Learning Goals

  • Develop a broad undergraduate-level knowledge base and problem-solving skills in the areas of classical mechanics, special relativity, electromagnetism, thermal physics, and quantum physics. Explore a subset of these areas at a more advanced level.

  • Recognize the essential features of a physical system and design a mathematical or numerical model that includes them. Calculate numerical values for the properties of the system.

  • Use appropriate measuring instruments to determine the properties of a system under observation or experimentation. Use statistical methods to evaluate experimental or observational data. Write a clear paper in journal-article format reporting the methods, observations, analysis, and results.

  • Locate, understand, and write a review paper on articles in the primary literature on a topic of current interest in Physics, Astronomy or Astrophysics. Give an oral presentation on a topic in contemporary physics.