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Course Criteria
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3.00 Credits
The ideas of physics that have revolutionized our perception of the world and reality. Emphasis is on understanding a selected set of crucial concepts without losing track of the numbers. Using the writings of Hawking, Feynman, and Lightman, a study is made of such topics as energy and conservation laws, the relativity of time, the wave-particle duality, the modern picture of matter at the smallest and the largest distance scales, and the history of the universe. Must be taken for a letter grade. No prerequisites.
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3.00 Credits
Variational calculus, a fancy generalization of ordinary calculus, is the study of functionals. In variational calculus one tries to find the special function that extremizes a functional. The applications of variational calculus are ubiquitous in modern science. Variational calculus is the mathematical setting for describing the physical world. In all areas of classical and quantum physics, the physical world is expressed in terms of functions that extremize specific functionals. In this seminar variational calculus is explained at an elementary level, and many of its applications in science are examined. A good understanding of elementary first-year calculus is required to take this seminar.
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1.00 - 4.00 Credits
Calculus-based introduction to the concepts, laws, and structure of physics. Topics include kinematics, Newton's laws, energy, linear momentum, angular momentum, the conservation laws, gravitational force, harmonic motion, wave motion and interference, sound, and special relativity. Prerequisite: previous or concurrent enrollment in Calculus I (Math 131) or permission of instructor. Concurrent registration in a Physics 117 lab section is required. Credit may not be obtained for both Physics 117 and Physics 197.
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4.00 Credits
Continuation of Physics 117. Calculus-based introduction to concepts, laws, and structure of physics. Topics include electromagnetic forces and fields, direct current circuits, capacitance and inductance, electromagnetic radiation, light, geometrical and physical optics, interference and diffraction, early quantum theory, and nuclear physics. Prerequisite: Physics 117A, Physics 197, or permission of instructor. Concurrent registration in a Physics 118 lab section is required. Previous or concurrent enrollment in Calculus II (Math 132) is recommended. Credit may not be obtained for both Physics 118 and Physics 198.
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3.00 Credits
Designed for the nonscience major, this course deals with the planets, their moons and rings, comets, meteorites and interplanetary dust particles. In order to understand both classical astronomy and the results obtained from modern telescopes and the space program, basic scientific ideas (including optics and the laws of motion) are reviewed first. There also is some discussion of astronomical history to show how we have arrived at our present ideas of the structure and evolution of the solar system. Prerequisites: high school algebra and trigonometry or concurrent enrollment in Math 131.
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3.00 Credits
Intended as a general survey for the nonscience major. Topics include the structure and evolution of stars, such as red giants, white dwarfs, neutron stars, pulsars, and black holes; galaxies and quasars, cosmology and the Big Bang theory. Prerequisites: high school algebra and trigonometry, or concurrent enrollment in Math 131.
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1.00 - 3.00 Credits
Topics of special interest (e.g., superconductivity, quasicrystals, neural networks, chaos, etc.) may be studied under the supervision of a faculty member, variously by lectures, seminars, or individual study or research. Students hoping to arrange such a course must prepare a proposal and secure consent to undertake direction of the course from a faculty member.
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1.00 - 3.00 Credits
Topics of special interest (e.g., holography, relativity, nuclear power, computer applications in physics, etc.) may be studied under the supervision of a faculty member, variously by lectures, seminars, or individual study or research. Students hoping to arrange such a course must prepare a proposal and secure the instructor's consent to undertake direction of the course from a faculty member.
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3.00 Credits
Introduction to physics: its goals, methods, and relevance for society. Topics include energy as a unifying principle of physics and society's use of energy, resources, and costs; nuclear energy, including history, technology, radiation, waste, and weapons; global climate change, including the greenhouse effect and the hole in the ozone layer; science and government; bad science, pseudoscience, and anti-science. Intended for science and nonscience majors. Must be taken for a letter grade.
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4.00 Credits
An advanced, calculus-based introduction to central concepts in classical and modern physics for students who desire to major in physics or another physical science or who have a special interest in physics. The course is structured around three themes that are treated in depth: conservation laws, Newtonian physics, and special relativity. A daily regimen of homework and reading as well as active class participation are integral parts of the course. Corequisite: Math 132 (Calculus II). Concurrent registration in a Physics 197 lab section is required. Credit may not be obtained for both Physics 117 and Physics 197. Students who intend to major in Physics are encouraged to register for Section 03.
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