LUTHER PHYSICS DEPARTMENT
COURSE GUIDE
Schedule of courses -- Course descriptions
See also the Departmental Program guidelines
to be Offered by the Physics Department
Fall 2009 |
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Fall 2010 |
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Spring 2011 |
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Paid 450: Paideia II |
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Fall 2011
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January 2012
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Physics 112 -- Energy and the Physical World 4 hours (top)
The unifying theme of energy molds the study of the physical concepts of motion, gravitation, electromagnetism, heat, radiation, and nuclear physics. Solar, wind, nuclear, tidal, hydroelectric, and thermal electric energy conversion processes are also included. This course is intended for the general student with no special background in mathematics or science. (Same as environmental studies and science 112.) (NWL)
Physics 114 -- Sound and Musical Acoustics 4 hours (top)
Intended for the student who has a special interest in the acoustical phenomena associated with music, speech, and psychology. The physical basis of sound, its production and detection, with applications to speech, hearing, music, and acoustics of musical instruments and buildings. No special background in mathematics is assumed. (NWL)
Physics 151, 152-- General Physics 4 hours (top)
An investigation of the important principles of physics, including recent developments. Designed for the arts major as well as students majoring in one of the sciences. This course meets the basic requirements in physics for preprofessional students in health related fields, including medicine. Topics include mechanics, energy, fluids, thermodynamics, wave motion, electricity and magnetism, light, atomic and nuclear physics. A non-calculus course; however, a basic working knowledge of algebra and trigonometry is assumed and will be further developed as the course proceeds. Graphical and statistical analysis is employed throughout the laboratory component.
A student may take 152 without having had 151, with consent of the instructor. A student may not receive credit for both 151 and 181, nor for both 152 and 182. (NWL, Quant)
A recent syllabus for Phys 152
Physics 181 -- Classical Physics I 4 hours (top)
An introduction to the ideas of physics. Topics include Newtonian mechanics, energy, work, osicallations, and fluid dynamics. The laboratory work focuses on measurement and observation to enhance conceptial understanding of the material. Physics 181 is the first of a four-semester sequence of courses designed for physics and pre-engineering students. Physics 181 and 182 are also appropriate for students majoring in other physical sciences.
Pre/Corequisite: mathematics 151.
Physics 185: First Year Seminar
(top)
A variety of seminars for first-year students offered each January term.
Physics 182 -- Classical Physics II 4 hours (top)
This course continues the discussion of physical ideas begun in Physics 181. Topics include optics, electricty and magnetism, and electromagnetic waves, and electric circuits. The laboratory work focuses on measurement and observation to enhance conceptial understanding of the material.
Prerequisite: 151 or 181. Pre/Corequisite: mathematics 152. (NWL)
A recent syllabus for this course
Physics 238 -- Statics 4 hours (top)
Analysis of static equilibrium problems for engineering structures. Involves vector and scalar treatment of coplanar and noncoplanar force systems. Particle and rigid body equilibrium, area and mass moments of inertia, equivalent force systems, friction, internal forces.
Offered alternate years.
Prerequisites: 151 or 181, mathematics 151.
Physics 281 -- Modern Physics I 4 hours (top)
An introduction to special relativity as well as elementary topics in quantum physics. The history and development of experimental and theoretical work in the physics of the 20th century will be strongly emphasized. The laboratory work emphasizes experimental technique, problem solving and data analysis, and is integral to the curriculum. Topics of investigation in the laboratory will include a number of important experiments drawn from the history and development of modern physics. Students are encouraged to alter or extend many of the experiments and engage in projects. Prerequisite: Physics 182 or 152 and Mathematics 152.
A recent syllabus from this course
Physics 282 -- Modern Physics II 4 hours (top)
A continuation of Modern Physics I with applications of quantum physics to thermodynamics and statistical physics, nuclear, atomic, solid state, elementary particle physics and astrophysics. Topics of investigation in the laboratory will include a number of classic experiments drawn from the history and development of modern physics. Students are expected to alter or extend many of the experiments and engage in projects. The course includes instruction in scientific writing.
Prerequisite: Physics 281.
Physics 311,312 -- Advanced Laboratory I & II (top)
Selected advanced experiments from classical and contemporary physics. Emphasis on the role of the laboratory in research. Three hours of laboratory per week plus readings.
Prerequisite: 282. (2 hour)
Physics 352 -- Mechanics of Materials 4 hours (top)
Application of Newtonian mechanics to deformable solids, development of equations of elasticity in rectangular and curvilinear coordinates. Stress and strain, torsion, determinate and indeterminate problems, bending and deflection of beams, two-dimensional problems, variational methods and energy principles, fracture, fatigue. Recommended for students considering future study in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, or Materials Science.
Offered every three years.
Pre-requisite: Physics 281; Pre/co-requisite: Mathematics 351.
A recent syllabus for this course
Physics 354 -- Introduction to Astrophysics 4 hours (top)
A general intermediate course on the physics of astronomical objects. Includes introduction to descriptive astronomy. Topics include celestial mechanics, structure of and evolution of stars and topics taken from galactic astronomy and cosmology. Offered every three years.
A recent syllabus for this course
Physics 359 -- Thermal Physics 4 hours (top)
Concepts of entropy, temperature and thermodynamics. An emphasis on classical and quantum statistics with applications to a wide variety of physical systems. Offered every three years.
