Course Catalog - North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics

SCIENCES / physicsPH405 AP Physics C: MechanicsTwo trimesters (2 unit of credit)Prerequisite: Final grades of A- or higher in PH306 Physics Iand PH308 Physics II or final grades of B+ or higher in PH352Physics with Advanced Topics I and PH354 Physics withAdvanced Topics II or exemption from NCSSM core physicsrequirement, and permission of the Dean of ScienceCorequisite: MA420 AP Calculus BC (I) for first trimester andMA422 AP Calculus BC (II) for second trimester.Meeting pattern: 4 periods per week including labThis course provides a thorough treatment of classical mechanics andan introduction to Maxwell’s theory of electromagnetism. Calculus isused where needed and is treated at a level appropriate to studentswho are taking MA420/422 sequence. An excellent grasp of thefundamental concepts taught in introductory physics is assumed.There is a strong problem-solving emphasis and the course includesa lab component. Students who have taken PH306/308 will find itnecessary to study some additional topics not taught in those courses.This course may be used to prepare for the Mechanics portion of theAP C Physics examination.PH406* AP Physics C: Electricityand MagnetismOne trimester (1 unit of credit)Prerequisite: Final grade of B or higher in PH405 AP PhysicsC: Mechanics, MA422 AP Calculus BC (II) and permissionof the Dean of Science.Meeting pattern: 4 periods per week including labThis course continues the study of Maxwell’s theory of electromagnetism.Emphasis is on the completion of the AP C Physics curriculum. Thereis a strong problem-solving emphasis and the course includes a labcomponent. Calculus is used where needed and is treated at a levelappropriate to students who have taken MA422 AP Calculus BC (II).Completion of PH405 AP Physics C: Mechanics and this course maybe used to prepare for the Electricity and Magnetism portion of theAP C Physics examination.PH418* AstrophysicsOne trimester (1 unit of credit)Corequisite: PH306 Physics I or PH352 Physics with AdvancedTopics I or exemption from NCSSM core physics requirement,and MA305 Precalculus and Modeling.Meeting pattern: 5 periods per week including labThe emphasis in this course is on how astronomers extract physicalinformation about stars, galaxies, and interstellar matter fromobservations of spectral and apparent brightness. The course coversthe origin, structure, and evolution of stars like the sun. Interstellarmatter, galaxies, and the universe are discussed briefly. Studentsare expected to integrate physics and chemistry principles into thestudy of stellar structure and evolution. Opportunities for telescopeobservation and image processing projects are available.PH420* Galaxies and CosmologyOne trimester (1 unit of credit)Prerequisite: PH418* AstrophysicsCorequisite: PH306 Physics I or PH352 Physics with AdvancedTopics I or exemption from NCSSM core physics requirement,and MA305 Precalculus and Modeling.Meeting pattern: 5 periods per week including labThis course emphasizes the origin, structure, and evolution ofmassive stars and the events that lead to supernovas, black holes,and neutron stars. The origin, structure, and evolution of galaxiesand the universe re also studied in detail. Students are expectedto integrate physics and chemistry principles into the study ofboth stellar and galactic structure and evolution. Opportunitiesfor telescope observation and image processing projects areavailable.PH442* Research in Physics IOne trimester (1 unit of credit)Prerequisite: B or higher earned in one trimester of corephysics at NCSSM, or exemption from NCSSM core physicsrequirement; and permission of the Dean of Science.Meeting pattern: 8 periods per week including 3 labsThis is an advanced course for students with the maturity, independence,and motivation necessary to conduct their own research project.Students learn scientific methodology and experimental designbefore conducting a trial experiment on a small scale. Students maythen be paired into research groups to write a research proposal ona problem of interest to them. Throughout the course, students readfrom the primary scientific literature and participate in discussion groupson current issues in scientific research. Based on the outcomes of thetrimester’s work, students may be given an opportunity to participatein summer research programs on campus or in the Triangle area.Students with a final grade of B or higher are encouraged to continuein PH444* Research in Physics II.PH444* Research in Physics IIOne trimester (1 unit of credit)Prerequisite: Final grade of B or higher in PH442* Researchin Physics I or successful participation in a summer researchprogram; and permission of the Dean of Science.Meeting pattern: 8 periods per week including 3 labsIn this course, students continue to gather and analyze experimentaldata based on their previous trimester and/or summer work. Timeis devoted to the completion of the research project and a writtenpaper. Students are required to present their results at the NCSSMResearch Symposium and at the NC Student Academy of Sciencecompetition. Students may, at their option, also enter their work inthe fall national competitions, where appropriate.PH446* Research in Physics IIIOne trimester (1 unit of credit)Prerequisite: Final grade of B or higher in PH444* Researchin Physics II, and permission of the Dean of Science.Meeting pattern: 8 periods per week including 3 labsIn this course, students continue work on their previous research toproduce additional data and analysis, as needed, or to researchextension questions based on their original work. Students in thiscourse have a leadership role in working with the junior studentsenrolled in Research in Physics.PH448* Research in Physics IVOne trimester (1 unit of credit)Prerequisite: Final grade of B or higher in PH446* Researchin Physics III, and permission of the Dean of Science.Meeting pattern: 8 periods per week including 3 labsIn this course, students continue work on their previous research toproduce additional data and analysis, as needed, or to researchextension questions based on their original work. Students in this coursehave a leadership role in working with the junior students enrolled inResearch in Physics and may serve as teaching assistants.NCSSM 2008-0930COURSE CATALOG