Physics (PHYC)

(For non-science majors) The basic laws of mechanics and thermodynamics are covered. The emphasis will be on understanding the major laws of physics and the way they manifest themselves in practical applications and in laboratory experiments.

Conceptual Physics is a one-semester course in physics for Industrial Design and other interested students. The course will include a brief introduction to some important laws of physics, and focus on sound, electricity, and electromagnetic waves. The physical principles underlying commonly used technologies such as MRI scanners, microwave ovens, and generators are discussed. The Conceptual approach used in this course puts physics before mathematics, although mathematics (algebra and trigonometry) is still used to reinforce the concepts. Interactive lectures and discussions as well as student-centered individual and group activities in the lab serve as teaching methods.

An algebra-based course covering the basic laws of mechanics and thermodynamics. The emphasis will be on understanding the major laws of physics and the way they manifest themselves in practical applications and in laboratory experiments. Topics include Newton's laws, conservation laws, statics, torque, and viscous fluid dynamics.

An algebra-based course covering the concepts of electricity, magnetism, and optics. This course uses real world examples to enhance comprehension of physical principles. Additional topics will include radiation, imaging, and basic atomic theory.

(required for science and Engineering majors) A calculus-based course emphasizing Newton's three laws of motion and the conservation laws of energy,linear momentum and angular momentum as first integrals of the dynamics. Additional topics in mechanics include stress and strain, simple harmonic motion and hydrostatics. Absolute temperature scales, thermal expansion, specific heats, methods of transfer of heat energy, ideal gases and real gases are considered before studying the first and second laws of thermodynamics, with the concept of entropy emphasized in the latter.

In this one-credit laboratory course students perform, analyze and submit lab reports based on experiments which test the theories developed in mechanics and heat and they take quizzes based both on the lab instructions and material from the lectures.

The mathematical representation of traveling sinusoidal waves and standing-wave patterns is emphasized. Applications are made to sound waves. Electrostatics include Gauss's law, electric potentials and the potential gradient equation. The field concepts are used to interpret elementary D.C. circuits including Kirchhoff's Rules. Capacitors as circuit elements and dielectrics are also studied. The effects of the magnetic field, its sources, induced EMFs and magnetic materials are considered. Series AC circuits conclude electromagnetism. Geometric optics includes lenses, mirrors and optical instruments. Physical optics includes interference and polarization of light waves.

In this one-credit laboratory course students perform, analyze and submit lab reports based on experiments which test the theories developed in waves, electricity and magnetism, and light. They take quizzes based both on the lab instructions and material from the lectures.

The experimental background of quantum mechanics is reviewed before its postulates are introduced, and the theory is used to solve one-dimensional examples including the harmonic oscillator, then ' in three dimensions ' the hydrogen atom, electron spin and atomic spectra. Applications to chemistry are stressed.