Physics (Phys)

200 | 300 | 400 | Graduate Courses

Courses primarily for undergraduate students

Phys 101. Physics for the Nonscientist. (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Survey of the principal areas of both classical and modern physics. Emphasis on the nature of the physical universe and the application of physical principles to life in the modern world.

Phys 106. The Physics of Common Experience. (4-2) Cr. 4. F.S. Elementary topics from mechanics, heat, electricity, sound, and light, emphasizing the use of basic principles to understand everyday experience. Includes practical problem exercises and a coordinated laboratory.

Phys 111. General Physics. (4-2) Cr. 4. F.S.SS. Prereq: 1 1/2 years of high school algebra, 1 year of geometry, 1 semester of trigonometry. General background in physical concepts, principles, and methods for those who do not plan advanced study in physics or engineering. Mechanics, fluids, heat and thermodynamics, vibrations, waves, sound.

Phys 112. General Physics. (4-2) Cr. 4. F.S.SS. Prereq: 111. General background in physical concepts, principles, and methods for those who do not plan advanced study in physics or engineering. Electricity and magnetism, ray and wave optics, topics in modern physics.

Phys 198. Physics of Music. (2-2) Cr. 3. F. Introductory level course on sound for nonphysics majors. Properties of pure tones and harmonics; human perception of sound; room acoustics; scales; production, and analysis of musical by voice, string, woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments.

Phys 199. Introductory Seminar. (1-1) Cr. R. F. Survey of recent scientific breakthroughs and current research of physics and astronomy faculty. Discussion of careers based on a major in physics. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

Phys 221. Introduction to Classical Physics I. (4.5-1) Cr. 5. F.S.SS. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in Math 166. For engineering and science majors. 3 hours of lecture each week plus 3 recitations and 1 laboratory every 2 weeks. Elementary mechanics including kinematics and dynamics of particles, work and energy, linear and angular momentum, conservation laws, rotational motion, oscillations, gravitation. Electric forces and fields. Electrical currents; DC circuits. H. Honors. F.S.

Phys 222. Introduction to Classical Physics II. (4-2) Cr. 5. F.S.SS. Prereq: 221, Math 166. 3 hours of lecture each week plus 1 recitation and 1 laboratory each week. Magnetic forces and fields: LR, LC, LCR circuits; Maxwell's equations; waves and sound; ray optics and image formation; wave optics: heat, thermodynamics, kinetic theory of gases; topics in modern physics.
H. Honors. F.S.

Phys 232. Computational Skills of Physics. (0-2) Cr. 1. S. Prereq: 222. Development of skills in the use of software and computational equipment essential to physicists and other scientists. Students work at their own pace. Programming experience is helpful but not necessary.

Phys 290. Independent Study. Cr. 1 to 4 each time taken. Prereq: Permission of instructor.

Phys 298. Cooperative Education. Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of the department cooperative education coordinator; sophomore classification. Required of all cooperative education students. Students must register for this course prior to commencing each work period.

Phys 302. The Challenge of Contemporary Physics. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Sophomore classification. A largely nonmathematical but intellectually challenging exploration of physics which assumes no previous work in the field. Selected material from classical and modern physics establishes the conceptual framework for the study of a major area of contemporary physics, culminating in the discussion of topics at the frontier of present knowledge. Research topics may vary from year to year and may include new particles, quarks, superconductivity, lasers, nuclear fusion, liquid crystals, solid state devices, gravitational waves.

Phys 304. Thermal Physics. (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 222, Math 266. Concepts of temperature, entropy, and other characteristic thermodynamic functions, with application to macroscopic properties of matter. The laws of thermodynamics. Introduction to statistical mechanics, including quantum statistics. Application to black body radiation, crystalline vibrations, magnetic ions in solids, electronic heat capacity of metals. Phase transformations and chemical reactions. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Phys 306. Physics of Wave Motion. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 222, credit or enrollment in Math 267. Oscillating systems including damped and forced oscillations; fluids, geometric optics, water waves, the wave equation, Fourier and Laplace transforms, non-uniform media, cylindrical and spherical waves, polarization, interference and diffraction, transmission lines, non-linear waves.

