Course Offerings
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- Winter 2025
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- Spring 2024
Winter 2025▲
See complete information about these courses in the course offerings database. For more information about a specific course, including course type, schedule and location, click on its title.
General Physics I
PHYS 111 - Rutkowski, Todd
An introduction to classical mechanics. Topics include kinematics, Newton's laws, solids, fluids, and wave motion.
General Physics II
PHYS 112 - Mazilu, Irina
A continuation of PHYS 111. Topics include thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, and optics.
General Physics II
PHYS 112 - Nguyen, Son
A continuation of PHYS 111. Topics include thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, and optics.
General Physics II
PHYS 112 - Sukow, David
A continuation of PHYS 111. Topics include thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, and optics.
General Physics II (FY Only)
PHYS 112A - McClain, Tom
A continuation of PHYS 111. Topics include thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, and optics.
Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering
PHYS 225 - Shobeiry, Poorya
Study of a collection of mathematical techniques particularly useful in upper-level courses in physics and engineering: vector differential operators such as gradient, divergence, and curl; functions of complex variables; Fourier analysis; orthogonal functions; matrix algebra and the matrix eigenvalue problem; ordinary and partial differential equations.
Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering
PHYS 225 - Aiken, Paul
Study of a collection of mathematical techniques particularly useful in upper-level courses in physics and engineering: vector differential operators such as gradient, divergence, and curl; functions of complex variables; Fourier analysis; orthogonal functions; matrix algebra and the matrix eigenvalue problem; ordinary and partial differential equations.
Newtonian Mechanics
PHYS 230 - Mazilu, Dan
A thorough study of Newton's laws of motion, rigid body motion, and accelerated reference frames.
Modeling and Simulation of Physical Systems
PHYS 265 - Mazilu, Irina
An introduction to the innovative field of modeling and analysis of complex physical systems from such diverse fields as physics, chemistry, ecology, epidemiology, and a wide range of interdisciplinary, emerging fields such as econophysics and sociophysics. Topics vary according to faculty expertise and student interest. The goal is to seek the underlying physics laws that govern such seemingly diverse systems and to provide contemporary mathematical and computational tools for studying and simulating their dynamics. Includes traditional lectures as well as workshops and computational labs, group presentations, and seminars given by invited speakers.
Advanced Physics Lab
PHYS 289 - Rutkowski, Todd
This laboratory course will provide students with hands-on experience studying a variety of phenomena encountered in advanced fields of physics, including particle physics, plasma physics, quantum mechanics, electronics, and optics. The lecture portion of the course will cover select topics in error analysis, data interpretation, and best practices for physics research and publication. This course equips students with the skills necessary to bridge theory and experimentation, preparing them for advanced research or professional careers in physics.
Quantum Mechanics
PHYS 340 - McClain, Tom
A study of the postulates and formalism of quantum theory emphasizing the Schroedinger approach. The probabilistic theory is applied to one-dimensional bound and scattering states and the three-dimensional central force problem. Investigation of spin and angular momentum, Clebsch-Gordan coefficients, indistinguishable particles, and perturbation theory. Mathematical formalism includes operators, commutators, Hilbert space, and Dirac notation.
Directed Individual Study: Non-Equilibrium Statistical Physics
PHYS 402A - Mazilu, Irina
Advanced work and reading in topics selected by the instructor to fit special needs of advanced students.
Directed Individual Research
PHYS 421 - Mazilu, Dan / Mazilu, Irina
Directed research in physics.
Directed Individual Research
PHYS 421 - Sukow, David
Directed research in physics.
Honors Thesis
PHYS 493 - Mazilu, Irina
Honors Thesis.
Fall 2024▲
See complete information about these courses in the course offerings database. For more information about a specific course, including course type, schedule and location, click on its title.
General Physics I
PHYS 111 - Mazilu, Dan
An introduction to classical mechanics. Topics include kinematics, Newton's laws, solids, fluids, and wave motion.
General Physics I
PHYS 111 - Mazilu, Irina
An introduction to classical mechanics. Topics include kinematics, Newton's laws, solids, fluids, and wave motion.
General Physics I
PHYS 111 - Nguyen, Son
An introduction to classical mechanics. Topics include kinematics, Newton's laws, solids, fluids, and wave motion.
General Physics I (FY Only)
PHYS 111A - Rutkowski, Todd
An introduction to classical mechanics. Topics include kinematics, Newton's laws, solids, fluids, and wave motion.
General Physics II
PHYS 112 - Nguyen, Son
A continuation of PHYS 111. Topics include thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, and optics.
Stellar Evolution and Cosmology
PHYS 151 - Sukow, David
An introduction to the physics and astronomy of stellar systems and the universe. Topics include the formation and lifecycle of stars, stellar systems, galaxies, and the universe as a whole according to "Big Bang" cosmology. Observational aspects of astronomy are also emphasized, including optics and telescopes, star maps, and knowledge of constellations. Geometry, trigonometry, algebra, and logarithms are used in the course.
Electrical Circuits
PHYS 207 - Aiken, Paul
Same as ENGN 207. A detailed study of electrical circuits and the methods used in their analysis. Basic circuit components, as well as devices such as operational amplifiers, are investigated. The laboratory acquaints the student both with fundamental electronic diagnostic equipment and with the design and behavior of useful circuits.
Phys 207 Lab
PHYS 207L - Aiken, Paul
A detailed study of electrical circuits and the methods used in their analysis. Basic circuit components, as well as devices such as operational amplifiers, are investigated. The laboratory acquaints the student both with fundamental electronic diagnostic equipment and with the design and behavior of useful circuits.
Modern Physics
PHYS 210 - Sukow, David
An introduction to the special theory of relativity and the physics of the atom. Topics in relativity include the Lorentz transformations, relativistic velocity addition, and relativistic momentum and energy. Topics in atomic physics include the wave description of matter, introductory quantum mechanics, the hydrogen atom, and the historical experiments that led to the modern theory.
Nuclear Physics
PHYS 315 - Mazilu, Dan
Topics include radioactivity, nuclear reactions, high-energy physics, and elementary particles.
Directed Individual Study: Quantum Computing
PHYS 403A - Mazilu, Irina
Directed Individual Research
PHYS 421 - Mazilu, Dan / Mazilu, Irina
Directed research in physics.
Directed Individual Research
PHYS 421 - Sukow, David
Directed research in physics.
Directed Individual Research
PHYS 422 - Mazilu, Irina
Directed research in physics.
Honors Thesis
PHYS 493 - Mazilu, Irina
Honors Thesis.
Spring 2024▲
See complete information about these courses in the course offerings database. For more information about a specific course, including course type, schedule and location, click on its title.
Supervised Study Abroad: Big Science in Twenty-First Century Europe
PHYS 125 - McClain, Tom
Though the United States has often been at the forefront of big science since the middle of the twentieth century, there are indications that this may be changing. In this course, we will learn about particle physics and gravitational wave astronomy as we travel to two of the premier ``Big Science" sites in Europe: the large hadron collider at CERN in Geneva and the VIRGO gravitational wave detector in Tuscany. While in Europe, we will also examine the question of how twenty-first century science is able to thrive in centuries-old European societies.