Undergraduate Courses
AST 301/PHY 321General Relativity(STN)Einstein's theory of general relativity and its astrophysical implications, including black holes, cosmological expansion, and time travel.Jeremy J. Goodman
EGR 191/MAT 191/PHY 191An Integrated Introduction to Engineering, Mathematics, Physics(STL)Taken concurrently with EGR/MAT/PHY 192, this course offers an integrated presentation of the material from PHY 103 (General Physics: Mechanics and Thermodynamics) and MAT 201 (Multivariable Calculus) with an emphasis on applications to engineering. Physics topics include: mechanics with applications to fluid mechanics; wave phenomena; and thermodynamics.Vikram Duvvuri
EGR 192/MAT 192/PHY 192/APC 192An Integrated Introduction to Engineering, Mathematics, Physics(QR)Taken concurrently with EGR/MAT/PHY 191, this course offers an integrated presentation of the material from PHY 103 (General Physics: Mechanics and Thermodynamics) and MAT 201 (Multivariable Calculus) with an emphasis on applications to engineering. Math topics include: vector calculus; partial derivatives and matrices; line integrals; simple differential equations; surface and volume integrals; and Green's, Stokes', and divergence theorems.Kunal N. Chaudhury
GEO 371/PHY 371Global Geophysics(STN)An introduction to the fundamental principles of global geophysics. Four parts, taught over three weeks each in an order allowing the material to build up to form a final coherent picture of (how we know) the structure and evolution of the solid Earth: 1. Gravity and 2. Magnetism: the description and study of the Earth's magnetic and gravitational fields. 3. Seismology: body waves, surface waves and free oscillations. 4. Geodynamics: heat flow, cooling of the Earth, and mantle convection. The emphasis is on physical principles including the mathematical derivation and solution of the governing equations.Frederik J. Simons
ISC 231/CHM 231/COS 231/MOL 231/PHY 231An Integrated, Quantitative Introduction to the Natural Sciences I(STL)An integrated, mathematically and computationally sophisticated introduction to physics and chemistry, drawing on examples from biological systems. This year long, four course sequence is a multidisciplinary course taught across multiple departments with the following faculty: W. Bialek, T. Gregor, J. Shaevitz (PHY); P. Debenedetti (CBE); O. Troyanskaya (COS); H. Yang (CHM); C. Broedersz, A. Leifer, B. Machta (LSI Fellows). Additional lectures in fall term will be given by P. Andolfatto (EEB) and E. Wieschaus (MOL). Five hours of lecture, one three-hour lab, one three-hour precept, one required evening problem session.William BialekPablo G. DebenedettiEric F. WieschausAndrew M. LeiferThomas GregorPeter Andolfatto
ISC 232/CHM 232/COS 232/MOL 232/PHY 232An Integrated, Quantitative Introduction to the Natural Sciences I(QR)An integrated, mathematically and computationally sophisticated introduction to physics and chemistry, drawing on examples from biological systems. This year long, four course sequence is a multi-disciplinary course taught across multiple departments with the following faculty: W. Bialek, T. Gregor, J. Shaevitz (PHY); P. Debenedetti (CBE); O. Troyanskaya (COS); H. Yang (CHM); C. Broedersz, A. Leifer, B. Machta (LSI Fellows). Additional lectures in fall term will be given by P. Andolfatto (EEB) and E. Wieschaus (MOL). Five hours of lecture, one three-hour lab, one three-hour precept, one required evening problem session.Chase P. BroederszWilliam BialekPablo G. DebenedettiEric F. WieschausBenjamin B. MachtaThomas GregorPeter Andolfatto
ISC 235/CHM 235/COS 235/MOL 235/PHY 235An Integrated, Quantitative Introduction to the Natural Sciences IIIAn integrated, mathematically and computationally sophisticated introduction to biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, genomics and evolution. This course is designed as a sequence: 235 in the fall and 236 in the spring. Multiple faculty will be involved over the year: P. Andolfatto (EEB), D. Botstein, M. Murthy, E. Wieschaus (MOL), J. Rabinowitz (CHM). 2 hrs and 40 min of lecture, one precept (1 hr 50 min), one evening problem session.Mala MurthyJoshua D. Rabinowitz
PHY 101Introductory Physics I(STL)The course is concerned with an introduction to the fundamental laws underlying physics and having general application in other areas of science. The treatment is complete and detailed, however, less mathematical preparation is assumed than for PHY 103-104. Mechanics and thermodynamics are treated quantitatively with a special emphasis on problem solving. In the spring semester PHY 102 covers electricity and magnetism, optics and relativity using the topics treated in PHY 101.Juan M. Uson
PHY 103General Physics I(STL)To understand the basic physics needed for further study in science and engineering. Logical, quantitative approach to problem solving. Applying fundamental concepts to idealized, practical problems.Cristiano Galbiati
