Course Descriptions

AST-A 100 - The Solar System

Credits:

3

Description:

Fall. Survey of the solar system, including the Earth, sun, moon, eclipses, planets and their satellites, comets, laws of planetary motion, etc. Discussion of the origin of the solar system, life on earth, and the possibilities of extraterrestrial life. Also astronomical instruments and celestial coordinates.

AST-A 103 - Search for Life in the Universe

Credits:

3

Description:

Spring. Explores the origin, nature, and history of life on Earth, prospects for life in our own and other planetary systems, extra solar planet detection, and the possibility of other technological civilizations.

AST-A 105 - Stars and Galaxies

Credits:

3

Description:

Spring. Survey of the universe beyond the solar system, including stars, pulsars, black holes, principles of spectroscopy and the H-R diagram, nebulae, the Milky Way, other galaxies, quasars, expanding universe, cosmology, and extraterrestrial life.

AST-A 130 - Short Courses in Astronomy

Credits:

1

Description:

Five-week short courses on a variety of topics in astronomy. Examples of topics include: the Big Bang, Black Holes, Astronomy from your Backyard, How to See Stars, and The Birth and Death of Our Sun.

AST-A 205 - Quasars, Pulsars, Black Holes

Credits:

3

Description:

Fall, day. For both science and non-science majors interested in astronomy. Surveys stars of all types and their life cycles. Includes the H-R diagram, star clusters, and exploration of our own sun. Discussion of relativistic effects on certain astronomical objects and on human space exploration.

Prerequisite:

Introductory High School mathematics.

AST-A 250 - General Astronomy

Credits:

3

Description:

Fall. An introduction to the study of the universe. Coverage includes: orbital mechanics, planetary formation, terrestrial vs giant planets, stellar mechanics, stellar life cycles, HR diagram, variable stars, star clusters, black holes and relativity, galactic structure, interstellar medium, distance scale, quasars, and voids.

Prerequisite:

AST-A 100 and AST-A 105 and (MATH-I 231 or MATH-I 221 or MATH-I 165). Minimum grade of C- required in all prerequisite courses.

AST-A 330 - Introduction to Astrophysics

Credits:

3

Description:

Spring. An introduction to astrophysics. Coverage includes: dynamics and structure of the sun, hydrostatic equilibrium, stellar nuclear fusion, interstellar medium, stellar birth, stellar evolution, variable stars, binary stars, stellar death, relativity, the distance ladder, dark matter, and galactic structure.

Prerequisite:

AST-A 205 and AST-A 250 and (PHYS-I 152 or PHYS-P 201) and two semesters of calculus [(MATH-I 165 or MATH-I 231 or MATH-I 221) and (MATH-I 166 or MATH-I 232 or MATH-I 222)]. Minimum grade of C- required in all prerequisite courses.

AST-A 380 - Cosmology

Credits:

3

Description:

Spring. An introduction to the study of the universe. Coverage includes: Observational Data, Newton's Laws, Einstein's Special and General Theories, Robertson-Walker Metric, Einstein's Field Equation, Friedmann's Equation, Lambda, Big Bang Theory, Evolution of Possible Universes, Hubble's Cosmological Parameter, Dark Matter, CMBR, Dark Energy, Nucleosynthesis, Inflation, and Accelerated Expansion.

Prerequisite:

AST-A 250 and (PHYS-I 152 or PHYS-P 201) and two semesters of calculus [(MATH-I 165 or MATH-I 231 or MATH-I 221) and (MATH-I 166 or MATH-I 232 or MATH-I 222)]. Minimum grade of C- required in all prerequisite courses.

PHYS-I 010 - Pre-Physics

Credits:

3

Description:

Fall, Spring. For students not ready to take the algebra- and trigonometry-based courses in physics (PHYS-I 218 and PHYS-P 201). Basic concepts of physics. Methods of analyzing physics problems. Setting up equations for physics problems. Interpreting information in physics problems. Analyzing and presenting the results of laboratory measurements. Extensive drill in these topics.

Prerequisite:

MATH-I 159 or MATH-I 153 and MATH-I 154, or equivalent.

PHYS-I 100 - Physics in the Modern World

Credits:

5

Description:

Spring, day. Ideas, language, methods, and impact of physics today.

Prerequisite:

Introductory high school mathematics.

PHYS-I 121 - How to Solve a Problem without Solving the problem

Credits:

2

Description:

Fall. This course teaches students how to formulate a research question and start doing research with their current knowledge. Enrollment with permission of the instructor.

Prerequisite:

Consent of instructor.

PHYS-I 122 - How To Know When You Are Right

Credits:

2

Description:

Spring. This course continues developing students' capabilities to perform research. Prerequisite PHYS-I 121. Enrollment with the permission of the instructor.

Prerequisite:

PHYS 12100 or consent of instructor.

PHYS-I 140 - Short Courses in Physics

Credits:

1

Description:

Five-week courses on a variety of topics related to the physical world. Examples of topics include: Waves and Particles Are the Same Thing, Relativity, Quarks and Other Inhabitants of the Zoo, Why Things Work and Why They Don't, Lasers and Holography, and Physics of Star Trek.

PHYS-I 152 - Mechanics

Credits:

4

Description:

Fall, day; Spring, day, night; Summer, day. Statics, uniform and accelerated motion; Newton's laws; circular motion; energy, momentum, and conservation principles; dynamics of rotation; gravitation and planetary motion; properties of matter; and simple harmonic and wave motion.

Prerequisite:

or C: MATH-I 166. Equiv. IU PHYS-P 221.

PHYS-I 153 - Honors Mechanics Seminar

Credits:

1

Description:

The primary goal of the course is to enrich the student's experience in PHYS-I 152 by presenting a topic not traditionally covered in first-year physics, such as special relativity, quantum mechanics, or particle physics. The course will meet weekly for 50 minutes, during which time there will be a lecture and/or a class discussion. The course will carry honor's credit.

Prerequisite:

Department consent.

Corequisite:

PHYS-I 152.

PHYS-I 200 - Our Physical Environment

Credits:

3

Description:

Fall, night; Spring, night. A nonmathematical introduction to physical concepts and methods by means of examples from daily life and current technological applications.

PHYS-P 201 - General Physics I

Credits:

5

Description:

Fall, day; Spring, night; Summer, day. Newtonian mechanics, wave motion, heat, and thermodynamics. Application of physical principles to related scientific disciplines, especially life sciences. Intended for students preparing for careers in the life sciences and the health professions. Three lectures, one discussion section, and one two-hour laboratory period each week.

Prerequisite:

MATH-I 159 or MATH-I 153 and MATH-I 154, or equivalent.

PHYS-P 202 - General Physics II

Credits:

5

Description:

Fall, night; Spring, day; Summer, day. Electricity and magnetism; geometrical and physical optics; introduction to concepts of relativity, quantum theory, and atomic and nuclear physics. Three lectures, one discussion section, and one two-hour laboratory period each week.

Prerequisite:

PHYS-P 201.

PHYS-I 218 - General Physics

Credits:

4

Description:

Fall, night; Spring, night; Summer, day. Mechanics, conservation laws, gravitation; simple harmonic motion and waves; kinetic theory, heat, and thermodynamics for students in technology fields.

Prerequisite:

MATH-I 159 or MATH-I 153 and MATH-I 154, or equivalent.

PHYS-I 219 - General Physics

Credits:

4

Description:

Fall, night; Spring, night; Summer, day. Electricity, light, and modern physics.

Prerequisite:

PHYS-I 218.