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Physics and Astronomy 2001-2002 Faculty: Brooks, DeCarlo, Kertzman (chair),
Kiriyama, Smith.
Physics is an experimental science that seeks to explain the interactions of matter and energy in terms of a relatively small number of fundamental laws. The physics and astronomy department offers a full range of undergraduate courses in classical and modern physics. The physics program includes introductory-level survey courses that satisfy the Group I distribution requirement as well as advanced courses that provide students with problem solving skills; research experience, including experimental design and data analysis; and practice with critical thinking.
A student with a degree in physics is not limited to traditional physics or astronomy research after graduation. The skills and experiences a student gains will be transferable to many other possible careers, including: engineering, medicine, patent law, education, biophysics, management and journalism.
The department offers a major and a minor in Physics. Students planning to major in Physics should consult with a member of the department as early as possible in their college careers. Incoming students who plan to major in Physics should take PHYS 121-122 and MATH 135-136 or MATH 151 in the first year. Most pre- engineering students must take PHYS 121, 122, 231 and 351. Students interested in pre-engineering should consult with a pre-engineering adviser as early as possible.
The department encourages students to participate in original research projects both on and off campus. A program at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory enables students to spend a semester working under the guidance of an ORNL staff member. Recent students have also done internships in conjunction with members of the department at the Kitt Peak Observatory in Arizona, the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center and Fermilab.
The department operates McKim Observatory, which e houses a 9.5-inch Clark refractor telescope, a stellar photometer, an ST-6 CD camera, five Celestron 8-inch and one Celestron 11-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes. Other on-campus facilities include a complete nuclear alpha- and beta-spectroscopy laboratory, and a laboratory for optical image analysis.
The department sponsors an active Physics Club. Students meet regularly for visiting lecturers, trips to conferences, special club projects and social events. A local chapter of Sigma Pi Sigma, the physics honorary society, hosts annual receptions for the induction of new student members.
Requirements for a major in Physics: | Total courses required: | ten courses |
| Core courses: | PHYS 121, PHYS 122, PHYS 271, PHYS 272, PHYS 273, PHYS 331, PHYS 332, PHYS 471, PHYS 483 |
| # 300 and 400 level courses: | four courses |
| Senior requirement: | The senior requirement consists of the completion of PHYS 483 with a C- grade or better, as well as pass a departmental comprehensive examination given during the senior year. |
| Additional information: | Appropriate mathematics, computer science and chemistry courses are suggested as electives. Physics majors are encouraged to study a foreign language: German, Russian or French are preferred. |
Requirements for a minor in Physics: | Total courses required: | five courses | | Core courses: | PHYS 121, PHYS 122, PHYS 271
| | # 300 and 400 level courses: | one course | Courses in Physics and Astronomy PHYS 103. Astronomy of the Solar System [4-3] --1 course (includes laboratory)
An introductory course concentrating on the solar system. Topics to be covered include: observational astronomy; the history and development of astronomy; Kepler's laws of planetary motion; Newton's laws of motion and gravity; the Earth-moon system; the structure and composition of the planets with an emphasis on comparative planetology; asteroids, comets, the formation of the solar system, the sun and the exploration of space. Emphasis is placed on investigating the methods by which astronomers gain knowledge about the solar system. Evening laboratory periods will emphasize observation and will help students develop quantitative skills in interpreting data. PHYS 103 and PHYS 104 may be taken in either order. May not be counted toward a major in physics. Prerequisite: high school algebra and trigonometry.
PHYS 104. Stellar Astronomy [4-3] --1 course (includes laboratory)
An introductory course concentrating on the astronomy of stars and stellar systems. Topics to be covered include properties of stars; stellar evolution; white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes; the interstellar medium; the Milky Way; galaxies; Hubble's Law; and cosmology. Emphasis is placed on investigating the methods by which astronomers gain knowledge about the universe. Evening laboratory periods will emphasize observation and will help students develop quantitative skills in interpreting data. PHYS 103 and PHYS 104 may be taken in either order. Not open to students with credit in PHYS 200. May not be counted toward a major in physics. Prerequisite: high school algebra and trigonometry.
PHYS 112. Physics for Poets [4-2] --1 course (includes laboratory)
The fundamental concepts of classical and modern physics with attention to their bearings in other fields of science and the humanities. Topics include the historical development of Newtonian mechanics, special and general relativity, quantum physics and modern cosmology. Contrasts between Newtonian and 20th-century world views are emphasized. This course does not fulfill the prerequisites for advanced courses in physics, nor the requirements for medicine, engineering or secondary teaching. Prerequisite: high school algebra and trigonometry.
PHYS 121. Principles of Physics I[4-2] --1 course (includes laboratory)
An introductory calculus-based course covering fundamental concepts of physics including: momentum, energy, conservation laws, particle interactions, Newton's laws, oscillations, orbits and planetary motion and special relativity. Laboratory sessions will provide a hands-on opportunity to explore the concepts of physics. This course is designed for students majoring in the sciences and mathematics and those in pre-professional programs in health sciences, medicine, engineering and teaching. Prerequisite or co-requisite: MATH 136 or MATH 151 .
PHYS 122. Principles of Physics II [4-2] --1 course (includes laboratory)
This course builds on PHYS 121 and covers fundamental concepts of physics including: electric and magnetic fields, circuits, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves, waves, interference and diffraction, wave-particle duality, atoms, nuclei and radioactivity, thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. Laboratory sessions will provide a hands on opportunity to explore the concepts of physics. This course is designed for students majoring in the sciences and mathematics and those in pre-professional programs in health sciences, medicine, engineering and teaching. Prerequisite: PHYS 121.
