Designed for non-science majors, this course explores how Physics has revolutionized our understanding of the natural world. Revolutions include the unification of the terrestrial and the celestial in Newton’s Mechanics; of electricity, magnetism and light in Maxwell’s Electromagnetism; of space and time in Einstein’s Theory of Relativity; of particles and waves in Quantum Mechanics. Prerequisite: High school algebra. One course credit. Every second year. Spring.
In just one generation, space exploration has revolutionized our understanding of the solar system. Planets, moons, asteroids and comets have been transformed from obscure and remote objects with mythical names to remarkable and detailed real worlds. In this course, we will study the surprising new solar system that the Space Age continues to reveal. Prerequisite: High school algebra and geometry. One course credit. Every second year. Fall.
The brilliant and sometimes fuzzy objects in the night sky are dynamic, volatile stars and gigantic galaxies. We will study the general properties of stars as well as how they evolve from birth to death. We will also study the shape and composition of galaxies and the ultimate fate of our universe. Prerequisite: High school algebra and geometry. One course credit. Every other year. Spring.
ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSICS This course explores the physical principles behind environmental questions impacting our life on Earth. We will learn about the physical meaning of energy, work, power, temperature, and heat and investigate various conventional and sustainable energy ‘production’ methods. The cleanest energy is that which is never used, thus the physics of energy conservation will be examined. We will also explore other physical concepts encountered by living on this planet such as the greenhouse effect, environmental radioactivity, the Sun-Earth system, and the Earth’s magnetic field. Hands-on activities will be used extensively in labs throughout the semester. We will also participate in the Earth Day event on campus. No mathematics beyond high school algebra is assumed [MNS, QL]. Prerequisite: High school algebra and geometry. One course credit. Every second year. Spring.
Mechanics, heat, wave motion and sound. For students who do not intend to major in Physics. Students who have completed one semester of calculus (MATH-110 & 115) with a grade of C+ or better should take PHYS-111. Three hours plus laboratory per week. Prerequisite: High school algebra and trigonometry. One and one-fourth course credits. Every year. Fall.
Optics, electricity and magnetism, and atomic and nuclear Physics. Prerequisite: PHYS-107. Three hours plus laboratory. One and one-fourth course credits. Every year. Spring.
Quantitative development of classical mechanics and thermodynamics. For students who intend to major in Physics or Chemistry or attend a professional school. Corequisite: MATH-110 (Applied Differential Calculus). MATH-105 is sufficient for this course, but does not enable one to continue immediately with PHYS-112). Three hours per week plus laboratory. One and one-fourth course credits. Every year. Fall.
Quantitative development of classical electromagnetism and optics. Prerequisite: PHYS-111. Corequisite: MATH-120 (Applied Integral Calculus). Three hours per week plus laboratory. One and one-fourth course credits. Every year. Spring.
Space-time Physics (relativity, gravitation) and quantum physics (the microworld). Prerequisite: PHYS-112 (or PHYS-108 with permission of the instructor). Three hours per week plus laboratory. One and one-fourth course credits. Every year. Fall.
Introduces skills of differential equations, linear algebra, and Fourier analysis essential to the physical sciences and engineering. Prerequisite: PHYS-112, MATH-125, or permission of the instructor. One course credit. Every year. Spring.
An introduction to the principles and applications of circuit components, operational amplifiers, oscillators, digital logic, analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog, and an introduction to LabVIEW. Prerequisite: PHYS-108 or PHYS-112 or permission of the instructor. Three hours plus one laboratory period per week. One and one-fourth course credit. Every second year. Fall.
A project-based introduction to the computational tools, techniques, and methods used to describe and analyze real-world systems in a computer language like Python or in computational software like Mathematica. Corequisite: PHYS-201 or permission of the instructor. Six hours of lecture-lab per week. One and one-fourth course credit. Every second year. Fall.
