First-Year Courses in Physics (Division 444)

Fall Term, 1999 (September 8 - December 22, 1999)

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.

Note: If the Waitlist code on a Physics course is WL:5, then both sign on the waitlist through Touch-tone Registration and contact the department office.

Section 001 – Meets from Sept. 9 to Oct. 21 (Drop/Add deadline=September 28).

Mini/Short course

Credits: (1).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

The goal of physicists is to understand everything that goes on in the universe in terms of a small number of fundamental laws of nature. The various laws we presently know may even derive from some single unifying principle. The laws of gravity, relativity, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics will be discussed and applied to simple problems. Grades will be based on homework and a research paper of approximately 3000 words.

Section 001 – Meets from Oct. 26 to Dec. 9 (Drop/Add deadline=November 8).

Mini/Short course

Credits: (1).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

The goals of physicists are to understand everything that goes on in the universe in terms of a small number of fundamental laws of nature. Recent developments involving quarks, leptons, black holes, big-bang cosmology, dark matter, etc., will be described on an elementary level. In the end, all questions of “how” and “why” must be answered or else pushed to the limit of present knowledge. Grades will be based on homework and a research paper of approximately 3000 words. The are no college physics or advanced mathematics prerequisites.

Section 001, 002.

Instructor(s): Wolfgang Lorenzon (lorenzon@umich.edu)

Credits: (3).

Lab Fee: Laboratory fee ($25) required.

Course Homepage: http://www.physics.lsa.umich.edu/106/

This course examines everyday phenomena and current technology in terms of physical concepts and laws. The subjects examined are wide ranging and the discussion focuses on discovering common underlying themes. Examples of topics covered include: lasers, tornadoes, rainbows, computers, and satellites. This course emphasizes concepts rather than mathematical models. Grades are based on homework and exams. Curiosity is the major prerequisite.

Section 003, 004.

Instructor(s): Michael Bretz (mbretz@umich.edu)

Credits: (3).

Lab Fee: Laboratory fee ($25) required.

Course Homepage: http://www.physics.lsa.umich.edu/106/

This course examines everyday phenomena and current technology in terms of physical concepts and laws. The subjects examined are wide ranging and the discussion focuses on discovering common underlying themes. Examples of topics covered include: lasers, tornadoes, rainbows, computers, and satellites. This course emphasizes concepts rather than mathematical models. Grades are based on homework and exams. Curiosity is the major prerequisite.

Section 005.

Instructor(s): Orr

Credits: (3).

Lab Fee: Laboratory fee ($25) required.

Course Homepage: http://www.physics.lsa.umich.edu/106/

This course examines everyday phenomena and current technology in terms of physical concepts and laws. The subjects examined are wide ranging and the discussion focuses on discovering common underlying themes. Examples of topics covered include: lasers, tornadoes, rainbows, computers, and satellites. This course emphasizes concepts rather than mathematical models. Grades are based on homework and exams. Curiosity is the major prerequisite.

Section 001.

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.

Section 001.

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.

Section 001.

Instructor(s): Peter van Keken (keken@umich.edu)

Credits: (4).

Course Homepage: http://www.geo.lsa.umich.edu/~keken/130.html

See Geological Sciences 130.001.

Section – Students Must Elect One Lecture and One Discussion Section. It is Strongly Recommended That Students Elect One Section of Physics 127 Lab Concurrently with Physics 125. Lecture 001 and 002: There Will be Three Evening Hour Exams on Thursdays 6:00 pm.

Instructor(s): Walter Gray

Credits: (4).

Course Homepage: http://www.lib.umich.edu/libhome/Reserves/F99/PHY125/

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.

Topics covered during the first term include vectors, one- and two-dimensional motion, Newton’s laws of motion, gravitation, rotational motion, momentum, energy, pressure in fluids, oscillations, and 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.

Credits: (1).

Lab Fee: Laboratory fee ($25) required.

Course Homepage: http://www.physics.lsa.umich.edu/ip-labs/default.htm

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.

