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Physics and AstronomyCOURSES 111 CONTEMPORARY CONCEPTS This course is specifically designed for the liberal arts student who desires an essentially non-mathematical, yet wholly faithful, acquaintance with the fundamental concepts of contemporary physics. Topics include special relativity, curved space-time and black holes, the Big Bang universe, light, quantum theory, and elementary particles. These are presented so as to demonstrate the power of “pure thought” and scientific creativity at its best. The underlying assumption of the course is that physics approached as a way of thinking can be vitally relevant and challenging to students of all intellectual persuasions. Three lectures per week in fall and spring. No prerequisites. Every semester. (4 credits) 112 COSMOS: PERSPECTIVES AND REFLECTIONS This course seeks to acquaint students with recent advances in cosmology, particle physics, nuclear fusion, semiconductors, and genomics. Most of these topics will be presented by experts from major universities and national laboratories. No prerequisites. S/D/NC grading only. Spring semester. (2 credits) 113 MODERN ASTRONOMY This course discusses topics of current interest in astronomy and the physical concepts that lead to our understanding of the Universe. Topics range from planets and stars to galaxies, cosmology, and the nature of humanity’s place within the cosmos. Basic algebra and trigonometry are recommended. No prerequisites. Every semester. (4 credits) 120 ASTRONOMICAL TECHNIQUES This laboratory course provides active exercises in astronomical measurement techniques, including telescope and other observations of the night sky (as weather permits). The course is ideal for students who desire hands-on observing experience to complement Physics 113, Modern Astronomy, or as a background for advanced observing projects. Prerequisites: concurrent or previous registration in Physics 113 or Physics 226. Fall semester. (2 credits) 130 SCIENCE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY (Same as Environmental Studies 130) This is a course on the current status of the most promising alternative and renewable energy options from a primarily scientific and technological perspective. Current methods of electricity generation and transportation energy sources will be briefly reviewed (fossil fuels, nuclear fission, and hydroelectric), including discussion of their limitations and environmental consequences. The focus of the course will be on understanding the scientific basis of alternative and renewable energy sources, and their promise and technological challenges for wide scale implementation. Biofuels, wind, photovoltaics, concentrated solar power, hydrogen, nuclear fusion, and geothermal will be considered in depth. Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory per week. No prerequisites. Spring semester. First-day attendance is required.(4 credits)) 221 INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS I Mechanics, heat and sound, including laboratory experiments and extensive demonstrations. Daily lectures and help sessions, three two-hour laboratories per week. Students cannot receive credit for both Physics 221 and Physics 226. Summer Physics Institute only. (June 7–July 2, 2010; June 6–July 1, 2011). (4 credits) 222 INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS II Electricity and magnetism, light and optics, modern physics, including laboratory experiments and extensive demonstrations. Daily lectures and help sessions, three two-hour laboratories per week. Students cannot receive credit for both Physics 222 and Physics 227. Summer Physics Institute only. (July 7–July 30, 2010; July 5–July 29, 2011). (4 credits) 226 PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS I A study of motion, including Newton’s Law of Motion, conservation of energy and momentum, rotational kinematics and dynamics, oscillations, waves in elastic media and thermal properties of matter. Minimum prerequisite: concurrent or previous registration in Math 135. Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory per week. Students cannot receive credit for both Physics 221 and Physics 226. Every semester. (4 credits) 227 PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS II A study of electric charge and currents, electric and magnetic fields, electromagnetic waves, and geometrical and physical optics. Minimum prerequisites: Physics 226 and concurrent or previous registration in Math 137. Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory per week. Students cannot receive credit for both Physics 222 and Physics 227. Every semester. (4 credits) 331 MODERN PHYSICS This course provides an introductory treatment of the exciting foundations of modern microscopic physics, including special relativity, quantum theory, atomic structure, nuclear structure and elementary particles. The primary goal of the course is to build the solid theoretical foundation in microscopic physics necessary for advanced studies in nearly all science disciplines. In addition to the theoretical treatment of the topics there will be laboratory exercises, which recreate the spirit and excitement of the pioneering experiments. Three lectures, one three-hour laboratory per week. Minimum prerequisites: Physics 227. Fall semester. (4 credits) 334 OPTICS Principles of optics and wave phenomena, including the fundamental properties of light, geometrical optics, polarization, interference and diffraction. Laboratory includes basic optical experiments and an independent project. Recent independent projects have included: holography, fiber-optics communications, optical tweezers and telescope building. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Physics 227 or consent of instructor. Alternate years; next offered Fall 2009. (4 credits) 340 DIGITAL ELECTRONICS (Same as Computer Science 340) A survey of fundamental ideas and methods used in the design and construction of digital electronic circuits such as computers. Emphasis will be on applying the theoretical aspects of digital design to the actual construction of circuits in the laboratory. Topics to be covered include basic circuit theory, transistor physics, logic families (TTL, CMOS), Boolean logic principles, combinatorial design techniques, sequential logic techniques, memory circuits and timing, and applications to microprocessor and computer design. