Courses - Physics & Engineering @ Elizabethtown College

ENGR 100 Introduction to Engineering I

2 credits. An introduction to the study, practice, and various branches of engineering. Topics include problem solving, teamwork, project management, design, statistics, solution of equations, and technical writing. Includes a design project, guest speakers and plant tours. Hours: combined lecture/discussion/laboratory 4. Fall Semester. Prof. McBride.

ENGR 110 Introduction to Engineering II

2 credits. Introduction to graphical communication including sketching, ideation, and computer aided modelling. Development of mathematical techniques for engineering applications using Matlab, and a study of engineering ethics. Continued exploration of the engineering design process including a design and build project. Hours: combined lecture/discussion/laboratory 4. Prerequisite: Engineering 100. Spring semester.

ENGR 210 Circuit Analysis

4 credits. Introduction to linear circuit analysis and basic electric circuit components. Topics covered include DC analysis, AC analysis, and transient analysis for circuits containing resistors, inductors, capacitors, and diodes. Prerequisite: Physics 201. Hours: lecture 3, laboratory 3. Fall semester. Prof. Gravé.

ENGR 220 Electronics

4 credits. Practical and theoretical study of fundamental components and circuits, including transistors, diodes, integrated circuits, power supplies, filters, amplifiers, control circuits, and some digital electronics. Hours: lecture 3, laboratory 3. Prerequisite: Engineering 210. Spring semester, odd-numbered years. Prof. Gravé.

ENGR 230 Microcomputer Architecture (Computer Science 230)

4 credits. The operation of the microcomputer, the physical characteristics of its architecture, and the implementation of software are discussed. The course explores the UNIX, Macintosh, and IBM operating environments. Topics covered include computer ethics, hardware components such as memory registers, central processor types, controllers, peripherals such as disk drives and tape drives, ASCII code implementation, input/output architecture and devices, memory management, networking, and multimedia. Prerequisite: Computer Science 122. Prof. Wunderlich.

ENGR 262 Statics

3 credits. Equilibria of particles and rigid bodies subject to concentrated and distributed forces with practical applications to the design of mechanical structures. Topics include: structural analysis, internal forces, friction, inertial properties and virtual work. Prerequisite: Physics 200. Fall semester. Prof. DeGoede.

ENGR 263 Dynamics (Physics 301)

3 credits. Newtonian mechanics of particles, a system of particles and of rigid bodies in fixed and moving reference frames in three dimensions. Topics include: energy and momentum concepts, Euler's equations, and the simple oscillator. With applications to mechanical systems. Prerequisite: Physics 202; Co- or Prerequisite: Mathematics 222. Spring semester. Prof. DeGoede.

ENGR 264 Strength of Materials

3 credits. Deformation and behavior of materials under load to the point of fracture with applications to the design of physical systems. Topics include: axial stress and strain; torsion; pressure vessels; stresses in beams; elastic curves and deflection of beams; combined stress; buckling of columns; an introduction to energy methods. Prerequisite: Engineering 262. Spring semester, odd numbered years. Prof. DeGoede.

ENGR 310 Signals and Systems

3 credits. Analysis of continuous-time linear systems, discrete-time linear systems, and methods of signal sampling and reconstruction. Applications of Fourier Series, Fourier Transform, and Laplace Transform. Exploration of digital signal processing using Matlab programming. Prerequisite: Engineering 220. Fall semester, even-numbered years. Prof. McBride.

ENGR 332 Computer Organization and Architecture (Computer Science 332)

4 credits. Introduction to Boolean algebra, design of combinational and sequential circuits, and their use in von Neumann computer architecture. Basic parts of computer systems including memory, control and input-output systems are studied. The student is expected to design a simple micro-programmed computer. Prerequisite: Computer Science 221. Fall semester. Prof. Wunderlich.

ENGR 333 Digital Circuits and Computer Interfacing (Computer Science 333)

4 credits. Digital logic and integrated circuits to implement logic; architecture and machine language programming of minicomputers and microprocessors; design, testing, and construction of instrument-to-computer and computer-to-instrument interfaces; design and testing of supporting software. Prerequisites: Computer Science 122 and 332, or permission of the instructor. Spring semester, odd-numbered years. Prof. Wunderlich.

ENGR 361 Engineering Practices Seminar
1 credit. Weekly presentations and discussions by students and faculty of practices, techniques, and topics in the engineering profession. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Fall semester. Prof. Ferruzza.

ENGR 410 Control Systems

3 credits. Design and analysis of continuous time-domain control systems using system modeling techniques and simulation software for control algorithms. Evaluation of control system performance and design criteria including feedback, stability, sensitivity, time and frequency response. Introduction to similar topics in the discrete-time domain. Prerequisites: Computer Science 344 and Mathematics 201, or permission of the instructor. Spring semester, even-numbered years. Prof. DeGoede.

