Graduate Courses for Physics (PHYS)

Schedule of Classes: Fall | Winter | Spring | Summer
(Only current and next semester available)

PHYS 401 Quantum Physics I (4 credits)
Prerequisite: PHYS273. Corequisites: PHYS374 and MATH240. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: PHYS401 or PHYS421. Formerly PHYS 421.
Introduces some quantum phenomena leading to wave-particle duality. Schroedinger theory for bound states and scattering in one dimension. One-particle Schroedinger equation and the hydrogen atom.

PHYS 402 Quantum Physics II (4 credits)
Prerequisites: PHYS401, and PHYS374, and MATH240. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: PHYS402 or former PHYS422. Formerly PHYS 422.
Quantum states as vectors; spin and spectroscopy, multiparticle systems, the periodic table, perturbation theory, band structure, etc.

PHYS 404 Introduction to Statistical Thermodynamics (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PHYS273 or equivalent, and MATH241. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: PHYS404 or former PHYS414. Formerly PHYS 414.
Introduction to basic concepts in thermodynamics and statistical mechanics.

PHYS 405 Advanced Experiments (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHYS375. For PHYS majors only. Formerly PHYS 395.
Advanced laboratory techniques. Selected experiments from many fields of modern physics. Emphasis on self-study of the phenomena, data analysis, and presentation in report form.

PHYS 410 Classical Mechanics (4 credits)
Prerequisite: PHYS374.
Theoretical foundations of mechanics with extensive application of the methods. Various mathematical tools of theoretical physics.

PHYS 411 Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism (4 credits)
Prerequisite: PHYS374.
Foundations of electromagnetic theory, with extensive applications of the methods. Thorough treatment of wave properties of solutions of Maxwell's equations.

PHYS 420 Principles of Modern Physics (3 credits)
Prerequisite: (PHYS270 and PHYS271 {formerly: PHYS263} or PHYS273); and MATH246.
A survey of atomic and nuclear phenomena and the main trends in modern physics. Appropriate for students in engineering and other physical sciences.

PHYS 426 Mathematica for Scientists and Engineers (3 credits)
Prerequisites: (PHYS270 and PHYS271 {Formerly: PHYS263} or PHYS273) and MATH241.
Provides a working knowledge of the powerful symbolic, numerical, and graphical tools provided by Mathematica for problem solving in science and engineering, and the ability to use functional programming, pattern matching, and rule sets for symbolic and numerical computations. Intended for science and engineering students who are currently taking advanced undergraduate or graduate courses in their field.

PHYS 428 Physics Capstone Research (2-4 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Senior standing. For PHYS majors only. Repeatable to 4 credits.
Individual, focused research under the guidance of a faculty member. Discussion, presentations and, if appropriate, research group projects involved. Student must submit final research paper for completion of course. Paper may also serve as thesis required for High Honors in Physics. Not intended as a general "reading course" (see PHYS499).

PHYS 429 Atomic and Nuclear Physics Laboratory (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHYS405.
Classical experiments in atomic physics and more sophisticated experiments in current techniques in nuclear physics.

PHYS 431 Properties of Matter (3 credits)
Prerequisites: MATH241 and (PHYS270 and PHYS271 {formerly: PHYS263}), PHYS 401 or PHYS420. Also offered as ENMA460. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENMA460 or PHYS431.
Introduction to solid state physics. Electromagnetic, thermal, and elastic properties of metals, semiconductors, insulators and superconductors.

PHYS 474 Computational Physics (3 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: PHYS474 or PHYS499C. Formerly PHYS 499C.
Introduction to computational physics. Topics covered include numerical integration of ordinary and partial differential equations, image analysis, Fourier transforms, statistical methods, analysis of data using prepackaged routines, and the Unix programming environment. Emphasis is on the equations of physical systems as applied to physics and astronomy, and on manipulation of laboratory and observational field data. Students complete semester projects.

