Courses

ASTRONOMY

*Satisfies core curriculum science requirement.

AT 201. INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY: THE SOLAR SYSTEM
3—0—3
An introductory course examining astronomical concepts in the solar system, starting with constellations and orientation of the night sky. Topics will include observational methods and telescopes, orbits and origins of planets, comets, meteors, and recent discoveries from planetary space probes. (Offered in the fall semester only.) Offered every other year in fall.

AT 204. INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY: STARS, GALAXIES, AND THE UNIVERSE
3—0—3
An introductory course intended to provide a factual and conceptual basis for an appreciation of the scale and structure of the universe. Topics will include stars, pulsars, black holes, quasars, the structure of our galaxy, and cosmology. (Offered in the spring semester only.) Offered every other year in spring.

AT 301. OBSERVATIONAL TECHNIQUES
3—2—4
Designed to provide a survey of astronomical tools and techniques used to obtain and understand astronomical data. Emphasis placed on photoelectric photometry to measure brightnesses and colors of variable stars. Other topics will include astronomical photography, spectroscopy, positional astronomy, and electronics for astronomy. Assignments will include some use of the computer, and the observatory’s 20-inch reflecting telescope will be used with various instruments. (Offered first semester only.) Prerequisites: AT 201 or AT 204 or permission of the instructor. Offered every other year in fall.

AT 306. INTRODUCTORY ASTROPHYSICS
3—0—3
Beginning with a review of basic astronomical concepts and data, this course examines the physics of celestial objects. Topics include stellar atmospheres and interiors, star formation and evolution, pulsating stars, white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes, the interstellar medium, and structure of our galaxy. Prerequisites: PY 161 and AT 201 or AT 204 or consent of the instructor. Offered every other year in spring. 

PHYSICS

PY 115. LABORATORY FOR PY 120
 0—2—1
A laboratory course to investigate the concepts covered in PY 120. Computer generated graphs, spreadsheets, and regression analysis are required for most experiments. Corequisite: PY 120.

PY 116. LABORATORY FOR PY 121
0—2—1
A laboratory course to investigate the concepts covered in PY 202. Computer generated graphs, spreadsheets, and regression analysis are required for most experiments. Corequisite: PY 121.

PY 120. GENERAL PHYSICS I
3—0—3
PY 121. GENERAL PHYSICS II
3—0—3
Designed as a terminal course in physics for non-science majors, this sequence is a survey of the concepts and theories of classical and modern physical science. (Not recommended for mathematics or science majors.) Prerequisite: PY 120.

PY 155. LABORATORY FOR PY 160*
0—2—1
A laboratory course to investigate the concepts covered in PY 160. Computer generated graphs, spreadsheets, and regression analysis are required for most experiments. Corequisite: PY 160.

PY 156. LABORATORY FOR PY 161*
0—2—1
A laboratory course to investigate the concepts covered in PY 161. Computer generated graphs, spreadsheets, and regression analysis are required for most experiments. Corequisite: PY 161.

PY 160. GENERAL PHYSICS I*
3—0—3
This calculus-based sequence constitutes a general course in physics covering the topics of mechanics, thermodynamics, waves and sound, electricity and magnetism and optics Prerequisites: Prerequisite: Proficiency in MA 123.

PY 161. GENERAL PHYSICS II*
3—0—3
This calculus-based sequence constitutes a general course in physics covering the topics of mechanics, thermodynamics, waves and sound, electricity and magnetism and optics Prerequisites: Proficiency in PY 108 or PY 160.

PY 220. PHYSICS SEMINAR
1—0—1
This course is designed to acquaint students with topics in physics that are being actively investigated. The topics covered will vary depending on current news within the physics community as well as the interest of the enrolled students but may include relevant topics such as Bose-Einstein condensates, string theory and quantum dots. Students will be required to read articles, give short presentations and write summaries of the topics covered. As this course is intended to be survey in nature, topics will not be covered in depth and mathematical analysis will not be emphasized.

