Courses in Physics and Astronomy
Spring 2008

ASTR-315 Stars, Nebulae and Galaxies
A non-calculus course introducing the properties of stars, nebulae and galaxies, and the methods and tools astronomers use to study these objects. Observing sessions in the observatory and in the John Deere Planetarium will be required.
Joseph Owczarzak
PHYS-103 Concepts of Physics III
Optics, relativity, atomic physics and nuclear physics. Lectures and two-hour lab weekly.
James van Howe
PHYS-203 Basic Physics III
Fundamentals of electricity and magnetism. Lectures, one-hour discussion, two-hour lab weekly. Prerequisite: 202.
Dean Sieglaff
PHYS-220 Introduction to Scientific Research and Engineering
Basic research, applied research and engineering. Literature searching, project planning, record-keeping, creative thinking and obtaining patents. Methods of reporting research results.
James van Howe
PHYS-313 Thermodynamics
Classical thermodynamics including temperature, heat transfer, work, the first law, ideal gases, engines, refrigerators, the second law, entropy, Maxwell's relations and statistical mechanics. (Offered in alternate years.) Prerequisite: 202.
Cecilia Vogel
PHYS-321 Mechanics II
Lagrangian mechanics, Hamiltonian mechanics, theory of vibrations, approximation methods. (Offered in alternate years.) Prerequisite: 320.
Dean Sieglaff
PHYS-352 Advanced Lab III
Selected experiments in optics including photography, interference, diffraction, dispersion and holography. Prerequisite: 351.
Cecilia Vogel