Physics (PHY)

Changes are planned for some PHY courses. Note statements about the timing of these changes.

PHY 101 Introduction to Physics. (4) F, S
Emphasizes applications of physics to life in the modern world. Understanding of elementary algebra is presumed. 3 hours lecture, 1 recitation, 2 hours lab. General Studies: S1/S2.

PHY 105 Basic Physics. (3) F
One-semester survey of the principles of physics. Primarily for students who intend to take PHY 121, 131 but have not taken high school physics. 3 hours lecture, 1 recitation. Prerequisites: algebra and trigonometry.

PHY 111 General Physics. (3) F, S, SS
Noncalculus treatment of the principles of physics for nonphysics majors. Students whose curricula require a laboratory course must also register for PHY 113. 3 hours lecture, 1 recitation. Prerequisite: trigonometry. General Studies: S1/S2 (if credit also earned in PHY 113).

PHY 112 General Physics. (3) F, S, SS
Continuation of PHY 111. Students whose curricula require a laboratory course must also register for PHY 114. Prerequisite: PHY 111. General Studies: S1/S2 (if credit also earned in PHY 114).

PHY 113 General Physics Laboratory. (1) F, S, SS
Elementary experiments in physics. 2 hours lab. Outside preparation for experiments and report writing are required. May be taken concurrently with, or subsequent to, PHY 111. General Studies: S1/S2 (if credit also earned in PHY 111).

PHY 114 General Physics Laboratory. (1) F, S, SS
See PHY 113. May be taken concurrently with, or subsequent to, PHY 112. General Studies: S1/S2 (if credit also earned in PHY 112).

PHY 121 University Physics I: Mechanics. (3) F, S, SS
Kinematics, Newton's laws, work, energy, momentum, conservation laws, dynamics of particles, solids, and fluids. 3 hours lecture, 1 hour recitation. Prerequisite: MAT 270 or 290 or instructor approval. General Studies: S1/S2 (if credit also earned in PHY 122).

PHY 122 University Physics Laboratory I. (1) F, S, SS
Lab accompanying PHY 121. Pre- or corequisite: PHY 121. General Studies: S1/S2 (if credit also earned in PHY 121).

PHY 131 University Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism. (3) F, S, SS
Electric charge and current, electric and magnetic fields in vacuum and in materials, and induction. AC circuits, displacement current, and electromagnetic waves. 3 hours lecture, 1 hour recitation. Prerequisites: MAT 271 or 291 or instructor approval; PHY 121. Corequisite: MAT 272 or instructor approval. General Studies: S1/S2 (if credit also earned in PHY 132).

PHY 132 University Physics Laboratory II. (1) S, SS
Lab accompanying PHY 131. Pre- or corequisite: PHY 131. General Studies: S1/S2 (if credit also earned in PHY 131).

PHY 150 Physics I. (4) S
Introductory physics for majors. Kinematics, Newton's Laws, basic forces, energy, momentum, special relativity. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab. Prerequisite: MAT 270 or 290 or equivalent.

PHY 151 Physics II. (4) F
Continuation of PHY 150. Electromagnetic fields; Ampere's and Faraday's Laws; Maxwell's equations; basic circuit elements. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab. Prerequisites: MAT 271 (or 291 or equivalent); PHY 121 and 122 or PHY 150.

PHY 190 Seminar: Physics as a Curriculum and a Profession. (1) F, S
Seminar for new Physics majors. Instruction and information on curriculum, departmental functions, and professional preparation. Weekly meetings and excursions. Pass/fail grading.

PHY 201 Mathematical Methods in Physics I. (3) S
Differential equations, linear equations, vectors, matrices, Fourier series, statistics, numerical methods. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours lab. Prerequisites: MAT 272; PHY 252 or equivalent.

PHY 252 Physics III. (4) S '98
Continuation of PHY 151. Wave physics, oscillations, harmonic systems, physical optics, thermodynamics, kinetic theory. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab. Prerequisites: MAT 272 or equivalent; PHY 131 and 132 or PHY 151 or equivalent. General Studies: S1/S2.

