Physics (PHYC) *See also: (PHYS)
**300.
Topics in Physics and Astronomy.
(1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Advanced study of concepts of physics and astronomy, designed especially for science teachers and other non-traditional students. Cannot be used to satisfy major or minor program requirements for physics or astrophysics degrees.
Prerequisite: ASTR 1115 or NTSC 1110 or PHYS 1115.
**301.
Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics.
(3)
Concepts of heat and thermodynamics; large numbers and probability distributions; spin, oscillator, and gas systems; simple interacting systems, Fermi and Bose statistics.
Prerequisite: **330.
{Fall}
**302.
Introduction to Photonics.
(3)
Geometrical optics; wave optics; lasers, nonlinear optics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2310.
{Alternate Years}
**302L.
Optics Lab.
(3)
Laboratory experiments in geometrical optics, diffraction, prisms, gratings, microscopy and imaging, polarization, interference and interferometry, and laser operation.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2310.
{Spring}
**303.
Analytical Mechanics I.
(3)
Dynamics of particles and rigid bodies, harmonic motion, gravitation, Lagrange's and Hamilton's equations, moving coordinate systems.
Prerequisite: MATH **316.
Corequisite: **366 highly recommended.
{Fall}
**304.
Analytical Mechanics II.
(3)
Mechanics of continuous media, rotations of rigid bodies, small oscillations, nonlinear and chaotic motions.
Prerequisite: **303 and (**366 or MATH **312).
{Spring}
**306L.
Junior Laboratory.
(3)
Contemporary electronics. One lecture, 3 hours lab. Completion of **330 is highly recommended.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2415.
{Fall}
**307L.
Junior Laboratory.
(3)
Experiments in modern physics and experimental methods. One lecture, 3 hours lab. Completion of **330 is highly recommended.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2415.
{Spring}
311.
Problems in Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics.
(1)
Problem solving and demonstrations related to PHYC 301.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Corequisite: **301.
313.
Problems in Analytical Mechanics I.
(1)
Problem solving and demonstrations related to PHYC **303.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Corequisite: **303.
314.
Problems in Analytical Mechanics II.
(1)
Problem solving and demonstrations related to PHYC **304.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Corequisite: **304.
**327.
Geophysics.
(3)
(Also offered as EPS 427 / 527)
Applications of gravity, magnetics, seismology, heat flow to the structure, constitution and deformation of earth. Related aspects of plate tectonics and resource exploration.
Prerequisite: MATH 1522 and PHYS 1320.
**330.
Introduction to Modern Physics.
(3)
Special relativity; quantum effects; introductory quantum mechanics; atomic and subatomic physics; instruments of modern physics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 2310.
{Spring}
331.
Problems in Introduction to Modern Physics.
(1)
Problem solving and demonstrations related to PHYC **330.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Corequisite: **330.
**366.
Mathematical Methods of Physics.
(4)
Vector calculus, partial differential equations, complex numbers, tensor analysis, Fourier series and transforms, special functions, and their application to physics.
Prerequisite: MATH **316 and PHYS 2415.
*400.
Seminar.
(1, may be repeated five times Δ)
Student presentations, both extemporaneous and prepared, of undergraduate physics problems.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
*405.
Electricity and Magnetism I.
(3)
Electrostatics; dielectric materials; magnetostatics; magnetic materials.
Prerequisite: **366 or (MATH 311 and MATH **312).
{Spring}
*406.
Electricity and Magnetism II.
(3)
Electromagnetic induction; conservation laws; propagation, reflection, and refraction of electromagnetic waves; wave guides; dipole radiation; relativistic fields.
Prerequisite: *405.
{Fall}
415.
Problems in Electricity and Magnetism I.
(1)
Problem solving and demonstrations related to PHYC *405.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Corequisite: *405.
416.
Problems in Electricity and Magnetism II.
(1)
Problem solving and demonstrations related to PHYC *406.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Corequisite: *406.
*430.
Introduction to Solid State Physics.
(3)
Free electron gas, energy bands, crystals, semiconductors, metals, elementary excitations, superconductivity.