ENGR 411 Work Measurement, Quality Assurance, and Human Factors

3 credits. Production management with emphasis on process improvement, work measurement, cost reduction, application of statistical techniques to quality assurance; and ergonomics. Prerequisites: Business Administration 248 and permission of the instructor. Offered as needed. Prof. Ferruzza.

ENGR 422 Operating Systems and Systems Programming (Computer Science 422)

4 credits. An examination of the principles and theories behind the design of operating systems as well as their practical implementation. Topics include: executives and monitors, task handlers, scheduling algorithms, file handlers, device drivers and interrupt handlers, theories of resource allocation and sharing, multiprocessing and interprocess communication. Prerequisites: Engineering 332. Spring semester, even numbered years.

ENGR 433 Advanced Computer Engineering Laboratory

4 credits. Laboratory course for senior/junior students studying computer engineering. Circuit level design and implementation of a complete microcomputer system, including microprocessor characteristics and interfacing, clock generator circuits for microprocessors, bus structures and design, input/output systems, memory systems and interfacing, static RAM, ROM and its programming, and low level programming of a microprocessor. Major laboratory project requires students to design, build, test and demonstrate a complete microcomputer based system. Hours: lecture 3, laboratory 3. Prerequisites: Computer Science 221: Engineering 332, 333. Spring semester, even-numbered years. Prof. Wunderlich.

ENGR 491 Senior Project in Engineering

3 credits. A demanding, and perhaps original, engineering project performed under close supervision of a faculty member. Progress reports, a final report, and a public seminar are required. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

PHY 103* General Physics I

4 credits. A study of the principles of physics, including mechanics (motion, equilibrium, work, energy, momentum), fluids, heat, and oscillatory motion. Hours: lecture 3, discussion 1, laboratory 2. Prerequisite: high school algebra. Students who have credit for Physics 200 may not enroll in this course for credit. This course also fulfills the 100 level Natural World Physics requirement of the 1990 Core program. Fall semester.

PHY 104 General Physics II

4 credits. Continuation of Physics 103. Topics include waves, sound, electricity and magnetism, geometric optics, and radioactivity. Hours: lecture 3, discussion 1, laboratory 2. Prerequisite: Physics 103. Students who have credit for Physics 201 may not enroll in this course for credit. Spring semester.

PHY 200* College Physics I

4 credits. Introduction to the basic concepts of mechanics, classical kinematics and dynamics (linear and rotational motion, work and energy, impulse and momentum), friction, statics, and universal gravitation. Hours: lecture 3, discussion 1 laboratory 2. Co- or Prerequisite: Mathematics 121. Students who have credit for Physics 103 may not enroll in this course for credit. This course will also fulfill the 200 level Natural World Physics requirement of the 1990 Core program. Prof. McBride.

PHY 201 College Physics II

4 credits. A continuation of Physics 200. Introduction to the basic concepts of electricity and magnetism. Covering topics on fields, waves, potential, current, resistance, capacitance, inductance, direct current circuits, and alternating current circuits. Hours: lecture 3, discussion 1, laboratory 2. Prerequisite: Physics 200. Students who have credit for Physics 104 may not enroll in this course for credit. Spring semester. Prof. Gravé.

PHY 202 College Physics III

4 credits. Introduction to oscillations, fluids, thermodynamics, geometric optics, interference, diffraction, and special relativity. The laboratory introduces numerical analysis and iterative solutions. Hours: combined lecture/discussion 4, laboratory 2. Prerequisite: Physics 200. Fall semester. Prof. Ferruzza.

PHY 212* Astronomy

4 credits. A study of the structure and evolution of stars, planetary systems, galaxies and the universe. Less familiar astronomical objects such as black holes, quasars, cosmic strings, texture, and wormholes are also studied. Laboratories provide an opportunity to observe planets, stars, clusters, and galaxies; they also provide practical experience in determining astronomical quantities. Hours: lecture 3, laboratory 2. This course also fulfills the 200 Level Natural World Earth Sciences 1990 Core program requirement. Prof. Stuckey.

PHY 215* Introductory Acoustics

3 credits. A study of the fundamentals of musical sound produced by wind and string instruments. The course covers vibrational and oscillatory motion, waves, types of sound, science and aesthetics, scales, pitch, beats, power and loudness, consonance, dissonance, chords, and harmony. Prerequisite: While they needn’t be proficient, students must be able to produce specific notes (e.g., Bb or C#) on a wind or string instrument of their choice (to include human voice). This course also fulfills the 1990 Core program Creative Expression 200 Level requirement. Prof. Stuckey.

