2007-2008 Undergraduate Catalog - Kettering University

158 / Kettering University
works of major philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Descrates,
Kant, Mill, Buber, and others. The course will cover selected topics in
metaphysics and epistemology, morality and ethics, political thought, and
aesthetics. The works will be examined from the perspectives of both their
historical origin and their contemporary relevance. Terms Offered: As Needed
PHIL-378 Moral and Ethical Philosophy 4 0 0 4
Prerequisites: COMM-101, HUMN-201, SSCI-201
Minimum Class Standing: SO
This course is a concentrated study of the origin and nature of standards of
character (ethics) and behavior (morality). The history of these concepts
will be explored through reading some of the standard philosophical literature.
Attention will be given to the difficulties such concepts face in a world now
defined by modern ideologies and institutions. Terms Offered: As Needed
PHYS-114 Newtonian Mechanics 3 1 0 3
Prerequisite: MATH-101
Corequisites: MATH-102, PHYS-115
Minimum Class Standing: FRI
A calculus-based introduction to classical Newtonian mechanics including;
vectors, translational and rotational kinematics and dynamics, work, energy,
impulse, and linear and angular momentum. Terms Offered: All
PHYS-115 Newtonian Mechanics Laboratory 0 0 2 1
Prerequisite: MATH-101
Corequisites: MATH-102, PHYS-114
Minimum Class Standing: FR1
Laboratory topics include: curve fitting and graphing, static equilibrium and
vector addition, uniformly accelerated motion in two dimensions, Newton’s
second law, circular motion, work and energy, collisions, moment of inertia,
and equilibrium of a rigid body. Terms Offered: All
PHYS-224 Electricity and Magnetism 3 1 0 3
Prerequisites: MATH-102, PHYS-114, PHYS-115
Corequisites: MATH-203, PHYS-225
Minimum Class Standing: NA
An investigation of the physics of electricity and magnetism with a focus on
the physics of electric and magnetic fields and their effects on electric charges.
Topics will include the relationships between charges, forces, fields, potentials,
and currents, as well as the physics of capacitors, resistors, and inductors.
Terms Offered: All
PHYS-225 Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory 0 0 2 1
Prerequisites: MATH-102, PHYS-114, PHYS-115
Corequisites: MATH-203, PHYS-224
Minimum Class Standing: NA
This laboratory investigates the physics of electricity and magnetism. It
includes a practical study of electric potential and electric current, as well as
the fundamental circuit elements: capacitors, resistors, and inductors. Terms
Offered: All
PHYS-235 Computers in Physics 2 0 4 6
Prerequisites: CS-101, PHYS-224, PHYS-225, and permission of instructor
Minimum class standing: SO
This course exposes applied physics students to the multiple ways computers
are used by professionals in industry, academia, and government laboratories.
Problems in physics will be solved through analytical or symbolic software
tools, numerical approaches implemented in spreadsheets and basic scripts
written in a structured style, and experimental tools for control and data
acquisition. This combination of symbolic, numerical and experimental work
will give students a practical toolbox of techniques to solve new problems
and meet challenges in upper level classes, graduate school, and/or
postgraduate positions. Terms offered: Winter, Spring
PHYS-302 Physics of Waves 4 0 0 4
Prerequisites: MATH-203, PHYS-224, PHYS-225
Corequisite: MATH-204
Minimum Class Standing: SO II
The phenomena of vibration and waves provide a fundamental background
necessary to approach a wide variety of applications in physics and
engineering. The first part of this course will introduce students to the basics
of vibration, including the effects of real damping, response to driving forces,
nonlinear oscillation and application to several acoustical, optical, electrical,
and mechanical systems. After this introduction to vibration, the course will
focus on wave motion. The behavior of non-dispersive waves in solids,
acoustic sound waves, electromagnetic waves, and transverse waves on a
string will be discussed along with an introduction to Fourier analysis as a
means of analyzing wave signals. Non-dispersive waves in non-uniform media
will also be explored with applications to several different types of waves
occurring in nature. Basic wave phenomena including reflection, refraction,
diffraction and interference will be discussed with respect to a variety of
wave types. Students successfully completing this course will be well prepared
for further study in optics, acoustics, vibration, and electromagnetic wave
propagation. Terms offered: Winter, Spring
PHYS-342 Materials Science & Nanotechnology 4 0 0 4
Prerequistes: CHEM-135 or CHEM-137, PHYS-224, PHYS-225
Minimum Class Standing: SO
This course describes the relationship between the structure and properties
of metals, semiconductors, ceramic and the materials at the micron and
nanoscale size. Important crystal structures, imperfections, defects and
diffusion in bulk and nano scale materials are discussed. Characterization
techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy
(SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Tunneling
Microscopy (STM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) are introduced. A brief
introduction of quantum mechanics, especially potential well and tunneling
through a barrier necessary to understand the behavior of nano size material,
is also introduced. Optical properties of the quantum dots, fabrication and
applications of MEMS and NEMS, giant magneto resistance (GMR),
spintronics, magnetic tunnel junctions and nanophotonics are discussed. Terms
Offered: Winter, Spring
PHYS-362 Modern Physics 3 0 2 4
Prerequisites: MATH-204, PHYS-224, PHYS-225
Minimum Class Standing: SOII
This course is an overview of the discoveries and applications of physics
from the early 20th century on. Topics include relativity, quantum phenomena,
wave-particle duality, quantum physics, solid state physics, semiconductors
and superconductors, and nuclear and particle physics. Laboratory
experiments will accompany topics introduced in lecture. Terms Offered:
Summer, Fall
PHYS-364 Nuclear Physics: Principles and Applications 4 0 0 4
Prerequisites: CHEM-135 or CHEM-137, PHYS-224, PHYS-225
Minimum Class Standing: JR
This course discussed the nuclear structure, nuclear instability, and nuclear
reactions. It also discusses various detectors and instruments, including gas
detectors, proportional counters, Geiger counters, scintillation detectors and
particle accelerators. The biological effects of radiation and its industrial
applications in tracing, gauging, materials modification, sterilizations, and
food preservations are also introduced. Course discusses the applications of
nuclear physics for diagnosis and treatment in medical sciences including
Computer Tomography (CT), Positron Emission Tomography (PET),
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Radiation Therapy (RT). The course
also discusses radioactivity, nuclear fission, fusion, and nuclear reactors. While
the level of prerequisites and mathematical sophistication is intermediate,
intense independent learning and academic maturity is expected. Terms
Offered: Winter, Spring every other year
PHYS-376 Photonics and Optoelectronics 4 0 0 4
Prerequisites: MATH-203, PHYS-224, PHYS-225
Minimum Class Standing: SO
The course is intended for all those who want to find out and understand
what lasers, fiber optics, and photonic devices are all about without a reliance
on rigorous mathematical treatment. This course covers the fundamental
aspects of optical fibers. It also provides an introduction to integrated optic
devices. Various techniques for the manipulation of laser light based on electrooptic,
magneto-optic and acousto-optic effects are described. The course ends
with a discussion of optical detection principles and the working of a solar
cell. While the level of prerequisites and mathematical sophistication is
intermediate, intense independent learning and academic maturity
is expected. Terms Offered: Winter, Spring