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Physics
Physics is the most fundamental of the sciences, underlying our understanding and knowledge of all areas of science and technology. The goal of physics is to discover comprehensive principles or laws of nature and to determine how they apply to a variety of systems, ranging from the nucleus of an atom to the universe itself. Physicists develop problem-solving skills that are broadly applicable. At Sweet Briar, students may prepare for traditional careers in physics research or teaching, or they may apply their knowledge and skills to other fields such as engineering, medicine, law, and business. Training in physics also makes it possible to contribute to many of the social and environmental concerns of today.
The major in physics is based on coursework in mechanics, electromagnetic phenomena, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, and relativity. Students’ degree options are the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree in physics.
A minor in physics and a teacher licensure program are also offered.
Students are also directed to the mathematics-physics interdepartmental major.
The Physics Major (B.A.)
The Physics Major (B.S.)
The Physics Minor
Teacher Licensure
Course Descriptions
The Physics Major (B.A.)
(44 semester hours)
Required:
MATH 123 (4) Calculus I
MATH 124 (3) Calculus II
MATH 223 (3) Calculus III
MATH 328 (3) Ordinary Differential Equations
PHYS 132 (1) General Physics II Laboratory
PHYS 171 (4) General Physics I
PHYS 172 (3) General Physics II
PHYS 215 (1) Matlab Programming
PHYS 221 (4) Electrical Circuits
PHYS 233 (1) Intermediate Physics Laboratory
PHYS 258 (3) Intermediate Physics Seminar
Senior Exercise:
PHYS 321 (3) Advanced Physics Laboratory
Choose 1 of the following courses:
CHEM 331 (3) Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy
PHYS 202 (3) Twentieth-Century Physics
Choose 8 additional semester hours of physics courses at the 200-level or above. Three or four semester hours may be satisfied by CHEM 332 or a course in engineering at the 200-level or above, excluding ENGR 230 and ENGR 232.
NOTE: CHEM 332 and PHYS 327 cannot both be counted toward the major.
NOTE: In addition to all other degree requirements, students must have a 2.0 GPA in all physics courses in order to graduate with this major.
The Physics Major (B.S.)
(60 semester hours)
Required:
CHEM 131 (4) General Chemistry
CHEM 141 (1) General Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 252 (4) Introduction to Quantitative and Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 253 (1) Introduction to Quantitative and Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
MATH 123 (4) Calculus I
MATH 124 (3) Calculus II
MATH 223 (3) Calculus III
MATH 328 (3) Ordinary Differential Equations
PHYS 132 (1) General Physics II Laboratory
PHYS 171 (4) General Physics I
PHYS 172 (3) General Physics II
PHYS 215 (1) Matlab Programming
PHYS 221 (4) Electrical Circuits
PHYS 233 (1) Intermediate Physics Laboratory
PHYS 258 (3) Intermediate Physics Seminar
PHYS 351 (2) Research in Physics
Senior Exercise:
PHYS 321 (3) Advanced Physics Laboratory
Choose 1 of the following courses:
CHEM 331 (3) Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy
PHYS 202 (3) Twentieth-Century Physics
Choose 2 of the following courses:
PHYS 301 (3) Classical Mechanics
PHYS 302 (3) Electromagnetic Theory
PHYS 313 (3) Quantum Mechanics
PHYS 327 (3) Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Choose 6 additional semester hours of physics courses at the 200-level or above. Three or four semester hours may be satisfied by CHEM 332 or a course in engineering at the 200-level or above, excluding ENGR 230 and ENGR 232.
NOTE: CHEM 332 and PHYS 327 cannot both be counted toward the major.
NOTE: In addition to all other degree requirements, students must have a 2.0 GPA in all physics courses in order to graduate with this major.
The Physics Minor
(19 semester hours)
Required:
PHYS 132 (1) General Physics II Laboratory
PHYS 171 (4) General Physics I
PHYS 172 (3) General Physics II
PHYS 233 (1) Intermediate Physics Laboratory
PHYS 258 (3) Intermediate Physics Seminar
Choose 1 of the following courses:
CHEM 331 (3) Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy
PHYS 202 (3) Twentieth-Century Physics
Choose 6 additional credits in physics courses numbered 210 or above.
Teacher Licensure
(61 semester hours)
Required:
1. A bachelor of arts or science degree in physics or a bachelor of science degree in mathematics-physics
2. A minimum of 16 credit hours in non-physics courses which must include at least three credits in chemistry, at least three credits in biology, and at least three credits in earth science
Students who seek endorsement in more than one area of science need to complete an additional 18 credit hours in the second field which must include any specific requirements in that field
PHYS 113
Astronomy for the Liberal Arts
CR:
3.0 An introduction to the study of the universe, including basic elements of astronomy and topics of current interest; the solar system, search for extraterrestrial life, black holes, and cosmology. Three hours lecture and some evening observation sessions. III.Q, V.8a
PHYS 114
Astronomy for the Liberal Arts Laboratory
CR:
1.0 Prerequisite or co-requisite: PHYS 113. Activities in astronomy including descriptive and quantitative analyses of stellar spectra, planetary orbits, lunar/planetary photographs, supernova light curves, quasars, the expansion of the universe, and computer simulations of various astronomical phenomena. Some evening observing exercises. One three-hour laboratory. III.Q, V.8b
PHYS 122
Algebra-based Electromagnetism and Optics
CR:
3.0 Prerequisite: PHYS 171. An introduction to electromagnetism and optics. Offered alternate years. This course does not count toward either the physics or mathematics-physics major requirements. III.Q, V.8a
PHYS 131
Introductory Physics Laboratory I
CR:
1.0 Prerequisite or co-requisite: PHYS 171. Experiments in mechanics. One three-hour laboratory. III.Q, V.8b
PHYS 132
General Physics II Laboratory
CR:
1.0 Prerequisite or co-requisite: PHYS 122 or PHYS 172. Introductory experiments in electrical circuits and optics. One three-hour laboratory. III.Q, V.8b
PHYS 171
General Physics I
CR:
4.0 Prerequisite or co-requisite: MATH 123 or MATH 124. A study of Newton’s Laws, the conservation laws of classical mechanics and their application to physical systems, and wave motion. Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory. III.Q, V.8ab
PHYS 172
General Physics II
CR:
4.0 Prerequisite: PHYS 171. Prerequisite or corequisite: MATH 124. A study of electricity, magnetism, circuits, electromagnetic waves, and optics. III.Q, V.8a
PHYS 202
Twentieth-Century Physics
CR:
3.0 Prerequisite: PHYS 240. Prerequisite or corequisite: MATH 328. An introduction to the special theory of relativity and quantum phenomena. Topics include the Bohr atom, the wave function, electron spin, Pauli Principle, quantum statistics, and atomic structure. Four hours lecture.
