Faculty

Dietrich Belitz, professor (condensed matter theory); associate dean, sciences. Dipl. Phys., 1980, Dr.rer.nat., 1982, Technical University Munich. (1987)

Gregory D. Bothun, professor (astronomy). B.S., 1976, Ph.D., 1981, Washington (Seattle). (1990)

James E. Brau, Philip H. Knight Professor of Science (experimental elementary particle physics). B.S., 1969, United States Air Force Academy; M.S., 1970, Ph.D., 1978, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. (1988)

J. David Cohen, professor (solid state physics). B.S., 1968, Washington (Seattle); Ph.D., 1976, Princeton. (1981)

Paul L. Csonka, professor (elementary particle theory). Ph.D., 1963, Johns Hopkins. (1968)

Nilendra G. Deshpande, professor (elementary particle theory). B.Sc., 1959, M.Sc., 1960, Madras; Ph.D., 1965, Pennsylvania. (1975)

Miriam Deutsch, assistant professor (optical physics). B.Sc., 1988, Ph.D., 1996, Hebrew. (2000)

Russell J. Donnelly, professor (physics of fluids, superfluidity, astrophysics). B.Sc., 1951, M.Sc., 1952, McMaster; M.S., 1953, Ph.D., 1956, Yale. (1966)

Raymond E. Frey, professor (experimental elementary particle physics). B.A., 1978, California, Irvine; M.S., 1981, Ph.D., 1984, California, Riverside. (1989)

Stephen Gregory, associate professor (solid state physics). B.Sc., 1969, Manchester; M.Sc., 1970, Essex; Ph.D., 1975, Waterloo. (1992)

Roger Haydock, professor (solid state theory). B.A., 1968, Princeton; M.A., Ph.D., 1972, Sc.D., 1989, Cambridge. (1982)

Stephen D. H. Hsu, professor (elementary particle theory). B.S., 1986, California Institute of Technology; M.S., 1989, Ph.D., 1991, California, Berkeley. (1997)

James N. Imamura, professor (astrophysics); director, Institute of Theoretical Science. B.A., 1974, California, Irvine; M.A., 1978, Ph.D., 1981, Indiana. (1985)

Stephen D. Kevan, professor (solid state physics). B.A., 1976, Wesleyan; Ph.D., 1980, California, Berkeley. (1985)

Graham Kribs, assistant professor (elementary particle theory). B.A.Sc., 1993, Toronto; Ph.D., 1998, Michigan, Ann Arbor. (2004)

Heiner Linke, associate professor (biophysics). Dipl. Phys., 1992, Technical University Munich; Ph.D., 1997, Lund. (2000)

Dean W. Livelybrooks, senior instructor (physics education). B.S., 1977, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; M.S., 1984, Ph.D., 1990, Oregon. (1996)

Brian W. Matthews, professor (protein crystallography). B.Sc., 1959, B.Sc. (Honors, 1st class), 1960, Ph.D., 1964, Adelaide. (1969)

Stanley J. Micklavzina, senior instructor (physics education). B.S., 1982, M.S., 1985, Oregon. (1985)

Jens Nöckel, assistant professor (optical physics). Dipl. Phys., 1992, Hamburg; Ph.D., 1997, Yale. (2001)

Raghuveer Parthasarathy, assistant professor (condensed matter physics, biophysics). B.A., 1997, California, Berkeley; Ph.D., 2002, Chicago. (2006)

Michael G. Raymer, Philip H. Knight Professor of Liberal Arts and Sciences (quantum optics and optical physics). B.A., 1974, California, Santa Cruz; Ph.D., 1979, Colorado. (1988)

Stephen J. Remington, professor (protein crystallography). B.S., 1971, Oregon State; Ph.D., 1977, Oregon. (1985)

James M. Schombert, associate professor (astronomy). B.S., 1979, Maryland; M.Phil., 1982, Ph.D., 1984, Yale. (1996)

David R. Sokoloff, professor (physics education). B.A., 1966, City University of New York, Queens; Ph.D., 1972, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. (1978)

