Department of Physics at Harvey Mudd College

Spring 2021
Astronomy 62 — Introduction to Astrophysics A general survey of modern astrophysics. Topics covered include electromagnetic radiation, gravitation, stellar structure and evolution, the interstellar medium and the birth of stars, supernovae and the death of stars (including the physics of neutron stars and black holes), synthesis of the elements, and the formation, structure and evolution of galaxies and of the universe. Offered jointly with Pomona and Keck Sciences.
Astronomy 124 — Planetary Astrophysics The physics and chemistry of the planets, their natural satellites and the small bodies of the solar system. Topics include evolution and dynamics of planetary atmospheres; planetary interiors, alteration processes on planetary surfaces; the formation and dynamics of the solar system, evolution of small bodies and extra-solar systems. Offered jointly with Pomona and Keck Sciences. Half-course.
Physics 24 — Mechanics and Wave Motion Classical mechanics is introduced beginning with inertial frames and the Galilean transformation, followed by momentum and momentum conservation in collisions, Newton's laws of motion, spring forces, gravitational forces and friction. Differential and integral calculus are used extensively throughout. Work, kinetic energy and potential energy are defined, and energy conservation is discussed in particle motion and collisions. Rotational motion is treated, including angular momentum, torque, cross-products and statics. Other topics include rotating frames, pseudoforces and central-force motion. Simple harmonic and some nonlinear oscillations are discussed, followed by waves on strings, sound and other types of waves, and wave phenomena such as standing waves, beats, two-slit interference, resonance and the Doppler effect.
Physics 24A — Mechanics and Wave Motion Kinematics, dynamics, linear and angular momentum, work and energy, harmonic motion, waves and sound.
Physics 50 — Physics Laboratory This course emphasizes the evidence-based approach to understanding the physical world through hands-on experience, experimental design, and data analysis. Experiments are drawn from a broad range of physics subjects, with applications relevant to modern society and technology.
Physics 52 — Quantum Physics The development and formulation of quantum mechanics, and the application of quantum mechanics to topics in atomic, solid state, nuclear, and particle physics.
Physics 54 — Modern Physics Lab Classical experiments of modern physics, including thermal radiation and Rutherford scattering. Nuclear physics experiments, including alpha, beta and gamma absorption, and gamma spectra by pulse height analysis. Analysis of the buildup and decay of radioactive nuclei.
Physics 78 — Climate and Energy Our Core curriculum provides a springboard for understanding the science that governs how our climate behaves. This course will use what you’ve learned in the Core to study the most important levers that drive our climate and to educate you about carbon-free energy resources. In addition, the course we will explore how human activity currently affects our climate and how we might provide energy to meet our future needs while reducing our impact on the climate.
Physics 116 — Quantum Mechanics The elements of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics. Topics include the general formalism, one-dimensional and three-dimensional problems, angular momentum states, perturbation theory and identical particles. Applications to atomic and nuclear systems.
Physics 134 — Optics Laboratory A laboratory-lecture course on the techniques and theory of classical and modern optics. Topics of study include diffraction, interferometry, Fourier transform spectroscopy, grating spectroscopy, lasers, quantum mechanics and quantum optics, coherence of waves and least-squares fitting of data.
Physics 154 — Fields and Waves The theory of deformable media. Field equations for elastic and fluid media and for conducting fluids in electromagnetic fields. Particular emphasis on body and surface wave solutions of the field equations.
Physics 162 — Solid State Physics Selected topics in solid-state physics, including lattice structure, lattice excitations, and the motion and excitations of electrons in metals.
Physics 170 — Computational Methods in Physics Typical numerical methods for solving a wide range of problems of current interest in physics. Examples are drawn from mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, solid state and chemical physics.
Physics 172 — General Relativity and Cosmology The principle of equivalence, Riemannian geometry, and the Schwarzschild and cosmological solutions of the field equations.
Physics 174 — Biophysics Selected topics in biophysics focusing on active research in the field. Possible topics include: biolocomotion, membrane biophysics, imaging techniques. Seminar format.
Physics 194 — Physics Clinic Team projects in applied physics, with corporate affiliation.
