Union College                                                                                                                         Fall 2005

 

PHY 310  Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics

 

Instructor:        Rebecca Surman

Office:             S&E N320  x6649

email:               surmanr@union.edu

Home Page:     http://www1.union.edu/~surmanr/phy310

 

Textbook:        ŌThe Physics of Nuclei and ParticlesĶ, Richard A. Dunlap

 

Introduction: This course is a general introduction to the major ideas of subatomic physics.  WeÕll start with the very small – the most fundamental particles (that we know of now!) and their interactions.  WeÕll work outward from there, developing models of groupings of elementary particles bound together into composite particles.  The most important composite particle (for our experience of the universe, at least) is the atomic nucleus, and weÕll spend the next portion of the course developing models and understanding the behavior of nuclei.  Finally, weÕll discuss applications of nuclear and particle physics: fission, fusion, and nuclear astrophysics.

 

Approximate Course Schedule

 

Week #            Subjects                                               Exam Dates/Writing Assignments   Reading

1 9/7-13           The Fundamental Particles                                                                            Ch 1,2,15

2 9/14-20         The Fundamental Interactions                                                                       Ch 14,16

3 9/21-27         Symmetries and Conservation Laws   M-Summary #1 due                          Ch 16+R

4 9/28-10/4      The Standard Model and beyond                                                                  Ch 17+R

5 10/5-11         Nuclear Properties                               W-Exam #1                                       Ch 3,4

6 10/12-18       Nuclear Models                                   M-Summary #2 due                          Ch 5,6

7 10/19-25       Radioactivity                                       F-Project topic due                           Ch 7,8,9,10

8 10/26-11/1    Nuclear Reactions, Fission, Fusion                                                               Ch 11,12,13

9 11/2-8           Nuclear Astrophysics                          W-Exam#2, M-Project draft due      Ch 17+R

10 11/9-15       Student Presentations                          Paper due on Final Exam day

 

Grading

            Homework                  35%

            Exams                         20% each

            Final Project                20%

            Participation                5%

Homework:  Homework in this course includes problem sets and article summaries.  Problem sets will be assigned approximately weekly, though I reserve the right to assign shorter problem sets nightly if necessary.  Late problem sets will be discounted 10% each day past the due date, but will not be accepted once the solutions are posted or discussed in class.   In addition to the problem sets, two article summaries will be assigned and due according to the schedule above.  For each, you will choose a relevant topical article from an appropriate magazine or journal (approved by the instructor) and write a 1-2 page summary of the article.  The summaries should be written in clear, concise, grammatically correct scientific prose and should demonstrate a solid understanding of the article.

Exams:  The exams will consist of two parts:

            Part 1=> closed book, in class, several short problems and/or conceptual explanations

            Part 2=> open book, take home, one or two longer calculations

If you miss an exam for an excusable reason, Part I of the makeup exam may be oral.

Final Project:  There are just too many interesting topics within nuclear and particle physics than can be discussed in the ten weeks of this class.  Therefore, instead of a final exam, IÕd like you to explore a topic related to nuclear or particle physics in a bit more depth than can be done in class.  The final project will involve a research paper of at least 12 pages in length and a short (~20 min) presentation to the rest of the class.   A first draft of the paper will be due at the end of 9th week, and a revised final draft incorporating instructor comments will be due on the day scheduled for the final.  The final talks will be presented during the last week of class.  Possible topics and additional specifics will be discussed as the term progresses.

Participation:  Due to the nature of this course, it is very important that you attend class every time.  I wonÕt always follow the book sequentially, and many topics weÕll cover will not appear in the text at all.  Plus, IÕm going to need LOTS of feedback from you to be able to pace the course appropriately and make sure weÕre all getting something out of it!

 

Academic Honesty

In this course you are expected to abide by the Union College policies on academic conduct.  While you may work together on homework problems, the solutions must be written up by yourself according to your own understanding.  Article summaries and the final project must be written by you in your own words, with all sources clearly cited and all quotes properly footnoted.  Exams, whether in class or take home, must be completed independently.  Any violations will be processed through the DeanÕs office.