Physics
“I think physicists are the Peter Pans of the human race. They never grow up and they keep their curiosity.” - Isidor Isaac Rabi
The field of physics concerns itself with the description of the laws and relationships which govern the physical interaction and behavior of matter and energy. For example, it deals with forces and resultant motion, phenomena of electro-magnetic interaction and radiation, wave motion and heat, and the structure and behavior of physical systems found in the universe, ranging from nuclei and atoms to stars and galaxies. The study of physics enhances our understanding of the orderly structure of God's creation as it pertains to physical systems. It has also resulted in technological advances which have radically changed our world, especially in the last 100 years.
Course List
The course numbers show the course description, and the course title is a link to the registry pages, where you can find the course syllabus, transfer compatibility, and other useful information.
PHYS 241 - Mechanics
PHYS 243 - Wave Motion and Electricity
PHYS 300 - Introduction to Electromagnetism and Physical Optics
PHYS 395 - God, Physics and the Human Prospect*
PHYS 399 - Special Topics In Physics
*Physics 395 is the cross-disciplinary course entitled, "God, Physics and the Human Prospect." This is a course which looks at the relationship between science and religion.
Mechanics, Every Year, Fall, 3(3-0-3)
Kinematics, particle dynamics, work and energy, linear momentum, rotational kinematics, rotational dynamics, equilibrium of rigid bodies. Prerequisites: Mathematics 30/Pure Mathematics 30 and either Physics 30 or Science 30 (Students who intend to use Science 30 as a prerequisite must consult with and have the consent of the instructor.)
Corequisite: MATH 200
Wave Motion and Electricity Every Year, Winter, 3(3-0-3)
A calculus based course concerned with gravitational fields and potentials, oscillations and wave motion including an introduction to Wave Mechanics and Quantum Theory.
Prerequisites: PHYS 241 Corequisite: MATH 205
Introduction to Electromagnetism and Physical Optics, Fall, 3(3-1.5-0)
A first course in electricity and magnetism with emphasis on the electric and magnetic properties of matter, development of the Biot-Savart Law, Ampere's Law and the laws of magnetic induction. Course will introduce Maxwell's equations and conclude with an application of these ideas to physical optics. The rudimentary ideas of vector calculus will be developed in the weekly seminar accompanying this course.
Prerequisites: MATH 205 and PHYS 243; MATH 300 is strongly recommended
God, Physics and the Human Prospect, Winter, 3(3-0-0)
This course is intended for students in their senior year of study and will focus on the dialogue between scientific and other ways of knowing. Topics will be drawn from Physics, Theology and Sociology that will illuminate such motivating questions as 1) How can Science and Theology engage in a conversation of mutual understanding and transformation? 2) How, or in what ways, has science changed our ideas about what it means to be human? and 3) Given these changes, how then ought we to live our lives? Same as SOCI 395 and THEO 375.
Prerequisites: Six credits in one or more of Physics, Sociology or Theology
Special Topics In Physics, Subject to demand, 3(3-0-0)
A course on a topic or figure of special interest to a member of the physics faculty and offered on a non-recurring basis.
Prerequisites: PHYS 241, 243; some topics may have more specific prerequisites
