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Course Listing for PHYSICS - Fall 2026 (ALL: 09/08/2026 - 12/23/2026)
Class
No.		 Course ID Title Credits Type Instructor(s) Days:Times Location Permission
Required		 Dist Qtr
1023 PHYS-101-01 Prin Physics I 1.25 LEC Branning, David MWF: 10:00AM-10:50AM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 36 Waitlist available: Y Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  An introduction to the fundamental ideas of physics. Beginning with kinematics—the quantitative description of motion—the course covers the Newtonian mechanics of point masses, Newton’s theory of universal gravitation, the work-energy principle, and the conservation of energy and momentum. Students may not earn credit for both Physics 101L and Physics 141L.
1024 PHYS-101-20 Prin Physics I 1.25 LAB Palandage, Kalum T: 1:30PM-4:10PM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 18 Waitlist available: Y Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  An introduction to the fundamental ideas of physics. Beginning with kinematics—the quantitative description of motion—the course covers the Newtonian mechanics of point masses, Newton’s theory of universal gravitation, the work-energy principle, and the conservation of energy and momentum. Students may not earn credit for both Physics 101L and Physics 141L.
1025 PHYS-101-21 Prin Physics I 1.25 LAB Staff, Trinity R: 1:30PM-4:10PM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 18 Waitlist available: Y Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  An introduction to the fundamental ideas of physics. Beginning with kinematics—the quantitative description of motion—the course covers the Newtonian mechanics of point masses, Newton’s theory of universal gravitation, the work-energy principle, and the conservation of energy and momentum. Students may not earn credit for both Physics 101L and Physics 141L.
1602 PHYS-141-01 Introductory Mechanics 1.25 LEC Palandage, Kalum MWF: 10:00AM-11:50AM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 36 Waitlist available: Y Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Prerequisite: C- or better in Math 131, or concurrent enrollment. Students may not earn credit for both Physics 101L and Physics 141L.
  NOTE: 20 seats are reserved for First-Year students.
  This course is the first part of a three-term calculus-based introduction to physics for students intending to major in physics or one of the physical sciences. It is taught in an interactive studio format, which emphasizes collaborative problem solving, hands-on experimentation, and data analysis. This course is designed to provide the student with a working knowledge of the language and the analytical tools of Newtonian mechanics. Topics include kinematics, forces, conservation laws, work and energy, momentum, gravity, and rigid-body motion. Time permitting, the course will conclude with the study of the first two laws of thermodynamics and their application to the prototypical thermodynamics system, the ideal gas. Three two-hour class meetings per week. The laboratory is integrated into the course.
1603 PHYS-141-02 Introductory Mechanics 1.25 LEC Patton, Kelly MWF: 1:30PM-3:20PM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 36 Waitlist available: Y Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Prerequisite: C- or better in Math 131, or concurrent enrollment. Students may not earn credit for both Physics 101L and Physics 141L.
  NOTE: 20 seats are reserved for First-Year students.
  This course is the first part of a three-term calculus-based introduction to physics for students intending to major in physics or one of the physical sciences. It is taught in an interactive studio format, which emphasizes collaborative problem solving, hands-on experimentation, and data analysis. This course is designed to provide the student with a working knowledge of the language and the analytical tools of Newtonian mechanics. Topics include kinematics, forces, conservation laws, work and energy, momentum, gravity, and rigid-body motion. Time permitting, the course will conclude with the study of the first two laws of thermodynamics and their application to the prototypical thermodynamics system, the ideal gas. Three two-hour class meetings per week. The laboratory is integrated into the course.
2168 PHYS-232-01 Optics and Modern Physics 1.25 LEC Walden, Barbara MWF: 11:00AM-11:50AM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 20 Waitlist available: Y Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Prerequisite: C- or better in Physics 141L and concurrent registration in or previous completion of Mathematics 132 with a C- or better. Concurrent registration in Mathematics 231 is strongly recommended.
  Concluding the three-term calculus-based introductory physics sequence, this course begins with the study of interference and diffraction, which provide compelling evidence for the wave nature of light. We then turn to geometrical optics to understand the properties of lenses, mirrors, and optical instruments. The remainder of the course is devoted to the treatment of phenomena at the atomic and subatomic levels using the ideas of quantum physics. From the introduction of the photon, the Bohr atom, and de Broglie’s matter waves, we proceed to the unified description provided by Schrodinger’s wave mechanics. This is used to understand basic properties of atoms, beginning with hydrogen, and to describe the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and matter. As time permits, the course will include a brief introduction to the theory of special relativity and to nuclear physics. Three class meetings and one laboratory per week.
