Physics
PHYS F102X Energy and Society (n)
4 Credits Offered Spring
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. Special fees apply. Prerequisites: Placement in ENGL F111X or higher; placement in DEVM F105 or higher; or permission of instructor. (3+3)
PHYS F103X College Physics (n)
4 Credits Offered Fall
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. Special fees apply. Prerequisites: High school algebra, trigonometry and geometry; placement in ENGL F111X or higher; placement in DEVM F105 or higher; or permission of instructor. (3+3)
PHYS F104X College Physics (n)
4 Credits Offered Spring
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. Special fees apply. Prerequisites: PHYS F103X; placement in ENGL F111X or higher; placement in DEVM F105 or higher; or permission of instructor. (3+3)
PHYS F115X Physical Science I (n)
4 Credits Offered Fall
Basic concepts and general overview in physics. Presents interrelatedness and interdependence within this scientific field. Special fees apply. Prerequisites: Placement in ENGL F111X or higher; placement in DEVM F105 or higher; or permission of instructor. Recommended: DEVM F105. (3+3)
PHYS F116X Physical Science II (n)
4 Credits Offered Spring
Basic concepts and general overview in chemistry, astronomy, meteorology and geology. Presents interrelatedness and interdependence of these scientific fields. Special fees apply. Prerequisites: Placement in ENGL F111X or higher; placement in DEVM F105 or higher. Recommended: PHYS F115X; DEVM F105. (3+3)
PHYS F175X Introduction to Astronomy (n)
4 Credits Offered Fall
Examination of the science of astronomy and its social consequences, with an emphasis on the interrelationships between astronomy and other sciences. Topics covered: astronomical concepts and tools, the solar system, stellar astronomy and cosmology. Designed for non-science majors. Special fees apply. (3+3)
PHYS F211X General Physics (n)
4 Credits
Vectors, kinematics, Newton's Laws, momentum, work, energy, rotational motion, oscillations, waves, gravity and fluids. For engineering, mathematics and physical science majors. Special fees apply. Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in MATH F201X; placement in ENGL F111X or higher; or permission of instructor. Recommended: One year of high school physics. (3+3)
PHYS F212X General Physics (n)
4 Credits
Heat, temperature, laws of thermodynamics, Coulomb's Law, electrical potential, capacitance, Kirchoff's Laws, Biot-Savart Law, Faraday's Law, and electromagnetic waves. For engineering, mathematics and physical science majors. Special fees apply. Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in MATH F202X; PHYS F211X or ES F208 or concurrent enrollment in ES F210; placement in ENGL F111X or higher; or permission of instructor. (3+3)
PHYS F213X Elementary Modern Physics (n)
4 Credits Offered Fall
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. Special fees apply. Prerequisites: Placement in ENGL F111X or higher; C or better in MATH F201X and MATH F202X; PHYS F211X; PHYS F212X; or permission of instructor. (3+3)
PHYS F220 Introduction to Computational Physics
4 Credits Offered Spring
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: MATH F202X; PHYS F211X; PHYS F212X; PHYS F213X; or permission of instructor. (3+3)
PHYS F301 Introduction to Mathematical Physics
4 Credits Offered Spring
Introduction to theoretical foundations of classical and modern physics. Includes calculus of vector fields, linear algebra and elementary tensor theory, complex analysis, ordinary linear differential equations, linear partial differential equations, Fourier analysis and probability. Physical applications include planetary motion, rotating bodies and inertia tensor, damped and driven harmonic oscillator, wave equation, Schroedinger's equation and diffusive systems. Prerequisites: PHYS F211X; PHYS F212X; PHYS F213X; MATH F202X; or permission of instructor. (4+0)
PHYS F313 Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
4 Credits Offered Spring
Thermodynamic systems, equations of state, the laws of thermodynamics, changes of phase, thermodynamics of reactions, kinetic theory and introduction to statistical mechanics. Prerequisites: PHYS F212X; concurrent enrollment in PHYS F301; or permission of instructor. (4+0)
PHYS F341 Classical Physics I: Particle Mechanics
4 Credits Offered Fall
Newtonian mechanics, conserved mechanical quantities, motion of systems of particles, rigid body statics and dynamics, moving and accelerated coordinate systems, rigid body rotations and Lagrangian mechanics. Prerequisites: PHYS F211X; PHYS F212X; PHYS F220; PHYS F301; or permission of instructor. (4+0)
PHYS F342 Classical Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism
4 Credits Offered Spring
Statics and dynamics of electric and magnetic fields in vacuum and in the presence of materials. Lorentz force law. Maxwell's equations. Prerequisites: PHYS F341 or permission of instructor. (4+0)