Davison E. Soper, professor (elementary particle theory). B.A., 1965, Amherst; Ph.D., 1971, Stanford. (1977)

Daniel Steck, assistant professor (atom optics and nonlinear dynamics). B.S., 1995, Dayton; Ph.D., 2001, Texas at Austin. (2004)

David M. Strom, professor (experimental elementary particle physics). B.A., 1980, St. Olaf; Ph.D., 1986, Wisconsin, Madison. (1991)

Richard P. Taylor, associate professor (solid state physics). B.S., 1985, Ph.D., 1988, Nottingham. C.A.D., 1995, Manchester School of Art; M.A., 2000, New South Wales. (1999)

John J. Toner, professor (condensed matter theory). B.S., 1977, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; M.A., 1979, Ph.D., 1981, Harvard. (1995)

Eric Torrence, associate professor (experimental elementary particle physics). B.S., 1990, Washington (Seattle); Ph.D., 1997, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. (2000)

Steven J. van Enk, associate professor (theoretical optical physics). M.Sc., 1988, Utrecht; Ph.D., 1992, Leiden. (2006)

Hailin Wang, professor (quantum optics). B.S., 1982, Science and Technology (China); M.S., 1986, Ph.D., 1990, Michigan. (1995)

Robert L. Zimmerman, professor (astrophysics, general relativity). B.A., 1958, Oregon; Ph.D., 1963, Washington (Seattle). (1966)

Special Staff

Robert Schofield, senior research associate (nuclear biophysics). B.S., 1982, Brigham Young; Ph.D., 1990, Oregon. (1993)

Nikolai Sinev, senior research associate (experimental high energy physics). B.S., 1968, Ph.D., 1974, Moscow State. (1993)

Frank Vignola, senior research associate (solar energy). B.A., 1967, California, Berkeley; M.S., 1969, Ph.D., 1975, Oregon. (1977)

Emeriti

Bernd Crasemann, professor emeritus. A.B., 1948, California, Los Angeles; Ph.D., 1953, California, Berkeley. (1953)

Marvin D. Girardeau, professor emeritus. B.S., 1952, Case Institute of Technology; M.S., 1954, Illinois; Ph.D., 1958, Syracuse. (1963)

Rudolph C. Hwa, professor emeritus. B.S., 1952, M.S., 1953, Ph.D., 1957, Illinois; Ph.D., 1962, Brown. (1971)

Harlan Lefevre, professor emeritus. B.A., 1951, Reed; Ph.D., 1961, Wisconsin. (1961)

Joel W. McClure Jr., professor emeritus. B.S., 1949, M.S., 1951, Northwestern; Ph.D., 1954, Chicago. (1954)

David K. McDaniels, professor emeritus. B.S., 1951, Washington State; M.S., 1958, Ph.D., 1960, Washington (Seattle). (1963)

John T. Moseley, professor emeritus. B.S., 1964, M.S., 1966, Ph.D., 1969, Georgia Institute of Technology. (1979)

Jack C. Overley, professor emeritus. B.S., 1954, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Ph.D., 1960, California Institute of Technology. (1968)

Kwangjai Park, professor emeritus. B.A., 1958, Harvard; Ph.D., 1965, California, Berkeley. (1966)

George W. Rayfield, professor emeritus. B.S., 1958, Stanford; Ph.D., 1964, California, Berkeley. (1967)

The date in parentheses at the end of each entry is the first year on the University of Oregon faculty.

Undergraduate Studies [back to top]

Physics, the most basic of the natural sciences, is concerned with the discovery and development of the laws that describe our physical universe. Because of its fundamental nature, the study of physics is important for understanding other natural sciences as well as for students who want to succeed in our technological world. A major in physics provides a good start for many career paths. In addition to major and minor programs, the Department of Physics offers a variety of courses for nonmajors and prehealth science students.

Preparation. Entering freshmen should have taken as much high school mathematics as possible in preparation for starting calculus in their freshman year. High school study of physics and chemistry is desirable.