PHY 302 Mathematical Methods in Physics II. (2) F
Continuation of PHY 201. Vector calculus, complex variables, partial differential equations, special functions, numerical methods. 1 hour lecture, 3 hours lab. Prerequisites: PHY 201 or equivalent.

PHY 310 Classical Particles, Fields and Matter I. (3) F '96
Particle kinematics, mechanics, conservation laws, particle motion in force fields, dynamics of two-body systems, reference frames, rigid body motion, relativity. Prerequisites: PHY 201 and 252 or equivalent. Corequisites: PHY 302 or 314 or instructor approval.

PHY 311 Classical Particles, Fields and Matter II. (3) S '97
Effective spring 1997; replaces PHY 331.
Electrostatic and gravitational fields, Poisson and Laplace equations, dielectric materials, magnetic fields and materials, magnetic induction, Faraday's Law. Prerequisites: PHY 302, 310. Corequisite: PHY 315 or instructor approval.

PHY 314 Quantum Physics I. (3) F '96
Photons, models of the atom, wave properties of matter, introduction to wave mechanics, 1-dimensional systems in quantum mechanics. Prerequisites: PHY 201 and 252 or equivalents. Corequisites: PHY 302 and 310 or instructor approval.

PHY 315 Quantum Physics II. (3) S
Effective spring 1997; replaces PHY 471.
General principles of quantum mechanics, 3-dimensional problems, approximation methods, spin, introduction to many-particle systems. Prerequisites: PHY 302, 310, 314. Corequisite: PHY 311 or instructor approval.

PHY 322 Analytical Mechanics. (3) S
Effective spring 1998.
Lagrange's and Hamilton's equations; constraints; coupled oscillators; elements of continuum mechanics; elasticity and hydrodynamics. Prerequisite: PHY 310.

PHY 333 Electronic Circuits and Measurements. (3) F
Basic principles of electronic circuit analysis and measurement techniques using modern instrumentation and computer-aided analysis of data. 1 hour lecture, 3 hours lab. Equivalent effort outside of the lab is required. Corequisite: PHY 201 or instructor approval.

PHY 334 Advanced Laboratory I. (2) S
Effective spring 1997; replaces PHY 334.
Selected experiments from contemporary physics. Emphasis on modern instrumentation, computer-assisted acquisition and analysis of data, and report form writing. Lecture, lab. Prerequisites: PHY 310, 314, 333.

PHY 361 Introductory Modern Physics. (3) F, S
Special relativity and introductory quantum theory with applications drawn from atomic, nuclear, and solid state physics. 3 hours lecture, 1 recitation. Prerequisite: PHY 131.

PHY 412 Classical Particles, Fields and Matter III. (3) F
Effective fall 1997; replaces PHY 332.
Electromagnetic fields of moving charges, Maxwell's equations, harmonic phenomena, oscillations, waves, electromagnetic radiation, covariant electromagnetism, introduction to general relativity. Prerequisites: PHY 302, 310, 333. Corequisite: PHY 416 or instructor approval.

PHY 416 Quantum Physics III. (3) F
Effective fall 1997; replaces PHY 472.
Introduction to the quantum theory of atoms, molecules, solids and nuclei, Dirac's equation. Prerequisites: PHY 311, 315. Corequisite: PHY 412 or instructor approval.

PHY 420 Research Paper. (1) F, S
Effective spring 1997.
Scientific report writing. Culminates in a paper based on library or laboratory research or both. Taken in conjunction with other courses as approved. Conference. Prerequisite: instructor approval.

PHY 441 Statistical and Thermal Physics I. (3) F
Effective fall 1997; replaces PHY 441.
Statistical and experimental basis of heat, temperature, and entropy. Mechanical and statistical basis of the laws of thermodynamics. Applications of macroscopic thermodynamics. Phase equilibrium. Prerequisites: PHY 201, 314.

