PHYS 3100 Vibrations and Waves
This course is an introduction to the phenomena of vibrations and waves that span most of the areas in physics. The basic subject matter includes the following: mechanical vibrations and waves, free and forced vibrations and resonances, coupled oscillations and normal modes, vibration of continuous systems, propagation of mechanical and electromagnetic waves, phase and group velocity, interference and diffraction. The course also covers the basic concepts in first and second order differential equations, matrices, eigenvalues and eigenvectors and Fourier series.
Course overview
- Department
- Physics
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 4
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Every Fall
Catalog details
Requirements fulfilled
- Mathematics B.S.: Natural science, computer science, or economics corequisites (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Applied Physics B.S.: Required Physics Courses (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Physics B.S.: Required Physics Courses (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Physics: Required Physics Courses (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 3.65 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 3.80 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 5
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | David Broido | 3.5 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 4.0 | 4.6 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 4.1 | — | 22 of 24 |
| Fall 2024 | David Broido | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4–6 hrs/week | 17 of 20 |
| Fall 2023 | David Broido | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17 of 21 |
| Fall 2022 | Kenneth Burch | 3.4 | 3.3 | 4.0 | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4–6 hrs/week | 12 of 19 |
| Fall 2021 | Kenneth Burch | 3.7 | 3.8 | 4.7 | 4.1 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.8 | 4–6 hrs/week | 9 of 13 |