Physics
(PHY)
Course
Schedules
PHY 505 Teaching
Chemistry/Physics in Secondary School 3(3-0) Sp
For students on teaching curricula, the course must be
completed prior to student teaching. Prerequisites: Junior
standing; CHM 132 or 162 and PHY 131 or 146, or equivalent.
PHY 507 Field Experience in
Teaching Chemistry/Physics 1(Spec) Sp
Supervised experience in high school chemistry and/or physics
classes. Experience will include observation, participation in
instruction, and critical analysis of the experience.
Corequisites: CHM/PHY 505 or equivalent. CR/NC only. Identical
to CHM 507. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these
courses.
PHY
517 Computational Physics 3(3-0) (Odd Year)
Introduction to standard numerical techniques applied to
problems in physics, including numerical differentiation and
integration, systems of differential equations, eigenvalues
and eigenvectors, and Monte-Carlo simulations. Prerequisites:
PHY 312, 322, and 332, and a basic knowledge of a programming
language such as FORTRAN. Co-requisite or prerequisite: PHY
442.
PHY 533 Electromagnetic Waves
3(3-0) F (Odd Year)
Maxwell’s equations and boundary value problems in
electrostatics. Production and propagation of electromagnetic
radiation. Prerequisite: PHY 332.
PHY 552 Nuclear Physics 3(3-0)
Sp (Odd Year)
Radioactive transformations, detection of radiation, methods
of producing high-speed particles, nuclear structure, fission,
cosmic radiation and applications of radioactivity.
Prerequisite: PHY 247.
PHY 554 Optics 3(3-0) F (Even
Year)
Geometrical and physical optics; electromagnetic theory of
light, interference and diffraction from the standpoint of
Huygens’ principle, and polarized light. Prerequisite: PHY
247.
PHY 556 Solid State Physics
3(3-0) Sp (Even Year)
Atomic, molecular and crystal structure, energy levels of
electrons, and binding energies in molecules and solids.
Prerequisites: PHY 322 and PHY 332.
PHY 578 Experimental Physics
2-4(Spec) Sp
Selected experiments utilizing the techniques of modern
experimental physics. May be retaken for up to four hours of
credit. Prerequisite: PHY 277 or equivalent.
PHY 580 Special Topics
1-9(Spec) D
Topics not ordinarily covered in regular courses.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
PHY 614 Methods of Theoretical
Physics 3(3-0) D
Application of advanced mathematical techniques to physical
theory. Prerequisite: PHY 313 or equivalent.
PHY 619 Continuing
Registration for Final Research Project 1(1-0)
PHY
624 Advanced Mechanics 3(3-0) F (Odd Year)
Special relativity, kinematics, and dynamics of rotational
motion, coupled oscillations, canonical transformation,
Hamilton-Jacobi theory, classical fields. Prerequisite: PHY
322 or equivalent.
PHY 634 Advanced Electricity
and Magnetism 3(3-0) Sp (Even Year)
Boundary value problems, time-varying fields and the initial
value problem. Covariant description of electrodynamics and
radiation by point charges. Prerequisite: PHY 332 or
equivalent.
PHY
643 Quantum Mechanics I 3(3-0) F (Even Year)
The scattering matrix formulation of quantum mechanics,
symmetry groups in quantum mechanics, perturbation theory.
Prerequisite: PHY 442 or equivalent.
PHY 644 Quantum Mechanics II
3(3-0) Sp (Odd Year)
Identical particles, the self-consistent field, theory of
multiplets, semiclassical theory of radiation, atomic
collisions. Prerequisite: PHY 643 or equivalent.
PHY 685 Seminar: Contemporary
Physics 1-4(Spec) F, Sp
Discussion of recent research in various subfields of physics.
Emphasis on oral presentation and literature searches. Offered
in one hour blocks, but may be retaken three times.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing in physics.
PHY 780 Topics in Physics
1-9(Spec) D
Topics not ordinarily covered in regular courses.
Prerequisite: One course at 500 or 600 level.
PHY 790 Independent Study
1-3(Spec) F, Sp
Individual study in an area not covered by regular courses.
Prior permission of instructor must be obtained.
PHY 798 Thesis 1-6(Spec) F, Sp
Individual research, with thesis. Directed by a committee.
CR/NC only.
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