Graduate Course Descriptions

Undergraduate Courses for Graduate Credit

PHYS 501. Methods of Mathematical and Computational Physics I (4). I. Survey of basic methods of mathematical techniques applied to physics, including linear algebra, ordinary differential equations, and vector calculus with emphasis on how these concepts are used in physics. Parallel development is given to numerical methods used to solve physical problems. Use of an appropriate scientific programming language is included. Four lecture-recitations. Prerequisites: PHYS 212; or PHYS 202 and MATH 232.

PHYS 502. Methods of Mathematical and Computational Physics II (3). II (Alternate years). Survey of basic mathematical and computational techniques for solving partial differential equations, including the wave equation, Poisson's equation, and the heat transfer equation. Introduction to Fourier analysis with applications and the Fast Fourier Transform algorithms and their implementation. A rudimentary treatment of special functions, as they arise in solving physical problems, will be given. Prerequisite: PHYS 501 or consent of instructor.

PHYS 503. Stellar Structure and Evolution (3). I (Alternate years). Basic data, stellar interiors, theoretical models. Advanced evolutionary states; red giants, white dwarfs, neutron stars, supernovas and black holes. Prerequisites: PHYS 301 or equivalent, and consent of instructor. Not open to students with credit for ASTR 403.

PHYS 510. Solid State Physics (3). II (Alternate years). Continuum and atomic theories of solids, lattice vibrations, specific heat of solids, electron theory of metals and semiconductors. Superconductivity. Prerequisite: PHYS 307 or equivalent.

PHYS 517. Quantum Mechanics (3). II. Duality of matter and radiation, state functions and interpretation, Heisenberg uncertainty principle, wave equations and principles of wave mechanics, elementary applications of Schroedinger's equation, operator methods and approximation techniques. Prerequisite: PHYS 501 or equivalent.

PHYS 518. Electricity and Magnetism I (3). I. Electric and magnetic fields; Maxwell's theory of electromagnetic field with applications in propagation, absorption, reflection, transmission of radiation. Prerequisite: PHYS 501 or equivalent.

PHYS 519. Electricity and Magnetism I I (3). II (Alternate years). PHYS 518 continued with applications to guided waves and physical optics. Relativity. Prerequisite: PHYS 518 or equivalent.

PHYS 528. Microcomputer Interfacing (3). I. Medium and large scale integrated circuits such as peripheral interface adapters. UARTS, A/D converters are used to interface a microcomputer to the external world of the laboratory. One class period and two three-hour laboratories. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

PHYS 529. Selected Topics in Microelectronics (1-3). On demand. An individual, in-depth study of a microelectronics project. Designed to integrate the introductory knowledge gained in PHYS 528 into a complete microelectronics system. Arranged. Prerequisite: PHYS 528 or equivalent.

PHYS 533. Philosophy and Physics of Space and Time (3). II. Physical theories of space and time from philosophical, scientific and historical points of view. Topics include Zeno's paradoxes, Green's concepts of space and time, classical Newtonian world view, general ideas of modern theory of relativity and cosmology. Cross listed in PHIL.

PHYS 586/587. Workshop in Physics (1-4). On demand. Topics and issues within the discipline; topics vary. PHYS 586 for a grade; PHYS 587 graded S/U. May be repeated for 6 hours.

Graduate Courses

PHYS 601. Techniques in Experimental Physics (3). I. Laboratory oriented course in which various experimental techniques and topics of current use in physics and engineering are treated.

PHYS 602. Advanced Classical Mechanics (3). I. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics, central force problems, small oscillations, canonical transformations, nonlinear dynamics and deterministic chaos, logistic maps.

PHYS 603. Advanced Electrodynamics (3). II. Elements of electrodynamics including: electrostatics, magnetostatics, electromagnetism, radiating systems, and relativity. Prerequisites: PHYS 501, 502, 518 or equivalent work.

PHYS 604. Statistical Mechanics (3). I. Laws of thermodynamics; kinetic theory; Boltzmann transport equation; Liouville's theorem; fundamental postulates of classical and quantum statistical mechanics; microcanonical, canonical and grand canonical ensembles; applications to gases, liquids and solids, Ising model and applications of computational methods. Prerequisites: PHYS 602 or consent of instructor.

PHYS 605. Advanced Quantum Mechanics (3). II. Foundations of quantum mechanics with applications to current problems in physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 602 or equivalent.

PHYS 606. Techniques of Computational Physics (3). I. Fundamentals of the application of computers in physics with emphasis on numerical methods; survey of methods of simulation with in-depth treatment of several computational physics applications; high level programming and other simulation tools used in treating complex physical systems.