PY 223. PROGRAMMING AND DATA ANALYSIS
1—2—2
An introduction to some of the techniques and tools used by practicing physicists. Includes an introduction to MATLAB programming with emphasis on programming fundamentals, standard input/output techniques, and data handling. Students learn how to use the Mathcad software program to do numerical analysis as well as symbolic calculations. Data and error analysis beyond the fundamentals is introduced and includes such topics as regression analysis, weighted averages, error propagation, and data analysis.

PY 238. LABORATORY TECHNIQUES
1—2—2
An introduction to analog electronics and associated laboratory techniques and instruments.

PY 253W. OPTICS LABORATORY
0—2—1
A laboratory course in which some of the experiments in classical optics, as well as some in the field of laser optics will be performed. Prerequisite: PY 161. Co-requisite PY 254. Writing Intensive (W).

PY 254. OPTICS
3—0—3
A study of geometrical and physical optics, including properties of lens systems, superposition, interference, diffraction, polarization, an introduction to lasers and elementary fiber optics. Prerequisite: Either PY 203 or PY 161.

PY 257. ELECTRONICS AND INTERFACING
3—2—4
A course designed to teach the principles of microcomputer control of physics experiments. Course begins with an introduction to digital electronics, and a short review of analog electronics (op-amps, transistors), then proceeds to sensors, stepper motors, and microcontrollers for control of experiments. The rest of the course concentrates on learning LabVIEW and using it with a student-designed experiment, for automated control and data acquisition.

PY 291-294. SUMMER RESEARCH IN PHYSICS
0—2—1 TO 0—8—4
Independent research opportunities in physics and astronomy offered in the summer sessions. A student working under the supervision of a faculty mentor may earn up to four credit hours per summer session. An oral presentation and a comprehensive research paper are required. Prerequisites: permission of the department head and faculty research mentor.

PY 308. INTRODUCTION TO NANOTECHNOLOGY
3—0—3
A course designed to introduce the student to the multidisciplinary and rapidly developing field of nanotechnology. Topics include nanomaterials, micro/naofabrication, microscopy, nanoelectronics, biological nanotechnology, nanoterrorism, social and ethical implications, etc. Prerequisite: PY 160/PY 161 or PY 108/PY 203.

PY 331. INDEPENDENT PROJECT I
0—2—1
Each student works under the close supervision of a faculty member on an independent problem. This problem may include experimental or theoretical research in the conventional sense, or development of a new laboratory experiment, or another problem specified by the instructor.

PY 332. INDEPENDENT PROJECT II
0—2—1
A continuation of the work done in PY 331.

PY 333W. MODERN PHYSICS LABORATORY
0—2—1
A laboratory course to accompany PY 343, Modern Physics. Elementary experiments in both atomic and nuclear physics will be performed. Prerequisite, or Corequisite: PY 335. Writing Intensive (W).

PY 334. NUCLEAR PHYSICS LABORATORY
0—2—1
A laboratory course to accompany PY 344, Nuclear Physics. A number of more advanced nuclear physics laboratory experiments will be performed. Prerequisites: PY 333W and PY 335.

PY 335. MODERN PHYSICS I
3—0—3
An introduction to the topics of modern physics to include the special theory of relativity including relativistic kinematics and dynamics, early quantum theory, wave-particle duality, the Uncertainty Principle, the Bohr atom, quantum mechanics, and atomic physics. Prerequisites: Either PY 203 or PY 161.

PY 336. MODERN PHYSICS II
3—0—3
An extension of PY 335, in which quantum mechanics is used to address a variety of topics in the areas of statistical physics, molecules and solids, and semiconductor devices. Other topics covered include nuclear models, radioactive decay, nuclear reactions, elementary particles, general relativity, and cosmology. Prerequisites: PY 335.

PY 341. ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM I
3—0—3
An intermediate level course in electricity and magnetism, designed for physics majors, which includes the theory of electrostatic and magneto static fields in space and matter, followed by electrodynamics and the development of the four Maxwell equations. Vector analysis extensively employed throughout the course. Prerequisite: Either PY 203 or PY 161.

