Southwestern University
2004-2005 Catalog
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Physics Department
Division of Natural Sciences
Associate Professor William P. O’Brien, PhD, Chair
Associate Professor Steven Alexander, PhD
Assistant Professor Mark Bottorff, PhD
The Physics Department serves students with many different goals: 1) those planning to follow a career related to physics; 2) those planning a career in engineering; See Physical Science Major (Dual Degree, Pre-Engineering Program) in the Interdisciplinary Programs section of this catalog; 3) those planning a career in a science field other than physics; 4) those planning to teach physics; and 5) those who are not majoring in science but would like to know something about the methods and results of science.
A minimum of eight semester hours of physics is required of all candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Science. This requirement is satisfied by Physics 53-154 and 53-164. Students who have little or no physics background normally take Physics 53-104, Introductory Physics, before registering for Physics 53-154.
Physics majors normally start their study with Physics 53-154 and 164. The normal program will include Physics 53-204, 214, 324, 334, 403, 413, 423, Physical Chemistry I (51-713, 711), at least nine semester hours of advanced mathematics, and a physics capstone experience. Sufficient advanced mathematics for a minor is recommended. A suggested course outline is available from the Department Chair. Students desiring a minor in Physics must take the following courses: 53-154, 164, 204, 214 and 334.
Students desiring to teach physics at the secondary level must complete requirements for the Physics major, and are urged to choose another science as their secondary teaching field. Students pursuing a second teaching field in physics are required to take a minimum of 24 semester hours in physics. Physics 53-104, 154, 164, 214, and eight additional advanced hours from 204, 324, and 334 is the normal sequence.
The physics capstone (53-951, 952 or 953) normally is an introduction to research in which a student works with one of the departmental staff on a project in the staff member’s area of interest. The capstone may, however, also be an independent, but guided, study of a topic in which the student has a particularly deep interest. Topics such as advanced study in optics, nuclear physics or quantum mechanics may be selected by a student in consultation with one of the physics staff.
Physics (PHY)
I.
| †53-053 | EXPLORING THE UNIVERSE—AN APPRECIATION OF THE COSMOS (2-2). An introduction to the scientific study of the heavens (with emphasis on both the approach and the methodology of science). Topics include the motions, composition, origin, and evolution of the planets, stars, and galaxies. The laboratory provides experience in the observational and experimental bases of astronomy and astrophysics. (POK-Natural World: Physical Science) |
| †53-063 | MUSICAL ACOUSTICS. Physics of sound with application to musical instruments and music. Designed for students not majoring in science, but open to any student with knowledge of elementary algebra. (POK-Natural World: Physical Science) |
| †53-104 | INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS (3-3). A descriptive survey of a range of topics in physics: mechanics, properties of liquids and gases, heat, electricity, sound and light. Not counted as part of a physics major. This course is recommended preparation for Physics 53-154. (POK-Natural World: Physical Science) |
| †53-114, 124 | INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS I & II (3-3). Mechanics, electromagnetism, optics. Prerequisite: Concurrent registration or credit in Mathematics 52-123. (Physics 53-114 is POK-Natural World: Physical Science) |
| †53-154, 164 | FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICS I & II (3-3). A calculus-based treatment of mechanics, wave motion, electromagnetism, optics. Prerequisites: Credit or concurrent registration in Mathematics 52-154. (Physics 53-154 is POK-Natural World: Physical Science and a prerequisite for Physics 54-164.) |
II.
Physics 53-154 and 164 (Fundamentals of Physics I & II), Mathematics 52-154, 52-253 (Calculus I & II) are prerequisites and Mathematics 52-353 (Calculus III) is a pre- or co-requisite for the following courses:
| 53-204 | ELECTRONICS (3-3). Introduction to digital and analog circuits, with applications to modern instrumentation. |
| 53-214 | ELEMENTARY MODERN PHYSICS (3-3). Special theory of relativity, introduction to quantum effects, the hydrogen atom, introduction to nuclear and particle physics. |
| 53-324 | ELECTROMAGNETISM I (3-3). Development of Maxwell’s equations with applications to electrostatics and magnetostatics. |
| 53-334 | CLASSICAL MECHANICS I (3-3). Dynamics of particles, rigid bodies, coupled systems, and fluid dynamics. Mathematics 52-753 (Elementary Differential Equations) is also a pre- or co-requisite for this course. |
III.
| 53-403 | ELECTROMAGNETISM II (3-0). Applications of Maxwell’s equations to propagation of plane and guided waves in various media. Prerequisite: Physics 53-324. |
| 53-413 | CLASSICAL MECHANICS II (3-0). Introduction to mechanics of continuous media, rigid body rotation, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian techniques. |
| Prerequisite: Physics 53-334. | |
| 53-423 | QUANTUM PHYSICS (3-0). A detailed introduction to quantum mechanics and its applications to atoms and molecules. Prerequisites: Physics 53-214, 334. |
| 53-001, 002, 003, 004 | SELECTED TOPICS. May be repeated with change in topic. |
| 53-301, 302, 303, 304 | SELECTED TOPICS. May be repeated with change in topic. |
| 53-941, 942, 943, 944 | ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP. |
| 53-951, 952, 953, 954 | INDEPENDENT STUDY AND RESEARCH. May be repeated with change in content. |
| 53-983 | HONORS. By invitation only. |