Transfer Students. Because of the sequential nature of the physics curriculum, students from two-year colleges should try to transfer to the university as early in their studies as possible. Those who transfer after two years should prepare for upper-division course work by taking one year of differential and integral calculus (the equivalent of MATH 251, 252, 253), one year of general physics with laboratory (the equivalent of PHYS 251, 252, 253, 290), general chemistry (the equivalent of CH 221, 222 or CH 224H, 225H), and, if possible, one term of differential equations and two terms of multivariable calculus (the equivalent of MATH 256 and MATH 281, 282). Students who transfer after attending a four-year college or university for more than two years should have completed a second year of physics. Transfer students should also have completed as many as possible of the university requirements for the bachelor’s degree (see Bachelor’s Degree Requirements under Registration and Academic Policies).

Careers. Approximately 50 percent of graduates with bachelor’s degrees in physics find employment in the private sector working as applied physicists, software developers, managers, or technicians, typically alongside engineers and computer scientists. About 30 percent of students who earn an undergraduate degree continue their studies in a graduate degree program, leading to a career in teaching or research or both at a university, at a government laboratory, or in industry. In addition, a degree in physics is good preparation for a career in business. Students who have demonstrated their ability with a good record in an undergraduate physics program are generally considered very favorably for admission to medical and other professional schools.

Major Requirements

The major in physics leads to a bachelor of arts (B.A.) or a bachelor of science degree (B.S.). Complete requirements are listed under Bachelor’s Degree Requirements in the Registration and Academic Policies section of this catalog. The bachelor of arts degree has a second-language requirement. Knowledge of a language other than English is recommended for students planning graduate study in physics.

The sequential nature of physics courses makes it imperative to start planning a major program in physics early. Interested students should consult the advising coordinator in the Department of Physics near the beginning of their studies.

The department offers two areas of emphasis for the physics major. The emphasis in traditional physics is designed for majors with a strong interest in studying physics in graduate school. An alternate emphasis in applied physics is for majors who seek a less theoretical study of physics and a more applied focus in optics and electronics. All physics majors have the same curriculum for the first two years.

Common Curriculum

Complete the following courses or their ­equivalents:

General Chemistry (CH 221, 222) or Honors General Chemistry (224H, 225H)

Calculus I,II,III (MATH 251, 252, 253) or Honors Calculus I,II,III (MATH 261, 262, 263)

Foundations of Physics I (PHYS 251, 252, 253)

Introduction to Differential Equations (MATH 256)

Several-Variable Calculus I,II (MATH 281, 282)

Foundations of Physics II (PHYS 351, 352, 353)

Intermediate Physics Laboratory (PHYS 390)

Applied Physics Emphasis

Complete the following upper-division courses:

Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (PHYS 354)

Mechanics, Electricity, and Magnetism (PHYS 412, 413)

Design of Experiments (PHYS 481)

Applied Core. Classical Optics (PHYS 424) and Modern Optics (PHYS 425) or Analog Electronics (PHYS 431) and Digital Electronics (PHYS 432)

Laboratory Core. Any combination of the four course options listed above not used to satisfy the applied core and Advanced Physics Laboratory (PHYS 490) topic modules to total 6 credits. Different topic modules of PHYS 490 (e.g., optics, instrumentation, fundamental) may he taken. Each laboratory core course is worth 2 credits in satisfying the 6-credit requirement

Physics Emphasis

Complete the following upper-division courses:

Mechanics, Electricity, and Magnetism (PHYS 411, 412, 413). Note that PHYS 411 and 412 are sometimes offered out of sequence

Quantum Physics (PHYS 414, 415) and Topics in Quantum Physics (PHYS 417)

Upper-Division Laboratory. Any combination of Analog Electronics (PHYS 431), Digital Electronics (PHYS 432), or Advanced Physics Laboratory (PHYS 490) topic modules to total 6 credits. Different topic modules for PHYS 490 (e.g., optics, instrumentation, fundamental) may be taken. Each upper-division laboratory course is worth 2 credits in satisfying the 6-credit requirement

Physics electives—e.g., Electromagnetism (PHYS 422)

Undergraduate research is strongly encouraged. Contact the advising coordinator for more information.