PHYS 483 Biophysics and Theoretical Biology (3 credits)
Designed for advanced and mature students who may have only minimal knowledge of biological processes but are well grounded in physics. Areas in bioscience where physics, biophysical chemistry, and mathematical analysis fuse to provide definition for biologic statics and dynamics.

PHYS 485 Electronic Circuits (4 credits)
Two hours of lecture and four hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: PHYS405. Corequisite: PHYS301 or PHYS374.
Theory and application to experimental physics of modern semiconductor analog and digital circuits. Emphasis on understanding passive and active elements in practical circuits. Topics span the range from simple transistor circuits to microcomputers.

PHYS 499 Special Problems in Physics (1-16 credits)
For PHYS majors only.
Research or special study. Credit according to work done.

PHYS 521 General Physics for Science Teachers I (4 credits)
The first semester of a two-semester sequence in physics stressing physical insight for prospective secondary school science and mathematics teachers. Designed to integrate carefully lecture and laboratory and to serve as a model for persons planning to teach physics or physical science. Mathematics use will include algebra, trigonometry, with occasional references to calculus.

PHYS 522 General Physics for Science Teachers II (4 credits)
Prerequisite: PHYS 521.
A continuation of PHYS 521.

PHYS 601 Theoretical Dynamics (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHYS 410 or equivalent.
Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics, two-body central force problem, rigid body motion, small oscillations, continuous systems.

PHYS 603 Methods of Statistical Physics (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHYS 414 or equivalent. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: PHYS 602 or PHYS 603.
Foundations and applications of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics.

PHYS 604 Methods of Mathematical Physics (3 credits)
Prerequisites: {advanced calculus; and PHYS 410; and PHYS 411}; or equivalent.
Ordinary and partial differential equations of physics, boundary value problems, Fourier series, Green's functions, complex variables and contour integration.

PHYS 606 Electrodynamics (4 credits)
Prerequisite: PHYS 604 or equivalent.
Classical electromagnetic theory, electro- and magnetostatics, Maxwell equations, waves and radiation, special relativity.

PHYS 615 Nonlinear Dynamics of Extended Systems (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHYS 601.
Theory and applications of nonlinear dynamics of extended systems including nonlinear waves, pattern formation, turbulence, self-organized criticality and networks. Additional topics to be selected by instructor from areas of current research.

PHYS 621 Graduate Laboratory (3 credits)
Six hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: PHYS 405 or equivalent.
Design and performance of advanced experiments in modern and classical physics.

PHYS 622 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I (4 credits)
Prerequisite: an outstanding undergraduate background in physics.
First and second semesters. A study of the Schroedinger equation, matrix formulations of quantum mechanics, approximation methods, scattering theory, etc. Applications to solid state, atomic, and nuclear physics.

PHYS 623 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics II (3 credits)
Prerequisite: an outstanding undergraduate background in physics.
First and second semesters. A study of the Schroedinger equation, matrix formulations of quantum mechanics, approximation methods, scattering theory etc., and applications to solid state, atomic, and nuclear physics. Continuation of PHYS 622.

PHYS 624 Advanced Quantum Mechanics (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHYS 623.
Relativistic wave equations, second quantization in many body problems and relativistic wave equations, Feynman-Dyson perturbation theory, applications to many body problems, application to quantum electrodynamics, elements of renormalization.

PHYS 625 Non-relativistic Quantum Mechanics (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHYS 623.
Non-relativistic second quantization, single particle Green's function, perturbation theory, linked cluster expansion, Feynman and Goldstone diagrams; applications to imperfect Fermi gases; superconductivity.

PHYS 675 Introduction to Relativity, Gravitation and Cosmology (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PHYS 601 and PHYS 606.
Review of special relativity, followed by a study of the equivalence principle, curved spacetimes, and Einstein's equations. Selected applications to the solar system, stellar structure, black holes, gravitational waves, and cosmology.