PHYS 200. Introductory Astrophysics --1 course
The concepts of classical and modern physics are applied to the study of astronomy, providing a physical basis for understanding the components and structure of our universe. Topics to be covered include: spectroscopy, stellar properties, binary stars, stellar classification, stellar structure and evolution, galaxies and galactic structure, active galactic nuclei and cosmology. Prerequisite: PHYS 122.
PHYS 203. Cosmology [4-0] --1 course
An examination of fundamental questions about the origin, order and meaning of the universe from the perspectives of physics, philosophy and other disciplines. Topics include: creation myths; development of Western cosmology; physics and metaphysics of space and time; cosmological and design arguments for the existence of God; the Anthropic Principle; life and consciousness.
PHYS 231. Statics [2-0] --1/2 course
Mathematical methods for analysis of force systems for rigid bodies, including equilibrium requirements, stresses in frames and trusses, forces in beams and cables, friction, centroids and moments of inertia. Prerequisite: PHYS 121.
PHYS 241. Circuit Theory and Electronics [4-3] --1 course (includes laboratory)
Experimental and theoretical treatment of direct current and alternating current circuits. Topics include: diode applications, transistors, operational amplifiers, feedback, analog-digital conversion, digital logic and microprocessors. Prerequisite: PHYS 122.
PHYS 271. Introduction to Modern Physics [4-3] --1 course (includes laboratory)
A phenomenological and theoretical treatment of some fields of modern physics, including relativity and quantum mechanics; studies of wave-particle duality; molecular, atomic and nuclear structure; selected current developments; and fundamental particles. Prerequisite: PHYS 122.
PHYS 272. Mathematical Methods I [4-0] --1 course
Methods in applied mathematics for students in physical sciences, engineering and mathematics. Topics include: partial derivatives, multiple integrals, power series, complex numbers, linear algebra and vector analysis. Emphasis is given to the physical applications of the mathematics. Co-requisite: MATH 152 . Prerequisite: PHYS 121.
PHYS 273. Mathematical Methods II [4-0] --1 course
Additional topics in applied mathematics, including ordinary and partial differential equations, Fourier series, integral transforms, Green's functions, special functions, probability and complex variables. Prerequisite: PHYS 272.
PHYS 331. Mechanics [4-0] --1 course
Basic definitions and principles of classical mechanics, conservation laws, systems of particles and motion of rigid bodies, oscillating phenomena and an introduction to generalized coordinates and the methods of Lagrange and Hamilton. Prerequisite: PHYS 272.
PHYS 332. Electricity and Magnetism [4-0] --1 course
Experimental foundations of electricity and magnetism, electrostatic and magnetostatic problems, dielectrics, the field concept in electromagnetism and Maxwell's equations and the concept of energy in electromagnetism. Several periods may be in laboratory. Prerequisite: PHYS 272.
PHYS 351. Dynamics [4-0] --1 course
A theoretical treatment of the physical laws governing the motion of particles and rigid bodies, including studies of energy and momentum, kinematics, curvilinear motion and central forces. Prerequisite: PHYS 121-122.
PHYS 361. Optics [3-3] --1 course (includes laboratory)
Geometrical and physical optics along with the nature and theory of electromagnetic radiation and wave motion including paraxial theory, superposition of waves, interference, diffraction, polarization, basics of coherence theory and selected topics from contemporary optics including lasers and holography. Prerequisite: PHYS 122.
PHYS 400. Teaching of Physics --1/2 course (includes laboratory)
For students planning to teach physics and general science in secondary schools. Not applicable toward the major. Prerequisite: PHYS 122.
PHYS 412. Thermal Physics [4-0] --1 course
Treatment of the laws of thermodynamics and the concepts of temperature, pressure, entropy, chemical potential and free energy as related to the quantum statistical behavior of microscopic systems. Included are applications to kinetic theory of gases, heat engines, photons and phonons, systems in magnetic and electric fields, transport phenomena and biological and engineering problems. Prerequisite: PHYS 272.
PHYS 452. Quantum Mechanics [4-0] --1 course
Non-relativistic wave mechanical treatment of physical systems. Definition and interpretation of state functions; construction of wave packets; solutions of the Schrodinger equation for simple one-dimensional systems; the hydrogen atom; various approximation methods including perturbation theory. Prerequisite: PHYS 271.
PHYS 471-472. Advanced Laboratory [0-1 or 0-2] --1/4-1/2 course each semester (includes laboratory)
The extension of other physics courses or experimental work in modern physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 271.
PHYS 481-482. Selected Topics in Physics --1/4-1/2 course each semester
Independent study. May include various aspects of bio-physics, chemical physics or other interdisciplinary subjects. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
PHYS 483. Seminar --1/2 course
Individual presentations and group discussions cover a wide range of topics. Prerequisite: a major in physics or permission of instructor. Required of all senior physics majors.
PHYS 490. Selected Topics in Astronomy --1/4-1/2 course
Independent study. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
PHYS EXP. Understanding Physics Through Recent Discoveries --1 course
An understanding of key principles, improving technologies, and new paradigms of physics will be developed through critical reading of articles on the latest research and discoveries written for the broad international community of physicists. Guests and students in the class will select and critique short articles by investigating the underlying physics, the state of the field which provides context for the latest report, and the significant of the latest reported accomplishment. Topics are likely to include, but are not limited to, nanoscale materials, quantum communication, quantum computing, chaos, solitons, cosmology, among others.
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