Courses - Fall 2024
PHYS102
Physics of Music
Prerequisite: Must have math eligibility of MATH107 or higher.
Credit only granted for: PHYS102 and PHYS499C.
Additional information: CORE Distributive Studies Physical Sciences Laboratory Course only when taken concurrently with PHYS103.
A study of the physical basis of sound, acoustical properties of sound, the human ear and voice, reproduction of sound, electronic music, acoustical properties of auditoriums, and other selected topics.
PHYS103
Physics of Music Laboratory
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Optional laboratory to accompany PHYS 102. Laboratory experiments, including the velocity of sound, sound quality and wave shape, traveling and standing waves, fourier synthesis and analysis, musical synthesizer, psychoacoustics, and audio equipment.
PHYS105
This marquee course will consider the global energy crisis from a scientific perspective. Topics include basic laws of energy and thermodynamics, their effects on energy production and distribution, greenhouse gas, global warming and policy options for decision makers. This course is aimed at the non-science major.
PHYS115
Inquiry into Physics
Recommended: High School Physics.
Restriction: Must not have completed PHYS117; and must be in one of the following programs (Elementary Education; Early Childhood Education; Middle School Education).
Credit only granted for: PHYS115 or PHYS117.
Intended for students majoring in neither the physical nor the biological sciences. Use of laboratory-based and inquiry-based methods to study some of the basic ideas of physical sciences.
PHYS121
Fundamentals of Physics I
Prerequisite: MATH113 or MATH115.
Credit only granted for: PHYS121, PHYS131, or PHYS331.
The first part of a two-semester course in general physics treating the fields of mechanics, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics. Together with PHYS122, this generally satisfies the minimum requirement of medical and dental schools.
Physics clinic, PHY 1214, MTWHF 11,1. If purchasing used books additional software may be required. Students must pay a $50.00 laboratory materials fee.
PHYS122
Fundamentals of Physics II
Prerequisite: PHYS121; or students who have taken courses with comparable content may contact the department.
Credit only granted for: PHYS122, PHYS132, or PHYS332.
A continuation of PHYS121, which together with it, generally satisfies the minimum requirement of medical and dental schools.
Physics clinic, PHY 1214, MTWHF 12,2. If purchasing used books additional software may be required. Students must pay a $50.00 laboratory materials fee.
PHYS131
Fundamentals of Physics for Life Sciences I
Credits:
4
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: CHEM131; and (MATH136 or MATH140); and (BSCI160 and BSCI161; or BSCI106); and (BSCI170 and BSCI171; or BSCI105).
Credit only granted for: PHYS121, PHYS131, or PHYS331.
The first part of a two-semester course in general physics specifically oriented towards applications relevant for students in biology and pre-medical programs. The course covers basic mechanics including forces and energy, properties of matter, and thermodynamics done in authentic biological contexts.
Students must pay a $50.00 laboratory materials fee.
PHYS132
Fundamentals of Physics for Life Sciences II
Credits:
4
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: PHYS131; or students who have taken courses with comparable content may contact the department.
Credit only granted for: PHYS122, PHYS132, or PHYS332.
The second part of a two-semester course in general physics specifically oriented towards applications relevant for students in biology and pre-medical programs. The course covers basic statistical physics, electricity and magnetism, and optics done in authentic biological contexts.
Students must pay a $50.00 laboratory materials fee.
PHYS161
General Physics: Mechanics and Particle Dynamics
Prerequisite: Must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in MATH141.
Credit only granted for: PHYS141, PHYS161, or PHYS171.
Additional information: General Education Natural Sciences Lab (DSNL) Course only when taken concurrently with PHYS275.
First semester of a three-semester calculus-based general physics course. Laws of motion, force, and energy; principles of mechanics, collisions, linear momentum, rotation, and gravitation.
Physics clinic, PHY 1214, MTWHF 11, 2. If purchasing used books additional software may be required.
PHYS170
Professional Physics Seminar
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Corequisite: MATH140.
Restriction: Must be in Physics program; or must be in Physics-Education program; or permission of instructor.
Provides a look at some of the major developments of current interest in physics research and discusses the activities physicists undertake in research, education, industry, government, and other areas of the economy.
PHYS171
Introductory Physics: Mechanics
Prerequisite: (MATH140; and a high school physics course); or permission of CMNS-Physics department.
Credit only granted for: PHYS141, PHYS161, or PHYS171.