Section 001 – Students Must Elect One Lecture and One Discussion Section. It is Strongly Recommended That Students Elect One Section of Physics 141 Lab Concurrently with Physics 140. Lecture 001, 002, and 003: There Will be Three Evening Hour Exams on Thursdays 6:00.

Instructor(s): August (Gus) Evrard (evrard@umich.edu)

Credits: (4).

Course Homepage: http://astro.physics.lsa.umich.edu/p140/

Physics 140, 240, and 340 constitute a three-term sequence which examines concepts in physics fundamental to the physical sciences and engineering. This introductory sequence uses calculus, and, while it is possible to elect Physics 140 and Mathematics 115 concurrently, some students will find it more helpful to have started one of the regular mathematics sequences before electing Physics 140. The introductory sequence is primarily designed to develop a skill: the skill to solve simple problems by means of mathematics. Developing this skill requires daily practice and a sense for the meaning of statements and formulas, as well as awareness of when one understands a statement, proof, or problem solution and when one does not. Thus one learns to know what one knows in a disciplined way.

Covers topics from classical mechanics including vectors, motion in one dimension, circular motion, projectile motion, relative velocity and acceleration, Newton’s laws, particle dynamics, work and energy, linear momentum, torque, angular momentum of a particle, simple harmonic motion, gravitation, planetary motion, pressure and density of fluids, and Archimedes’ principle. Evaluation is based on performance on three evening hourly examinations (see Time Schedule for dates and times) and a final examination.

Section 035, 036 – Sections 035 and 036 are Taught in the Keller Plan, Self-Paced, Individualized Instruction. No Formal Lectures with These Sections. Students Should Elect One Section of Physics 141 Concurrently. Important That Students Pick Up Information in 2061 Randall Lab.

Instructor(s): Michael Longo (mlongo@umich.edu)

Credits: (4).

Course Homepage: http://courses.physics.lsa.umich.edu/phys140k/

Certain sections of Physics 140 are offered by the Keller Plan, a self-paced program without formal lectures. These sections are marked PSI in the Time Schedule. An information sheet describing the format of Keller Plan offerings is available in the Physics Student Services Office (2061 Randall Lab). Students who want to elect Physics 140 by the Keller Plan should read this information before registering.

Credits: (1).

Lab Fee: Laboratory fee ($25) required.

Course Homepage: http://www.physics.lsa.umich.edu/ip-labs/default.htm

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.

Section 001 – Honors Mechanics and Motion. Physics 160 is Designed for Honors Students, Physics concentrators, and Other Qualified Science Or Engineering Majors. Students are Expected to Know Calculus and Have A Background in High School Physics. Students Should also Elect One Section of Physics 141.

Instructor(s): Alberto Rojo (rojoa@umich.edu)

Credits: (4).

Course Homepage: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~rojoa/p160/

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.

Section 001 – Meets with College Honors 252.001.

Instructor(s): Myron Campbell (myron@umich.edu)

Credits: (3).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

This course is an introduction to the most important works in classical physics. The topics that will be discussed include the development of mechanics, optics, and electricity and magnetism. The process by which our understanding of these physical phenomena is arrived at will also be discussed. The readings for the course have been selected to illustrate both the process of doing science, as well as describing the physical phenomenon. The texts that will be used include Galileo’s Dialogues Concerning Two New Sciences, Newton’s Optics, and Faraday’s Diaries. Each of these texts raises as many questions as they answer. There will be three lectures per week. Students will be evaluated on class participation, two papers, and a final exam. There are no college physics or advanced mathematics prerequisites.

Section 001.

Instructor(s): T. Michael Sanders (sanders@umich.edu)

Credits: (4).

Course Homepage: http://abomb.physics.lsa.umich.edu/214/

See RC Natural Science 214.001.

Section 001 – Meets with RC Natural Science 263.001.

Instructor(s): Marc Jensen

Credits: (3).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

See RC Natural Science 263.001.