Physics
Physics
courses
Physics department home page
Director of undergraduate studies: Peter Parker, 206B WNSL, 432-3601, dus.physics@yale.edu
FACULTY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
Professors
Yoram Alhassid, Thomas Appelquist, *Charles Bailyn, O. Keith Baker, Charles Baltay, Sean Barrett, Cornelius Beausang (Adjunct), Richard Casten, *Richard Chang, *Paolo Coppi, David DeMille, *Michel Devoret, *Paul Fleury, Moshe Gai (Adjunct), Steven Girvin, Leonid Glazman, *Robert Grober, Martin Gutzwiller (Adjunct), John Harris, *Victor Henrich, Jay Hirshfield (Adjunct), Francesco Iachello, Steven Lamoreaux, William Marciano (Adjunct), Simon Mochrie, Vincent Moncrief, Peter Parker, *Daniel Prober, Nicholas Read, *Vladimir Rokhlin, Jack Sandweiss, Michael Schmidt, *Robert Schoelkopf, Ramamurti Shankar, *A. Douglas Stone, Paul Tipton, *John Tully, Thomas Ullrich (Adjunct), C. Megan Urry (Chair), *Pieter van Dokkum, *John Wettlaufer, Michael Zeller
Associate Professors
*Charles Ahn, *Jerzy Blawzdziewicz, Karyn Le Hur, *Priya Natarajan, *Corey O'Hern, Witold Skiba
Assistant Professors
Helen Caines, *Eric Dufresne, Richard Easther, Bonnie Fleming, Steven Furlanetto, Walter Goldberger, Jack Harris, Andreas Heinz, *Sohrab Ismail-Beigi, Daniel McKinsey, *Jill North, *A. Elizabeth Rhoades, Volker Werner
Lecturers
Sidney Cahn, Stephen Irons
*A joint appointment with primary affiliation in another department.
Physics forms a foundation for all other sciences. The various undergraduate courses and degree programs offered by the Physics department provide students with a thorough preparation in physics for any career. To satisfy the needs of science students and to provide the general background in physics that should be part of a liberal education, the department offers five different introductory sequences and two different degree programs for Physics majors. Combined majors are also available in mathematics and physics (see Mathematics and Physics), astronomy and physics (see Astronomy), and philosophy and physics (see Physics and Philosophy). Applied Physics is a closely related major (see Applied Physics).
Introductory lecture courses with no calculus prerequisite.
1. PHYS 110a or b (one term) is for students with little or no previous experience in physics who do not plan to major in the natural sciences. There is no mathematics requirement. PHYS 110a or b does not satisfy the medical school requirement.
2. PHYS 150a, 151b (two terms) is for students with little background in physics and mathematics who will probably not major in the physical sciences but who may be interested in the medical and biological sciences. There is no mathematics prerequisite other than high school mathematics, but MATH 112a and 115b should be taken concurrently.
Introductory calculus-based lecture courses.
1. PHYS 180a, 181b (two terms) is for students with some previous background in physics and mathematics who plan to major in the physical sciences. Calculus at the level of MATH 112a or b is a prerequisite; MATH 115a should be taken concurrently. It is suggested that MATH 120b be taken concurrently with PHYS 181b.
2. PHYS 200a, 201b (two terms) is for students with a strong background in mathematics and physics who plan to major in the physical sciences. Calculus at the level of MATH 115a or b is presumed. MATH 120a should be taken concurrently. It is suggested that MATH 222b or 225b be taken concurrently with PHYS 201b.
3. PHYS 260a, 261b (two terms) is intended for students who have had excellent training in and have a flair for mathematical methods and quantitative analysis; a solid foundation in physics is required. MATH 230 or the equivalent should be taken concurrently with PHYS 260a, 261b.
If students have the appropriate mathematics background, they are advised to take a calculus-based physics course. Sir Isaac Newton developed calculus while trying to describe the world around him; it is the natural language of physics. Students enrolled in one of the calculus-based introductory courses will be invited to a series of Chairman's Teas, which provide an opportunity to discuss topics on the frontiers of physics with faculty and peers. Completion of a calculus-based course also prepares students for the 340-level series of advanced physics electives, which cover special topics of interest to both majors and nonmajors.