Additional information: General Education Natural Sciences Lab (DSNL) Course only when taken concurrently with PHYS275.
First semester of a three semester sequence for physics majors and those desiring a rigorous preparation in the physical sciences: kinematics, Newton's laws, energy and work, linear and angular momenta.
Jointly offered with PHYS171H.
PHYS171H
Introductory Physics: Mechanics
Prerequisite: (MATH140; and a high school physics course); or permission of CMNS-Physics department.
Credit only granted for: PHYS141, PHYS161, or PHYS171.
Additional information: General Education Natural Sciences Lab (DSNL) Course only when taken concurrently with PHYS275.
First semester of a three semester sequence for physics majors and those desiring a rigorous preparation in the physical sciences: kinematics, Newton's laws, energy and work, linear and angular momenta.
Jointly offered with PHYS171.
PHYS172
Succeeding in Physics: Applications, Resources and Concepts
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
S-F
Corequisite: PHYS171.
Restriction: Permission of CMNS-Physics department.
Supplemental instruction and support for students taking PHYS171, especially for students with limited high school physics preparation, or who will benefit from extra review and practice of relevant mathematics and physics concepts and skills.
PHYS174
Physics Laboratory Introduction
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Corequisite: MATH140.
Recommended: High school physics.
Introduces students to the techniques of data gathering and analysis. This course will lay a foundation for higher-level labs in physics and the physical sciences. Students will learn to use laboratory equipment such as calipers, meters, oscilloscopes, and computer interfaces. Techniques of measurement and error analysis will be presented. Students will be taught to use the computer for data analysis with an emphasis on using spreadsheets.
PHYS235
Recommended: Students should be comfortable standard high school algebra II.
Credit only granted for: PHYS199M or PHYS235.
Formerly: PHYS199M.
Introduction to some critical ideas of nuclear physics and a review of some key historical developments starting at the end of the 19th century. Chronological development of nuclear physics from the discovery of radioactivity by Becquerel in 1896 through to the discovery of fission in Germany in 1938 followed by an examination of the programs to develop nuclear weapons in the United States, Britain and Germany. Extensive study of political, ethical, scientific, military, social, and economic issues surrounding the Manhattan Project.
PHYS260
General Physics: Electricity, Magnetism and Thermodynamics
Prerequisite: PHYS161 and MATH141.
Corequisite: PHYS261.
Credit only granted for: PHYS142, PHYS260, or PHYS272.
Second semester of a three-semester calculus-based general physics course. Electrostatics, magnetism, induction, DC and AC circuits; Maxwell's Equations, heat, and thermodynamics.
If purchasing used books additional software may be required.
PHYS260H
General Physics: Electricity, Magnetism and Thermodynamics
Prerequisite: PHYS161 and MATH141.
Corequisite: PHYS261.
Credit only granted for: PHYS142, PHYS260, or PHYS272.
Second semester of a three-semester calculus-based general physics course. Electrostatics, magnetism, induction, DC and AC circuits; Maxwell's Equations, heat, and thermodynamics.
If purchasing used books additional software may be required.
PHYS261
General Physics: Mechanics, Vibrations, Waves, Heat (Laboratory)
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: PHYS161.
Lab includes experiments on mechanics, vibrations, waves, and heat. Engineering majors are expected to take PHYS260 and PHYS261 in the same semester.
Students must pay a $50.00 laboratory materials fee.
PHYS265
Introduction to Scientific Programming
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: PHYS171, PHYS141, or PHYS161; or must have scored 3 or higher on AP PHYS C Mechanics exam.
Credit only granted for: PHYS165 or PHYS265.
Formerly: PHYS165.
Introduction to scientific programming with python. Basic data types, sequences, input/output, and program control flow structures. Evaluation and plotting of mathematical functions and data. Statistical interpretation of data, and fitting of data to models. Introduction to numerical methods including integration, solutions of ordinary differential equations, and linear algebra. Extensive use of the numpy, matplotlib, and scipy packages.
PHYS270
General Physics: Waves, Optics, Relativity and Modern Physics
Prerequisite: PHYS261, MATH241, and PHYS260.
Corequisite: PHYS271.
Third semester of a three-semester calculus-based general physics course. Waves, sound, electromagnetic waves, optics, special theory of relativity, and modern physics.
If purchasing used books additional software may be required.
PHYS271
General Physics: Electrodynamics, Light, Relativity and Modern Physics (Laboratory)
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: PHYS261.
