Physics (PY)
An exploration of historical developments, both scientific and societal, that led physicists to major breakthroughs in our understanding of the universe. Students will examine how early discoveries led to advances in rocket science, electromagnetism and quantum mechanics. In addition to gaining a deeper understanding of the material through traditional science methods, students will enhance that understanding through exploration of societal impacts and artistic expressions of the concepts.
An exploration of historical developments, both scientific and societal, that led physicists to major breakthroughs in our understanding of the universe. Students will examine how early discoveries led to advances in rocket science, electromagnetism and quantum mechanics. In addition to gaining a deeper understanding of the material through traditional science methods, students will enhance that understanding through exploration of societal impacts and artistic expressions of the concepts.
This course traces the evolution of our understanding of light and color from the earliest recorded ideas to the present. It will emphasize the crucial roles of experimentation and mathematical modeling in the creation and refinement of the contemporary theory of light, and will give students the opportunity to observe and to experiment with many of the important properties of light and color. The course will also give students a sense of the importance of light as a technological tool in the modern world. Three hours of lecture, two hours of lab per week.
The physical principles of sound-how it is produced, propagated, and perceived. Illumination of principles will emphasize examples from music. Mechanisms used to produce different types of musical sounds will be discussed as well as the physical principles behind the reproduction of music in its many forms, such as radio, tape recorders, and CD players.
The physical principles of sound - how it is produced, propagated and perceived. Emphasis will be placed on music and music theory and will look at some of the mechanisms used to produce different types of musical sounds as well as the physical principles guiding the development of music theory throughout history. The weekly lab sessions will provide hands-on experience in understanding the physical principles discussed in lecture.
An introduction to planets, stars, galaxies, and evolution of the universe. Students will learn to use and explain astronomical methods from simple stargazing to modern telescopic techniques, including mathematical and visual descriptions of data and the process of designing physical models to explain them.
Supplements the lectures of PY 110 with telescopic observations, laboratory experiments, and analysis of other astronomical data.
An introduction to the physics behind common, everyday technologies. We live in a world with technology all around us, yet the principles that make those technologies possible are often invisible. Why does a car need a transmission? How is a refrigerator able to produce cold? How does sonar detect objects that we can't see with our eyes? In this course, students will learn the science behind familiar technologies and put that knowledge to work building and testing their own versions.
A calculus-based introduction to the concepts and principles of mechanics, emphasizing translational and rotational kinematics and dynamics, work and energy, conservation laws, and gravitation. Hands-on exploration of physical systems using computer interfaced laboratory equipment and spreadsheet modeling techniques are used to elucidate physical principles.
An introduction to electricity, magnetism, and electronics, including hands-on exploration of physical systems. Students will develop a variety of scientific skills, including gathering and analyzing data, identifying information needed to answer a scientific question, using scientific software, troubleshooting scientific instrumentation, creating and interpreting graphs, and effectively communicating the solutions to physics problems and mathematical derivations. This course introduces tools from calculus in the context of physics problem-solving.
A variety of topics in physics at the introductory level.
A course for first- and second-year students who are considering majoring or minoring in Physics. Students will discuss practical steps toward career goals; reflect on physics research presentations given by faculty, students, and visiting scholars; read, discuss, and present peer-reviewed journal articles related to physics; and gain hands-on experience in the Skidmore machine shop.
Physics laboratory methods at the intermediate level. Emphasis will be on methods of error analysis, communication skills, and measurement tools commonly used by experimental physicists. Students will gain exposure to equipment such as oscilloscopes and signal generators. Through a series of experiments, students will also learn contemporary laboratory techniques; possible examples include interferometry, spectrometry, and phase-sensitive detection. By the end of the course, students should be able to design and carry out their own experimental investigations.
The significant historical discoveries leading to the development of atomic theory and quantum mechanics. Topics include discovery of the electron, blackbody radiation, the photoelectric and Compton effects, spectra, the Rutherford-Bohr atom, deBroglie waves, and Schrodinger's equation.
A survey of geometrical, physical, and quantum optics. Topics include reflection and refraction of light by plane and spherical surfaces, ray tracing, interference, Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction, the electromagnetic character of light, polarization, absorption, scattering and dispersion of light, photons, lasers, magneto-optics and electro-optics.
