Courses

PHYS B101 Introductory Physics I

Fall 2024

PHYS 101/102 is an introductory sequence intended primarily for students on the pre-health professions track. Emphasis is on developing an understanding of how we study the universe, the ideas that have arisen from that study, and on problem solving. Topics are taken from among Newtonian kinematics and dynamics, relativity, gravitation, fluid mechanics, waves and sound, electricity and magnetism, electrical circuits, light and optics, quantum mechanics, and atomic and nuclear physics. An effective and usable understanding of algebra and trigonometry is assumed. First year students who will take or place out of MATH 101 should take PHYS 121. MATH B100 or MATH H105 are required co requisites. Lecture three hours, laboratory two hours.

Quantitative Methods (QM)

Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)

Scientific Investigation (SI)

Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology.

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PHYS B102 Introductory Physics II

Spring 2025

PHYS 101/102 is an introductory sequence intended primarily for students on the pre-health professions track. Emphasis is on developing an understanding of how we study the universe, the ideas that have arisen from that study, and on problem solving. Topics are taken from among Newtonian kinematics and dynamics, relativity, gravitation, fluid mechanics, waves and sound, electricity and magnetism, electrical circuits, light and optics, quantum mechanics, and atomic and nuclear physics. An effective and usable understanding of algebra and trigonometry is assumed. Prerequisites: PHYS B101. Lecture three hours, laboratory two hours.

Quantitative Methods (QM)

Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)

Scientific Investigation (SI)

Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology.

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PHYS B110 Physics of Computers: Early Computing to Quantum Computing

Not offered 2024-25

Modern computers and computing hardware are the direct result of the successful development of the physics of both quantum mechanics and complex materials over the past 120 years and continued innovation has lead to the invention of the Quantum Computer. Computing has become ubiquitous in our society as the performance of computers have improved. Computers and computing have many applications which influence our lives such as social media, large language models, cryptocurrency, and scientific research. The complexity of these topics leads to many natural questions. How do classical and quantum computers function? What key physics principles allow modern computers to operate? How powerful can computers be and what are their current limitations? What are the implications, such as scientific innovation or environmental impact, of large scale computing? How will quantum computers revolutionize computing? This conceptual course will explore these types of questions and provide opportunities to work with such technologies.

Scientific Investigation (SI)

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PHYS B121 Modern Physics

Fall 2024

This course presents current conceptual understandings and mathematical formulations of fundamental ideas used in physics. Students will develop physical intuition and problem-solving skills by exploring key concepts in physics such as conservation laws, symmetries and relativistic space-time, as well as topics in modern physics taken from the following: fundamental forces, nuclear physics, particle physics, and cosmology. This course can serve as a stand-alone survey of physics or as the first of a four-semester sequence designed for those majoring in the physical sciences. Co-requisite: MATH B101.

Quantitative Methods (QM)

Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)

Scientific Investigation (SI)

Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology.

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PHYS B122 Classical Mechanics

Spring 2025

The lecture material covers Newtonian Mechanics of single particles, systems of particles, rigid bodies, and continuous media with applications, one-dimensional systems including forced oscillators, scattering and orbit problems. Lecture three hours, laboratory two hours. Prerequisites: PHYS 121 (or permission of the instructor) and MATH 101. Corequisite: MATH 102.

Quantitative Methods (QM)

Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)

Scientific Investigation (SI)

Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology.

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PHYS B201 Electromagnetism

Fall 2024

The lecture material covers electro- and magneto-statics, electric and magnetic fields, induction, Maxwell's equations, and electromagnetic radiation. Scalar and vector fields and vector calculus are developed as needed. The laboratory involves passive and active circuits and projects in analog and digital electronics. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. Prerequisite: PHYS 102 or 122. Corequisite: MATH 201.

Quantitative Methods (QM)

Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)

Scientific Investigation (SI)

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PHYS B205 Mathematical Methods in the Sciences I

Fall 2024

This course is the first of two half-semester sessions which presents topics in applied mathematics useful to students in physics, engineering, physical chemistry, geology, and computer science. This first session will cover infinite series, complex variables, Fourier series, integral transforms, special functions, and ordinary differential equations. Lecture three hours and additional recitation sessions as needed. Prerequisite: MATH B102.

Course does not meet an Approach

Counts Toward: Mathematics.

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PHYS B206 Computational Methods for the Sciences

Spring 2025

This is a half-unit quarter course that introduces computational methods and techniques useful to students in the physical sciences. Topics covered may include but are not limited to basic programming using Python, functions and array handling, iterative methods, numerical integration and differentiation, and computational differential equations. Co-requisite: MATH B102

Course does not meet an Approach

Counts Toward: Biophysics.