Required courses must be taken for letter grades, and a grade point average of 2.00 (mid-C) or better must be earned in these courses. Courses beyond the minimum requirement may be taken pass/no pass (P/N). At least 20 of the upper-division credits must be completed in residence at the University of Oregon. Exceptions to these requirements must be approved by the physics advising coordinator.

Sample Programs

The following sample programs are designed for students who are preparing for employment in industry and choose the applied physics emphasis or who are preparing for graduate studies and choose the physics emphasis. The programs assume that students are prepared to take calculus in their freshman year. Consult the physics advising coordinator for assistance in planning a specific program adapted to a student’s individual needs. In addition to general graduation requirements, students should plan to take the following courses:

Common Curriculum

Applied Physics Emphasis

Physics Emphasis

Sample Programs for Transfer Students

These sample programs are for transfer students who have completed two years of college work including one year of calculus, one year of general physics with laboratories, one year of general chemistry, and as many as possible of the university requirements for the bachelor’s degree. In addition to graduation requirements for the bachelor’s degree, transfer students should plan to take the following courses, depending upon their area of emphasis:

Applied Physics Emphasis

Physics Emphasis

Honors

To be recommended by the faculty for graduation with honors in physics, a student must complete at least 46 credits in upper-division physics courses, of which at least 40 credits must be taken for letter grades, and earn at least a 3.50 grade point average in these courses.

As an alternative, undergraduate research leading to the defense of a thesis accompanied by at least a 3.30 grade point average can lead to recommendation for graduation with honors. Contact the director of undergraduate studies for more information.

Minor Requirements

Students seeking a minor in physics must complete a minimum of 24 credits in physics, of which at least 15 must be upper division. These credits must include Foundations of Physics II (PHYS 351, 352, 353) or Mechanics, Electricity, and Magnetism (PHYS 411, 412, 413). Three credits in Intermediate Physics Laboratory (PHYS 390) or a 4‑credit 400-level physics course completes the upper-division requirements. Course work must be completed with grades of P or C- or better. At least 12 of the upper-division credits must be completed in residence at the University of Oregon.

Prospective minors must take Foundations of Physics I (PHYS 251, 252, 253). General Physics (PHYS 201, 202, 203) may be substituted with the physics undergraduate adviser’s approval.

Engineering

Students interested in engineering may complete preparatory course work at the University of Oregon before enrolling in a professional engineering program at Oregon State University (OSU) or elsewhere. The Department of Physics coordinates a three-plus-two program that allows a student to earn a bachelor’s degree in physics from the UO and one in engineering from OSU. For more information, see Preparatory Programs in the Academic Resources section of this catalog.

Engineering students interested in semiconductor process engineering or polymer science may be interested in the nationally recognized industrial internship master’s program sponsored by the UO Materials Science Institute. For more information, see Materials Science Institute in the Research Institutes and Centers section of this catalog.

Preparation for Kindergarten through Secondary School Teaching Careers

The College of Education offers a fifth-year program for middle-secondary teaching licensure in physics and integrated sciences and a program for elementary teaching. More information is available from the department’s education adviser, Dean Livelybrooks; see also the College of Education section of this catalog.

Graduate Studies [back to top]

The Department of Physics offers graduate programs leading to the master of science degree in applied physics or to the master of arts (M.A.), master of science (M.S.), and doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in physics with a variety of opportunities for research. Current research areas include astronomy and astrophysics, biophysics, condensed matter physics, elementary particle physics, and optical physics.

The interdisciplinary Institute of Theoretical Science houses theoretical research in some of the above areas as well as in areas of overlap between chemistry and physics.

The Center for High Energy Physics conducts research in particle physics, much of it in laboratories outside Oregon.

The Materials Science Institute and the Oregon Center for Optics provide facilities, support, and research guidance for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in the interdisciplinary application of concepts and techniques from both physics and chemistry to understanding physical systems.

Cooperative programs of study are possible in molecular biology through the Institute of Molecular Biology.

