Physics
Website: Physics
The Department of Physics provides a variety of stimulating opportunities to learn about the world around us: from everyday phenomena and modern-day technologies, through the vastness of outer space to the quantum-relativistic fabric of physical reality.
At The University of the South, a focused physics education fits naturally within the liberal arts and sciences environment that forms the core of the Sewanee experience. Students who take Physics courses develop valuable reasoning, problem-solving, and experimentation skills. Physics majors also delve into advanced theoretical topics, use research-grade instrumentation and data analysis tools, participate in faculty-led and independent research projects, both on campus and at other institutions, and present their findings at department seminars and national conferences.
Requirements for the Major in Physics
The major requires successful completion of one of the following tracks:
Applied Physics Track
This major is focused on the application of physics concepts to engineering problems and questions. It allows students to successfully complete the pre-professional engineering program. This major can be easily modified to accommodate a student’s needs and shortened time at Sewanee if they are intending to transition to one of our articulation schools after three years. If that is the goal, the student should consult with both their departmental advisor and the engineering program coordinator the first year at Sewanee to avoid class scheduling conflicts. The student must complete all general education requirements of the college.
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Course Requirements | ||
| PHYS 103 | Modern Mechanics (Lab) | 4 |
| PHYS 104 | Electric and Magnetic Interactions (Lab) | 4 |
| PHYS 203 | Electronics | 4 |
| PHYS 303 | Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 305 | Advanced Laboratory | 4 |
| PHYS 312 | Junior Seminar | 2 |
| PHYS 412 | Senior Seminar 1 | 2 |
| MATH 207 | Multidimensional Calculus | 4 |
| MATH 212 | Differential Equations | 4 |
| CSCI 157 | Introduction to Modeling and Programming | 4 |
| Select one course in physics (PHYS) numbered 200 or above | 4 | |
| Select two laboratory courses in Chemistry (CHEM) | 8 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 48 | |
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Requirements | ||
| A comprehensive examination 2 | ||
- 1
PHYS 412 is only required if four years are completed at Sewanee
- 2
A comprehensive exam is required if four years are completed at Sewanee. If completed in three years, no comprehensive exam is required.
Theoretical Physics Track
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Course Requirements | ||
| PHYS 101 | General Physics I (Lab) | 4 |
| or PHYS 103 | Modern Mechanics (Lab) | |
| PHYS 102 | General Physics II (Lab) | 4 |
| or PHYS 104 | Electric and Magnetic Interactions (Lab) | |
| PHYS 203 | Electronics | 4 |
| PHYS 207 | Modern Physics | 4 |
| PHYS 303 | Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 305 | Advanced Laboratory | 4 |
| PHYS 312 | Junior Seminar | 2 |
| PHYS 401 | Quantum Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 412 | Senior Seminar | 2 |
| MATH 207 | Multidimensional Calculus | 4 |
| MATH 212 | Differential Equations | 4 |
| Select two courses in physics (PHYS) numbered 200 or above | 8 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 48 | |
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Requirements | ||
| A comprehensive examination | ||
Course Sequencing
For a first-year student planning to major in physics, the following curriculum is recommended. The second-year program should be planned in consultation with the department chair. Students may seek advanced placement in physics, mathematics, and foreign language.
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Course Requirements | ||
| PHYS 103 | Modern Mechanics (Lab) | 4 |
| PHYS 104 | Electric and Magnetic Interactions (Lab) | 4 |
| HUMN 103 | Texts and Contexts of the Ancient World | 4 |
| HUMN 104 | Texts and Contexts of the Medieval World | 4 |
| MATH 101 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 102 | Calculus II | 4 |
| Foreign Language 103, 104 | 8 | |
| Physical Education | ||
Suggested Course Sequencing for a Three Year Program
The following represents a typical progression through a Physics major. Students with more advanced placement in mathematics may begin with higher-level courses, but should complete two semesters of mathematics in their first two years. Students planning to complete an engineering program in three years at Sewanee should consult the engineering program coordinator prior to their sophomore year to ensure appropriate progression through the program.
A suggested sequencing with no advanced placement:
- First-Year: PHYS 103, MATH 101; PHYS 104, MATH 102, CSCI 157
- Sophomore: PHYS 207, MATH 207; PHYS 203, MATH 212
- Junior: PHYS 303, PHYS 305; PHYS 312, CHEM 121, CHEM 122, PHYS Elective
Student Learning Outcomes
A student majoring in Physics will
- Demonstrate knowledge of and apply major concepts in classical mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity & magnetism, and modern physics.
- Demonstrate knowledge of and the ability to use the fundamental testing equipment in experimental physics.
- Demonstrate knowledge of and apply basic ideas in computer programming for computation and instrument control.
- Conduct an independent research project that demonstrates mastery of experimental methodologies, including designing experiments, acquiring data, analyzing data, and interpreting results.
- Be able to articulate verbally and in writing their knowledge of physics.
Requirements for the Minor in Physics
The minor requires successful completion of the following:
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Course Requirements | ||
| PHYS 101 | General Physics I (Lab) | 4 |
| or PHYS 103 | Modern Mechanics (Lab) | |
| PHYS 102 | General Physics II (Lab) | 4 |
| or PHYS 104 | Electric and Magnetic Interactions (Lab) | |
| PHYS 207 | Modern Physics | 4 |
| Select two courses in physics (PHYS) numbered 200 or above | 8 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 20 | |
Physics and Astronomy Courses
The knowledge and skills acquired in PHYS 101, PHYS 102 or PHYS 103, PHYS 104 are presumed for any upper level physics.
