Course Listings: Physics

Physics

PHYS 110 Astronomy (4)

An introduction to modern theories of the universe and its evolution. Topics include naked eye observation, the solar system, stars, galaxies, and cosmology. Emphasis will be placed on the scientific method and how we understand the universe in terms of basic physical principles.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Natural Sciences
Offering: Every Spring semester (occasionally in Fall semester)
Instructor: Rembold, Watkins

PHYS 199 Topics in Physics (1-4)

A semester-long study of topics in Physics. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar’s webpage for descriptions and applicability to majors/minors in other departments.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
Prerequisite: Topic dependent
Offering: Occasionally
Professor: Staff

PHYS 221 Introductory Physics I (4)

An introduction to classical mechanics and thermodynamics. In this course students study the concepts and techniques required to measure, describe and predict the motion of particles and extended objects. Topics include kinematics of linear motion, forces and Newton's laws, gravitation, momentum, work, energy, rotational motion, angular momentum, torque, oscillations, temperature, heat, and thermal energy. A laboratory (PHYS 221Y) is associated with this course.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Natural Sciences
Prerequisite: MATH 140 or MATH 150 or MATH 151/152 or MATH 152/153 or MATH 249 (or concurrent enrollment)
Offering: Every semester
Instructor: Altman, Borrero, Kleinert, Rembold, Watkins

PHYS 222 Introductory Physics II (4)

An introduction to electricity, magnetism, and optics. In this course students study the concepts and techniques required to understand interactions between charged particles as well as light as an electromagnetic wave. Topics include electric force, electric field, electric potential, capacitance, electric current, circuits, magnetic field, inductance, Faraday's law, electromagnetic waves, sound waves, reflection, refraction, interference, diffraction and polarization. A laboratory (PHYS 222Y) is associated with this course.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Natural Sciences
Prerequisite: PHYS 221 and MATH 140 or MATH 152/153 or MATH 249 (or concurrent enrollment in MATH courses)
Offering: Every spring
Instructor: Altman, Borrero, Kleinert, Rembold, Watkins

PHYS 223 Modern Physics (4)

A survey of the major developments in physics of the 20th century, as well as an introduction to more sophisticated mathematical and laboratory techniques. Topics include special relativity, the quantum nature of light, the wave nature of particles, the Schrödinger equation, atomic physics, molecules, statistical physics, solid state physics, nuclear physics, particle physics and cosmology. A laboratory (PHYS 223Y) is associated with this course.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Natural Sciences
Prerequisite: PHYS 222 and MATH 152
Offering: Every fall
Instructor: Kleinert, Watkins

PHYS 250 Cell Biophysics (4)

This course explores how the insights of physics and mathematics have illuminated the complex phenomena of the cell. Students study the use of the quantitative and predictive models to describe biological systems, and discuss the experimental methods that provide the quantitative data required to create and test these methods. The course is structured around a series of case studies involving some of the key players in molecular and cell biology.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Natural Sciences
Prerequisite: Complete or co-enrollment in MATH 140 or MATH 150 or MATH 151/152 or MATH 152/153 or MATH 249
Offering: Alternate springs
Instructor: Altman

PHYS 299 Topics in Physics (1-4)

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
Prerequisite: Topic dependent
Offering: Occasionally
Professor: Staff

PHYS 310 Mechanics (4)

A study of classical mechanics developed by Newton and reformulated by Lagrange and Hamilton. Topics include vector kinematics and dynamics in Cartesian, cylindrical, and spherical form, the two-body problem, oscillations, Lagrangian mechanics, non-inertial reference frames, coupled oscillation, and rigid body motion.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Natural Sciences
Prerequisite: PHYS 222 and MATH 249
Offering: Fall semester
Instructor: Staff

PHYS 320 Thermal Physics (4)

A study of systems with a large number of particles through the methods of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. Topics include the laws of thermodynamics, temperature, heat, thermal equilibrium, equipartition theorem, ideal gas, simple two state systems, entropy, heat engines, free energies, phase transformations, kinetic theory, partition functions, quantum statistics, degenerate Fermi gases, Bose-Einstein condensates, and blackbody radiation.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Natural Sciences
Prerequisite: PHYS 223 and MATH 152
Offering: Alternate falls
Instructor: Borrero

