The Physics Department offers a variety of introductory courses to fulfill the different needs and interests of our students. All courses (except Physics 150 and Physics 160) include a laboratory component.
Physics 101/102 follows a traditional presentation of physics topics, closely following a standard textbook sequence. The primary topic in the fall is mechanics; the primary topic in the spring is electromagnetism. These courses are designed for upper-class undergraduates and post-baccalaureate students. A typical student in these courses would be a biology or premedical student who does not anticipate taking further courses in physics. There are two sections of these courses. Section 1 is for post-baccalaureate students. Section 2 is for undergraduates. Undergraduates should not enroll in section 1. Exceptions are made only when necessitated by irreconcilable schedule conflicts.
Physics 121/122/201/214 is a four-semester introductory sequence designed for students interested in obtaining a strong background in physical science. Physics majors should take all four semesters of the sequence. Other students may be interested in taking one, two, three, or four semesters. The full sequence of courses is:
| Semester 1. Physics 121. | Modeling the Physical World |
| Semester 2. Physics 122. | Classical and relativistic mechanics |
| Semester 3. Physics 201. | Electromagnetism |
| Semester 4. Physics 214. | Introduction to quantum mechanics |
Physics 121 develops physical intuition and problem-solving skills by exploring ideas and discoveries of twentieth and twenty-first century physics. Fundamental physical concepts such as energy, momentum, waves, and electromagnetic forces are introduced and used to gain insight into topics such as the quantum mechanical behavior of atoms, the wave-particle duality of matter, special relativity, and cosmology.
Physics 122 takes a rigorous approach to the study of classical mechanics and relativity. Topics include the Newtonian Mechanics of single particles, systems of particles, rigid bodies, continuous media, one-dimensional systems including forced and nonlinear oscillators, scattering, and orbit problems. Special relativity is treated in detail.
Physics 201 covers electrostatics, electric currents, magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction, electromagnetic waves, and electric and magnetic fields in matter. Students gain a solid conceptual understanding of each of these topics while mastering the mathematical framework of vector calculus used to model various electromagnetic interactions.
Physics 214 introduces the principles governing systems at the atomic scale and smaller. Topics include the experimental basis of quantum mechanics, wave-particle duality, Schrodinger's equation and its solutions, the time dependence of quantum states, angular momentum in the microscopic world, simple atoms, and atomic nuclei. Recent developments, such as paradoxes calling attention to the counter-intuitive aspects of quantum physics, are discussed.
Math 101, 102, 201, and 203 are co-requisites of the introductory
physics sequence.
For example, students taking Physics 121,
must also be enrolled in Math 101, or must already have
taken Math 101 or an equivalent course. Similarly, students taking
Physics 122 must be enrolled in (or have completed) Math 102, and so on.
Physics 107 and Physics 150 (not offered in 2007-8) are one-semester courses which explore our modern understanding of the physical universe. The goal is to address the processes and concepts behind the models that summarize observations of reality. Scientists tell stories (make models) to explain natural phenomena. This course dwells on the concepts behind the current stories, choosing topics that are mostly outside our cultural and everyday experience. Physics 107 and Physics 150 are nearly identical courses, with exactly the same classes. The only difference is that Physics 107 incorporates weekly laboratories (and hence satisfies the lab science requirement) while Physics 150 does not.
Physics 109 and Physics 160, "How Things Work," explores the principles of physics in the context of everyday objects: light bulbs, cars, and so on. Physics topics include motion, fluids, heat, electric and magnetic forces, light, and nuclear physics. Students may enroll in this course with a lab component (Physics 109) or without a lab component (Physics 160). All other aspects of Physics 109 and Physics 160 are identical.
