Physics and Astronomy Department

Attendance at departmental seminars. Grade is based on attendance.

Individual research participation during the summer research term under faculty supervision. (Offered every semester.) Prerequisite: Consent of Department Chair

Individual research under faculty supervision or independent study under faculty supervision in fields not covered by other courses. Credit may vary from 1 to 3 hours. This course may be repeated for additional credit; however, no more than 3 total hours may be counted toward a major in physics. Prerequisite: Consent of the Department Chair.

Rigorous experimental work, including data handling and scientific writing. Experiments are drawn from the areas of mechanics, optics, nuclear, and modern physics. Meets 3 hours per week, with significant work outside of the laboratory. (Offered every Spring.) Prerequisites: PHYS 1111, 1112, 1312 (or 1310)

Individual research under faculty supervision or independent study under faculty supervision in fields not covered by other courses. Credit may vary from 1 to 3 hours. This course may be repeated for additional credit; however, no more than 3 total hours may be counted toward a major in physics. Prerequisite: Consent of the Department Chair.

Individual research under faculty supervision or independent study under faculty supervision in fields not covered by other courses. Credit may vary from 1 to 3 hours. This course may be repeated for additional credit; however, no more than 3 total hours may be counted toward a major in physics. Prerequisite: Consent of the Department Chair.

Individual research participation during the summer research term under faculty supervision. (Offered every semester.) Prerequisite: PHYS 2128 and Consent of the Department Chair.

Individual research under faculty supervision or independent study under faculty supervision in fields not covered by other courses. Credit may vary from 1 to 3 hours. This course may be repeated for additional credit; however, no more than three hours may be counted toward a major in physics. Prerequisite: Consent of the Department Chair

Speaking Physics is a junior level course designed to train physics majors to become effective communicators in their field. Students will gain experience presenting technical research-style talks, with several opportunities for feedback from the instructor and peers. (Offered every Spring)

Individual research under faculty supervision or independent study under faculty supervision in fields not covered by other courses. Credit may vary from 1 to 3 hours. This course may be repeated for additional credit; however, no more than three hours may be counted toward a major in physics. Prerequisite: Consent of the Department Chair

This course introduces the use of physics principles to explore and understand complex biological systems on different spatial and time scales. Questions addressed include: What are the forces that hold a molecule and a cell together? What are the forces and energies involved in cell membrane structures and functions, DNA packing and functioning, protein folding, and nerve-signal transmission? Emphasis will be placed on the use of spectroscopic, imaging and computer simulation techniques to address some of these questions. This course spans the molecular, cellular and tissue levels of biology and examines current topics of biophysics. (Offered every other year.) Prerequisites: PHYS 1310 (or PHYS 1312) and one of the following courses: CHEM 3330, ENGR 3327, or PHYS 3323

An introduction to the subjects of statistical mechanics, kinetic theory, thermodynamics and heat. Prerequisites: PHYS 3323 and MATH 2321 (may be taken concurrently).

Newtonian dynamics and kinematics utilizing the vector calculus. Topics include momentum, work and potential energy, angular momentum, rigid body dynamics, harmonic oscillators, central force motion, non-inertial systems, chaotic kinematics, and non-linear systems. Prerequisites: PHYS 1312 (or 1310), MATH 2321 (may be taken concurrently).

A quantitative survey of modern physics and its historical development. Topics include: special relativity, waveparticle duality, and Schroedinger equation, identical particles, solid state, and high energy physics. Prerequisites: PHYS 1312 (or 1310), MATH 1312

This course is a survey of mathematical methods commonly used in the physical sciences. It covers essential aspects of complex variables, linear algebra, Fourier series and transforms, differential equations, and vector analysis, including theorems of Green, Gauss, and Stokes. (Offered every Spring.) Prerequisites: PHYS 3323 (Modern Physics)

An intermediate treatment of oscillations and wave mechanics and the nature of light as electromagnetic waves. General topics include linear oscillators, traveling waves, representations by complex numbers, and Fourier analysis. Topics from physical optics include sources of radiation, guided waves, interactions of light and matter, reflection and refraction, interference and diffraction, and scattering from particles. (Offered every other year.) Prerequisites: PHYS 1312 (or 1310) and MATH 2321.

Introduction to the theory of quantum mechanics. Stationary states and time evolution of solutions to the Schroedinger equation. Observables, operators and eigenvalues. The harmonic oscillator, angular momentum, central potentials, and perturbation theory. Prerequisites: MATH 2321, PHYS 3323.

An intermediate course on electromagnetic theory. Electrostatic field and potential, Gauss's law, conductors, electric dipole and multipoles, solutions to Laplace's equation, method of images, dielectric media, electrostatic energy, electric current. Magnetic field of steady currents, including the law of Biot and Savart, Ampere's law, magnetic vector potential. Electromagnetic induction. Introduction to Maxwell's equations. Prerequisites: PHYS 3322, MATH 3316 (may be taken concurrently).

Advanced topics in physics and astronomy to be selected by the instructor. Various instances of the course may cover topics such as particle physics, general relativity, advanced electricity and magnetism, fluid mechanics, and/or advanced classical mechanics. (Offered every other year.) Prerequisites: Varies by topic. Consent of instructor is required.

The application of physics to understanding stars and systems of stars. Topics include: cosmic distance scale, gravitational dynamics, statistical mechanics, electromagnetic processes, quantum effects, stars, cosmic gas and dust, quasars, cosmology. Prerequisite: PHYS 1310 or 1312; PHYS 1304 or 1305 or permission of the instructor

Individual research under faculty supervision or independent study under faculty supervision in fields not covered by other courses. Credit may vary from 1 to 3 hours. This course may be repeated for additional credit; however, no more than three hours may be counted toward a major in physics. Prerequisite: Consent of the Department Chair

Individual research and study under faculty supervision in preparation for Honors Thesis work. Prerequisite: Consent of the Department Chair.

