Lower-Division

PHYS 3 Concepts of Modern Physics

Addressed to majors in non-science disciplines. Topics in classical and modern physics with an emphasis on relativity and quantum mechanics. Concepts are stressed, but some calculational techniques are developed.

Credits

5

PHYS 5I Introduction to Physics Honors I

Weekly 90-minute section covering advanced and modern topics. Topics may include the theory of relativity; complicated dynamics (air resistance, planetary dynamics, etc.); fallacies in perpetual-motion machines; the Euler disk and unusual tops; elasticity of materials applied to structures.

Credits

2

Requirements

Concurrent enrollment in PHYS 5A is required.

Quarter offered

Fall

PHYS 5J Introduction to Physics Honors II

Weekly 90-minute section covering advanced and modern topics. Topics may include nonlinear oscillators and chaos; waves in deep water and inside the earth; redshift in astronomy; negative refractive index materials; photons and matter waves; holography; viscosity; and turbulence.

Credits

2

Requirements

Concurrent enrollment in PHYS 5B is required.

Quarter offered

Winter

PHYS 5K Introduction to Physics Honors III

Weekly 90-minute section covering advanced and modern topics. Topics may include atmospheric electricity; shielding; tensor polarization; alternative energy sources; semiconductor devices; particle accelerators and relativistic electrodynamics; Thomson scattering; digital and analog communication.

Credits

2

Requirements

Concurrent enrollment in PHYS 5C is required.

Quarter offered

Spring

PHYS 80C Cosmology and Culture

Introduction to scientific cosmology. Examination of cultural roles of creation myths and cosmologies; examples include Zunian, Mayan, and ancient, medieval, and modern Judeo-Christian cosmologies. Possible cultural and religious repercussions of Big Bang, Gaia, and other modern origin stories.

Credits

5

Cross Listed Courses

CRWN 80C

Instructor

Joel Primack

PHYS 80N Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control

Technology of nuclear weapons systems, and attempts to counteract and control them. How bombs work; physical, biological, and ecological effects; delivery systems and strategic defense; proliferation and nuclear terrorism, arms control and verification. Emphasis on basic underlying science and order-of-magnitude calculations.

Credits

5

PHYS 80P Physics and Philosophy

Historical view of the development of physics and its relation to philosophy, with examples taken from mechanics, quantum mechanics, and relativity. Study of original sources from Descartes to Einstein is emphasized.

Credits

5

PHYS 80T Introduction to Technology

Basic natural science necessary for informed citizenship in the modern world: elementary physics, chemistry, and ecology of the earth; demography, agriculture, energy, resources; evolution of modern technology; technological concepts; frontiers in science and technology with emphasis on associated public issues.

Credits

5

PHYS 80V Light, Color, and Vision

Covers a variety of optical and visual phenomena including the nature of light, optical effects in the atmosphere, the camera and photography, simple optical instruments, the human eye and vision, binocular vision, color and color perception. A course in high school algebra is recommended prior to taking this course.

Credits

5