Offering

Fall, Spring, Credit 3

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

None

Description:

Designed primarily for engineering students in need of preparation for PHYS 172. Basic concepts of kinematics, dynamics, mechanical energy, heat energy, and wave motion.

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Offering

Summer, Fall, Spring, Credits 4

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

Corequisite: MA 161. Authorized equivalent courses or consent of instructor may be used in satisfying course pre- and co-requisites.

Description:

Introductory calculus-based physics course using fundamental interactions between atoms to describe Newtonian mechanics, conservation laws, energy quantization, entropy, the kinetic theory of gases, and related topics in mechanics and thermodynamics. Emphasis is on using only a few fundamental principles to describe physical phenomena extending from nuclei to galaxies. 3-D graphical simulations and numerical problem solving by computer are employed by the student from the very beginning.

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Offering

Summer, Fall, Spring, Credits 4

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

Corequisite: MA 161. Authorized equivalent courses or consent of instructor may be used in satisfying course pre- and co-requisites.

Description:

Advanced treatment of introductory calculus-based physics using fundamental interactions between atoms to describe Newtonian mechanics, conservation laws, energy quantization, entropy, the kinetic theory of gases, and related topics in mechanics and thermodynamics. Emphasis is on using only a few fundamental principles to describe physical phenomena extending from nuclei to galaxies. 3-D graphical simulations and numerical problem solving by computer are employed by the student from the very beginning.

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Offering

Fall and Spring, Class 3, cr. 3

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

N\A

Description:

Development of basic concepts and theories in physics; a terminal survey course designed for non-science majors. This class requires the use of CHIP (Computerized Homework in Physics).

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Offering

Fall, Spring Credits 2

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

N\A

Description:

The curriculum draws heavily on Project 2061 Benchmarks and NRC Science Education Standards for content and nature of science materials and focuses on middle school learning goals (especially those with strands at elementary level). Each learning goal was expanded to finer-grained target ideas creating more steps to make concepts more understandable and explicit. Activities were designed to enable students to develop deep conceptual understanding of each target area and the structure and sequence were guided by research on student learning. In this class social interactions are used to clarify ideas and to encourage peer teaching. The students' understandings are based on prior knowledge. The class is based on a constructivist framework where new understandings are scaffolded from partial to incomplete understandings, and those are refined over time.

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Offering

Fall, 1 credit

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

N\A

Description:

This course introduces new physics majors to current physics and the research areas of the department. There are multiple sections with each section having eight or less students meeting with a Professor. The course is part seminar, part interactive discussion and questions and answers and part laboratory visits to research areas. Topics cover a wide range including the evolution of the Universe, astrophysics, elementary particle physics, nuclear physics, geophysical dating, nanoscience and imaging. Topics evolve to match current physics and the interests of the students.

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Offering

Fall; 1 Credit

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

N\A

Description:

This course introduces new physics majors to current physics and the research areas of the department. There are multiple sections with each section having eight or less students meeting with a Professor. The course is part seminar, part interactive discussion and questions and answers and part laboratory visits to research areas. Topics cover a wide range including the evolution of the Universe, astrophysics, elementary particle physics, nuclear physics, geophysical dating, nanoscience and imaging. Topics evolve to match current physics and the interests of the students.

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Offering

Fall, Spring and Summer, Class 3, lab. 2, cr. 4

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

MA 151 or MA 153, and MA 154

Description:

A broad survey of mechanics, heat, and sound primarily for technology students, focussing on the examples and applications especially appropriate to the technology field with generally conservative use of mathematics but giving fully quantitative treatments on selected key topics.

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Offering

Fall, Spring and Summer, Class 3, lab. 2, cr. 4

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

PHYS 218

Description:

A broad survey of electricity, magnetism, light, and modern physics for technology students, focussing on the examples and applications especially appropriate to the technology field with generally conservative use of mathematics but giving fully quantitative treatments on selected key topics.

