Physics (PHY) Courses

PHY-101 Astronomy

An introductory course intended for the non-science liberal arts student. Historical and philosophical ideas will be stressed as well as the experimental concepts and methods used in astronomy. A good working knowledge of algebra, plane geometry, and trigonometry is required. Satisfies half of the laboratory science requirement. Three class periods and one laboratory each week.
Prerequisites: none
Corequisites: PHY-101L
Credit: 1
Distribution: Science Lab, Quantitative Literacy

PHY-104 Special Topics

A special interest course for the non-science liberal arts student on an introductory-level physics topic not covered in a regular physics course. (Does not count toward the major or minor, or the lab science requirement.) Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

PHY-105 Adventures in Physics

A one-semester course for the non-science liberal arts student that investigates the world from the viewpoint of a physicist. Topics will vary and will be announced prior to registration. Partially fulfills the college laboratory science requirement, but does not count toward a physics major or minor. Three class periods and one laboratory each week.
Prerequisites: none
Corequisites: PHY-105L
Credit: 1

PHY-109 Physics I - Algebra

An introduction to the study of motion and waves; topics include Newton's laws, energy and work, periodic motion and feedback, sound and light waves, and optics. These topics are especially relevant for students interested in pre? health. The lab activities will introduce measurement techniques and will emphasize understanding the limits to any measurement. Three class periods and one lab period each week. Partially fulfills the college laboratory science requirement, and may count toward a physics major or minor with department permission. This course is typically offered in the fall semester. Not available to students who have received credit for PHY-111. Also not available to students who have taken or been placed in MAT-112 without instructor permission.
Prerequisites: none
Corequisites: PHY-109L
Credit: 1
Distribution: Science Lab, Quantitative Literacy

PHY-110 Physics II - Algebra

An algebra-based introduction to electricity and magnetism for general audiences, including the social and life sciences. Topics include Coulombs law, electric circuits, magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction, and geometric optics. The lab will introduce data acquisition and analysis techniques. Three class periods and one laboratory each week. Not available to students who have taken PHY-111 without Instructor permission.
Prerequisites: PHY-109 or PHY-111, or approval of instructor
Corequisites: PHY-110L
Credit: 1
Distribution: Science Lab, Quantitative Literacy

PHY-111 Physics I - Calculus

A calculus-based introduction to classical mechanics forphysics, chemistry, and engineering. Topics include Newton's laws of motion, conservation laws, and rotational dynamics. The lab will introduce data acquisition and analysis techniques. Three class periods and one laboratory each week.
Prerequisites: MAT-110 or MAT-111, or placement into MAT-111 with concurrent registration, or placement into MAT-112 or MAT-223
Corequisites: PHY-111L
Credit: 1
Distribution: Science Lab, Quantitative Literacy

PHY-112 Physics II - Calculus

An introduction to the fundamental concepts concerning fluids, waves, optics, electricity, and magnetism. Three class periods and one laboratory each week. This course is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisites: PHY-111 with a minimum grade of C-
Corequisites: PHY-112L
Credit: 1
Distribution: Science Lab, Quantitative Literacy

PHY-177 Special Topics

This course is offered in the fall semester. Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

PHY-178 Special Topics

This course is offered in the spring semester. Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

PHY-187 Independent Study

Individual research projects. The manner of study will be determined by the student in consultation with the instructor. Students must receive written approval of their project proposal from a department Chair before registering for the course.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

PHY-188 Independent Study

Individual research projects. The manner of study will be determined by the student in consultation with the instructor. Students must receive written approval of their project proposal from a department Chair before registering for the course.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

PHY-209 Intro Thermal Phy & Relativity

An introduction to thermal physics and special relativity. Topics include the laws of thermodynamics, statistical nature of entropy, Lorentz transformations, equivalence of mass and energy. The lab will introduce the methodology of experimental design, numerical techniques for solving differential equations, and the writing of scientific papers using LaTeX software. Three class periods and one laboratory each week. This course is offered in the fall semester.
Prerequisites: PHY-112 with a minimum grade of C-, and MAT-112
Corequisites: PHY-209L
Credit: 1
Distribution: Quantitative Literacy, Science Lab

PHY-210 Intro Quantum Theory & Apps

An introduction to quantum theory with applications to atomic, solid state, nuclear, and particle physics. Three class periods and one laboratory each week. This course is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisites: PHY-209 with a minimum grade of C-, and MAT-223
Corequisites: PHY-210L
Credit: 1
Distribution: Science Lab, Quantitative Literacy
Equated Courses: CR

PHY-220 Electronics

Introduction to analog and digital electronics. Fundamentals of DC and AC circuits, transistors, and amplifiers will be covered. Includes one laboratory each week.
Prerequisites: PHY-112 with a minimum grade of C-
Corequisites: PHY-220L
Credit: 1
Distribution: Science Lab, Quantitative Literacy