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PHYS B207 Mathematical Methods in the Sciences II

Fall 2024

This course is the second of two half-semester sessions which presents topics in applied mathematics useful to students in physics, engineering, physical chemistry, geology, and computer science. This second session covers advanced ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, special functions, series solutions, and boundary-value problems. Lecture three hours and additional recitation sessions as needed. Prerequisite: PHYS B205, MATH B201 and MATH B203

Course does not meet an Approach

Counts Toward: Mathematics.

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PHYS B208 Computational methods for Biophysics

Spring 2025

This is a 0.5-credit quarter course that will introduce a variety of computational methods and techniques useful to students interested in biophysics. Topics covered include but are not limited to probability distributions of discrete and continuous distributions, Brownian motion, model selection and parameter estimation, and random walks in biological systems. Prerequisite: PHYS B205 and PHYS B206.

Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)

Scientific Investigation (SI)

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PHYS B214 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics

Spring 2025

An introduction to the principles governing systems at the atomic scale and below. Topics include the experimental basis of quantum mechanics, wave-particle duality, Schrödinger's equation and its solutions, and the time dependence of quantum states. Recent developments, such as paradoxes calling attention to the counter-intuitive aspects of quantum physics, will be discussed. Additional topics may be included at the discretion of the instructor. The laboratory involves quantum mechanics, solid state physics, and optics experiments. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. Prerequisite: MATH 201 and PHYS B122, or permission of the instructor. Corequisite: MATH 203.

Quantitative Methods (QM)

Scientific Investigation (SI)

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PHYS B220 Introduction to Plasma Physics and Fusion

Not offered 2024-25

This is a half-unit introduction to basic plasma physics including an overview of plasma systems, single particle motion, waves and instabilities, and applications of plasma particularly its connection to the development of fusion energy. Prerequisite: MATH B102.

Course does not meet an Approach

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PHYS B302 Advanced Quantum Mechanics and Applications

Not offered 2024-25

This course presents nonrelativistic quantum mechanics, including Schrodinger's equation, the eigenvalue problem, the measurement process, the hydrogen atom, the harmonic oscillator, angular momentum, spin, the periodic table, perturbation theory, and the relationship between quantum and Newtonian mechanics. Lecture three hours and additional recitation sessions as needed. Prerequisites: PHYS B214 and PHYS B205 and B207 or PHYS H213

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PHYS B303 Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics

Fall 2024

This course presents the statistical description of the macroscopic states of classical and quantum systems, including conditions for equilibrium, the microcanonical, canonical, and grand canonical ensembles, and Bose-Einstein, Fermi-Dirac, and Maxwell Boltzmann statistics. The statistical basis of classical thermodynamics is investigated. Examples and applications are drawn from among solid state physics, low temperature physics, atomic and molecular physics, electromagnetic waves, and cosmology. Lecture three hours and additional recitation sessions as needed. Prerequisite: PHYS B214 or H214. Co-requisite: PHYS B205 and B207 or H213.

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PHYS B305 Advanced Electronics Lab

Not offered 2024-25

This laboratory course is a survey of electronic principles and circuits useful to experimental physicists and engineers. Topics include the design and analysis of circuits using transistors, operational amplifiers, feedback and analog-to-digital conversion. Also covered is the use of electronics for automated control and measurement in experiments, and the interfacing of computers and other data acquisition instruments to experiments. Laboratory eight hours a week. Prerequisite: PHYS B201

Writing Intensive

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PHYS B306 Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences

Not offered 2024-25

This course presents topics in applied mathematics useful to students, including physicists, engineers, physical chemists, geologists, and computer scientists studying the natural sciences. Topics are taken from Fourier series, integral transforms, advanced ordinary and partial differential equations, special functions, boundary-value problems, functions of complex variables, and numerical methods. Lecture three hours and additional recitation sessions as needed. Prerequisite: MATH 201 and 203.

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PHYS B308 Advanced Classical Mechanics

Not offered 2024-25

This course presents kinematics and dynamics of particles and macroscopic systems using Newtonian, Lagrangian, and Hamiltonian mechanics. Topics include oscillations, normal mode analysis, inverse square laws, nonlinear dynamics, rotating rigid bodies, and motion in noninertial reference frames. Lecture three hours and additional recitation sessions as needed. Prerequisite: PHYS B201 or PHYS B214 or PHYS H214. Co-requisite: PHYS B205 and B207 or H213.