PHYS F343 Classical Physics III: Vibration and Waves
4 Credits Offered Fall
Normal modes and small vibrations, continuum systems, wave mechanics, electromagnetic waves and radiation. Relativistic mechanics and electromagnetism. Prerequisites: PHYS F342 or permission of instructor. (4+0)
PHYS F381W,O Physics Laboratory (n)
3 Credits Offered Fall
Laboratory experiments in classical and modern physics. Special fees apply. Prerequisites: COMM F131X or COMM F141X; ENGL F111X; ENGL F211X or ENGL F213X; PHYS F213X; or permission of instructor. (1+6)
PHYS F382W Physics Laboratory (n)
3 Credits Offered Spring
Laboratory experiments in classical and modern physics. Special fees apply. Prerequisites: ENGL F111X; ENGL F211X or ENGL F213X; PHYS F381; or permission of instructor. (1+6)
PHYS F421 Quantum Mechanics
4 Credits Offered Fall
Schrodinger's equation, Born interpretation, operator formalism, measurement and projection, stationary states, one-dimensional systems, hydrogen atom, states of definite angular momentum, perturbation theory. Prerequisites: PHYS F213X; PHYS F220; PHYS F301; or permission of instructor. (4+0)
PHYS F462 Geometrical and Physical Optics (n)
4 Credits Offered Spring
Geometrical optics, interference and diffraction theory, nonlinear optics, Fourier optics, and coherent wave theory. Special fees apply. Prerequisites: PHYS F213X; PHYS F301; or permission of instructor. (3+3)
PHYS F471A Advanced Topics in Physics I: Condensed Matter Physics I
1 Credit
Emphasis topics provide increased breadth in basic physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14 lecture, one credit courses. Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301; or permission of instructor. (1+0)
PHYS F471B Advanced Topics in Physics I: Condensed Matter Physics II
1 Credit
Emphasis topics provide increased breadth in basic physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14 lecture, one credit courses. Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301; or permission of instructor. (1+0)
PHYS F471C Advanced Topics in Physics I: Space and Auroral Physics
1 Credit
Emphasis topics provide increased breadth in basic physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14 lecture, one credit courses. Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301; or permission of instructor. (1+0)
PHYS F471D Advanced Topics in Physics I: Nonlinear Dynamics
1 Credit
Emphasis topics provide increased breadth in basic physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14 lecture, one credit courses. Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301; or permission of instructor. (1+0)
PHYS F471E Advanced Topics in Physics I: Biophysics
1 Credit
Emphasis topics provide increased breadth in basic physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14 lecture, one credit courses. Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301; or permission of instructor. (1+0)
PHYS F471F Advanced Topics in Physics I: Nuclear and Particle Physics
1 Credit
Emphasis topics provide increased breadth in basic physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14 lecture, one credit courses. Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301; or permission of instructor. (1+0)
PHYS F471G Advanced Topics in Physics I: General Relativity
1 Credit
Emphasis topics provide increased breadth in basic physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14 lecture, one credit courses. Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301; or permission of instructor. (1+0)
PHYS F471H Advanced Topics in Physics I: Astrophysics
1 Credit
Emphasis topics provide increased breadth in basic physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14 lecture, one credit courses. Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301; or permission of instructor. (1+0)
PHYS F471I Advanced Topics in Physics I: Topics in Modern Mathematical Physics
1 Credit
Emphasis topics provide increased breadth in basic physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14 lecture, one credit courses. Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301; or permission of instructor. (1+0)
PHYS F472A Advanced Topics in Physics II Planetary Atmospheres
1 Credit
Application topics provide expanded exposure to subjects in physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one credit courses. Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301; or permission of instructor. (1+0)
PHYS F472B Advanced Topics in Physics II Fluid Dynamics
1 Credit
Application topics provide expanded exposure to subjects in physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one credit courses. Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301; or permission of instructor. (1+0)
PHYS F472C Advanced Topics in Physics II Plasma Physics
1 Credit
Application topics provide expanded exposure to subjects in physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one credit courses. Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301; or permission of instructor. (1+0)
