Search Results
Your search for courses · during 2025-26 · taught by meblenza · returned 6 results
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PHYS 100 The Technology of Keeping Time and the Humanity of Spending Time 6 credits
In this seminar, we will consider human-made devices for tracking the passage of time from ancient astronomical clocks to modern atomic clocks. How are these devices made and what is the science behind them? What leads to particular choices about how to measure time? What is gained and what is lost with more precise and ubiquitous timekeeping? In addition to exploring these questions through readings and discussions, students will also engage in the process of building their own timekeeping device.
- Fall 2025
- AI/WR1, Argument & Inquiry/WR1
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Student is a member of the First Year First Term class level cohort and is enrolled in the FOCUS Colloquium. Students are only allowed to register for one A&I course at a time. If a student wants to change this A&I course they must contact the Registrar's Office.
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PHYS 143 Physical Systems: Mechanics and Relativity and Lab 6 credits
This course begins with an introduction to classical mechanics using the Newtonian worldview. Descriptions of motion and change in motion of some simple systems at human speeds are investigated using Newton's laws, vector analysis, and the conservation laws of momentum and energy. The course moves beyond the Newtonian framework to consider a relativistic framework where time and space are intertwined and explores the motion of objects whose speeds approach the speed of light. Comfort with algebra and the integration and differentiation of elementary functions is assumed. Weekly laboratory work.
During registration, students will register for both the lecture and a corresponding lab section, which will appear on the student's academic transcript in a single entry.
Combined content of PHYS 131 and PHYS 151
First Year Priority
- Winter 2026
- LS, Science with Lab QRE, Quantitative Reasoning
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Student has completed completed any of the following course(s): MATH 101 or MATH 111 or greater with a grade of C- or better or received a score of 4 or better on the Calculus AB AP Exam or received a score of 4 or better on the Calculus BC AP exam or has received a score of 5 or better on the Calculus IB exam or equivalents or received a Carleton MATH 111 or better Requisite Equivalency AND has NOT taken PHYS 131 or PHYS 144 or PHYS 145 or PHYS 151. PHYS 142 and PHYS 143 are equivalent courses, if you have taken one you cannot register for the other.
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PHYS 143.54 Winter 2026
- Faculty:Melissa Eblen-Zayas 🏫 👤
- Size:24
- THAnderson Hall 025 1:00pm-5:00pm
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PHYS 228 Atomic and Nuclear Physics and Lab 6 credits
An introduction to quantum mechanics and select applications that explore physics in the realm of the very small world or atoms and nuclei. Topics include wave-like and particle-like behavior of both light and matter, behavior of particles in confined spaces, material properties of solids, radioactive decay, and experimental techniques and instrumentation for exploring these optical, atomic, and nuclear processes. One laboratory per week.
During registration, students will register for both the lecture and a corresponding lab section, which will appear on the student's academic transcript in a single entry.
- Fall 2025
- LS, Science with Lab QRE, Quantitative Reasoning
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Student has completed any of the following course(s): Math 120 or greater with a grade of C- or better or received a score of 4 or better on the Calculus BC AP exam or received a Carleton Math 121 or better Requisite Equivalency AND the student has completed any of the following course(s): PHYS 142 or PHYS 143 or PHYS 144 or PHYS 151 with a grade of C- or better.
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PHYS 228.59 Fall 2025
- Faculty:Melissa Eblen-Zayas 🏫 👤 · Marty Baylor 🏫 👤
- Size:12
- THAnderson Hall 035 8:00am-12:00pm
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PHYS 342 Contemporary Experimental Physics and Lab 6 credits
This course develops laboratory skills and provides a deeper understanding of instrumentation, experimental methods, and data analysis in contemporary experimental physics. Emphasis is placed on the iterative process of building measurement systems, troubleshooting, and quantifying uncertainty. A central component is a self-directed project, which requires students to collaboratively manage the full lifecycle of an experiment, from initial conceptualization and apparatus construction to the analysis and presentation of results. One laboratory per week.
During registration, students will register for both the lecture and a corresponding lab section, which will appear on the student's academic transcript in a single entry.
- Spring 2026
- LS, Science with Lab QRE, Quantitative Reasoning
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Student has completed any of the following course(s): PHYS 228 AND PHYS 231 AND PHYS 235 with grade of C- or better.
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PHYS 342.01 Spring 2026
- Faculty:Melissa Eblen-Zayas 🏫 👤
- M, WAnderson Hall 036 12:30pm-1:40pm
- FAnderson Hall 036 1:10pm-2:10pm
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PHYS 342.52 Spring 2026
- Faculty:Melissa Eblen-Zayas 🏫 👤
- Size:12
- TAnderson Hall 035 1:00pm-5:00pm
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PHYS 342.59 Spring 2026
- Faculty:Melissa Eblen-Zayas 🏫 👤
- Size:12
- THAnderson Hall 035 8:00am-12:00pm
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PHYS 394 Directed Research in Physics 1 – 6 credits
Students work on a research project related to a faculty member's research interests, and directed by that faculty member. Student activities vary according to the field and stage of the project. The long-run goal of these projects normally includes dissemination to a scholarly community beyond Carleton. The faculty member will meet regularly with the student and actively direct the work of the student, who will submit an end-of-term product, typically a paper or presentation.
- Fall 2025, Winter 2026, Spring 2026
- No Exploration
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PHYS 400 Integrative Exercise
An extensive study of a specific topic in physics, culminating in a 60-minute presentation during winter or spring term and a 7500 word paper. Students may arrange to complete the bulk of their work during winter or spring term (Physics 400, 6 credits), or divide their effort between terms (PHYS 400, winter, 3 credits; PHYS 400, spring, 3 credits).
- Winter 2026, Spring 2026
- No Exploration
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Student is a Physics major AND has Senior Priority.