Physics
PHYS 102X (4 Credits) Spring
Energy and Society (3+3) n
Exploring the concept of energy. Investigation of the sources, conversion, distribution and ultimate dispersion of energy, as well as the consequences of its use in the development and maintenance of modern society. May be used to fulfill part of the natural science requirement. Designed for non-science majors.
PHYS 103X (4 Credits) Fall
College Physics (3+3) n
Classical physics including vectors, kinematics, Newton's Laws, momentum, work, energy, rotational motion, oscillations, waves, gravity, fluids, heat, temperature, Laws of Thermodynamics, and kinetic theory. For mathematics, science and liberal arts majors. (Prerequisites: High school algebra, trigonometry and geometry or instructor permission.)
PHYS 104X (4 Credits) Spring
College Physics (3+3) n
Coulomb's Law, electrical potential, capacitance, Kirchoff's Laws, magnetic fields, Faraday's Law, electromagnetic waves, physical and geometrical optics, waves and particles, atomic and nuclear physics. For mathematics, science and liberal arts majors. (Prerequisite: PHYS 103X or instructor permission.)
PHYS 113 (1 Credit) Fall
Concepts of Physics (1+0)
Review of experimental and theoretical studies of fundamental interactions of nature leading to major advances in human knowledge. Application of these discoveries to modern technologies, such as solid state electronics, lasers, holography, nuclear fusion, medical diagnostics, remote sensing, etc.
PHYS 175X (4 Credits) Fall
Introduction to Astronomy (3+3) n
The exploration of the universe is one of the most natural of all human drives; people of all eras have sought to determine their basic relationships with the rest of the universe. Examination of the science of astronomy and its social consequences, with an emphasis on the interrelationships between astronomy and other sciences, and on the inseparable nature of our view of the cosmos and our view of ourselves. Designed for non-science majors.
PHYS 211X (4 Credits) Fall, Spring
General Physics (3+3) n
Vectors, kinematics, Newton's Laws, momentum, work, energy, rotational motion, oscillations, waves, gravity, and fluids. For engineering, mathematics and physical science majors. (Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in MATH 201X and one year of high school physics, or instructor permission.)
PHYS 212X (4 Credits) Fall, Spring
General Physics (3+3) n
Heat, temperature, Laws of Thermodynamics, Coulomb's Law, electrical potential, capacitance, Kirchoff's Laws, Biot-Sarvart Law, Faraday's Law, and electromagnetic waves. For engineering, mathematics and physical science majors. (Prerequisite: MATH 201; PHYS 211X or ES 208 or concurrent enrollment in ES 210 or instructor permission.)
PHYS 213X (4 Credits) Spring
Elementary Modern Physics (3+3) n
Geometrical and physical optics: elementary-level modern physics including special relativity, atomic physics, nuclear physics, solid-state physics, elementary particles, simple transport theory, kinetic theory, and concepts of wave mechanics. (Prerequisites: PHYS 211X or 212X or permission of instructor.)
PHYS 220 (3 Credits) Spring
Introduction to Computational Physics (3+0) n
Introduction to computational techniques for solving physics problems. The computer is used as a tool to provide insight into physical systems and their behavior in all areas of physics. (Prerequisites: PHYS 211X and 212X, MATH 202X, concurrent PHYS 213X or permission of instructor.)
PHYS 311 (4 Credits) Fall
PHYS 312 (4 Credits) Spring
Mechanics (4+0) n
Newtonian mechanics, motion of systems of particles, rigid body statics and dynamics, moving and accelerated coordinate systems, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics, continuum mechanics, theory of small vibrations, tensor analysis, rigid body rotations, special theory of relativity. (Prerequisites: PHYS 211X and at least concurrent enrollment in MATH 302; PHYS 311 for 312, or permission of instructor.)
PHYS 313 (4 Credits) Fall
Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics (4+0) n
Thermodynamic systems, equations of state, the laws of thermodynamics, changes of phase, thermodynamics of reactions, kinetic theory, and introduction to statistical mechanics. (Prerequisite: PHYS 212X or permission of instructor.)
PHYS 331 (3 Credits) Fall
PHYS 332 (3 Credits) Spring
Electricity and Magnetism (3+0) n
Electrostatics, dielectrics, magnetostatics, magnetic materials, and electromagnetism. Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves, radiation, physical optics, and selected topics from electronics. (Prerequisites: PHYS 212X and MATH 202 or permission of instructor.)
PHYS 381W,O (3 Credits) Fall
PHYS 382W (3 Credits) Spring
Physics Laboratory (1+6) n
Laboratory experiments in classical and modern physics. (Prerequisite: PHYS 213, PHYS 381 for 382, or permission of instructor.)
PHYS 411 (4 Credits) Fall
PHYS 412 (4 Credits) Spring
Modern Physics (4+0) n
Relativity, elementary particles, quantum theory, atomic and molecular physics, x-rays, and nuclear physics. (Prerequisites: PHYS 213, MATH 302 and 314, PHYS 411 or 412, or permission of instructor.)
PHYS 445 (4 Credits) Spring
Solid State Physics and Physical Electronics (4+0) n
Theory of matter in the solid state and the interaction of matter with particles and waves. (Prerequisites: MATH 302, 314 and PHYS 411 or permission of instructor.)
PHYS 462 (4 Credits) Fall
Geometrical and Physical Optics (3+3) n
Geometrical optics, interference and diffraction theory, nonlinear optics, Fourier optics, and coherent wave theory. (Prerequisites: MATH 302, 314 and PHYS 331 or permission of instructor.)
PHYS 488 (1-3 Credits) Fall, Spring
Undergraduate Research
Advanced research topics from outside the usual undergraduate requirements. (Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Recommendations: A substantial level of technical/scientific background.)
