Physics and Astronomy
Physics and Astronomy
278 Phillips Hall, CB# 3255
(919) 962-2078
First Session, 2024
Astronomy 101 Introduction to Astronomy The Solar System (3)
Celestial motions of the earth, sun, moon, and planets; nature of light; ground and space-based telescopes; comparative planetology; the earth and the moon; terrestrial and gas planets and their moons; dwarf planets, asteroids, and comets; planetary system formation; extrasolar planets; the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI).
NOTE to students: This course is offered over both summer I and summer II sessions (10 weeks) to spread out the workload for students compared to the traditional compressed summer session timeline. Attendance over both terms is required.
Astronomy 100L Introduction to Astronomy Laboratory Our Place in Space (1)
Students will use UNC’s global network of “Skynet” telescopes to observe planets, moons, and other solar-system objects, star-forming regions and clusters, supernova remnants, and galaxies. Through these observations and others, we will reach a better understanding of our place in the universe, and resolve common misconceptions. Topics include: seasons, the Galilean revolution, the cosmic distance ladder, the Great Debate of 1920, dark matter in our galaxy, Hubble’s law, dark energy. Previously offered as ASTR 101L.
NOTE to students: This course is offered over both summer I and summer II sessions (10 weeks) to spread out the workload for students compared to the traditional compressed summer session timeline. Attendance over both terms is required.
PHYS 114 General Physics I For Students of the Life Sciences (4)
Prerequisite, MATH 129P, or 130, or 231. Basic principles of physics, including forces, energy, oscillations, sound, diffusion, and heat transfer, and applications to biological systems. Intended to meet the needs of, but not restricted to, students majoring in the life sciences. Students may not receive credit for PHYS 114 in addition to PHYS 104, 116, or 118. Enrollment in the course requires registering in the lecture, the recitation, and 1 of the 2 studios. Lecture and studio will meet daily. Recitation is once a week.
PHYS 115 General Physics II For Students of the Life Sciences (4)
Prerequisite, PHYS 114. Basic principles of physics, including fluids, electricity, magnetism, optics, quantum physics, and nuclear physics, and applications to biological systems. Intended to meet the needs of, but not restricted to, students majoring in the life sciences. Students may not receive credit for PHYS 115 in addition to PHYS 105, 117, or 119. Enrollment in the course requires registering in the lecture, the recitation, and the studio section. Lecture and studio will meet daily. Recitation is once a week.
PHYS 118 Introductory Calculus-based Mechanics and Relativity (4)
Prerequisite, MATH 231; Pre- or co-requisite, MATH 232. Permission of the instructor for students lacking the prerequisites. Mechanics of particles and rigid bodies. Newton’s laws; mechanical and potential energy; mechanical conservation laws; frame-dependence of physical laws; Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. Students may not receive credit for PHYS 118 in addition to PHYS 104, 114, or 116. Enrollment in the course requires registering in the lecture, the recitation, and the studio section. Lecture and studio will meet daily. Recitation is once a week.
PHYS 281L Experimental Techniques in Physics (3)
Prerequisite, PHYS 119. Permission of the instructor for students lacking the prerequisites. Exploration of modern physics experiments, techniques, and data analysis to prepare students for research and advanced laboratory work. Written and oral reports with peer review. Enrollment in the course requires registering for the lab section as well as recitation.
Second Session, 2024
Astronomy 101 Introduction to Astronomy The Solar System (3)
Celestial motions of the earth, sun, moon, and planets; nature of light; ground and space-based telescopes; comparative planetology; the earth and the moon; terrestrial and gas planets and their moons; dwarf planets, asteroids, and comets; planetary system formation; extrasolar planets; the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI).
NOTE to students: This course is offered over both summer I and summer II sessions (10 weeks) to spread out the workload for students compared to the traditional compressed summer session timeline. Attendance over both terms is required.
Astronomy 100L Introduction to Astronomy Laboratory Our Place in Space (1)
Students will use UNC’s global network of “Skynet” telescopes to observe planets, moons, and other solar-system objects, star-forming regions and clusters, supernova remnants, and galaxies. Through these observations and others, we will reach a better understanding of our place in the universe, and resolve common misconceptions. Topics include: seasons, the Galilean revolution, the cosmic distance ladder, the Great Debate of 1920, dark matter in our galaxy, Hubble’s law, dark energy. Previously offered as ASTR 101L.
NOTE to students: This course is offered over both summer I and summer II sessions (10 weeks) to spread out the workload for students compared to the traditional compressed summer session timeline. Attendance over both terms is required.
PHYS 114 General Physics I For Students of the Life Sciences (4)
Prerequisite, MATH 129P, or 130, or 231. Basic principles of physics, including forces, energy, oscillations, sound, diffusion, and heat transfer, and applications to biological systems. Intended to meet the needs of, but not restricted to, students majoring in the life sciences. Students may not receive credit for PHYS 114 in addition to PHYS 104, 116, or 118. Enrollment in the course requires registering in the lecture, the recitation, and the studio section. Lecture and studio will meet daily. Recitation is once a week.
PHYS 115 General Physics II For Students of the Life Sciences (4)
Prerequisite, PHYS 114. Basic principles of physics, including fluids, electricity, magnetism, optics, quantum physics, and nuclear physics, and applications to biological systems. Intended to meet the needs of, but not restricted to, students majoring in the life sciences. Students may not receive credit for PHYS 115 in addition to PHYS 105, 117, or 119. Enrollment in the course requires registering in the lecture, the recitation, and 1 of the 2 studios. Lecture and studio will meet daily. Recitation is once a week.
PHYS 119 Introductory Calculus-Based Electromagnetism and Quanta (4)
Prerequisites, MATH 232 and PHYS 118; Pre- or co-requisite, MATH 233. Permission of the instructor for students lacking the prerequisites. Unification of the laws of electricity and magnetism; electromagnetic waves; the particle-wave duality; fundamental principles and applications of quantum mechanics. Students may not receive credit for PHYS 119 in addition to PHYS 105, 115, or 117. Enrollment in the course requires registering in the lecture, the recitation and the studio section. Due to the rigorous pace of instruction during Summer School, the co-requisite of MATH 233 is a prerequisite. Lecture and studio will meet daily. Recitation is once a week.