The lecture material covers electro- and magneto-statics, electric and magnetic fields, induction, Maxwell's equations, and electromagnetic radiation. Scalar and vector fields and vector calculus are developed as needed. The laboratory involves passive and active circuits and projects in analog and digital electronics. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. Prerequisite: PHYS 102 or 122. Corequisite: MATH 201. Division II w/Lab and Quant Quantitative Methods (QM) Quantitative Readiness Required (QR) Scientific Investigation (SI)

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PHYS B214 An Introduction to Quantum Mechanics Spring 2014 An introduction to the principles governing systems at the atomic scale and below. Topics include the experimental basis of quantum mechanics, wave-particle duality, Schrödinger's equation and its solutions, and the time dependence of quantum states. Recent developments, such as paradoxes calling attention to the counter-intuitive aspects of quantum physics, will be discussed. Additional topics may be included at the discretion of the instructor. The laboratory involves quantum mechanics, solid state physics, and optics experiments. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. Prerequisite: MATH 201, PHYS 121 and 122, or permission of the instructor. Corequisite: MATH 203. Division II w/Lab and Quant Quantitative Methods (QM) Scientific Investigation (SI)

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PHYS B302 Advanced Quantum Mechanics and Applications Spring 2014 This course presents nonrelativistic quantum mechanics, including Schrodinger's equation, the eigenvalue problem, the measurement process, the hydrogen atom, the harmonic oscillator, angular momentum, spin, the periodic table, perturbation theory, and the relationship between quantum and Newtonian mechanics. Lecture three hours and additional recitation sessions as needed. Alternates between Bryn Mawr and Haverford; Prerequisites: PHYS 214 and PHYS 306.

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PHYS B303 Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics Not offered 2013-14 This course presents the statistical description of the macroscopic states of classical and quantum systems, including conditions for equilibrium, the microcanonical, canonical, and grand canonical ensembles, and Bose-Einstein, Fermi-Dirac, and Maxwell Boltzmann statistics. The statistical basis of classical thermodynamics is investigated. Examples and applications are drawn from among solid state physics, low temperature physics, atomic and molecular physics, electromagnetic waves, and cosmology. Lecture three hours and additional recitation sessions as needed. Alternates between Bryn Mawr and Haverford; 2012-13 at Bryn Mawr. Prerequisite: PHYS 214. Corequisite: PHYS 306.

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PHYS B305 Advanced Electronics Lab Spring 2014 This laboratory course is a survey of electronic principles and circuits useful to experimental physicists and engineers. Topics include the design and analysis of circuits using transistors, operational amplifiers, feedback and analog-to-digital conversion. Also covered is the use of electronics for automated control and measurement in experiments, and the interfacing of computers and other data acquisition instruments to experiments. Laboratory eight hours a week. Prerequisite: PHYS B201

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PHYS B305 Advanced Electronics Lab Spring 2014 This laboratory course is a survey of electronic principles and circuits useful to experimental physicists and engineers. Topics include the design and analysis of circuits using transistors, operational amplifiers, feedback and analog-to-digital conversion. Also covered is the use of electronics for automated control and measurement in experiments, and the interfacing of computers and other data acquisition instruments to experiments. Laboratory eight hours a week. Prerequisite: PHYS B201

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PHYS B306 Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences Fall 2013 This course presents topics in applied mathematics useful to students, including physicists, engineers, physical chemists, geologists, and computer scientists studying the natural sciences. Topics are taken from Fourier series, integral transforms, advanced ordinary and partial differential equations, special functions, boundary-value problems, functions of complex variables, and numerical methods. Lecture three hours and additional recitation sessions as needed. Prerequisites: MATH 201 and 203.

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PHYS B308 Advanced Classical Mechanics Fall 2013 This course presents kinematics and dynamics of particles and macroscopic systems using Newtonian, Lagrangian, and Hamiltonian mechanics. Topics include oscillations, normal mode analysis, inverse square laws, nonlinear dynamics, rotating rigid bodies, and motion in noninertial reference frames. Lecture three hours and additional recitation sessions as needed. Alternates between Bryn Mawr and Haverford. Prerequisite: PHYS 201 or PHYS 214. Corequisite: PHYS 306.

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PHYS B309 Advanced Electromagnetic Theory Not offered 2013-14 This course presents electrostatics and magnetostatics, dielectrics, magnetic materials, electrodynamics, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves, and special relativity. Some examples and applications may come from superconductivity, plasma physics, and radiation theory. Lecture three hours and additional recitation sessions as needed. Alternates between Bryn Mawr and Haverford. Prerequisites: PHYS 201 and 306.

