Physics
- GEO 371/PHY 371: Global GeophysicsAn introduction to the fundamental principles of global geophysics. Four parts, taught over three weeks each in an order allowing the material to build up to form a final coherent picture of (how we know) the structure and evolution of the solid Earth: 1. Gravity and 2. Magnetism: the description and study of the Earth's magnetic and gravitational fields. 3. Seismology: body waves, surface waves and free oscillations. 4. Geodynamics: heat flow, cooling of the Earth, and mantle convection. The emphasis is on physical principles including the mathematical derivation and solution of the governing equations.
- ISC 231/MOL 231/CHM 231/PHY 231: An Integrated, Quantitative Introduction to Life Sciences IThe four-course sequence ISC 231-234 integrates introductory topics in calculus-based physics, chemistry, molecular biology, and scientific computing with Python, with an emphasis on laboratory experimentation, quantitative reasoning, and data-oriented thinking. It best suits students interested in complex problems in living organisms and prepares them for interdisciplinary research in the life sciences. The fall courses ISC 231 and 232 must be taken together. See ISC website for details on course equivalencies and recommended academic paths from ISC.
- ISC 232/MOL 232/CHM 232/PHY 232: An Integrated, Quantitative Introduction to Life Sciences IThe four-course sequence ISC 231-234 integrates introductory topics in calculus-based physics, chemistry, molecular biology, and scientific computing with Python, with an emphasis on laboratory experimentation, quantitative reasoning, and data-oriented thinking. It best suits students interested in complex problems in living organisms and prepares them for interdisciplinary research in the life sciences. The fall courses ISC 231 and 232 must be taken together. See ISC website for details on course equivalencies and recommended academic paths from ISC.
- PHY 101: Introductory Physics IThe course is concerned with an introduction to the fundamental laws underlying physics and having general application to other areas of science. The treatment is complete and detailed; however, less mathematical preparation is assumed than for PHY 103-104. Mechanics and thermodynamics are treated quantitatively with a special emphasis on problem solving. In the spring semester PHY 102 covers electricity and magnetism, optics and quantum physics using the topics treated in PHY 101.
- PHY 103: General Physics ITo understand the basic physics needed for further study in science and engineering. Logical, quantitative approach to problem solving. Applying fundamental concepts to idealized, practical problems.
- PHY 105: Advanced Physics (Mechanics)PHY105 is an advanced first year course in classical mechanics, taught at a more sophisticated level than PHY103. A prior calculus-based physics course, such as AP physics C or an intro college-level course, is assumed. The approach of PHY105 is that of an upper-division physics course, with more emphasis on the underlying formal structure of physics than PHY103, including an introduction to modern variational methods (Lagrangian dynamics), with challenging problem sets due each week and a mini-course in Special Relativity held over reading period.
- PHY 112: Gravity and The CosmosAn introduction for non-scientists to what is known and not known about gravity and the evolution of the universe. The course will trace the discoveries that led to current understanding and the puzzles we hope to solve in the 21st century. Classes will entail a combination of lecture, discussion, hands-on demonstrations, and group activities.
- PHY 115A/STC 115A: Physics for Future LeadersWhat do informed citizens and future leaders of our society need to know about physics and technology? This course is designed for non-scientists who will someday become our informed citizens and decision-makers. Whatever the field of endeavor, they will be faced with crucial decisions in which physics and technology play an important role. This course will present the key principles and the basic physical reasoning needed to interpret scientific and technical information to make the best decisions. Topics include energy and power, atomic and subatomic matter, wave-like phenomena and light, and technologies based on advances in physics.
- PHY 115B/STC 115B: Physics for Future LeadersWhat do informed citizens and future leaders of our society need to know about physics and technology? This course is designed for non-scientists who will someday become our informed citizens and decision-makers. Whatever the field of endeavor, they will be faced with crucial decisions in which physics and technology play an important role. This course will present the key principles and the basic physical reasoning needed to interpret scientific and technical information to make the best decisions. Topics include energy and power, atomic and subatomic matter, wave-like phenomena and light, and technologies based on advances in physics.
- PHY 207: From Classical to Quantum MechanicsAn introduction to classical and quantum waves. Topics covered include Hamiltonian dynamics; conservation laws; coupled oscillators and normal modes; the wave equation; dispersion and interference. Basic principles of quantum mechanics will be introduced, including the uncertainty principle, wave-particle duality, and the Schrodinger equation. The course is intended for all second-year physics and astrophysics concentrators as part of the 207/208 sequence, as well as students from other departments interested in the quantitative study of quantum mechanics and quantum computing. The course consists of weekly lectures and a precept.
- PHY 209: Computational Physics SeminarIntroduction to Python coding and its application to data collection, analysis and statistical inference. The course consists of weekly hands-on labs that introduce the students to the Linux coding environment with Jupyter and Python modules. Labs involve configuring a Raspberry Pi to interface with hardware sensors to collect interrupt-driven measurements. Multivariate discriminators and confidence levels for hypothesis testing will be applied to data samples. Labs are drawn from different forms of sensors data from accelerometers and photodetectors to external sources including radio-astronomy and XRF analysis of Art Museum paintings.
- PHY 301: Thermal PhysicsA unified introduction to thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, both classical and quantum. Topics include heat engines, black-body radiation, ideal Fermi and Bose gases, phase transitions, information and entropy, and Brownian motion.
