PHYS - Physics

(Designed for students majoring in humanities and social sciences.) Non-mathematical survey of selected areas of contemporary science. Emphasis on ideas and concepts of physics, including its role in society.

Non-mathematical presentation of selected topics regarding the latest theories of the formation of the universe including ideas from special and general relativity.

Introductory level course on topics of special interest not covered in regular courses.

An inquiry and algebra based approach to the major topics of physics: motion, conservation laws, heat, electricity, optics, and introductory atomic physics.

A course for the non-major covering topics in acoustics (especially musical acoustics), optics, light, lasers, holograms, and theories of color. The approach is mostly conceptual with some use of simple algebra. Emphasis will be on the physics, but some discussion of perceptual issues concerning the ear, eye, and brain will be included.

An introduction to the study of astronomy, from the early historical development of astronomy as a science to our modern understanding of stars, galaxies, and the Universe. The mathematics will be at the level of high school algebra and geometry.

A non-calculus lecture sequence: motion, dynamics, conservation theorems, heat. Students requiring a laboratory component should include PHYS 123. Student must have taken MATH 105 or N.Y.S. Regents Math B.

A non-calculus lecture sequence: wave motion, sound, electromagnetic fields, circuits, optics, quantum phenomena. Students requiring a laboratory component should include PHYS 124.

One three-hour laboratory session per week treating topics covered in PHYS 121.

One three-hour laboratory session per week treating topics covered in PHYS 122.

An introductory astronomy course aimed at exploring the historical and modern techniques by which scientists observe objects in the sky. Topics will include the historical development of science, motions in the sky, light and telescopes, and digital imaging. While some classes will be held in the planetarium, no nighttime telescope work will be required. The mathematics will be at the level of high school algebra and geometry.

Introductory level course on topics of special interest not covered in regular courses.

Introduction to tools, language, and procedures basic to training of an engineering draftsperson. Emphasis on drafting techniques, two-dimensional and isometric representation.

A survey of the major scientific discoveries, the scientists behind these discoveries, and the effect that these discoveries have had on the progress of civilization. The course will discuss historical developments from Thales to Einstein.

A non-mathematical course covering historical, philosophical, theological and scientific aspects concerning the genesis of the universe.

Calculus-based lecture sequence for science and mathematics majors who have completed a course or courses in University Calculus or the equivalent. Kinematics, dynamics, gravitation. A recitation is included.

Calculus-based lecture sequence for science and mathematics majors who have completed a course or courses in University Calculus or the equivalent. Electricity and magnetism. A recitation is included.

One three-hour laboratory session per week treating topics covered in PHYS 230.

One three-hour laboratory session per week treating topics covered in PHYS 231.

Special relativity, wave motion, basic concepts of quantum mechanics, atomic structure, solid state, and nuclear physics, including a weekly three hour lab.

Elements of physics bearing directly on production and assimilation of musical tones: wave motion, resonance, complex waves, physiology of hearing, musical scales, simple acoustical models of musical instruments, and architectural acoustics.

Psychoacoustics and architectural acoustics. A study of the mechanics and neurological foundations of the perception of pitch, loudness, timbre, and direction, followed by a contrasting study of the behavior, measurement, and evaluation of sound and music in a variety of environments, utilizing both objective techniques and the psychoacoustical insights gained from the first part of the course.

Introduction to electronic circuits, devices, and systems with practical applications to recording engineering and biomedical instrumentation. Non-majors only.

A calculus treatment of statics applied to the equilibrium of rigid and elastic bodies, including fundamentals of mechanics, vector algebra, free body diagrams, equivalent force/moment systems, distributed forces, centroids and center of gravity, equilibrium of particles and rigid bodies, trusses, frames, beams, internal forces in structural members, friction, first and second moments of area and moments and products of inertia, and methods of virtual work and total potential energy.

Continuation of PHYS 321 including stress and strain tensors, mechanical properties of solids, multidimensional stress-strain relations, section forces in beams, stresses in beams, deflection of beams, torsion, stresses and strain relations at a point, Mohr's circle, energy methods, elastic stability, and vibrations.

A development of network analysis including Ohm’s and Kirchhoff’s laws, dependent and independent voltage and current sources, circuit simplification techniques including node-voltage, mesh-current methods, Thevenin and Norton equivalents, energy-storage elements, operational amplifiers, natural and step response of RL, RC and RLC circuits, sinusoidal steady- state analysis, introduction to Laplace Transforms, passive filters.

