Physics

Lee Carkner, Associate Professor
B.S., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Ph.D., Pennsylvania State

Dean R. Sieglaff, Associate Professor
B.A., St. Olaf; M.A., Ph.D., Rice

Cecilia J. Vogel, Associate Professor
B.S., Michigan State; Ph.D., Minnesota

James van Howe, Assistant Professor
B.S., University of Chicago; Ph.D., Cornell

Joseph Owczarzk, Adjunct Instructor
B.A., Augustana, M.S., Arkansas

Major in Physics

28 credits, including 201, 202, 203, 220, 301, 350, 351, 352. Students planning to do graduate work are expected to take 311, 320, 321, 401, and other appropriate courses from 308, 313, 316, 340, and 360.

Required supporting courses (15 credits): Chemistry 121, 122 and Mathematics 219, 220, 221.

Major for Teaching Physics

28 credits, including 201, 202, 203, 220, 301, 308, 313, 320, 350, 351, 352 and 360. See the Director of Secondary Education.

Required supporting courses (39 credits): Astronomy 315; Biology 200, 210, 220; Chemistry 121, 122, 123; Geography 101; Geology 101; one of the following three courses: Geography 103, Geology 103 or Geology 115; Mathematics 219, 220, 221.

Minor in Physics

16 credits: 201, 202, 203, 220, 301, 350, 351 and 352.

Courses (PHYS)

101 (PN,I) Principles of Physics I (3)

Mechanics, waves, sound and fluids. Lectures and two-hour lab weekly.

102 (PN,I) Principles of Physics II (3)

Thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and electronics. Lectures and two-hour lab weekly.

103 (PN,I) Principles of Physics III (3)

Optics, relativity, atomic physics and nuclear physics. Lectures and two-hour lab weekly.

105 (PN,I) Acoustics (3)

Vibrations and waves, perception and measurement of sound, musical instruments, the human ear and voice, electrical production of sound, acoustics of rooms, electronic music and environmental noise. Lectures and two-hour lab weekly.

201 (PN,I) Basic Physics I (3)

Fundamentals of mechanics for scientists and engineers. Lectures, one-hour discussion, two-hour lab weekly. Corequisite or prerequisite: Mathematics 219.

202 (PN,I) Basic Physics II (3)

Elements of wave phenomena, sound, thermodynamics and optics. Lectures, one-hour discussion, two-hour lab weekly. Prerequisite: 201.

203 Basic Physics III (3)

Fundamentals of electricity and magnetism. Lectures, one-hour discussion, two-hour lab weekly. Prerequisite: 202.

219 Introduction to Physical Analysis (1)

Physical analysis is the process of applying the principles of physics to develop a mathematical solution to a problem. Numeric and symbolic solution, mathematical visualization and simulation technology will be used to help treat problems drawn mostly from introductory mechanics. Prerequisite: 201.

220 Introduction to Scientific Research and Engineering (1)

Basic research, applied research and engineering. Literature searching, project planning, record-keeping, creative thinking and obtaining patents. Methods of reporting research results.

301 Introduction to Modern Physics (3)

Relativity, quantum phenomena, spectra and atomic structure, radioactivity, nuclear structure and reactions, elementary particles. Prerequisite: 203.

308 Electronic Circuits (3)

Semiconductor electronic circuits employing linear devices in amplifiers and nonlinear devices in digital logic circuits. Lectures and three-hour lab weekly. (Offered in alternate years.) Prerequisites: 203, Mathematics 220.

311 Electricity and Magnetism (3)

Electrostatic and magnetic fields, electromagnetic waves, Maxwell's equations. (Offered in alternate years.) Prerequisites: 203, Mathematics 220.

313 Thermodynamics (3)

Classical thermodynamics including temperature, heat transfer, work, the first law, ideal gases, engines, refrigerators, the second law, entropy, Maxwell's relations and statistical mechanics. (Offered in alternate years.) Prerequisite: 202.

316 Computer Applications (3)

Special methods of programming computers to obtain numerical solutions to a wide range of problems. Includes simulation, graphing techniques, visualization and Web page creation. (Offered in alternate years.) Prerequisites: 203 and some experience in programming.

320 Mechanics I (3)

Statics, dynamics of a particle, central forces and celestial mechanics, mechanics of rigid bodies. (Offered in alternate years.) Prerequisite: 201, Mathematics 220.

321 Mechanics II (3)

Lagrangian mechanics, Hamiltonian mechanics, theory of vibrations, approximation methods. (Offered in alternate years.) Prerequisite: 320.

325 Experimental Astrophysics (1)

Selected experiments in astrophysics involving use of the telescopes, photography, computer tracking and spectroscopy. (Offered in alternate years.) Prerequisite: Introductory Physics.

330 Physical Astronomy(3)

The physics behind the methods astronomers use to understand the universe. Electromagnetic radiation, stellar astrophysics, galactic structure, and cosmology. (Offered in alternate years.) Prerequisite: 201-203.

340 Introduction to Solid State Physics (3)

Crystal structures; energy bands; optical, electrical, and mechanical properties; point defects and dislocations. Metals, semi-conductors and other solids. (Offered in alternate years.) Prerequisite: 301.

350 Advanced Laboratory I (1)

Statistical evaluation and plotting of experimental data using spreadsheets and graphics software. Selected experiments in interfacing instruments and computers. Prerequisite: 203.

351 Advanced Laboratory II (1)

Selected experiments in optics including photography, interference, diffraction, dispersion and holography. Prerequisite: 350.

352 Advanced Laboratory III (1)

Selected experiments in modern physics including beta absorption, gamma ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy and x-ray diffraction. Prerequisites: 301 and 351.

360 Optics (3)

Studies of physical optics and modern optical phenomena. (Offered in alternate years.) Prerequisite: 203.

401 Introductory Quantum Physics (3)

Quantum theory, development of quantum mechanics and application to atomic phenomena. (Offered in alternate years.) Prerequisite: 301.

Individual Studies and Internships

199, 299, 399, 499 Directed Study (1+)

Opportunity for a student to study a particular topic in physics under a faculty member's direction. Prerequisites: permission of department chair and instructor.

389 Internship: Analysis (3+, limit of 3 to count toward graduation)

Analysis of the background, structure and policy issues in the sponsoring organization. During the academic year this course must be taken concurrently with Internship 388 and 389. See Internship for additional information and requirements for internship placements. Prerequisites: acceptance into the program by the internship committee and a declared major or minor in physics.

400 Independent Study (1+)

Research or study in physics. Prerequisites: approval of department chair and instructor.