2169 PHYS-232-20 Optics and Modern Physics 1.25 LAB Walden, Barbara W: 1:30PM-4:10PM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 10 Waitlist available: Y Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Prerequisite: C- or better in Physics 141L and concurrent registration in or previous completion of Mathematics 132 with a C- or better. Concurrent registration in Mathematics 231 is strongly recommended.
  Concluding the three-term calculus-based introductory physics sequence, this course begins with the study of interference and diffraction, which provide compelling evidence for the wave nature of light. We then turn to geometrical optics to understand the properties of lenses, mirrors, and optical instruments. The remainder of the course is devoted to the treatment of phenomena at the atomic and subatomic levels using the ideas of quantum physics. From the introduction of the photon, the Bohr atom, and de Broglie’s matter waves, we proceed to the unified description provided by Schrodinger’s wave mechanics. This is used to understand basic properties of atoms, beginning with hydrogen, and to describe the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and matter. As time permits, the course will include a brief introduction to the theory of special relativity and to nuclear physics. Three class meetings and one laboratory per week.
3079 PHYS-232-21 Optics and Modern Physics 1.25 LAB Walden, Barbara M: 1:30PM-4:10PM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 10 Waitlist available: Y Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Prerequisite: C- or better in Physics 141L and concurrent registration in or previous completion of Mathematics 132 with a C- or better. Concurrent registration in Mathematics 231 is strongly recommended.
  Concluding the three-term calculus-based introductory physics sequence, this course begins with the study of interference and diffraction, which provide compelling evidence for the wave nature of light. We then turn to geometrical optics to understand the properties of lenses, mirrors, and optical instruments. The remainder of the course is devoted to the treatment of phenomena at the atomic and subatomic levels using the ideas of quantum physics. From the introduction of the photon, the Bohr atom, and de Broglie’s matter waves, we proceed to the unified description provided by Schrodinger’s wave mechanics. This is used to understand basic properties of atoms, beginning with hydrogen, and to describe the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and matter. As time permits, the course will include a brief introduction to the theory of special relativity and to nuclear physics. Three class meetings and one laboratory per week.
3225 PHYS-302-01 Electrodynamics 1.00 LEC Branning, David MWF: 10:00AM-10:50AM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 15 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Prerequisite: C- or better in Physics 231L and Mathematics 231 (concurrent registration in Mathematics 234 is strongly recommended).
  A study of the unified description of electromagnetic phenomena provided by Maxwell’s equations in differential form. The scalar and vector potentials, multipole expansions, boundary value problems, propagation of electromagnetic waves, radiation from accelerated charges.
3226 PHYS-304-01 Statistical & Thermal Physics 1.00 LEC Schwartz, Eyal TR: 10:50AM-12:05PM TBA NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 15 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Prerequisite: C- or better in Physics 141L and Mathematics 132.
  Statistical and thermal physics explain how macroscopic order and irreversibility emerge from microscopic laws. From particle dynamics to modern many-body systems, this course develops the principles that connect probability, entropy, and thermodynamics - ideas that are foundational to condensed matter physics, materials science, chemistry, astrophysics, and other related fields.
  View syllabus
2816 PHYS-399-01 Independent Study 0.50 - 1.00 IND Staff, Trinity TBA TBA Y NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 15 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  Submission of the special form, available in the Registrar’s Office, and the approval of the instructor and chairperson are required for enrollment.
1392 PHYS-405-01 Senior Exercise 0.50 IND TBA TBA TBA Y NAT  
  Enrollment limited to 15 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  This course is open only to senior Physics majors.
  This exercise is intended to familiarize students with a problem of current interest in physics, and to develop their ability to gather and interpret the information relevant to the problem. During the fall semester each senior student will meet with an assigned faculty adviser to plan an essay or research project to be completed during the year. Topics may involve any aspects of physics, including its various applications. While students may write on original research they have undertaken, they are not required to do so. This exercise is required for the physics major.
1476 PHYS-490-01 Research Assistantship 0.50 - 1.00 IND TBA TBA TBA Y  
  Enrollment limited to 15 Waitlist available: N Mode of Instruction: In Person  
  This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to undertake substantial research work with a faculty member. Students need to complete a special registration form, available online, and have it signed by the supervising instructor.