First-Year Courses in PhysicsConsult the new Course Guide at: http://www.lsa.umich.edu/lsa/cg_subjectlist/0,2030,8,00.html?show=20&termArray=f_04_1510&cgtype=ug This page was created at 1:08 PM on Wed, May 5, 2004. Fall Academic Term, 2004 (September 7 - December 23)The Physics Department discourages students from changing midstream from PHYSICS 140 to PHYSICS 125 or from PHYSICS 240 to PHYSICS 126, so it is important that students choose the first course of a physics sequence with care. Prospective engineers, physicists, and chemists should elect PHYSICS 140/240 rather than PHYSICS 125/126 because concentration programs in these areas require the PHYSICS 140/240 sequence. In the case of some departmental concentration programs (e.g., biology) or in special individual circumstances, students can elect or are encouraged to elect the PHYSICS 125/126 sequence. Some advisors will advise all students who have had calculus to elect PHYSICS 140/240. PHYSICS 140/240 can be elected by all students who have had calculus, but it should be elected only by students who enjoy solving difficult problems and who think that they will be good at it. PHYSICS 107. 20th-Century Concepts of Space, Time, and Matter.
Section 001.Instructor(s):Prerequisites & Distribution: High school algebra and geometry. (3). (NS). (BS). (QR/1). May not be repeated for credit.
Credits: (3). Course Homepage: No homepage submitted. This course is intended for non-science majors who would like to learn about the two major revolutions that have both transformed twentieth-century physics and profoundly altered our perception of space, time, and matter; the special and general theories of relativity and quantum mechanics. No mathematical background beyond the high-school level is assumed.
PHYSICS 111. The Evolution of Scientific Thought.Section 001.Instructor(s): Paul Berman (pberman@umich.edu)Prerequisites & Distribution: High school algebra and trigonometry. Only first-year students, including those with sophomore standing, may pre-register for First-Year Seminars. All others need permission of instructor. (3). (NS). (BS). (QR/2). May not be repeated for credit.
Credits: (3). Course Homepage: No homepage submitted. This First-Year Seminar will trace the evolution of scientific thought from antiquity to the early 20th century. The course will cover topics in all the sciences from antiquity to the beginning of the 20th century. Among topics to be covered in ancient science include astronomy, theories of motion, medicine, and mathematics. We will then move to the middle ages with a detailed study of the events leading to and following the Copernican theory of planetary motion. There will also be an extensive discussion of theories of motion, culminating with the work of Galileo, Huygens, and Newton. Selected topics in 18th-20th century science will be developed as time permits. The emergence of consistent theories of electricity and magnetism will be traced, as will progress in optics. This will set the stage for a discussion of Maxwell's equations and the Special Theory of Relativity. We will then return to developments in 18th-19th century chemistry (Priestly, Lavoisier, Dalton) and see how they eventually paved the way for the quantum theory. Course requirements: There will be one in-class exam, a final exam, and a few homework assignments, but a significant part of a student's grade will be based on a term paper. Students will be required to access original sources and write an original paper on some topic in the evolution of scientific thought. This is a course that will stress quantitative and logical reasoning, rather than memorization of names and places. A sample selection of required texts is:
PHYSICS 112. Cosmology: The Science of the Universe.Section 001.Instructor(s): Katherine Freese (ktfreese@umich.edu)Prerequisites & Distribution: Although no science prerequisites are required, exposure to physics at high school level would be helpful. Only first-year students, including those with sophomore standing, may pre-register for First-Year Seminars. All others need permission of instructor. (3). (NS). (BS). May not be repeated for credit. First-Year Seminar Credits: (3). Course Homepage: No homepage submitted. The majority of even college educated adults have only a modest understanding of our place in the universe at large. Most would be hard pressed to answer correctly such questions as: What else is there in the universe besides stars? Why do we think there was a big bang? How big is a galaxy and how might they have formed? This course will provide answers to such questions, stressing conceptual understanding and simple calculational problem solving. The format will be varied and informal. In addition to regular seminar attendance, students will likely be asked to perform small experiments and present at least one oral presentation. Essays and other written work will play a large role in the grade. Although no science prerequisites are required, exposure to physics at high school level would be helpful.
PHYSICS 125. General Physics: Mechanics and Sound.
Instructor(s):Prerequisites & Distribution: Two and one-half years of high school mathematics, including trigonometry. (4). (NS). (BS). (QR/1). May not be repeated for credit. PHYSICS 125 and 127 are normally elected concurrently. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in PHYSICS 140 or 160.
