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Physics of Sound and Music

Music is an interaction between the production of sound and the listeners' perceptive abilities. In this course, the physical details of the production of sound with particular attention to "musical" sound will be explored. In a hands-on, experiment-based course, the physics of sound vibrations and waves, the overtone series, the workings of the human ear, the construction of various types of musical instruments, the electrical reproduction of sound, and other topics will be explored. This course satisfies the NS-L requirement. Also listed as Music 120WL.

Global Climate

Climate is perhaps the single most important and pervasive factor controlling global ecosystems and human well-being. This interdisciplinary course examines global climate from a historical perspective, beginning with the formation of the solar system and continuing through geologic time to the present.

Modern Physics

This course is the second of a two-semester sequence providing a systematic study of the ideas and discoveries that transformed physics in the twentieth century. Topics in this course include the quantum mechanical model of hydrogen, statistical mechanics, and applications such as solid-state physics, nuclear structure and reactions, and elementary particles. There is one laboratory per week in addition to classwork. Prerequisites: MATH 205 and a grade of 2.0 or higher in PHYS 221. Offered Spring semester only.

College Physics

This course is the first of a two-semester sequence designed to provide a general survey of physics. It emphasizes the relationship between basic physical principles and observations, both in the laboratory and in everyday events around us. It covers topics in mechanics and wave phenomena. The mathematical level of presentation assumes elementary algebra and basic trigonometry. While it serves as the appropriate physics course for students in the life sciences, it is designed to be accessible to all who have an interest in the subject.

The Scientific Revolution

This course covers the development of scientific thought in the period 1500 to 1725. It examines changing views of nature in the fields of anatomy and physiology, astronomy, and physics. Although the primary focus is on specific scientific developments, they are discussed in the context of concurrent social, economic, and religious changes. Also offered as PHYS 110 and through European Studies.

University Physics

This course is the first of a two-semester sequence organized according to the major unifying principles of physics. It is a general study of conservation laws, Newtonian dynamics, and special relativity. The material is presented at the level of elementary calculus. There is one laboratory period per week in addition to classwork. These courses are recommended for all students majoring in the physical sciences or completing the 3+2 engineering program. Co-requisite: MATH 135. Offered Fall semester only. Fulfills NS-L Distribution.

arXiv

arXiv is an open-access archive created and maintained by Cornell University for scholarly articles in the sciences and economics.

Energy

This course covers the nature of energy, its application in modern society and a variety of issues associated with that use. We will study the physical principles of mechanical, thermal, electrical, optical and nuclear energy in order to better understand the role of energy in society, focusing on fossil fuels, electric power plants, automobiles, global warming, the ozone layer and energy conservation, as well as nuclear, solar and other power sources. This course makes extensive use of elementary algebra and scientific notation. Major credit restricted.. Also offered as ENVS 105.

College Physics

This course is the first of a two-semester sequence designed to provide a general survey of physics. It emphasizes the relationship between basic physical principles and observations, both in the laboratory and in everyday events around us. It covers topics in mechanics and wave phenomena. The mathematical level of presentation assumes elementary algebra and basic trigonometry. While it serves as the appropriate physics course for students in the life sciences, it is designed to be accessible to all who have an interest in the subject.