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Offering

Fall and Spring, Class 3, Lab 2, cr. 4

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

College algebra and trigonometry

Description:

Mechanics, heat, and sound, for students not specializing in physics.

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Offering

Fall, Spring and Summer, Class 3, lab. 2, cr. 4

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

PHYS 220

Description:

Electricity, light, and modern physics, for students not specializing in physics.

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Offering

Fall Spring. 1 Credit

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

Permission of instructor required.

Description:

This seminar features a guest speaker every week. The speakers, each of who have a physics degree (B.S., M.S., or Ph.D.) will describe their career path and the role their physics background played. The purpose of the class is to introduce undergraduate Physics majors to some of the various career choices they may wish to pursue. Speakers will be drawn from a wide variety of professions.

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Offering

Fall, Spring and Summer, Class 4, cr. 3

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

PHYS 172

Description:

Electrostatics, current electricity, electromagnetism, magnetic properties of matter. Electromagnetic waves, geometrical and physical optics.

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Offering

Typically offered Summer Fall Spring; 1 credit

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

N\A

Description:

A general introduction to thermodynamics for students in science and engineering who have a basic calculus and mechanics background.

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Offering

Summer and Spring, Class 2, cr. 1

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

Corequisite PHYS 241 or admission by special permission.

Description:

Selected experiments in electric fields, magnetic fields, steady-state and transient d.c. circuits, thermodynamics, and optics.

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Offering

TBA

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

TBA

Description:

This course places current topics in environmental science in the context of the underlying physics. These topics include controversies of global warming, renewable energy sources, the transport of pollutants and percolation, acoustic and seismic detection for weapons of mass destruction as well as hydrocarbon exploration, the physics of earthquakes and volcanoes, and the atomic and molecular basis of environmental spectroscopy. The course is open to all engineering, physical science and biological science majors and other interested students. Recommended pre-requisites are first year physics and chemistry as well as introductory calculus. This course emphasizes quantitative descriptions and approaches using mathematical models.

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Offering

Fall, Spring 4 Credits

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

Prerequisite: PHYS 172; Corequisite: MA 162. Authorized equivalent courses or consent of instructor may be used in satisfying course pre- and co-requisites.

Description:

Calculus-based physics course using concepts of electric and magnetic fields and an atomic description of matter to describe polarization, fields produced by charge distributions, potential, electrical circuits, magnetic forces, induction, and related topics, leading to Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic radiation and an introduction to waves and interference. 3-D graphical simulations and numerical problem solving by computer are employed throughout.

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Offering

Fall, Spring Credits 4

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

Prerequisite: PHYS 172H; Corequisite: MA 162. Authorized equivalent courses or consent of instructor may be used in satisfying course pre- and co-requisites.

Description:

Advanced treatment of calculus-based physics course using concepts of electric and magnetic fields and an atomic description of matter to describe polarization, fields produced by charge distributions, potential, electrical circuits, magnetic forces, induction, and related topics, leading to Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic radiation and an introduction to waves and interference. 3-D graphical simulations and numerical problem solving by computer are employed throughout.

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Offering

Spring, Class 3, cr. 3

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

Prerequisite: MA 261 or equivalent

Description:

An introduction to mathematical methods used in junior and senior level physics courses. Topics include vectors; vector calculus; matrices; eigenvalues, and eigenfunctions; ordinary, differential equations and selected partial.

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Offering

Sem. 1, 2., Cr. 2

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

N\A

Description:

Readings, discussions, written reports, or laboratory work selected for enrichment in special areas of physics.

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Offering

Fall

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

n/a

Description:

This course is designed to provide sophomores in physics and other physical sciences with the mathematical capabilities essential to succeed in physics courses beyond the freshman level. It focuses on the bare basics of essential topics such as differential and integral calculus of one or more variables, complex analysis and vector calculus.

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Offering

Fall Credits 3

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

N\A

Description:

Readings, discussions, written reports, or laboratory work selected for enrichment in special areas of physics.

