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ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2016-2017
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PH 298, 398, 498 Teaching Experience in Physics (½ or 1)
A teaching experience course. Specific guidelines concerning teaching experiences
appear in the “Teaching Experiences” section of this catalog.
PH 301 Modern Physics (1)
Special relativity, quantum theory of light, and wave mechanics of matter. Applications
of wave mechanics to atomic and molecular physics. Three lectures and one laboratory
period per week. Prerequisite: completion of or current enrollment in PH 201. Fall.
PH 303 Optical Physics (1)
Electromagnetic waves: reflection, refraction, dispersion, and absorption. Geometrical
optics of lens and mirror systems. Physical optics of polarization, coherence, interference,
and diffraction. Three lectures and one laboratory period per week. Prerequisite:
completion of or current enrollment in PH 201. Fall.
PH 304 Thermal Physics (1)
Classical and quantum statistical mechanics of many-particle systems. Statistical
ensembles and probability distribution functions. Applications to thermodynamics,
kinetic theory of gases, solid-state physics, and low-temperature physics. Prerequisite:
completion of or current enrollment in PH 201. Spring.
PH 305 Introduction to Computational Science (1)
An introduction to the use of computers to solve scientific and mathematical problems.
Focus will be split between programming basic numerical algorithms and the use of more
advanced, pre-programmed methods. (Also listed as MA 305.) Prerequisites: MA 232
and PH 121.
PH 402 Classical Mechanics (1)
Principles and applications of classical mechanics using vectors, tensors, and calculus.
Kinematics and dynamics of a particle, harmonic motion, central forces, linear and
angular momentum, and rigid-body mechanics. Three lecture periods each week.
Prerequisite: PH 201. Spring.
PH 404 Electricity and Magnetism (1)
Electric and magnetic fields and their interaction with material matter, direct and
alternating current circuits, Maxwell’s equations, and electromagnetic theory of radiation.
Three lecture periods each week. Prerequisite: PH 201. Spring.
PH 410 Research in Physics (1)
Advanced guided inquiry in a subject (theoretical, computational, or experimental)
selected by the student in consultation with a member of the physics faculty.
Requirements include a paper written in the style of a scientific journal article and an oral
presentation to students and faculty. Prerequisites: PH 122.