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PHYSICS (PH) |
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PH 101 |
Introduction
to Astronomy |
4 cr |
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| This
is a descriptive survey course of elementary astronomy
with laboratory intended for both non-science
and science majors. Topics covered include a description
of the celestial sphere, a tour of the Solar System,
techniques for measuring and classifying stars,
stellar evolution, white dwarfs, black holes,
neutron stars, galaxies, and Big Bang cosmology.
Fee. Core Course. Corequisite:
PH 101L. |
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PH 101L |
Introduction
to Astronomy Lab |
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| Laboratory
course for the Introduction to Astronomy course.
Student must pass this laboratory course to receive
a passing grade in the PH 101 course. Corequisite:
PH 101. |
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PH 104 |
Concepts
of Physics |
4 cr |
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| A
descriptive overview of the entire field of physics
with laboratory, including the concepts of scalars
and vectors, Newton's laws, momentum and energy
conservation, rotational motion, fluids, heat
and thermodynamics, sound, electricity and magnetism,
optics, atomic and nuclear physics, relativity,
and elementary particle physics. This course is
intended to provide the non-scientist with substantial
insight into the physical behavior of matter and
energy. Extensive demonstrations accompany the
presentation of material to illustrate key concepts.
This course does not satisfy any preprofessional
physics requirements. Fee.
Core Course. Corequisite:
PH 104L. |
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PH 104L |
Concepts
of Physics Lab |
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| Laboratory
course for the Concepts of Physics course. Student
must pass this laboratory course to receive a
passing grade in the PH 104 course. Corequisite:
PH 104. |
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PH 107 |
Freshman
Physics Seminar |
1 cr |
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| Intended
for physics majors in their first year or others
interested in physics as a possible major. This
course will survey current "hot topics"
in physics, basic useful techniques in physics
problem-solving, physics as a career, and research
in physics at USA. This course is not intended
to satisfy the science requirements within the
College of Arts and Sciences. |
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PH 114 |
Physics
with Algebra/Trigonometry I (C) |
5 cr |
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| First
semester of a two-semester introductory course
in algebra/trigonometry-based physics with laboratory
and recitation. This course covers mechanics and
thermodynamics: one and two-dimensional motion,
vectors, Newton's laws of motion, work and energy,
momentum and collisions, circular motion, rotational
motion, properties of solids and fluids, the laws
of thermodynamics, kinetic theory of matter, simple
harmonic motion, and wave motion. The laboratory
uses computerized data acquisition and analysis
for most of the experiments. Prerequisite: 21
ACT score on Mathematics or MA 112. Fee. Core
Course. Corequisite:
PH 114L. |
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PH 114L |
Physics
with Algebra/Trigonometry I Lab |
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Laboratory course for the first semester of a
two-semester introductory sequence in algebra/trigonometry-based
physics. Student must pass this laboratory course
to receive a passing grade in the PH 114 course.
Corequisite: PH 114. |
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PH 114 |
Physics
with Algebra/Trigonometry I (C) |
5 cr |
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| First
semester of a two-semester introductory honors
course in algebra/trigonometry-based physics with
laboratory and recitation. This course covers
mechanics and thermodynamics: one and two-dimensional
motion, vectors, Newton's laws of motion, work
and energy, momentum and collisions, circular
motion, rotational motion, properties of solids
and fluids, the laws of thermodynamics, kinetic
theory of matter, simple harmonic motion, and
wave motion. The laboratory uses computerized
data acquisition and analysis for most of the
experiments. The honors component consists of
extra problems, projects or work assigned by the
instructor by the end of the first week of classes.
All honors students will meet with the instructor
who will give an extra work syllabus. Prerequisites:
21 ACT score on Mathematics or MA 112, also permission
of the Department Chair or good standing in the
University Honors Program. Fee. Core
Course. Corequisite:
PH 114L (honors). |
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PH 114L (honors) |
Physics
with Algebra/Trigonometry I Lab - H |
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| Honors
laboratory course for the first semester of a
two-semester introductory honors sequence in algebra/trigonometry-based
physics. Student must pass this laboratory course
to receive a passing grade in the PH 114 honors
course. Corequisite: PH 114 (honors). |
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PH 115 |
Physics
with Algebra/Trigonometry II (C) |
5 cr |
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| Second
semester of a two-semester introductory course
in algebra/trigonometry-based physics with laboratory
and recitation. This course covers electrostatics,
DC circuits, RC circuits, magnetic fields and
forces, Faraday's Law, AC circuits, geometrical
optics, interference and diffraction of light,
the special theory of relativity, quantum physics,
and atomic and nuclear physics. The laboratory
uses computerized data acquisition and analysis
for most of the experiments. Prerequisite: PH
114. Fee. Core Course.
Corequisite:
PH 115L. |
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PH 115L |
Physics
with Algebra/Trigonometry II Lab |
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| Laboratory
course for the second semester of a two-semester
introductory sequence in algebra/trigonometry-based
physics. Student must pass this laboratory course
to receive a passing grade in the PH 115 course.