PHY 442 Statistical and Thermal Physics II. (3) S
Effective spring 1998; replaces PHY 442.
Principles and applications of statistical mechanics. Quantum statistics of ideal gases and simple solids. Equilibrium of phases and chemical species. Transport theory. Irreversible processes and fluctuation. Prerequisite: PHY 302, 310, 441.

PHY 452 Physical Optics. (3) F
Effective fall 1997; replaces PHY 452.
Principles of reflection, refraction, diffraction. Additional topics from contemporary optics may include Fourier transform spectroscopy, linear systems theory, holography. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours lab. Prerequisites: PHY 302, 311, 315. Corequisite: PHY 412.

PHY 462 Nuclear and Particle Physics. (3) S
Effective spring 1998; replaces PHY 462.
Static properties of nuclei, natural and induced radioactivity, nuclear reactions, nuclear models and energy levels, mesons and hyperons, and interaction of photons and electrons with matter. Prerequisite: PHY 315.

PHY 465 Advanced Laboratory II. (2) F, S
Effective fall 1997; replaces PHY 465.
Continuation of PHY 334. Students are encouraged to substitute laboratory research project in consultation with faculty sponsor. Prerequisite: PHY 334.

PHY 466 Advanced Laboratory III. (1–3) F, S
Effective spring 1998; replaces PHY 466.
Continuation of PHY 465. Prerequisite: PHY 465.

PHY 480 Methods of Teaching Physics. (3) S
Evaluation of various approaches to the teaching of high school physics. Preparation of demonstrations and experiments. Organization of a laboratory. Designed for secondary school physics teachers. Prerequisite: instructor approval.

PHY 481 Solid State Physics. (3) S
Effective spring 1998; replaces PHY 481.
Structure, elastic properties, and dynamics of crystals; electron motions in crystals under applied fields. Prerequisite: PHY 315.

PHY 484 Internship: Physics Teaching. (1–4) F, S, SS
Preparation for high school physics teaching. Student works closely with a faculty member in the elementary physics program. May be repeated for a total of 6 semester hours. Prerequisite: instructor approval.

PHY 495 Project Research. (1–3) F, S
Supervised project in physics or astrophysics. May be repeated for credit. Note: Approval of faculty member under whose direction the work is to be done must be obtained before registration. Prerequisite: instructor approval.

PHY 501 Methods of Theoretical Physics. (3) F, S
Provides mathematical foundations for graduate students in basic and applied physics. Complex variables, vector spaces, operators, matrices, ordinary differential equations, integral equations and transforms, and special functions. May include additional topics. Prerequisites: PHY 201 and 302 or instructor approval.

PHY 502 Methods of Theoretical Physics. (3) F, S
Continuation of PHY 501. Prerequisite: PHY 501.

PHY 503 Physical Applications of Group Theory. (3) N
Fundamentals and applications of the theory of finite and continuous groups as they occur in physics. Atomic, molecular, solid state, and elementary particle physics. Prerequisite: instructor approval.

PHY 521 Classical Mechanics. (3) F
Variational principles, Lagrange's and Hamilton's equations, rigid body motion, canonical transformations, Hamilton-Jacobi theory. Prerequisite: PHY 310.

PHY 522 Advanced Topics in Classical Mechanics. (3) S
Continuum mechanics, elements of hydrodynamics, elasticity theory, and special relativity. Prerequisites: PHY 322, 521.

PHY 523 Relativity. (3) N
Special and general theories of relativity. Prerequisites: PHY 522 and 532 or instructor approval.

PHY 531 Advanced Electricity and Magnetism. (3) F
Electrostatics and magnetostatics; potential theory and theory of constitutive relations; Maxwell's equations; the wave equation, plane electromagnetic waves, cavities, and wave guides. Prerequisite: PHY 311 or instructor approval.

PHY 532 Electrodynamics. (3) S
Special theory of relativity, covariant formulation of electromagnetic interactions; inhomogeneous wave equations, Lienard-Wiechert potentials, and radiation fields; interactions of charged particles and electromagnetic waves, scattering, dispersion. Prerequisites: PHY 412 and 531 or instructor approval.

