Southwestern University
2006-2007 Catalog
Southwestern University: A Statement
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Physics Department
Division of Natural Sciences
Associate Professor Steven Alexander, PhD, Chair
Associate Professor William P. O’Brien, PhD
Assistant Professor Mark Bottorff, PhD
Assistant Professor James Friedrichsen, PhD (part-time)
Instructor Peter Wehner, MS (part-time)
Instructor Allison Trumble, BS (part-time)
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.
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.
Major in Physics (BA or BS): 34-36 semester hours, including Physics 53-154, 164, 204, 214, 324, 334, 403, 413, 423; one from 53-951, 952, 953 (Capstone).
Required supporting courses in the major: 13 semester hours, including Chemistry 51-713, 711; at least nine semester hours of mathematics above the introductory level. Sufficient advanced mathematics for a minor is recommended.
Minor in Physics: 20 semester hours, including Physics 53-154, 164, 204, 214, 334.
See the Education Department for information regarding teacher certification in Physics.
Physics (PHY)
| 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. (NSL) |
| 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. (NSL) |
| 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. (NSL) |
| 53-114, 124 | INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS I & II (3-3). Mechanics, electromagnetism, optics. Prerequisite: Concurrent registration or credit in Mathematics 52-123. (NSL) |
| 53-154, 164 | FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICS I & II (3-3). A calculus-based treatment of mechanics, wave motion, electromagnetism, optics. Prerequisites: Concurrent registration or credit in Mathematics 52-154. (Physics 53-154 is prerequisite for Physics 53-164.) (NSL) |
| 53-204 | ELECTRONICS (3-3). Introduction to digital and analog circuits, with applications to modern instrumentation. Prerequisites: Mathematics 52-154, 253 and Physics 53-154, 164. Mathematics 52-353 is a pre- or co-requisite for this course. (NSL) |
| 53-214 | ELEMENTARY MODERN PHYSICS (3-3). Special theory of relativity, introduction to quantum effects, the hydrogen atom, introduction to nuclear and particle physics. Prerequisites: Mathematics 52-154, 253 and Physics 53-154, 164. Mathematics 53-353 is a pre- or co-requisite for this course. (NSL) |
| 53-324 | ELECTROMAGNETISM I (3-3). Development of Maxwell’s equations with applications to electrostatics and magnetostatics. Prerequisites: Mathematics 52-154, 253 and Physics 53-154, 164. Mathematics 53-353 is a pre- or co-requisite for this course. (NSL) |
| 53-334 | CLASSICAL MECHANICS I (3-3). Dynamics of particles, rigid bodies, coupled systems and fluid dynamics. Prerequisites: Mathematics 52-154, 253 and Physics 53-154, 164. Mathematics 53-353 and 753 are pre- or co-requisites for this course. (NSL) |
| 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. (NSL) |
| 53-413 | CLASSICAL MECHANICS II (3-0). Introduction to mechanics of continuous media, rigid body rotation, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian techniques. Prerequisite: Physics 53-334. (NSL) |
| 53-423 | QUANTUM PHYSICS (3-0). A detailed introduction to quantum mechanics and its applications to atoms and molecules. Prerequisites: Physics 53-214, 334. (NSL) |
| 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. |
| 53-901, 902, 903, 904 | TUTORIAL. |
| 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. |
