Courses Offered by the Physics Department

50:750:103. Is the Universe Elegant? (R)(3)

No prerequisite. Designed for nonscience majors.
This course is designed to explore the frontier areas of Physics (particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology)

in a manner accessible to students from all backgrounds and stresses the development of conceptual

understanding before computational literacy. Limitations of scientific knowledge and the insufficiency

of science to answer questions of origin and value will be discussed as well.

50:750:131-132. Elements of Physics I,II (R)(3,3)

Corequisites: 50:640:121-122; 50:750:133-134.
Intended for physics majors and engineering students, but open to other qualified students. A calculus-based introduction to classical physics: mechanics, heat, wave motion, sound, electricity, and light.

50:750:133-134. Elements of Physics Laboratory I,II (R)(1,1)

Corequisites: 50:750:131-132.
The laboratory illustrates phenomena and concepts studied in 50:750:131-132.

50:750:171,172. Topics in Physics (2,2)

The subject matter changes depending on the interests of the instructor and the students. Sample topics: the energy crisis and sources of energy or the physics of the atmosphere and weather forecasting.

50:750:203-204. General Physics I,II (R)(3,3)

Corequisites: 50:750:205-206.
For biology, chemistry, premedicine, predentistry, and preveterinary medicine students, but may be taken by others. An introduction to mechanics, heat, wave motion, sound, light, electricity and magnetism, and selected topics from modern physics.

50:750:205-206. General Physics Laboratory I,II (R)(1,1)

Corequisites: 50:750:203-204.
The laboratory illustrates phenomena and concepts studied in 50:750:203-204.

50:750:223. Principles of Physics for Pharmacy (4)

Prerequisite 50:640:121 or 122.
A survey of physics with special reference to applications in pharmacy. Topics chosen from mechanics, thermodynamics, wave motion, electricity and magnetism, electromagnetic waves (including light), and modern (atomic and nuclear) physics.

50:750:232. Elements of Modern Physics (3)

Prerequisite: 50:750:132. Corequisite: 50:640:314.
Topics from special relativity, quantum theory, atomic physics, molecules, statistical physics, solid-state physics, nuclear physics, and elementary particles.

50:750:233-234. Electric Circuits I,II (3,3)

Prerequisites: 50:640:121,122. Corequisites: 50:750:235-236.
DC and steady-state AC circuit analysis, network theorems, matrix methods, two ports, controlled sources, nonlinear elements, transients, step and impulse response, and computer methods.

50:750:235-236. Electric Circuits Laboratory I,II (1,1)

Corequisites: 50:750:233-234.
Laboratory exercises to accompany and illustrate 50:750:233-234.

50:750:237. Computer Organization and Logic Design (3)

Prerequisite: 50:198:151.
Number systems, Boolean algebra, medium scale integration circuits, logic minimization, state machines, clocked circuits, the Von Neumann model of a computer.

50:750:238. Modern Physics Laboratory (1)

Corequisite: 50:640:232.
Students will perform experiments of great historical significance that helped to reshape our understanding of Physics during the late 19th and early 20th century. Examples include the Millikan Oil-Drop and Frank-Hertz experiments.

50:750:253-254. Mechanics I,II (3,3)

Prerequisites: 50:750:132 and 50:640:122.
Equilibrium of planar and spatial systems, analysis of structures, friction, centroids and moments of inertia, virtual work, dynamics of particles, and rigid bodies.

50:750:291. Mechanics of Materials (3)

Prerequisite: 50:750:253.
Stress and strain in elastic solids such as shafts and beams. Combined stresses; statically indeterminate beams.

50:750:301. Electromagnetic Theory (3)

Prerequisites: 50:750:232 and 50:640:314.
Electrostatic field, dielectrics, steady currents, magnetic fields and materials, and electromagnetic induction.

50:750:302. Electromagnetic Waves and Optics (3)

Prerequisite: 50:750:301.
Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves, radiation, guided waves, dispersion, reflection, refraction, interference, polarization, and optics of solids.

50:750:304. Introduction to Astrophysics (3)

Prerequisites: 50:640:122 and 50:100:306.
Presents, at a calculus-based level, a survey of such topics from current astronomy as planetary atmospheres, the greenhouse effect, solar wind and its interaction with the earth's magnetic field, Van Allen radiation belts, some aspects of cosmology (the red shift, models of the evolving universe, tests of relativistic cosmological models), the interstellar medium, and an introduction to the theory of stellar atmospheres and stellar evolution. The present theories of pulsars, quasars, supernovae, neutron stars, Seyfert galaxies, and black holes analyzed.

50:750:307. Electronics (3)

Prerequisite: 50:750:204 or 132 or permission of instructor. Corequisite: 50:750:311.
This course is designed to give a hands-on introduction to electronics for all interested students. Topic covered include AC and DC circuit analysis, signal characteristics and acquisition, transistors, feedback, operational amplifiers, power supplies, noise, digital circuits, instrumentation, computer interfacing, and optimization of measurements. Emphasis will be placed upon the development of practical knowledge and skills. One lab and one course meeting per week.

50:750:308. Computer Hardware and Interfacing (3)

Prerequisites: 50:198:151 or 152, and 50:640:237. Corequisite: 50:750:312.
Introduction to digital logic, combinational circuits, sequential circuits. Introduction to microprocessor architecture and organization, operation and programming, interfacing and application of microprocessors.