PHYS 685 Research Electronics (4 credits)
Prerequisite: equivalent of PHYS405 and PHYS301 or PHYS374 not open to undergraduate students who have completed PHYS485. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: PHYS485 or PHYS685.
An integrated lecture and laboratory course in electronics with equal emphasis on experimental methods and results and analysis using device models and up-to-date mathematical and numerical tools. Experiments and analysis of circuits with passive and single active devices form the background for the study of operational amplifiers, digital integrated circuits and systems, and microcomputers. The general topics of impedance matching, frequency response, feedback, interfacing and the extraction of signal from noise are stressed.

PHYS 704 Statistical Mechanics (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PHYS 411; and PHYS 602.
A study of the determination of behavior of matter from microscopic models. Microcanonical, canonical, and grand canonical models. Applications of solid state physics and the study of gases.

PHYS 708 Seminar in Teaching College Physics (1 credits)

PHYS 709 Seminar in General Physics (1 credits)

PHYS 711 Symmetry Problems in Physics (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHYS 623.
A study of general methods of classification of physical systems by their symmetries and invariance properties, especially in quantum field theory applications.

PHYS 715 Chaotic Dynamics (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHYS 601.
Theory and applications of chaos in dynamical systems including such topics as strange attractors, Lyapanov exponents, quasiperiodicity, period doubling, intermittency, crises, fractal basin boundaries, chaotic scattering, KAM tori, and quantum chaos.

PHYS 718 Seminar in General Physics (1 credits)

PHYS 719 Seminar in General Physics (1 credits)

PHYS 721 Atomic and Optical Physics I (Survey) (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHYS 623. 3 semester hours.
A survey of topics involving the physics of atoms and their interaction with radiation, including atoms in external fields, lasers, atomic spectroscopy and atomic structure.

PHYS 722 Atomic and Optical Physics II (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHYS 721. 3 semester hours.
A description of the coherent quantum properties of light and matter, including quantization of the electromagnetic field, its correlations, nonclassical states of light, atom optics, Bose Einstein Condensation and degenerate Fermi gases.

PHYS 726 Research Group Rotation in Quantum Optical Information (2 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department.
The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the research groups carrying out research on quantum optical information in the Physics Department. Students spend the semester in two half-semester rotations, working with two different groups in the physics department that are actively involved with quantum information using optics. They should plan to be at the University at least three hours a week. At the end of each rotation they make a public presentation and prepare a web page with their results.

PHYS 728 Seminar in Atomic and Molecular Physics (1 credits)

PHYS 731 Solid State Physics: Survey (3 credits)
A variety of topics such as crystal structure, mechanical, thermal, electrical, and magnetic properties of solids, band structure, the Fermi surface, and superconductivity will be treated. Although the emphasis will be on the phenomena, the methods of quantum mechanics are freely employed in this description.

PHYS 732 Introduction to Solid State Physics II (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHYS 731.
Second semester of survey course in condensed matter physics including topics in semiconductors, surface physics, magnetism and superconductivity.

PHYS 738 Seminar in Experimental Solid State Physics (1 credits)

PHYS 739 Seminar in Theoretical Solid State Physics (1 credits)

PHYS 741 Nuclear Physics: Survey (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PHYS 622; and PHYS 623.
An introductory survey of nuclear physics, including the following topics: properties of the two-nucleon force and the most popular phenomenological potentials; properties of nuclei including radii, shapes and charge distributions; introduction to nuclear structure models, including collective, independent particle, and shell model; basic features of radioactivity including weak interactions and alpha decay; introduction to nuclear reactions, including phenomenological optical potentials and distorted wave approximations.

PHYS 748 Seminar in Experimental Nuclear Physics (1 credits)

PHYS 749 Seminar in Theoretical Nuclear Physics (1 credits)

PHYS 751 Elementary Particle Physics I: Survey (3 credits)
Corequisite: PHYS 624.
Nuclear forces are studied by examining interactions at high energies. Meson physics, scattering processes, and detailed analysis of high energy experiments.