An introduction to solid-state electronics. Discrete circuit elements and integrated circuits are discussed and employed in both digital and analog applications. Circuit analysis, amplifiers, signal processing, logical networks, and practical instrumentation are studied.
The theory and practice of teaching college-level physics. Students will read articles from the pedagogy literature, design demonstrations and class activities, and visit courses in the department.
An exploration of how power determines who gets to participate in the field of physics; who decides what to research, who pays for that research, who does the work, and who gets credit. Through a series of case studies, journal papers, and essays, students will examine the history of exclusion in physics and discuss the advancements in the field of contemporary physics and its influence in contemporary America.
An advanced study of acoustics as it applies to music. Students will explore how musical sounds are produced, propagated, and perceived, with an emphasis on the mathematical and scientific relations that allow one to predict these phenomena. Additionally, students will investigate how a sound that is produced can vary in the way it propagates and is perceived in different spaces. They will learn how to analyze a room acoustically and how to adjust that room to fit the needs of the sounds within it.
An overview of large-scale structure and modern cosmological models, from nearby galaxies to the entire observable universe. Topics include galaxy surveys, quasars, dark matter, and the early universe.
A variety of topics at the intermediate level, available to students with an interest in physics. Some examples of topics are: exploring the universe, astronomy beyond the Milky Way, atomic and molecular physics, and particle physics. Specific choice of topics will depend on student interest and background.
A discussion of research in physics, based on journal articles and oral presentations.
Independent study in Physics. Students must arrange this course in consultation with a faculty member in the department using the Registrar's Special Permission for Independent Study form. This class can be taken for 1-4 credits.
An opportunity for qualified first-year, sophomore, and junior students to pursue research in physics under the supervision of a member of the department.
Internship opportunity for students whose curricular foundations and cocurricular experience have prepared them for professional work related to the major field. With faculty sponsorship and department approval, students may extend their educational experience into such areas as physics research, environmental and material science, or electrical engineering.
A study of thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, both classical and quantum, and kinetic theory from a modern perspective. Using statistical concepts and stressing the microscopic point of view, the relationships among pressure, volume, and temperature of systems are discussed, as well as the transfer of energy among thermal systems. Students who have earned credit for PY 211 cannot earn credit for PY 311.
An exploration of mathematical and computational techniques used to solve problems in physics. Topics include basic programming and data analysis, statistics, curve fitting and minimization, numerical solutions to differential equations, wave equations, diffusion equations, complex numbers, and Fourier analysis.
Classical mechanics at the advanced level. Emphasis is placed on the mathematical formulation of physical problems and on the physical interpretation of the mathematical solutions. Topics include Newton's laws of motion, gravitation, kinematics, and dynamics of a particle and of systems of particles, rigid-body motion, introduction to generalized coordinates, and Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics.
A study of the theory of classical electromagnetism. Topics include electrostatics, boundary-value problems, dielectrics and conductors, steady currents, magnetostatics, magnetic materials, electromagnetic induction, Maxwell's equations and their solutions.
The basic postulates of quantum mechanics and their meaning, Schrodinger's equation and its solutions for finite and infinite square well and spherical well potentials, the harmonic oscillator, and the hydrogen atom. The structure and behavior of simple molecular, atomic, and nuclear systems are studied.
A variety of physics topics at the advanced level. Possible options include biophysics, condensed-matter physics, nuclear and particle physics, and advanced quantum mechanics. The selection of a particular topic will be adjusted to student interest and background.
Advanced independent study for students with significant background in Physics. Students must arrange this course in consultation with a faculty member in the department using the Registrar's independent study form.
An opportunity for seniors to pursue projects in physics under the supervision of a member of the department. Projects may include literature review of an advanced physics topic, design and construction of an apparatus, or improvement of an existing experiment. Each student will develop a project proposal that addresses the themes of the Senior Experience Coda in collaboration with a faculty mentor; this proposal must be approved by the Physics Department prior to enrolling in the course. This course differs from PY 371 in that it must address the themes of the Senior Experience Coda, and it differs from PY 373 in that it is not focused on the production of new knowledge through original research.
An opportunity for qualified seniors to pursue research in physics under the supervision of a member of the department.
Professional experience at an advanced level for juniors and seniors with substantial academic and cocurricular experience in physics. With faculty sponsorship and department approval, students may extend their educational experience into such areas as physics research, environmental or material science, or electrical engineering.