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Offering

3 Credits

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

N\A

Description:

Continuation of Mathematical Methods of Physics I, designed to provide sophomores in physics and other physical sciences with the mathematical capabilities essential to succeed in physics courses beyond the freshman level. Focus is on the essential portions of linear algebra/matrices, ordinary and partial differential equations, and probability/statistics.

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Offering

Summer, Fall, Spring. 1 Credit

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

n/a

Description:

• PHYS 290M: QuarkNet - Service Learning Outreach for Physics and Engineering Majors

• PHYS 290M: Cosmology - Service Learning Outreach for both Physics and Non-Physics Majors

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Offering

1.000 TO 3.000 Credit Hours
Typically offered Fall Spring.

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

Prerequisites: desire, commitment, dependability responsibility.

Description:

Physics 295 is a service learning class available to students willing and able to deliver physics lessons to K-12 classrooms and to other public events. Students are required to prepare and rehearse labs/activities so they are able to offer professional presentations. Students are also required to maintain a reflection journal, where they record notes about their experiences. Although efforts are made to work around students' schedules, students should have at least on open morning or afternoon each week (preferably 2-3) that allows them to visit an assigned site on a regular, consistent basis. One credit is equivalent to 32 hours of involvement in preparation and/or delivery of activities, and journaling time.

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Offering

Fall, Class 4, cr. 4

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

PHYS 272H and MA 261

Description:

For students familiar with calculus. Elements of vector algebra; Newtonian mechanics/rectilinear motion of a particle; oscillations; general motion of a particle in three dimensions; noninertial reference systems; gravitation and central forces; dynamics of systems of particles; mechanics of rigid bodies/planar motion; motion of rigid bodies in three dimensions.

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Offering

Fall, Class 3, cr. 3

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

PHYS 251, 271, or equivalent.

Description:

Wave optics and properties of light including reflection, refraction interference. Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction dispersion, polarization, double refraction, introduction to lasers and holography.

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Offering

Fall Cr. 3

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

PHYS 272H and MA 261

Description:

Electrostatics; electric currents; magnetostatics; electromagnetic induction; Maxwell's equation; electromagnetic waves.

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Offering

1.000 Credit Hour

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

PHYS 272(H), or 241

Description:

Laboratory experiments to accompany PHYS 34200 or 34400.

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Offering

Fall, Spring, Class 3, cr. 3

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

PHYS 241 or 272(H)

Description:

Modern physics is the physics of extremes. From systems at the extremely small (atoms, nuclei, fundamental particles) to the extremely large (the Universe). From systems of the extremely fast (relativity) and extremely massive (neutron stars, black holes), to systems of the extremely hot (thermonuclear reactions) and extremely cold (superconductivity). This is the physics course you have been waiting for.

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Offering

Fall 4.000 Credit Hours

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

272H or 241

Description:

Review of special relativity; particle properties of electromagnetic radiation; wave properties of particles; uncertainty principle; atomic spectra and X-rays; nuclear structure; elementary particles; statistical distribution laws; physics of solids.

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Offering

Sem. 2, Class 3, Cr. 3

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

PHYS 344 and (310 or 330)

Description:

Historical development of quantum mechanics, wave packets, uncertainty principle, Schrdinger equation, operators, the hydrogen atom, electron spin, angular momentum, perturbation theory, and other selected topics.

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Offering

Fall, Class 3, cr. 3

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

Admission by special permission

Description:

Newtonian mechanics. Conservation laws. Free, damped and driven harmonic motion. Newton's law of universal gravitation. Hamilton's principle, Euler-Lagrange equations, Hamilton's equations.