PHYS 752 Elementary Particle Physics II: Theory (3 credits)
Prerequisites: {PHYS 624; and PHYS 751}.
Survey of elementary particles and their properties, quantum field theory, meson theory, weak interactions, possible extensions of elementary particle theory.

PHYS 758 Seminar in Elementary Particles and Quantum Field Theory (1 credits)

PHYS 759 Seminar in Elementary Particles and Quantum Field Theory (1 credits)

PHYS 761 Plasma Physics I: Survey (3 credits)
Prerequisites: {PHYS 604; and PHYS 606}.
A detailed study of plasma physics. The first semester treats particle orbit theory, magnetohydrodynamics, plasma waves, and transport phenomena.

PHYS 762 Plasma Physics II (3 credits)
Continuation of PHYS 761. Vlasov theory, including waves, stability, and weak turbulence, kinetic equation theories of correlations and radiative processes.

PHYS 769 Seminar in Plasma Physics (1 credits)

PHYS 776 Advanced Gravitation Theory (3 credits)
Prerequisites: PHYS 623 and PHYS 675.
Advanced topics in gravitation theory selected from Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations, geometric methods, symmetries of space times, black holes, singularity theorems, quantum effects in curved space, early universe, quantum gravity, and unified theories.

PHYS 778 Seminar in Space and Cosmic Ray Physics (1 credits)

PHYS 779 Seminar in General Relativity (1 credits)

PHYS 798 Special Problems in Advanced Physics (1-3 credits)
Projects or special study in advanced physics.

PHYS 799 Master's Thesis Research (1-6 credits)

PHYS 808 Special Topics in General Physics (1-4 credits)
Credit according to work done.

PHYS 809 Special Topics in General Physics (1-4 credits)
Credit according to work done.

PHYS 818 Special Topics in General Physics (1-4 credits)
Credit according to work done.

PHYS 819 Special Topics in General Physics (1-4 credits)
Credit according to work done.

PHYS 828 Special Topics in Atomic and Molecular Physics (1-4 credits)
Credit according to work done.

PHYS 829 Special Topics in Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Electronics (1-4 credits)
Credit according to work done.

PHYS 832 Theory of Solids I (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHYS 623. Corequisite: PHYS 625.
Advanced topics in the quantum theory of solids from such fields as band structure calculations, optical properties, phonons, neutron scattering, the dynamics of electrons in one-band theory, the Landau Fermi Liquid Theory, charged Fermi liquids, the Fermi surface (surface impedance, cyclotron resonance, the DeHaas-Van Alphen Effect, etc.).

PHYS 838 Special Topics in Experimental Solid State Physics (1-4 credits)
Credit according to work done.

PHYS 839 Special Topics in Theoretical Solid State Physics (1-4 credits)
Credit according to work done.

PHYS 849 Special Topics in Theoretical Nuclear Physics (1-4 credits)
Credit according to work done.

PHYS 851 Advanced Quantum Field Theory (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PHYS 624.
Renormalizations of Lagrangian field theories, Lamb shift, positronium fine structure, T. C. P. Invariance, connection between spin and statistics, broken symmetries in many body problems, soluble models, analyticity in perturbation theory, simple applications of dispersion relations.

PHYS 858 Special Topics in Elementary Particles and Quantum Field Theory (1-4 credits)
Prerequisites: PHYS 851 and PHYS 752.
First semester.

PHYS 859 Special Topics in Elementary Particles and Quantum Field Theory (1-4 credits)
Credit according to work done.

PHYS 869 Special Topics in Plasma Physics (1-4 credits)
Credit according to work done.

PHYS 878 Special Topics in Space and Cosmic Ray Physics (1-4 credits)
Credit according to work done.

PHYS 879 Special Topics in General Relativity (1-4 credits)
Credit according to work done.

PHYS 888 Special Topics in Applied Physics (2 credits)

PHYS 889 Special Topics in Interdisciplinary Problems (1-4 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
Credit according to work done.

PHYS 898 Pre-Candidacy Research (1-8 credits)

PHYS 899 Doctoral Dissertation Research (1-8 credits)