Physics (PHYS-SHU)

This is an introductory physics course covering primarily mechanics and thermodynamics. The mechanics component will cover Motion along a Straight Line, Motion in Two and Three Dimensions, Newton’s laws of motion, Forces, Kinetic Energy and Work, Potential Energy and Conservation of Energy, Center of Mass and Linear Momentum. The thermodynamics component will cover Temperature, Heat, and the First Law of Thermodynamics, The Kinetic Theory of Gases, Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics. In addition, some introduction to the foundations of physics such as vectors and measurement will be given. In addition to the course material, the students will do open-ended research projects that encourage creative applications of physics concepts. Pre-req OR Co-req: MATH-SHU 131 Calculus or MATH-SHU 201 Honors Calculus. Anti-Requisite: Students who have taken PHYS-SHU 91 Physics I Honors with grade of C or above are not eligible. Fulfillment: CORE ED; Biology Foundational Courses; Chemistry Foundational Courses; Mathematics Science Lecture sections; Honors Mathematics Science Lecture sections; Neural Science Foundational Courses; Physics Foundational Courses; Computer Systems Engineering Prerequisite Science; Electrical Systems Engineering Prerequisite Science.

This course is an introduction to electricity and magnetism, light, geometrical and wave optics. Many concepts from General Physics I will be used in this course such as velocity, acceleration, force, Newton’s laws of motion, work and energy. The course uses high school algebra, geometry and trigonometry, vectors and vector arithmetic, and some basic calculus. The algebra, geometry, and trig are essential. The course has lecture, homework and laboratory components. Prerequisite: General Physics I (PHYS-SHU 11). Anti-Requisite: Students who have taken PHYS-SHU 93 Physics II Honors with grade of C or above are not eligible. Fulfillment: Biology Foundational Courses; Chemistry Foundational Courses; Mathematics Science Lecture sections; Honors Mathematics Science Lecture sections; Neural Science Foundational Courses; Computer Systems Engineering Prerequisite Science; Electrical Systems Engineering Prerequisite Science.

This laboratory course is to accompany FoS physics lecture. Students will be familiarized with various techniques, equipment, data analysis skills, and ideas common to physics laboratories. Experiments in mechanics and thermodynamics are chosen to illustrate the experimental foundation of physics presented in the lecture courses. The laboratory will also emphasize scientific writing. Re-req OR Co-req: Physics I OR Found of Physics Honors I Fulfillment: CORE ED; Biology Foundational Courses; Chemistry Foundational Courses; Mathematics Science Lab sections; Honors Mathematics Science Lab sections; Neural Science Foundational Courses; Physics Foundational Courses.

Measurement, Motion Along a Straight Line, Vectors, Motion in Two and Three Dimensions, Force and Motion, Kinetic Energy and Work, Potential Energy and Conservation of Energy, Center of Mass and Linear Momentum, Torque and Angular Momentum, Rotation and Rigid-Body Motion, Gravitation, Equilibrium, Stability, Elasticity, Oscillations and Harmonic Motion, Special Relativity. Textbook: Young and Freedman, Sears and Zemansky's University Physics with Modern Physics, 14th Edition. Additional (optional) reading: Halliday, Resnick & Walker, Fundamentals of Physics, Extended, 10th edition. R. P. Feynman, R. B. Leighton, & M. Sands, The Feynman Lectures on Physics, Vol. 1. Pre-req OR Co-req: MATH-SHU 131 Calculus or MATH-SHU 201 Honors Calculus. Anti-Requisite: PHYS-SHU 11 General Physics. Fulfillment: CORE ED; Biology Foundational Courses; Chemistry Foundational Courses; Mathematics Science Lecture sections; Honors Mathematics Science Lecture sections; Neural Science Foundational Courses; Physics Foundational Courses; Computer Systems Engineering Prerequisite Science; Electrical Systems Engineering Prerequisite Science.

Continuation of Foundation of Physics I. Topics include electric charge and electric field, electric potential, Gauss’s law, capacitor, current, circuits, magnetic fields, induction, electromagnetic waves, and Maxwell’s equations (in an integral form). This is the second semester of a four-semester calculus-based introduction to Physics, and is intended for physics majors and other interested students. Prerequisite: Foundation of Physics I Honors (PHYS-SHU 91), Freshman Math (including linear algebra, vectors, linear vector spaces and matrices, functions of several variables, partial derivatives, multiple integrals) Textbook: Young and Freedman, Sears and Zemansky's University Physics with Modern Physics, 14th Edition. Prerequisite: (MATH-SHU 121 or MATH-SHU 201) and PHYS-SHU 91 Anti-Requisite: PHYS-SHU 12 General Physics II. Fulfillment: Biology Foundational Courses; Chemistry Foundational Courses; Mathematics Science Lecture sections; Honors Mathematics Science Lecture sections; Neural Science Foundational Courses; Physics Foundational Courses; Computer Systems Engineering Prerequisite Science; Electrical Systems Engineering Prerequisite Science.