Continuation of PHYS 323 including sinusoidal excitation and phasors, AC steady state analysis, three-phase circuits, complex frequency and network functions, frequency response, transformers, Fourier and Laplace transforms.

Course treats analog electronics, AC and DC circuits and laws of network analysis. Elements of semiconductor physics. Diodes, rectifiers, filters and regulated power supplies. Bipolar and FET transistors and transistor amplifier circuits. Feedback and operational amplifiers. Discrete and integrated circuit oscillators, multivibrators, and waveshaping.

TTL characteristics, Boolean algebra, logic functions, and minimization procedures. Logic gates and implementation. Design of combinational and sequential circuits. Flipflops, counters, shift registers, and arithmetic circuits. Analog to digital and digital to analog conversion. Solid state memories and simple processors.

Laboratory to accompany and supplement PHYS 325.

Laboratory to accompany and supplement PHYS 326.

Mechanics applied to the motion of particles and rigid bodies, including kinematics and dynamics of particles, relative motion, work-energy and impulse-momentum methods, and kinematics and dynamics of rigid bodies, including rotation and simple vibration.

Concepts of temperature, laws of thermodynamics, entropy, thermodynamic relations and potentials, processes, properties and cycles, applications to physical systems, introduction to statistical mechanics. MATH 223 is recommended (may be taken concurrently).

Vector-tensor approach to classical mechanics including kinematics, dynamics, oscillations, Lagrange's and Hamilton's equations, transformations, central force, and rigid body motion.

Mathematical theory of electrostatics and electromagnetism employing vector calculus. Applications of Maxwell's equations.

An introduction to geometrical, physical, and modern optics.

Laboratory to accompany and supplement PHYS 340.

A survey of modern astrophysics, applying the physical and mathematical tools learned in the prerequisites. Topics covered include the physics of stars, interstellar gas and dust, galaxies, and cosmology.

A laboratory course covering techniques in modern observational astrophysics. Students will be trained to operate the telescope on campus and will gain expertise in the acquisition and analysis of digital images. Nighttime work outside of formal class meeting time will be required.

Presentations by students discussing topics in physics. Counted once for the physics credit hour requirements.

Tensor calculus approach to relativistic kinematics, dynamics, optics, electrodynamics, and selected applied topics.

Applied methods including cartesian and non-cartesian vector and tensor analysis, complex numbers and functions, linear algebra, vectors and coordinate transforms, eigenvectors and eigenvalues, infinite series, multiple integrals, Jacobians, Green’s Theorem, Divergence Theorem, Stoke’s Theorem and Fourier Series.

Applied methods including Fourier and Laplace transforms, partial differential equations, boundary value problems, special functions, Green's functions, and functions of a complex variable.

Concept of wave-particle duality, Schroedinger's wave equation with applications to potential problems, to the hydrogen atom, and to atomic spectra; perturbation theory, and spin-orbit interaction.

Crystal structure, conduction theory, binding and energy levels and other properties of conductors, semiconductors, dielectrics, and magnetics.

The course will be devoted to the study of waves and its applications in different fields of physics. The principal objective is to develop an understanding of basic wave concepts and of their relations with one another. Readings and discussions on topics such as free and forced oscillations, superposition principle, traveling and standing waves, modulations, pulses, wave packets, bandwidth, coherence time and polarization, will serve to reach the proposed goal. Applications of different physical systems as water waves, sound waves, light waves, transmission lines, quantum waves, etc. will be illustrated through interesting examples.

Numerical and computational techniques for solving a wide variety of problems in physics and engineering. Various methods for solving ordinary and partial differential equations describing mechanical oscillators (both periodic and chaotic), electrical and magnetic fields, and quantum mechanical wave functions will be explored. Students will be introduced to MATLAB, and some projects will be run in EXCEL. Familiarity with the physical systems involved is not a prerequisite. If time permits, Monte-Carlo methods will also be explored.

Readings and discussion on the measurement process in quantum mechanics. Entangled states, Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox, Bell's inequality, quantum encryption and quantum computation. Experimental techniques. Philosophical issues raised by quantum theory.

Students explore advanced experimental techniques progressing through introductory stages to applications, devoting two to four weeks to each chosen topic. Student interest accommodated in topics (and respective applications) such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (Magnetic Resonance Imaging-MRI), X-Ray Techniques (crystallography/elemental analysis/medical imaging), Hall effect and related techniques (semiconductor characterization/Giant Magneto Resistive computer disc readers, etc.), and Magnetization measurements (data storage/electrical and mechanical power conversion/geological surveying/bird and insect navigation, etc.).