PHYS 610. Advanced Solid State Physics (3). III. Quantum theory of solids, including: treatment of conduction electrons in metals and semiconductors, electron transport properties, band theory, dielectric, magnetic and optical properties of solids, and superconductivity. Second quantization and pseudopotential techniques. Prerequisite: PHYS 510 or consent of instructor.

PHYS 650. Physics for In-Service Teachers (3-5). On demand. Intensive physics course for secondary or middle school teachers of science who wish to enhance their physics background. Special attention is paid to the development of lecture-demonstration and laboratory apparatus and techniques. Subject matter can vary from year to year. May be repeated. Not acceptable for credit towards a graduate degree in physics.

PHYS 651. Mechanics (3). Summer, on demand. Newtonian and modern theories of motion, the nature and role of forces, work, energy, momentum, and angular momentum. Not acceptable for credit toward an MS in physics.

PHYS 652. Electromagnetism (3). Summer (alternate years), on demand. Electric fields and potentials, electric currents, DC circuits, magnetic fields, electric and magnetic forces, magnetic field production, magnetic induction, passive AC circuits, generation of electromagnetic waves, Maxwell's equations, and the electromagnetic spectrum. Not acceptable for credit toward an MS in physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 651 or consent of instructor.

PHYS 653. Waves and Light (3). Summer (alternate years), on demand. General wave properties and phenomena including dispersion, interference, diffraction, and the Doppler effect; properties of light including reflection, refraction, absorption, scattering, geometric optics, wave and particle natures of light, polarization, and color; wave-particle duality of matter. Not acceptable for credit toward an MS in physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 651 or consent of instructor.

PHYS 654. Structure of Matter and Thermodynamics (3). Summer (alternate years), on demand. Atoms and molecules; subatomic particles; nuclear reactions; states of matter; properties of gases, liquids, and solids; properties of metals and semiconductors; entropy and the laws of thermodynamics. Not acceptable for credit toward an MS in physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 651 or consent of instructor.

PHYS 655. Astronomy and Astrophysics (3). Summer (alternate years), on demand. Naked-eye astronomy, orbital dynamics, stellar structure and evolution, galaxies, cosmology, and the history of astronomy. Not acceptable for credit toward an MS in physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 651 or consent of instructor.

PHYS 661. Labs and Demonstrations in Physics (1). Fall, Spring. Hands-on construction and exploration of physics and astronomy demonstrations and laboratory exercises with discussions of the pedagogy of demonstrations and laboratories. Subjects of labs and demonstrations will include mechanics, electromagnetism, circuits, optics, astronomy, structure of matter, and thermodynamics, though the specific demonstration and laboratory exercises will vary in each offering. Not acceptable for credit toward an MS in physics.

PHYS 681. Seminar in Physics (2). I, II. Systematic study of selected topics in physics. Oral presentation is emphasized in the research and instructional arenas. May be repeated to eight hours. Graded S/U.

PHYS 682. Special Topics in Physics (3). On demand. Seminar on subject in modern physics representing an important advance in the field or a special competence of individual staff members. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

PHYS 684. Readings in Physics (1-3). Individual registration. Special topics in specific areas of physics suited to needs of individual student. May be repeated to eight hours. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

PHYS 689. Co-operative Education in Physics (1-6). On demand. Work and study in physics in an industrial, commercial or government laboratory setting in an approved cooperative position. May be repeated to six hours. Graded S/U.

PHYS 691. Directed Research in Physics (1-6). Supervised independent research on a particular topic. Suitable for work toward paper for M.S. Plan II or M.A.T. degrees, but open to others interested in physics research. Prerequisite: PHYS 606 or at least 12 hours of 600-level physics. May be repeated to 12 hours. Graded S/U.

PHYS 694. Workshop in Physics (1-4). On demand. Topics and issues within the discipline; topics vary from term to term. Normal grading.

PHYS 695. Workshop in Physics (1-4). On demand. Topics and issues within the discipline; topics vary from term to term. Graded S/U.

PHYS 699. Thesis Research (1-12). Credit for thesis study. Enrollment in excess of nine hours is acceptable for Plan I M.S. degree, but no more than six hours may be credited toward degree. Minimum acceptable toward degree is two hours. Graded S/U.

PHYS 782. Special Topics in Physics (3). On demand. Seminar subject in modern physics representing an important advance in the field, or special competence of individual staff members. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

PHYS 784. Readings in Physics (1-3). On demand. Individual registration. Special topics in specific areas of physics suited to needs of individual student. May be repeated to nine hours. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

PHYS 799. Dissertation Research (1-12). Credit for dissertation research. Student must earn a minimum of 16 hours of credit in this course while working on the doctoral dissertation. A maximum of 30 hours may be counted toward the degree program. Graded S/U.