This laboratory course is to accompany Physics II lecture PHYS-SHU 93. Experiments in electricity and magnetism, and optics are chosen to illustrate the experimental foundations of physics presented in the ecture courses. The laboratory will also emphasize scientific writing. Prerequisite/ Corequisite: General Physics II or Found of Physics II Honors. Fulfillment: Biology Foundational Courses; Chemistry Foundational Courses; Mathematics Science Lecture sections; Honors Mathematics Science Lecture sections; Neural Science Foundational Courses; Physics Foundational Courses; Computer Systems Engineering Prerequisite Science; Electrical Systems Engineering Prerequisite Science.

Continuation of Foundation of Physics II. Topics include thermodynamics, kinetic theory, statistical physics, wave motion, sound, reflection, refraction, interference, diffraction, polarization of light. This is the third semester of a four-semester calculus-based introduction to Physics, and is intended for physics majors and other interested students. The lectures serve as an introduction, and the real work of learning starts when you do the homework and recitation. The lectures will be most useful to you if you ask questions when there is something you do not understand. Do not imagine that you are the only person in the room who does not understand something. The most important part of the class is the homework you do. You learn more physics by doing the homework and recitation than from the lecture. I encourage you to work together with one or more friends on the homework assignments. It is more enjoyable that way, and you learn by explaining things to each other. Textbook: Young and Freedman, Sears and Zemansky's University Physics with Modern Physics, 14th Edition. Additional (optional) reading: R. P. Feynman, R. B. Leighton, & M. Sands, The Feynman Lectures on Physics. Howard Georgi, The Physics of Waves David Morin, (untitled) Waves, http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~djmorin/book.html Prerequisite: (MATH-SHU 121 or MATH-SHU 201) and PHYS-SHU 93. Fulfillment: Physics Foundational Courses.

Continuation of Foundation of Physics III. Topics include Relativity, Photon, Quantum Mechanics, Molecules and Condensed Matter, Nuclear Physics, Particle Physics and Cosmology. This is the fourth semester of a four-semester calculus-based introduction to Physics, and is intended for physics majors and other interested students. Textbook: Young and Freedman, Sears and Zemansky's University Physics with Modern Physics, 14th Edition. Prerequisite: PHYS-SHU 95 Found of Physics III Honors. Fulfillment: Physics Foundational Courses.

Mathematical preparation for the junior and senior courses in physics. Vector analysis, Fourier series and integrals, ordinary differential equations, matrices, partial differential equations, and boundary-value problems. Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: Physics required course.

This course is designed as an introduction to condensed matter physics for students with knowledge of elementary quantum mechanics. Topics include crystal structure, lattice vibrations, and the energy band theory of metals and semiconductors. Covers the electronic, magnetic, and optical properties of solids. In addition, the course may include some modern research topics such as the physics of nanostructures, soft condensed matter physics, and superconductivity. Prerequisite： None. Fulfillment: Physics elective.

Optics and imaging technology play very important roles in science and engineering. For example, the images collected by the Hubble Telescope, since year 1990, have revolutionized modern astronomy. In biology, the use of two-photon excitation microscopy has significantly advanced neuroscience, as we are now able to track the intracellular development at sub-micron resolutions. A typical course in optics offered at any university often focuses on the fundamental aspects of light but much less on its vast applications in the real world. This short course will exemplify the power and usefulness of optics in current sciences and technology, especially in biology and engineering. Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: Physics elective.

Quantum mechanics is the theory that tells us how everything we see around us - from atoms, light, electrons, to materials - behaves at the microscopic level. Starting from its abstract beginnings in the early 20th century, in the 21st century we are entering a new age where we can control individual atoms and create quantum systems for new technologies. This course gives a simplified introduction to quantum theory, for students who wish to understand quantum mechanics only to a basic level to see some of its applications. The first part of the course introduces the key aspects of quantum mechanics. In the second part we apply these ideas to technological applications such as quantum teleportation, quantum computing, and cryptography. Pre-requisite: Linear Algebra OR Honors Linear Algebra OR Linear Algebra and Differential Equations Fulfillment: Physics elective.

Introduction to Maxwell's equations with applications to physical problems. Topics include electrostatics, magnetostatics, the solution of the Laplace and Poisson equations, dielectrics and magnetic materials, electromagnetic waves and radiation, Fresnel equations, transmission lines, and wave guides. Prerequisites: PHYS-SHU 95 Foundations of Physics III Honors and PHYS-SHU 106 Mathematical Physics. Fulfillment: Physics required.