Physics 196 — Physics Colloquium Oral presentations and discussions of selected topics, including recent developments. Participants include physics majors, faculty members, and visiting speakers. Required for all junior and senior physics majors.

Fall 2021
Engineering 79 — Introduction to Engineering Systems An introduction to the concepts of modern engineering, emphasizing modeling, analysis, synthesis, design, and control. Applications to mechanical and electrical systems. Prerequisites: Mathematics 45 and Physics 24.
Physics 23 — Special Relativity Einstein's special theory of relativity is developed from the premises that the laws of physics are the same in all inertial frames and that the speed of light is a constant. The relationship between mass and energy is explored and relativistic collisions analyzed. The families of elementary particles are described and the equivalence principle developed.
Physics 50 — Physics Laboratory This course emphasizes the evidence-based approach to understanding the physical world through hands-on experience, experimental design, and data analysis. Experiments are drawn from a broad range of physics subjects, with applications relevant to modern society and technology.
Physics 51 — Electromagnetic Theory and Optics An introduction to electricity and magnetism leading to Maxwell's electromagnetic equations in differential and integral form. Selected topics in classical and quantum optics.
Physics 51M — Electromagnetic Theory An introduction to the theory of electricity and magnetism. This course covers foundational principles, including Maxwell's equations in differential and integral form, electromagnetic energy, ending with a discussion of electromagnetic waves and the Poynting vector. In addition, this course presents an in-depth treatment of selected topics from multivariable calculus, focusing in particular on vector fields, Gauss's theorem and Stokes' theorem, in order to reinforce and complement the material covered in Math 60. Each week there are two 75-minute lectures as well as two 50-minute recitation sections. In the recitation sections material is reviewed, homework is discussed, and small groups work on tutorials or at the blackboard on new problems.
Physics 111 — Theoretical Mechanics The application of mathematical methods to the study of particles and of systems of particles; Newton, Lagrange, and Hamilton equations of motion; conservation theorems; central force motion, collisions, damped oscillators, rigid body dynamics, systems with constraints, variational methods.
Physics 117 — Statistical Mechanics Classical and quantum statistical mechanics, including their connection with thermodynamics. Kinetic theory of gases. Applications of these concepts to various physical systems.
Physics 133 — Electronics Laboratory An intermediate laboratory in electronics involving the construction and analysis of rectifiers, filters, transistor and operational amplifier circuits.
Physics 147 — Materials Science for Energy Conversion and Storage Materials science of energy conversion and storage, dealing with photovoltaics, fuel cells, batteries, thermoelectrics, and other devices. Seminar format.
Physics 151 — Electromagnetic Fields The theory of static and dynamic electromagnetic fields. Topics include multipole fields, Laplace's equation, the propagation of electromagnetic waves, radiation phenomena and the interaction of the electromagnetic field with matter.
Physics 161 — Topics in Quantum Theory Scattering, including the Born approximation and partial wave expansion. Path integrals. Time-dependent perturbation theory. Quantum theory of the electromagnetic field.
Physics 181 — Advanced Laboratory Experiments are selected from the fields of nuclear and solid-state physics, biophysics, quantum mechanics and quantum optics, and atomic, molecular and optical physics. Fast-time coincidence instrumentation and photon-counting detectors are employed, as well as an X-ray machine and a UV/VIS/ NIR spectrophotometer.
Physics 183 — Teaching Internship An Introduction to K–12 classroom teaching and curriculum development. Internship includes supervision by an appropriate K–12 teacher and a member of the physics department and should result in a report of a laboratory experiment, teaching module, or other education innovation or investigation. Internship includes a minimum of three hours per week of classroom participation.
Physics 193 — Physics Clinic Team projects in applied physics, with corporate affiliation.
Physics 195 — Physics Colloquium Oral presentations and discussions of selected topics, including recent developments. Participants include physics majors, faculty members, and visiting speakers. Required for all junior and senior physics majors. No more than 2.0 credits can be earned for departmental seminars/colloquia.
Writing 1 — Introduction to Academic Writing A seminar devoted to effective writing strategies and conventions that apply across academic disciplines. The course emphasizes clarity, concision, and coherence in sentences, paragraphs, and arguments.