PHYS 611 (3 Credits) Fall
PHYS 612 (3 Credits) Spring
Mathematical Physics (3+0)
(Cross-listed with MATH 611 and MATH 612)
Advanced consideration of such topics as transform methods, asymptotic methods, Green's function, Sturm-Liouville Theory, conformal mapping, and calculus of variations with applications to problems arising in physics. (Prerequisites: Permission of instructor; For PHYS 611, MATH 422 or equivalent. For PHYS 612, PHYS 611 or equivalent.)
PHYS 621 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Classical Mechanics (3+0)
Lagrange's equations, two-body problem, rigid body motion, special relativity, canonical equations, transformation theory, and Hamilton-Jacobi method. (Admission by arrangement.)
PHYS 622 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Statistical Mechanics (3+0)
Classical and quantum statistics of independent particles, ensemble theory, and applications. (Admission by arrangement.)
PHYS 626 (3 Credits) Fall
Fundamentals of Plasma Physics (3+0)
Single charge particle motion in the electromagnetic fields, plasma kinetic theory, Vlasov equations for collisionless plasmas, magnetohydrodynamic equations, linear plasma waves and instabilities, nonlinear plasma waves and instabilities. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing.)
PHYS 627 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Advanced Plasma Physics (3+0)
Vlasov description of small amplitude waves in magnetized plasmas, advanced particle orbit theory, fluctuation and incoherent scattering theory, plasma discontinuities and collisionless shocks, weak turbulent theory, statistical theory of turbulence. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing.)
PHYS 628 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Digital Time Series Analysis (3+0)
The use of methods of time series analysis, including correlation, convolution and filtering of multivariate data. The statistics of estimators is also emphasized. Course material is of general interest to disciplines that obtain multiparameter data suites as part of their research, including seismology, oceanography, meteorology, geomagnetism and space physics. Lectures will develop basic techniques and guide the student in designing working algorithms and in the application of algorithms to various geophysical data suites. (Prerequisites: MATH 401 and 402 or equivalent; familiarity with a programming language such as C or Fortran; or permission of instructor.)
PHYS 629 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Methods of Numerical Simulation in Fluids and Plasma (3+0)
The fundamentals of computer simulation including time and spatial differencing and stability theory applied to partial differential equations describing convective and diffusive transport in fluids. The second part of the course will be separated into two tracks: one specializing in ocean and atmospheric dynamics and the other in the plasma state of matter. (Prerequisites: MATH 310, 421, 422 or equivalent; baccalaureate degree in physics, engineering or mathematics or equivalent; for plasma physics track: baccalaureate degree in physics including PHYS 311, 312, 331, 332 or equivalent; experience with Fortran.)
PHYS 631 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
PHYS 632 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Electromagnetic Theory (3+0)
Electrostatics, magnetostatics, Maxwell's equations, and potentials. Lorentz equations, field energy, gauge conditions, retarded potentials, waves, radiation, tensor formulations, and non-Maxwellian electrodynamics. (Permission of instructor and PHYS 631, or the equivalent, for PHYS 632.)
PHYS 640 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Auroral Physics (3+0)
Survey of aurora phenomena, the associated physical processes, and techniques used to investigate the aurora. Includes electron and proton impact spectra; physical processes that accelerate and precipitate electrons and protons; auroral currents; ionospheric effects of auroral activity; and principles for ground-based satellite spectroscopy and imaging and the measurements of magnetic and electric fields. Note: Intended for first year graduate space physics and aeronomy students, but may also be of interest to students with a suitable physics background. (Prerequisite: Undergraduate electromagnetic theory, mechanics, modern physics and plasma physics.)
PHYS 650 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Aeronomy (3+0)
The physical and chemical processes that govern the response of planetary atmospheres to solar radiation and energetic particles; the formation of and characteristic processes in the layers within the ionosphere; and basic magneto-ionic theory. Includes principles of remote sensing by lidar and radar techniques. Note: Intended for first year graduate space physics and aeronomy students, but may also be of interest to students with a suitable physics background. (Prerequisite: Undergraduate electromagnetic theory, mechanics, modern physics and plasma physics.)
PHYS 651 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
PHYS 652 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Quantum Mechanics (3+0)
Schrodinger's equations, operator formalism, correspondence principle, central force problems, perturbation theory, quantum statistical mechanics, and applications of quantum mechanics to collision problems, radiation, and spectroscopy. (Permission of instructor and PHYS 651, or the equivalent, for PHYS 652.)
PHYS 660 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Radiative Transfer (3+0)
The interaction of radiation with matter. The physical processes related to scattering, absorption and emission of radiation in an optical medium as well as the formulation and mathematical solution of radiative energy transport including multiple scattering in layered media. Demonstrations of how to use the theory in remote sensing applications and earth radiation budget studies (climate). (Prerequisites: Graduate standing in physical sciences and permission of instructor.)
PHYS 672 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Magnetospheric Physics (3+0)
The physics and dynamics of Earth's magnetosphere. Discusses the magnetosphere as a test bed for microscopic plasma processes, equilibrium configurations, plasma instabilities, highly nonlinear eruptive plasma processes, and global dynamics which involve the interaction of various regions of the magnetosphere. Introduction to various aspects of magnetospheric physics with a systematic discussion of the various elements of the magnetosphere, their structure and dynamics, and a discussion of the relevant plasma physics. (Prerequisite: Plasma physics.)
PHYS 673 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Space Physics (3+0)
Introduction to space physics. Review of the basic structural elements found within the heliosphere and an introduction to dynamic effects. (Prerequisites: Undergraduate electromagnetic theory, mechanics, modern physics and plasma physics. Note: This survey course is designed for seniors and first-year graduate students.)