PHY 105Advanced Physics (Mechanics)(STL)PHY 105 is a first-year course in mechanics, taught at a more sophisticated level than PHY 103. The approach of PHY 105 is that of an upper-division physics course, with more emphasis on derivation and the underlying formal structure of physics than one gets in 103, and with challenging problem sets due each week. Though we get excellent physics majors from both 103 and 105, PHY 105 will give you a better sense of the flavor of the more advanced courses in the department.Jason R. Petta
PHY 115A/STC 115APhysics for Future Leaders(STN)What do future leaders of our society need to know about physics and technology? The course is designed for non-scientists who will someday become our influential citizens and decision-makers. Whatever the field of endeavor, they will be faced with important decisions in which physics and technology play an important role. The purpose of this course is to present the key principles and the basic physical reasoning needed to interpret scientific and technical information and to make the best decisions. Topics include energy and power, atomic and subatomic matter, wave-like phenomena and light, and Einstein's theory of relativity.Paul J. Steinhardt
PHY 115B/STC 115BPhysics for Future Leaders(STL)What do future leaders of our society need to know about physics and technology? The course is designed for non-scientists who will someday become our influential citizens and decision-makers. Whatever the field of endeavor, they will be faced with important decisions in which physics and technology play an important role. The purpose of this course is to present the key principles and the basic physical reasoning needed to interpret scientific and technical information and to make the best decisions. Topics include energy and power, atomic and subatomic matter, wave-like phenomena and light, and Einstein's theory of relativity.Paul J. Steinhardt
PHY 205Classical Mechanics B(STN)Classical Mechanics with emphasis on the Lagrangian method. The underlying physics is Newtonian, but with more sophisticated mathematics introduced as needed to understand more complex phenomena. Topics include the formalism of Lagrangian mechanics, central force motion and scattering, rigid body motion and non-inertial forces, small and coupled oscillations and Hamiltonian chaos. The course is intensive but rewarding.Simone Giombi
PHY 207Mechanics and Waves(STN)This course covers wave phenomena, both classical and quantum, and it also includes an account of special relativity and introductory aspects of statistical physics. Topics include: special relativity, Lagrangians, small oscillations, coupled oscillations and waves, wave-packets and the Schrodinger equations, and elements of statistical mechanics. Mathematical methods will be developed as appropriate, in parallel to physical concepts.William Bialek
PHY 209Computational Physics Seminar(QR)Introduction to the use of computers in physics research. The two main themes of the course are the difficulty of analyzing even simple physics problems with pen and paper, and the application of numerical programming to such problems. Methods include numerical integration, least-squares fitting, Fourier transforms, and Monte Carlo simulation. Students will engage in scientific programming, graphing, and some visualization. Examples are intentionally drawn from various fields of physics not normally explored by sophomores, including cosmology, condensed matter, and elementary particle physics.Cristiano Galbiati
PHY 301Thermal Physics(STN)A unified introduction to thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, both classical and quantum. Topics include heat engines, kinetic theory, black-body radiation, ideal Fermi and Bose gases and phase transitions.Michael Aizenman
PHY 305Introduction to the Quantum Theory(STN)This course is a continuation of PHY 208. We will continue to develop the formalism of quantum mechanics and to explore its basis. We will apply our methods to phenomena from atomic, high energy, and condensed matter physics.William Happer
PHY 406Modern Physics II: Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics(STN)Introduction to the Standard Model of particle physics describing elementary particles and their interactions. Specific topics include symmetries and conservation laws; electromagnetic, weak, and strong interactions between quarks, leptons, and gauge bosons; and experimental methods in particle physics. Selected topics covering current research in high energy physics will also be discussed.Kirk T. McDonald
PHY 412Biological PhysicsBiological Physics is one of the fastest growing areas of physics. This course focuses on both experimental and theoretical physics approaches to understanding biological molecules, cells, and tissues. We will start with an overview of the forces present within a cell that govern the activity of enzymes and the motion of molecular motors and the cytoskeleton. We then move on to discuss physical processes on the cellular level that give rise to motility, tissue development and differentiation. Emphasis will be placed on both techniques and scientific concepts. Classes will be a combination of lectures and student presentations.Joshua W. Shaevitz