PHYS 324 Electromagnetism (1)

A study of electromagnetism using vector calculus. Topics include static electric and magnetic fields in vacuum and matter, electrodynamics, Maxwell's equations, and electromagnetic waves. Mathematical techniques using vector calculus, and other techniques such as solving boundary value partial differential equations will be discussed.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Natural Sciences
Prerequisite: PHYS 222 and MATH 249
Offering: Alternate falls
Instructor: Borrero

PHYS 328 Quantum Mechanics (4)

A mathematical development of quantum theory. The first part of the course focuses on solving the Schrodinger equation in one, two and three dimensions. Further topics include the theory of angular momentum, the hydrogen atom, identical particles and quantum statistics, and time-independent perturbation theory.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Natural Sciences
Prerequisite: PHYS 223 and MATH 249
Offering: Alternate springs
Instructor: Watkins

PHYS 332 Structure and Properties of Materials and Devices I (4)

This course is the first in a 3-course sequence on Materials Science and introduces students to the basics—the structure of materials. Students will learn how the underlying structure of a material determines its properties, its potential applications, and its performance within those applications. In particular, they will learn about the differences between amorphous materials (glasses, polymers) and crystals (ideal crystals, crystals with defects, liquid crystals).

This course is taught in a flipped-classroom format. Instead of using a standard textbook, students will watch online lectures provided by Massachusetts Institute of Technology before coming to class. Class time will be used to solidify the material through in-class discussions and practice problems. This class meets jointly with Structure and Properties of Materials and Devices II and III.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Natural Sciences
Prerequisite: PHYS 223 and MATH 152 or higher
Offering: Spring semester
Instructor: Kleinert, Altman

PHYS 333 Structure and Properties of Materials and Devices II (4)

This course is the second in a 3-course sequence on Materials Science and introduces students to the underlying quantum mechanical and electromagnetic description of materials. These powerful physical theories are used to understand and describe the origins of the electronic, optical, and magnetic properties of materials. Students will also see basic applications such as diodes, optical fibers, LEDs, and solar cells.

This course is taught in a flipped-classroom format. Instead of using a standard textbook, students will watch online lectures provided by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before coming to class. Class time will be used to solidify the material through in-class discussions and practice problems. This class meets jointly with Structure and Properties of Materials and Devices I and III.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Natural Sciences
Prerequisite: PHYS 223 and MATH 152 or higher and PHYS 332
Offering: Spring semester
Instructor: Kleinert, Altman

PHYS 334 Structure and Properties of Materials and Devices III (4)

In this course, students will learn how everyday devices can be designed to take advantage of the electrical, optical, and magnetic properties that were investigated in the second course of this 3-course sequence. Applications include diodes, transistors, photodetectors, solar cells, displays, LEDs, lasers, optical fibers, photonic devices, magnetic data storage, motors, transformers, and spintronics.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Natural Sciences
Prerequisite: PHYS 223 and MATH 152 or higher and PHYS 333
Offering: Spring semester
Instructor: Kleinert, Altman

PHYS 340 Advanced Data Analysis and Simulation (ADAS) (4)

This course focuses on computer data collection and analysis methods for conducting research in experimental physics. Important research skills covered are data collection, simulation of experimental systems, advanced statistical analysis of data, and communication of research results through oral presentations and written reports. The integration of basic physics concepts learned in previous courses will be emphasized. The first part of the course focuses on small-group projects related to current research in the department. The final part of the course focuses on proposing, carrying out, and presenting an independent project.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Natural Sciences
Prerequisite: PHYS 222
Offering: Alternate springs
Instructor: Watkins

PHYS 342 General Relativity and Cosmology (4)

This course introduces advanced Physics and Math majors to the fields of general relativity and cosmology. Students will develop an understanding of gravity as an outcome of curved spacetime. Topics covered will include: black holes, gravitational waves, and the structure and evolution of the Universe.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Natural Sciences
Prerequisite: MATH 249
Offering: Alternate Fall semesters
Instructor: Watkins

