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ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2017-2018
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PH 122 General Physics II (1)
Thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, electrical circuits, and geometrical optics of
lenses and mirrors. Two lectures and one tutorial and laboratory period per week.
Prerequisite: PH 121. Spring, Summer.
PH 201 Mathematical Tools for Physics (1)
A mathematically focused examination of a broad range of physics subjects. Serving to
bridge introductory and advanced physics courses, we apply advanced mathematical
techniques to familiar physical problems from mechanics and electromagnetism.
Prerequisites: PH 122 and MA 232.
PH 293, 393, 493 Independent Study in Physics (½ or 1)
Directed study for advanced students in the major. Specific guidelines concerning
independent study projects appear in the “Exploration Term and Contract Learning”
section of this catalog.
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 numerical methods to solve scientific and mathematical
problems. Focus will be split between programming basic numerical algorithms and the
use of more advanced methods available in numerical software packages. 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