PHYS 101 General Physics I (Lab) (4)
An introduction to classical mechanics. Topics may include kinematics, Newton's Laws, energy and momentum conservation, torques, fluids, and wave motion.
PHYS 102 General Physics II (Lab) (4)
A continuation of Physics 101. Topics include thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, circuits, optics, nuclear and atomic physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 101.
PHYS 103 Modern Mechanics (Lab) (4)
An introduction to classical mechanics. Topics may include kinematics, Newton's Laws, energy and momentum conservation, torques, fluids, and wave motion. Open only to new first-year students. Prerequisite or Corequisite: MATH 101 or MATH 102 or MATH 207.
PHYS 104 Electric and Magnetic Interactions (Lab) (4)
A continuation of PHYS 103. Topics include thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, circuits, optics, nuclear, and atomic physics. Open only to new first-year students. Prerequisite: PHYS 103 and (MATH 101 or MATH 102 or MATH 207).
PHYS 106 Foundations of Global Warming (4)
A study of the physical principles and mechanisms underlying global warming. Influences of the sun, earth surface, atmosphere, and oceans are considered. Observational records that describe surface temperatures and changes in the gaseous atmosphere are examined. Also discussed are effects of global warming and possible future scenarios.
PHYS 120 The Science of Music (4)
An introductory course on musical acoustics which includes the principles of sound production, propagation, and perception through inquiry-based methods. The ways in which different sounds are produced are explored through experimentation with both existing and student-constructed instruments (e.g., string, woodwind, brass, percussion). Modern digital music technologies and concepts are also introduced as well as issues related to room and concert hall acoustics. Open only to new first-year students and first-year students.
PHYS 201 Optics (4)
A study of the fundamental principles of geometrical and physical optics with lasers and holography used extensively in the laboratory. Lecture, three hours.
PHYS 203 Electronics (4)
Exploration of how classical electric and magnetic theories apply in action. Topics include electrostatics, electric and magnetic properties of materials, steady-state magnetism, and electromagnetic induction. Alternating and direct-current circuits with passive and active components are tested. Prerequisite: PHYS 102 or PHYS 104.
PHYS 204 Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism II (4)
Exploration of how classical electric and magnetic theories apply in action. Topics include electrostatics, electric and magnetic properties of materials, steady-state magnetism, and electromagnetic induction. Alternating and direct-current circuits with passive and active components are tested. Prerequisite: PHYS 203.
PHYS 207 Modern Physics (4)
Description Surveys important developments in physics during the twentieth century, including general and special relativity, superconductivity, quantum theory and its applications to the description of the atomic and subatomic world. Prerequisite: (PHYS 102 or PHYS 104) and MATH 102.
PHYS 302 Thermodynamics (4)
Thermodynamics, entropy, thermodynamic potentials, phase changes, chemical reactions, kinetic theory, distributions, phase space, transport phenomena, fluctuations; classical and quantum statistical mechanics, application to solids, radiation, superfluids, lasers, and astrophysics.
PHYS 303 Mechanics (4)
This course provides a comprehensive coverage of foundational and advanced principles of classical mechanics. Topics may include Newton’s laws of motion, energy, momentum, oscillations, the central-force problem, rigid body motion, moving coordinate systems, and accelerated reference frames. Special focus is given to the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations of mechanics, providing students with powerful tools for describing and predicting the motion of physical systems. Prerequisite: PHYS 102 or PHYS 104.
PHYS 304 Theoretical Mechanics (4)
Moving coordinate systems, rigid-body dynamics, Lagrangian mechanics, and variational principles. Prerequisite: PHYS 303.
PHYS 305 Advanced Laboratory (4)
This course introduces the practice of experimental physics. Experimental topics can include spectroscopy from gamma energies into the infrared, NMR, visible and infrared optics, holography and diffractive optics, scanning electron microscopy, and advanced electronics with computer interfacing. Programming languages such as LabVIEW, MatLab, and Mathematica are used. Prerequisite or Corequisite: PHYS 203 or PHYS 206.
PHYS 312 Junior Seminar (2)
A series of lectures by faculty, students, and invited speakers. Students present at least one talk on a topic of their choice in physics.
PHYS 350 Special Topics (2 or 4)
A selection of topics are explored depending on interest. This course may be repeated for credit when the topic differs. Prerequisite: PHYS 207.
PHYS 401 Quantum Mechanics (4)
The mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics is developed and applied to potential wells, the harmonic oscillator, and the hydrogen atom. Dirac notation is introduced and used in the description of angular momentum and electron spin. Prerequisite: PHYS 207.
PHYS 412 Senior Seminar (2)
A series of lectures by faculty, students, and invited speakers. Students present at least one talk on a topic of their choice in physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 312.
PHYS 421 Advanced Electromagnetic Theory (4)
Boundary-value problems in rectangular, spherical, and cylindrical coordinates are discussed. The solutions of the wave equation for conducting and non-conducting media are applied to selected topics in optics and plasma physics. Prerequisite: MATH 212 and PHYS 204.
PHYS 444 Independent Study (2 or 4)
For selected students. Prerequisite: Instructor prerequisite override required.
PHYS 494 Mentored Research (2 or 4)
Students engage in original research in physics under the mentorship of a faculty member. Students apply and integrate knowledge from their coursework while learning both specific laboratory techniques and practical problem-solving skills. Discussion of proper laboratory record-keeping, responsible conduct of research, presentation of research results, and laboratory safety are also emphasized. This course may be repeated for credit when the topic differs. Prerequisite: Instructor prerequisite override required.