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Offering

Sem. 2, Class 2, Credit 2

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

PHYS-410 and more

Description:

This is a course in Analytical Mechanics intended for Purdue Physics undergraduate students who are in the Honors program. Admission to the course is by special permission. The material covered is at a somewhat more advanced level than the typical undergraduate course on the subject. Topics will range from aspects and applications of hamiltonian dynamics, to canonical transformations, finally to some concepts of modern non-linear dynamics and chaotic motion. A good working knowledge of lagrangian and hamiltonian dynamics is necessary. Although a certain knowledge of mathematical methods for Physics will certainly turn out useful, the course is mostly self-contained. NOTICE: Prospective students are expected to be able to write down at once the correct expression for the kinetic energy of a particle in the standard coordinate systems.

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Offering

Fall, Class 4, cr. 4

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

Admission by special permission

Description:

Thermal equililbrium, first, second and third laws of thermodynamics. Entropy. Statistical concepts of thermal physics. Microcanonical and canonical ensembles. Classical and quantum ideal gases. Chemical reactions, phase equilibria and critical phenomena.

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Offering

Spring 3.000 Credit Hours

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

272H or 241

Description:

Physics of waves and oscillations including sound, elastic waves, and electromagnetic waves such as light. Topics range from the theory of simple harmonic oscillators, transverse modes of a continuous string, and physical optics including interference, Fresnel and Fraunhofer diffraction, and resolution, to diffraction of X-rays and electrons by crystals. Optionally includes topics such as nonlinear waves and surface waves.

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Offering

Spring, Class 3, cr. 3

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

Pre/Co-requisite: A course in vector calculus. Admission by special permission.

Description:

Electrostatics, solutions of Poisson's equation in spherical and cylindrical coordinates, macroscopic and microscopic theory of dielectrics, electrostatic energy, conduction; magnetostatics, electromagnetic induction, and magnetic properties of matter.

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Offering

Fall (starting in Fall 2010), Class 2, Cr. 2

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

Prerequisite: PHYS 430; Admission by special permission. Authorized equivalent courses or consent of instructor may be used in satisfying course pre- and co-requisites.

Description:

A continuation of PHYS 430. Magnetic energy; applications of Maxwell's equations to a.c. circuits, filters, transmission lines, waveguides, and antennae; Lienard-Wiechert potentials.

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Offering

Sem. 1, 2. Class 1, Lab. 3, Cr. 2

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

Corequisite: PHYS 422; Admission by special permission. Authorized equivalent courses or consent of instructor may be used in satisfying course pre- and co-requisites.

Description:

Material of PHYS 350 covered in greater depth for honors physics majors.

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Offering

Fall, Class 3, Cr. 3

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

PHYS 344 and 410

Description:

Limits of classical physics, wave packets. Bohr model, atomic systems, Schrodinger equation, eigen-functions, one-dimensional potentials, wave mechanics general structure, multiparticle systems, Pauli principle, operator methods.

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Offering

Spring (starting in Spring 2010), Class 3, cr. 3.

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

PHYS 460. Admission by special permission.

Description:

Angular momenta, radial equation, operators, matrices, spin, time independent perturbation theory, electron-electromagnetic field interaction, hydrogen atom, structure of atoms, molecules, radiation; selected topics in radiative transitions, collision theory, solids, nuclei, elementary particles and their symmetries.

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Offering

Spring

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

None

Description:

This course begins with the fundamentals of quantum optics, with emphasis on the topics of quantum superposition and quantum entanglement. These concepts are then developed for their use in the new fields of quantum communication, quantum cryptography and quantum computing. This course is meant as a general overview course for undergraduate seniors and first-year graduate students in physics, computer science and electrical engineering. Those aspects of quantum mechanics that are relevant to the applications will be introduced as they are needed. Therefore, there is no specific prerequisite for quantum mechanics. Students should have some knowledge of statistics and linear algebra.