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PHYS B322 Solid State Physics Fall 2013 This course presents the physics of solids and nanomaterials. Topics include crystal structure and diffraction, the reciprocal lattice and Brillouin zones, crystal binding, lattice vibrations and normal modes, phonon dispersion, Einstein and Debye models for the specific heat, the free electron model, the Fermi surface, electrons in periodic structures, the Bloch theorem and band structure. Additional topics are taken from nanoscale structures (0-D nanodots, 1-D nanowires, and 2-D thin films), nanomagnetism, spintronics, superconductivity, and experimental methods for fabrication and characterization of nanomaterials. Lecture three hours and additional recitation sessions as needed. Prerequisites: PHYS B201 and PHYS B214 and B306.

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PHYS B324 Optics Not offered 2013-14 This course covers principles of geometrical and physical optics. Topics include electromagnetic waves and their propagation in both isotropic and anisotropic media; interference, diffraction, and Fourier optics; coherence theory; ray optics and image formation; and, as time permits, an introduction to the quantum nature of light. Prerequisites: PHYS 201 and 306.

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PHYS B325 Advanced Theoretical Physics Not offered 2013-14 This course presents one or more of several subjects, depending on instructor availability and student interest. The possible subjects are (1) special relativity, general relativity, and gravitation, (2) the standard model of particle physics, (3) particle astrophysics and cosmology, (4) relativistic quantum mechanics, (5) grand unified theories, (6) string theory, loop quantum gravity, and causal set theory. Lecture three hours and additional recitation sessions as needed. Prerequisites: PHYS 306 and 308. Corequisite: PHYS 302.

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PHYS B331 Advanced Experimental Physics Not offered 2013-14 This laboratory course consists of set-piece experiments as well as directed experimental projects to study a variety of phenomena in atomic, molecular, optical, nuclear, and solid state physics. The experiments and projects serve as an introduction to contemporary instrumentation and the experimental techniques used in physics research laboratories in industry and in universities. Students write papers in a format appropriate for research publications and make a presentation to the class. Laboratory eight hours a week. Corequisite: PHYS 214.

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PHYS B380 Physics Pedagogy Not offered 2013-14 Students work with a faculty member as assistant teachers in a college course in physics, or as assistants to a faculty member developing new teaching materials. Students will be involved in some combination of the following: directed study of the literature on teaching and learning pedagogy, construction and design of parts of a course, and actual teaching in a lecture course or laboratory. Corequisite: PHYS 201 or 214.

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PHYS B390 Independent Study Not offered 2013-14 At the discretion of the department, juniors or seniors may supplement their work in physics with the study of topics not covered in regular course offerings.

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PHYS B398 Senior Seminar I Required for senior Physics majors. Students meet weekly with faculty to discuss recent research findings in physics as well as career paths open to students with a major in Physics. Students are required to attend all colloquia and student research presentations hosted by the Bryn Mawr College Physics department. Prerequisites: Senior Standing.

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PHYS B399 Senior Seminar II Required for senior Physics majors. Students meet weekly with faculty to discuss recent research findings in physics as well as career paths open to students with a major in Physics. Students are required to attend all colloquia and student research presentations hosted by the Bryn Mawr College Physics department. Prerequisites: Senior Standing.

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PHYS B403 Supervised Research At the discretion of the department, juniors and seniors may supplement their work in physics with research in one of the faculty research groups. Students provide a written paper and give an oral presentation at the end of the semester or year. Students are encouraged to contact individual faculty members and the departmental Web pages for further information.

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PHYS B403 Supervised Research At the discretion of the department, juniors and seniors may supplement their work in physics with research in one of the faculty research groups. Students provide a written paper and give an oral presentation at the end of the semester or year. Students are encouraged to contact individual faculty members and the departmental Web pages for further information.

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PHYS B503 Electromagnetic Theory I Not offered 2013-14 This course is the first semester of a year-long standard sequence on electromagnetism. This semester begins with topics in electrostatics, including Coulomb's and Gauss's Laws, Green functions, the method of images, expansions in orthogonal functions, boundary-value problems, and dielectric materials. The focus then shifts to magnetic phenomena, including the magnetic fields of localized currents, boundary-value problems in magnetostatics, and the interactions of fields and magnetic materials. The last portion of the course treats Maxwell's equations, transformation properties of electromagnetic fields, electromagnetic waves and their propagation and, time permitting, the basics of waveguides. This course is taught in a seminar format, in which students are responsible for presenting much of the course material in class meetings.