Corequisite: PHYS270.
Lab includes experiments on ac circuits, magnetism, light and modern physics. PHYS270 and PHYS271 (lab) must be taken in the same semester.
Students must pay a $50.00 laboratory materials fee.
PHYS272
Introductory Physics: Fields
Prerequisite: PHYS161 or PHYS171; and MATH141; and must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in MATH241.
Credit only granted for: PHYS142, PHYS260, or PHYS272.
Second semester of a calculus based general physics course. Universal gravitation, electric and magnetic fields and potentials, simple circuits, Maxwell's equations in integral form. Continues the application of mathematics to conceptual models, now with more abstract components.
Jointly offered with PHYS 272H.
PHYS272H
Introductory Physics: Fields
Prerequisite: PHYS161 or PHYS171; and MATH141; and must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in MATH241.
Credit only granted for: PHYS142, PHYS260, or PHYS272.
Second semester of a calculus based general physics course. Universal gravitation, electric and magnetic fields and potentials, simple circuits, Maxwell's equations in integral form. Continues the application of mathematics to conceptual models, now with more abstract components.
For general honors students only. Jointly offered with PHYS 272.
PHYS273
Introductory Physics: Oscillations and Waves
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: MATH241 and PHYS272; and must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in PHYS274, MATH243 or equivalent.
Mechanical and electrical oscillators, including damped and driven systems; coupled oscillators and normal modes; Fourier series and Fourier transforms; the classical wave equation, traveling and standing waves; reflection and transmission; Maxwell's equations in differential form; physical optics. Extensive use of complex variables.
Jointly offered with PHYS 273H.
PHYS273H
Introductory Physics: Oscillations and Waves
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: MATH241 and PHYS272; and must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in PHYS274, MATH243 or equivalent.
Mechanical and electrical oscillators, including damped and driven systems; coupled oscillators and normal modes; Fourier series and Fourier transforms; the classical wave equation, traveling and standing waves; reflection and transmission; Maxwell's equations in differential form; physical optics. Extensive use of complex variables.
For general honors students only. Jointly offered with PHYS 273.
PHYS275
Experimental Physics I: Mechanics and Waves
Credits:
2
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in PHYS171 or PHYS161.
Additional information: General Education Natural Sciences Lab (DSNL) Course only when taken concurrently with PHYS171 or PHYS161.
A first course for physics majors and interested engineering students introducing the methods of experimental science. Students learn to identify various statistical data distributions, carry out rigorous uncertainty analysis, and test whether a given theoretical model adequately describes the observed phenomena. These concepts are applied to sophisticated physical systems that exhibit complex behavior and can yield remarkably precise and accurate results. Experiments are chosen from the areas of mechanics and waves.
PHYS276
Experimental Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism
Credits:
2
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: PHYS272 and PHYS275.
Second course in the three semester introductory sequence. Methods and rationale of experimental physics. Experiments chosen from the fields of electricity and magnetism including electrostatics, magnetostatics, magnetic induction, AC circuits.
PHYS299
Special Problems in Physics
Credits:
1 - 6
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
PHYS299E
Special Problems in Physics; Developing Essential Research Skills
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Introduces students to the skills needed to become successful researchers. The course includes research experience, an introduction to programming, scientific reading and writing, presentation development and formal poster presentation.
PHYS299W
Special Problems in Physics; Workforce Skills Development for Physics Undergraduates
Credits:
2
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisites: PHYS171 or permission of instructor
Restriction: Intended for Physics Majors
Supports students navigating opportunities in the workforce. Building self-confidence through skills assessments, identifying potential career paths, and learning effective job search strategies. Students will connect with professionals across industry to grow their network, build resumes, and conduct mock interviews. Includes mentoring and developing awareness of workforce diversity issues.
Restriction: Intended for Physics Majors
Supports students navigating opportunities in the workforce. Building self-confidence through skills assessments, identifying potential career paths, and learning effective job search strategies. Students will connect with professionals across industry to grow their network, build resumes, and conduct mock interviews. Includes mentoring and developing awareness of workforce diversity issues.
PHYS313
Electricity and Magnetism I
Credits:
4
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: MATH241, PHYS273, and one of the following: PHYS274, MATH240, MATH243, MATH246, or equivalent courses.
A first course in electricity and magnetism at an advanced level. Electrostatics; solutions to the Laplace and Poisson equations in cartesian and spherical coordinates; electric fields in matter; and magnetostatics. Study of boundary value problems and extensive use of vector calculus.