PHYS 344 Optics (4)

In this course, students study advanced topics in optics to learn about different ways physicists describe light, as well as how these understandings allow us to design optical systems with applications in industry, research, and everyday life. Topics include geometrical optics (reflection, refraction, matrix optics, thick lenses, ray tracing), Gaussian optics (Gaussian laser beams, the complex q-parameter), wave optics (the complex wave function, the paraxial wave equation and its solutions, lasers, interference, holography(, Fourier optics, and polarization.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Natural Sciences
Prerequisite: PHYS 223 and MATH 249
Offering: Alternate Fall semesters
Instructor: Kleinert

PHYS 346 Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos (4)

This course engages the student in the qualitative analysis of nonlinear dynamical equations, including their features (e.g., the existence and stability of fixed points and limit cycles, dynamical bifurcations, and chaotic behavior), as well as the study of nonlinear maps and fractals. Mathematical and computational concepts will be gradually introduced and emphasis will be given to specific examples drawn from a range of natural sciences, social sciences, and engineering, which facilitate the understanding of dynamical systems theory and emphasize its relevance in practical applications. Supplementary topics include the study of pattern forming systems, the emergence of spatiotemporal complexity in high-dimensional systems, and spontaneous self-organization.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Natural Sciences
Prerequisite: MATH 151 and MATH 152, or MATH 249
Offering: Alternate Spring semesters
Instructor: Borrero

PHYS 360 Research Experience in Physics (1-2)

Research experience in ongoing state-of-the-art research projects in the physics department. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors currently working in one of our research labs can sign up for credit on a sliding scale. Work requirement is about 3 hours/week for 1 semester hour and 6 hours/week for 2 semester hours. Students will sign up for one 3-hour slot but will be allowed to work longer and/or at additional times in the labs with instructor consent. May be repeated for credit.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Natural Sciences
Prerequisite: Instructor consent
Offering: Every semester
Instructor: Altman, Borrero, Kleinert

PHYS 396W Advanced Techniques in Experimental Physics (4)

In this course students gain hands-on experimental research skills and prepare their senior year research proposal. Students work with research-grade optics equipment, learn the basics of assembling electronic circuits and connecting them to an Arduino microcontroller, and carry out independent experiments and projects. Throughout the semester, students will also develop and write their senior research proposal and present it orally at the end of the term. This course is entirely lab-based (taught in two 3-hour blocks), with no lecture component.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Writing-centered; Natural Sciences
Prerequisite: PHYS 223
Offering: Spring
Instructor: Altman, Borrero, Kleinert

PHYS 399 Topics in Physics (1-4)

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
Prerequisite: Topic dependent
Offering: Occasionally
Professor: Staff

PHYS 429 Topics in Physics (1-4)

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Topic dependent
Prerequisite: Topic dependent
Offering: Occasionally
Professor: Staff

PHYS 490 Independent Study (1 or 2 or 4)

Individual programs of independent study of topics selected in consultation with faculty. This includes, but is not limited to, additional course work or independent research projects.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Natural Sciences
Offering: Every semester
Instructor: Staff

PHYS 495 Research Seminar (2)

Required Senior Year Experience for all resident Physics majors. Students design and carry out individual research projects under the mentorship of a departmental faculty member. Weekly meetings include seminars, discussions of research methods, peer teaching, and opportunities to practice scientific communication skills. The course culminates in a progress report that is given as a formal oral presentation.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Natural Sciences
Prerequisite: PHYS 396W
Offering: Every fall
Instructor: Altman, Borrero, Kleinert, Rembold, Watkins

PHYS 496 Research Seminar II (2)

Required Senior Year Experience for all resident Physics majors. Students continue individual research projects begun in Fall semester in PHYS 495. The course culminates in a written senior thesis and a formal oral presentation.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Natural Sciences
Prerequisite: PHYS 495
Offering: Spring
Instructor: Altman, Borrero, Kleinert, Rembold, Watkins