T. W. Adair III, G. Agnolet, R. E. Allen, R.
L. Arnowitt, W. H. Bassichis, R. A. Bryan, S. A. Chin, D. A.
Church, R. B. Clark, N. M. Duller, A. L.Ford, E. S. Fry (Head),
S. A. Fulling, C. A. Gagliardi, J. C. Hardy*, J. C. Hiebert,
C. R. Hu, T. Kamon*, G. W.Kattawar, R. A. Kenefick, C. M. Ko,
O. Kocharovskaya, V. V. Kocharovsky, J. A. McIntyre, P. M. McIntyre,
D. V. Nanopoulos, D. G. Naugle, V. L. Pokrovsky, C. N. Pope*,
J. F. Reading, J. H.Ross, W. M.Saslow*, H.A.Schuessler, M. O.
Scully, E. Sezgin, S. Shlomo, A. V. Sokolov, W. Teizer, D. Toback,
R. E. Tribble, T. Walther, R. C. Webb, M. B. Weimer, G. R. Welch,
J. T. White, D. H. Youngblood, M. S. Zubairy
* Graduate Advisor
The physics curriculum provides
classroom and research experience that prepares a graduate
student for a career of either research and teaching at a university,
or research and development at an industrial or government
laboratory. The courses are well suited to graduate students
in chemistry, mathematics, geosciences or engineering, as well
as those seeking a graduate degree in physics.
PHYS 601, 603, 606, 607 and 615
and/or courses in mathematics and research in the field of
the thesis will normally comprise the program of a candidate
for the degree of Master of Science. A non-thesis option is
also offered. The five courses mentioned together with PHYS
611 and 624, one semester of either nuclear or particle physics,
and one semester of either atomic or solid state physics provide
a comprehensive, integrated coverage of the fields of classical
and modern physics at the graduate level and constitute the
basic courses normally required for the degree of Doctor of
Philosophy. More advanced courses in a number of specialized
fields are available for candidates for the PhD degree. There
is no language requirement for the PhD degree.
A PhD in applied physics is also
offered. The applied physics program offers students the opportunity
to receive a PhD for research in applied areas outside the
normal basic physics program. The interdisciplinary curriculum
for this degree includes a core of foundation physics courses
plus a selection of graduate courses in associated science
and engineering fields relevant to a particular student's area
of research specialization.
As part of the
training of the graduate student pursuing the MS or PhD in
physics, the Department of Physics recommends that all students
serve as teaching assistants for at least two semesters.
The current research areas of members
of the department include experimental and theoretical research
in atomic, nuclear and low temperature/solid state physics.
Other research areas within the department include the theory
of elementary particle interactions, atmospheric physics, quantum
optics and experimental high energy physics. Research laboratories
supporting the experimental programs are well-equipped with
modern research apparatus. Special support facilities include
a wide array of departmental and University computers and a
variable energy cyclotron.
(PHYS)
601. Analytical Mechanics.
(4-0). Credit 4.
Lagrange, Hamilton and Hamilton-Jacobi
equational approaches to dynamics; canonical transformation
and variational techniques; central force and rigid body
motions; the mechanics of small oscillations and continuous
systems. Prerequisites: PHYS 302 and MATH 311 or 601 or equivalents.
603. Electromagnetic Theory.
(4-0). Credit 4.
Boundary-value problems in electrostatics;
basic magnetostatics; multipoles; elementary treatment of
ponderable media; Maxwell's equations for time-varying fields;
energy and momentum of electromagnetic field; Poynting's
theorem; gauge transformations. Prerequisites: PHYS 304 and
MATH 311 or 601 or equivalents.
606. Quantum Mechanics.
(4-0). Credit 4.
Schrodinger wave equation, bound
states of simple systems, collision theory, representation
and expansion theory, matrix formulation, perturbation theory.
Prerequisites: PHYS 412 and MATH 601 or equivalents.
607. Statistical Mechanics.
(4-0). Credit 4.
Classical statistical mechanics,
Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, and equipartition theorem;
quantum statistical mechanics, Bose-Einstein distribution
and Fermi-Dirac distribution; applications such as polyatomic
gases, blackbody radiation, free electron model for metals,
Debye model of vibrations in solids, ideal quantum mechanical
gases and Bose-Einstein condensation; if time permits, phase
transitions and nonequilibrium statistical mechanics. Prerequisites:
PHYS 408 and 412 or equivalents.
611. Electromagnetic Theory.
(4-0). Credit 4.
Continuation of PHYS 603. Propagation,
reflection and refraction of electromagnetic waves; wave
guides and cavities; interference and diffraction; simple
radiating systems; dynamics of relativistic particles and
fields; radiation by moving charges. Prerequisites: PHYS
603 and MATH 602 or equivalents.
615. Methods of Theoretical
Physics I. (3-0). Credit 3.
Orthogonal eigenfunctions with
operator and matrix methods applied to solutions of the differential
and integral equations of mathematical physics; contour integration,
asymptotic expansions of Fourier transforms, the method of
stationary phase and generalized functions applied to problems
in quantum mechanics. Prerequisites: PHYS 412 and 304 or
equivalents; MATH 311 and 412 or equivalents.
616. Methods of Theoretical
Physics II. (3-0). Credit 3.
Green's functions and Sturm-Liouville
theory applied to the differential equations of wave theory;
special functions of mathematical physics; numerical techniques
are introduced; conformal mapping and the Schwarz-Christoffel
transformation applied to two-dimensional electrostatics
and hydrodynamics. Prerequisites: PHYS 304 and 412 or equivalents;
MATH 311 or equivalent.
617. Physics of the Solid
State. (3-0). Credit 3.