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PHYS B309 Advanced Electromagnetic Theory

Spring 2025

This course presents electrostatics and magnetostatics, dielectrics, magnetic materials, electrodynamics, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves, and special relativity. Some examples and applications may come from superconductivity, plasma physics, and radiation theory. Lecture three hours and additional recitation sessions as needed. Prerequisites: PHYS B201 and B205 and B207 OR H213 and H214.

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PHYS B322 Condensed Matter Physics

Not offered 2024-25

This course introduces the emergent properties and collective descriptions that arise when atoms and molecules are combined into larger condensed matter systems with varying degrees of order. Frontier research topics in nanomaterials and biophysics will also be introduced if time permits. Prerequisites: PHYS B201 or H106; Co-Requisites: B205 and B207 or PHYS H213

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PHYS B324 Optics

Not offered 2024-25

This course covers principles of geometrical and physical optics. Topics include electromagnetic waves and their propagation in both isotropic and anisotropic media; interference, diffraction, and Fourier optics; coherence theory; ray optics and image formation; and, as time permits, an introduction to the quantum nature of light. Prerequisites: PHYS B201 (or H106); Co-Requisites: PHYS B205 and B207 (or H213)

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PHYS B325 General Relativity

Fall 2024

An introductory course in general relativity with an emphasis on physical principles and geodesics in curved spacetime. Topics include special relativity, the calculus of variations, metrics, geodesics, the equivalence principle, gravitational redshift, the static weak field metric, the Schwarzschild metric describing spacetime outside of a black holes or star, the precession of planetary orbits and the bending of light by massive objects, the parametrized post-Newtonian formalism for probing deviations from general relativity, the Kruskal extension of the Schwarzschild spacetime, causal structure, gravitational collapse, tensors, covariant derivatives, parallel transport, geodesic deviation, curvature, and the Einstein equations. Additional topics may include applications to rotating black holes, gravitational waves, cosmology, or Hawking radiation. Co-requisites: PHYS B205 and B207 or prerequisite: PHYS H213.

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PHYS B328 Galactic Dynamics & Advanced Classical Mechanics

Not offered 2024-25

This course is for the advanced undergraduate interested in the physics galactic dynamics and evolution, i.e. collisionless, gravitational N-body systems composed of stars and dark matter. Topics covered will include potential theory, orbit theory, collisionless Boltzmann equation, Jeans equations, disk stability, violent relaxation, phase mixing, dynamical friction and kinetic theory. To support the these theories, we will also cover advanced topics in classical mechanics including Lagrange & Hamilton methods, the central force problem, canonical transformations, action-angle variables, chaos and perturbation theory. This course is taught in a seminar format, in which students are responsible for presenting much of the course material in class meetings. Prerequisites: MATH B201, MATH B203, PHYS B201, B214, and PHYS B308 or permission from instructor.

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PHYS B331 Advanced Experimental Physics

Spring 2025

This laboratory course consists of set-piece experiments as well as directed experimental projects to study a variety of phenomena in atomic, molecular, optical, nuclear, and solid state physics. The experiments and projects serve as an introduction to contemporary instrumentation and the experimental techniques used in physics research laboratories in industry and in universities. Students write papers in a format appropriate for research publications and make a presentation to the class. Laboratory eight hours a week. Corequisite: PHYS 214.

Writing Intensive

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PHYS B380 Physics Pedagogy

Not offered 2024-25

Students work with a faculty member as assistant teachers in a college course in physics, or as assistants to a faculty member developing new teaching materials. Students will be involved in some combination of the following: directed study of the literature on teaching and learning pedagogy, construction and design of parts of a course, and actual teaching in a lecture course or laboratory. Corequisite: PHYS 201 or 214.

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PHYS B390 Independent Study

Not offered 2024-25

At the discretion of the department, juniors or seniors may supplement their work in physics with the study of topics not covered in regular course offerings.

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PHYS B398 Senior Seminar

Required for senior Physics majors. Students meet weekly with faculty to discuss recent research findings in physics as well as career paths open to students with a major in Physics. Students are required to attend all colloquia and student research presentations hosted by the Bryn Mawr College Physics department. Prerequisite: Senior Standing.

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PHYS B403 Supervised Research

At the discretion of the department, juniors and seniors may supplement their work in physics with research in one of the faculty research groups. Students provide a written paper and give an oral presentation at the end of the semester or year. Students are encouraged to contact individual faculty members and the departmental Web pages for further information.

