Physics Course Descriptions
PHYS 5V49 Special Topics In Physics (1-6 semester hours) Topics may vary
from semester to semester. (P/F grading. May be repeated for credit to a maximum of 9 hours.)
([1-6]-0) R
PHYS 5301 Mathematical
Methods of Physics I (3 semester
hours) Vector analysis and index
notation; Orthogonal coordinates; Sturm-Liouville theory; Legendre & Bessel
Functions; Integral Transforms: Differential Equations (including Green
Functions) (3-0) Y
PHYS 5302 Mathematical Methods of Physics II (3 semester hours)
Functions of a Complex Variable (including contour integration and the residue
theorem); Tensor Analysis; Gamma and Beta functions; Probability. (3-0) Y
PHYS 5303 Mathematical Methods of
Physics III (3 semester hours) Continuation and extension of topics from
PHYS 5301 and PHYS 5302 with applications related to problems and techniques
encountered in physical sciences. (3-0)
R
PHYS 5305 Monte Carlo Simulation Method and its Application (3 semester
hours) An introductory course on the method of Monte
Carlo simulation of physical events. This course covers the generation of 0-1
random number, simulation of arbitrary distributions, modeling, simulation and
statistical analysis of experimental activities in physics research and
engineering studies. As a comparison the concepts and applications of the
Neural Networks will be discussed. Prerequisite: Calculus (MATH 2417),
Statistics (MATH 1342), C (CS 3335) or FORTRAN programming languages. (3-0) T
PHYS 5311 Classical Mechanics (3 semester hours) A course that aims to
provide intensive training in problem solving. Rigorous survey of
Newtonian mechanics of systems, including its relativity principle and
applications to cosmology; the ellipsoid of inertia and its
eigenstructure, with applications, Poinsot's theorem; Euler's equations,
spinning tops; Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalism with applications;
chaos, small oscillations, velocity dependent potentials, Lagrange multipliers
and corresponding constraint forces, canonical transformations, Lagrange and
Poisson brackets, Hamilton-Jacobi theory.(3-0) Y
PHYS 5313 Statistical Physics (3 semester hours) Phase space,
distribution functions and density matrices; Microcanonical, canonical and
grand canonical ensembles; Partition functions; Principle of maximum entropy;
Thermodynamic potentials and laws of thermodynamics; Classical and quantum
ideal gases; Non-interacting magnetic moments; Phonons and specific heat of solids;
Degenerate electron gas, its specific heat and magnetism; Statistics of
carriers in semiconductors; Bose-Einstein condensation; Black-body radiation;
Boltzmann transport equation and H-theorem; Relaxation time and conductivity;
Brownian motion, random walks and Langevin equation; Einstein's relation;
Fluctuations in ideal gases; Linear response and fluctuation-dissipation
theorem; Virial and cluster expansions, van der Waals equation of state;
Poisson-Boltzmann and Thomas-Fermi equations; Phases, phase diagrams and phase
transitions of the first and second order; Lattice spin models; Ordering, order
parameters and broken symmetries; Mean-field theory of ferromagnetism; Landau
and Ginzburg-Landau theories; Elements of modern theory of critical phenomena.
(3-0) Y
PHYS 5315 Scientific Computing
(3 semester hours) An
introduction to computational methods for solving systems of ordinary and
partial differential equations using numerical techniques. (3-0) Y
PHYS 5316 Applied Numerical Methods (3 semester hours) Core course for Applied Physics Concentration.
A hands-on approach to the development and use of computational tools in
solving problems routinely encountered in upper level applied physics and
engineering. Main topics include curve fitting and regression analysis,
significance tests, principles of numerical modeling, verification and
validation of numerical algorithms, and nonlinear model building. Examples from
real world applications will be presented and discussed to illustrate the
appropriate use of numerical techniques. Prerequisites: PHYS 5301 or
equivalent, and proficiency in a programming language. (3-0) Y
PHYS 5317 Atoms, Molecules And Solids I (3
semester hours) Core course for Applied Physics Concentration. Fundamental physical description of microsystems starting with the
need for quantum mechanics and proceeding through the application of quantum
mechanics to atomic systems. Emphasis will be on a physical
understanding of the principles which apply to technologically important devices.
Computer simulations will be used to focus the student on the important
physical principals and not on detailed exact solutions to differential
equations. Topics covered include: Justification for quantum mechanics,
application of quantum mechanics to one-electron problems, application to
multi-electron problems in atomic systems. Prerequisite: MATH 2451, PHYS
2325, and PHYS 2326, or PHYS 2327. (3-0) Y
PHYS 5318 Atoms, Molecules And Solids II (3
semester hours) Core course for Applied Physics Concentration. Application of quantum mechanics to molecules and solids.