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Offering

Spring 2009; 3 credits

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

None

Description:

• Course Description (pdf)

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Offering

Spring (starting in Spring 2011), Class 3, cr. 3

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

PHYS 310 and 344. Coreq. 360 and 330

Description:

Equilibrium states, the concept of heat, and the laws of thermodynamics; the existence and properties of the entropy and free energies; different thermodynamic potentials and their uses; phase diagrams and phase transitions; introduction to statistical mechanics and its relation to thermodynamics; treatment of ideal gases.

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Offering

Fall, Cr. 3

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

None

Description:

This course is intended for first-year graduate students in the Department of Physics. It provides a survey of major topics in classical mechanics and electromagnetism. The primary objectives is to prepare beginning students for upper-level graduate courses.

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Offering

Spring, Fall 3 Credits

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

Prerequisite: PHYS 330, 550; PHYS 322 or 422; or Prerequisite: M E 587. Authorized equivalent courses or consent of instructor may be used in satisfying course pre- and co-requisites.

Description:

Recent experimental and theoretical developments in optics emphasizing concepts of coherence. Fourier optics, and the quantum theory of radiation. Applications to lasers and masers, nonlinear optics, holography, and quantum electronics.

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Offering

3.000 Credit Hours

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

PHYS 360 or 460 or 550

Description:

This course is an introduction to the physics of quantum information science. Starting with the concepts of quantum superposition, it defines and describes qubits (quantum bits) and their manipulation by quantum logic gates. The topics of quantum entanglement and the EPR paradox (the only "true" paradox in physics) are introduced, and their importance for quantum teleportation, communication and quantum cryptography are covered. Quantum computing is described in terms of quantum circuits of logic gates, and in terms of quantum algorithms such as Deutche's algorithm, the quantum fourier transform, Shor's prime factoring algorithm and Grover's search algorithm. The final topic is quantum decoherence and the limits it places on practical implementations of quantum computing.
More info: Quantum_Computation.pdf

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Offering

Spring, Class 3, lab. 3, cr. 4

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

PHYS 272, 272H

Description:

A summary of modern electronics currently used in research. The emphasis is on broad coverage of the field rather than an in-depth study of selected topics or applications.

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Offering

Sem. 1, 2. Class 3, Cr. 3

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

Prerequisite: PHYS 416 or equivalent and PHYS 460 or equivalent. Consent of instructor may be used in satisfying course pre- and co-requisites.

Description:

Crystal structure; lattice vibrations and electronic band structure of crystals; electrical, optical, and thermal properties of solids; transport and other non-equilibrium phenomena in uniform and nonuniform materials.

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Offering

Fall, Class 3, cr. 3

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

PHYS 310 or PHYS 330, PHYS 342, MA 302 or MA 501; or equivalent. Not available for students with credit in PHYS 360 or 460.

Description:

Brief historical survey of the development of quantum mechanics; waves in classical physics, wave-packets, uncertainty principle, wave functions, operators, expectation values of dynamical observables; Schroedinger equation with application to one-dimensional problems, the hydrogen atom, electrons pin, periodic table; selected topics in perturbation theory, scattering theory, and compounding of angular momenta. Designed for students needing quantum mechanics background for specialty courses such as PHYS 556, PHYS 560, and PHYS 564.

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Offering

Spring, Fall 3 Credits

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

Prerequisite: PHYS 550. Authorized equivalent courses or consent of instructor may be used in satisfying course pre- and co-requisites.

Description:

Theory of relativity, brief survey of systematics of nuclei and elementary particles, structure of stable nuclei, radioactivity, interaction of nuclear radiation with matter, nuclear reactions, particle accelerators, nuclear instruments, fission, nuclear reactors.

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Offering

Spring, 3 credits

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

Prerequisites: Graduate status or PHYS 342 or PHYS 344

Description:

This course is intended as an introduction to the birth, life, death, and afterlife of stars at the upper division undergraduate/beginning graduate level. Topics covered during the semester include the observational basis of astrophysics, the formation of stars on the main sequence, the physical properties of stellar material, energy generation in stars, nucleosynthesis of the elements, supernovae and their remnants, white dwarf stars, and neutron stars.

