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Graduate Semester Courses

 

Physics 5100

Physics for In-Service Teachers

1-10 credits

Designed to deepen teachers' understanding of basic physical concepts and methods of treatment of selected topics, includes lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and individualized lab work.
Prereq: 10 cr hrs in Physics, and teaching experience, and permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 20 cr hrs or 20 completions.

 


Physics 5300

Theoretical Mechanics

4 credits

Development of Lagrangian mechanics, inertia and stress tensors, rigid body rotations and introduction to the mechanics of continuous media.
Prereq: (C+ or better in 2301;  Math 2153 or equiv; Math 2174 or equiv) or (C+ or better in 263; Math 415 or equiv; concurrent Math 513 or equiv). Not open to students with credit for 664.

 


Physics 5400

Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism

4 credits

Introduction to the description of electrostatic fields; dielectrics; boundary-value problems; magnetic fields of steady currents; induction; Maxwell's equations; plane waves.
Prereq: (C+ or better in 2301 or C+ or better in Physics 263);  Math 2174 or Math 2415 or Math 415 or equiv; Math 2153 or Math 4551 or Math 513 or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 555 or 656.

 


Physics 5400H

Honors Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism 1

4 credits

Advanced treatment of electrostatic fields; dielectrics; boundary-value problems.  magnetic fields of steady currents; induction; Maxwell's equations; plane waves.
Prereq: (C+ or better in 2301 or C+ or better in 263);  Math 2174 or Math 2415 or Math 415 or equiv; Math 2153 or Math 4551 or Math 513 or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 555 or 656.

 


Physics 5401H

Honors Advanced Electricity and Magnetism 2

4 credits

Plane waves, plane waves in matter; physical optics; coherence, interference, diffraction, and dispersion.
Prereq: Honors standing or permission of instructor; (B+ or better in 5400) or (C+ or better in 5400H) or (B+ or better in 555). Not open to students with credit for 656 or 657.

 


Physics 5500

Quantum Mechanics

4 credits

Introduction to quantum mechanics, including its historical background, the Schrodinger equation, solutions of one-dimensional scattering and bound state problems.
Prereq: (C+ or better in 2301 or C+ or better in Physics 263);  Math 2174 or Math 2415 or Math 415 or equiv; Math 2153 or Math 4551 or Math 513 or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 631 or 632.

course webpage


Physics 5500H

Honors Quantum Mechanics I

4 credits

Advanced treatment of quantum mechanics, including its historical background, the Schrodinger equation, solutions of one-dimensional scattering and bound state problems.  Uses Dirac notation.
Prereq: Honors standing or permission of instructor; (C+ or better in 2301 or C+ or better in Physics 263);  Math 2174 or Math 2415 or Math 415 or equiv; Math 2153 or Math 4551 or Math 513 or equiv.

 


Physics 5501H

Honors Quantum Mechanics II

4 credits

The Schrodinger equation in three dimensions, angular momentum, the hydrogen atom; time-independent perturbation theory.time-dependent perturbation theory, scattering theory and the Born approximation, multi-electron atoms.
Prereq: Honors status or permission of instructor; (B+ or better in 5500) or (C+ or better in 5500H or (B+ or better in 632) or (C+ or better in 632H).

 


Physics 5600

Statistical Mechanics

4 credits

Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics; applications to noninteracting classical and quantum systems. Interacting systems, special states of matter, critical phenomena and phase transitions.
Prereq: (C+ or better in 2301 or C+ or better in Physics 263);  Math 2174 or Math 2415 or Math 415 or equiv; Math 2153 or Math 4551 or Math 513 or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 621 or 622.

 


Physics 5700

Advanced Physics Laboratory

3 credits

Introduction to the experimental techniques of physics and the statistical analysis of data, through lectures and a variety of experiments.
Prereq: (Physics 263 and Physics 555 and Physics 631 and Physics 416) or (Physics 3700 and Physics 2301 and Physics 5400/5400H and Physics 5500/5500H). Not open to students with credit for 616..

 


Physics 5710

Advanced Engineering Physics Laboratory

3 credits

Lab course for eng physics majors. Experiments in optics, materials, and nuclear physics are carried out in a team approach, emphasizing DAQ methods and experimental design, analysis of collected data, and formal presentation of experimental results.
Prereq: 3700 (416) and 2301 (263), and 5400 (555) or 5400H, and 5500 (631) or 5500H. Not open to students with credit for 616.

 


Physics 5740

Quantitative Cell Biology for Engineers and Scientists

3 credits

Introduction to the biophysical and biochemical principles underlying the behavior of cellular processes with an emphasis on surveying engineering models and quantitative measurements.
Prereq: Permission of instructor. Cross-listed in ChBE.

 


Physics 5800

Engineering Physics Design I

3 credits

Presents fundamentals of engineering-physics design and leads to skills development relevant to a specific design proposal. Technical communication skills, both written and oral, are employed throughout.
Prereq: 2301 (263) and a Second Writing course, and Sr standing in Engineering Physics.