- PHY 303: Advanced DynamicsThe course covers advanced topics in classical dynamics including an exploration of phenomena associated with deterministic chaos in non-integrable systems. Proficiency with Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics, multi-variable calculus, differential equations and linear algebra are assumed, although the math may be taken concurrently. Applications span a range of disciplines beyond physics, including climate science, parametric biological modeling, and behavioral economics. The class consists of a lecture, in-class demonstrations and discussion. The course is not open to first year students without permission of the physics DUS.
- PHY 305: Introduction to the Quantum TheoryThis course is a continuation of PHY 208. We will start by following the topics in Griffith and then explore a broader range of topics.
- PHY 312: Experimental PhysicsThis is an advanced course in experimental physics, including four experiments and an electronics lab. Examples of experiments include muon decay, beta decay, optical pumping, the Mossbauer effect, holography, positron annihilation, electron diffraction, single photon interference, NMR, the Josephson effect, quantum optics, and the observation of Galactic hydrogen. Weekly lectures will provide an overview of various experimental techniques and data analysis.
- PHY 412: Biological PhysicsBiological Physics is one of the fastest growing areas of physics. This course focuses on experimental and theoretical physics approaches to understanding biological molecules, cells, tissues, and organisms. Emphasis will be placed both on cutting-edge techniques in the field and scientific concepts. Classes will be a combination of lectures and student presentations.
- PHY 501: Preliminary Exam Preparatory CourseThis is a preliminary exam preparatory class that combines all relevant topics and review problem sets from past exams. One section of an old exam is covered each week: during the first study session an exam section is given in an exam setting, and during the second study session the solutions are provided and discussed. The preliminary section topic alternates each week between classical mechanics/electromagnetism (CM/EM) and quantum mechanics/thermodynamics/statistical mechanics (QM/SM).
- PHY 503: Introduction to Classical MechanicsPreliminary exam preparatory seminar-style course. Review of classical mechanics emphasizing problem solving.
- PHY 504: Introduction to Electromagnetism (Half-Term)Preliminary exam preparatory course. Review of electromagnetism emphasizing problem-solving.
- PHY 505: Quantum MechanicsThe physical principles and mathematical formalism of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics. The principles will be illustrated via selected applications to topics in atomic physics, particle physics and condensed matter.
- PHY 509: Quantum Field TheoryCanonical and path integral quantization of quantum fields, Feynman diagrams, gauge symmetry, elementary processes in quantum electrodynamics.
- PHY 510: Advanced Quantum Field TheoryRelations between Quantum Field Theory and Statistical Mechanics, Renormalization Group, Non-Abelian Gauge Theories, Asymptotic Freedom, Quantum Chromodynamics, Chiral Lagrangians.
- PHY 511: Statistical MechanicsThe physical principles and mathematical formulation of statistical physics, with emphasis on applications in thermodynamics, condensed matter, physical chemistry and astrophysics. Topics that will be discussed include bose-einstein condensation, degenerate fermi systems, phase-transitions, and basics of kinetic theory.
- PHY 521/MAT 597: Introduction to Mathematical PhysicsAn introduction to the statistical mechanic of classical and quantum spin systems. Among the topics to be discussed are phase transitions, emergent structures, critical phenomena, and scaling limits. The goal is to present the physics embodied in the subject along with mathematical methods, from probability and analysis, for rigorous results concerning the phenomena displayed by, and within, the subject's essential models. The lectures start with a brisk review of what was covered in the course in Spring 2021, and then continue beyond that with a more extended, though still self contained, discussion of quantum systems.
- PHY 523: Introduction to RelativityThis course gives an introduction to Einstein's theory of general relativity. No prior knowledge of general relativity is assumed, and an overview of the differential geometry needed to understand the field equations and spacetime geometries will be given. Beyond this, topics covered include black holes, gravitational waves, and cosmological spacetimes.
- PHY 525: Introduction to Condensed Matter PhysicsElectronic structure of crystals, phonons, transport and magnetic properties, screening in metals, and superconductivity.
- PHY 535: Phase Transitions and the Renormalization GroupA graduate level introduction to the physics of phase transitions, critical phenomena and the renormalizaton group, which play a vital role in our understanding of various physical systems, from the universe to elementary particles to transitions between different phases of matter. This course, concentrating on such phase transitions, offers interested graduate students an introduction to the field, the basic principles, like universality and symmetry, and detailed description of the mathematical methodology, with emphasis on the renormalization group.
- PHY 557: Electronic Methods in Experimental PhysicsThis course is targeted for graduate students from all departments and undergraduate physics majors. The seminar introduces students to the basic techniques in electronics and instrumentation used to conduct experiments in the physical sciences. The course focuses on analog electronics and data acquisition. Students learn circuit construction and modelling techniques with emphasis on noise properties and fundamental performance limits. The class consists of a number of practical exercises followed by a final design project.
- PHY 581: Graduate Research InternshipThis course is for post generals students who are working on their thesis and nominated by their advisor. The student has been nominated and awarded an internship from another university, research institute, private organization or foundation. This internship allows the student to further their research on their thesis.
- QCB 515/PHY 570/EEB 517/CHM 517/MOL 515: Method and Logic in Quantitative BiologyClose reading of published papers illustrating the principles, achievements, and difficulties that lie at the interface of theory and experiment in biology. Two important papers, read in advance by all students, will be considered each week; the emphasis will be on discussion with students as opposed to formal lectures. Topics include: cooperativity, robust adaptation, kinetic proofreading, sequence analysis, clustering, phylogenetics, analysis of fluctuations, and maximum likelihood methods. A general tutorial on Matlab and specific tutorials for the four homework assignments will be available.