Pine Mountain Observatory

Pine Mountain Observatory, operated by the Department of Physics for research and advanced instruction in astronomy, is located thirty miles southeast of Bend, Oregon, off Highway 20 near Millican, at an altitude of 6,300 feet above sea level. The observatory has three telescopes-fifteen inches, twenty-four inches, and thirty-two inches in diameter-the largest governed by computer. All are Cassegrain reflectors. A wide-field CCD camera is available on the thirty-two-inch telescope. The site has an astronomers’ residence building and a caretaker’s house. Professional astronomical research is in progress at the observatory on every partially or totally clear night of the year, and the site is staffed year round.

Admission and Financial Aid

For admission to graduate study, a bachelor’s degree in physics or a related area is required with a minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 (B) in advanced physics and mathematics courses. Submission of scores on the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), including the physics test, is required. Students from non-English-speaking countries must demonstrate proficiency in English by submitting scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Information about the department and the Graduate Admission Application are available through the department’s website.

Financial aid in the form of graduate teaching or research fellowships (GTFs) is available on a competitive basis to Ph.D. students. GTFs require approximately sixteen hours of work a week and provide a stipend and tuition waiver. New students are typically eligible only for teaching fellowships.

The sequential nature of most physics courses makes it difficult to begin graduate study in terms other than fall. Furthermore, financial aid is usually available only to students who begin their studies in the fall.

To ensure equal consideration for fall term admission, the deadline for applications for financial aid is January 15. Late applications for admission may be considered until July 15.

Degree Requirements

Entering students should consult closely with their assigned advisers. Students showing a lack of preparation are advised to take the necessary undergraduate courses in order to remedy their deficiencies.

Students should consult the Graduate School section of this catalog for general university admission and degree requirements. Departmental requirements, outlined in a handbook for incoming students that is available in the department office, are summarized below.

Industrial Internships for Master’s Degrees Physics

These internships, sponsored by the Materials Science Institute, are described in the Research Institutes and Centers section of this catalog. Information and application materials are available through the institute.

Master of Science in Applied Physics

The applied physics master’s program leads to a professional M.S. degree, an alternative to the research-based Ph.D. It is designed to serve physics students whose primary interests lie in applied research and development rather than in basic research.

Admission. An important component of this degree program, the industrial internships, is administered by the Materials Science Institute. Students must apply to the institute for admission to the industrial internship program, which is a prerequisite for admission to the master’s program in applied physics. The internships in local and regional industries are designed to enhance the ability of physics graduates to obtain good jobs after graduation. Qualified students can complete this program in one year. Further information is available on the department website.

Requirements

1. A minimum of 24 graded credits in 500- or 600-level courses, a minimum of 10 credits in an industrial internship position, and a total number of credits between 45 and 53 (see 3 below) are required for the degree. A grade of B- or better must be achieved in each course applied to the graded-credit total. The overall GPA in physics courses must be 3.00 or better

2. At least 9 credits in 600-level courses are required by the Graduate School. Other Graduate School requirements, including time limits, must also be satisfied

3. Total credits required for the degree depend on the number of graded credits and internship credits the student earns. This allows flexibility in adjusting the balance between course work and the internship experience. The more graded credits a student earns, the fewer total credits are required for the degree. The minimum total required is 45 credits if the student earns 32 or more graded credits. The minimum required is 53 credits if the student earns only 24 graded credits. In general, 1 credit is added to the minimum total of 45 for each graded credit less than 32 a student earns. For example, a student who earns 28 graded credits needs a minimum total of 49 credits

4. The internship requirement must be fulfilled through the industrial internship program. Internship credits are taken pass/no pass. A student typically earns 10 credits for every three months of full-time internship experience

5. Graded credits must include 8 credits in Semiconductor Device Physics (PHYS 677) and Semiconductor Processing and Characterization Techniques (PHYS 678). The remaining graded credits must be selected from an approved departmental list. This list includes Electromagnetism (PHYS 522); Classical Optics, Modern Optics, and Modern Optics Laboratory (PHYS 524, 525, 526); Digital Electronics (PHYS 532); Physics of Instrumentation (PHYS 533); Design of Experiments (PHYS 581); Advanced Physics Laboratory (PHYS 590); Experimental Course: Advanced Analog Electronics (PHYS 610)

Other 600-level physics courses qualify, but may require additional prerequisites. Some graduate-level courses in chemistry may qualify. Other courses may be added or substituted with the approval of the applied physics program adviser

Master of Science or Arts in Physics

The department offers a master of science or master of arts degree in physics. Typically this degree is based on course work and the master’s final examination. Detailed requirements can be found in the Graduate Student Handbook on the department’s website.

