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Recommended Electives

Recommended Elective Courses

Below is a list of recommended electives for Physics and Astronomy majors and minors.  To get the most current information on courses, please consult the Purdue University Course Catalog.  

Physics Courses
Courses Term Time Credits Description
PHYS 556 Intro Nuclear Physics Fall 2021 TBA 3/22 3 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.
PHYS 561 Galaxies & Large Scale Structure Fall 2021 TBA 3/22 3 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.
PHYS 564 Intro Elementary Particle Phys Fall 2021 TBA 3/22 3 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.
PHYS 567 Observational Astronomy Fall 2021 TBA 3/22 3 Fundamental concepts in observational astronomy, including coordinate and time systems, telescopes and detectors, radiation and optics, and methods of statistical data analysis.

 

Specialty Physics Courses
Courses Term Time Credits Description
PHYS 570Q Stochastic Processes In Phys Fall 2021 TBA 3/22 3  
PHYS 570E Intro To Biophysics Fall 2021 TBA 3/22 3  

 

Electives from other departments
Courses Term Time Credits Description
HSCI 312 Radiation Science Fall 2021 TBA 3/22 3 This course introduces principles and concepts related to nuclear energetics, radioactive decay, the interactions of ionizing radiation with matter, and the human health effects of exposure to ionizing radiation. Fundamental concepts related to atomic and sub-atomic physical processes as well as relevant aspects of modern physics are briefly reviewed. Students gain practical experience and enhance their understanding of radiation protection by participating in a radiological emergency response exercise (RERE)
HSCI 313 Radiation Detection Fall 2021 TBA 3/22 3 Course presents an introduction to the principles of radiation detection and measurement, including statistical models, counting statistics, error analysis, detection limits, ionization chambers, proportional counters, GM counters, scintillation counters, gamma-ray spectroscopy, solid-state detectors, TLDs, track-etch and bubble detectors.
CS 314 Numerical Methods Fall 2021 TBA 3/22 3 Iterative methods for solving nonlinear equations; direct and iterative methods for solving linear systems; approximations of functions, derivatives, and integrals; error analysis.
MA 265 Linear Algebra Fall 2021 TBA 3/22 3 Introduction to linear algebra. Systems of linear equations, matrix algebra, vector spaces, determinants, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization of matrices, applications. Not open to students with credit in MA 26200, 27200, 35000 or 35100.
MA 266 Ordinary Differential Equations Fall 2021 TBA 3/22 3 First order equations, second and n'th order linear equations, series solutions, solution by Laplace transform, systems of linear equations. It is preferable but not required to take MA 26500 either first or concurrently. Not open to students with credit in MA 26200, 27200, 36000, 36100, or 36600.
MA 303 Differential Equations and Partial Differential Equations for Engr and Sciences Fall 2021 TBA 3/22 3 This is a methods course for juniors in any branch of engineering and science, designed to follow MA 26200 or MA 26600. Materials to be covered are: linear systems of ordinary differential equations, nonlinear systems, Fourier series, separation of variables for partial differential equations, and Sturm-Liouville theory.
MA 351 - Linear Algebra Fall 2021 TBA 3/22 3 Systems of linear equations, finite dimensional vector spaces, matrices, determinants, eigenvalues and eigenvector applications to analytical geometry. Not open to students with credit in MA 26500
HSCI 312 Radiation Science Fall 2021 TBA 3/22 3 This course introduces principles and concepts related to nuclear energetics, radioactive decay, the interactions of ionizing radiation with matter, and the human health effects of exposure to ionizing radiation. Fundamental concepts related to atomic and sub-atomic physical processes as well as relevant aspects of modern physics are briefly reviewed. Students gain practical experience and enhance their understanding of radiation protection by participating in a radiological emergency response exercise (RERE)
HSCI 313 Radiation Detection Fall 2021 TBA 3/22 3 Course presents an introduction to the principles of radiation detection and measurement, including statistical models, counting statistics, error analysis, detection limits, ionization chambers, proportional counters, GM counters, scintillation counters, gamma-ray spectroscopy, solid-state detectors, TLDs, track-etch and bubble detectors.
CS 314 Numerical Methods Fall 2021 TBA 3/22 3 Iterative methods for solving nonlinear equations; direct and iterative methods for solving linear systems; approximations of functions, derivatives, and integrals; error analysis.
MA 351 - Linear Algebra Fall 2021 TBA 3/22 3 Systems of linear equations, finite dimensional vector spaces, matrices, determinants, eigenvalues and eigenvector applications to analytical geometry. Not open to students with credit in MA 26500
MA 35301 -Linear Algebra II Fall 2021 TBA 3/22 3 Theoretical background for methods and results that appear in MA 35100. Inner products, orthogonality, and applications including least squares.
MA 366 - Differential Equations Fall 2021 TBA 3/22 4 An introduction to ordinary differential equations with emphasis on problem solving and applications. The one-hour computer lab will give students an opportunity for hands-on experience with both the theory and applications of the subject.
MA 416/STAT 416 - Probability Fall 2021 TBA 3/22 3 STAT 41600) An introduction to mathematical probability suitable as a preparation for actuarial science, statistical theory, and mathematical modeling. General probability rules, conditional probability and Bayes theorem, discrete and continuous random variables, moments and moment generating functions, joint and conditional distributions, standard discrete and continuous distributions and their properties, law of large numbers and central limit theorem.
STAT 420 - Intro Time Series Fall 2021 TBA 3/22 3 An introduction to time series analysis suitable for actuarial science, engineering, and sciences. Model building and forecasting with ARMA and ARIMA models. Resampling methods for confidence intervals. Multivariate, state-space, and nonlinear models. Volatility models (ARCH and GARCH). Smoothing in time series.
COM 217 - Science Writing and Presentation Fall 2021 TBA 3/22 3 Students learn to effectively communicate scientific and technical information both verbally and in writing to a variety of audiences.
MSE 230 - Structure and Properties of Materials Fall 2021 TBA 3/22 3 The relationship between the structure of materials and the resulting mechanical, thermal, electrical, and optical properties. Atomic structure, bonding, atomic arrangement; crystal symmetry, crystal structure, habit, lattices, defects, and the use of X-ray diffraction. Phase equilibria and microstructural development. Applications to design.
ECE 305 - Semiconductor Devices Fall 2021 TBA 3/22 3 Introduces and explains terminology, models, properties, and concepts associated with semiconductor devices. Provides detailed insight into the internal workings of the "building-block" device structures such as the pn-junction diode, Schottky diode, BJT, and MOSFET. Presents information about a wide variety of other devices including solar cells, LEDs, HBTs, and modern field-effect devices. Systematically develops the analytical tools needed to solve practical device problems.
Last Updated: May 9, 2023 9:23 AM

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