courses of instruction - Lafayette College

The B.S. degree major requires a First-Year
Seminar, English 110, and Values and
Science/Technology (VAST) seminar; five
courses in Mathematics including 161,162,
263,264; two courses in Chemistry, Biology,
or Geology from a selected list; 13 courses
in Physics with the restrictions and excep
tions noted below; and three courses in
Humanities/Social Sciences.
The standard B.S. degree requires 11
courses: Physics 121 (or 131), 122,132,
215, 216, 218, 327, 335, 338, 342, and 351.
However, in special circumstances, stu
dents who have taken advanced Electrical
and Computer Engineering or Mechanical
Engineering courses in electromagnetic
theory, electronics, dynamics, or thermo
dynamics may be permitted to waive the
requirement of certain of these required
courses. This requires the approval of the
head of the Physics Department and the
Academic Progress Committee. Also, ad
vanced courses from other science or engi
neering departments may be substituted
for Physics elective courses and up to two
required Physics courses with the approv
al of the head of the Physics Department
and the Academic Progress Committee,
when doing so will produce a coherent
program of physics applied to an interdis
ciplinary field such as material science,
biophysics, geophysics, etc.
Requirements for the minor: The minor
consists of six courses, including Physics
121 (or 131), 122 or 132,215, and three oth
er courses approved by the department.
104. Planetary Astronomy. An introduc
tion to the study of the planets and their
major satellites as large geological worlds
to explore. Up-to-date information on the
surfaces, atmospheres, and interior struc
tures of these bodies as well as informa
tion on asteroids, comets, meteorites, and
the Sun is presented. The elementary
physics of gravity, orbits, and distance
measurement leads to a limited amount of
problem solving. Six biweekly laboratory
sessions and at least three observing ses
sions with telescopes. This is a non-mathe
matical course (requiring only high school
PHYSICS
algebra and trigonometry) that satisfies
the A.B. lab science requirement. Offered
in fall semester. Mr. Hogenboom
106. Physics of Music. A study of the phys
ics of musical sound and musical instru
ments: wave motion and sound, sound syn
thesis, room acoustics, woodwinds, brasses,
strings, piano, percussion, and the human
voice. Open to all students but specifically
intended for those who have not previously
studied physics. Lecture/laboratory. Satis
fies the A.B. lab science requirement. Offered
in spring semester, even years. Mr. Hoffman
108. Cosmology: The Big Bang. A study
of theories of the evolution of the uni
verse, stressing modern cosmology as an
observational science. Evolution of stars
and galaxies, dark matter, evidence for the
Big Bang model, history of the universe.
Open to all but specifically intended for
those who have not previously studied
physics. One evening telescope observing
session. Lecture/laboratory. Satisfies the
A.B. lab science requirement. Offered one
semester, alternate years. Mr. Hoffman
111. General Physics Mechanics and
Thermodynamics. Classical mechanics of
particles and rigid bodies; laws of thermo
dynamics with emphasis on microscopic
foundation; oscillations and waves. Physi
cal ideas are stressed, but considerable em
phasis is placed on problem solving. To
gether with Physics 112, this course satisfies
requirements for medical school, B.S. ma
jors in biology and computer science, and
A.B. majors in biology, chemistry, geology,
and engineering, but not B.S. majors in en
gineering, chemistry, geology, or physics.
Requires high school algebra and trigonom
etry; Mathematics 125 is recommended.
Satisfies the A.B. lab science requirement.
Offered in fall semester. Mr. Dougherty
112. General Physics Electricity, Mag
netism, and Optics. Electric and magnetic
fields; electromagnetic induction; electric
circuits; geometrical and physical optics;
Einstein's special theory of relativity;
foundations of quantum mechanics; and
nuclear physics. Physical ideas are
155