Number and Credits

Title and Description

PHY 50020
2 Credits Advanced Physics Lab
Advanced experiments in classical and modern physics are selected to accompany and to supplement graduate-level physics program courses. Repeat registration permitted.

PHY 50093
1-6 Credits Variable Title Workshop in Physics
Workshop individually designed to provide instruction and training in specific areas of physics. S/U grading. Prerequisite: special approval.
PHY 5/70095
1-3 Credits Special Topics
Topic announced when scheduled. Prerequisite: special approval.
PHY 50096
1-3 Credits Individual Investigation
Individual projects for physics program graduate students. IP permissible.
PHY 5/70195
1-3 Credits Special Topics
Topic announced when scheduled. Prerequisite: special approval.
PHY 51010
3 credits Biophotonics
Interdisciplinary overview of the basics of biophotonics; application of biophotonic techniques to probe biological samples. Introduction to the foundations of optics and photonics and how the molecular structure of organic molecules translates into unique photonic properties and targeting in biological cells or tissue. Preparation of fluorescent materials, advanced spectroscopy and cell visualization using regular and confocal fluorescence microscopy. Prerequisite: special approval.
PHY 54291
1 Credit Planetarium Operation and Programming
Planetarium operation, advantages and limitations. Slides, technamation, special effects and programs for K-12 grades, public and special groups. Prerequisite: special approval.
PHY 54600
3 Credits Introduction to Biological Physics
Introduces ideas essential to physical understanding of biological systems. Topics include: introduction to molecular components of the cell; statistical mechanics and transport in biological systems; selected topics in biophysics. Prerequisite: special approval.
PHY 54802
3 Credits Astrophysics
Galactic structure, stellar formation and evolution, origin of the elements (or nucleosynthesis), nonoptical astronomies and a description of various cosmological theories. Prerequisite: MATH 12003.
PHY 55201
4 Credits Electromagnetic Theory
Properties of electric and magnetic fields developed by vector methods. Treatment of static fields in vacuum and matter. Theory of classical electromagnetic fields with emphasis on dynamic fields.

