Courses Offered
For many of our courses, information is available on the Blackboard system; you may need a W&M username and password to access those pages. Fall 2011 Course Graders.
In some cases, you will be able to access information as a "guest" by selecting the "Preview" button on the Blackboard login page.
Please note that not every course is offered every semester. You can view current course offerings through the College's Dynamic Schedule.
101-102.General Physics (102 satisfies GER 2A, Lab)
Corequisites: MATH 111-112 recommended. This course is designed to develop an understanding of the fundamental concepts of physics. Emphasis is placed upon Newtonian mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and modern physics; current research and applications are discussed. Designed for students who are considering majoring in one of the sciences or mathematics. An honors section of the Physics 102 lecture and honors sections of the laboratories are open to students that have a good preparation for and a strong interest in physics. Students may not obtain credit for both Physics 101 and 107, or for both Physics 102 and 108. Physics 101 is a prerequisite for Physics 102.
105. Great Ideas of Physics (GER 2A) Offered in Fall.
Introduction to the fundamental laws and dominant themes of modern physics, illustrated with selections from the classics of science writing. The course is intellectually sophisticated, but requires no math beyond ratios. (Not appropriate for science and math majors.) Students may not receive credit for Physics 105 if taken after passing Physics 101 or 107.
107-108. Physics for the Life Sciences (108 satisfies GER 2A, Lab)
Covers the fundamental concepts of physics. Newtonian mechanics, wave motion, electric and magnetic fields, simple circuits, and some modern physics are discussed. Designed for students in the life-sciences, including pre-meds. High school science as well as algebra and trigonometry are assumed. Students may not obtain credit for both Physics 101 and 107, or for both Physics 102 and 108. Physics 107 is a prerequisite for Physics 108.
109. Practical Physics (GER 2A) Offered in Spring.
Bicycles, guitars, cameras and other ordinary objects are studied and explained to obtain an appreciation of the underlying laws of nature. Mechanics, wave motion, optics, acoustics, thermodynamics and some electromagnetism and nuclear/particle physics are discussed and demonstrated by understanding the functioning of objects of everyday experience. The required mathematics is limited to algebra. The associated laboratory is strongly encouraged but not required. Students may not receive credit for Physics 109 if taken after passing Physics 101 or 107.
110. Experimental Practical Physics (Lab) Offered in Spring.
Corequisite: PHYS 109. A series of experiments employing common objects of general, everyday experience is undertaken with the goal of understanding both the scientific method of measurement and the laws of nature. Student-generated projects will be encouraged.
121. Physics of Music (GER 2A)
Basic concepts of physics, particularly acoustics, needed for an understanding of the properties of sound and music. The course will be in the form of a workshop and students will participate in the performance of experiments which illustrate the ideas.
150/150W. Freshman Seminar
A course that introduces freshmen to topics in the study of Physics. 150W satisfies the freshman writing requirement.
175. Development of Physics and Cosmology (GER 2A)
The evolution of ideas about the structure and nature of the universe from the time of the Renaissance to the present. The role of modern physics in understanding the history of the universe is stressed.
176. Introductory Astronomy (GER 2A)
Descriptive study of the solar system; theories of the origin of the solar system. Star classification; descriptive studies of star clusters and galaxies. Recent developments such as quasars, pulsars, neutrino astronomy and radio astronomy. Current theories of the origin of the universe. Course includes observation of the sky.
177. Astronomy Laboratory (Lab)
Prerequisite or Corequisite: PHYS 176. A series of experiments is undertaken with the goal of understanding both the scientific method of measurement and the laws of nature as they apply to astronomy. Two and one-half laboratory hours.
201. Modern Physics
Prerequisites: PHYS 101, PHYS 102 or PHYS 107, PHYS 108. 20th-century developments in physics. Relativity theory; the nature of space and time, the paradox of the twins, the equivalence of mass and energy. Introductory quantum theory; the particle nature of light, the wave nature of electrons, atomic and molecular structure, the structure of the nucleus and the discovery of new particles. This course is appropriate for all those majoring in science or mathematics.
208. Classical Mechanics of Particles and Waves I
Newton's laws, the simple harmonic oscillator, nonlinear oscillations and chaos, variational methods, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics. Overview of relevant mathematical methods.