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Offering

Fall, Spring CR: 3.0

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

Graduate status or PHYS 342 or PHYS 344

Description:

(ASTR 561) Covers basic observed properties and models of galactic structure, dynamics of stars, physics of interstellar medium, formation of galaxies, properties of clusters of galaxies, and dark matter.

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Offering

Spring. 3

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

Graduate status or PHYS 342 or PHYS 344

Description:

(ASTR 562) This course provides an overview of important physical processes in a variety of astronomical settings and of the experimental techniques employed in the field of high energy astrophysics. Covered in more detail are individual systems include black holes, neutron stars, white dwarfs, supernova remnants, active a galactic nuclei, clusters of galaxies, gamma-ray bursts, and cosmic rays, with a special emphasis on serveral research frontiers. The course is intended for upper-level undergraduate students and beginning graduate students in the colleges of science and engineering.

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Offering

Fall, Spring CR: 3.0

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

Graduate status or PHYS 342 or PHYS 344

Description:

(ASTR 563) An overview of an emerging research frontier in modern physics that lies at the interface of particle physics and astrophysics. Emphasis is on topics that are particularly relevant to both fields, including cosmology, cosmic ray physics, very-high-energy gamma ray astrophysics, neutrino astrophysics, and gravitational wave physics.

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Offering

Sem. 1, Class 3, cr. 3.

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

Prerequisite: PHYS 360 or 550; or PHYS 460, 461. Authorized equivalent courses or consent of instructor may be used in satisfying course pre- and co-requisites.

Description:

This course brings students up to the current status of research in elementary particle physics. The focus of the course is the construction of the Standard Model with emphasis on the electroweak theory. The seminal experiments that confirmed the predictions of the Standard Model is presented. The solar neutrino problem, the search for nonzero neutrino masses, and the efforts to construct a theory which unifies all interactions, including gravity, is discussed.

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Offering

Spring, cr. 3

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

PHYS 360, PHYS 460, PHYS 550, PHYS 564

Description:

This course is a continuation of PHYS 564. Therefore, it is expected that the students are familiar with particle detection techniques, statistical interpretation of data and with Quantum Electro Dynamics. In 590E we will study the electroweak theory which is the basis of the Standard Model of particles and their interaction. We will focus on spontaneous symmetry breaking and introduce supersymmetry.

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Offering

Sem. 1, 2, 3. Class 3, Cr. 3

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

Recommended background is Quantum Mechanics as taught in graduate (PHYS 660 or equivalent) or senior undergraduate (PHYS 460 & 461 or equivalent) courses and some familiarity with computer programming. The course is appropriate for students from physics, chemistry, biology, materials/computer science and related disciplines.

Description:

First principle (ab initio) methods provide significant insight about the electronic structure (ES) and physical properties of structures of interest in physics, chemistry, biology and materials science. These methods are particularly useful for understanding the electronic structure of molecular systems, such as active sites in metalloproteins or molecular nanostructures, and for interpreting experiments that probe their ground or excited states. This course will offer an introduction to the underlying theory and practical applications of some computational methods of electronic structure:

* Hartree-Fock Theory
* Kohn-Sham Density Functional Theory
* Car-Parinello Molecular Dynamics

For more information, please contact Prof. Jorge H. Rodriguez (270 Physics).

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Offering

Spring CR 3.0

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

Working knowledge of special relativity, quantum mechanics and electromagnetism.

Description:

Classical strings
Quantum strings and string spectrum
Superstring spectrum
Open strings and D-branes
Black holes in string theory
Gauge/string theory duality: AdS/CFT

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Offering

3 credits

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

N\A

Description:

This course objective is to educate and train individuals to apply the concepts and methods of the physical sciences to the solution of biological problems. Students will be introduced to a physical description of a wide range of phenomena, from molecular and cell mechanisms to the function of the human brain. This introductory overview of frontiers in Photobiophysics, Neurophysics, bioinformatics and Synchrotron based biological spectroscopy will help students to broad their views. This course prepares physics students for research and development work in an interdisciplinary/medical environment.