Students enrolled learn how to lead telescope-related outreach activities under faculty supervision. Specific learning objectives include operating the telescope, identification and investigation of celestial objects of interest to the general public, presenting technical information to non-specialists, and public speaking. Approval to register must be obtained from the department. Approximately three hours of work per week, per credit hour, are expected. Course may be repeated for a maximum of 4 credit hours applicable toward fulfillment of physics or mathematics-physics major's supporting course requirements. (A major in physics or mathematics-physics is not a prerequisite.

Students enrolled learn how to lead planetarium-related outreach activities under faculty supervision. Specific learning objectives include operating the planetarium, identification and investigation of celestial objects and topics of interest to the general public, presenting technical information to non-specialists, and public speaking. Approval to register must be obtained from the department. Approximately three hours of work per week, per credit hour, are expected. Course may be repeated for a maximum of 4 credit hours applicable toward fulfillment of physics or mathematics-physics major's supporting course requirements. (A major in physics or mathematics-physics is not a prerequisite.)

Independent work on a theoretical or experimental topic under the supervision of a faculty member.

Theoretical or experimental research under the supervision of a faculty member.

Area not covered in regular courses. Broad range of topics consistent with teaching and research interests of department.

Area not covered in regular courses. Broad range of topics consistent with teaching and research interests of department.

Area not covered in regular courses. Broad range of topics consistent with teaching and research interests of department.

Area not covered in regular courses. Broad range of topics consistent with teaching and research interests of department.

Area not covered in regular courses. Broad range of topics consistent with teaching and research interests of department.

Area not covered in regular courses. Broad range of topics consistent with teaching and research interests of department.

Area not covered in regular courses. Broad range of topics consistent with teaching and research interests of department.

Area not covered in regular courses. Broad range of topics consistent with teaching and research interests of department.

Area not covered in regular courses. Broad range of topics consistent with teaching and research interests of department.

Area not covered in regular courses. Broad range of topics consistent with teaching and research interests of department.

Students enrolled serve as laboratory assistants under faculty supervision. Approval to register must be obtained from department. Three hours of work per week are expected for each hour of credit elected. Course may be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours applicable toward fulfillment of physics or mathematics-physics major's supporting course requirements. (A major in physics or mathematics-physics is not a prerequisite.)

Research project culminating in a thesis. In most cases a full year of work will be required to complete both project and thesis.

Maxwell-Boltzmann collision theory. H-theorem, transport equation, quantum statistics partition functions, equipartition theorem, applications to thermodynamic systems, ergodicity.

Mathematical methods including eigenfunctions and eigenvalues, variational principles, abstract vector spaces, integral equations, Green's functions, partial differential equations of physics.

Mathematical methods including eigenfunctions and eigenvalues, variational principles, abstract vector spaces, integral equations, Green's functions, partial differential equations of physics.

Potential theory and boundary value problems, electromagnetic field relations, magnetohydrodynamics, Leinard-Wiechert potentials.

Potential theory and boundary value problems, electromagnetic field relations, magentohydrodynamics, Leinard-Wiechert potentials.

Green's functions and linear theory, spatial filters, geometrical theory and aberrations, interference, diffraction and image formation, matrix and coherence theory, partial polarization, Fourier Methods.

Lagrangian and Hamiltonian methods, variational principles, relativistic mechanics, transformation theory, oscillations, fields.

Solutions to wave equations, approximation methods, time dependent problems, vector spaces, matrix formulation, identical particles, scattering, radiation, second quantization.

Solutions to wave equations, approximation methods, time dependent problems, vector spaces, matrix formulation, identical particles, scattering, radiation, second quantization.

Nuclear reactions and radiations, reactor theory, instrumentation, control, fuel, shielding, heat transfer, and applications of nuclear reactors.

Areas not covered in regular courses. Broad range of advanced topics consistent with teaching and research interests of department.

Current experimental and theoretical topics including nuclear properties and systematics, nucleon scattering, nuclear forces and structure, reactions, decay processes, nuclear spectroscopy.

Quantum mechanical treatment of atomic and molecular energy levels including transitions, fine and hyperfine structure, isotopic effects, beam methods, collision and ionization phenomena.

Experimental or theoretical research in physics including a thesis.

Experimental or theoretical research in physics including a thesis.