Phys 310. Electronic Instrumentation for Experimental Physics. (2-4) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: 222; Math 166. Common electrical instruments; power supplies; transducers; passive and active devices, analog integrated circuits, including filters and amplifiers; digital integrated circuits; signal transmission and enhancement. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Phys 311. Intermediate Laboratory. (0-3) Cr. 1 or (0-6) Cr. 2 each time taken. S. Prereq: 322 or 324. Experiments in classical and modern physics performed independently by each student. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Phys 311T. Intermediate Laboratory. (0-6) Cr. 3 each time taken. S. Prereq: 112 or 222. Experiments in classical and modern physics performed independently by each student. For students preparing for a career in high school teaching.

Phys 321. Introduction to Modern Physics I. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 222, credit or enrollment in Math 266. Quantum nature of matter: photons, Bohr model of hydrogen, deBroglie wavelength of matter. Schrddinger wave equation in one dimension: energy quantization; detailed solutions for potential steps, barriers and wells. One-electron atoms, spin, and transition rates; x-ray and optical excitations of multi-electron atoms.

Phys 321L. Introductory Laboratory in Modern Physics. (0-2) Cr. 1. S. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in 321 and credit or enrollment in 232 or equivalent experience. Experiments related to the foundations of modern physics. The dual wave and particle character of electrons and photons, statistics, interferometry and x-ray spectroscopy.

Phys 322. Introduction to Modern Physics II. (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 321. Quantum statistics; lasers; physics of molecules. Properties of solids, including electron band structure, superconductivity and magnetism. Nuclear physics, including nuclear sizes and masses, stability, decay modes, reactions, fission and fusion. Elementary particles, including strangeness, charm, and quarks. Fundamental forces of nature.

Phys 322L. Introductory Laboratory in Modern Physics II. (0-2) Cr. 1. F. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in 322. Experiments related to the foundations of modern physics. Radioactive decay, elementary particles, Hall effect, spectroscopy and instrumentation.

Phys 361. Classical Mechanics. (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 222, Math 265, 266. Newtonian mechanics including forced oscillations, central forces and orbital motion, collisions, moving frames of reference, Lagrange's equations. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Phys 362. Intermediate Mechanics. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 361. Rigid body motion; small oscillations, normal modes. Special relativity including length contraction, time dilation, simultaneity, Lorentz transformation, 4-vector covariant formalism, relativistic mechanics. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Phys 364. Electricity and Magnetism I. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 222, Math 385 or Math 395. Static electric and magnetic fields, potential theory; electromagnetism, Maxwell's equations. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Phys 365. Electricity and Magnetism II. (2-0) Cr. 2. F. Prereq: 364. Relativistic electromagnetic theory; radiation and propagation of electromagnetic waves; interaction with matter. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Phys 389. Seminar. (1-0) Cr. R. S. Required of all junior physics majors. Career opportunities: graduate school programs and application, job placement, alternative careers, basic skills needed for the job market competition. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

Phys 398. Cooperative Education. Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of the department cooperative education coordinator; junior classification. Required of all cooperative education students. Students must register for this course prior to commencing each work period.

Phys 399. Seminar on Secondary School Physics. Cr. 1 to 2; maximum of 2. F.S. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Review of materials and curricula for secondary school physics presented and discussed by members of the class. Required for approval to teach physics in secondary schools.

Phys 450. Undergraduate Research. Cr. 1 to 6 each time taken. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Theoretical research under supervision of physics faculty.

Phys 450L. Undergraduate Research. Cr. 1 to 6 each time taken. F.S.SS. Prereq: 311, permission of instructor. Laboratory project under supervision of physics faculty.

Phys 470L. Applied Physics Laboratory. Cr. 2-5 each time taken. F.S.SS. Prereq: 322 or 324 and permission of instructor. Studies in modern experimental techniques via experimentation and simulation in various areas of applied physics, e.g. superconductivity, optical spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, electron spin resonance, x-ray diffraction, and computation of electronic and structural properties of matter.