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PHYS B501 Quantum Mechanics I

Not offered 2024-25

This course is the first semester of a year-long standard sequence on quantum mechanics. The year-long course will cover: the mathematical formulation of quantum mechanics, quantum dynamics, the theory of angular momentum, symmetry in quantum mechanics, approximation methods, identical particles, scattering theory, relativistic quantum mechanics. This course is taught in a seminar format, in which students are responsible for presenting much of the course material in class meetings.

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PHYS B502 Quantum Mechanics II

Not offered 2024-25

This course is the second semester of a year-long standard sequence on quantum mechanics. The year-long course will cover: the mathematical formulation of quantum mechanics, quantum dynamics, the theory of angular momentum, symmetry in quantum mechanics, approximation methods, identical particles, scattering theory, relativistic quantum mechanics. This course is taught in a seminar format, in which students are responsible for presenting much of the course material in class meetings.

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PHYS B503 Electromagnetic Theory I

Not offered 2024-25

This course is the first semester of a year-long standard sequence on electromagnetism. This semester begins with topics in electrostatics, including Coulomb's and Gauss's Laws, Green functions, the method of images, expansions in orthogonal functions, boundary-value problems, and dielectric materials. The focus then shifts to magnetic phenomena, including the magnetic fields of localized currents, boundary-value problems in magnetostatics, and the interactions of fields and magnetic materials. The last portion of the course treats Maxwell's equations, transformation properties of electromagnetic fields, electromagnetic waves and their propagation and, time permitting, the basics of waveguides. This course is taught in a seminar format, in which students are responsible for presenting much of the course material in class meetings.

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PHYS B504 Electromagnetic Theory II

Not offered 2024-25

This course is the second semester of a two semester graduate level sequence on electromagnetic theory. Topics include electromagnetic radiation, multiple fields, scattering and diffraction theory, special relativity, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian descriptions, radiation from point particle motion, Lienard-Wiechert potentials, classical electron theory and radiation reaction. Additional topics may be included at the discretion of the instructor. This course is taught in a seminar format, in which students are responsible for presenting much of the course material in class meetings. Prerequisite: PHYS 503

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PHYS B505 Classical Mechanics I

Spring 2025

This course will cover mechanics topics familiar from the undergraduate curriculum, but from deeper theoretical and mathematical perspectives. Topics will include Lagrange & Hamilton methods, the central force problem, rigid body motion, oscillations, and canonical transformations. Time permitting, other topics that might be explored include chaos theory, special relativity, and the application of Lagrangian and Hamiltonian methods to continuous systems. This course is taught in a seminar format, in which students are responsible for presenting much of the course material in class meetings.

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PHYS B507 Statistical Mechanics I

Not offered 2024-25

Review of Thermodynamics; Equilibrium statistical mechanics -- microcanonical and canonical ensembles; Ideal gases, photons, electrons in metals; Phase transitions; Monte Carlo techniques; Classical fluids, Non-equilibrium statistical mechanics.

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PHYS B701 Supervised Work

Fall 2024, Spring 2025

Supervised Research

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MATH B101 Calculus I

Fall 2024, Spring 2025

This is the first in a sequence of two courses that covers single-variable calculus. Topics include functions, limits, continuity, derivatives, differentiation formulas, applications of derivatives, integrals, and the fundamental theorem of calculus. Prerequisite: proficiency in high-school mathematics (including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry).

Quantitative Methods (QM)

Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)

Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Chemistry; Physics.

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MATH B102 Calculus II

Fall 2024, Spring 2025

This is the second in a sequence of two courses that covers single-variable calculus. Topics include techniques of integration, applications of integration, infinite sequences and series, tests of convergence for series, and power series. Prerequisite: a merit grade in Math 101 (or an equivalent experience).

Quantitative Methods (QM)

Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Chemistry; Physics.

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MATH B201 Multivariable Calculus

Fall 2024, Spring 2025

This course extends calculus to functions of multiple variables. Topics include functions, limits, continuity, vectors, directional derivatives, optimization problems, multiple integrals, parametric curves, vector fields, line integrals, surface integrals, and the theorems of Gauss, Green and Stokes. Prerequisite: a merit grade in Math 102 (or an equivalent experience).

Quantitative Methods (QM)

Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Chemistry; Physics.

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MATH B203 Linear Algebra

Spring 2025

This course considers systems of linear equations, matrix algebra, determinants, vector spaces, subspaces, linear independence, bases, dimension, linear transformations, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, orthogonality, and applications of linear algebra. Prerequisite (or corequisite): Math 102.

Quantitative Methods (QM)

Counts Toward: Physics.

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