 


Physics 5801

Engineering Physics Design II

3 credits

Continues training in engineering-physics design. Preliminary designs are refined and prototypes are fabricated and tested. Technical communication skills, both written and oral, are employed throughout.
Prereq: 5800, and Sr standing in Engineering Physics.

 


Physics 6201

Grad Holography I

3 credits

Introduction to the theory and basic technique of 3D image making. Students will construct a diode laser and use it to make holograms.. For grad students  in the grad  specialization "Analysis of Material Culture".
Prereq: Grad standing.

 


Physics 6700

Electronics for Physicists

3 credits

An intensive introduction to electronic circuits, devices, and instrumentation with emphasis on laboratory experience.
Prereq: 2301, or Grad standing. Not open to students with credit for 617.

 


Physics 6740

Introduction to Astrochemistry

4 credits

A treatment of chemistry occurring in interstellar clouds, areas of star formation, and atmospheres of stars.
Prereq: Permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit in 740, Astron 740, or Chem 740. Cross-listed in Chem.

 


Physics 6780

Special Topics Seminar

1 credits

A survey of current research problems in physics.
Prereq: Grad standing or permission of instructor. This course is graded S/U.

 


Physics 6802

Topics in Elementary Particle Physics

4 credits

Experimental and theoretical aspects of areas of current interest in physics. Elementary Particle Physics.
Prereq: 5501 or grad standing or permission of instructor.

 


Physics 6803

Topics in Astroparticle Physics

4 credits

Experimental and theoretical aspects of areas of current interest in Astroparticle Physics.
Prereq: 5501 or grad standing or permission of instructor.

 


Physics 6804

Topics in Atomic and Molecular Physics

4 credits

Experimental and theoretical aspects of areas of current interest in physics. Atomic and Molecular Physics.
Prereq: 5501 or grad standing or permission of instructor.

 


Physics 6805

Topics in Nuclear Physics

4 credits

Experimental and theoretical aspects of areas of current interest in physics. Nuclear Physics.
Prereq: 5501 or grad standing or permission of instructor.

 


Physics 6806

Topics in Condensed Matter Physics

4 credits

Experimental and theoretical aspects of areas of current interest in physics. Condensed Matter Physics.
Prereq: 5501 or grad standing or permission of instructor.

 


Physics 6809

Topics in Biophysics

4 credits

Experimental and theoretical aspects of areas of current interest in Biophysics.
Prereq: 5501 or grad standing or permission of instructor.

 


Physics 6810

Topics in Computational Physics

4 credits

Experimental and theoretical aspects of areas of current interest in Computational Physics.
Prereq: 5501 or grad standing or permission of instructor.

course webpage


Physics 6820

Special Topics

4 credits

Experimental and theoretical aspects of areas of current interest in physics. Special Topics.
Prereq: Prereq: 5501 or grad standing. Repeatable to a maximum of 24 cr hrs.

 


Physics 7193

Individual Studies

1-6 credits

Designed to give a properly qualified student opportunity for independent reading, study, or laboratory work in a specialized field of interest.
Prereq: Permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 20 cr hrs or 6 completions. This course is graded S/U.

 


Physics 7194

Group Studies

1-5 credits

Group Studies.
Prereq: Permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 20 cr hrs or 6 completions.

 


Physics 7401

Electromagnetic Field Theory

3 credits

Electric and magnetic fields in material media, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves, radiation by simple systems and by moving charges. Special theory of relativity.
Prereq: 5401 and 7701, or permission of instructor.

course webpage


Physics 7501

Quantum Mechanics 1

3 credits

Postulates and Schroedinger eq., linear vector spaces, path-integral formulation; symmetry, orbital angular momentum, central potentials, spin angular momentum.
Prereq: 5501 or equivalent, or permission of instructor.

course webpage


Physics 7502

Quantum Mechanics 2

3 credits

Variational method; perturbation theory, semiclassical treatment of electromagnetic radiation, quantized electromagnetic radiation, scattering theory; density matrix; Dirac equation.
Prereq: 7501.

course webpage


Physics 7503

Quantum Mechanics 3

3 credits

Systems with several electrons, exclusion principle; applications to atoms and molecules, and to scattering; Hartree-Fock approximation; Dirac equation for free electrons and for hydrogen.
Prereq: 7502.

 


Physics 7601

Classical and Statistical Physics I

3 credits

Lagrangian dynamics, variational principles, Hamilton's equations, canonical transformations, symmetries and conservation laws. Introduction to statistical physics; fundamental postulates.
Prereq: 5300 or grad standing in Physics or permission of instructor.

course webpage


Physics 7602

Classical and Statistical Physics II

3 credits

Entropy, therm. potentials and changes of phase; microscopic expression for entropy and basis of classical ensemble theory. Canonical and grand ensembles; Quantum statistical mechanics.
Prereq:  5600 or equiv. or 7601.

course webpage


Physics 7603

Advanced Statistical Physics

3 credits

Interacting systems; Ising and Heisenberg models of magnetism, theory of dense gases and liquids, phase transitions and critical phenomena; non-equilibrium statistical physics, Boltzmann equation.
Prereq: 7502 and 7602, or permission of instructor.

