A practical introduction to physics and science in everyday life-from concrete examples to basic physical principles.

Carolina Core: SCI

Experiments, exercises, and demonstrations to accompany PHYS 101.

Carolina Core: SCI

A continuation of PHYS 101 with emphasis on electricity, magnetism, optics, and atomic physics.

Experiments, exercises, and demonstrations to accompany PHYS 102.

The physics of sound, color, illumination; musical instruments and photographic processes. Credit may not be received for both PHYS 151 and PHYS 153 or both PHYS 151 and PHYS 155.

Laboratory work on wave motion, including acoustic, optical, photographic, and electronic measurements. Credit may not be received for both PHYS 151L and PHYS 153L or both PHYS 151L and PHYS 155L.

Principals of optics: video, and photography, eye and vision, color, polarization, lasers, and holography. Credit may not be received for both PHYS 153 and PHYS 151.

Laboratory work in geometrical and wave optics. Credit may not be received for both PHYS 153L and PHYS 151L.

The principles of musical and architectural acoustics, waves and vibrations, digital techniques for generating and recording sound, perception and measure of sound (psychoacoustics). Credit may not be received for both PHYS 155 and PHYS 151.

Laboratory work in musical and architectural acoustics. Credit may not be received for both PHYS 155L and PHYS 151L.

Measurements in classical and modern physics are performed, and the analyzed results are compared with basic principles. Four hours of mixed lecture and laboratory per week.

First part of an introductory course sequence. Topics include mechanics, and selections from wave motion, sound, fluids, and heat. No previous background in physics is assumed.

Carolina Core: SCI

Experiments, exercises, and demonstrations to accompany PHYS 201.

Carolina Core: SCI

Continuation of PHYS 201; includes electromagnetism, and selected topics from optics, relativity, quantum physics, atomic and nuclear physics.

Carolina Core: SCI

Experiments, exercises, and demonstrations to accompany PHYS 202.

Carolina Core: SCI

Classical mechanics and wave motion. Calculus-level course for students of science and engineering.

Carolina Core: SCI

Experiments, exercises, and demonstrations to accompany PHYS 211.

Carolina Core: SCI

Classical electromagnetism and optics.

Carolina Core: SCI

Experiments, exercises, and demonstrations to accompany PHYS 212.

Carolina Core: SCI

Special theory of relativity. Algebra-based course for students of all majors.

Wave motion, optics, and thermodynamics. Calculus-level treatment; a continuation of PHYS 212.

Experimental foundations and general concepts of quantum theory and special relativity; with selected applications from atomic, condensed matter, and nuclear physics.

Descriptive statistics, scientific ethics, and design, construction, and reporting the results of experiments.

Introduction and application of linear algebra and numerical methods to the solution of physical and engineering problems. Techniques include iterative solution techniques, methods of solving systems of equations, and numerical integration and differentiation.

Final states of stellar evolution; white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes. Cosmology.

Contract approved by instructor, advisor, and department chair is required for undergraduate students.

Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Research

An individual investigation in the library or laboratory or both under supervision of the major professor. The preparation of a scientific report is an integral part of the work.

Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Research

Introduction to and application of the methods of research. A written report on work accomplished is required at the end of each semester.

Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Research

A self-contained treatment of quantum theory and its applications, beginning with the Schrodinger equation.

Advanced topics in quantum physics, plus topics in special relativity, high-energy physics, and cosmology.

Classical mechanics of particles, systems, and rigid bodies; discussion and application of Lagrange's equations, introduction to Hamiltonian formulation of mechanics.

Field theory of electric and magnetic phenomena; Maxwell's equations applied to problems in electromagnetism and radiation.

Principles of equilibrium thermodynamics, kinetic theory, and introductory statistical mechanics.

An elementary treatment of nuclear structure, radioactivity, and nuclear reactions. Three lecture and three laboratory hours per week.

Analytical function theory including complex analysis, theory of residues, and saddlepoint method; Hilbert space, Fourier series; elements of distribution theory; vector and tensor analysis with tensor notation.

Group theory, linear second-order differential equations and the properties of the transcendental functions; orthogonal expansions; integral equations; Fourier transformations.

Application of numerical methods to a wide variety of problems in modern physics including classical mechanics and chaos theory, Monte Carlo simulation of random processes, quantum mechanics and electrodynamics.

Continuation of PHYS 310. Optical apparatus (telescope, microscope, interferometer) and advanced project planning including equipment design and budgeting.

Continuation of PHYS 541. Study of topics from advanced optics, astronomy, biophysics, digital electronics, nuclear/particle physics, or solid state physics, plus conduction of a physics experiment, including a written paper and an oral presentation.

An astrophysics course for physics students. Covers the basics of observational techniques, structure and evolution of stars, interstellar medium and star formation, structure and properties of the Milky Way and nearby galaxies, and generation and transfer of radiation in astrophysical environments.

Readings and research on selected topics in physics. Course content varies and will be announced in the schedule of classes by title.