PHYS331
Physics for Life Sciences I
Credits:
4
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: CHEM131; and (MATH131 or MATH136); and (BSCI160 and BSCI161; or BSCI106); and (BSCI170 and BSCI171; or BSCI105). Or students who have taken courses with comparable content may contact the department.
Credit only granted for: PHYS121, PHYS131 or PHYS 331.
The first part of a two-semester course in general physics specifically oriented towards applications relevant for students in biology and pre-medical programs. The course covers basic mechanics including forces and energy, properties of matter, and thermodynamics done in authentic biological contexts.
PHYS360
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics: a Linear Algebra Approach
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: MATH240, MATH243, MATH461, ENEE290 or PHYS274; or permission of instructor.
Additional information: Does not satisfy a requirement for a physics major or minor.
Introduction to quantum mechanics from a linear algebra perspective with a focus on low-dimensional Hilbert spaces. Includes review of relevant math topics, e.g., complex numbers, matrices, vector spaces, and basic differential equations. Appropriate for computer scientists and mathematicians without previous coursework in physics.
PHYS371
Modern Physics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: PHYS273 and PHYS274.
Corequisite: PHYS373.
Credit only granted for: PHYS371 or PHYS420.
Additional information: This course is intended primarily for physics and astronomy majors.
Introduces students to special relativity, thermodynamics and quantum mechanics at an intermediate level.
PHYS373
Mathematical Methods for Physics II
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: PHYS273 and PHYS274.
A second course in mathematical methods for physics. Topics include introduction to ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, and complex analysis.
PHYS375
Experimental Physics III: Electromagnetic Waves, Optics and Modern Physics
Prerequisite: PHYS276 and PHYS273.
Third course in the three-semester introductory sequence. Methods and rationale of experimental physics. Experiments chosen from the areas of electromagnetic waves, optics and modern physics.
PHYS386
Experiential Learning
Credits:
3 - 6
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
PHYS389
Undergraduate Thesis Research
Credits:
1 - 6
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
PHYS398
Independent Studies Seminar
Credits:
1 - 16
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
PHYS399
Special Problems in Physics
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
PHYS399O
Special Problems in Physics; Introduction to Computational Fourier Optics
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisites: (PHYS375 or ENEE381 or ENEE382) and (PHYS165 or PHYS265 or ENEE150) or equivalent.
Computational methods (Fourier Optics) for advanced optical modeling. Implement algorithms in Python3 or MATLAB, focusing on physics and mathematics. Explore experimental considerations and plotting schemes. Simulate telescope or laser cavity systems for understanding and improvement recommendations. Skeleton code provided to allow focus on key calculations and interpretation.
Computational methods (Fourier Optics) for advanced optical modeling. Implement algorithms in Python3 or MATLAB, focusing on physics and mathematics. Explore experimental considerations and plotting schemes. Simulate telescope or laser cavity systems for understanding and improvement recommendations. Skeleton code provided to allow focus on key calculations and interpretation.
PHYS401
Quantum Physics I
Credits:
4
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: PHYS371 and PHYS373.
Formerly: PHYS421.
Introduces some quantum phenomena leading to wave-particle duality. Schroedinger theory for bound states and scattering in one dimension. One-particle Schroedinger equation and the hydrogen atom.
PHYS402
Quantum Physics II
Credits:
4
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: PHYS401.
Quantum states as vectors; spin and spectroscopy, multiparticle systems, the periodic table, perturbation theory, band structure, etc.
PHYS404
Introduction to Statistical Thermodynamics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: PHYS371 or PHYS420.
Introduction to basic concepts in thermodynamics and statistical mechanics.
PHYS405
Advanced Experiments
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: PHYS375.
Restriction: Must be in a major within CMNS-Physics department.
Advanced laboratory techniques. Selected experiments from many fields of modern physics. Emphasis on self-study of the phenomena, data analysis, and presentation in report form.
PHYS406
Experimental Research Development
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: PHYS375.
Restriction: Permsission of CMNS-Physics department.
Additional information: The student is expected to work on the project for approximately 9 hours per week in a standard semester or a total of 135 hours in a non-standard semester. PHYS406 may not be used to satisfy an advanced physics elective.
Part I of a two-semester, independent, experimental research project supervised by a faculty mentor. The student participates significantly in experimental design, set-up, and collection and analysis of real, physical data, including the evaluation of experimental uncertainties. The student maintains a lab notebook and completes an end-of-semester progress report.