 


Physics 7701

Analytic and Numeric Methods of Physics

3 credits

Analytical and numeric boundary value problems, complex analysis, Fourier series, Legendre polynomials, spherical harmonics, and Bessel functions.
Prereq: grad standing in Physics or permission of instructor.

course webpage


Physics 7891

Departmental Seminar or Workshop

1 credits

Departmental Seminar or Workshop
Prereq: Permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 20 cr hrs. This course is graded S/U.

 


Physics 7998

Grad Research

1-10 credits

Laboratory and/or theoretical research on an individual basis on topics of current interest.
Prereq: 5700 or equiv and permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 36 cr hrs or 6 completions. This course is graded S/U.

 


Physics 8301

Elasticity and Fluid Mechanics

3 credits

Elasticity of solids; stress and strain tensors, dislocations; fluid mechanics; ideal and viscous fluids, chaos, and turbulence.
Prereq: 7601 or permission of instructor.

 


Physics 8802.01

Topics in Elementary Particle Physics 1

3 credits

A systematic advanced treatment of areas of current interest in physics; topics will be announced each quarter. Elementary Particle Physics.
Prereq: 7501 or permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 6 cr hrs.

 


Physics 8802.02

Topics in Elementary Particle Physics 2

3 credits

A (continued) systematic advanced treatment of areas of current interest in physics; topics will be announced each quarter. Elementary Particle Physics.
Prereq: 8802.01 or permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 6 cr hrs.

 


Physics 8803.01

Topics in Astroparticle Physics 1

3 credits

A systematic advanced treatment of areas of current interest in physics; topics will be announced each quarter. Astroparticle Physics.
Prereq: 7501 or permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 6 cr hrs.

 


Physics 8803.02

Topics in Astroparticle Physics 2

3 credits

A (continued) systematic advanced treatment of areas of current interest in physics; topics will be announced each quarter. Astroparticle Physics Physics.
Prereq: 8803.01 or permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 6 cr hrs.

 


Physics 8804.01

Topics in Atomic and Molecular Physics 1

3 credits

A systematic advanced treatment of areas of current interest in physics; topics will be announced each quarter. Atomic and Molecular Physics.
Prereq: 7501, or permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 6 cr hrs.

 


Physics 8804.02

Topics in Atomic and Molecular Physics 2

3 credits

A (continued) systematic advanced treatment of areas of current interest in physics; topics will be announced each quarter. Atomic and Molecular Physics.
Prereq: 8804.01 or permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 6 cr hrs.

 


Physics 8805.01

Topics in Nuclear Physics 1

3 credits

A systematic advanced treatment of areas of current interest in physics; topics will be announced each quarter. Nuclear Physics.
Prereq: 7501 or permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 6 cr hrs.

course webpage


Physics 8805.02

Topics in Nuclear Physics 2

3 credits

A (continued) systematic advanced treatment of areas of current interest in physics; topics will be announced each quarter. Nuclear Physics.
Prereq: 8805.01 or permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 6 cr hrs.
 

 


Physics 8806.01

Topics in Condensed Matter Physics 1

3 credits

A systematic advanced treatment of areas of current interest in physics; topics will be announced each quarter. Condensed Matter Physics.
Prereq: 7501 or permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 6 cr hrs.

 


Physics 8806.02

Topics in Condensed Matter Physics 2

3 credits

A (continued) systematic advanced treatment of areas of current interest in physics; topics will be announced each quarter. Condensed Matter Physics.
Prereq: 8806.01 or permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of  6 cr hrs.

 


Physics 8808.01

Topics in the Theory of Quantized Fields I

3 credits

A systematic advanced treatment of areas of current interest in physics; topics will be announced each quarter. Theory of Quantized Fields.
Prereq: 7501 or permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 6 cr hrs.

course webpage


Physics 8808.02

Topics in the Theory of Quantized Fields II

3 credits

A (continued) systematic advanced treatment of areas of current interest in physics; topics will be announced each quarter. Theory of Quantized Fields.
Prereq: 8808.01 or permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 6 cr hrs.

course webpage

course Information


Physics 8809.01

Topics in Biophysics

3 credits

A systematic advanced treatment of areas of current interest in physics; topics will be announced each quarter. Biophysics.
Prereq: 7501, or permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 6 cr hrs.

 


Physics 8809.02

Topics in Biophysics 2

3 credits

A (continued) systematic advanced treatment of areas of current interest in physics; topics will be announced each quarter. Biophysics.
Prereq: 8809.01 or permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 6 cr hrs.

 


Physics 8820

Special Topics

3 credits

A systematic advanced treatment of areas of current interest in physics; topics will be announced each quarter. Special Topics.
Prereq: 7501 or permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of 12 cr hrs.

 


Physics 8999

Research in Physics

1 - 12 credits

Research for thesis or dissertation purposes only.
Au, Sp, Sum Semesters. Prereq: Permission of Instructor. Repeatable. This course is graded S/U.