PHYS 3050 Descriptive Astronomy for Teachers
Primarily for teachers in service who are planning to teach science in either elementary or secondary schools.  Can apply toward a graduate degree.  Preparation for teaching earth science and general sciences.  Meets jointly with PHYS 1050 in lecture and laboratory; extra term project required. Motions of earth, time, calendar, telescopes, solar system, stars and galaxies.  Includes laboratory and observations at Chamberlin Observatory.  Prerequisite: instructor's permission required.

PHYS 3111 Quantum Physics I
First of a two-quarter sequence. The Schrödinger equation: interpretation of wave functions; the uncertainty principle; stationary states;  the free particle and wave packets; the harmonic oscillator; square well potentials. Hilbert space: observables, commutator algebra, eigenfunctions of a Hermitian operator; the hydrogen atom and hydrogenic atoms. Prerequisites: PHYS 2252, 2260, 2556, 3612; MATH 2070.

PHYS 3112 Quantum Physics II
Second of a two-quarter sequence. Angular momentum and spin; identical particles; the Pauli exclusion principle; atoms and solids: band theory; perturbation theory; the fine structure of hydrogen; the Zeeman effect; hyperfine splitting; the variational principle; the WKB approximation; tunneling; time dependent perturbation theory; emission and absorption of radiation. Scattering: partial wave analysis; the Born approximation. Prerequisite: PHYS 3111.

PHYS 3270 Workshop: Practical Astronomy
Capstone coursework featuring studies in experimental, computational, and/or theoretical work in astronomy and astrophysics.

PHYS 3311 Advanced Laboratory I
First of a three-quarter sequence. Advanced experimental techniques in physics. Meets with PHYS 2311.  Prerequisite: instructor's permission.

PHYS 3312 Advanced Laboratory II
Second of a three-quarter sequence. Advanced experimental techniques in physics. Meets with PHYS 2312.  Prerequisite: instructor's permission.

PHYS 3313 Advanced Laboratory III
Third of a three-quarter sequence. Advanced experimental techniques in physics. Meets with PHYS 2313.  Prerequisite: instructor's permission.

PHYS 3510 Analytical Mechanics
Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics. Prerequisites: PHYS 1113, 1213, or 1214; MATH 2070; consent of instructor.

PHYS 3611 Electromagnetism I
First of a two-quarter sequence. Vector algebra; differential vector calculus (gradient, divergence and curl); integral vector calculus (gradient, divergence and Stokes' Theorems); line, surface and volume integrals; Electrostatics: the electric field, electric potential, work and energy in electrostatics; method of images, boundary value problems and solutions to Laplace's equation in Cartesian, spherical and cylindrical coordinates; multipole expansion of the electric potential; electric fields in matter: polarization; the electric displacement vector; boundary conditions, linear dielectrics.  Magnetostatics: magnetic fields and forces. Prerequisites: PHYS 1113, 1213, or 1214; MATH 2070.

PHYS 3612 Electromagnetism II
Second of a two-quarter sequence. Magnetic vector potential; magnetic fields in matter: magnetization; fields of magnetized objects; linear and nonlinear magnetic materials; electromotive force, Ohm's law; electromagnetic induction; Faraday's law; Maxwell's equations; the displacement current; boundary conditions; the Poynting theorem; momentum and energy density of the fields; the Maxwell stress tensor; the wave equation and electromagnetic waves in vacuum and matter; absorption and dispersion; wave guides; the potential formulation and gauge transformations; retarded potentials; dipole radiation. Prerequisite: PHYS 3611.

PHYS 3700 Advanced Topics: General
Offered irregularly, depending on demand. May be taken more than once for credit. Prerequisite(s): instructor's permission.

PHYS 3841 Thermal Physics I
First of a two-quarter sequence. Laws of thermodynamics; thermal properties of gases and condensed matter; kinetic theory of gases, classical and quantum statistics.  Prerequisites: PHYS 1113, 1213 or PHYS 1214; MATH 2070.

PHYS 3991 Independent Study

PHYS 3992 Directed Study

PHYS 3995 Independent Research

PHYS 4001, PHYS 4002, PHYS 4003: Introduction to Research I, II, III
Fundamental skills to conduct independent research in any physical science disciplines. Prerequisite for PHYS 4001: Graduate Standing. Prerequisite for PHYS 4002: PHYS 4001. Prerequisite for PHYS 4003: PHYS 4002.

PHYS 4111, PHYS 4112: Quantum Mechanics I, II
Angular momentum theory, including vector coupling coefficients; Wigner-Eckart theorem; symmetries; many-body systems; advanced applications in time-independent and time-dependent perturbation theory; radiative transitions; Dirac equation; and Feynman diagrams.

PHYS 4113 Quantum Mechanics III

PHYS 4251, PHYS 4252, PHYS 4253: Introduction to Astrophysics I, II, III
Advanced gateway course, examining a variety of methods in modern astrophysics, current research literature related to quantitative interpretation of celestial phenomena, including stellar atmospheres and evolution, stellar and galactic dynamics, gravitation, cosmology and cosmogony. Prerequisite: instructor's permission.

PHYS 4411, PHYS 4412: Advanced Condensed Matter Physics I, II
Materials structure analysis; elastic properties; defects; plastic mechanical properties; thermal properties and phonons; free electron gas; energy bands and Fermi surfaces; crystalline and amorphous semiconductors; quasiparticles and excitations; electrical properties and ferroelectrics; magnetic properties and ferromagnetics; classical and high-Tc superconductors; other advanced materials. Prequisites: PHYS 4111 and PHYS 4112.

PHYS 4413: Advanced Condensed Matter Physics III*
Materials properties at nanoscale; dimensionality and quantum confinement (quantum wells, wires and dots); nanotubes; optoelectronic nanostructures; novel superconducting and magnetoresistive materials; first principle computational techniques; design of novel smart materials and nanostructures.

PHYS 4511: Advanced Dynamics
Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics; rigid body dynamics; small oscillations; and nonlinear mechanics.

PHYS 4512 Advanced Dynamics II

PHYS 4551, 4552 Mathematical Physics I, II

PHYS 4611, PHYS 4612: Advanced Electricity and Magnetism I, II
Review of electrostatics and magnetostatics; vector calculus including Green functions; relationship between microscopic and macroscopic observables; electromagnetic waves; special relativity; applications to optics, including negative refractive index materials, nonlinear optics and short-pulse propagation.

PHYS 4750: Seminar in Physics

PHYS 4811: Statistical Mechanics
Fundamentals of thermodynamics; microcanonical and canonical ensemble; quantum formulation; and noninteracting particle systems.

PHYS 4910: Special Topics in Physics

PHYS 4991: Independent Study

PHYS 4992: Directed Study

PHYS 4995: Independent Research

PHYS 6991: Independent Study

PHYS 6992: Directed Study

PHYS 6995: Independent Research

* Elective quarter

For More Information
The department of physics and astronomy's website offers the most current information on courses, requirements, faculty and student news. Go to the Department od Physics website for more information on the program.

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