Crystalline structure and symmetry
operations; electronic properties in the free electron model
with band effects included; lattice vibrations and phonons;
thermal properties; additional topics selected by the instructor
from: scattering of X-rays, electrons, and neutrons, electrical
and thermal transport, magnetism, superconductivity, defects,
semiconductor devices, dielectrics, optical properties. Prerequisites:
PHYS 408 or 607; PHYS 412 or 606 or equivalents.
619. Modern Computational
Physics. (3-0). Credit 3.
Modern computational methods
with emphasis on simulation such as molecular dynamics and
Monte Carlo; applications to condensed matter and nuclear
many-body physics and to lattice gauge theories. Prerequisites:
PHYS 302 and 309 or equivalent; knowledge of any programming
language.
624. Quantum Mechanics.
(4-0). Credit 4.
Continuation of PHYS 606. Scattering
theory, second quantization, angular momentum theory, approximation
methods, application to atomic and nuclear systems, semi-classical
radiation theory. Prerequisite: PHYS 606 or equivalent.
625. Nuclear Physics. (3-0).
Credit 3.
Nuclear models, nuclear spectroscopy,
nuclear reactions, electromagnetic properties of nuclei;
topics of current interest. Prerequisite: PHYS 606 or equivalent.
627. Elementary Particle
Physics. (3-0). Credit 3.
Fundamentals of elementary particle
physics; particle classification, symmetry principles, relativistic
kinematics and quark models; basics of strong, electromagnetic
and weak interactions. Prerequisite: PHYS 606.
628. Particle Physics II.
(3-0). Credit 3.
Continuation of PHYS 627; introduction
to gauge theories; the Standard Model. Prerequisite: PHYS
627.
631. Quantum Theory of Solids.
(3-0). Credit 3.
Second quantization, and topics
such as plasmons; many-body effects for electrons; electron-phonon
interaction; magnetism and magnons; other elementary excitations
in solids; BCS theory of superconductivity; interactions
of radiation with matter; transport theory in solids. Prerequisites:
PHYS 617 and 624 or equivalents.
632. Condensed Matter Theory.
(3-0). Credit 3.
Continuation of PHYS 631. Recent
topics in condensed matter theory. Peierl's Instability,
Metal-Insulator transition in one-dimensional conductors,
solitons, fractionally charged excitations, topological excitations,
Normal and Anomalous Quantum Hall Effect, Fractional Statistics,
Anyons, Theory of High Temperature Superconductors, Deterministic
Chaos. Prerequisites: PHYS 601, 607, 617, 624.
633. Advanced Quantum Mechanics.
(3-0). Credit 3.
Many-body theory; second quantization;
Fermi systems; Bose systems; interaction of radiation with
matter; quantum theory of radiation; spontaneous emission;
relativistic quantum mechanics; Dirac equation; Klein-Gordon
equation; covariant perturbation theory. Prerequisite: PHYS
624.
634. Relativistic Quantum
Field Theory. (3-0). Credit 3.
Classical scalar, vector and
Dirac fields; second quantization; scattering matrix and
perturbation theory; dispersion relations. Renormalization.
Prerequisite: PHYS 624 or equivalent.
638. Quantum Field Theory
II. (3-0). Credit 3.
Functional integrals; divergences,
regularization and renormalization; non-abelian gauge theories;
other topics of current interest. Prerequisite: PHYS 634.
648. Quantum Optics and
Laser Physics. (3-0). Credit 3.
Line widths of spectral lines;
laser spectroscopy; optical cooling; trapping of atoms and
ions; coherence; pico- and femto-second spectroscopy; spectroscopic
instrumentation. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.
659. The Evolution of Physics.
(3-0). Credit 3.
Traces the evolution of classical
physics from early Greek times through the end of the 19th
century; feedback between ideas in physics and the surrounding
culture; laboratory techniques for teaching classical physical
concepts.
660. Evolution of Physics.
(3-0). Credit 3.
Continuation of PHYS 659. Evolution
of physics in the 20th century; birth and development of
quantum physics, relativity and nuclear physics; laboratory
techniques for teaching modern physical concepts.
665. Concepts of Modern
Physics. (3-0). Credit 3.
Physical phenomena of contemporary
interest; physical concepts; cosmology and astrophysics,
elementary particles, lasers and their applications, atomic
and nuclear phenomena, and the application of physical principles
in recent technology; laboratory techniques for presenting
the concepts in inquiry-oriented physical science courses.
666. Scientific Instrument
Making. (2-2). Credit 3.
Theory and techniques for designing
and constructing advanced scientific instruments such as
spectrometers, cryostats, vacuum systems, etc.; mechanical
and electronic shop procedures utilizing the lathe and mill;
welding and soldering; drafting and print reading; circuit
design. May be taken twice for credit. Prerequisite: Approval
of instructor.
667. Physics for Advanced
Placement Teachers. Credit 1 to 4.
A review of the fundamental
concepts and techniques of physics and their use in the solution
of physical problems; topics included in Advanced Placement
Physics Courses B and C; mechanics, electricity and magnetism,
kinetic theory and thermodynamics, waves, optics and modern
physics. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.
681. Seminar. (1-0). Credit
1.
Subjects of current importance;
normally required of all graduate students in physics.
685. Directed Studies. Credit
1 to 9.
Individual problems not related
to thesis. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.
689. Special Topics in...
Credit 1 to 4.
Selected topics in an identified
area of physics. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite:
Approval of instructor.
691. Research. Credit 1
or more each semester.
Research toward thesis or dissertation.
Prerequisite: Baccalaureate degree in physics or equivalent.
697. Seminar in the Teaching
of Physics. (1-0). Credit 1.
Methods and mechanics of teaching
introductory physics and physics laboratories. Required of
all TAs during their first semester of teaching. Graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory.
May not be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Teaching assistant
in the Physics Department.