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: Mathematics 137 and permission of the instructor. Alternate spring semesters; next offered Spring 2011. (4 credits) 348 LABORATORY INSTRUMENTATION This course is an introduction to laboratory methods that are useful in experimental physics and other laboratory-based disciplines, with an emphasis on computer interfacing techniques. Topics will include basic analog electronics, fundamental instrumentation such as analog-digital converters and digital oscilloscopes, and computer interfacing using LabView. Student will design and construct several significant computer interfacing projects throughout the semester. Since this course provides the foundation for advanced experimental work and research, students should take this course in their sophomore or junior year. Prerequisite: Physics 227. Spring semester. (4 credits) 440 OBSERVATIONAL ASTRONOMY This is an advanced course in observational astronomy, focusing on the optical and radio regimes. We will discuss modern observational and analysis techniques used at the large observatories worldwide. Computational image-processing techniques are used for exercises in CCD imaging and spectroscopy using the Macalester Observatory facilities, as well as for analysis of observations at radio wavelengths. Independent research projects form an important component of the course. Prerequisites: Physics 113 and Physics 120; or Physics 113 and a lab-based upper-division natural science course (e.g., Physics 331, Chemistry 311). Alternate years; next offered Spring 2010. (4 credits) 443 ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY I This course treats the interactions between electrical charges by developing the concepts of potential, electric and magnetic fields, and electromagnetic induction. Maxwell’s equations are developed and used to derive the properties of plane electromagnetic waves. Special emphasis is placed on boundary value problems and other useful mathematical techniques. Three lectures per week. Prerequisites: Physics 227 and multi-variable calculus. Fall semester. (4 credits) 444 ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY II This course extends the treatment of Physics 443 to the properties of electromagnetic waves and radiation, and the treatment of electromagnetism within the special theory of relativity. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite: Physics 443. Spring semester. (4 credits) 460 ASTROPHYSICS This course covers advanced topics in astrophysics. It includes: celestial mechanics; the nature of electromagnetic radiation; the interaction of light and matter in stellar atmospheres and in the interstellar medium; nucleosynthesis and stellar evolution; the structure, dynamics and evolution of galaxies; large-scale structure of the Universe; and observational tests of cosmology. Three hours per week. Prerequisites: Physics 113 and Physics 331, or consent of the instructor. Alternate years; next offered Spring 2011.(4 credits) 461 MECHANICS The fundamental principles of classical mechanics are discussed and applied to problems of contemporary interest. Topics include: charged particle motion in electromagnetic fields, oscillations and resonance, central force motion including the Kepler problem and Rutherford scattering, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations of classical dynamics, symmetry and conservation laws, non-inertial reference frames, rigid body dynamics and applications, and an introduction to non-linear dynamics. Three lectures and problem discussions per week. Prerequisites: Physics 227 and mathematics through differential equations. Spring semester. (4 credits) 468 STATISTICAL MECHANICS This course explores the equilibrium and kinetic properties of many-particle systems such as gases, liquids, and solids. The fundamental notions of entropy, temperature, and the Boltzmann relation are derived from statistical mechanics, and are used to develop other thermodynamic ideas such as chemical potential and free energy. The theory is applied to classical and quantum systems, including photon gases (black-body radiation), Bose-Einstein condensates, metals and neutron stars, classical ideal gases, vibrations in solids (phonons), chemical reactions, semiconductors, and transport phenomena. Three lectures per week. Prerequisites: Physics 331 and Mathematics 237. Alternate years; next offered Fall 2009. (4 credits) 481 QUANTUM MECHANICS The course rigorously covers many fundamental concepts of non-relativistic quantum mechanics, including the Heisenberg uncertainty principle and Pauli exclusion principle, single- and multi-particle stationary states in one, two and three dimensions, and quantized angular momentum and spin. Schrodinger equation solutions for atomic and nuclear systems are studied, using differential equation, matrix and perturbation techniques. Three lectures a week. Prerequisites: Physics 331 and mathematics through differential equations. A familiarity with linear algebra is also helpful. Fall semester. (4 credits) 488 SENIOR RESEARCH Students in the major in physics select a subject for independent investigation and preparation of a senior thesis. Independent reading and experimentation by arrangement. Prerequisites: senior standing and departmental approval of the project prior to registration. Every year. (4 credits) 489 PHYSICS SEMINAR This seminar discusses current topics in physics, astronomy and related fields. It satisfies part of the senior capstone requirement for the physics major. Readings may be assigned as preparation for each seminar meeting. Each student will make a presentation and lead the discussion for at least one seminar session. Faculty and visitors may also make presentations and lead discussions. S/D/NC grading. One hour/week. Spring semester. (1 credit) 614 INDEPENDENT PROJECT Independent reading and experimentation by arrangement. Prerequisites: a faculty sponsor and the department chair must approve a written proposal prior to registration. Every semester. (4 credits) 624 INTERNSHIP Physics and astronomy internship credit is available to junior and senior students with declared majors in physics. Special arrangements must be made well in advance of the normal registration period. Departmental approval and supervision is required. Every semester. (4 credits) 634 PRECEPTORSHIP Every semester. (4 credits) 644 HONORS INDEPENDENT Independent research, writing, or other preparation leading to the culmination of the seniors honors project. Every semester. (1–4 credits)
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