Physics and Astronomy
Subject Areas |
Courses for Astronomy (ASTR) +/-
803. Galactic and Extragalactic Astronomy (3 cr)
Prereq: ASTR 204, PHYS 213, and permission
Introduction to the techniques for determining the constituents and dynamics of our galaxy, including interstellar matter and theories of spiral arm formation. Extragalactic topics include basic characteristics of galaxies, active galaxies, quasars, evolution, and the cosmological distance scale.
804. Stellar Astrophysics (3 cr)
Prereq: ASTR 204 and PHYS 213 and permission
Stellar atmospheres, interiors, and evolution. Theoretical and observational aspects of stellar astronomy. Included: relation between observed parameters and theoretical parameters, star formation, stellar energy generation, and degenerate stars.
805. Physics of the Solar System (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: ASTR 204; PHYS 212 or 142; and MATH 107
Celestial mechanics, tidal effects, planetary interiors, atmospheres and surfaces, comets, asteroids, and the origin of the solar system. Application of physics to the solution of solar system problems.
807. Physics of the Interstellar Medium (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: ASTR 204 and PHYS 213
Gaseous nebulae, interstellar dust, interstellar clouds and star forming regions. Theoretical and observational aspects of the various components of the interstellar medium. Includes the physics of emission nebulae, the properties of the interstellar dust, interstellar molecules and the properties of clouds in which star formation occurs.
898. Special Topics (3 cr, max 9) Lec 3.
Prereq: ASTR 204 and permission
997. Special Topics in Astronomy (1-3 cr)
Prereq: Permission
Offered as the need arises to treat special topics in astronomy not covered in other 900-level courses.
Courses for Physics (PHYS) +/-
801. Computational Physics (3 cr) Lec 1, lab 3.
Prereq: PHYS 311 or parallel
PHYS 801 designed to accompany PHYS 311. Reformulation of physics problems for solution on a computer, control of errors in numerical work and programming.
822. Introduction to Physics and Chemistry of Solids (ELEC 822) (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: PHYS 213 or CHEM 881; MATH 820 or 821; or permission
Introduction to structural, thermal, electrical, and magnetic properties of solids, based on concepts of atomic structure, chemical bonding in molecules, and electron states in solids. Principles underlying molecular design of materials and solid-state devices.
831. Thermal Physics (3 cr)
Prereq: PHYS 213
Thermal phenomena from the point of view of thermodynamics, kinetic theory, and statistical mechanics.
841. Experimental Physics I (3 cr) Lec 1, lab 3.
Prereq: PHYS 213, 223, and 231; or permission
Lab fee required. Methods and techniques of modern experimental physics.
842. Experimental Physics II (3 cr) Lec 1, lab 3.
Prereq: PHYS 841 or permission
Lab fee required. Continuation of PHYS 841.
843. Experimental Physics III (1-3 cr)
Prereq: PHYS 842 or permission
Lab fee required. Continuation of PHYS 842.
851. Electromagnetic Theory (3 cr)
Prereq: PHYS 213
Theory of electric and magnetic fields and their interaction with charges and currents, Maxwell’s equations, electric and magnetic properties of matter.
852. Optics and Electromagnetic Waves (3 cr)
Prereq: PHYS 851
Production of electromagnetic waves, wave guides and cavities, properties of waves, plane waves, reflection and refraction, interference and coherence phenomena, polarization. Optical properties of matter.
861. Quantum Mechanics I (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: PHYS 213 and 311; or permission
Basic concepts and formalism of quantum mechanics with applications to simple systems.
862. Atoms, Nuclei, and Elementary Particles (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: PHYS/ASTR 861 or permission
Basic concepts and experimental foundation for an understanding of the physics of atoms, nuclei, and elementary particles.
880. Introduction to Lasers and Laser Applications (ELEC 880) (3 cr I)
Prereq: PHYS 213
Physics of electronic transitions producing stimulated emission of radiation. Threshold conditions for laser oscillation. Types of lasers and their applications in engineering.
891. Special Topics in Physics (1-3 cr, max 9) Lec.
Prereq: PHYS 213 and permission.