PHY 55301
3 Credits Thermal Physics
An introduction to thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, with applications in material science and engineering. Prerequisite: PHY 36001.
PHY 55401
4 Credits Mathematical Methods in Physics
Consolidation of vector analysis, curvilinear coordinate systems, tensors, matrix algebra, vector spaces, common groups in physics, calculus of residues, contour integration, methods for differential equations in physics; additional topics important for physics selected from special functions, integral equations, calculus of variations. Prerequisite: MATH 32052.
PHY 55403
3 Credits Data Analysis and Computational Physics Techniques
Study of uncertainties in physical measurements. Data reduction and error analysis techniques. Monte Carlo simulation method. Least-squares fits to data. Basic computational physics techniques. Prerequisites: MATH 12003 and PHY 23102.
PHY 55501
3 Credits Electromagnetic Waves and Modern Optics
Interactions between light and matter from both a macroscopic and microscopic perspective; producing and controlling light; devices and spectroscopic techniques based on modern optics. Prerequisite: PHY 55201.
PHY 56101
4 Credits Quantum Mechanics
Systematic introduction to the principles and solution techniques of quantum mechanics, including the Schrödinger equation in one and three dimensions.  Topics include:   angular momentum formalism, introductory Dirac notation and vector formalism, intrinsic spin, identical particle systems, and perturbation theory.  Prerequisite: special approval.
PHY 56301
3 Credits Introduction to Nuclear Physics
Introduction to the concepts of nuclear physics including basic properties of the atomic nucleus, experimental techniques, nuclear models and reactions, nuclear fission and fusion, and elementary particles. Prerequisite: PHY 36001. Pre- or corequisite MATH 32052.
PHY 56401
3 Credits Introduction to Solid State Physics
Fundamental unifying concepts and experimental techniques needed to understand thermal, electrical and optical properties of ions and electrons in solids. Special topics of current research. Prerequisite: PHY 36002.
PHY 6/80091
1 Credit Physics Seminar
Discussion of current literature or of original research in physics. Participation by students, faculty and guests. S/U grading; IP permissible.
PHY 6/70094
1-3 Credits College Teaching of Physics
Methodology of teaching in a university, college, or junior college. Includes observation of kinds of teaching and practice teaching. S/U grading; IP permissible.
PHY 60098
1-15 Credits Research
Research or individual investigation. Credits earned may be applied toward meeting degree requirements if department approves. Repeated registration permitted. IP permissible.
PHY 60199
2-6 Credits Thesis I
Thesis students must register for total of 6 hours, 2 to 6 hours in a single semester, distributed over several semesters if desired. S/U grading; IP permissible. Prerequisite: Approval of advisor.
PHY 60299
2 Credits Thesis II
Thesis students must continue registration each semester until all degree requirements are met. S/U grading; IP permissible. Prerequisite: PHY 60199.
PHY 6/74101
3 Credits Advanced Problem Solving in Physics
This course imparts advanced problem-solving skills not acquired in regular courses. Examples from four basic areas of physics (classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics and statistical physics) will be emphasized. Graduate letter grades and S/U grading. Prerequisites: PHY 6/75101, 6/75203, 6/76161, and 6/75301.
PHY 6/75101
3 Credits Classical Mechanics
Lagrange's equations, variational principles, two-body central force problems, rigid body motion, Hamilton's equations, canonical transformations, Hamilton-Jacobi theory, small oscillations. Prerequisite: special approval.
PHY 6/75203
3 Credits Classical Electrodynamics I
Introduction to electrostatics, boundary value problems, multipoles, electrostatics of macroscopic media, magnetostatics, time-varying fields, Maxwell's equations, conservation laws. Prerequisite: special approval.
PHY 6/75204
3 Credits Classical Electrodynamics II
Plane electromagnetic waves, simple radiating systems, scattering, special theory of relativity, relativistic dynamics, radiation of moving charges, Bremsstrahlung. Prerequisite: PHY 6/75203.
PHY 6/75301
4 Credits Statistical Mechanics I
An introduction to statistical mechanics, including classical and quantum statistics. Derives thermodynamic quantities from a statistical viewpoint.
PHY 6/76161
3 Credits Quantum Mechanics I
Fundamental concepts of non-relativistic quantum mechanics. Solution of simple one-dimensional problems. Abstract Hilbert-space description. Matrix representations. Quantum dynamics. Extension to three dimensions. Spin and orbital angular momentum. Prerequisite: special approval.
PHY 6/76162
3 Credits Quantum Mechanics II
Angular momentum theory. Symmetries and conservation laws. Application of approximation methods to realistic problems. Systems of identical particles. Scattering theory. Relativistic single-particle wave equations. Prerequisite: PHY 6/76161.
PHY 6/76201
3 Credits Particle Physics
Discussion of particle detectors, invariance principles and conservation laws, fundamental interactions, quark model of hadrons, basic concepts of field theory, the Standard Model and selected topics of current interest. Prerequisite: PHY 6/76162.
PHY 6/76302
3 Credits Nuclear Physics
Theory of nuclear processes including properties of nuclear quantum states, twobody forces, nuclear structure and models, nuclear reactions and nuclear radiation physics. Prerequisite: PHY 56101.
PHY 6/76401
3 Credits Solid State Physics I
Crystalline state, with emphasis on wave propagation, zone and band theory, phonons. Applications to electrical and thermal conductivities, specific heats, optical, dielectric and magnetic properties. Prerequisite: PHY 56101 or 6/76161.
PHY 6/76402
3 Credits Solid State Physics II
Covers several topics, including conduction in metals, dielectric and ferroelectric properties, the origin of magnetism, phenomenological and BCS descriptions of superconductivity, elastic theory and semiconductor physics. Prerequisite: PHY 6/76401 and 6/76161.
PHY 6/78401
3 Credits Liquid Crystal Physics
The molecular structure and properties of liquid crystals and their role in biological systems and industrial applications. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in physics (PHY) or chemical physics (CPHY).
PHY 76163
3 Credits Quantum Mechanics III
Second quantization and field theory formalism are developed for the many-particle system. Topics include the electron gas and nuclear matter. Prerequisite: PHY 6/76162.
PHY 6/76303
3 Credits Advanced Nuclear Physics
Advanced concepts and theories of nuclear interactions. Topics include the nucleon-nucleon interaction, nuclear structure, reactions, nuclear matter and strong interactions of elementary particles. Prerequisite: PHY 6/76302 and 76163.
PHY 6/76403
3 Credits Advanced Condensed Matter Physics
Advanced theories of solids, fluids, superfluids, magnetic, ferroelectric and liquid crystal systems and the experimental methods that probe them. Prerequisite: PHY 6/76402.
PHY 80097
1 Credit Physics Colloquium
Presentation by invited speakers of research and other topics on graduate level followed by discussion period. Regular attendance of all physics majors expected. Three or more meetings each semester as arranged. S/U grading; IP permissible.
PHY 80098
1-15 Credits Research
Research or individual investigation for doctoral students who have not yet passed their candidacy exams. Credit earned may be applied toward the degree if the department approves. IP permissible. Prerequisite: Admission to doctoral study.
PHY 80199
15 Credits Dissertation I
Doctoral dissertation, for which registration in at least two semesters is required, first of which will be semester in which dissertation work is begun, and continuing until the completion of 30 hours. S/U grading; IP permissible. Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy for doctoral degree and special approval.
PHY 80299
1 or 15 Credits Dissertation II
Continuing registration required of doctoral students who have completed the initial 30 hours of dissertation and continuing until all degree requirements are met. S/U grading; IP permissible. Prerequisite: PHY 80199.