Physics / Astronomy Home Programs Courses Faculty Research Students Ursinus College

Physics and Astronomy Course Descriptions

PHYS-100Q. Introduction to Physics Staff A survey of classical physics with emphasis on its structure and intellectual development as well as its application to problems of society. Concepts of motion, energy, sound, light, electricity, and magnetism. This course assumes no previous study in physics. A working knowledge of high school algebra is assumed. Three hours lecture and two hours laboratory per week. Four semester hours. PHYS-101Q. Introduction to Astronomy Dr. Nagy An introduction to the methods and concepts of modern astronomy: physical principles, telescopic observations of the moon, sun, stars, and planets, measuring the physical properties of stars, star formation. Prerequisite: a working knowledge of high school algebra. Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. Four semester hours. PHYS-111Q. General Physics I Staff A study of mechanics and waves, utilizing mathematics in the presentation and in exercises. Prerequisite: Mathematics 110 or equivalent. Two hours of class meetings and two, two-hour workshops per week. Four semester hours. PHYS-112. General Physics II Staff A study of thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, and light, utilizing mathematics in the presentation and in exercises. Prerequisite: Physics 111Q. Two hours of class meetings and two, two-hour workshops per week. Four semester hours. PHYS-121. Problem-Solving Techniques I Staff Problem solving in physics using mathematics (precalculus and differential calculus) and computer systems (spreadsheets, graphing programs, and symbolic computation systems). Pre- or corequisites: Physics 111Q, Mathematics 111 or 108. One hour per week. One semester hour. PHYS-122. Problem-Solving Techniques II Staff Problem solving in physics using mathematics (differential and integral calculus) and computer systems. Prerequisite: Physics 121; pre- or corequisites: Physics 112, Mathematics 112. One hour per week. One semester hour. PHYS-201. Topics in Modern Astronomy Dr. Nagy Stellar evolution, solar system astronomy, galaxies, the creation and evolution of the universe, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Prerequisite: Physics 100Q or 101Q. Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. Four semester hours. Students having credit for Physics 301 may not receive credit for Physics101Q or 201. PHYS-207. Modern Physics Staff Special relativity, origins of quantum theory, physics of atoms, molecules, solids, nuclei, and elementary particles. Class work will include experiments which demonstrate the physical principles. Prerequisite: Physics 112. Four hours per week. Four semester hours. PHYS-209. Circuits Dr. Cellucci Foundations of analog and digital circuits. D-C and A-C circuits, transistors, operational amplifiers, digital electronics. Prerequisite: Physics 110 or 112. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. Offered spring semester. Four semester hours. PHYS-210. Mechanics I Staff Vectors, statics, vector calculus, kinematics of a particle, dynamics of a particle, energy, harmonic motion, moving reference systems, central forces. Prerequisites: Physics 112, 121, 122; Mathematics 112. Three hours per week. Offered fall semester. Three semester hours. PHYS-210a. Laboratory in Mechanics I Staff Laboratory work (optional) for Physics 210. Three hours per week. Offered fall semester. One semester hour. PHYS-212. Classical and Quantum Mechanical Waves Dr. Nagy The behavior of classical waves, wave-particle duality, state functions and probability densities, the Schroedinger wave equation, one-dimensional quantum mechanical problems, prediction and measurement in quantum mechanics. Class work will include experiments which demonstrate the physical principles. Prerequisites: Physics 112, 121, 122; Mathematics 112. Four hours per week. Four semester hours. Back to top

 