Corequisite: PH 115. |
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PH 115 |
Physics
with Algebra/Trigonometry II (C) |
5 cr |
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| Second
semester of a two-semester introductory honors
course in algebra/ trigonometry-based physics
with laboratory and recitation. This course covers
electrostatics, DC circuits, RC circuits, magnetic
fields and forces, Faraday's Law, AC circuits,
geometrical optics, interference and diffraction
of light, the special theory of relativity, quantum
physics, and atomic and nuclear physics. The honors
component consists of extra problems, projects
or work assigned by the instructor by the end
of the first week of classes. The laboratory uses
computerized data acquisition and analysis for
most of the experiments. All honors students will
meet with the instructor who will give an extra
work syllabus. Prerequisites: PH 114-H, also permission
of the Department Chair or good standing in the
University Honors Program. Fee.
Core Course. Corequisite:
PH 115L (honors). |
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PH 115L (honors) |
Physics
with Algebra/Trigonometry II Lab - H |
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| Honors
laboratory course for the second semester of a
two-semester introductory honors sequence in algebra/trigonometry-based
physics. Student must pass this laboratory course
to receive a passing grade in the PH 115 honors
course. Corequisite: PH 115 (honors). |
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| PH 194 |
Directed Studies: Variable Content Lab |
1 cr |
| A directed studies course to substitute for a laboratory credit for students who have successfully completed an introduction to astronomy or concepts of physics course at another university without the laboratory. Students taking this course must get approval of the Physics Department Chair. This course may be taken up to two times (once for each course). Fee. |
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PH 201 |
Calculus-Based
Physics I (C) |
4 cr |
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| First
semester of a two-semester introductory course
in calculus-based physics with recitation and laboratory. This
course covers: one and two-dimensional motion,
vectors, Newton's laws of motion and their applications,
work and energy, momentum and collisions, circular
motion, rotational motion, properties of materials,
simple harmonic motion, wave motion and topics
in thermodynamics. The laboratory uses computerized
data acquisition and analysis for most of the
experiments. Prerequisites: MA 125, and concurrently
taking MA 126. Fee. Core
Course. Corequisite:
PH 201L . |
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PH 201L |
Calculus-Based
Physics I Lab |
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| Laboratory
course for the first semester of a two-semester
introductory sequence in calculus-based physics.
Student must pass this laboratory course to receive
a passing grade in the PH 201 course. Corequisite:
PH 201. |
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PH 201 |
Calculus-Based
Physics I (C) |
4 cr |
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| First
semester of a two-semester introductory honors
course in calculus-based physics with recitation and laboratory.
This course covers: one and two-dimensional motion,
vectors, Newton's laws of motion and their applications,
work and energy, momentum and collisions, circular
motion, rotational motion, properties of materials,
simple harmonic motion, wave motion and topics
in thermodynamics. The laboratory uses computerized
data acquisition and analysis for most of the
experiments. The honors component consists of
extra problems, projects or work assigned by the
instructor by the end of the first week of classes.
All honors students will meet with the instructor
who will give an extra work syllabus. Prerequisites:
MA 125 and concurrently taking MA 126, also permission
of the Department Chair or good standing in the
University Honors Program. Fee. Core
Course. Corequisite:
PH 201L (honors). |
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PH 201L (honors) |
Calculus-Based
Physics I Lab - H |
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| Honors
laboratory course for the first semester of a
two-semester introductory honors sequence in calculus-based
physics. Student must pass this laboratory course
to receive a passing grade in the PH 201 honors
course. Corequisite: PH 201 (honors). |
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PH 202 |
Calculus-Based
Physics II (C) |
4 cr |
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| Second
semester of a two-semester introductory course
in calculus-based physics with laboratory. This
course covers electrostatic fields and Gauss'
law, electric potential, electric circuits, magnetic
fields, Ampere's law. Faraday's law, inductance,
Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves and
optics. The laboratory uses computerized data
acquisition and analysis for most of the experiments.
Prerequisites: PH 201 and MA 126. Fee. Core
Course. Corequisite:
PH 202L . |
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PH 202L |
Calculus-Based
Physics II Lab |
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| Laboratory
course for the second semester of a two-semester
introductory sequence in calculus-based physics.
Student must pass this laboratory course to receive
a passing grade in the PH 202 course. Corequisite:
PH 202. |
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PH 202 |
Calculus-Based
Physics II (C) |
4 cr |
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| Second
semester of a two-semester introductory honors
course in calculus-based physics with laboratory.