Offered as the need arises to treat special topics not covered in other 400/800-level physics courses.
Topics vary.
*899. Masters Thesis (6-10 cr)
Prereq: Admission to masters degree program and permission of major adviser
911. Classical Mechanics (3 cr)
Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations of the laws of motion; variational principles; dynamics of rigid bodies; other advanced topics.
912. Statistical Physics (3 cr)
Prereq: or parallel: PHYS 911 and 916, or permission
The laws of thermodynamics and thermodynamic functions; ensembles; Boltzmann, Fermi-Dirac, and Bose-Einstein statistics; kinetic theory and transport phenomena. Application to macroscopic systems.
913. Electromagnetic Theory I (3 cr)
Electrostatics, magnetostatics, and Maxwell’s equations; solutions to boundary value problems and Green’s functions; electromagnetic radiation.
914. Electromagnetic Theory II (3 cr)
Prereq: PHYS 913 or permission
Special relativity and covariant formulation of electrodynamics; kinematics and dynamics of charged particles; radiation from moving charges; multipole radiation fields.
916. Quantum Mechanics I (3 cr)
Prereq: Permission
Introduction to the formalism of quantum mechanics; applications to elementary systems; angular momentum; scattering theory.
917. Quantum Mechanics II (3 cr)
Prereq: PHYS 916 or permission
Hilbert-space formulation of quantum mechanics; stationary and time-dependent perturbation theory; variational methods; spin; many-particle systems and identical particles.
918. Quantum Mechanics III (3 cr)
Prereq: PHYS 913 and 917, or permission
Introduction to relativistic electron theory; formal scattering theory; semi-classical radiation theory; second quantization and application to many-particle systems, elements of quantum electrodynamics.
925. Introduction to Atomic and Molecular Physics (3 cr)
Prereq: PHYS 916 or permission
Selected topics in atomic and molecular physics with emphasis on experimentally observed phenomena, including atomic and molecular spectra and scattering phenomena, and molecular structure.
926. Introduction to Nuclear and Elementary-Particle Physics (3 cr)
Prereq: PHYS 917 or permission
Selected topics in nuclear and elementary particle physics with emphasis on experimentally observed phenomena, including nuclear forces, energy levels, nuclear models, decay of unstable nuclei, fundamental interactions and classification schemes.
927. Introduction to Solid-State Physics (3 cr)
Prereq: PHYS 912 and 916, or permission
Selected topics in solid-state physics with emphasis on experimentally observed phenomena, including the structure and thermal, electric, magnetic, and elastic properties of metals, semiconductors, and insulators.
928. Introduction to Plasma Physics (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: PHYS 911, 913, and 914
Fundamentals of plasma physics. Motion of charged particles, basic plasma models, waves in plasmas, laser-plasma interactions. Applications such as magnetic and inertial confinement fusion, astrophysics, plasma-bases accelerators, advanced light sources, and semiconductor materials processing.
951. Advanced Topics in Solid-State Physics (3 cr per sem, max 9)
Prereq: Advanced graduate standing and permission
955. Advanced Topics in Atomic Physics (3 cr per sem, max 9)
Prereq: Permission
996. Research Other Than Thesis (1-6 cr per sem, max 18)
Supervised nonthesis research and independent study.
998. Special Topics in Physics (1-3 cr per sem, max 9)
Prereq: Permission
Offered as the need arises to treat special topics not covered in other 900-level courses.
999. Doctoral Dissertation (1-24 cr, max 55)
Prereq: Admission to doctoral degree program and permission of supervisory committee chair
Description
For a brief description of the program, application requirements and contact information, view the graduate program summary.
Department Chair: Daniel R. Claes, Ph.D.
Vice Chair: Stephen Ducharme, Ph.D.
Graduate Committee: Professors Gay (chair), Fabrikant, Liou; Associate Professor Tsymbal; Assistant Professor Bloom
The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers the master of science and doctor of philosophy degrees.