PHY 221 Modern Physics (Chemistry 343)

3 credits. Twentieth-century developments in the structure of the atom. Topics include X-rays, radioactivity, atomic spectra, blackbody radiation, introduction to quantum theory emphasizing the extranuclear structure of the atom, elementary particles, nuclear structure, and transformations. Prerequisites: Physics 201, Mathematics 122. Fall semester. Prof. Hoffman.

PHY 301 Mechanics (Engineering 263)

3 credits. Newtonian mechanics of particles, a system of particles and of rigid bodies in fixed and moving reference frames in three dimensions. Topics include: energy and momentum concepts, Euler’s equations, and the simple oscillator. With applications to mechanical systems. Prerequisite: Physics 202; Co- or prerequisite: Mathematics 222. Spring semester. Prof. DeGoede.

PHY 302 Electromagnetism

3 credits. An intermediate course in electromagnetism including electro- and magnetostatics and dynamics, Maxwell’s equations, macroscopic fields, electromagnetic waves, and special relativity. Prerequisite: Physics 201; Co- or Prerequisite: Mathematics 321. Spring semester, odd-numbered years. Prof. Gravé.

PHY 321 Thermodynamics

3 credits. Properties of pure substances, equations of state, laws of thermodynamics applied to analysis of closed systems and control volumes. Emphasis on macroscopic thermodynamics and engineering applications. Prerequisite: Physics 202. Spring semester, even-numbered years. Prof. Ferruzza.

PHY 353 Advanced Physics Laboratory (Chemistry 353)

4 credits. Experimentation, data acquisition, data analysis, and technical presentations appropriate for the physical and chemical sciences. Emphasis on statistics of physical/chemical experimental data and computer methods of analysis, including electronic laboratory notebooks and computer networks. Hours: lecture 2, laboratory 6. Prerequisites: Physics 201, Mathematics 121. Fall semester. Prof. Hoffman.

PHY 371-379 Topics in Physics

Variable credits. Topics in physics not covered in other courses. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

PHY 421, 422 Quantum Physics I, II

3 credits each. Quantum theory including the formalisms of Schrodinger, Heisenberg, and Dirac, the uncertainty principles, quantum solutions to problems in classical mechanics, spin-1/2 systems, scattering theory perturbation theory, atomic physics, Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac statistics for many-particle systems, and the interaction of radiation with matter. Prerequisites: Physics 221, 301, and 302. Offered as needed.

PHY 423 General Relativity

3 credits. An introduction to calculus on manifolds, differential topology, exterior calculus, affine geometry, Riemannian geometry, special relativity, and general relativity with applications to relativistic cosmology. Prerequisites: Mathematics 122 and 201, or permission of instructor. Offered as needed. Prof. Stuckey.

PHY 481-489 Independent Study

Variable credits. Study and experimentation in an area of interest to the student and faculty member. Prerequisite: Approval of chair and Independent Study Committee.

PHY 491, 492 Research I, II

3 credits each. An original experiment or theoretical investigation performed under the close supervision of a faculty member. A written thesis and a public seminar are required. Hours: laboratory 6. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

ES 111* The Dynamic Earth
4 credits. (Natural World) The physical makeup of the earth and the dynamics of its evolution as a planet. Included are studies of basic minerals, rock families, global tectonics, volcanism, seismicity and geological time. Hours: lecture 3, laboratory 2. Spring semester. Prof. Scanlin.

ES 112* The Geology of Landscape
4 credits. (Natural World) The study of landscapes, their origin and evolution as produced by natural agents including river systems, glaciers, groundwater, wind, and waves. Contrasting views of Davis, Hack and other theorists are included. Hours: lecture 3, laboratory 2. Fall semester. Prof. Scanlin.

ES 215* Meteorology

3 credits. General studies of weather and associated atmospheric phenomena, their causes, effects, and geographic distribution. This course also fulfills the 200 level Natural World Earth Sciences lecture only requirement of the 1990 Core program. Prof. Ferruzza.

ES 215L* Meteorology Laboratory

1 credit. Experiments to illustrate meteorological concepts. Introduction to analysis techniques. Co- or Prerequisite: Earth Science 215. This course also fulfills the 200 level Natural World Earth Sciences laboratory-only requirement of the 1990 Core program. Spring semester. Prof. Ferruzza.

ES 216 Physical Geography

3 credits. An introduction to the physical bases for geography including earth/sun relationships, map projections, weather patterns, climates, and landforms. Prerequisites: education major, or permission of the instructor. Spring semester. Prof. Scanlin.