Academic Catalog - Virginia Military Institute Admissions

Virginia Military Institute
12-13 Catalogue
of psychology and the development of major psychological theories. The philosophical and
scientific origins of psychology as a science are analyzed as well as the impact of emerging
movements on important psychologists. The focus of much of the reading is the history
of psychology as reflected by the individuals, theories, and experimental investigations of
this discipline. Rather than focus on broad philosophical and historical issues, the course
is aimed at specific emerging philosophical trends that lead to the development of the
discipline. Prerequisite: PS 201. This course is restricted to First Class psychology majors.
PS 491. SUPERVISED RESEARCH I 0—2—1 to 0—6—3
PS 492. SUPERVISED RESEARCH II 0—2—1 to 0—6—3
Normally a two-semester sequence for first class psychology majors who intend to
pursue graduate studies. Each cadet will design and conduct an experiment under faculty
supervision. Final presentation will include a paper in American Psychological Association
format. Prerequisite: PS 201. Permission of the department head.
PS 495W. INDEPENDENT PROJECT IN LEADERSHIP STUDIES 3—0—3
Each student works under the close supervision of a faculty member on an independent
problem related to leadership studies. Requires research and writing of substantial paper(s)
and an oral examination in defense of the project. Prerequisites: PS 201, PS 344 and
permission of the department head. Note: PS 495 is a required course for the minor in
Leadership Studies and is writing intensive (W).
PHYSICS
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
DEPARTMENT head: ColONEl THOMPSON
Requirements for a major in physics are specified on page 68.
*Satisfies core curriculum science requirement.
PY 115. LABORATORY FOR PY 120 0—2—1
A laboratory course to investigate the concepts covered in PY 120. Computer generated
graphs, spreadsheets, and regression analysis are required for most experiments. Corequisite:
PY 120.
PY 116. LABORATORY FOR PY 121 0—2—1
A laboratory course to investigate the concepts covered in PY 202. Computer generated
graphs, spreadsheets, and regression analysis are required for most experiments. Corequisite:
PY 121.
PY 120. GENERAL PHYSICS I 3—0—3
PY 121. GENERAL PHYSICS II 3—0—3
Designed as a terminal course in physics for non-science majors, this sequence is a survey
of the concepts and theories of classical and modern physical science. (Not recommended
for mathematics or science majors.) Prerequisite: PY 120.
PY 155. LABORATORY FOR PY 160 * 0—2—1
A laboratory course to investigate the concepts covered in PY 160. Computer generated
graphs, spreadsheets, and regression analysis are required for most experiments. Corequisite:
PY 160.
PY 156. LABORATORY FOR PY 161 * 0—2—1
A laboratory course to investigate the concepts covered in PY 161. Computer generated
graphs, spreadsheets, and regression analysis are required for most experiments. Corequisite:
PY 161.
PY 160. GENERAL PHYSICS I * 3—0—3
This calculus-based sequence constitutes a general course in physics covering the topics
of mechanics, thermodynamics, waves and sound, electricity and magnetism and optics
Prerequisites: Prerequisite: Proficiency in MA 123.
PY 161. GENERAL PHYSICS II * 3—0—3
This calculus-based sequence constitutes a general course in physics covering the topics
of mechanics, thermodynamics, waves and sound, electricity and magnetism and optics
Prerequisites: Proficiency in PY 108 or PY 160.
PY 220. PHYSICS SEMINAR 1—0—1
This course is designed to acquaint students with topics in physics that are being actively
investigated. The topics covered will vary depending on current news within the physics
community as well as the interest of the enrolled students but may include relevant topics
such as Bose-Einstein condensates, string theory and quantum dots. Students will be
required to read articles, give short presentations and write summaries of the topics covered.
As this course is intended to be survey in nature, topics will not be covered in depth and
mathematical analysis will not be emphasized.
PY 223. PROGRAMMING AND DATA ANALYSIS 1—2—2
An introduction to some of the techniques and tools used by practicing physicists. Includes
an introduction to MATLAB programming with emphasis on programming fundamentals,
standard input/output techniques, and data handling. Students learn how to use the Mathcad
software program to do numerical analysis as well as symbolic calculations. Data and error
analysis beyond the fundamentals is introduced and includes such topics as regression
analysis, weighted averages, error propagation, and data analysis.