Phys 480. Quantum Mechanics I. (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 322, Math 385. First semester of a full-year course. A systematic development of the formalism and applications of quantum mechanics. Solutions to the time independent Schrodinger equation for various one-dimensional potentials including the harmonice oscillator; operator methods; Heisenberg picture; angular momentum; the hydrogen atom; spin; symmetry properties. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Phys 481. Quantum Mechanics II. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 480. Continuation of 480. Addition of angular momentum; charged particles in electromagnetic fields; time-independent perturbation theory; variational principles; WKB approximation; interaction picture; time-dependent perturbation theory; adiabatic approximation; scattering; selected topics in radiation theory; quantum paradoxes. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Phys 490. Independent Study. Cr. 1 to 4. Prereq: 6 credits in physics, permission of instructor. No more than 9 credits of Phys 490 may be counted toward graduation.
H. Honors

Phys 496. Modern Optics. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2006. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in 321 and 365. Review of wave and electromagnetic theory; topics selected from: reflection/refraction, interference, geometrical optics, Fourier analysis, dispersion, coherence, Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction, holography, quantum optics, nonlinear optics. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Phys 498. Cooperative Education. Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of the department cooperative education coordinator; senior classification. Required of all cooperative education students. Students must register for this course prior to commencing each work period.

Courses primarily for graduate students, open to qualified undergraduate students

Phys 500. Introductory Research Seminar. (1-1) Cr. R. F. Discussion by research staff of their research areas, expected thesis research work, and opportunities in the field. For graduate physics majors only. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

Phys 501. Oral Communication of Physics Seminar. (2-0) Cr. 1 each time taken. F. Prereq: Graduate classification. Practice in communication of physics and astronomy in typical college classroom settings and professional meetings. Skills emphasized include selection of physical examples and analogies, presentation styles of topics, scientific dialogue, organization of physics topics, and classroom technique. The teaching proficiency of each student is evaluated in detail. For graduate physics majors only. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

Phys 511. Condensed Matter Physics I. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 304, 322. First semester of a full-year course. Free electron model; crystal symmetry; band theory of solids; transport properties; Fermi surface; phonons; semiconductors; crystal surfaces; magnetism; superconductivity.

Phys 512. Condensed Matter Physics II. (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 511. Continuation of 511. Free electron model; crystal symmetry; band theory of solids; transport properties; Fermi surface; phonons; semiconductors; crystal surfaces; magnetism; superconductivity.

Phys 524. Nuclear Physics. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 480. Basic properties and structure of atomic nuclei, introduction to nuclear models, nuclear reactions, decay and stability; accelerators; nuclear astrophysics and relativistic heavy-ion collisions.

Phys 531. Statistical Mechanics. (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 304, Math 465, credit or enrollment in Math 365 or 426. Thermodynamic properties of systems of many particles obeying Boltzmann, Fermi-Dirac, and Bose-Einstein statistics; microcanonical, canonical, and grand canonical ensembles and their application to physical problems; density matrices; introduction to phase transitions; renormalization group theory; kinetic theory and fluctuations.

Phys 535. Physics of Semiconductors. (Same as E E 535.) See Electrical Engineering.

Phys 536. Physics of Semiconductor Devices. (Same as E E 536.) See Electrical Engineering.

Phys 537. High Energy Physics. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 480. Survey of particle physics; covariant kinematics and Lagrangians; the Standard Model and the Higgs mechanism, W± and Z0 production and decay; hadron spectroscopy, structure functions; running coupling constants; the CKM matrix; selected topics beyond the Standard Model such as supersymmetry and grand unification.

Phys 541. General Relativity. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2006. Prereq: 362 or Math 465. Tensor analysis and differential geometry developed and used to formulate Einstein field equations. Schwarzschild and Kerr solutions. Other advanced topics may include gravitational radiation, particle production by gravitational fields, alternate gravitational theories, attempts at unified field theories, cosmology.