Designed to provide a rigorous mathematical introduction to quantum mechanics, this course covers the Schrödinger and Heisenberg description of quantum systems, application to basic atomic structure and simple boundary condition problems, quantum statistics, and perturbation theory. PREREQ: Mathematical Physics (PHYS-SHU 106) AND Foundation of Physics III Fulfillment: Physics required.

Topics include relation of entropy to probability and energy to temperature, the laws of thermodynamics, Maxwell-Boltzmann, Bose-Einstein, and Fermi-Dirac statistics, equations of state for simple gases and chemical and magnetic systems, and elementary theory of phase transitions. Prerequisite: Foundation of Physics III Honors (PHYS-SHU 95) in SH or Physics III (PHYS-UA 95) in NY as the pre-req of PHYS-SHU 302 Statistical Mechanics Fulfillment: Physics required.

A further development of the experimental techniques introduced in Foundations of Science as applied to modern physics. Following a number of introductory experiments, students have at their option a variety of open-ended experiments they can pursue, including the use of microcomputers for data analysis. Experimental areas include Mossbauer effect, cosmic rays, magnetic resonance, superfluidity and super-conductivity, and relativistic mass. Prerequisite: PHYS-SHU 95 Found of Physics III Honors. Fulfillment: Physics required.

The phenomenology and experimental foundations of nuclear and particle physics are explored in this course, with emphasis on the fundamental forces underlying particle interactions. Prerequisite: Quantum Mechanics (PHYS-SHU 301) in SH or Quantum Mechanics I (PHYS-UA 123) in NY as the pre-req of PHYS-SHU 315 Nuclear and Particle Physics. Fulfillment: Physics elective.

Students design and conduct an independent research project in their area of focus using the theories, methods, and data with which they have become familiar over the course of completing the major. Open only to Physics majors in the senior year. Fulfillment: General Elective.

Prerequisite: Foundations of Science I-III (or Physics I&II, Foundations of Chemistry I&II, Foundations of Biology I&II), and a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall and in all science and mathematics courses required for the major, permission of a physics faculty member (at NYU-Shanghai, NYU-Abu Dhabi, or NYU-New York) who will act as a sponsor and mentor, and approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) in Physics. The faculty mentor must be selected in consultation with the DUS. Offered in the Fall, Spring or Summer. 2 to 4 points per term for a maximum of 4 points. This course aims at engaging students in research. It is designed to offer students an opportunity to observe physics research up close and gain hands-on research experience by working as a member in an active research team. Independent Study I and II can be done with the same supervisor or two different supervisors. No lectures will be given. Student researchers are expected to attend and actively participate in lab/supervision meetings. A Proposal for Independent Study form must be filled out, signed by the DUS, and submitted to the Registrar. Requires a written report on the research to be evaluated by the faculty sponsor, with a copy submitted to the DUS and a copy to the Dean of Arts & Sciences. Department consent is required. Fulfillment: Physics elective.

This course will provide students with a completion of their undergraduate science education by making use of the skills and knowledge they acquired over the course of completing their major to apply to scientific problems across disciplines. Students will be paired with a faculty mentor to engage either in Independent Research or Literature Review to address a scientific question of the student’s design, culminating in a written report. Students are encouraged to work with faculty mentors outside of their own field. Open only to Biology, Chemistry, and Physics majors in the senior year. Prerequisite: senior students with physics major. Fulfillment: Physics required.

Prerequisites: Independent Study (PHYS-SHU 997 or 998), a minimum GPA of 3.65 overall, a minimum GPA of 3.65 in all science and mathematics courses required for the major, and permission of a faculty sponsor and the Dean of Arts & Sciences. Open to Physics majors only. The faculty mentor must be selected in consultation with the Dean of Arts & Sciences. May not be used for the major in physics. Offered in the fall, spring, and summer. 2 points. For physics majors who have completed at least one semester of laboratory research (PHYS-SHU 997 or 998) and are able to expand this work into a thesis. Requires writing a Thesis (i.e., a full literature search of the subject and a formal written report on the research in publication form), which is defended in front of a committee of three faculty (which includes the faculty sponsor), chosen by the student in consultation with the faculty mentor. (The defense may be a brief oral presentation followed by a question-and-answer session.) The Thesis and defense must be evaluated by the committee, with the cover page of the thesis signed by all committee members, with a copy of the Thesis submitted to the Dean of Arts & Sciences. (It is recommended that the student meet with the faculty committee at least once mid-semester to evaluate and guide the student's progress on the thesis work.) Prerequisite: none. Fulfillment: General Elective.

Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: General Elective.

Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: General Elective.