Course Catalog: Non-Science Majors
| Course | Title | Description | Offered |
|---|---|---|---|
| P101 (4 cr.) |
Physics in the Modern World | P101 covers selected topics in physics at a level aimed at the non-science major who desires a basic understanding of physics. The course emphasis is on physics concepts and their place in our modern technological society. The lecture demonstrations and laboratory sections provide simple examples and "hands-on" experiences to illustrate the basic principles. Topics covered in the course include the laws of motion and gravity, light and sound, electricity and magnetism, heat and thermodynamics.
No credit in this course for students who have already passed P201-P202 or P221-P222. |
|
| P105 (3 cr.) |
Basic Physics of Sound | The physical principles involved in the description, generation, and reproduction of sound. Topics discussed include physics of vibrations and waves, Fourier decomposition of complex wave forms, harmonic spectra, propagation of sound waves in air, standing waves and resonance, sound loudness and decibels, room acoustics, and sound recording and reproduction, including digital sound. | |
| P106 (1 cr.) |
Introductory Acoustics Laboratory | Experimental investigations of vibrating systems and waves, tone quality, temperament, properties of musical instruments, hearing, and room acoustics.
P or C: P105 or MUS T593 or consent of instructor. |
|
| P108 (2 cr.) |
Intermediate Acoustics Laboratory | For audio technology, and telecommunications majors. Provides in-depth investigation of vibrating systems, wave phenomena, interference, complex wave synthesis, analysis, resonance, transducers. Study of analogue, digital electronic circuits, amplifiers, oscillators, band pass filters, and digital sound. Provides instrumentation experience, oscilloscopes, function generators, spectrum analyses.
P or C: P105 or MUS T593 or consent of instructor. Credit not given for both P106 and P108. |
Fall 2008 |
| P109 (2 cr.) |
Speech and Hearing Acoustics Laboratory | Laboratory experiments investigating: properties of vibrating systems and waves, standing waves and resonances, filtering, analysis and synthesis of complex sounds, formants and speech recognition, transducers for sound.
P or C: P105 or S302. |
|
| P110 (2 cr.) |
Energy | A scientific approach is used to examine various aspects of energy consumption, including demand, fuel supplies, environmental impact, and alternative fuel sources.
Credit given for only one of the following: P110 or P120. |
Fall 2008 |
| P111 (3 cr.) |
Physics of Extraterrestrial Life and Death | Note: Cross-listed as a COAS Topics Course
Physical basis of search for extraterrestrial life. Origin of Universe, solar system, life and man. Comets, asteroids and impact of Shoemaker Levy 9 with Jupiter. Probable death of dinosaurs, exploration of Mars and Europa. Discovery of extrasolar planets. Radio searches for extraterrestrial intelligence. |
|
| P114 (3 cr.) |
Physics for Poets: Understanding the Invisible Universe | This course explores conceptually some of the biggest ideas in physics with an emphasis on their historical delevopment, experimental verification and impact on society as a whole. | |
| P120 (3 cr.) |
Energy and Technology | Provides physical basis for understanding interaction of technology and society, and for the solution of problems, such as energy use and the direction of technological change.
Credit given for only one of the following: P120 or P110. |
Fall 2008 |
| P125 (3 cr.) |
Energy in the 21st Century | Examination of how physical science applies to our present sources and uses of energy, our alternatives to fossil fuels, and how to plan for long-term future energy needs. | |
| P150 (3 cr.) |
How Things Work | Physics of the Cell Phone - course webpage | |
| P151 (3 cr.) |
21st Century Physics | A course intended for humanities and social science majors. Selected topics with emphasis on major concepts and the people who developed them. Lecture demonstrations used to illustrate ideas. Will not fulfill science requirement for education majors. | |
| Q202 (3 cr.) |
Physical Science: Elementary Teachers | Fulfills the physical science requirement for elementary education majors. Introduction to topics such as motion, forces, energy, states of matter, electricity, magnetism, and light. Two lectures and one laboratory each week. Enrollment is limited to majors in the School of Education.
P: Q200. |
|
| P211 (3 cr.) |
(SPEA E200) Global Energy Problems: Technological Options and Policy Choices | The science of energy; energy resources and uses; conservation; the health and environmental effects of energy conversion. Existing energy policy and its consequences; a comparative look at energy policy; the principles and practice of sound energy management and policy. | |
| L330 | ENERGY: Science, Policy, and the Pursuit of Sustainability | Current patterns of energy use in the United States and other developed countries are without question unsustainable. The insatiable American appetite for fossil fuels creates numerous problems: it increases pollution, contributes to global warming, subjects us to major price fluctuations, and has major influence on U.S. foreign policy, particularly in the Middle East, which is home to roughly two-thirds of the world’s proven oil reserves. In this interdisciplinary seminar course, we will study global energy and environmental problems from a wide range of perspectives, with emphasis on understanding how the different disciplinary approaches are interrelated. The course will be based on the recent book Energy: Science, Policy, and the Pursuit of Sustainability, edited by Robert Bent, Lloyd Orr, and Randall Baker of Indiana University. For a brief description of this book and an overview of what topics the seminar will cover, see www.islandpress.com (search on Robert Bent or the title of the book) and www.indiana.edu/~bentweb (Bent ’s personal web page). Offered through Collins Living-Learning Center.
Authorization required |