This course covers electrostatic fields and Gauss'
law, electric potential, electrical circuits,
magnetic fields, Ampere's law, Faraday's law,
inductance, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic
waves and optics. The laboratory uses computerized
data acquisition and analysis for most of the
experiments. The honors component consists of
extra problems, projects or work assigned by the
instructor by the end of the first week of classes.
All honors students will meet with the instructor
who will give an extra work syllabus. Prerequisites:
PH 201-H and MA 126, also permission of the Department
Chair or good standing in the University Honors
Program. Fee. Core Course.
Corequisite:
PH 202 L (honors). |
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PH 202L (honors) |
Calculus
Based Physics II Lab - H |
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| Honors
laboratory course for the second semester of a
two-semester introductory honors sequence in calculus-based
physics. Student must pass this laboratory course
to receive a passing grade in the PH 202 (honors)
course. Corequisite: PH 202 (honors). |
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PH 290 |
Special Topics |
1-4 cr |
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| Topics of current issue interest but not available in regularly scheduled sophomore level courses. This course may be repeated once for credit when the content varies. May be taken twice for up to 8 hours. |
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| PH 290 |
Special Topics (Honors Course) |
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| This course is an honors seminar on the history of astronomy. The course objective is two-fold: to learn the evolution of the human race's understanding of the universe and of its place in the universe by studying the lives and discoveries of astronomers in the past and to gain an understanding of the universe and its contents including planets, stars, and galaxies by becoming familiar with their properties and processes. |
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PH 294 |
Directed
Studies: Variable Content Lab |
1 cr |
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| A
directed studies course to substitute for a laboratory
credit for students who have successfully completed
a calculus or algebra-based physics lecture course
at another university without the laboratory.
Students taking this course must get the approval
of the Physics Department Chair. This course may
be taken up to two times (once for each of the
missing laboratories). Fee. |
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PH 301 |
Introductory
Astrophysics |
3 cr |
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| Application
of the principles of physics to the study of astronomical
phenomena. Topics include celestial mechanics,
stars and stellar evolution, the Milky Way and
other galaxies, and cosmological models. Prior
knowledge of astronomy is not required. Prerequisites:
MA 125 and either PH 115 or PH 202. |
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PH 303 |
Modern
Physics (C) |
4 cr |
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| This
course, with laboratory, surveys physics of the
twentieth century. Topics covered include special
relativity, wave-particle concepts, the Schrödinger
equation and quantum theory of the hydrogen atom,
atomic spectra and structure, molecular spectra,
the solid state, nuclear structure, radioactivity,
and elementary particles. The accompanying laboratory
includes experimental investigations of important
topics in the subject of Modern Physics. Computerized
numerical and graphical analysis of data is extensively
used in the laboratory. Laboratory reports are
written with word processors and submitted in
a format consistent with articles submitted to
student research journals. Prerequisites: MA 125
and either PH 115 or 202. Corequisite:
PH 303L. |
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PH 303L |
Modern
Physics Lab |
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| Laboratory
course for the Modern Physics course. Corequisite:
PH 303. |
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PH 346 |
Classical
and Modern Optics |
4 cr |
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| Wave
motion, reflection, refraction, dispersion, diffraction,
interference phenomena, Fourier spectroscopy,
lasers and other modern applications of optics.
Prerequisites: PH 202 and MA 125 or the equivalent. |
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PH 348 |
Electricity
and Magnetism I |
3 cr |
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| First
of a two-semester sequence in electromagnetism.
Topics include a review of vector analysis. Coulomb's
law, Gauss' law, calculation of the scalar potential,
electric fields in matter, the Biot-Sarvart law,
Ampere's law, the vector potential, magnetostatics
in matter, electrodynamics, Faraday's law, inductance,
Maxwell's correction to Ampere's law and Maxwell's
equations. Prerequisites: MA 227 and either PH
115 or PH 202. |
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PH 349 |
Electricity
and Magnetism II |
3 cr |
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| Second
of a two-semester sequence in electromagnetism.
Topics include electromagnetic wave propagation
in free space, electromagnetic wave propagation
in materials, reflection and transmission at interfaces,
wave guides, electromagnetic radiation, optical
dispersion, and electrodynamics extended to the
special theory of relativity. Prerequisite: PH
348. |
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| This
course is intended to provide a theoretical and
practical background in electronics. Topics include
AC circuits, diode circuits, single-stage amplifiers,
op-amps and feedback, and digital electronics.
This course is not intended to satisfy the technical
elective requirements for Electrical Engineering.
This course will include periodic laboratory work.
