INTRODUCTION TO MODERN PHYSICS

Prerequisites & course information

Requisites: ( PHYSICS 202 , 208 , or 248 ) and MATH 222 . Not open to students with credit for PHYSICS 205 or 249 . Course Designation: Core GenEd - Natural Science & Wellness + Lab Breadth - Physical Science Level - Intermediate L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Explain the fundamental origins of quantum mechanics, including the photoelectric effect, black body radiation, and particle-wave duality. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Use qualitative, dimensional, and approximate techniques (e.g. uncertainty principle) to estimate quantum mechanical properties. Audience: Undergraduate 3. Calculate properties of a quantum particle in a box, harmonic oscillator, and hydrogen atom. Audience: Undergraduate 4. Calculate the interaction of radiation with quantum systems including atomic transitions and lasers. Audience: Undergraduate 5. Calculate basic spin states of quantum particles, and interactions between spins. Audience: Undergraduate 6. Calculate the motion, energy, and momentum of relativistic particles and transform these between frames of reference. Audience: Undergraduate 7. Calculate properties of the nucleus, including internal energy states, excitations, radioactive decay, and nuclear reactions. Audience: Undergraduate 8. Calculate basic decay and interaction properties of particles, using conservation laws. Audience: Undergraduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Explain the fundamental origins of quantum mechanics, including the photoelectric effect, black body radiation, and particle-wave duality. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Use qualitative, dimensional, and approximate techniques (e.g. uncertainty principle) to estimate quantum mechanical properties. Audience: Undergraduate 3. Calculate properties of a quantum particle in a box, harmonic oscillator, and hydrogen atom. Audience: Undergraduate 4. Calculate the interaction of radiation with quantum systems including atomic transitions and lasers. Audience: Undergraduate 5. Calculate basic spin states of quantum particles, and interactions between spins. Audience: Undergraduate 6. Calculate the motion, energy, and momentum of relativistic particles and transform these between frames of reference. Audience: Undergraduate 7. Calculate properties of the nucleus, including internal energy states, excitations, radioactive decay, and nuclear reactions. Audience: Undergraduate 8. Calculate basic decay and interaction properties of particles, using conservation laws. Audience: Undergraduate