PHYS 150a, 180a, 200a, and 260a meet at the same time so that students are easily able to change levels if necessary. Questions about placement should be addressed to the director of undergraduate studies.
Introductory laboratories. Two different introductory laboratory sequences are offered: PHYS 165La, 166Lb, and the PHYS 205La or Lb, 206La or Lb sequence. Each of these laboratory courses earns one-half course credit. Students normally take the laboratory courses associated with the introductory physics sequence in which they are enrolled. Students should register for a section of the appropriate laboratory course during the first week of classes by logging onto Classes*v2.
1. PHYS 165La, 166Lb (two terms) is an introductory laboratory for students without a strong high school physics laboratory preparation. Related lecture courses are PHYS 150a, 151b, and PHYS 180a, 181b.
2. PHYS 205La or Lb, 206La or Lb (two terms) is for students who plan to major in the physical sciences. Related lecture courses are PHYS 180a, 181b, PHYS 200a, 201b, and PHYS 260a, 261b. Students who take the lecture courses in freshman year are advised to start this laboratory sequence with PHYS 205Lb in the spring of freshman year, or with 205La in the fall of sophomore year.
Advanced electives. A series of 340-level electives explores special topics of interest to both majors and nonmajors. The electives are open to any student in Yale College who has completed a year of introductory calculus-based physics (PHYS 180a, 181b, or 200a, 201b, or 260a, 261b). The offerings for 2007–2008 include PHYS 341a, Biological Physics, and 343b, Gravity, Astrophysics, and Cosmology. Offerings anticipated for 2008–2009 include PHYS 342a, Introduction to Earth and Environmental Physics, and 344b, Quantum and Nanoscale Physics.
Major degree programs. Two different majors are offered in Physics: the B.S. and the intensive B.S. Students pursuing either degree acquire advanced training in physics, math, and related topics through the core courses. They use electives to design individualized programs with more depth or breadth, depending on their needs and interests. Both programs are excellent preparation for a wide variety of postgraduate activities, including professional school in business, law, or medicine; graduate school in engineering or other sciences; or careers in business, consulting, financial services, government service, or teaching.
The intensive B.S. program prepares students to study physics in graduate school. The intensive program is distinguished by depth of study in advanced physics courses; a research experience is expected. The director of undergraduate studies can help students in the B.S. program prepare for graduate school in physics by recommending appropriate electives to supplement the core courses.
For the Class of 2009 and subsequent classes, courses taken on a Credit/D/Fail basis may not be counted toward the requirements of the major.
B.S. degree program. The prerequisites are a calculus-based introductory lecture course sequence with a mathematics sequence equivalent to, or more advanced than, the corequisite of the physics sequence. The following three options are appropriate: PHYS 180a, 181b with MATH 115a, 120b; or PHYS 200a, 201b with MATH 120a, 225b or 222b; or PHYS 260a, 261b with MATH 230 or equivalent. In addition, the laboratory sequence PHYS 205La or Lb, 206La or Lb is required. Students who take these physics and mathematics courses starting in their freshman year may satisfy the prerequisites by the middle of their sophomore year. Students who begin taking physics courses in their sophomore year may also complete either the standard or the intensive B.S. Students are advised to take mathematics courses throughout their freshman year at the appropriate level.
Eight courses are required beyond the prerequisites. Students must take a mathematics course at the level of, or more advanced than, PHYS 301a. Three courses at the core of the major involve advanced study of fundamental topics common to all branches of physics, and must be taken in order. The first two, PHYS 401a and 402b, pertain to advanced classical physics (mechanics, statistical physics and thermodynamics, and electromagnetism), and the third, APHY 439a or PHYS 440b, covers quantum mechanics. Four additional advanced courses are required. Suitable advanced courses include the PHYS 340-level electives, advanced laboratories (PHYS 381La or 382Lb), and 400-level courses in Physics. Students with a strong background in course work are encouraged to complete a research project (PHYS 471a, 472b or equivalent). Students may also find suitable advanced courses in other departments in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics. Courses taken to satisfy these requirements must be approved by the director of undergraduate studies. In order to pursue their individual interests in sufficient depth, many students choose to take more than eight advanced courses.