PHY 541 Statistical Physics. (3) F
Probability theory and principles of statistical inference; evaluating experimental data; foundations of statistical mechanics; general laws of thermodynamics from microscopic theories; calculation of specific properties of bulk matter. PHY 442 recommended. Prerequisites: PHY 315, 441.

PHY 542 Advanced Topics in Statistical and Thermal Physics. (3) S
Theory of irreversible processes, Onsager-reciprocity laws, and the fluctuation-dissipation theorem; relaxation and transport processes in fluids and plasmas; Liouville equation; the BBGKY hierarchy of distribution functions; kinetic theory; hydrodynamics from many-body theory; phase changes and equilibrium; ferromagnetism. Prerequisite: PHY 541.

PHY 551 X-Ray and Electron Diffraction. (3) S
Fresnel and Fraunhofer diffraction in integral formulation; diffraction of X-rays and neutrons by crystal lattices; structures of solids, including crystal structure analysis; theory and techniques of electron microscopy/diffraction of crystalline/noncrystalline specimens. Prerequisite: PHY 481 or instructor approval.

PHY 561 Nuclear Physics. (3) F, S
Two nucleon interaction, Clebsch-Gordon coefficients, internucleon forces, meson theory and high energy scattering, nuclear binding energy, nuclear models, transition probability estimates, nuclear reactions, and beta decay. Prerequisites: PHY 462 and 576 or instructor approval.

PHY 562 Nuclear Physics. (3) F, S
Continuation of PHY 561. Prerequisite: PHY 561 or instructor approval.

PHY 568 Elementary Particle Physics. (3) N
Classification of particles; phenomenology of strong, electromagnetic and weak interactions, cross sections, and decay rates; isotopic spin and higher symmetries; structure of reaction amplitudes. Prerequisite: PHY 577.

PHY 569 Elementary Particle Theory. (3) N
Continuation of PHY 568. Prerequisite: PHY 568.

PHY 576 Quantum Theory. (3) F, S
Abstract approach to quantum mechanics in Hilbert space; observables and their corresponding operators, eigenstates, and eigenvalues; quantum dynamics; approximation methods; systems of identical particles; angular momentum and group representation theory; collision processes; relativistic quantum theory. Prerequisites: PHY 315, 521.

PHY 577 Quantum Theory. (3) F, S
Continuation of PHY 576. Prerequisite: PHY 576.

PHY 578 Relativistic Quantum Theory. (3) F, S
Relativistic 1-particle equations, Klein-Gordon equation, Dirac equation, 2d quantization, theory of scattering, S-matrix, Feynman diagrams, quantum electrodynamics, and renormalization procedures. Prerequisite: PHY 577.

PHY 579 Relativistic Quantum Theory. (3) F, S
Continuation of PHY 578. Prerequisite: PHY 578.

PHY 581 Solid State Physics. (3) F
Quantum theory of solids, including phonons, lattice specific heats, band structure models, Fermi surfaces, thermal expansion, plasmons, electron-phonon interactions, and scattering by lattice defects. Pre- or corequisites: PHY 416, 481, 576.

PHY 582 Solid State Physics. (3) S
Elements of transport theory, thermal conduction, electronic conduction in metals, mobility in semiconductors, Hall effect, magnetoresistance, and selected topics of current research. Prerequisite: PHY 581.

PHY 587 Quantum Optics. (3) F, S
Quantization of the electromagnetic field. Quantum theory of coherence, photon counting, photon states, lasers, density operators, and atomic Raman scattering. Prerequisite: PHY 315.

PHY 588 Quantum Optics. (3) F, S
Continuation of PHY 587. Prerequisite: PHY 587.

PHY 595 Current Physics Literature. (1) N
Weekly seminar to introduce the graduate student to current activity in physics through the contemporary literature. May be repeated for credit.

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