Candidates must either pass a master’s final examination—which is part I of the Ph.D. qualifying examination—or submit a written thesis or take a program of specified courses. The master’s examination, given each fall and spring, covers undergraduate physics (mechanics, electricity and magnetism, optics, modern physics, thermodynamics). Candidates must pass the examination by spring of the second year of study. The thesis option requires a minimum of 9 credits in Thesis (PHYS 503) or 3 credits in Research (PHYS 601) and 6 credits in Thesis (PHYS 503). The specified-courses option requires 40 graduate credits in physics, 36 of which must be selected from a list of courses approved by the department.

In addition to all the preceding requirements, candidates for the master of arts (M.A.) degree must demonstrate foreign-language proficiency.

The master’s degree program can be completed in four terms.

Doctor of Philosophy

The doctor of philosophy degree (Ph.D.) in physics is based primarily on demonstrated knowledge of physics and doctoral dissertation research. Students must pass the department’s master’s examination, which serves as the first part of the Ph.D. qualifying examination. This examination covers undergraduate physics. Students then must pass the rest of the Ph.D. qualifying examination, which covers the core of graduate physics. Students also must take courses beyond the core courses covered by the doctoral examination.

Next, students must locate an adviser and an advisory committee, who then administer an oral examination testing whether the student is ready to undertake dissertation research. The heart of the Ph.D. requirements is then research leading to a doctoral dissertation.

Detailed information is available in the Graduate Student Handbook on the department’s website.

Physics Courses (PHYS) [back to top]

101, 102, 103 Essentials of Physics (4,4,4) Fundamental physical principles. 101: mechanics. 102: heat, waves, and sound; electricity and magnetism. 103: modern physics.

152 Physics of Sound and Music (4) Introduction to the wave nature of sound; hearing; musical instruments and scales; auditorium acoustics; and the transmission, storage, and reproduction of sound.

153 Physics of Light and Color (4) Light and color, their nature, how they are produced, and how they are perceived and interpreted.

155 Physics behind the Internet (4) How discoveries in 20th-century physics mesh to drive modern telecommunications. Topics include electron mobility in matter, the development of transistors and semiconductors, lasers, and optical fibers.

161 Physics of Energy and Environment (4) Practical study of energy generation and environmental impact, including energy fundamentals, fossil fuel use, global warming, nuclear energy, and energy conservation.

162 Solar and Other Renewable Energies (4) Topics include photovoltaic cells, solar thermal power, passive solar heating, energy storage, geothermal energy, and wind energy.

196 Field Studies: [Topic] (1–2R)

198 Workshop: [Topic] (1–2R)

199 Special Studies: [Topic] (1–5R)

201, 202, 203 General Physics (4,4,4) Introductory sequence. 201: mechanics and fluids. 202: thermodynamics, waves, optics. 203: electricity, magnetism, modern physics. Prereq: MATH 111, 112 or equivalent.

204, 205, 206 Introductory Physics Laboratory (2,2,2) Practical exploration of the principles studied in general-physics lecture. Measurement and analysis methods applied to experiments in mechanics, waves, sound, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics. Pre- or coreq: PHYS 201, 202, 203.

251, 252, 253 Foundations of Physics I (4,4,4) Sequence. 251: kinematics including relativistic treatments; force; energy; momentum. 252: relativistic energy and momentum; collisions; photoelectric effect; Compton scattering; rotational motion; Bohr atom. 253: electricity and magnetism. Coreq: MATH 251, 252, 253 or equivalent.

290 Foundations of Physics Laboratory (1R) Introduction to laboratory measurements, reports, instrumentation, and experimental techniques. Coreq: PHYS 251, 252, 253. R twice for maximum of 3 credits.