Prerequisite: **330.
{Alternate Years}
*450.
Introduction to Subatomic Physics.
(3)
Introductory topics in elementary-particle physics and nuclear physics, with examples and applications to high-energy physics and astrophysics such as cosmic rays, fixed-target experiments, lepton and hadron colliders, stellar physics, supernovae and cosmology.
Prerequisite: *491.
{Alternate Springs}
451 / 551.
Problems.
(1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
*452.
Research Methods.
(1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
456.
Honors Problems.
(1, may be repeated once Δ)
(Also offered as ASTR 456)
Independent studies course for students seeking departmental honors.
{Fall, Spring}
*463.
Advanced Optics I.
(3)
(Also offered as ECE *463)
Electromagnetic theory of geometrical optics, Gaussian ray tracing and matrix methods, finite ray tracing, aberrations, interference.
{Fall}
*464.
Laser Physics I.
(3)
(Also offered as ECE *464)
Resonator optics. Rate equations; spontaneous and stimulated emission; gas, semiconductor and solid state lasers, pulsed and mode-locked laser techniques.
{Fall}
*466.
Methods of Theoretical Physics I.
(3)
Complex variables and analysis; differential equations, including Green's functions; transform methods; special functions; linear algebra; matrix analysis; linear integral equations.
{Fall}
*467.
Methods of Theoretical Physics II.
(3)
Methods of theoretical physics such as tensor analysis, group theory, calculus of variations, and elementary statistics. The actual topic areas will vary and will be defined by the instructor.
{Alternate Springs}
468.
Problems in Methods of Theoretical Physics I.
(1)
Problem solving and demonstrations related to PHYC *466.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Corequisite: *466.
*476L.
Experimental Techniques of Optics.
(3)
Diffraction, interference, optical detectors, lens aberrations, lasers, spectra, scattering, optical testing. One lecture, 3 hours lab.
Prerequisite: **302 or *463 or *464.
{Spring}
*477L.
Experimental Techniques of Optics.
(3)
Diffraction, interference, optical detectors, lens aberrations, lasers, spectra, scattering, optical testing. One lecture, 3 hours lab.
Prerequisite: **302 or *463 or *464.
{Spring}
480.
Special Topics in Physics and Astronomy.
(1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Special topics beyond our standard curriculum, usually involving new areas. The actual topic areas will vary and will be defined by the instructor.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
*491.
Intermediate Quantum Mechanics I.
(3)
Schrödinger Equations; Heisenberg uncertainty principle; postulates; Dirac notation; one-dimensional potentials; harmonic oscillator; angular momentum; H-Atom.
Prerequisite: **330 and MATH **314.
{Fall}
*492.
Intermediate Quantum Mechanics II.
(3)
Spin; Pauli principle; perturbation theory; scattering; applications of quantum mechanics.
Prerequisite: *491.
{Spring}
*493L.
Contemporary Physics Laboratory.
(3)
Spectrographic methods; lasers, atomic structure; high Tc superconductivity; natural and artificial radioactivity; cosmic rays. One lecture, 5 hours lab. *491 is highly recommended.
Prerequisite: **307L.
{Spring}
496.
Problems in Intermediate Quantum Mechanics I.
(1)
Problem solving and demonstrations related to PHYC *491.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Corequisite: *491.
497.
Problems in Intermediate Quantum Mechanics II.
(1)
Problem solving and demonstrations related to PHYC *492.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Corequisite: *492.
500.
Advanced Seminar.
(1-3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
501.
Advanced Seminar.
(1-3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)
503.
Classical Mechanics I.
(3)
Review of Lagrangian dynamics; two-body central force; rigid-body motion; small oscillations; Hamilton’s equations; canonical transformations; Hamilton-Jacobi theory.
{Fall}
505.
Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics.
(3)
Review of thermodynamics; classical statistical mechanics; ensemble theory; quantum statistical mechanics with examples.
{Spring}
511.
Electrodynamics.
(3)
Review of electro- and magneto-statics; E&M waves and radiation; covariant electrodynamics; scattering; relativity and covariant collisions.