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PHYS B504 Electromagnetic Theory II Not offered 2013-14 This course is the second semester of a two semester graduate level sequence on electromagnetic theory. Topics include electromagnetic radiation, multiple fields, scattering and diffraction theory, special relativity, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian descriptions, radiation from point particle motion, Lienard-Wiechert potentials, classical electron theory and radiation reaction. Additional topics may be included at the discretion of the instructor. This course is taught in a seminar format, in which students are responsible for presenting much of the course material in class meetings. Prerequisite: PHYS 503

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PHYS B505 Classical Mechanics I Not offered 2013-14 This course will cover mechanics topics familiar from the undergraduate curriculum, but from deeper theoretical and mathematical perspectives. Topics will include Lagrange & Hamilton methods, the central force problem, rigid body motion, oscillations, and canonical transformations. Time permitting, other topics that might be explored include chaos theory, special relativity, and the application of Lagrangian and Hamiltonian methods to continuous systems. This course is taught in a seminar format, in which students are responsible for presenting much of the course material in class meetings.

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PHYS B506 Classical Mechanics II Not offered 2013-14

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PHYS B507 Statistical Mechanics I Fall 2013 Review of Thermodynamics; Equilibrium statistical mechanics -- microcanonical and canonical ensembles; Ideal gases, photons, electrons in metals; Phase transitions; Monte Carlo techniques; Classical fluids, Non-equilibrium statistical mechanics.

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PHYS B522 Solid State Physics Fall 2013 This course presents the physics of solids and nanomaterials. Topics include crystal structure and diffraction, the reciprocal lattice and Brillouin zones, crystal binding, lattice vibrations and normal modes, phonon dispersion, Einstein and Debye models for the specific heat, the free electron model, the Fermi surface, electrons in periodic structures, the Bloch theorem and band structure. Additional topics are taken from nanoscale structures (0-D nanodots, 1-D nanowires, and 2-D thin films), nanomagnetism, spintronics, superconductivity, and experimental methods for fabrication and characterization of nanomaterials. Lecture three hours and additional recitation sessions as needed. Prerequisites: PHYS B201 and PHYS B214 and B306.

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PHYS B701 Supervised Work Fall 2013, Spring 2014

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Courses at Haverford

PHYS H308-A01  Mechanics of Discrete and Continuous Systems

Fall 2010

Course URL

Classical mechanics of systems of particles, and also continua such as fluids, including oscillations and chaos, Lagrangian mechanics, dynamics of systems of particles, the Navier-Stokes equations of fluids, and applications to diverse physical phenomena that may vary from year to year, e.g. waves, vortices, rotating fluids, flight, instabilities, turbulence, and biological flows.  Prerequisite: Physics 106 or Physics 213.

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PHYS H326-A01 Advanced Physics Laboratory

Fall 2010

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Design, execution, and analysis of significant experiments, which change from year to year. Those presently available include studies of microfluidics, atomic spectroscopy, cosmic ray physics, laser tweezers, x-ray diffraction and materials synthesis, superconductivity, sensor technologies, and chaotic dynamics. The course emphasizes the effective use of contemporary experimental tools, including low-noise measurement techniques, laboratory computers, and optical methods. Prerequisite: Physics 212 or consent.

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PHYS H302-B01 Advanced Quantum Mechanics

Spring 2011

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A continuation of the study of quantum mechanics begun in 214. Topics include matrix mechanics and spin, many-particle systems, perturbation theory and scattering theory. A variety of physical systems will be treated as examples, including simple atoms and solids. Prerequisite: Physics 214.

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Physics H304: Computational Physics

Not offered 2010-2011
Course URL

Physical theories such as Newtonian mechanics, Maxwell's equations and quantum mechanics give us simple descriptions of physical phenomena. Much of the undergraduate syllabus treats powerful analytical tools for the solution of the equations derived from the relevant physical law. Such solutions enable physicists to move from a general formalism to the description of specific situations and phenomena, and enable comparison with experiment. Frequently, however, the calculation of the behavior of specific physical systems is out of the reach of pencil and paper calculation. Computational physics enables us to treat such situations by a combination of brute force calculation and sophisticated algorithmic techniques.

PHYS H335-B01 Advanced Topics in Theoretical Physics

Spring 2011

Course URL

An introduction to advanced theoretical physics. The central ideas covered will include: the use of symmetry in physics, non-euclidean geometry and curved spaces, advanced concepts of quantum theory. The course will address these topics by providing an introduction to one of the following areas of advanced theoretical physics: general relativity, quantum information theory, quantum field theory, particle physics. The specific topic will be determined by the instructor and will vary from year to year.  Jr. standing. Phys 213 and 214 or consent.

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