301 Physicists’ View of Nature (4) Illustrates physics concepts through the work of prominent physicists. The classical view—mechanics, electrical science, thermal physics. Pre- or coreq: junior standing.

311 Physics of the Atmosphere (4) Introductory treatment of physical processes governing the structure and circulation of our atmosphere. Topics include thermodynamics, general circulation, clouds, winds, and observational tools. Prereq: PHYS 201, 202; MATH 252.

351, 352, 353 Foundations of Physics II (4,4,4) Physics of waves: mechanical, electrical, optical, and quantum; coupled systems and dispersion. Statistical thermodynamics: probability, work, heat, temperature, entropy, equations of state, heat engines. Prereq: PHYS 251, 252, 253 or equivalent; coreq: MATH 256, 281, 282.

354 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (4) Introductory treatment of quantum mechanics with an applied focus. Topics include square well potential, Bragg reflection, and de Broglie waves. Prereq: PHYS 352.

355 Introduction to Optics (4) Topics include geometric optics, imaging with lenses, reflection, refraction, interference, and wave superposition. Prereq: PHYS 351.

361 Modern Science and Culture (4) Examination of 19th century and early 20th century science in a cultural context.

390 Intermediate Physics Laboratory (1–2R) Project modules demonstrate phenomena, instrumentation, and experimental technique. Coreq: PHYS 351, 352, 353.

399 Special Studies: [Topic] (1–5R)

401 Research: [Topic] (1–16R)

403 Thesis (1–12R)

405 Reading and Conference: [Topic] (1–16R)

406 Field Studies: [Topic] (1–21R)

407/507 Seminar: [Topic] (1–4R)

408/508 Workshop: [Topic] (1–21R)

409 Supervised Tutoring (1–3R)

410/510 Experimental Course: [Topic] (1–4R)

411, 412, 413 Mechanics, Electricity, and Magnetism (4,4,4) Fundamental principles of Newtonian mechanics, conservation laws, small oscillations, planetary motion, systems of particles. Electromagnetic phenomena. Prereq: MATH 282. Only nonmajors may earn graduate credit.

414, 415/515 Quantum Physics (4,4) Planck’s and de Broglie’s postulates, the uncertainty principle, Bohr’s model of the atom, the Schroedinger equation in one dimension, the harmonic oscillator, the hydrogen atom, molecules and solids, nuclei and elementary particles. Pre- or coreq: PHYS 411, 412/512, 413/513. Only nonmajors may earn graduate credit.

417/517 Topics in Quantum Physics (4) Perturbation theory, variational principle, time-dependent perturbation theory, elementary scattering theory. Prereq: PHYS 415/515. Only nonmajors may earn graduate credit.

422 Electromagnetism (4) Study of electromagnetic waves. Topics include Maxwell’s equations, wave equation, plane waves, guided waves, antennas, and other related phenomena. Prereq: PHYS 413/513.

424/524 Classical Optics (4) Geometrical optics, polarization, interference, Frauenhofer and Fresnel diffraction. Prereq: PHYS 413/513.

425/525 Modern Optics (4) Special topics in modern applied optics such as Fourier optics, coherence theory, resonators and lasers, holography, and image processing. Prereq: PHYS 424/524 or equivalent.

426/526 Modern Optics Laboratory (4) A series of experiments with a variety of lasers and modern electro-optical instrumentation. Prereq: PHYS 425/525.

427/527 X-ray Crystallography (4) X-ray diffraction, Bragg’s law, crystal symmetry, the reciprocal lattice, structure factors and Fourier syntheses, the phase problem, small and macromolecular crystal structures. Includes laboratory work.

431 Analog Electronics (4) Passive and active discrete components and circuits. General circuit concepts and theorems. Equivalent circuits and black box models. Integrated circuit operational amplifiers. Prereq: PHYS 203 or equivalent; knowledge of complex numbers; MATH 256.

432 Digital Electronics (4) Digital electronics including digital logic, measurement, signal processing and control. Introduction to computer interfacing. Prereq: PHYS 203 or equivalent; MATH 253.