50:750:309,310. Analytical Mechanics (3,3)

Prerequisites: 50:750:132 and 50:640:314.
Particle dynamics, simple harmonic motion, central forces, statics and dynamics of rigid bodies, waves, and Lagrange's and Hamilton's equations.

50:750:312. Computer Hardware and Interfacing Laboratory (1)

Corequisite: 50:750:308.
Laboratory exercises to accompany and illustrate 50:750:308.

50:750:317-318. Digital Systems and Microprocessors I,II (3,3)

Prerequisite: 50:750:307. Corequisites: 50:750:319,320.
Digital electronic systems, introduction to microsystems, microprocessor architecture and organization, and operation and programming. Configuring microprocessor systems, interfacing, and applications of microprocessors.

50:750:319-320. Digital Systems and Microprocessors Laboratory I,II (1,1)

Corequisites: 50:750:317,318.
Laboratory exercises to accompany and illustrate 50:750:317,318.

50:750:351-352. Thermal Physics I,II (3,3)

Prerequisites: 50:750:132 and 50:640:221.
Temperature-dependent properties of gases, liquids, and solids, such as specific heat, vapor pressure, dielectric constant, internal energy, entropy, compressibility, and conductivity. Presents classical thermodynamics, which derives relations between various quantities, and statistical methods used to derive classical thermodynamics from the atomic point of view. Presents Brownian motion, random walks, and fluctuation. Gives applications of the second law to the production and uses of energy.

50:750:354. Physics Computer Laboratory (3)

Prerequisites: 50:640:314 and 50:750:232.
Use of the computer to solve problems in many areas of physics, including numerical integration of Newton's Laws and Gauss's Law, electric circuit analysis and mechanics.

50:750:374. Energy and Environment (3)

No prerequiistes.
The physics, economics, and polluting properties of the three conventional power sources: coal, oil, and natural gas (including gasification of coal and oil shale). Studies solar power and discusses conservation of energy in home and industry. Considers the more important advantages and shortcomings and the environmental impacts of aspects of wind, tidal, geothermal, and magneto-hydrodynamic power; the hydrogen economy; and nuclear power, including fusion. Where appropriate, considers the possible use of these in transportation systems. Gives causes of energy crises and proposes various suggestions for a national energy policy.

50:750:406. Introduction to Solid-State Physics (3)

Prerequisites: 50:750:232 and 50:640:314.
Classifications of solids, ionic crystals, dielectric properties, modern electron theory of metals, semiconductors, and insulators. Topics include band theory, cohesion, specific heats, electrical and thermal conductivities, the Hall effect, semiconductor physics, magnetic phenomena, electronic processes in ionic crystals, dislocation theory and electron spin resonance, imperfections, superfluidity, and superconductivity.

50:750:408-409. Advanced Physics Laboratory (2,2)

Lab. 6 hrs. Prerequisite: 50:750:232
Students develop good experimental technique and become familiar with the capabilities and limitations of modern laboratory equipment. Experiments performed in all fields of physics including electricity and magnetism, optics, and atomic and nuclear physics.

50:750:413-414. Elements of Quantum Mechanics (3,3)

Prerequisites: 50:750:232 and 50:640:314.
Probability waves, Schrodinger and Klein-Gordon equations, eigenvalues, eigenfunctions, wave packets, unitary and hermitean operators, matrix elements, commutation relations, perturbation theory, radiative transitions, and scattering theory.

50:750:417. Computational Physics I (3)

Prerequisite: 50:750:354.
Applications of the computer to the solution of large-scale problems in physics including the numerical solution of the differential equations of electromagnetic theory, integration of the Schrodinger for realistic problems, and applications of matrix methods to problems in mechanics and engineering.

50:750:418. Computational Physics II (3)

Prerequisite: 50:750:354.
Continuation of 50:750:417. Emphasis placed on the application of computer simulation techniques, including the Monte Carlo method, to problems in statistical physics (especially the subject of phase transitions) and other areas of interest.

50:750:420. Advanced Experimental Physics (2)

Lec. 1 hr., lab. 3 hrs. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Experiments in electricity, optics, heat, and atomic phenomena, with particular emphasis on the effect of the instruments or the experimental method on the results.

50:750:453. Physics Seminar (2)

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Members of seminar prepare and present papers on topics of interest in physics.

50:750:463-464. Mathematical Physics (3,3)

Prerequisites: 50:750:232 and 50:640:314.
Mathematical techniques used in advanced work in the physical sciences. Covers determinants, matrices, ordinary and partial differential equations, boundary and eigenvalue problems. Fourier-series and integrals, transform theory, orthogonal functions, complex variables. Extensive problem work.

50:750:489,490. Independent Studies (BA,BA)

Prerequisites: Senior status and permission of instructor.

50:750:491-2. Research in Physics (2,2)

In consultation with a faculty advisor, students will develop and carry out an independent research project. The students will be required to present a seminar to the department and to produce a written paper that is suitable for publication in an undergraduate research journal. Students will also be strongly encouraged to present a poster at an undergraduate research conference or the equivalent. Open to Physics students in their junior or senior year.

50:750:495,496. Honors Program in Physics (3,3)