Intensive B.S. degree program. The prerequisites for the intensive B.S. are the same as for the standard program. Ten courses are required beyond the prerequisites. Students must take a mathematics course at the level of, or more advanced than, PHYS 301a. Five courses at the core of the major involve advanced study of fundamental topics common to all branches of physics. Three of the courses pertain to advanced classical physics: mechanics (PHYS 410a), statistical physics and thermodynamics (PHYS 420a), and electromagnetism (PHYS 430b). Two other courses incorporate quantum mechanics (PHYS 440b and 441a). These courses must be taken in order because the ideas build progressively: PHYS 410a precedes 440b, which precedes 441a, 420a, and 430b.
Because experiment is at the heart of the discipline, the intensive B.S. program requires at least one term of advanced laboratory (PHYS 381La or 382Lb) and at least two terms of independent research (PHYS 471a, 472b or equivalent). One advanced elective course is required to complete the program. Suitable advanced courses include the PHYS 340-level electives, advanced laboratories (PHYS 381La or 382Lb), 400-level courses in Physics, and graduate courses in Physics. Students may also find suitable advanced courses in other departments in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics. Courses taken to satisfy these requirements must be approved by the director of undergraduate studies. In order to pursue their individual interests in sufficient depth, many students choose to take more than ten advanced courses.
Senior requirement. The senior requirement for both degree programs is fulfilled by receiving a passing grade on a research project in PHYS 471a, 472b (or equivalent) or on a senior essay. Students should consult the director of undergraduate studies for further information.
Sequence of courses. For both the B.S. and the intensive B.S. degrees, students are advised to begin the program in their freshman year to allow the greatest amount of flexibility in course selection. It is possible, however, to complete either program in a total of six terms, as illustrated below.
A program for a student completing the Physics B.S. in three years might be:
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Freshman or Sophomore
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Sophomore or Junior
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Senior
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PHYS 180a, 181b, or 200a, 201b, or 260a, 261b
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PHYS 206La
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APHY 439a or PHYS 440b
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PHYS 205Lb
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PHYS 301a
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Three advanced electives
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Mathematics corequisites
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PHYS 401a
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PHYS 402b
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One advanced elective
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A program for a student completing the intensive B.S. in three years might be:
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Freshman or Sophomore
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Sophomore or Junior
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Senior
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PHYS 180a, 181b, or 200a, 201b, or 260a, 261b
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PHYS 206La
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PHYS 441a
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PHYS 205Lb
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PHYS 301a
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PHYS 420a
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Mathematics corequisites
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PHYS 410a
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PHYS 430b
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PHYS 440b
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PHYS 471a
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PHYS 382Lb
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PHYS 472b
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One advanced elective
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Approval of programs. All Physics majors in the sophomore, junior, and senior classes must have their programs approved by the director of undergraduate studies. Freshmen and undeclared sophomores who are interested in Physics or related majors are encouraged to meet with the director of undergraduate studies to discuss their questions and proposed programs.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE MAJOR
B.S. DEGREE
Prerequisites: PHYS 180a, 181b, or 200a, 201b, or 260a, 261b, with appropriate math coreqs; PHYS 205La or Lb, 206La or Lb
Number of courses: 8 term courses beyond prereqs (not incl senior essay, if chosen)
Distribution of courses: 4 advanced electives approved by DUS
Specific courses required: PHYS 301a or other advanced math course; PHYS 401a, 402b, and either APHY 439a or PHYS 440b, in sequence
Senior requirement: Senior essay, or PHYS 471a, 472b or equivalent
INTENSIVE B.S. DEGREE
Prerequisites: PHYS 180a, 181b, or 200a, 201b, or 260a, 261b, with appropriate math coreqs; PHYS 205La or Lb, 206La or Lb
Number of courses: 10 term courses beyond prereqs (not incl senior essay, if chosen)
Distribution of courses: 1 advanced elective approved by DUS
Specific courses required: PHYS 301a or other advanced math course; PHYS 410a, 440b, 441a, 420a, 430b, in sequence; PHYS 381La or 382Lb; PHYS 471a, 472b or equivalent
Senior requirement: PHYS 471a, 472b or equivalent or, with DUS approval, senior essay
Unless otherwise indicated, courses in Physics count toward the natural science requirement for the Class of 2008.
