Course Descriptions

All Physics laboratory courses require a lab fee. Lab courses include Phys 100, 101, 103, 135A, 135B, 150, 180, 205, 320, and 380. Contact the Department of Physics and Astronomy for details or see the Whittier College course schedule.

100: Astronomy of the Solar System
This is a general astronomy course suitable for non-science students. Topics covered include historical astronomy, orbits and gravity, light and telescopes, the planets and other minor bodies in the Solar System, and the structure and physics of the Sun. Short labs/activities will be part of the class. Some nighttime observing will be involved. This course satisfi es the COM1 requirement, so quantitative skills will be developed and applied to astronomical problems. One semester, 3 credits.

101: Astronomy of Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe
This is a general astronomy course suitable for non-science students. PHYS 100 is not a pre-requisite for this course, and students may take either or both of PHYS 100 and PHYS 101, in any order. Topics covered include the structure and physics of stars (including star formation, stellar energy sources, stellar death, and black holes), galaxies, and the universe as a whole (including the big bang theory, and the structure, history, and future of the universe). Short labs/activities will be part of the class. This course satisfi es the COM1 requirement, so quantitative skills will be developed and applied to astronomical problems. One semester, 3 credits.

103 The Nature of Light*
This is a one-semester algebra-based course. Topics covered include both geometrical optics (refl ection, refractions, lenses, mirrors, telescopes) and physical optics (interference, polarization). This course is taught in an activity-based workshop format. One semester, 3 credits.

135A,B College Physics I,II
This is a two-semester sequence of algebrabased physics. Topics covered are kinematics, mechanics, waves, optics, electricity, magnetism and modern physics. This course is taught in an activity-based workshop format. Prerequisite: Suffi cient score on the Math Placement Exam. One semester each, 4 credits.

150 Introductory Kinematics and Mechanics
This is a one-semester, calculus-based introductory physics course that can serve as an entry to the major or can be taken to satisfy the one-semester lab science requirement. Topics covered include vectors, projectile motion, Newton's laws, gravitation, momentum, and energy. This course is taught in an activity-based workshop format. Prerequisite: Math 141A OR MATH 139A (may be concurrent). One semester, 4 credits.

180 Introductory Electricity, Magnetism, and Thermodynamics
This is a one-semester, calculus-based introductory physics course that is normally taken after PHYS 150. Topics covered include electrostatics, circuits, magnetostatics, electromagnetic induction, heat and temperature, thermodynamic engines, and ideal gases. This course is taught in an activity based workshop format. Prerequisite: 150 (or 135A) and Math 141B (may be concurrent). One semester, 5 credits.

205 Electronics and Computer Interfacing*
An introduction to electronics and computer interfacing of small-scale laboratory experiments. Open to all science majors. Topics include: An overview of basic electrical circuit theory; the design and use of digital circuits using logic gates, flipflops, etc; the design and implementation of computer interfacing schemes for small scale experiments in physics, biology, and chemistry using commercial interfacing hardware and software. Combined lecture and lab meets for three hours twice per week. Students will complete a fi nal project involving interfacing of an experiment relevant to their majors/ interests. Permission of instructor. One semester, 3 credits.

250 Computational Oscillations and Waves
Analysis of damped and driven oscillators and resonance phenomena in various physical contexts; coupled oscillators and modes. Solutions of the wave equation, superposition, traveling waves, standing waves. Introduction to non-linearity. Heavy use of computers and computational techniques are stressed throughout the course. Prerequisites:150 (or AP Physics). MATH 141B. One semester, 3 credits.

275 Optics and Modern Physics
Geometrical and physical optics, wave-particle duality, quanta, atomic and nuclear physics, elementary particles. Prerequisite: 180. One semester, 4 credits.

310 Mechanics*
Systematic exposition of Newtonian Mechanics; conservation laws, collisions,
systems of particles, rigid body motion, central forces and orbital mechanics, non-inertial reference frames, generalized coordinates, and introduction to Lagrange's equations of motion. Special relativity. Prerequisite: 180, 250 (may be concurrent). One semester, 3 credits.

315 Statistical Physics*
Physics of large-scale systems consisting of many particles. Statistical mechanics, kinetic theory, thermodynamics, and heat. Introduction to quantum statistics. Prerequisite: 250 (may be concurrent), 275. One semester, 3 credits.

320 Optics*
The nature of light. Geometrical, physical, and quantum optics. Light rays, lenses, and optical instruments. Light waves, superposition, interference, and diffraction. Blackbody radiation, photons, spectra, and lasers. Prerequisite: 250 (may be concurrent), 275. One semester, 3 credits.

330 Electromagnetic Theory*
Electro- and magneto- statics in vacuum and in matter, scalar and vector potentials, and electrodynamics. Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic waves. Prerequisite: 180, 250. One semester, 3 credits.

350 Quantum Mechanics*
General formalism; operators, eigenfunctions and eigenvalues. The Schrodinger equation. One dimensional quantum systems. Angular momentum. Prerequisite: 250,275. One semester, 3 credits.

360 Astrophysics*
Stellar structure, stellar spectra, nuclear energy generation, and stellar evolution. The interstellar medium, galaxy structure and dynamics, and cosmology. Prerequisite: 250 (may be concurrent), 275. One semester, 3 credits.

375 Solid State Physics*
Crystals and electrons in crystals. Crystal structures and binding. The reciprocal lattice and phonons. Free electron gas, energy bands, and Fermi surfaces. Metals, semiconductors, and insulators. Electronic and magnetic properties of solids. Prerequisite: 250 (may be concurrent), 275. One semester, 3 credits.

380 Experimental Physics*
Laboratory experiments taken from a wide variety of topics in physics including
experiments of historical importance, atomic and nuclear physics, x-ray physics, condensed matter physics, and cryogenics. Error analysis and statistical treatment of data. Prerequisite: 250 (may be concurrent), 275. One semester, 3credits.

190, 290, 390, 490* Selected Topics in Physics
Variable credits. May be repeated for credit.

295, 395, 495 Independent Study
Variable credits. Permission. May be repeated for credit.

196, 296 396, 496 Research
Independent research under the direction of a faculty member. One semester or January, 1-4 credits. May be repeated for credit.

499A, B Senior Seminar
Readings will be assigned from both text books and major journals, and students will be expected to engage in independent library research. Each student will give several presentations based on these readings. Students will complete a signifi cant independent study project, leading to a major term paper that satisfi es Whittier College’s Paper in the Major requirement, and a presentation open to the entire college community. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Two semesters. 499A, 1 credit, in the Fall and 499B, 2 credits, in the Spring.

*Not offered every year.