Phys 551. Computational Physics. (0-4) Cr. 2. S. Prereq: 365, 480. Use of modern computational techniques to analyze topics in classical and modern physics. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

Phys 564. Advanced Classical Mechanics. (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 361, Math 426, 465. Variational principles, Lagrange's equations, Hamilton's canonical equations, canonical transformations, Hamilton-Jacobi theory, infinitesimal transformations, classical field theory.

Phys 571. Advanced Electricity and Magnetism. (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 365, Math 426. Electrostatics, magnetostatics, boundary value problems, Maxwell's equations, wave phenomena in macroscopic media, wave guides.

Phys 572. Advanced Electricity and Magnetism. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 571. Special theory of relativity, least action and motion of charged particles in electromagnetic fields, radiation, collisions between charged particles, multipole fields, radiation damping.

Phys 590. Special Topics. Cr. var. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Topics of current interest.
A. Nuclear Physics
B. Condensed Matter Physics
C. High Energy Physics
D. Physics
E. Applied Physics

Phys 591. Quantum Physics I. (4-0) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: 481. First semester of a full-year course. Postulates of quantum mechanics; time-dependent and time-independent Schrddinger equations for one-,two-, and three-dimensional systems; theory of angular momentum; Rayleigh- Schrddinger time- independent perturbation theory.

Phys 592. Quantum Physics II. (4-0) Cr. 4. S. Prereq: 591. Continuation of 591. Variational theorem and WKB method; time-dependent perturbation theory; method of partial waves and Born approximation for scattering by central potentials; identical particles and symmetry; Dirac and Klein- Gordon equation for free particles; path integral formalism.

Phys 599. Creative Component. Cr. var. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Individually directed study of research-level problems for students electing the nonthesis M.S. degree option.

Courses primarily for graduate students

Phys 611. Quantum Theory of Condensed Matter. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 512, 681. Quasiparticles in condensed matter: phonons, magnons, photons, electrons. Quantum theory of interacting many body systems: Green's functions and diagrammatic techniques.

Phys 624. Advanced Nuclear Physics. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2006. Prereq: 524 and 592. Microscopic few-body and many-body theory; theory of effective Hamiltonians; relativistic nuclear physics; nuclear effects in hadron-nucleus, lepton-nucleus, and nucleus-nucleus reactions.

Phys 625. Physics of Strong Interactions. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2007. Prereq: 681. Quark model; Quantum Chromodynamics IQCD); perturbation methods for QCD; effective field theories for pions and nucleons; finite temperature field theories; quark-gluon plasma; phase transitions in QCD.

Phys 637. Elementary Particle Physics. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2005. Prereq: 537. First semester of a full year course. Properties of leptons, bosons, and quarks and their interactions; quantum chromodynamics, Glashow-Weinberg-Salam model, grand unification theories, supersymmetry; modern theoretical techniques and tests of the Standard Model.

Phys 638. Elementary Particle Physics. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2006. Prereq: 637. Continuation of 637. Properties of leptons, bosons, and quarks and their interactions; quantum chromodynamics, Glashow-Weinberg-Salam model, grand unification theories, supersymmetry, and superstring theory; modern theoretical techniques.

Phys 650. Advanced Seminar. (1-0) Cr. 1 each time taken. F.S. Topics of current interest. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.
A. Nuclear Physics
B. Condensed Matter Physics
C. High Energy Physics
D. Physics
E. Applied Physics

Phys 660. Advanced Topics in Physics. Cr. 1 to 3 each time taken. F.S. Courses on advanced topics and recent developments.
A. Nuclear Physics
B. Condensed Matter Physics
C. High Energy Physics
D. Physics
E. Applied Physics

Phys 681. Quantum Field Theory I. (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 592. Quantization of fields (canonical and path integral); Feynman rules; introduction to gauge theories; Quantum Electrodynamics; radiative corrections; renormalization and renormalization group.

Phys 682. Quantum Field Theory II. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2006. Prereq: 681. Continuation of 681. Systematics of renormalization; renormalization group methods; symmetries; spontaneous symmetry breaking; non-abelian gauge theories; the Standard Model and beyond; special topics.

Phys 699. Research.