Topics include molecular forces in biological structures, cell organization, structure and function of proteins, nucleic acids, and biological membranes, flow of genetic information, biological thermodynamic and kinetic (enzymatic reactions), electrostatic interactions in biology, physico-chemical basis of neuron signaling (membrane potentials, action potential generation and propagation, synaptic transmission, sensory receptor function), interaction of biological molecules with light (primary processes in photosynthesis, vision), functional studies of brain.

This course is designed for students at the senior undergraduate or entering graduate student level. The course will be self-contained (i.e. no prior biology courses are required)

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Offering

Sem. 1, 2, 3. Cr. 3

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

N\A

Description:

This course follows PHYS 564 and it continues to present current topics in elementary particle physics. It focuses on gauge symmetries, the theoretical foundation of the Standard Model and the Higgs mechanism. It explores physics beyond the standard model with special attention on supersymmetry and searches for new particles.

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Offering

Summer, Fall, Spring

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

N\A

Description:

Biological systems present a complex environment with many interrelated parts. In this course we will apply quantitative physical models to increasingly complex, biologically interesting materials. The course will be generally divided in three sections: 1) one-dimensional macromolecules, 2) two-dimensional membranes and sheets, and 3) three dimensional cellular mechanics. The course will draw concepts from statistical mechanics, continuum mechanics and fluid dynamics to describe universal and non-universal behavior in these dynamic soft systems.

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Offering

Sem. 1, 2, 3., Class 3, Cr. 3

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

Phys 545 (Solid-State Physics)

Description:

Specialized topics in physics selected from time to time.

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Offering

3 Credits

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

N\A

Description:

This course will teach solid state and nano physics from a "carbon" perspective, focusing particularly on carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene.

Topics include:

1. Review of basic concepts of solid state physics, low dimensional physics, nano science and nano devices in the context of carbon nanomaterials.
2. Allotropes of carbon materials: graphite (3D), graphene (2D), carbon nanotubes (1D), buckyballs (OD): material synthesis and fabrication; structural and chemical properties; composite materials.
3. Electronic properties of graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNT); chiral Dirac electrons; quantum transport in 2D and 1D; carbon nanoelectronics.
4. Optical properties of graphene and CNT; Raman spectroscopy; carbon based photonic devices and solar cells.
5. Mechanical properties of graphene and CNT; force and friction at nanoscale; carbon based NEMS devices.
6. Thermal properties: thermal electric effect and thermal conductivity; nanoscale thermal transport and heat management.
7. Other properties such as magnetism and superconductivity in carbon materials.
8. Other applications in nanotechnologies such as nanosensors and energy storage and conversion.

Required Texts: No

Recommended Texts:

R. Saito, G. Dresselhaus, M. S. Dresselhaus: Physical Properties ofCarbon Nanotubes, Imperial College Press (1998, reprinted 2003)

Stephanie Reich, Christian Thomsen, Janina Maultzsch: Carbon Nanotubes: Basic Concepts and Physical Properties, Wiley (2004)

Ado Jorio (Ed), Gene Dresselhaus (Ed), Mildred S. Dresselhaus (Ed): Carbon Nanotubes: Advanced Topics in the Synthesis, Structure, Properties and Applications (Topics in Applied Physics), Springer (2008)

S. Saito and A. Zettl: Carbon Nanotubes: Quantum Cylinders ofGraphene, Elsevier (2008)

Yuri Gogotsi: Carbon nanomaterials, Taylor and Francis (2006)

M. Meyyappan (Ed.): Carbon nanotubes: Science and Applications, CRC Press (2005)

Gene Dresselhaus (Ed), Mildred S. Dresselhaus (Ed.) and Ph. Avouris (Ed.): Carbon Nanotubes: Synthesis, Structure, Properties and Applications, Springer (2001)