PY 238. LABORATORY TECHNIQUES 1—2—2
An introduction to analog electronics and associated laboratory techniques and instruments.
PY 253W. OPTICS LABORATORY 0—2—1
A laboratory course in which some of the experiments in classical optics, as well as some
in the field of laser optics will be performed. Prerequisite: PY 161. Co-requisite PY 254.
Writing Intensive (W).
PY 254. OPTICS 3—0—3
A study of geometrical and physical optics, including properties of lens systems,
superposition, interference, diffraction, polarization, an introduction to lasers and elementary
fiber optics. Prerequisite: Either PY 203 or PY 161.
PY 257. ELECTRONICS AND INTERFACING 3—2—4
A course designed to teach the principles of microcomputer control of physics experiments.
Course begins with an introduction to digital electronics, and a short review of analog electronics
(op-amps, transistors), then proceeds to sensors, stepper motors, and microcontrollers
for control of experiments. The rest of the course concentrates on learning LabVIEW and
using it with a student-designed experiment, for automated control and data acquisition.
PY 291-294. SUMMER RESEARCH IN PHYSICS 0—2—1 to 0—8—4
Independent research opportunities in physics and astronomy offered in the summer
sessions. A student working under the supervision of a faculty mentor may earn up to four
credit hours per summer session. An oral presentation and a comprehensive research paper
are required. Prerequisites: permission of the department head and faculty research mentor.
PY 308. INTRODUCTION TO NANOTECHNOLOGY 3—0—3
A course designed to introduce the student to the multidisciplinary and rapidly developing
field of nanotechnology. Topics include nanomaterials, micro/naofabrication, microscopy,
nanoelectronics, biological nanotechnology, nanoterrorism, social and ethical implications,
etc. Prerequisite: PY 160/PY 161 or PY 108/PY 203.
PY 331. INDEPENDENT PROJECT I 0—2—1
Each student works under the close supervision of a faculty member on an independent
problem. This problem may include experimental or theoretical research in the conventional
sense, or development of a new laboratory experiment, or another problem specified by
the instructor.
PY 332. INDEPENDENT PROJECT II 0—2—1
A continuation of the work done in PY 331.
PY 333W. MODERN PHYSICS LABORATORY 0—2—1
A laboratory course to accompany PY 343, Modern Physics. Elementary experiments in
both atomic and nuclear physics will be performed. Prerequisite, or Corequisite: PY 335.
Writing Intensive (W).
PY 334. NUCLEAR PHYSICS LABORATORY 0—2—1
A laboratory course to accompany PY 344, Nuclear Physics. A number of more advanced
nuclear physics laboratory experiments will be performed. Prerequisites: PY 333W and PY 335.
PY 335. MODERN PHYSICS I 3—0—3
An introduction to the topics of modern physics to include the special theory of relativity
including relativistic kinematics and dynamics, early quantum theory, wave-particle duality,
the Uncertainty Principle, the Bohr atom, quantum mechanics, and atomic physics.
Prerequisites: Either PY 203 or PY 161.
PY 336. MODERN PHYSICS II 3—0—3
An extension of PY 335, in which quantum mechanics is used to address a variety of topics
in the areas of statistical physics, molecules and solids, and semiconductor devices. Other
topics covered include nuclear models, radioactive decay, nuclear reactions, elementary
particles, general relativity, and cosmology. Prerequisites: PY 335.
PY 341. ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM I 3—0—3
An intermediate level course in electricity and magnetism, designed for physics majors,
which includes the theory of electrostatic and magneto static fields in space and matter,
followed by electrodynamics and the development of the four Maxwell equations. Vector
analysis extensively employed throughout the course. Prerequisite: Either PY 203 or PY 161.
PY 342. ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM II 3—0—3
An extension of PY 341, in which the Maxwell equations are used to address a variety of
topics, to include energy in electromagnetic fields, electromagnetic waves, and the covariant
formulation of electrodynamics, among others. Prerequisite: PY 341.
PY 344. NUCLEAR PHYSICS 3—0—3
Nuclear structure, nuclear models, decay processes, reaction cross-sections, reaction
kinematics, neutron dynamics, nuclear reactors, radiation detectors, nuclear accelerators,
particle physics. Prerequisites: PY 161.
PY 391-394. SUMMER RESEARCH IN PHYSICS 0—2—1 to 0—8—4
Independent research opportunities in physics and astronomy offered in the summer
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