A mark of a great book is that everyone knows the ideas it contains even if most may not know that the book exists. Such is the case with Thomas Kuhn’s The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. Kuhn’s influence is felt every time one speaks of a “paradigm shift” or “disruption in the marketplace”. This course examines revolutionary periods in western science in cultural and intellectual context, from ancient Greece, to the transformative periods of 16th and 17th century Europe, to modern revolutions in quantum theory, cosmology, complexity, and biology. Students will investigate the applicability of Kuhn’s model in each situation. A study, designed for non-science majors, of developments in scientific thinking from Aristotle to Einstein. The focus of the course is on the transition from Aristotelian, to Newtonian, to Modern Physics. This course does not have a lab component.
Occasionally
The hardest part of energy problems are the associated environmental costs. The most difficult part of our environmental challenge is energy demand. Energetic processes are governed by strict physical laws and tend to increase the disorder of physical systems. Traditionally, these processes have used highly efficient but increasingly limited natural resources. Against this backdrop we are called to “love your neighbor as yourself”. As society seeks to move to more sustainable energy sources and deal with the consequences of previous energy related practices, this course will examine the complexities involved in balancing physical, moral, environmental, economic, and international policy aspects of the energy challenge.
Natural Science course
Every other Spring, even years
somewhat related to past CIVT 203 course but adapted for larger class
Light surrounds us and informs our daily life. In this course for non-physics majors, we will examine many aspects of light and its impact on the world around us. We will begin by studying geometric optics - the optics of shadows, lenses, fiber optics, and rainbows. We will then move onto wave optics - the optics of anti-reflective coatings, pointillism, and polarized sunglasses. Finally, we will wrap up by considering the quantum mechanical nature of light - the physics behind solar power, LASERs, and optical tweezers. As we study these topics, emphasis will be placed on the everyday applications of the physics concepts and their impact on the world.
One course from Science in the Natural World
Every Interim
A survey of our current knowledge about the physical universe. Designed for the student interested in such topics as the solar system, nova, comets, stars, nebulae, galaxies, black holes, extraterrestrial life and who wants to increase his or her knowledge of our place in the cosmos. Includes observations of the night sky.
Every Fall
Independent study of topics approved by department.
This is an introductory physics course with an emphasis on life science applications. Calculus will be used primarily for motivation of concepts and will be introduced as necessary. Topics include motion, dynamics, and force laws, conservation of momentum and energy, fluids, and thermodynamics.
Every Fall
This is an introductory physics course with an emphasis on life science applications. Calculus will be used primarily for motivation of concepts and be developed in the course as necessary. Topics include electricity, magnetism, waves, optics, light, imaging, special relativity, atomic and nuclear physics.
Every Spring
Major topics include mechanics and thermodynamics. Vectors and calculus are used. Laboratory work is mainly an introduction to experimental techniques including the use of a computer.
Every Fall and Spring
Major topics include electricity, magnetism, optics and introductory atomic and nuclear physics. Extensive use of vectors and calculus. Laboratory work mainly emphasizes concepts and techniques.
Every Fall and Spring
Students gain experience with basic laboratory instrumentation and techniques, written and oral technical communication, and literature searching.
Every Fall
Selected topics in Physics.
Independent study of topics approved by department.
Every Fall and Spring
This course will introduce a series of physical principles, based on statistical mechanics, which can be used to examine biological questions, specifically questions involving how cells function. Calculus will be used without apology.
Every other Spring, even years
Designed to prepare the student for upper-level physics courses by studying such topics as vector analysis, Fourier series, Laplace and Fourier transforms, and ordinary and partial differential equations of physical systems. Emphasis is placed on the development of computer-based computation skills. Recommended as a prerequisite for all courses numbered above 340.
Every Fall
Theory and applications of DC and AC circuits. Theory of solid state devices such as diodes and transistors. Applications of these devices to power supplies, amplifiers, operational amplifiers, integrated circuits, analog to digital and digital to analog converters and other instrumentation.
Occasionally
Detailed study of kinematics, Newtonian dynamics and rigid bodies. Introduction to Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations.
Every other Spring, even years
Equations of state, ideal and real gases, laws of thermodynamics, introduction to statistical mechanics. Topics developed from both macroscopic and microscopic points of view. Double majors in Chemistry and Physics not planning to pursue graduate study in physics may, with departmental approval, substitute CHEM 301 and 302 for PHYS 351 to fulfill the physics major elective requirements.
Every other Spring, odd years
Electrostatics, dielectrics, magnetostatics, Faraday's induction laws, and Maxwell's equations. Working knowledge of vector calculus is assumed.
Every other Fall, even years
This course includes: 1) an introduction to modern concepts in optics including electromagnetic waves, propagation of light through media, geometrical optics of lenses and mirrors, interference, coherence, Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffractions; and 2) a brief introduction to modern optical applications, including Fourier optics, holography, light scattering, interferometry and laser technology.
Occasional Interims
Students will gain experience with laboratory instrumentation as they perform a laboratory exploration of some of the experiments that led to the transition from the classical physics paradigm to quantum mechanics. Some of the experiments for this course may include the photelectic effect, measurement of the speed of light, the measurement of charge-to-mass ratio of the electron and studies of nuclear decays.
Every Spring
Historical development of the transition from classical to quantum physics, Bohr's atomic theory, Schroedinger's equation and applications to atomic, nuclear, and solid state systems. Introduction to relativity and to elementary particles.
Every Spring
This course will cover the general structure and formalism of quantum mechanics. Topics will include: Schrödinger's Equation and solutions for one-dimensional problems; Dirac notation and matrix mechanics; the harmonic oscillator; the hydrogen atom; angular momentum and spin; and approximation methods.
Every other Fall, odd years
Continuation of Physics 281. Includes an emphasis on independent technical writing. Taken senior year.
Every Spring
Directed investigations in theoretical or experimental physics for physics majors. Satisfies a requirement for graduation with distinction in physics. Students will propose, carry out, write, and defend a thesis project.
Permission of the Department Chair
Every Fall
See Physics advisor. Additional fees may apply.
Selected topics in Physics.
Independent study of topics approved by department.
This course is a combination of two Project Lead The Way courses. This course will satisfy the lab science general education requirement.
Intro to Engineering Design: Students use the design process and industry standard 3D modeling software to design solutions to solve proposed problems.
Principles of Engineering: Students are exposed to major concepts like mechanisms, energy, statics, materials and kinematics.
Students may take one or more of the following specializations:
Aerospace Engineering: Students explore the evolution of flight, flight fundamentals, navigation and control, aerospace materials, propulsion, space travel and orbital mechanics.
Biotechnical Engineering: Hands-on projects engage students in engineering design problems related to biomechanics, cardiovascular engineering, genetic engineering, tissue engineering, biomedical devices, forensics and bioethics.
Civil Engineering and Architecture: Students design and develop residential and commercial properties using 3D architectural design software.
Computer Integrated Manufacturing: Students explore manufacturing history, individual processes, systems and careers. The course also incorporates finance, ethics and engineering design.
Digital Electronics: Students are introduced to the process of combinational and sequential logic design, engineering standards and technical documentation. They are also exposed to programming integrated circuit kits and microcontrollers.
Students work in teams to design and develop an original solution to a valid open-ended technical problem by applying the engineering design process.