PHYS407
Undergraduate Experimental Research
Prerequisite: PHYS499 and PHYS375; and permission of CMNS-Physics department.
Restriction: Must be in a major within CMNS-Physics department; and senior standing.
Students develop and complete an independent, experimental research project with a professor in the Physics Department. The project should be a continuation of work done in PHYS499A. To obtain permission, students must submit a proposal describing the experimental work to be completed and this proposal must be approved by their faculty mentor, the associate chair for undergraduate education and the chair of the laboratory committee. Students must maintain a lab notebook, give an oral presentation and complete a written report on their research that includes data and error analysis.
PHYS410
Classical Mechanics
Credits:
4
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: PHYS373.
Theoretical foundations of mechanics with extensive application of the methods. Various mathematical tools of theoretical physics.
PHYS411
Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism
Credits:
4
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: PHYS373.
Foundations of electromagnetic theory, with extensive applications of the methods. Thorough treatment of wave properties of solutions of Maxwell's equations.
PHYS413
Electricity and Magnetism II
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: PHYS313 or PHYS412.
Credit only granted for: PHYS411 or PHYS413.
The second semester of a two semester course with emphasis on electromagnetic waves, potentials and gauge invariance, and relativistic electrodynamics
PHYS420
Principles of Modern Physics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: MATH246. And PHYS271 and PHYS270; or PHYS273.
Credit only granted for: PHYS371 or PHYS420.
A survey of atomic and nuclear phenomena and the main trends in modern physics. Appropriate for students in engineering and other physical sciences.
PHYS431
Introduction to Solid State Physics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: PHYS271, PHYS270, and MATH241.
Restriction: Junior standing or higher; and must be in the Engineering: Materials Science program or Physics program.
Cross-listed with: ENMA460.
Credit only granted for: ENMA460 or PHYS431.
Additional information: Materials Engineering students take ENMA460 and Physics students take PHYS431.
Classes of materials; introduction to basic ideal and real materials' behavior including mechanical, electrical, thermal, magnetic and optical responses of materials; importance of microstructure in behavior. One application of each property will be discussed in detail.
PHYS467
Introduction to Quantum Technology
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: MATH141 and MATH240; or equivalent.
Recommended: Students need not have taken a course on quantum mechanics; however, students should be comfortable with: probability theory, Markov chains, complex numbers, quantum states, measurements, unitary operations, matrix algebra, Pauli matrices, the tensor product, waves, the harmonic oscillator, the quantum harmonic oscillator, and the Schrodinger equation.
Investigates the physical systems used to implement quantum computers. Covers basics of atomic clocks, laser interferometers, quantum key distribution, quantum networks, and three types of qubits (ion-based, superconductor-based, and semiconductor-based).
PHYS485
Electronic Circuits
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: PHYS272 and PHYS276.
Restriction: Must be in a major within CMNS-Physics department.
Theory and application to experimental physics of modern semiconductor analog and digital circuits. Emphasis on understanding passive and active elements in practical circuits. Topics span the range from simple transistor circuits to microcomputers.
Additional Note: Jointly offered with PHYS685. Credit only granted for PHYS485 or PHYS685.
PHYS486
Machine Learning for Physicists
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: PHYS165, and PHYS274 or MATH240, or permission of instructor.
Restriction: Permission of the CMNS-Physics department.
Survey relevant topics in contemporary machine learning (ML) to develop a conceptual understanding of important techniques and an ability to implement them in practice using python. Linear models: linear and logistic regression, support vector machines and kernel methods. Basic aspects of information theory and probability relevant for ML. Neural networks: architectures (FCN, CNN, RNN, attention and transformers) and initialization schemes (order-chaos transition, information propagation). Optimization algorithms. Neural tangent kernel, infinite limits of neural networks, neural scaling laws. Basic techniques in unsupervised learning including dimensionality reduction and generative models.
PHYS488P
Interdisciplinary Topics in Physics; Science and Global Security
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisites: Must have taken one of the following two-course physics sequences: PHYS131 and 132; PHYS141 and PHYS142; PHYS161 and PHYS260; or PHYS171 and PHYS272. Restriction: Must have earned a minimum of 60 credits. Cross-listed with PLCY488P and jointly offered with PHYS688P/PLCY688P. Credit only granted for PLCY488P, PHYS488P, PLCY688P, or PHYS688P.