MS Degree Program
In addition to the masters degree requirements outlined earlier in this Bulletin, a candidate for the MS degree must satisfactorily complete the following courses:
- PHYS 911. Classical Mechanics
- PHYS 913. Electromagnetic Theory I
- PHYS 916. Quantum Mechanics I
- PHYS 998. Special Topics in Current Research
- MATH 842. Methods of Applied Mathematics I
plus one of the following courses:
- PHYS 912. Statistical Physics
- PHYS 914. Electromagnetic Theory II
The Graduate Committee will determine the form of the Comprehensive Examination, which is required of all MS degree candidates. The Committee has the option of giving an oral examination, a written examination, or both. Ordinarily the first session of the Advanced Qualifying Exam (see below) will be used as the Comprehensive Exam. For a student selecting Option I (thesis) the Graduate Committee may give an oral Comprehensive Examination on the thesis research and on the graduate courses taken as part of the degree requirements.
PhD Degree Program
The required courses for every student seeking a PhD degree are:
- PHYS 911. Classical Mechanics
- PHYS 912. Statistical Physics
- PHYS 913. Electromagnetic Theory I
- PHYS 914. Electromagnetic Theory II
- PHYS 916. Quantum Mechanics I
- PHYS 917. Quantum Mechanics II
- PHYS 918. Quantum Mechanics III
- PHYS 998. Special Topics in Current Research
- MATH 842. Methods of Applied Mathematics I
plus at least one additional mathematics course, chosen in consultation with an adviser, from the following list:
- MATH 814. Applied Linear Algebra (Matrix Theory)
- MATH 822. Advanced Calculus
- MATH 823. Intro to Complex Variable Theory
- MATH 824. Intro to Partial Differential Equations
- MATH 827. Mathematical Physics
- MATH 843. Methods of Applied Mathematics II
- STAT 880. Intro to Mathematical Statistics
- MATH 935/936. Advanced Methods of Applied Mathematics
plus at least three of the following courses:
- PHYS 925. Intro to Atomic & Molecular Physics
- PHYS 926. Intro to Elementary Particle & Nuclear Physics
- PHYS 927. Intro to Solid State Physics
- PHYS 928. Intro to Plasma Physics
Students with little, or no, laboratory experience as undergraduates are urged to take PHYS 231. Normally 911, 913, 914, 916, and 917 will be offered once each year, and Statistical Physics, Quantum Mechanics III, and the introductory courses will be offered at least once every two years.
Soon after a student has taken the Advanced Qualifying Exam (see below), the entire departmental faculty will meet to decide whether the student is qualified to begin dissertation research. This decision is to be based on all information available, including the student’s performance on the Advanced Qualifying Exam, in courses, in research projects, etc. If the faculty decides that the student is qualified to begin dissertation research, the Graduate Committee will recommend to the Dean of Graduate Studies that a supervisory committee be formed for the student.
A written comprehensive examination is required. This examination is administered by the student’s Supervisory Committee and will normally have the form of a written report based on approximately one week of intensive research on a subject approved by the Supervisory Committee.
Advanced Qualifying Examination
The purpose of the Advanced Qualifying Examination is to test the student’s understanding of physics at the graduate level. The exam comprises both written and oral parts. The written part is given in three sessions lasting a minimum of three hours each. The oral part is given in one session of about one hour.
The first session of the Advanced Qualifying covers mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, optics, elementary quantum mechanics, and experimental physics. Students who take only the first session of the Exam and who later wish to enter the PhD program must take the entire Advanced Qualifying Exam at one time, including the first session.
The Advanced Qualifying Exam will normally be given at the beginning of each spring semester. At the beginning of the prior fall semester the Graduate Committee will review the academic progress of all students who have not yet formed a supervisory committee and, after consulting with the students, will specify which students must take the exam. Usually, a student will take the Advanced Qualifying Exam after his or her third semester as a graduate student. Students may not withdraw from the examination without the permission of the Graduate Committee.
NOTE: All beginning graduate students must take PHYS 998 Special Topics in Current Research. This is a 1-credit course introducing students to the research activities in the department.
Although the Physics and Astronomy Department has no general foreign language requirement, individual supervisory committees may include a language (or research tool requirement) in the student’s program if they feel it is appropriate.