An introduction to the use of physical principles and measurements in the study of the Earth's subsurface, with an emphasis on applications in environmental science, engineering, mineral exploration and archeology. Topics include Fourier analysis, seismic waves in elastic media, refraction tomography, reflection seismology, multichannel analysis of surface waves, gravity, electrical resistivity and groundpenetrating radar. (Also listed as GEOS 3412) Three class hours and three laboratory hours per week. Field trips are required; field trip expenses must be paid by each student. Prerequisite: PHYS 1310 or 1312 (may be taken concurrently).

Individual research participation during the summer research term under faculty supervision. (Offered every semester.) Prerequisite: PHYS 3128 and Consent of the Department Chair.

Individual research under faculty supervision or independent study under faculty supervision in fields not covered by other courses. Credit may vary from 1 to 3 hours. This course may be repeated for additional credit; however, no more than 3 total hours may be counted toward a major in physics. Prerequisite: Consent of the Department Chair

This course is an introduction to nanometer scale aspects of chemistry, physics, and biology, and how these can be combined to fabricate architectures with dimensions in the nanometer scale. Principles of fabrication techniques that underpin this field will be presented with recent developments as case studies, including nanoparticles, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), electromaterials, and other new materials. An extensive series of hands-on laboratory activities is a central part of the course. Students will fabricate and characterize nanoscale structures using a variety of techniques from biology, chemistry, physics, and materials science. In the first few weeks of the semester, we will focus on principles, concepts, and instrumentation utilized in nonfabrication. During the rest of the semester, students will choose a current paper from the literature and attempt to recreate the fabrication process and all characterization techniques. (Offered occasionally). Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor

Rigorous experimental work covering RLC circuits, diodes, transistors, oscilloscopes, logic gates, and operational amplifiers. There will be a significant expectation for work outside of class, whether on prelab preparation, circuit building, or assignments for practicing specific skills. Meets 3 hours per week, with significant work outside of the laboratory. (Offered every other year.) Prerequisites: PHYS 2231

Advanced experimental techniques covering topics typically not addressed in coursework. Rigorous analysis of experimental data and competent scientific writing form an integral part of the course. Topics include: atomic physics, advanced optics, laser physics, and nanotechnology. There will be a significant expectation for work outside of class, including pre-lab and writing activities. Meets 3 hours per week, with significant work outside of the laboratory. (Offered every other year.) Prerequisites: PHYS 2231

Individual research under faculty supervision or independent study under faculty supervision in fields not covered by other courses. Credit may vary from 1 to 3 hours. This course may be repeated for additional credit; however, no more than 3 total hours may be counted toward a major in physics. Prerequisite: Consent of the Department Chair

An introduction to Einstein's theory of curved spacetime and the resulting general theory of relativity through an exploration of the properties of spinning and non-spinning black holes. In parallel, we learn the history of the theory's development throughout the 20th century. Prerequisite: PHYS 3323

The fundamental theory of electromagnetic waves is developed and applied to the design of high-frequency electrical circuits. Topics include: how electromagnetic waves travel and are usefully directed; how to design signal transmission lines, filters and couplers; analysis of high-frequency circuit networks, and high-frequency circuit concepts such as distributed impedance. Students will also prepare an individually researched assignment on a subject of their choice exploring an emerging technology in the electrical engineering area. (Also listed as ENGR 4328.) Prerequisite: Math 2321 and either ENGR 2320 or PHYS 2131.

A formal treatment of quantum mechanics emphasizing Dirac notation and matrix methods. Topics include: three dimensional systems, angular momentum, multiparticle systems, identical particles, spin perturbation theory, scattering, and an introduction to high-energy and particle physics. Prerequisites: PHYS 3333, 3335.

An advanced treatment of quantum theories of atoms and solids. Physics of solids and solutions, reciprocal lattices and crystallography, thermodynamic properties of condensed systems. Properties of atoms and photon. Laser cooling, coherent excitation, and atom optics. Prerequisite: PHYS 3333.

The rigorous application of physics to understanding stars and stellar evolution, astrophysical sources of radiation, compact objects, and gravitational lensing. Topics include: gravitational dynamics; star formation, stellar structure and evolution; several radiative processes and phenomena such as blackbody, bremsstrahlung, synchrotron, Compton, inverse Compton, self Compton, dispersion, and Faraday rotation; special relativistic effects in astronomy such as Doppler shifts, aberration, and astrophysical jets; quantum effects in astronomy such as degenerate gases, hyperfine transition, and Zeeman absorption; gravitational lensing. Only one of PHYS 3350 or 4350 may be taken for credit. (Offered every other year.) Prerequisites: PHYS 1310 or 1312; PHYS 1305; PHYS 3323.

Individual research under faculty supervision or independent study under faculty supervision in fields not covered by other courses. Credit may vary from 1 to 3 hours. This course may be repeated for additional credit; however, no more than 3 total hours may be counted toward a major in physics. Prerequisite: Consent of the Department Chair

Individual research and scholarly investigation under faculty supervision. A written summary of results and presentation at a department seminar are required. Required of all B.S. Physics Majors. (Offered every semester.) Prerequisite: Senior standing.

Continuation of PHYS 4395 including written preparation of a thesis and oral presentation of results at a department seminar. Not required of but highly recommended for B.S. Physics majors. Prerequisite: PHYS 4395.

Individual research and scholarly investigation under faculty supervision. A written summary of results and presentation at a department seminar are required. Required for honors in physics. (Offered every semester.) Prerequisite: Senior standing.

Continuation of PHYS 4398 including written preparation of a thesis and oral presentation of results at a department seminar. Required for honors in physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 4398.