1. The Problem Students enter our program with varied backgrounds. Some lack sufficient experience with topics such as: Lagrangian Mechanics Computational Physics Boundary Value Problems in Electrostatics Previous Solutions Have the students take the appropriate advanced undergraduate course (but sometimes this is overkill and often these courses are not offered frequently enough) --or-- Supervise the students in independent studies (but this is a labor-intensive effort for which faculty receive insufficient credit) The New Solution: The Module Course We have created single-credit-hour modules covering a range of topics, including prerequisite topics (such as Lagrangian Mechanics) and exploratory topics (such as non-equilibrium dynamics). The module course as a way of accommodating students with varied background Marshall Thomsen Department of Physics and Astronomy Eastern Michigan University EMU offers a Master of Science in Physics degree Format Students sign up for 2-4 credit hours each Fall Term. For each credit hour they select one module. The instructor sets aside 4 office hours a week exclusively for use by these students, in lieu of 4 classroom hours. Students are expected to complete the modules at a proscribed pace. Grades are based on homework assignments submitted by students. To ensure mastery of the material, students get feedback on each problem and are encouraged to resubmit problems scoring less than 90%. Problems are not taken from textbooks, so students are unlikely to find solutions on the internet. Module materials range from all-inclusive to those that have problems only and direct students to a selection of possible textbooks for appropriate background material. C1. Spreadsheets in Physics Introduction to the use of spreadsheets for graphing and analyzing data, and for performing simple numerical calculations. Applications are taken from classical mechanics and from electromagnetism. C2. MATLAB Introduction to the use of MATLAB for solving more complex problems in physics. Applications are taken from classical mechanics and from electromagnetism. E1. Boundary Value Problems in Electrostatics and Special Functions Study of Laplace’s equation, uniqueness theorems, method of images, separation of variables in cartesian and spherical coordinates, multipole expansion, and Legendre polynomials. M1. Rotational Mechanics Study of planar and three dimensional rotations, including the topics of the moment of inertia tensor and Euler’s angles. M2. Lagrangian Mechanics Introduction to the use of the Lagrangian approach to study motion in general and coupled oscillations in particular. M3. Relative Motion Study of relative motion in non-relativistic and relativistic settings. NED1. Non-equilibrium Dynamics I. Introduction to chaos in the context of physics. Prerequisite: C2. NED2. Non-equilibrium Dynamics II. A study of growth processes and fractal development. Prerequisite: C2. RCR. Responsible Conduct of Research This module is appropriate for those who expect to do research here or in a Ph.D. program. You will be guided through mini-modules developed for EMU and you will be directed to read additional material on line. Assignments will be in an essay format. Not open to students with credit in PHY 406. S1. Statistical Mechanics I Introduction to the Boltzmann factor and to the statistical mechanics approach to defining entropy and temperature, with applications to black body radiation.