PHYS-301. Introduction to Astrophysics Dr. Nagy Astrometry, astronomical photometry, CCD imaging and image processing, spectroscopy. The astronomical two-body problem, tidal forces, the Sun and planets, observable properties of stars, stellar structure and evolution, binary starts, galaxies and cosmology. Prerequisites: Physics 112, 121, Mathematics 111; pre- or corequisites: Physics 122. Mathematics 112. Three hours lecture and three hours lab per week. Four semester hours. PHYS-304. Thermodynamics Staff Primarily classical thermodynamics with a brief introduction to statistical aspects. Temperature, laws of thermodynamics, work, heat, energy, entropy, thermodynamic potentials, kinetic theory of dilute gases, equations of state. (Alternates with 410.) Prerequisites: Physics 112, 122, Mathematics 211. Three hours per week. Three semester hours. PHYS-308W. Modern Physics Laboratory Staff Experimental investigations of the principles of modern physics, with emphasis on laboratory techniques and the written communication of scientific results. Prerequisites: Physics 207, 212, English 100. Six hours of laboratory per week. Three semester hours. PHYS-309. Electric and Magnetic Fields Dr. Takats Electric and magnetic fields and potentials, Laplace's equation, dielectrics and magnetic materials, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves. Prerequisites: Physics 112, 122, Mathematics 211. (Alternates with 401.) Three hours per week. Three semester hours. PHYS-315. Mathematical Physics I Dr. Nagy Ordinary differential equations, special functions of mathematical physics, linear algebra, coordinate transformations, vector analysis, Fourier series, numerical solution of algebraic equations. Prerequisites: Physics 112, 122, Mathematics 211. Four hours per week. Four semester hours. PHYS-316. Mathematical Physics II Dr. Nagy Complex analysis, partial differential equations, numerical integration and differentiation, numerical solution of ordinary differential equations, Fourier and LaPlace transforms. Prerequisite: Physics 315. Four hours per week. Four semester hours. PHYS-317. Seminar Staff Study and discussion of advanced topics or recent developments in physics. Students must consult the chair of the department before registering for this course. Three hours per week. Three semester hours. PHYS-318. Seminar Staff Same description as Physics 317. Three hours per week. Three semester hours. PHYS-358W. Seminar in Astrophysics Staff Study and discussion of advanced topics or recent developments in astrophysics, with emphasis on the written communication of scientific results. Prerequisite: Physics 301. Three hours per week. Three semester hours. PHY210S-401. Applications of Quantum Mechanics Staff The hydrogen atom, angular momentum, systems of identical particles, perturbation theory, and other applications selected from atomic, molecular, solid-state, and nuclear physics. Prerequisite: Physics 212. (Alternates with 309.) Three hours per week. Three semester hours. PHYS-408. Materials Science Staff Application of physical, chemical and thermodynamic principles to the understanding of materials. Materials considered include metals, polymers, ceramics, composites and semiconductors (the same course as Chemistry 408). Offered spring semester of even-numbered years. Pre- or corequisites: Either Chemistry 112 and Physics 212 or Chemistry 310. Three hours per week. Three semester hours. PHYS-410. Mechanics II Staff Dynamics of a system of particles, mechanics of rigid bodies, general motion of a rigid body, Lagrange's equations, Hamilton's equations, theory of vibrations. Prerequisites: Physics 210, Mathematics 211. (Alternates with 304.) Three hours per week. Three semester hours. PHYS-411. Research Staff Investigations, of experimental or theoretical nature, pursued independently by the student. The preparation of a summarizing report is required. To register for this course, a student must have the consent of a member of the physics staff to serve as the adviser. One semester hour. PHYS-412. Research Staff Continuation of Physics 411. One semester hour. PHYS-421. Research Staff Same as Physics 411, but more extensive in scope. Two semester hours. PHYS-422. Research Staff Continuation of Physics 421. Two semester hours. PHYS-450. Senior Seminar Staff Investigation and discussions of recent developments in physics, with emphasis on oral communication of scientific results. Open to physics majors in their senior year or in their junior year with permission of the departmental chairperson. One hour per week. One semester hour. PHYS-491. Research/Independent Work Staff This course is open to candidates for departmental honors and to other students with the permission of the departmental chairman. Three semester hours. PHYS-492W. Research/Independent Work Staff A continuation of Physics 491. Writing a major paper and giving an oral presentation are required. Prerequisites: English 100, Physics 491. Four semester hours. Back to top

Physics / Astronomy Home Programs Courses Faculty Research Students Ursinus College