{Spring}
521.
Graduate Quantum Mechanics I.
(3)
Review of 1-dim. potentials; Dirac formalism; postulates; symmetries and conservation laws; harmonic oscillator; angular momentum and spin; central potentials; approximation methods.
{Fall}
522.
Graduate Quantum Mechanics II.
(3)
More on angular momentum; scattering; identical particles; spectra of atoms and molecules; symmetry and conservation laws; approximation methods; special topics.
Prerequisite: 521.
{Spring}
523.
Quantum Field Theory I.
(3)
Introduction to relativistic quantum mechanics, and quantum mechanics and quantum field theory with applications drawn from quantum electrodynamics and high-energy physics.
Prerequisite: 522.
{Alternate Years}
524.
Quantum Field Theory II.
(3)
A continuation of 523.
Prerequisite: 523.
{Offered upon demand}
529.
Condensed Matter I.
(3)
Band concepts; Bloch functions; phonons and their interactions; superconductivity.
{Alternate Falls}
534.
Plasma Physics I.
(3)
(Also offered as ECE 534)
Plasma parameters, adiabatic invariants, orbit theory, plasma oscillations, hydromagnetic waves, plasma transport, stability, kinetic theory, nonlinear effects, applications.
{Fall}
542.
Particle Physics I.
(3)
Overview of the standard model, including electroweak interactions, gauge theories, QCD, other selected topics.
{Alternate Falls}
551 / 451.
Problems.
(1-4 to a maximum of 16 Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
552.
Problems.
(1-4 to a maximum of 16 Δ)
554.
Advanced Optics II.
(3)
(Also offered as ECE 554)
Diffractions theory, coherence theory, coherent objects, and incoherent imaging, and polarization.
Prerequisite: *463.
{Spring}
559.
Internship in Optical Science and Engineering.
(3)
(Also offered as ECE 559)
Students do research and/or development work at a participating industry or government laboratory in any area of optical science and engineering.
Restriction: permission of department.
564.
Laser Physics II.
(3)
This course covers advanced topics in laser and optical physics that includes (but not limited to) semiconductor lasers, detection and noise, extreme wavelength generation, and ultrafast metrology.
Prerequisite: *464.
566.
Quantum Optics.
(3)
Study and manipulation of quantum coherence with electromagnetic fields. Quantum coherent spectroscopy; photon statistics and nonclassical light; open quantum systems; decoherence; special topics.
{Alternate Years}
568.
Nonlinear Optics.
(3)
General concepts, microscopic approach, nonlinear optical effects and devices.
{Alternate Springs}
569.
Advanced Topics in Modern Optics.
(3, may be repeated once Δ)
Possible topics include dye lasers, solid-state lasers, novel lasers, interaction between intense lasers and matter, advanced nonlinear optics, spectroscopy.
{Offered upon demand}
570.
Theory of Relativity.
(3)
Einstein’s theory of general relativity both as a theoretical model for gravitational forces via curved space times and as applied to various realistic astrophysical situations such as neutron stars, black holes and gravitational waves.
{Offered upon demand}
571.
Quantum Computation.
(3)
(Also offered as CS, NSMS 571)
This course explores the concepts and mathematical techniques underlying quantum computation. Topics include quantum entanglement, quantum cryptography, teleportation, models for quantum computation, quantum algorithms, quantum error correction, and fault-tolerant quantum computation.
572.
Quantum Information Theory.
(3)
Concepts, applications and mathematical techniques of quantum information theory. Topics include classical information, Hilbert-space formulation of quantum mechanics, quantum states, quantum dynamics and measurements, quantum information, and quantum entanglement.
581.
Advanced Topics in Physics and Astrophysics.
(3, may be repeated three times Δ)
599.
Master's Thesis.
(1-6, no limit Δ)
Only 6 hours will count toward the program of studies.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
650.
Research.
(1-12 to a maximum of 24 Δ)
May be repeated with any single faculty member.
699.
Dissertation.
(3-12, no limit Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