PHYS F472D Advanced Topics in Physics II Hamiltonian Mechanics
1 Credit
Application topics provide expanded exposure to subjects in physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one credit courses. Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301; or permission of instructor. (1+0)
PHYS F472E Advanced Topics in Physics II Physics of Glaciers
1 Credit
Application topics provide expanded exposure to subjects in physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one credit courses. Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301; or permission of instructor. (1+0)
PHYS F472F Advanced Topics in Physics II Remote Sensing
1 Credit
Application topics provide expanded exposure to subjects in physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one credit courses. Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301; or permission of instructor. (1+0)
PHYS F472G Advanced Topics in Physics II Solar Physics
1 Credit
Application topics provide expanded exposure to subjects in physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one credit courses. Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301; or permission of instructor. (1+0)
PHYS F472H Advanced Topics in Physics II Advanced Laboratory
1 Credit
Application topics provide expanded exposure to subjects in physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one credit courses. Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301; or permission of instructor. (1+0)
PHYS F472I Advanced Topics in Physics II Spectroscopy
1 Credit
Application topics provide expanded exposure to subjects in physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one credit courses. Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301; or permission of instructor. (1+0)
PHYS F472J Advanced Topics in Physics II Cosmology
1 Credit
Application topics provide expanded exposure to subjects in physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one credit courses. Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301; or permission of instructor. (1+0)
PHYS F472K Advanced Topics in Physics II Quantum Computation
1 Credit
Application topics provide expanded exposure to subjects in physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one credit courses. Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301; or permission of instructor. (1+0)
PHYS F472L Advanced Topics in Physics II Covariant Kinematics/Dynamics
1 Credit
Application topics provide expanded exposure to subjects in physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one credit courses. Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301; or permission of instructor. (1+0)
PHYS F488 Undergraduate Research
1 - 3 Credits
Advanced research topics from outside the usual undergraduate requirements. Prerequisites: Permission of instructor. Recommended: A substantial level of technical/scientific background. (0+0)
PHYS F611 Mathematical Physics
3 Credits Offered Fall
Mathematical tools and theory for classical and modern physics. Core topics: linear algebra including eigenvalues, eigenvectors and inner products in finite dimensional spaces. Infinite series. Hilbert spaces and generalized functions. Complex analysis, including Laurent series and contour methods. Applications to problems arising in physics. Selected additional topics, which may include operator and spectral theory, groups, tensor fields and hypercomplex numbers. Prerequisites: MATH F302; MATH F314; MATH F421; MATH F422; or permission of instructor. (Cross-listed with MATH F611.) (3+0)
PHYS F612 Mathematical Physics
3 Credits Offered Spring
Continuation of Mathematical Physics I; mathematical tools and theory for classical and modern physics. Core topics: classical solutions to the principal linear partial differential equations of electromagnetism, classical and quantum mechanics. Boundary value problems and Sturm-Liouville theory. Green's functions and eigenfunction expansions. Integral transforms. Orthogonal polynomials and special functions. Applications to problems arising in physics. Selected additional topics, which may include integral equations and Hilbert-Schmidt theory, perturbation methods and probability theory. Prerequisites: PHYS/MATH F611 or equivalent; or permission of instructor. (Cross-listed with MATH F612.) (3+0)
PHYS F614 Ice Physics
3 Credits Offered Spring Even-numbered Years
A survey of the physics of ice, including the crystal structure and properties of ice, high pressure phases, hydrogen bonding, mechanical properties, thermal properties, electrical and acoustic properties, nucleation and growth, optical properties and surface properties (adhesion, friction). Prerequisites: MATH F421; MATH F422; graduate standing; or permission of instructor. (Cross-listed with GEOS F614.) (3+0)
PHYS F621 Classical Mechanics
3 Credits Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years