A recent syllabus for this course
Physics 361 -- Classical Mechanics 4 hours (top)
This course presents kinematics and dynamics of particles using Newtonian, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian techniques. Topics include conservation laws, central force motion, oscillations and normal mode analysis, small oscillations, rotating rigid bodies and motion in non-inertial reference frames. Offered alternate years in Spring. Prerequisite: Physics 281. Pre-/co-requisite: Mathematics 240.
A recent syllabus for this course
Physics 364 -- Electricity and Magnetism 4 hours (top)
A study of electric and magnetic fields leading up to Maxwell’s equations and their applications. The topics include the electrostatic and magnetostatic fields in vacuum and in matter, scaler potentials, vector potentials, electrodynamics and electromagnetic waves. Offered alternate years in Spring.
Prerequisite: Physics 281, Pre-/co-requisite Mathematics 351.
Physics 369 -- Numerical Physics 4 hours (top)
This course focuses on approaches to complex physical situations that are not practically solvable using analytical methods. The numerical methods and physical problems studied are applicable to several branches of physics including astrophysics, atomic physics, thermal physics, fluid mechanics, and condensed matter physics.
Prerequisite: Physics 281. Pre-/co-requisite: Mathematics 240
Physics 401 -- Particle and Nuclear Physics 4 hours (top)
This course is intended to introduce students to the properties and interactions of nuclei and elementary particles. Attention will be paid both to the historical experimental development of these related fields as well as their theoretical aspects. Students will be introduced to nuclear properties including stability, structure and reactions, radioactivity and applications of fission and fusion. Among topics in particle physics that will be addressed are the quark model of hadrons, charged-lepton and neutrino physics, the strong and weak interactions, symmetries and conservations laws and experimental methods in particle physics. Offered every three years.
Prerequisite: Physics 282. Pre-/co-requisite: Mathematics 351.
Physics 411 -- Quantum Mechanics 4 hours (top)
This course provides an introduction to the theory of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics. Both the conceptual and formal structure of the theory are discussed. A brief review of the experimental basis for quantization
motivates the development of the Schrödinger wave equation. The principles of wave mechanics are then applied to various one dimensional problems, including the harmonic oscillator. The properties of angular momentum are developed and applied to central potentials in three dimensions. Matrix mechanics and spin angular momentum are also discussed, allowing for a complete treatment of the physics of hydrogen-like atoms.
Prerequisite: Physics 282. Pre-/co-requisite: Mathematics 351.
Physics 480 -- Internship (top)
On-the-job learning experience relating to fields of physics or engineering. The plan must be presented for departmental approval before the experience begins. Normally 12 hours of physics above 120 will be required. (F,J,S) (1-4 hours)
Physics 489 -- Directed Research (top)
Directed research involves students in research projects under the supervision of department faculty. Recommended for students who expect to attend graduate school in physics or engineering. With the approval of the department, students may register for more than one semester (cumulative total may not exceed 4 semester hours).
Prerequisites: approval of the research director and the department head. Normally 12 hours of physics above 120 will be required. (1-4 hours)
Physics 490,491 -- Senior Research Project (top)
All seniors are required to write a research paper in their major. Students with double majors may choose to write their paper in either major. this requirement provides opportunity for independent study, reading relevant literature in the major, and developing appropriate research methods.
Physics 495 -- Independent Study (top)
The student who wishes to design a course of independent study should outline a proposal (form available at the Registrar's Office) and obtain written approval from the instructor who will direct the course, his or her adviser, and the head of the Physics Department. A student may take no more than four hours of independent study in one semester. Prerequisite: 12 hours of study in the Physics Department. (1-4 hours)
Science 111 -- Physical Science (top)
A basic course dealing with important aspects of the physical and chemical world. Topics include the development of the scientific method, Galileo, Newton and the study of motion, work, energy, electricity and light, elements and the Periodic Law, compounds and chemical bonds, and the chemical nature of matter. The laboratory program will stress the understanding of science from the perspective of the scientific method. This course is intended for the student with no special background in science or mathematics. The class has an integrated lecture/lab format. Strongly recommended for elementary education majors.
A recent syllabus for this course
Science 112 -- Energy and the Physical World (top)
The unifying theme of energy molds the study of the physical concepts of motion, gravitation, electromagnetism, heat, radiation, and nuclear physics. Solar, wind, nuclear, tidal, hydroelectric, and thermal electric energy conversion processes are also included. This course is intended for the general student with no special background in mathematics or science. Forty-five hours of lecture (with numerous demonstrations) and 28 hours of laboratory during fall or spring semester. May be offered in January for 3 hours of credit with emphasis on solar energy and with a commensurate reduction in lecture and laboratory time. (Same as Physics 112.) (3 or 4 hours)
Science 121 -- Introduction to Astronomy 4 hours (top)
A course designed to develop an understanding and appreciation of our larger environment, the physical universe itself: planets, stars, galaxies, and space. Instruments and methods used in astronomical investigations. Recent developments in space exploration. the Spitz planetarium is used throughout the course. Three lecture-recitation periods and one two-hour laboratory-activity period a week. Occasional evening observation periods using both the naked eye and the telescope.
More information about this course
Luther's Astronomy homepage
Science 125 -- Great Ideas in Natural Science (top)
A look at how our understanding of the natural world has grown over the past 500 years. The course will examine a set of important concepts selected from the fields of astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology,k physics and psychology. Specific topics will include the origin of the universe, atomic theory of matter, the chemical nature of physical and biological systems and biological evolution. The growth of each topic will be traced through the accumulation of experimental evidence and the formulation of theories. Similarities and distinctions among topics will be highlighted. (3 hours)
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