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COURSES OF STUDY
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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 Individualized
Study 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 Individualized Study 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: credit in 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: credit in 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: credit in or current
enrollment in PH 201. 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. 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 and consent.