Lagrange's equations, two-body problem, rigid body motion, special relativity, canonical equations, transformation theory, and Hamilton-Jacobi method. Prerequisites: Graduate standing or permission of instructor. (3+0)
PHYS F622 Statistical Mechanics
3 Credits Offered Spring Even-numbered Years
Classical and quantum statistics of independent particles, ensemble theory and applications. Prerequisites: PHYS F621; graduate standing; or permission of instructor. (3+0)
PHYS F626 Fundamentals of Plasma Physics
3 Credits Offered Fall
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. Prerequisites: Graduate standing; or permission of instructor. (3+0)
PHYS F628 Digital Time Series Analysis
3 Credits Offered Spring Even-numbered Years
Applied time series analysis, including correlation, convolution, filtering and spectral estimation of multivariate data. The statistical properties of estimators; signal detection; and array processing. Prerequisites: MATH F401; MATH F402 or equivalent; familiarity with a programming language such as C or Fortran; graduate standing; or permission of instructor. (3+0)
PHYS F629 Methods of Numerical Simulation in Fluids and Plasma
3 Credits Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years
The fundamentals of computer simulation for fluids and multi-particle systems. Topics include methods for the discretization of numerical solutions, and boundary and initial conditions. Methods will be applied to convection, diffusion, and steady states in fluids and plasmas. Prerequisties: experience in programming; graduate standing; or permission of instructor. (3+0)
PHYS F631 Electromagnetic Theory
3 Credits Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
Electrostatics, magnetostatics, Maxwell's equations, and potentials. Lorentz equations, field energy, gauge conditions, retarded potentials, waves, radiation and tensor formulations. Prerequisites: Graduate standing or permission of instructor. (3+0)
PHYS F632 Electromagnetic Theory
3 Credits Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years
Electrostatics, magnetostatics, Maxwell's equations and potentials. Lorentz equations, field energy, gauge conditions, retarded potentials, waves, radiation and tensor formulations. Prerequisites: PHYS F631 or the equivalent; graduate standing; or permission of instructor. (3+0)
PHYS F639 InSar and its Applications
3 Credits Offered As Demand Warrants
Introduction to the concepts of repeat-pass spaceborne SAR interferometry and practical use of the technique to derive displacements of the solid Earth, glaciers, and ice sheets to a precision of a few centimeters and accurate digital elevation models of the Earth's surface. Prerequisites: Basic remote sensing course or permission of instructor. (Cross-listed with GEOS F639.) (2+2)
PHYS F640 Auroral Physics
3 Credits Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years
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. Prerequisites: Graduate standing or permission of instructor. (3+0)
PHYS F645 Fundamentals of Geophysical Fluid Dynamics
3 Credits Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years
Introduction to the mechanics of fluid systems, the fundamental processes, Navier-Stokes' equations in rotating and stratified fluids, kinematics, conservation laws, vortex motion, irrotational flow, laminar flow, boundary layer phenomena, waves, instabilities, turbulent flows and mixing. Prerequisites: Graduate standing or permission of instructor. (3+0)
PHYS F650 Aeronomy
3 Credits Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
The physical and chemical processes that govern the response of planetary atmospheres to solar radiation and energetic particles. 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. Prerequisites: graduate standing; or permission of instructor. (3+0)
PHYS F651 Quantum Mechanics
3 Credits Offered Fall Even-numbered Years
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. Prerequisites: Graduate standing or permission of instructor. (3+0)
PHYS F652 Quantum Mechanics
3 Credits Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years
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. Prerequisites: PHYS F651 or the equivalent; graduate standing; or permission of instructor. (3+0)
PHYS F660 Radiative Transfer
3 Credits Offered As Demand Warrants
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 chemistry, geology or physics; or permission of instructor. (3+0)
PHYS F672 Magnetospheric Physics
3 Credits Offered Spring Even-numbered Years
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. Prerequisites: PHYS F626; graduate standing; or permission of instructor. (3+0)
PHYS F673 Space Physics
3 Credits Offered Alternate Fall Odd-numbered Years
Plasma physics of the heliosphere from the solar core to the interstellar medium. Includes coronal structure, interplanetary magnetic field and solar wind, shocks, interactions with planets, planetary magnetospheres, cosmic rays, solar-terrestrial relations and instrumentation. Prerequisites: Graduate standing or permission of instructor. (3+0)