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Courses in Physics

PHYS 011 - Elementary Physics
Algebra-based survey of mechanics, oscillations, waves and thermal physics. Appropriate for students in health and life sciences. Accompanying lab: PHYS 021. Prerequisites: High-school algebra and trigonometry.
Credits: 4.
PHYS 012 - Elementary Physics
Algebra-based survey of electricity, magnetism, optics and modern physics. Appropriate for students in health and life sciences. Accompanying lab: PHYS 022. Prerequisites: High-school algebra and trigonometry. PHYS 011 or 031.
Credits: 4.
PHYS 021 - Introductory Lab I
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment or credit in 011 or 031.
Credits: 1.
PHYS 022 - Introductory Lab II
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment or credit in 012 or 042.
Credits: 1.
PHYS 030 - Physics Problem Solving I
Problem-solving techniques for first semester physics with calculus. Accompanies 031. Co-requisite: Concurrent enrollment in 031.
Credits: 1.
PHYS 031 - Physics for Engineers I
Mechanics including oscillations and waves. With lab. Accompanying optional problem-solving session: 030. Pre-requisite: Math 021, secondary school trigonometry.
Credits: 4.
PHYS 042 - Electromagnetism & Modern Phys
Electricity, magnetism, optics, modern physics. Recommended for students in engineering, natural sciences, premedical programs. Accompanying lab: 022. Prerequisite: 031, and Math 022.
Credits: 4.
PHYS 044 - The Physics of Music
Basic physical principles underlying the production, transmission and perception of musical sound. Vibrations, waves, elementary acoustics with applications to a wide range of musical topics. Pre-requisites: High School Algebra.
Credits: 3.
PHYS 051 - Fundamentals of Physics I
Calculus-based introduction to kinematics, dynamics, oscillations, thermal physics. For students in the natural sciences. With lab. Credit not given for both 051 and 031. Pre/co-requisites: Credit or concurrent enrollment in MATH 021.
Credits: 4.
PHYS 095 - Special Topics
Credits: 0-4.
PHYS 096 - Special Topics
Credits: 1-3.
PHYS 123 - Physics Problem Solving II
Problem-solving techniques for second semester physics with calculus. Accompanies 125. Co-requisite: Concurrent enrollment in 125.
Credits: 1.
PHYS 125 - Physics for Engineers II
Electricity, magnetism, electromagnetic waves, optics. Appropriate for students in engineering and physical sciences. Without lab. Accompanying optional problem- solving session: 123. Pre-requisites: 031, Math 022, concurrent enrollment in Math 121 or 123.
Credits: 3.
PHYS 128 - Waves and Quanta
Classical and electromagnetic waves, physical optics, wave-particle phenomenology, wave mechanics, and applications of the Schrodinger equation. Prerequisites: 042, Math. 121.
Credits: 3.
PHYS 130 - Introductory Laboratory III
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment or credit in 128.
Credits: 1.
PHYS 152 - Fundamentals of Physics II
Calculus-based introduction to electricity, magnetism and optics. For students in the natural sciences. With lab. Credit not given for both 125 and 152. Pre/co-requisites: PHYS 031 or 051; credit or concurrent enrollment in MATH 022.
Credits: 4.
PHYS 195 - Intermediate Special Topics
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles. Prerequisite: 128, department permission.
Credits: 1-6.
PHYS 196 - Intermediate Special Topics
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles. Prerequisite: 128, department permission.
Credits: 1-3.
PHYS 197 - Readings & Research
Prerequisite: 128, department permission.
Credits: 1-6.
PHYS 198 - Readings & Research
Prerequisite: 128, department permission.
Credits: 1-6.
PHYS 201 - Experimental Physics
Experiments in classical and modern physics. May be entered at beginning of either semester and repeated for credit up to a maximum of four semesters. Prerequisites: 042 or 128, Math. 121, junior standing.
Credits: 3.
PHYS 202 - Experimental Physics
Experiments in classical and modern physics. May be entered at beginning of either semester and repeated for credit up to a maximum of four semesters. Prerequisites: 042 or 128, Math. 121, junior standing.
Credits: 3.
PHYS 211 - Mechanics
Newtonian dynamics of particles and systems of particles, with applications to problems of special importance, such as driven and coupled harmonic oscillators and central field trajectories. Prerequisites: 042, Math. 121.
Credits: 3.
PHYS 213 - Electricity & Magnetism
Fundamental principles of electricity and magnetism; electrostatic fields, and magnetic fields of steady currents. Electric and magnetic properties of matter and electromagnetic energy. Prerequisites: 042, Math. 121. Credit not given for more than one of 213 or Electrical Engineering 141.
Credits: 3.
