Time Schedule:
Warren W Buck
B CUSP 151
Bothell Campus
Electromagnetic waves, optics, waves in matter, and experiments in these topics for physical science and engineering majors. Lecture tutorial and lab components must all be taken to receive credit. Credit is not given for both B CUSP 145 and B CUSP 151. Prerequisite: B CUSP 150.
Class description
This is an introductory physics course in Waves. It is the third course in a year sequence of three courses.
We will learn about waves in air, in water, in materials, and in periodic motion. The general topics to be covered are listed on the class schedule that is on the course homepage. That stated, such topics as harmonic oscillator, travelling waves, standing waves, electromagnetic waves will be covered. Applications to scattering examples, relativity, and quantum mechanics are made.
Student learning goals
students will learn how to apply the basic methods and techniques of oscillatory physics to examples found in nature.
students will learn how to apply the tools of algebra, trigonometry, calculus, and linear algebra to better understand problems in physics.
students will learn the basic foundations of the language of physics and be able to translate that language to other applications in science and engineering.
General method of instruction
Physics is a unique partnership between experiment and theory. Because of this, the course is divided into three main components: lecture, lab, and tutorial. The lecture covers the general theory of the various topics as linked to experiemnt; however questions and discussions are regulalrly requested of the class. The laboratory is traditional and students will perform weekly experiemnts and compare to theoretical explanations. The tutorial acts as a bridge between the theory of the lecture and the experiemnt of the lab. For the tutorial, all work is inquiry based.
Recommended preparation
Prerquisites are BCUSP 149 and 150 or equivalent, B CUSP 124 and 125 or equivalent
Class assignments and grading
There will be three in class exams of which the lowest grade will be dropped. All homework is on-line and is assigned weekly. The course is divided into three major components: lecture, lab, and tutorial. Students are required to attend all components and assignments will be given in lab and tutorial. The syllabus (on class homepage) lists the grading weights for each of these components. Nonetheless, these weights are listed below.
Midterms (best 2 of 3) 40% Final Exam 25% Lab Section 15% Tutorial Section 10% Lecture HW 10%