This course examines technologies of modern warfare and intelligence. Topics include the design, production, deployment, and effects of nuclear weapons; ballistic missiles and missile defense; bombers, cruise missiles, hypersonic weapons, and air defense; submarines and anti-submarine warfare; artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles; satellites and anti-satellite weapons; verification and intelligence technologies; and chemical, biological, and radiological weapons.
This course examines technologies of modern warfare and intelligence. Topics include the design, production, deployment, and effects of nuclear weapons; ballistic missiles and missile defense; bombers, cruise missiles, hypersonic weapons, and air defense; submarines and anti-submarine warfare; artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles; satellites and anti-satellite weapons; verification and intelligence technologies; and chemical, biological, and radiological weapons.
PHYS499A
Special Problems in Physics
Credits:
1 - 6
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
PHYS499B
Special Problems in Physics
Credits:
1 - 16
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
PHYS499V
Special Problems in Physics; Colloquium for Undergraduate Physics Majors
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
PHYS610
Mathematical Methods and Their Applications in Classical Mechanics and Electrodynamics I
Credits:
4
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: Must have an outstanding undergraduate background in physics.
Restriction: Permission of CMNS-Physics Department.
First course of a two-semester graduate level sequence on classical mechanics, electrodynamics and relativity and the mathematics that underlie these subjects. Mathematical methods will generally be introduced in the context of relevant physical problems.
PHYS612
Quantum and Statistical Physics I
Credits:
4
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: Must have an outstanding undergraduate background in physics.
Restriction: Permission of CMNS-Physics Department.
First course of a two-semester graduate level sequence on topics in quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics.
PHYS624
Advanced Quantum Mechanics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: PHYS623.
Relativistic wave equations, second quantization in many body problems and relativistic wave equations, Feynman-Dyson perturbation theory, applications to many body problems, application to quantum electrodynamics, elements of renormalization.
PHYS626
Quantum Many-Body Theory II
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: PHYS612, PHYS613, and PHYS625.
Continuation of PHYS625. Functional-integral formulation of quantum field theory. Phase transitions and broken symmetry. Magnetism, superconductivity, and other applications. The renormalization group.
PHYS675
Introduction to Relativity, Gravitation and Cosmology
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: PHYS606 and PHYS601.
Review of special relativity, followed by a study of the equivalence principle, curved spacetimes, and Einstein's equations. Selected applications to the solar system, stellar structure, black holes, gravitational waves, and cosmology.
PHYS685
Research Electronics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg
Prerequisite: An outstanding undergraduate background in physics or permission of the instructor.
Restriction: Must not have completed PHYS485.
Credit only granted for: PHYS485 or PHYS685.
An integrated lecture and laboratory course in electronics with equal emphasis on experimental methods and results and analysis using device models and up-to-date mathematical and numerical tools. Experiments and analysis of circuits with passive and single active devices form the background for the study of operational amplifiers, digital integrated circuits and systems, and microcomputers. The general topics of impedance matching, frequency response, feedback, interfacing and the extraction of signal from noise are stressed.
Additional Note: Jointly offered with PHY485. Credit only granted for PH YS685or PHYS485.
PHYS688P
Interdisciplinary Topics in Physics; Science, Technology, and National Security
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Cross-listed with PLCY688P and jointly offered with PHYS488P/PLCY488P. Credit only granted for PLCY488P, PHYS488P, PLCY688P, or PHYS688P.
This course examines technologies of modern warfare and intelligence. Topics include the design, production, deployment, and effects of nuclear weapons; ballistic missiles and missile defense; bombers, cruise missiles, hypersonic weapons, and air defense; submarines and anti-submarine warfare; artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles; satellites and anti-satellite weapons; verification and intelligence technologies; and chemical, biological, and radiological weapons. The grade will be determined by weekly problem sets and a take-home final exam. Knowledge of physics at the PHYS 141/142 level helpful but not essential.
This course examines technologies of modern warfare and intelligence. Topics include the design, production, deployment, and effects of nuclear weapons; ballistic missiles and missile defense; bombers, cruise missiles, hypersonic weapons, and air defense; submarines and anti-submarine warfare; artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles; satellites and anti-satellite weapons; verification and intelligence technologies; and chemical, biological, and radiological weapons. The grade will be determined by weekly problem sets and a take-home final exam. Knowledge of physics at the PHYS 141/142 level helpful but not essential.