PHYS 214 - Electromagnetism
Introduction to time dependent electromagnetic fields. Maxwell's equations in vacuum and in matter. Electromagnetic waves and radiation. Prerequisite: 213. Credit not given for more than one of 214 or Electrical Engineering 142.
Credits: 3.
PHYS 222 - Biological Physics
Physical laws, processes, and interactions pertaining to biological systems. Prerequisites: 012 or 042, Math. 121.
Credits: 3.
PHYS 242 - Intro to Solid State Physics
Introduction to crystal structures, reciprocal lattices, lattice vibrations. Thermal properties of solids and free electron theory of metals and semiconductors. Elementary band theory and introduction to electronic transport theory. Prerequisite: 128.
Credits: 3.
PHYS 257 - Modern Astrophysics
(Same as ASTR 257.) Stellar structure and evolution, compact objects, the interstellar medium, galactic structure, gravitational theory, and cosmology, the formation of our solar system and terrestrial life. Prerequisite: One 100-level course in physical science or engineering.
Credits: 3.
PHYS 258 - Relativity
Development of Einstein's theory of special relativity. Lorentz transformation, time dilation, length contraction, mass variation, relative velocities. Introduction to four-dimensional space. Concepts of general relativity. Applications selected from astrophysics, elementary particles, etc. Prerequisite: 128.
Credits: 3.
PHYS 264 - Nuclear & Elem Particle Physic
Introduction to theoretical and experimental aspects of nuclear and elementary particle physics. Prerequisites: 128, junior standing.
Credits: 3.
PHYS 265 - Thermal Physics
Thermodynamics, kinetic theory, statistical mechanics. Prerequisites: 042; Math. 121.
Credits: 3.
PHYS 273 - Quantum Mechanics I
Introduction to nonrelativistic quantum mechanics. Schrodinger equation and applications to simple systems. Prerequisites: 128, 211.
Credits: 3.
PHYS 274 - Applictns of Quantum Mechanics
Applications of Quantum Mechanics including Quantum Statistical Mechanics, Time-Independent and Time- Dependent Perturbation Theory, WKB Approximation, Variational Principle and Scattering. Pre/co-requisites: PHYS 273
Credits: 3.
PHYS 295 - Advanced Special Topics
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
Credits: 1-6.
PHYS 296 - Advanced Special Topics
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
Credits: 1-6.
PHYS 301 - Mathematical Physics
Introduction to basic mathematical methods of theoretical physics; vector and tensor analysis, partial differential equations, orthogonal functions, complex variables and variational techniques. Prerequisites: 211, 214. Alternate years.
Credits: 3.
PHYS 305 - Teaching of College Physics
Instructional strategies and techniques with application to the teaching of laboratories and recitations. Prerequisites: Undergraduate degree in physics and permission.
Credits: 1.
PHYS 311 - Advanced Dynamics
Classical mechanics presented as the basis of the concepts and methods of modern physics. Variational, Lagrangian, and Hamiltonian formulations, canonical transformations, continuous systems. Prerequisite: 211. Alternate years.
Credits: 3.
PHYS 313 - Electromagnetic Theory
Development of Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism emphasizing its physical basis and the modes of mathematical description. Prerequisite: 214. Alternate years.
Credits: 3.
PHYS 321 - Theoretical Physics
For research students interested in pursuing topics of general and departmental research interest in theoretical physics. Prerequisite: Permission. Offered as occasion warrants.
Credits: 1-6.
PHYS 323 - Contemporary Physics
Topics of current interest in physics to be offered as student and faculty interest warrants. May be repeated for credit with departmental approval. Prerequisite: Permission.
Credits: 0-6.
PHYS 331 - Biological Physics
For research students in the field of biological physics. Lectures, reports, and directed readings related to the research of the Department and the field generally. May be repeated for credit with departmental approval. Prerequisite: Permission. Offered as occasion warrants.
Credits: 1-3.
PHYS 341 - Solid State Physics
Introduction to crystal symmetry and the reciprocal lattice. Crystal binding and lattice vibrations. Thermal, electrical, and magnetic properties of solids, free electron theory of metals, and band theory. Prerequisites: 214, 265, 273 or their equivalents; permission.
Credits: 3.
PHYS 351 - Seminar:Physics of Materials
For research students in the field of the physics of materials. Lectures, reports, and directed readings related to the research for the department and the field generally. May be repeated for credit with departmental approval. Prerequisite: Permission. Offered as occasion warrants.
Credits: 1-3.
PHYS 362 - Quantum Mechanics II
Mathematical and physical foundations of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics from the unifying point of view of Dirac. Symmetry operations and the algebraic structure of quantum mechanics are emphasized. Prerequisite: 273. Alternate years.
Credits: 3.
PHYS 391 - Master's Thesis Research
Credits: 1-12.
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