481/581 Design of Experiments (4) Applies statistics to practical data analysis, data-based decision making, model building, and the design of experiments. Emphasizes factorial designs.

490/590 Advanced Physics Laboratory (1–16R) Project modules demonstrate phenomena, instrumentation, and experimental technique.

503 Thesis (1–16R)

601 Research: [Topic] (1–16R)

603 Dissertation (1–16R)

604 Internship: [Topic] (1–16R) Coreq: good standing in applied physics master’s degree program.

605 Reading and Conference: [Topic] (1–16R)

606 Field Studies: [Topic] (1–16R)

607 Seminar: [Topic] (1–4R) Recent topics include Astrophysics and Gravitation, Biophysics, Condensed Matter, High Energy Physics, Physics Colloquium, Theoretical Physics.

608 Workshop: [Topic] (1–16R)

609 Supervised Tutoring (1–3R)

610 Experimental Course: [Topic] (1–4R)

611, 612 Theoretical Mechanics (4,2) Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics, small oscillations, rigid bodies.

613, 614 Statistical Physics (2,4) Thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, kinetic theory, application to gases, liquids, solids, atoms, molecules, and the structure of matter.

618 Advanced Analog Electronics (4) Topics include linear circuits, diodes, field effect transistors, signal processing.

619 Advanced Digital Electronics (4) Topics include sequential logic, amplifier noise, data conversions, computer interfacing.

621, 622, 623 Electromagnetic Theory (4,4,4) Microscopic form of Maxwell’s equations, derivation and solution of the wave equation, Lorentz covariant formulation, motion of charges in given fields, propagation and diffraction, radiation by given sources, coupled motion of sources and fields, the electromagnetic field in dense media.

631, 632, 633 Quantum Mechanics (4,4,4) 631: review of fundamentals, central force problems, matrix mechanics. 632: approximation methods, scattering. 633: rotation symmetry, spin, identical particles. Sequence.

634 Advanced Quantum Mechanics (4) Time-dependent formulation of scattering, relativistic equations and solutions, hole theory, symmetry properties, second quantization, Fock space.

661, 662, 663 Elementary Particle Phenomenology (4,4,4) Classification and quantum numbers of elementary particles; elements of group theory, Lorentz group and spin; discrete and continuous symmetries; phenomenology of weak, electromagnetic, and strong interactions; quark model of hadron structure. Prereq: PHYS 633.

665, 666 Quantum Field Theory (4,4) Canonical quantization, path integral formulation of quantum field theory, Feynman rules for perturbation theory, quantum electrodynamics, renormalization, gauge theory of the strong and electroweak interactions. Prereq: PHYS 634.

671, 672 Solid State Physics (4,4) Crystallography; thermal, electrical, optical, and magnetic properties of solids; band theory; metals, semiconductors, and insulators; defects in solids. Prereq: PHYS 633.

674, 675 Theory of Condensed Matter (4,4) Advanced topics include quantum and statistical description of many-particle systems, electronic structure, elementary excitations in solids and fluids, critical phenomena, statics and dynamics of soft condensed matter. Topics and emphasis vary.

684, 685, 686 Quantum Optics and Laser Physics (4,4,4) Nonlinear optical processes and quantum statistical properties of light produced by such processes, laser theory, wave mixing processes, optical Bloch equations, field quantization, photon statistics, cooperative emissions. Prereq for 684: undergraduate quantum mechanics; coreq for 685, 686: PHYS 631, 632.

Astronomy Courses (ASTR) [back to top]

121 The Solar System (4) Naked-eye astronomy, development of astronomical concepts, and the solar system.

122 Birth and Death of Stars (4) The structure and evolution of stars.

123 Galaxies and the Expanding Universe (4) Galaxies and the universe.

321 Topics in Astrophysics (4) Problem solving of the orbits, kinematics, and dynamics of astronomical systems, structure and evolution of stars and galaxies. Pre- or coreq: MATH 251, 252; PHYS 251, 252 or equivalents; instructor’s consent for nonscience majors.