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Course Criteria
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3.00 Credits
Staff PHYS 310 is an optional junior-year research experience open to qualified students. PHYS 410 is a required senior-year capstone research experience. Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, each student works on an experimental or theoretical project that will ideally produce original results. A final thesis and a formal oral presentation are essential components of both courses. Enrollment in PHYS 310 is by permission only. Both courses are offered in the fall only.
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3.00 Credits
Staff An introduction to biological physics including a survey of topics such as diffusion, Brownian motion, non-Newtonian fluids, self-assembly, cooperativity, bioenergetics, and nerve impulses, as well as experimental techniques and analytical approaches. Students first develop the interdisciplinary knowledge needed to address biophysical questions. The course then focuses on the reading, presentation, and critique of current biophysics research literature. Although challenging in its breadth, this course is intended to be accessible to juniors and seniors majoring in physics, chemistry, or biology. Prerequisite: PHYS 120 and 121, or 121 and 122, or permission of instructor. Not offered every year.
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3.00 Credits
E. Galvez An introduction to elementary quantum mechanics. This course briefly reviews the history and philosophy of quantum mechanics and develops solutions to one-dimensional problems such as the quantum harmonic oscillator. The course then presents the general mathematical formulation of the theory, generalized uncertainty relations, and the matrix formulation of quantum theory. Further applications to spherically symmetric systems such as the hydrogen atom are also developed. A series of associated laboratories ( PHYS 371L) gives students vivid examples of quantum mechanical principles. Offered in the spring only, alternate years.
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3.00 Credits
M.E. Parks An introduction to the physical concepts underlying the formalism of thermal physics. Emphasis is on the role and meaning of entropy in physical systems and processes. Topics include black body radiation, liquid helium, superconductivity, negative temperature, and the efficient use of energy. Offered in the fall only, in alternate years.
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3.00 Credits
P. Crotty This course investigates general algorithms and their implementation for the exploration of problems in classical and quantum mechanics. Applications range widely from solar system dynamics and chaotic systems to particles in general quantum potentials. Fourier analysis, including the fast Fourier transform, and its application to the understanding of physical systems and data analysis, are also studied. In addition to graded homework assignments and exams, each student undertakes a major numerical project of his or her choice. The required credit-bearing laboratory PHYS 402L must be taken concurrently with PHYS 402. Offered in the fall only, in alternate years.
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3.00 Credits
E. Galvez A study of physical optics from the basics to advanced topics, such as optical instrumentation, Fourier optics, laser physics, and holography. The course prepares students for knowledgeable use of optical instruments in fields such as astronomy and teaches modern laser techniques for use in basic and applied research. Four lecture meetings and one laboratory meeting each week. The required credit-bearing laboratory PHYS 404L must be taken concurrently with PHYS 404. Offered in the spring only, in alternate years. 407 Real-time Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos This course is crosslisted as MATH 407. For course description, see "Mathematics: Course Offerings."
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3.00 Credits
K. Segall Several important properties of matter in its solid form are examined. The ordered, crystalline nature of most solids is used as a starting point for understanding condensed material and as a basis for introducing the band theory of solids. The course investigates thermal, electrical, and magnetic properties of metals, semiconductors, and insulators. Offered in the fall only, in alternate years.
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3.00 Credits
P. Crotty At the beginning of the 20th century, Einstein's discovery of the Special and General Theories of Relativity revolutionized understanding of space and time. This course studies both theories; the emphasis is on General Relativity, including cosmology and the study of black holes. Not offered every year.
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3.00 Credits
Staff While most Americans take it for granted that our political system is a democracy and that it serves as an ideal by which other systems might be measured, the United States is only one of many stable democratic polities in existence today. This course identifies various characteristics of democratic systems that set them apart from others, and compares the operation of our presidential system with the parliamentary model adopted by many industrialized democracies.
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3.00 Credits
B. Shain This introduction to political science, and more broadly to the terms needed to make sense of the evening news and the political appeals of candidates for office, focuses on the close relationship between the visions underlying both politics and morality. It shows students that political science is essentially the study of different kinds of regimes or forms of government and that each of them rests on a distinctive moral vision. Regimes such as democracy and monarchy are compared, and moral principles and normative concepts such as rights, virtue, liberty, and equality are examined as foundations for these regimes and for differing conceptions of the good life. Terms such as liberalism, conservatism, socialism, capitalism, individualism, communalism, classical republicanism, modernity, and the salient differences between Protestantism and Catholicism are also explored. In particular, this course focuses on the history in America of the genesis and development of liberal democracy, the inherent tensions between its component parts, and the lingering commitment of half of America, mostly non-elite populations, to older communal and intrusive visions of the well lived life.
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