PY 342. ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM II
3—0—3
An extension of PY 341, in which the Maxwell equations are used to address a variety of topics, to include energy in electromagnetic fields, electromagnetic waves, and the covariant formulation of electrodynamics, among others. Prerequisite: PY 341.

PY 344. NUCLEAR PHYSICS
3—0—3
Nuclear structure, nuclear models, decay processes, reaction cross-sections, reaction kinematics, neutron dynamics, nuclear reactors, radiation detectors, nuclear accelerators, particle physics. Prerequisites: PY 161.

PY 391-394. SUMMER RESEARCH IN PHYSICS
0—2—1 TO 0—8—4
Independent research opportunities in physics and astronomy offered in the summer  sessions. A student working under the supervision of a faculty mentor may earn up to four credit hours per summer session. An oral presentation and a comprehensive research paper are required. Prerequisites: permission of the department head and faculty research mentor.

PY 420. CAPSTONE I
1—2—2
The first course of a two-semester research experience. It will consist of a common hour in which material on the history and philosophy of physics and research methods are discussed, and two laboratory hours in which students pursue research projects with a faculty mentor.

PY 421. CAPSTONE II
0—2—1
The second course of a two-semester research experience, in which the student continues the research project begun in the first semester. Students will also prepare a final paper and presentation as part of this course.

PY 441. CLASSICAL MECHANICS I
3—0—3
A study of the dynamics of particles and rigid bodies, damped, undamped, and driven harmonic oscillators, gravity and central force motion, the moment of inertia tensor and its diagonalization, and introduction to Lagrangian mechanics. Prerequisites: PY 108 or PY 160, MA 311.

PY 446. THERMAL PHYSICS
3—0—3
A study of large-scale systems consisting of many atoms or molecules, providing an introduction to the subjects of statistical mechanics, kinetic theory, entropy, Fermi and Bose gases, the partition function, thermodynamics, semiconductor statistics, cryogenics and other selected topics. Prerequisite: PY 335.

PY 447. THESIS I
0—2—1 TO 0—8—4
PY 448. THESIS II
0—2—1 TO 0—8—4
Normally a two-semester sequence for first class physics majors, these courses are especially recommended for cadets who intend to pursue graduate studies. Each cadet is expected to investigate a simple research problem, either experimental or theoretical, and write a thesis summarizing the work.

PY 453. NUCLEAR REACTOR ENGINEERING
3—0—3
An introduction to nuclear engineering to include a review of elementary atomic and nuclear physics, the interaction of radiation with matter, types of nuclear reactors, nuclear power, neutron dynamics, nuclear reactor theory, reactor shielding, and radiation protection. Offered when the enrollment justifies. Prerequisite: PY 203 or PY 161.

PY 459. INTRODUCTION TO QUANTUM MECHANICS
3—0—3
A rigorous study of the foundations of Quantum Mechanics. Topics include mathematical solutions to the Schroedinger equation, harmonic oscillator, Dirac notation, commutator relations and the hydrogen atom. Prerequisites: PY 335 and MA 301.

PY 460. TOPICS IN QUANTUM MECHANICS
3—0—3
A seminar that is a continuation of the study of quantum concepts begun in PY 459. Discussion of topics of interest to the instructor and cadets. (Offered when the enrollment justifies.) Prerequisite: PY 459.

PY 481-489. TOPICS IN PHYSICS
3—0—3
Special topics in physics and astronomy as suggested by faculty or cadets. Subjects and content to be announced in advance. Course(s) will not necessarily be offered every semester. Prerequisite: first-class standing and permission of the department head.

PY 491-494. SUMMER RESEARCH IN PHYSICS
0—2—1 TO 0—8—4
Independent research opportunities in physics and astronomy offered in the summer sessions. A student working under the supervision of a faculty mentor may earn up to four credit hours per summer session. An oral presentation and a comprehensive research paper are required. Prerequisites: permission of the department head and faculty research mentor.