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Curriculum
The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers courses that
treat experimental, theoretical, philosophical and historical
developments in the search to understand our physical universe.
Emphasis is placed on developing critical thinking and problem solving
skills in this context. In addition to the Physics
Major program the
department's curriculum is also designed to support the needs of
several
other groups of students (see Catalog
or below for full course descriptions):
General Audience:
PHYS 111: Contemporary Concepts
PHYS 112: Cosmos: perspectives and Reflections
PHYS 113: Modern Astronomy
PHYS 120: Astronomical Techniques
PHYS 194: Physics of Renewable Energy
Science Majors:
PHYS 221: Introductory Physics I
PHYS 222: Introductory Physics II
PHYS 226: Principles of Physics I
PHYS 227: Principles of Physics II
PHYS 331: Optics
Physics Majors:
PHYS 226: Principles of Physics I
PHYS 227: Principles of Physics II
PHYS 331: Modern Physics
PHYS 334: Optics
PHYS 340: Digital Electronics
PHYS 348: Laboratory Instrumentation
PHYS 440: Observational Astronomy
PHYS 443: Electromagnetic Theory I: Vacuum
PHYS 444: Electromagnetic Theory II: Material Media
PHYS 460: Astrophysics
PHYS 461: Mechanics
PHYS 468: Statistical Mechanics
PHYS 481: Quantum Mechanics
PHYS 488: Senior Research
PHYS 489: Physics Seminar
PHYS 614: Independent Project
PHYS 624: Internship
PHYS 634: Preceptorship
PHYS 644: Honors Independent
Course Descriptions
111 CONTEMPORARY CONCEPTS
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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)
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112 COSMOS: PERSPECTIVES AND REFLECTIONS
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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. Alternate years. (2 credits)
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113 MODERN ASTRONOMY
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This course discusses topics of current interest in astronomy and
the physical concepts that lead to our understanding of the Universe.
There are three main sections: the Solar System, Celestial Light and
Stars, and Galaxies and the Universe. Lectures include the formation of
the sun and planets, properties of stars and stellar remnants (like
black holes and supernovae), characteristics of our Milky Way and other
galaxies, and the formation and fate of the Universe. Basic algebra and
trigonometry are recommended. No prerequisites. Every year. (4 credits)
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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
exerpience to complement Physics
113, Modern Astronomy or as a background for advanced
observing projects. Prequisities:
concurrent of previous regristration in
Physics 113 or Physics 226. Every year. (2 credits)
194 PHYSICS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY
This is a course on the current status of the most promising
alternative and renewable energy methods from a primarily scientific
and technological perspective. Photovoltaics, passive solar, wind,
biomass and biofuels, and hydrogen will be considered in depth. Fusion
and geothermal power generation will also be briefly discussed. The
course will begin with a consideration of the nature of energy and the
physics and chemistry of energy generation. Current methods of
electricity generation and transportation energy sources (fossil fuels,
nuclear, and hydroelectric) will be briefly reviewed, including
discussion of their limitations and environmental consequences. The
focus of the course will be on understanding the scientific basis of
alternative energy sources, and their promise and technological
challenges for wide scale implementation. A two hour weekly laboratory
accompanies the course, which will include fabrication of a
dye-sensitized solar cell; the design, construction, and testing of a
scale model wind turbine; design, construction of a passive solar oven;
and analysis of data from the Macalester wind turbine and the Olin-Rice
solar cell lab. Some pre-calculus mathematics will be used, otherwise
there are no prerequisites for the course. (4 credits)
221 INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS I
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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 4–June
29). (4 credits)
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222 INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS II
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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 2–July 27). (4 credits)
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226 PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS I
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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
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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)
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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.
Minimum prerequisites: Physics 227. Three lectures, one three-hour
laboratory per week. Fall semester. (4 credits)
334 OPTICS
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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, microwave optics and telescope
building. Prerequisites: Physics 227 or consent of instructor. Three
lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week. Alternate years; next
offered Fall 2007. (4 credits)
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340 DIGITAL ELECTRONICS (Same as Computer Science 340)
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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. Prerequisite:
Mathematics 137. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
Alternate spring semesters; next offered Spring 2007. (4 credits)
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348 LABORATORY INSTRUMENTATION
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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)
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440 OBSERVATIONAL ASTRONOMY
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This is an advanced course in astronomical instrumentation, focused
on optical observational astronomy. We will discuss the various and
developing instrumentation used at the large observatories worldwide,
and discuss the important contributions and techniques of space-based
research. Computational image-processing techniques are used for
exercises in CCD imaging and spectroscopy using the Macalester
Observatory facilities, as well as for independent research projects.
Prerequisites: Physics 113 and Physics 120; or Physics 113 and a
lab-based upper-division natural science course (e.g., Physics 331,
Chemistry 311). Spring semester. (4 credits)
443 ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY I: VACUUM
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This course treats the interactions between electrical charges in
free space 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 in free space. Special emphasis is placed on boundary value
problems and other useful mathematical techniques. Prerequisites:
Physics 227 and multi-variable calculus. Three lectures per week. Fall
semester. (4 credits)
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444 ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY II: MATERIAL MEDIA
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This course extends the treatment of Physics 443 to the
electromagnetic properties of matter, especially the solid state, and
the properties of electromagnetic waves and radiation. The treatment of
electromagnetism within the special theory of relativity is also
covered. Prerequisite: Physics 443. Three lectures per week. Spring
semester. (4 credits)
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460 ASTROPHYSICS
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This course covers advanced topics in astrophysics. It includes
spectroscopy of stars, the interaction of light and matter in stellar
atmospheres and interstellar medium, nucleosynthesis and the interior
of stars, the structure of the Milky Way galaxy and the evidence for
dark matter, properties and the formation of different types of
galaxies, large-scale structure of the Universe, and observational
tests of cosmology. Prerequisites: Physics 113 and Physics 331, or
consent of the instructor. Three hours per week. Every year.(4 credits)
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461 MECHANICS
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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. Prerequisites: Physics 227 and mathematics through
differential equations. Three lectures and problem discussions per
week. Spring semester. (4 credits)
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468 STATISTICAL MECHANICS
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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 rigorously 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
condensation, fermion systems such as metals and neutron stars,
classical ideal gases, vibrations in solids (phonons), chemical
reactions, semiconductors, and transport phenomena. Prerequisites:
Physics 331 and Mathematics 237. Three lectures per week. Alternate
years; next offered Fall 2007. (4 credits)
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481 QUANTUM MECHANICS
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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. Prerequisites: Physics 331 and
mathematics through differential equations. A familiarity with linear
algebra is also helpful. Three lectures a week. Fall semester. (4
credits)
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488 SENIOR RESEARCH
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Students in the major concentration 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)
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489 PHYSICS SEMINAR
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This seminar discusses current topics in physics, astronomy and
related fields. It satisfies part of the senior capstone requirement
for the physics major. Readings will 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)
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614 INDEPENDENT PROJECT
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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)
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624 INTERNSHIP
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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)
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634 PRECEPTORSHIP
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Every semester. (4 credits)
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644 HONORS INDEPENDENT
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Independent research, writing, or other preparation leading to the
culmination of the Seniors Honors Project. Every semester. (1–4 credits)
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