Go to bottom of document
108-109-110. Science and the Earth. PQ: Math 102, Math 106, or placement
in Math 131 or higher. Registration is open only to first- and second-year
students and first-year transfer students. These courses fulfill the Common
Core requirement in the physical sciences. Students are strongly advised to
take these courses in sequence (e.g., PhySci 109-108-110). Note that PhySci 108
and 109 will be given in the winter and autumn quarters, respectively, in
1995-96.
108. The Earth. The dynamic nature of the earth is emphasized in this
course. Background topics include minerals; igneous, sedimentary, and
metamorphic rocks; structural geology; and geologic processes. Major topics
covered are the age of the earth, plate tectonics, earth structure, and
comparative paleontology. Lab exercises are designed to reinforce concepts
presented in the lectures. D. Heinz. Winter. L.
109. The Ice-Age Climate. We study the ice age as a means to understand the
varied processes that determine the stability of the earth's climate system.
Our study begins with the history of how the ice age was discovered. Next, we
explore the nature of glacier flow, glacier mass balance, and the landforms
that are created by glaciers both today and in the past. The terrestrial and
marine record of climate change is then investigated to set the stage for the
most important part of the course: an investigation of theories for the glacial
cycle. The lab includes analysis of glacier mass balance and flow using data
collected from Alaskan glaciers, glacial land forms in Yosemite National Park
in California, and glacial land forms in Illinois and the Midwest, and possibly
a day-long field trip to ice-age sites near Chicago. D. MacAyeal. Autumn.
L.
110. Environmental History of the Earth. Topics emphasize how geologic
history has determined the physical and biological environments we experience
on earth today, history and diversity of life as seen in the fossil record, the
role of organisms in environmental change, the effects of such change on
organisms, and extinction as an evolutionary process. J. Sepkoski. Spring.
L.
Go to top of document 111-112-113. Foundations of Modern Physics I, II, III. PQ: Math 102 or
106, or a placement in Math 131 or higher. Courses must be taken in
sequence. This course sequence fulfills the Common Core requirement in the
physical sciences.
111. Foundations of Modern Physics I. This course presents an introduction
to Newton's laws, with special emphasis on their consequences for the motion of
the planets and stars. The course also includes a discussion of wave motion as
applied to sound, water, and light and treatment of some basic aspects of
special relativity. C. Covault. Winter. L.
112. Foundations of Modern Physics II. PQ: PhySci 111. With the
advent of quantum mechanics, physicists were forced to abandon the classical
laws of Newton and adopt a completely new philosophy concerning the laws of
physics. In this course, we explore the philosophy of quantum mechanics,
including such novel concepts as the quantization of energy, the indeterminacy
of physical events, and fields. We also examine systems where quantum
mechanical effects are not subtle, such as the substructure of common matter
and high-energy particle collisions; to this end we discuss the particle
accelerators and experiments capable of producing such systems in the lab.
I. Abella. Spring. L.
113. Physics and Music. PQ: PhySci 112. This is a general interest
course of lectures on the principles and applications of physics in sound and
music. Principles examined include vibrations and waves; synthesis of
waveforms, resonance, sound, and acoustics; and mathematics of musical
intervals. Applications discussed include operation of musical instruments,
electronic sound synthesis, waveform digitization, and sound recording and
reproduction. S. Swordy. Autumn.
118-119-120. Introduction to Astrophysics I, II, III. PQ: Math 102, Math
106, or placement in Math 131 or higher. Courses must be taken in sequence.
This course sequence fulfills the Common Core requirement in the physical
sciences.
118. Introduction to Astrophysics I. This course addresses problems in
classical astronomy and the study of the solar system. Physical principles are
combined with astronomical observation to achieve precise descriptions of the
motions of the planets, asteroids, and comets, the structures and climates of
the planets and their satellites, and the evolution of the solar system.
Physical principles and observational methods and results are demonstrated in
the lab. R. Rosner. Autumn. L: T. Oka. Autumn.
119. Introduction to Astrophysics II. PQ: PhySci 118 or consent of
instructor. The goal of this course is to develop an understanding of the
structures and properties of stars, star clusters, and interstellar matter
within the framework of modern concepts of stellar evolution. Studies range
from the formation of stars in giant molecular clouds through the evolution of
normal stars to the late stages of stellar evolution, supernova explosions,
gravitational collapse, and the formation of neutron stars and black holes.
Also studied are the astrophysical processes that make these structures visible
to us, especially the roles of gravitation, the interaction of matter and
radiation, and nucleosynthesis in the structure and evolution of stars. P.
Vandervoort. Winter. L: J. Truran. Winter.
Go to top of document 120. Introduction to Astrophysics III. PQ: PhySci 119 or consent of
instructor. This course considers what is known about the universe on a
large scale. The observational study of galaxies, quasars, clusters of
galaxies, X-ray sources, and the cosmic microwave background provides a bridge
between the study of stellar evolution and studies of the formation, evolution,
and expansion of the universe. The big-bang model and theories of the early
evolution of the universe are presented in the context of modern concepts of
gravitation and the other fundamental forces of nature and current theories of
elementary particles. Lab work shows the relationship between direct
measurements and the testing of theories. D. York. Spring. L: P. Palmer.
Spring.
Go to middle of document
Physical Sciences
The physical sciences sequences (along with the first half of the natural
sciences sequences) provide a way for students in the humanities and social
sciences to satisfy the Common Core requirement in the physical sciences.
Physical Sciences 108-109-110, Natural Sciences 101-102-103-104-105-106, and
Natural Sciences 151-152-153-154-155-156 are in general less mathematical than
Physical Sciences 111-112-113 and 118-119-120. The courses provide a wide
choice of subject matter and level. Physical Sciences 108-109-110, Natural
Sciences 101-102-103-104-105-106, and Natural Sciences 151-152-153-154-155-156
are open only to first- and second-year students and first-year transfer
students, with enrollment preference given to first-year students. This means
that students who have not completed the physical sciences requirement with one
of these sequences by the end of their second year will be limited in the
physical sciences courses they may take. NOTE: Only the more mathematical
courses are open to third- and fourth-year students.
Courses
In the following course descriptions, L refers to courses with
laboratory.
Go to bottom of document
Go to bottom of document