2010-2011 - Sweet Briar College

physics and engineeringSweet Briar CollegePHYS 171 (4)–General Physics IPrerequisite or co-requisite: MATH 123 orMATH 124. A study of Newton’s Laws, theconservation laws of classical mechanics andtheir application to physical systems, and wavemotion. Four hours lecture. III.Q, V.8a.PHYS 172 (4)–General Physics IIPrerequisite: PHYS 171. Prerequisite or corequisite:MATH 124. A study of electricity,magnetism, circuits, electromagnetic waves, andoptics. Four hours lecture. III.Q, V.8a.PHYS 201 (4)–Mathematical Methods ofEngineering and PhysicsPrerequisites: MATH 223 and PHYS 171. Thiscourse focuses on the mathematical techniquesand software frequently used by physicists andengineers. Students will study topics includinglinear algebra, differential equations, vector calculus,series expansions, complex numbers, andnumerical techniques. Mathematical topics willbe presented with an emphasis on applicationsin engineering and physics.PHYS 202 (3)–Twentieth-Century PhysicsPrerequisite: PHYS 240. Prerequisite or corequisite:MATH 328 or PHYS 201. An introductionto the special theory of relativity andquantum phenomena. Topics include the Bohratom, the wave function, electron spin, PauliPrinciple, quantum statistics, and atomic structure.Four hours lecture.PHYS 210 (3)–Introductory Astronomyand AstrophysicsPrerequisite: PHYS 172; co-requisite: MATH 223.An introduction to topics in planetary physics; stellar,galactic, and extragalactic astronomy and astrophysics;and cosmology. Offered alternate years.PHYS 220 (3)–Computational PhysicsPrerequisites: CSCI 188 and PHYS 172.Prerequisite or co-requisite: MATH 223.Computer modeling of physical phenomenausing numerical methods and Monte Carlosimulations. Offered alternate years.PHYS 230 (3)–Introduction to Solid-StatePhysics and Materials SciencePrerequisite: PHYS 202 or CHEM 331. A surveyof the fundamental principles determiningthe macroscopic properties of solids. The latticesystem and the electron system are investigatedas a basis for understanding dielectric, optical,semiconductive, and superconductive behaviorin solids. Offered alternate years.PHYS 233 (1)–Intermediate PhysicsLaboratoryPrerequisites: PHYS 132 and PHYS 172.Selected experiments in classical physics andelectrical circuits. Analysis and treatment ofuncertainty and error. One three-hour laboratory.III.Q, V.8b.PHYS 240 (3)–OpticsPrerequisite: PHYS 172. This course will focus ontopics of physical optics with some review of geometricaloptics. Topics covered will include opticalinstrumentation, interference of light, opticalinterferometry, diffraction, fiber optics, lasers,and nonlinear optics. Offered alternate years.PHYS 261 (1, 2, or 3)–Directed StudyPrerequisites: One PHYS course and permissionof the instructor. The study of introductorylevel material by an individual student or by asmall group of students under the immediatesupervision of a faculty member.PHYS 301 (3)–Classical MechanicsPrerequisites: PHYS 172; and PHYS 201 orMATH 328. Classical mechanics, Lagrangianand Hamiltonian functions. Central force problems.Offered alternate years.PHYS 302 (3)–Electromagnetic TheoryPrerequisites: PHYS 172; and PHYS 201 orMATH 328. Maxwell’s Equations, electromagneticwaves, and material media. Offered alternate years.PHYS 313 (3)–Quantum MechanicsPrerequisite: PHYS 202. Quantum mechanics,solutions of Schrodinger’s Equation, operatorformalism, angular momentum, and perturbationtheory. Offered alternate years.PHYS 321 (3)–Advanced PhysicsLaboratoryPrerequisite: PHYS 233. Prerequisite or corequisite:PHYS 202. Advanced experiments176­