Credits: (4). Course Homepage: No homepage submitted. PHYSICS 125 and 126 constitute a two-term sequence offered primarily for students concentrating in the natural sciences, architecture, pharmacy, or natural resources; and for preprofessional students preparing for medicine, dentistry, or related health sciences. PHYSICS 125 and 126 are an appropriate sequence for any student wanting a quantitative introduction to the basic principles of physics but without the mathematical sophistication of PHYSICS 140 and 240. Strong emphasis is placed on problem solving, and skills in elementary algebra and trigonometry are assumed. While a high school level background in physics is not assumed, it is helpful. PHYSICS 125 and 126 are not available by the Keller plan. PHYSICS 125 covers classical mechanics (laws of motion, force, energy, and power) and mechanical wave motion (including sound waves). The final course grade is based on three one-hour evening examinations, class performance, and a final examination. PHYSICS 127 should be taken concurrently.
PHYSICS 127. Mechanics and Sound Lab.
Instructor(s):Prerequisites & Distribution: Concurrent election with PHYSICS 125 is strongly recommended. (1). (NS). (BS). May not be repeated for credit. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in PHYSICS 141. Laboratory fee ($25) required. Credits: (1). Lab Fee: Laboratory fee ($25) required. Course Homepage: No homepage submitted. PHYSICS 127 is a laboratory course intended to accompany PHYSICS 125 and provide a perspective on physics as an experimental science. Macintosh computers are used for data acquisition and analysis. Evaluation is based on participation and performance in the laboratory classes, and on written laboratory reports and quizzes.
PHYSICS 140. General Physics I.
Instructor(s):Prerequisites & Distribution: MATH 115. PHYSICS 140 and 141 are normally elected concurrently. (4). (NS). (BS). (QR/1). May not be repeated for credit. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in PHYSICS 125 or 160.
Credits: (4). Course Homepage: No homepage submitted. PHYSICS 140 offers introduction to mechanics, the physics of motion. Topics include: linear motion, vectors, projectiles, relative velocity and acceleration, Newton's laws, particle dynamics, work and energy, linear momentum, torque, angular momentum, gravitation, planetary motion, fluid statics and dynamics, simple harmonic motion, waves and sound. Student performance is evaluated using a combination of homework assignments, lecture and discussion section activities, three evening midterm examinations and a final examination. Required Book: Halliday, Resnick & Walker, Fundamentals of Physics, Sixth edition, Wiley, 2003.
PHYSICS 141. Elementary Laboratory I.
Instructor(s):Prerequisites & Distribution: Concurrent election with PHYSICS 140 or 160 is strongly recommended. (1). (NS). (BS). May not be repeated for credit. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in PHYSICS 127. Laboratory fee ($25) required. Credits: (1). Lab Fee: Laboratory fee ($25) required. Course Homepage: No homepage submitted. PHYSICS 141 is a laboratory course intended to accompany PHYSICS 140 and provide a perspective on physics as an experimental science. Evaluation is based on participation and performance in the laboratory classes, and on written laboratory reports and quizzes. Macintosh computers are used for data acquisition and analysis. Texts: PHYSICS 127/141 Lab Manual (new edition); Chapman; Hayden — McNeil (Required). Lab Notebook (Available in Supply Dept.) (Required).
PHYSICS 160. Honors Physics I.
Section 001.Instructor(s):Prerequisites & Distribution: MATH 115. Students should elect PHYSICS 141 concurrently. (4). (NS). (BS). (QR/1). May not be repeated for credit. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in PHYSICS 125 or 140.
Credits: (4). Course Homepage: No homepage submitted. PHYSICS 160 Is Designed For Honors Students, Physics Majors, and Other Qualified Science Or Engineering Majors. Students must Elect One Section of PHYSICS 141. Students Are Expected To Know Calculus and Have a Background In High School Physics. PHYSICS 160 is a rigorous introduction to particle mechanics and the motion of extended objects. Particular topics include vectors, one- and two dimensional motion, conservation of laws, linear and rotational dynamics, gravitation, fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics. Students should also elect a PHYSICS 141 laboratory.
Consult the new Course Guide at: http://www.lsa.umich.edu/lsa/cg_subjectlist/0,2030,8,00.html?show=20&termArray=f_04_1510&cgtype=ug This page was created at 1:08 PM on Wed, May 5, 2004.
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