PHY-230 Thermal and Statistical Physics

Introduction to thermal and statistical physics. The laws of thermodynamics are studied from microscopic and macroscopic perspectives. Quantum statistical mechanics will be developed and applied to blackbody radiation, fermionic and bosonic systems.
Prerequisites: PHY-210 with a minimum grade of C-
Credit: 1
Distribution: Quantitative Literacy

PHY-235 Stochastic Simulation

Interesting real world phenomena often involve randomness at some level, and this course develops mathematical and computational tools for studying these systems. In particular, students will study and implement computer simulation models of continuous and discrete stochastic processes with potential applications in physics, economics, epidemiology, networks, sports, elections, and industrial engineering. Specific topics for study include: basic probability models, pseudo-random number generation, queueing models, discrete event simulations, Poisson processes, random walks, Markov chains, Monte Carlo methods, and statistical analysis of simulated data.
Prerequisites: MAT-112 and CSC-111
Credit: 1

PHY-277 Special Topics

Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

PHY-278 Special Topics

This course is offered in the spring semester. Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

PHY-287 Independent Study

Individual research projects. The manner of study will be determined by the student in consultation with the instructor. Students must receive written approval of their project proposal from a department Chair before registering for the course.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

PHY-288 Independent Study

Individual research projects. The manner of study will be determined by the student in consultation with the instructor. Students must receive written approval of their project proposal from a department Chair before registering for the course.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

PHY-302 Electron Microscopy

Electron microscopes employ a focused beam of highly energetic electrons to examine sample morphology and topography on a very fine scale. This information is essential to the characterization of a wide range of biological and inorganic specimens including microorganisms, cells, crystals, metals, microelectronics, and nanomaterials. The initial classroom portion of this course focuses on fundamental topics in instrument design, applications, limitations, and sample preparation methods. Subsequent laboratory work involves hands-on instrument training and a substantial microscopy project.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Equated Courses: CHE-302

PHY-310 Classical Mechanics

Advanced topics in classical mechanics, including harmonic motion and Lagrangian mechanics.
Prerequisites: PHY-112 with a minimum grade of C- and MAT-224, or permission of instructor
Credit: 1

PHY-314 Electromagnetic Theory

Advanced explorations in understanding and applying Maxwell's equations. This course is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisites: PHY-112 with a minimum grade of C-, MAT-224, and MAT-225
Credit: 1
Distribution: Quantitative Literacy

PHY-315 Quantum Mechanics

Introduction to quantum mechanics. Topics include Dirac notation, postulates of quantum mechanics, and applications to important physical systems. This course is offered in the fall semester.
Prerequisites: PHY-210 with a minimum grade of C-, MAT-223, and MAT-224
Credit: 1
Distribution: Quantitative Literacy

PHY-377 Adv Special Topics in Physics

Special interest course covering one of a selection of advanced physics topics including: atomic physics, nuclear physics, quantum field theory, advanced electrodynamics, advanced quantum mechanics, advanced classical mechanics, or other topics proposed by students.Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: PHY-210
Credits: 0.5-1

PHY-378 Adv. Special Topics in Physics

Special interest course covering one of a selection of advanced physics topics including: atomic physics, nuclear physics, quantum field theory, advanced electrodynamics, advanced quantum mechanics, advanced classical mechanics, or other topics proposed by students. This course is offered in the spring semester. Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: PHY-210
Credits: 0.5-1

PHY-381 Advanced Laboratory I

Students will participate in a broad range of experiments that cover major research areas in contemporary physics, including atomic, molecular, and optical physics, condensed matter physics, and nuclear and particle physics. Advanced measurement and data analysis techniques will be used. All experiments will be planned, executed, and presented according to current professional standards. Students should take this course during their junior year.
Prerequisites: PHY-210
Credits: 0.5

PHY-382 Advanced Laboratory II

This course is an independent research project, typically a continuation of either an Advanced Laboratory I project or a summer internship research project. Typically taken in the fall semester of the senior year.
Prerequisites: PHY-381
Credits: 0.5

PHY-387 Independent Study

Individual research projects. The manner of study will be determined by the student in consultation with the instructor. Students must receive written approval of their project proposal from a department Chair before registering for the course.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

PHY-388 Independent Study

Individual research projects. The manner of study will be determined by the student in consultation with the instructor. Students must receive written approval of their project proposal from a department Chair before registering for the course.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

PHY-400 Senior Seminar

This course is a senior seminar course which all physics majors should take in their final year at Wabash. Course work will include reading primary literature, designing research projects to address societal issues, exploring the demographics and diversity of scientists, proposing outreach methods to make physics more inclusive, and evaluating the moral and ethical responsibilities of science. This course is offered in the fall semester
Prerequisites: PHY-210
Credits: 0.5
Distribution: Global Citizenship, Justice, and Diversity

PHY-487 Independent Study

Individual research projects. The manner of study will be determined by the student in consultation with the instructor. Students must receive written approval of their project proposal from a department Chair before registering for the course.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

PHY-488 Independent Study

Individual research projects. The manner of study will be determined by the student in consultation with the instructor. Students must receive written approval of their project proposal from a department Chair before registering for the course.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1