Prerequisites: MA 126 and either PH 115 or PH
202. |
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PH 366 |
Physical
Mechanics I |
3 cr |
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| First
course in a two-semester sequence in classical
mechanics. Topics include motion of particles
in one-dimension, one-dimensional motion theorems,
harmonic oscillations, damped oscillations, forced
oscillations, kinematics in multiple dimensions,
momentum and energy theorems, the central force
problem, motion under inverse square law forces,
planetary obitual motion, Rutherford scattering,
conservation theorems for multi-particle systems
and their applications, collisions, coupled-harmonic
oscillators, and rigid body rotation about a fixed
axis. Prerequisites: MA 227 and PH
202. |
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PH 367 |
Physical
Mechanics II |
3 cr |
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| Second
course in a two-semester sequence in classical
mechanics. Topics include: moving and rotating
coordinate systems, Lagrange's equation and applications,
Hamiltonian formulation, inertia and stress tensors,
rotations of rigid bodies and the theory of small
oscillations. Prerequisite: PH 366. |
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PH 385 |
Experimental
Physics (W) (C) |
3 cr |
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| A
course in the methods and techniques of experimental
physics. A number of experiments in the area of
classical mechanics, atomic physics, molecular
physics, and nuclear physics will be performed
and analyzed. A written report for each experiment
that clearly and precisely explains the experiment's
theory, technique and analysis is required. Computerized
numerical and graphical analysis of data is extensively
used in the laboratory. Laboratory reports are
written with word processors and submitted in
a format consistent with articles submitted to
student research journals. Prerequisite: PH 303
(or taken concurrently). Corequisite:
PH 385L. |
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PH 385L |
Experimental
Physics Lab |
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| Laboratory
course for the Experimental Physics course. Corequisite:
PH 385. |
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PH 390 |
Special
Topics |
1-3
cr |
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| Topics
of current interest not available in a regularly
scheduled course. This course may be repeated
once for credit when content varies. May be taken twice for up to 8 hours. |
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PH 411 |
Computational
Methods in Physics (C) |
3
cr |
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| Use
of computers in physics research (industrial,
applied or basic) is now common. This course will
introduce advanced undergraduate physics students
to computer solutions of physics problems. Particular
attention will be paid to problems that have no
analytic solutions and may only be solved numerically.
This course will introduce several numeric methods
and apply them to specific problems from quantum
mechanics, electrodynamics, and mechanics. Students
will write a series of programs in the Fortran
or the C programming language and use them to
solve undergraduate level physics problems. Prerequisites:
MA 238, CIS 210 or CIS 227, and PH 303. |
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PH 448 |
Elementary
Quantum Mechanics I |
3
cr |
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| The
first course of a two-semester sequence in Quantum
Mechanics. Topics include an introduction to Hilbert
space and operators, the quantum state and observables,
the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, time evolution
of the quantum state, application of the Schrödinger
equation to one-dimensional systems, and the solution
of the hydrogen atom. Prerequisites: MA 238 and
either PH 303 or CH 302. |
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PH 449 |
Elementary
Quantum
Mechanics II |
3
cr |
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| The
second course of a two-semester sequence in Quantum
Mechanics. Topics include a continuation in the
mathematical formulation of quantum mechanics,
angular momentum, perturbation theory, identical
particles and spin, collision theory and the semi-classical
treatment of radiation. This course is recommended
for students anticipating graduate study in physics.
Prerequisite: PH 448. |
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PH 463 |
Thermodynamics and |
3
cr |
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| An
in depth course in thermodynamics and statistical
mechanics. Topics include simple thermodynamics
systems, work, heat and the first law of thermodynamics,
ideal gases, the second law of thermodynamics,
entropy, enthalpy, Helmhotz and Gibbs functions
TdS equations, heat capacity, partition function,
equipartition of energy, statistical distribution
of molecular speeds, thermal properties of solids,
higher order phase transitions, chemical equilibrium,
Bose-Einstein statistics. Prerequisites: PH 202
and MA 227. |
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PH 494 |
Directed Studies |
1-3
cr |
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| Directed
research under the supervision of a faculty member.
Topics generally coincide with the research interest
of the supervising faculty member. Areas of directed
research may include atomic collisions, experimental
molecular spectroscopy, experimental matter physics
or experimental particle physics. Prerequisite:
Permission of the Physics department chair. May be taken three times for up to 12 hours. |
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PH 499 |
Senior Thesis |
3
cr |
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| A
written thesis that is part of the Honors Senior
Project which is submitted to partially satisfy
the requirements for a Degree in Physics with
distinction. The Senior Thesis will be written
on research done in collaboration with an Honors
Physics Faculty member in the junior/senior year.
The Senior Thesis will be reviewed by a committee
of Honors Physics Faculty. Upon approval by the
committee the Senior Honors candidate will present
the Senior Thesis at the Honors Student Colloquium.
This course may be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite:
The Honors candidate must have developed in the
last semester of the previous year a prospectus
with the Physics Faculty Mentor and presented
this prospectus at the Annual Honors Student Colloquium,
also permission of the Physics Department Chair. |
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