Summer Sessions | Courses | Physics

Prerequisites: high school mathematics, but not calculus. Basic Physics serves as preparation for General Physics 1201-1202 and is intended for those students who do not have a solid foundation in high school physics or who have been away from school for several years. The course will provide an introduction to the basic concepts and fundamental laws of physics, focusing on mechanics, together with a review of the mathematical techniques needed for problem-solving.

Prerequisites: this course uses elementary concepts from calculus, and students should therefore have some basic background in differentiation and integration. Assignments to discussion sections are made after the first lecture. Basic introduction to the study of mechanics, fluids, and thermodynamics. The accompanying laboratory is PHYS S1291D. NOTE: There are two recitation sessions that meet for one hour each week. The recitation times will be selected at the first class meeting.

Prerequisites: PHYS S1201 or the equivalent. This course uses elementary concepts from calculus, and students should therefore have some basic background in differentiation and integration. The same course as PHYS S1202X, but given in a six-week session. Assignments to discussion sections are made after the first lecture. Basic introduction to the study of electricity, magnetism, optics, special relativity, quantum mechanics, atomic physics, and nuclear physics. The accompanying laboratory is PHYS S1292Q. NOTE: There are two recitation sessions that meet for one hour each week. The recitation times will be selected at the first class meeting.

Prerequisites: PHYS S1201 or the equivalent. This course uses elementary concepts from calculus, and students should therefore have some basic background in differentiation and integration. The same course as PHYS S1202X, but given in a six-week session. Assignments to discussion sections are made after the first lecture. Basic introduction to the study of electricity, magnetism, optics, special relativity, quantum mechanics, atomic physics, and nuclear physics. The accompanying laboratory is PHYS S1292Q. NOTE: There are two recitation sessions that meet for one hour each week. The recitation times will be selected at the first class meeting.

Prerequisites: PHYS S1201. May be taken before or concurrently with this course. Laboratory for PHYS S1201D. Assignments to laboratory sections are made after the first lecture, offered Mon/Wed or Tues/Thurs 10.30AM-1.30PM.

Prerequisites: PHYS S1201. May be taken before or concurrently with this course. Laboratory for PHYS S1201D. Assignments to laboratory sections are made after the first lecture, offered Mon/Wed or Tues/Thurs 10.30AM-1.30PM.

Prerequisites: PHYS S1202. May be taken before or concurrently with this course. Laboratory for PHYS 1202X. Assignments to laboratory sections are made after the first lecture. NOTE: Labs meet one day a week (Mon, Tues, Wed or Thurs) 1:00pm - 4:00pm only. There are no evening lab sections.

Prerequisites: PHYS S1202. May be taken before or concurrently with this course. Laboratory for PHYS 1202X. Assignments to laboratory sections are made after the first lecture. NOTE: Labs meet one day a week (Mon, Tues, Wed or Thurs) 1:00pm - 4:00pm only. There are no evening lab sections.

Prerequisites: PHYS S1202. May be taken before or concurrently with this course. Laboratory for PHYS 1202X. Assignments to laboratory sections are made after the first lecture. NOTE: Labs meet one day a week (Mon, Tues, Wed or Thurs) 1:00pm - 4:00pm only. There are no evening lab sections.

Prerequisites: PHYS S1202. May be taken before or concurrently with this course. Laboratory for PHYS 1202X. Assignments to laboratory sections are made after the first lecture. NOTE: Labs meet one day a week (Mon, Tues, Wed or Thurs) 1:00pm - 4:00pm only. There are no evening lab sections.

Prerequisites: PHYS S1202. May be taken before or concurrently with this course. Laboratory for PHYS 1202X. Assignments to laboratory sections are made after the first lecture. NOTE: Labs meet one day a week (Mon, Tues, Wed or Thurs) 1:00pm - 4:00pm only. There are no evening lab sections.

Prerequisites: PHYS S1202. May be taken before or concurrently with this course. Laboratory for PHYS 1202X. Assignments to laboratory sections are made after the first lecture. NOTE: Labs meet one day a week (Mon, Tues, Wed or Thurs) 1:00pm - 4:00pm only. There are no evening lab sections.

This seminar is a one-semester survey of the universe from the beginning of time to something akin to its end, with an organizing theme of origins. We will explore the origin of inanimate physical structures (the origin of cosmos as a whole, as well as that of galaxies, stars, planets, particles, atoms and complex molecules), the origin of life (the origin of replicating molecules, the first cells, as well as more complex life forms), the origin of mind (the origin of self-reflective conscious awareness) and the origin of culture (the origins of language, myth, religion, art and science). We will consider the adaptive role of these developments and then consider what science in particular tells us about the far future of matter and mind. Throughout, we will examine the long-standing human search for meaning.