Course Homepage

Offering

Fall, cr. 3

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

Junior level mechanics, E & M, Modern Physics

Description:

The course is an introduction to charged particle accelerators for people who anticipate making use of them in research or applications. For graduate students potentially interested in doing a Ph.D. thesis in accelerator physic there is the option of doing research at Fermilab with financial support from that laboratory. Since solutions to accelerator physics problems are often naturally found and visualized by means of computer simulation, a computer simulation lab has been made an integral part of the course. Consequently, the course can be substituted for Phys. 536 by undergraduate physics majors and for Phys. 631 by physics graduate students. Grades will be based primarily on homework and a term paper.

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Offering

Fall, Class 3, cr. 3

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

PHYS 510 and PHYS 530, or equivalent.

Description:

An introduction to the theory of relativity.

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Offering

Spring (starting in Spring 2011). cr. 3

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

A physics background in mechanics at the level of PHYS 310 or 410, and quantum mechanics at the level of PHYS 342 (or higher) is required. A practical programming experience is highly desirable though formal computer science course such as CS 150 (Fortran) or CS 180 (C) can be tolerated as substitutes.

Description:

Introduction to computationally based problem solving in physics, emphasis on understanding and applying various numerical algorithms to different types of physics problems. Topics will include chaos in mechanical systems, stochastic systems including percolation and fractal structures, molecular dynamics and the properties of simple fluids, Monte Carlo methods and phase transitions, and time dependent as well as time dependent problems in quantum mechanics.

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Offering

Sem. 1, 2. SS. Cr. 1-3.

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

N\A

Description:

Physics 590A and 590B cover the basic principles of physics, exposing you to the material through videotapes, your textbook, and problem solving. This makes it possible for you to move through the materials at a convenient pace, at a convenient location, and to access a variety of modes of learning.

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Offering

Spring, Credits 3

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

N\A

Description:

This course gives an introduction into quantum chromodynamics (QCD), the theory of the strong interaction. Topics discussed include non-Abelian gauge symmetry, perturbation theory, asymptotic freedom (the discovery awarded in 2004 by the Nobel prize), renormalization group equations, and chiral symmetry breaking. Important high-energy collider physics applications will also be presented, such as jet production in nucleon-nucleon and nucleus-nucleus collisions, and the behavior of quark and gluon distributions in the proton and nuclei.

The course is aimed at graduate students. Knowledge of quantum mechanics and electrodynamics is required. The relevant quantum field theory concepts and techniques will be introduced during the course, and an overview of quantum electrodynamics will be included as well.

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Offering

Sem. 1, 2. SS. Cr. 1-3.

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

N\A

Description:

Physics 590A and 590B cover the basic principles of physics, exposing you to the material through videotapes, your textbook, and problem solving. This makes it possible for you to move through the materials at a convenient pace, at a convenient location, and to access a variety of modes of learning.

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Offering

2.00 or 3.00 Usually Offered: Summer, Fall, Spring

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

N\A

Description:

Reading and research in Physics.

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Offering

Fall, Spring, Summer, Cr. 1-4

Current Session:

Fall 2009

Prerequisites:

Admission by special permission.

Description:

Research in some area of modern physics (Spectroscopy, nuclear physics, solid-state physics, elementary particle physics, biophysics, geophysics, etc.) with the student receiving individualized supervision and guidance from a staff member. Course may be repeated for credit.

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Offering

Typically offered Fall Spring Summer. 1.000 TO 3.000 Credit Hours

Current Session:

Not in session

Prerequisites:

N\A

Description:

This course helps K-12 teachers learn new developments in physical sciences and in their pedagogy, which will then help them to update and improve science curricula at their schools. Most activities of this course are performed in collaboration with the outreach activities of the College of Science and with the administrative assistance by the Office of Continuing Education. Course Brochure (pdf)

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