PDF version - Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Physics
multiplexing, and conversion between analog and digital representations. Coursework involves both
circuit simulation and actual hardware implementations. The course targets applications in the natural
sciences, mathematics, and computer science. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per
week. Offered in alternate fall semesters. Prerequisites: P211/212.
P340 Classical Mechanics 3 credits
This course is an analytical study of Newtonian mechanics, including the harmonic oscillator, central
force motion, non-linear oscillators, and an introduction to the Lagrangian formulation. Offered in
alternate spring semesters. Prerequisites: M152 and P201/202.
P344 Mathematical Methods for Science 3 credits
This course serves physics majors as well as those mathematics majors whose area of interest is analysis.
Topics include: Fourier series, complex numbers, analytic functions, and derivatives and integrals of
complex functions. Other topics may include Laurent series and residues, partial differential equations,
and boundary value problems. Offered in alternate spring semesters. Prerequisites: M251 and M252.
P356 Introduction to Scientific Computing 3 credits
A course designed to provide undergraduates students with the basic computational tools and
techniques needed for their study in science and mathematics. Students learn by doing projects that
solve problems in physical sciences and mathematics using symbolic and compiled languages with
visualization. By use of the Sage problem-solving environment and the Python programming language,
the students learn programming and numerical analysis in parallel with scientific problem solving. Also
offered as CS356 and M356. Prerequisites: CS106, M251, M252, and ST232.
P360 Electricity and Magnetism I 3 credits
This course is an introduction to the physics of electricity and magnetism at the intermediate
undergraduate level. It examines the experimental evidence that led to the development of the theories
of electromagnetism (electrostatics, polarization and dielectrics, magnetostatics and magnetization,
electrodynamics, electromagnetic waves, potentials and fields, and radiation) and the development of
Maxwell's laws. The mathematical analysis of electromagnetic situations uses vector calculus to a great
degree, so students also are exposed to working with a variety of vector operators. Offered in alternate
spring semesters. Prerequisites: M251 and P211/212.
P370 Microcontroller Organization and Architecture with Laboratory 4 credits
The course covers the PIC18F4520 and Arduino microcontrollers as a paradigmatic microprocessor;
other devices may be used as well. A brief survey of number systems, logic gates and Boolean algebra
are followed by a study of the structure of microprocessors and the architecture of microprocessor
systems. Programming microprocessors and the use of an assembler and a higher-level language (C)
is covered. Peripheral interface devices are studied along with some wired logic circuits. Students gain
experience through the use of microprocessor simulators and hardware implementations. Offered in
alternate spring semesters. Prerequisite: CS106 and P314.
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P380 Quantum Mechanics I 3 credits
This course expands on the ideas of quantum mechanics introduced in P304, and develops the
necessary formalisms and tools for further work. Topics include the Schrödinger equation in its timeindependent
and time-dependent forms, an introduction to operators, square-well and harmonic
oscillator potentials, scattering, the hydrogen atom, angular momentum, and perturbation theory.
Offered in alternate fall semesters. Prerequisites: M252 and P304.
P390/P391 Advanced Laboratory I, II
1 credit each
This course is generally taken during the senior year, although it may be taken earlier. Students either
submit a project to be explored or constructed, perform a series of measurements and subsequent data
analysis on an already-existing apparatus, or undertake a computational or theoretical project under
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