Viscous forces, harmonic motion, rigid bodies, gravitation and small oscillations in Newtonian mechanics, Lagrange and Hamilton formulations, computer simulation and numerical methods. Prerequisites: PHYS-111, PHYS-202, MATH-212, or permission of the instructor. Three hours per week. One course credit. Every year. Fall.
Classical and quantum treatment of problems in thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. Prerequisite: PHYS-201. Three hours per week. One course credit. Every second year. Spring.
Introduction to classical field theory and Maxwell’s equations of electromagnetism. Prerequisite: PHYS-112, PHYS-202, MATH-212, or permission of the instructor. Three hours per week. One course credit. Every second year. Fall.
An introduction to the concepts and techniques of nuclear and elementary particle physics. Prerequisite: PHYS-201. Three hours per week. One course credit. Every third year.
A detailed introduction to relativistic gravity, gravity as spacetime curvature, the Einstein field equations, and geodesic motion. Applications include the perihelion precession of Mercury, the deflection of starlight by the sun, black holes, gravity waves, and the Big Bang expansion of the universe. Prerequisite: PHYS-201. Three hours per week. One course credit. Every third year.
An introduction to the study of systems described by nonlinear difference or differential equations using both qualitative and numerical techniques. Topics include stability and bifurcations, extreme sensitivity to initial conditions or chaos, strange attractors and fractals. Prerequisite: PHYS-201. Three hours per week. One course credit. Every third year.
A quantitative introduction to astronomy and astrophysics. Topics include classical astronomy; stellar structure, stellar atmospheres, and stellar evolution; galactic structure, cosmology, and cosmogony. Emphasis will be on quantitative application of physical theory to astronomical phenomena. Prerequisite: PHYS-201. Three hours per week. One course credit. Every third year.
An introduction to the Physics of solid and liquid matter and the relationship between fundamental atomic interactions and observable macroscopic properties. Topics include crystal structure, lattice vibrations, electronic properties, semiconductors, and mechanical properties. Prerequisite: PHYS-201. Three hours per week. One course credit. Every third year.
An introductory course in the basic concepts, principles, and theories of modern optics including lasers. Topics include wave optics, light and matter interactions, basic laser principles, holography, and specific optical systems. Prerequisite: PHYS-201. Three hours per week. One course credit. Every third year.
A rigorous introduction to the formalism and interpretation of microworld Physics. Probability amplitudes, interference and superposition, identical particles and spin, 2-state systems, Schrodinger evolution, applications. Prerequisites: PHYS-201, PHYS-202, MATH-212, or permission of the instructor. Three hours per week. One course credit. Every second year. Spring.
Advanced Quantum Mechanics, Quantum Field Theory, and others offered when sufficient student interest is shown.
Prerequisite: The approval of both the supervising faculty member and the chairperson is required prior to registration.
Laboratory investigations in Mechanics, Thermal Physics, Optics, Quantum, Electricity and Magnetism. Techniques of statistics and data analysis, library utilization, computer interfacing and simulation are explored. Prerequisite: PHYS-201, PHYS-202 and one of the following: PHYS-301, PHYS-302, or PHYS-304. One seminar hour per week plus two laboratories. Every year. Spring.
A structured, usually off-campus experience, in which a student extends classroom knowledge to a work position within a community, business, or governmental organization. Student interns work and learn under the joint guidance of a host organization supervisor and a College of Wooster mentor. The student must arrange the internship in advance through the appropriate department or program. No more than six internships, and a maximum of four Wooster course credits, will count toward graduation. The form for registering for an internship and the Internship Learning Plan are available in the office of the Registrar. Prerequisite: The approval of a College of Wooster mentor, department chair, the faculty adviser, and the Associate Dean for Experiential Learning is required. 1/4 to 4 course credits. S/NC course.
The first semester of the Senior Independent Study project, in which each student engages in creative and independent research guided by a faculty mentor and which culminates in a thesis and an oral examination in the second semester. Prerequisite: PHYS-401.
The second semester of the Senior Independent Study project, which culminates in the thesis and an oral examination. Prerequisite: PHYS-451.