PHYS 210
Introductory Astronomy and Astrophysics
CR:
3.0 Prerequisite: PHYS 172; co-requisite: MATH 223. An introduction to topics in planetary physics; stellar, galactic, and extragalactic astronomy and astrophysics; and cosmology. Offered alternate years.
PHYS 215
Matlab Programming
Prerequisite: PHYS 171. Prerequisite or co-requisite: MATH 328. This course will introduce students to Matlab programming through applications to computational problems in mathematics, physics, and engineering.
PHYS 221
Electrical Circuits
Prerequisites: PHYS 132 and PHYS 172. This course introduces the fundamental principles and the mathematical techniques used to analyze and model analog and digital circuits including energy storage elements. Course topics include resistive circuits, alternating current circuits, transient analysis, operational amplifier circuits, transistors, diodes, digital systems, and instrumentation. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory. Same as ENGR 221.
PHYS 233
Intermediate Physics Laboratory
CR:
1.0 Prerequisites: PHYS 132 and PHYS 172. Selected experiments in classical physics and electrical circuits. Analysis and treatment of uncertainty and error. One three-hour laboratory. III.Q, V.8b
PHYS 240
Optics
CR:
3.0 Prerequisite: PHYS 172. This course will focus on topics of physical optics with some review of geometrical optics. Topics covered will include optical instrumentation, interference of light, optical interferometry, diffraction, fiber optics, lasers, and nonlinear optics. Offered alternate years.
PHYS 258
Intermediate Physics Seminar
Prerequisite: PHYS 172. Prerequisite or co-requisite: MATH 223. This course focuses on topics in classical physics at the intermediate level with an emphasis on developing students' problem-solving skills. Students will work individually and collaboratively on problems and present solutions that are critiqued in class. Topics include mechanics, electromagnetism, waves, optics, and thermodynamics.
PHYS 261
Directed Study
CR:
1.0 Prerequisites: One PHYS course and permission of the instructor. The study of introductory level material by an individual student or by a small group of students under the immediate supervision of a faculty member.
PHYS 261
Directed Study
CR:
2.0 Prerequisites: One PHYS course and permission of the instructor. The study of introductory level material by an individual student or by a small group of students under the immediate supervision of a faculty member.
PHYS 301
Classical Mechanics
CR:
3.0 Prerequisites: PHYS 172 and MATH 328. Classical mechanics, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian functions. Central force problems. Offered alternate years.
PHYS 302
Electromagnetic Theory
CR:
3.0 Prerequisites: PHYS 172, MATH 328, and MATH 336. Maxwell’s Equations, electromagnetic waves, and material media. Offered alternate years.
PHYS 313
Quantum Mechanics
CR:
3.0 Prerequisite: CHEM 331 or PHYS 202. Quantum mechanics, solutions of Schrodinger’s Equation, operator formalism, angular momentum, and perturbation theory. Offered alternate years.
PHYS 321
Advanced Physics Laboratory
CR:
3.0 Prerequisite: PHYS 233. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHEM 331 or PHYS 202. Advanced experimentsin classical and modern physics including the determination of the fundamental physical constants: G, h, c, e, and μº. This course may be repeated for up to a total of 3 credits. One or two 2-3 hour laboratory periods. III.O, III.W
PHYS 327
Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
CR:
3.0 Prerequisite: CHEM 331 or PHYS 202. The laws of thermodynamics. Entropy, and the behavior of real and ideal gases. Kinetic theory and statistical distribution functions. Quantum statistics and partition functions. Offered alternate years.
PHYS 337
Special Topics
CR:
1.0 Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. The study of an advanced topic not normally covered in other physics courses.
PHYS 351
Research in Physics
CR:
3.0 Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Students engage in ongoing faculty research in, for example, radio astronomy, laser physics, or materials science. Credit may be given for off-campus research projects.
PHYS 361
Special Study
CR:
1.0 Prerequisites: 100-level PHYS course and permission of the instructor. The study of an intermediate level topic by an individual student or by a small group of students under the immediate supervision of a faculty member.
PHYS 377
Internship
CR:
1.0 Prerequisites: Three credits in PHYS and permission of the instructor, department chair, and dean. This course is graded P/CR/NC only.
PHYS 461
Independent Study
CR:
1.0 Prerequisites: One 100-level PHYS course, one 200-level PHYS course, and permission of the instructor. Pursuit of an upper level research project determined in advance by the student in consultation with a faculty member who will act as the sponsor.
