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Rodney Dunning, Duane Pontius
Physics majors fall into two categories: (1)
those who do not plan a career in physics but may be interested, for
example, in the teaching
of physics in secondary schools, or continuing their professional training
in some area such as medicine or law; and (2) those who intend that the
bachelor’s degree will be their terminal degree, or who plan to
do graduate work in physics.
Prospective majors are advised to begin physics in their first year
and to complete MA 231, 232, and 310 as soon as possible.
Category 1 (9 units):
- PH 121 and 122
- PH 301 and 302
- PH 303 or 304
- PH 402
- PH 404
- PH 499
- CH 121
Category 2 (11 units):
- PH 121 and 122
- PH 301 and 302
- PH 303 and 304
- PH 402
- PH 404
- PH 412
- PH 499
- CH 121
Recommended supporting work includes the
following:
- AS 301
- MA 317 and 454
- a reading knowledge of French or German
- knowledge of a computer programming language
Courses required for a physics major may be used to meet minor requirements
in mathematics.
The following courses are required (5 units):
- PH 121 and 122
- PH 301
- PH 302, 303, or 402
- PH 404
PH 101 Survey of the Physical Sciences (1)
A survey of the fields of physics, chemistry, earth sciences, and astronomy
with emphasis on environmental and other practical applications. This
course satisfies one of the natural science degree requirements for
non-science majors. It may not be substituted for PH 121 in the physics
major program. Three lecture periods and one laboratory period each
week. Prerequisite: MA 115 or equivalent.
PH 102 The Physics of Music (1)
An introduction to the principles of physics through a broad study of
musical instruments, musical scales, human hearing, and electronic
sound reproduction and synthesis. Hands-on laboratory exercises allow
students to play and study the operation of actual musical instruments
and common stereo equipment. This course satisfies one of the natural
science degree requirements for non-science majors. Three lecture periods
and one laboratory period each week. Prerequisite: MA 115 or equivalent.
Fall.
PH 121 General Physics I (1)
Mechanics of linear and rotational motion, oscillations, and waves, using
vectors and calculus. The sequence PH 121 122 fulfills the requirements
of students who are majoring in physics, chemistry, or mathematics.
This sequence is a prerequisite for all physics courses of higher number.
Three lecture periods and one laboratory period each week. Corequisite:
MA 231. Fall.
PH 122 General Physics II (1)
Thermodynamics, electricity, and magnetism, electrical circuits, electromagnetic
wave motion, and geometrical optics of lenses and mirrors. Three lecture
periods and one laboratory period each week. Prerequisite: PH 121.
Spring.
PH 301 Modern Physics I (1)
Special relativity, quantum theory of light, and wave mechanics of
material matter. Applications of wave mechanics to atomic and molecular
physics. Three lecture periods and one laboratory period each week.
Prerequisite: MA 232. Fall.
PH 302 Modern Physics II (1)
Quantum statistics of many particle systems. Applications of wave mechanics
and quantum statistics to solid-state, nuclear, and elementary particle
physics. Three lecture periods and one laboratory period each week.
Prerequisite: PH 301. Spring.
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 lecture periods and
one laboratory period each week. Prerequisite: MA 232. 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. Three lecture periods each week. Prerequisite:
MA 232. Spring.
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. Corequisite: MA 310. 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. Corequisite: MA 310. Spring.
PH 412 Quantum Mechanics (1)
The postulates of quantum mechanics, solutions of the Schrödinger
equation for systems in one and three dimensions, matrix representations,
angular momentum operators, approximation methods, and time dependence.
Prerequisite: PH 402. Corequisite MA 311.
PH 451 Advanced Laboratory I (1)
Advanced guided inquiry in a subject (experimental or theoretical) 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 of approximately one hour to students
and faculty. Prerequisite: PH 302.
PH 452 Advanced Laboratory II (1)
A continuation of PH 451. Prerequisite: PH 451.
PH 298, 398, 498 Teaching Experience in Physics (1)
PH 499 Senior Project in Physics (1)
Independent research in a subject (experimental or theoretical) that
brings to bear the student’s accumulated knowledge and skills
in the discipline. A project report, written in the style of a scientific
journal article, is required. Prerequisite: senior standing or consent.
Interim.
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