251. Experimental Atomic Physics
Corequisite: PHYS 201. Fundamental experiments in atomic physics. Modern scientific methods and instruments are used in such classic experiments as the measurement of the speed of light, the Millikan oil drop experiment, the photo-electric effect and optical spectroscopy.
252. Electronics I
Prerequisite: PHYS 102 or PHYS 108. Introduction to analog electronics. Theory, design, and application of circuits using passive and active components.
256. Practical Computing for Scientists
This course will focus on breaking scientific problems into algorithmic pieces that can be solved using using computational methods in MATLAB. Root finding, linear and non-linear equations, numerical modeling, optimization, random processes, graphical data presentation and fitting, scientific documentation preparation.
275W. University Seminar
University seminars are modeled after our freshman seminars but are reserved for transfer students and for co-enrolled students from Virginia community colleges with whom the College has signed a guaranteed admissions agreement. The objective of the seminars is to help students improve their writing skills and to develop their ability to engage in critical thinking and independent learning. All university seminars are reading-, writing-, and discussion-intensive and introduce students to research methods and strategies. With a maximum enrollment of 15 students, university seminars provide a small group learning experience and the opportunity to interact closely with faculty. All university seminars will be four credit courses and carry the "W" designation. Students receiving a grade of "C-" or better in the seminar will have satisfied the lower-division writing requirement.
301. Introduction to Mathematical Physics
Vector analysis, complex variables, matrices, series solutions of differential equations, orthogonal functions and partial differential equations. (Cross listed with APSC 446)
303. Classical Mechanics of Particles and Waves II
Prerequisite: PHYS 208. Central force motion, scattering, systems of particles, coupled oscillations and normal modes, rigid body rotation, inertia tensor, continuum mechanics and wave motion, special relativity.
309. Undergraduate Seminar
Discussion of contemporary research in physics. Faculty members give survey talks during the first part of the semester. During the second part, students give talks based on their reading and research. May be repeated for credit.
313-314. Introduction to Quantum Physics
Prerequisites: PHYS 201, PHYS 208. Introduction to non-relativistic quantum mechanics, emphasizing basic principles with illustrations from atomic, solid state and nuclear physics.
351. Electronics II
Design and construction of digital circuits. Computer-based control of digital devices used in experimental research.
352. Experimental Modern Physics
Experiments in atomic, nuclear, solid state and elementary particle physics.
401-402. Electricity and Magnetism
Prerequisite: PHYS 208. Development of the theory of electricity and magnetism from fundamental principles. Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves and radiation.
403. Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics
Prerequisite: PHYS 201. Introduction to quantum statistical mechanics and thermal physics. Definitions of accessible quantum states, entropy, free energy, temperature and partition function for noninteracting systems. Derivation and interpretation of the physical and thermodynamic properties of classical and quantum gases, solids, thermal radiation and diffusive equilibrium.
404. Quantum Physics: Research Applications
Prerequisites: PHYS 313, PHYS 314. Applications of quantum physics to modern research topics. The course will focus on areas (to be determined by the instructor) such as : electronic and magnetic properties of solids, atomic and optical physics, or nuclear and particle physics. May be repeated for credit when the instructor determines that there will not be a duplication of material.
451-452. Physics Research
Independent study including bibliographic and experimental or theoretical research and a research paper. The student will be required to submit a preliminary draft of the research paper during the first semester and will be expected to work closely with an advisor both in the actual research and in preparation of an acceptable report. If satisfactorily completed, this course will meet the departmental writing requirement.
476. Modern Astrophysics
Prerequisites: PHYS 303, PHYS 313. Corequisite: PHYS 401. An introduction of modern astrophysics. Topics may include stellar characteristics and evolution, galactic structure, cosmology, general relativity and the tools and techniques of astronomy and astrophysics.
481-482 Topics in Physics
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit when the instructor determines that there will not be a duplication of material.
495-496. Honors
Students admitted to Honors study in physics will be enrolled in this course during both semesters of their senior year. Each candidate will be responsible for (a) reading and discussion of a selected list of books in some specific area of the literature of physics; (b) the preparation and presentation by April 15 of an Honors essay based on the student's own research, or part of a major research project; (c) satisfactory completion of a comprehensive oral examination on essay and related topics. If successfully completed this course will satisfy the College writing requirement. In addition to the major course requirements, the department requirements for Honors specify Physics 303 and 351, as well as either Physics 314 or 402. In applying for Honors, students must submit a proposal to the undergraduate committee during the semester preceding enrollment.
