PHY440: Applied Physics

How did diffraction of light help decipher the DNA structure? How can ultrasonic resonance treat kidney stones without an invasive operation? How can MRI see into living tissue?

How did diffraction of light help decipher the DNA structure? How can ultrasonic resonance treat kidney stones without an invasive operation? How can MRI see into living tissue? How do electron microscopy, solar panels, or thermal imaging work? This course explores the physics principles that underlie biological, medical and energy technologies. Through laboratory experimentation, or with data from historical experiments, students will revisit certain topics they know from their first year of physics (e.g. diffraction, resonance), will learn new ones (e.g. blackbody radiation, the photoelectric effect), and will investigate their applications. As a capstone, students will present a poster of their special interest.