PHYS709
Seminar in General Physics; Statistical Physics
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Cross-listed with CHPH709B.
PHYS715
Chaotic Dynamics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: PHYS601.
Theory and applications of chaos in dynamical systems including such topics as strange attractors, Lyapanov exponents, quasiperiodicity, period doubling, intermittency, crises, fractal basin boundaries, chaotic scattering, KAM tori, and quantum chaos.
PHYS728J
Seminar in Atomic and Molecular Physics; JQI Seminar
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
PHYS732
Introduction to Solid State Physics II
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud, S-F
Prerequisite: PHYS731.
Second semester of survey course in condensed matter physics including topics in semiconductors, surface physics, magnetism and superconductivity.
PHYS738
Seminar in Experimental Solid State Physics; Quantum Mechanical Many-Body Problems
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
PHYS739
Seminar in Theoretical Solid State Physics; Quantum Mechanical Many-Body Problems
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
PHYS749
Seminar in Theoretical Nuclear Physics
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
PHYS758E
Seminar in Elementary Particles and Quantum Field Theory; Seminar in Elementary Particles and Quantum Field Theory
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
PHYS759
Seminar in Elementary Particles and Quantum Field Theory
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
PHYS769
Seminar in Plasma Physics
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Class will meet in ERF 1207.
PHYS778
Seminar in Space and Cosmic Ray Physics
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
S-F, Aud
PHYS786
Machine Learning for Physicists
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Survey relevant topics in contemporary machine learning (ML) to develop a conceptual understanding of important techniques and an ability to implement them in practice using python. Linear models: linear and logistic regression, support vector machines and kernel methods. Basic aspects of information theory and probability relevant for ML. Neural networks: architectures (FCN, CNN, RNN, attention and transformers) and initialization schemes (order-chaos transition, information propagation). Optimization algorithms. Neural tangent kernel, infinite limits of neural networks, neural scaling laws. Basic techniques in unsupervised learning including dimensionality reduction and generative models.
PHYS798
Special Problems in Advanced Physics
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
PHYS798B
Special Problems in Advanced Physics; Physics Colloquium
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
PHYS798G
Special Problems in Advanced Physics; Superconducting Devices and Circuits
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
PHYS798L
Special Problems in Advanced Physics; Biophysics
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
PHYS798Q
Special Problems in Advanced Physics; Seminar in Quantum Physics, Information, and Technology
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
PHYS799
Master's Thesis Research
Credits:
1 - 6
Grad Meth:
S-F
PHYS838C
Special Topics in Experimental Solid State Physics; Superconductivity, Quantum Materials and Nanoscience Seminar
Credits:
2
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
PHYS839A
Special Topics in Theoretical Solid State Physics; Theory of Low Dimensional Systems
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
PHYS859C
Special Topics in Elementary Particles and Quantum Field Theory; Cosmology and Particle Physics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: Intended for students that have completed a year of quantum field theory (at the level of PHYS 624 and PHYS 851) as well as having some familiarity with the Standard Model and General Relativity.
Introduces basic concepts and challenges in early universe cosmology, and discusses important mechanisms that go beyond the Standard Model such as Baryogenesis, Inflation, Dark Matter, and "Cosmological Collider Physics
Introduces basic concepts and challenges in early universe cosmology, and discusses important mechanisms that go beyond the Standard Model such as Baryogenesis, Inflation, Dark Matter, and "Cosmological Collider Physics
PHYS879G
Special Topics in General Relativity
Credits:
1 - 4
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud, S-F
An introduction to the theory and phenomenology of gravitational waves, notably from binary systems composed of black holes and neutron stars, but also from phenomena in the Universe dominated by gravity.
Prerequisite: To follow the course, students should be already familiar with the material covered in an introductory General Relativity course. It is not necessary to have followed a course in astrophysics and/or cosmology. Recommended: PHYS675.
Prerequisite: To follow the course, students should be already familiar with the material covered in an introductory General Relativity course. It is not necessary to have followed a course in astrophysics and/or cosmology. Recommended: PHYS675.
PHYS898
Pre-Candidacy Research
Credits:
1 - 8
Grad Meth:
Reg
PHYS899
Doctoral Dissertation Research
Credits:
6
Grad Meth:
S-F
Physics Colloquium meets Tu 4-5:30 in PHY 1410 and PHY 1412. Physics Journal Club meets Th 4-5:30 in PHY 1410.
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University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
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