Topics in solids include optical, thermal, magnetic and electric properties,
impurity doping and its effects on electronic properties, superconductivity,
and surface effects. Various devices, such as, transistors, FET’s, quantum
wells, detectors and lasers will also be discussed. PHYS 5317,
or equivalent. (3-0) R
PHYS 5320 Electromagnetism I (3 semester hours)
Electrostatic boundary value problems, uniqueness theorems, method of images, Green’s
functions, multipole potentials, Legendre polynomials and spherical harmonics,
dielectric and magnetic materials, magnetostatics, time-varying field and
Maxwell’s equations, energy and momentum of the field, Lienard-Wiechert
potentials, electromagnetic radiation, polarization, refraction and reflection
at plane interfaces. (3-0) Y
PHYS 5321 Experimental Operation And Data Collection Using Personal
Computers (3 semester hours) Computer interfacing to physical experiments
using high level interface languages and environments. The student will have
the opportunity to learn how to develop data acquisition software using LabView
and LabWindows/CVI as well as how to write drivers to interface these languages
to devices over the general purpose interface buss (GPIB). A laboratory is
provided for hands-on training in these devices. (3-0) R
PHYS 5322 Electromagnetism II (3 semester hours) Fields and Potentials,
Gauge transformations and the Wave Equation Electromagnetic waves in unbounded
media – non-dispersive and dispersive media Boundary conditions at interfaces.
Solutions to the wave equation in rectangular cylindrical and
spherical coordinates. Electromagnetic waves in bonded media –
waveguides and resonant cavities. Radiating systems –
electric and magnetic dipole radiation, electric quadrupole radiation. Fundamentals of scattering and scalar diffraction. Lorentz transformation and covariant forms for Maxwell’s equations.
Radiation from moving charges – Synchrotron, Cherenkov and
Bremstrahlung Radiation Pre-requisite PHYS 5320 or equivalent. (3-0) Y
PHYS 5323 Virtual Instrumentation with Biomedical Clinical and Healthcare
Applications (3 semester hours) The application of
the graphical programming environment of LabView will be demonstrated with
examples related to the health care industry. Examples will be provided to
highlight the use of the personal computer as a virtual instrument in the
clinical and laboratory environment. A laboratory is provided for hands-on
training to augment the lecture. (3-0)R
PHYS 5351 Basic Aspects and Practical Applications of Spectroscopy.
(3 semester hours) Atomic and Molecular spectroscopy has played a pivotal role
in our understanding of atomic structure and in the formulation of quantum
mechanics. The numerous and rapidly growing field of spectroscopic applications
spans many disciplines. Topics included in course: atomic structure; spin-orbit
interactions and coupling; influence of applied fields; molecular bands,
vibrations and rotations; selection rules and intensities. Laboratory exercises
focus on acquisition and interpretation of spectroscopic signatures from active
plasmas and on spectroscopic techniques suitable for surface analysis. (2-3) R
PHYS 5367 Photonic Devices (3 semester hours) Basic principles of
Photophysics of Condensed Matter with application to devices. Topics
covered include photonic crystals, PBG systems, low threshold lasers, photonic
switches, Super-prisms and super-lenses. Photodetectors and
photocells. (3-0) R
PHYS 5371 (MSEN 5371) Solid State Physics (3 semester hours) Symmetry
description of crystals, bonding, properties of metals, electronic band theory,
thermal properties, lattice vibration, elementary properties of semiconductors.
Prerequisites: PHYS 5301 and 5320 or equivalent. (3-0) Y
PHYS 5372 Solid State Devices (3 semester hours) Basic concepts of solid
state physics with application to devices. Topics covered include
semiconductor homojunctions and heterojunctions, low dimensional physics, one
and two dimensional electron gases, hot electron systems, semiconductor lasers,
field effect and heterojunction transistors, microwave diodes and infrared and
solar devices. Prerequisite: PHYS 5318 (3-0) R
PHYS 5376 (MSEN 5300) Introduction to Materials Science (3 semester
hours) This course provides an intensive overview of materials science and
engineering and includes the foundations required for further graduate study in
the field. Topics include atomic structure, crystalline solids, defects,
failure mechanisms, phase diagrams and transformations, metal alloys, ceramics,
polymers as well as their thermal, electrical, magnetic and optical properties.
(3-0) R
PHYS 5377 (MSEN 5377) Computational Physics of Nanomaterials (3 Semester
hours) This course introduces atomistic and quantum
simulation methods to study nanomaterials. Three main themes are covered:
structure-property relationship of nanomaterials; atomistic modeling for atomic
structure optimization; and quantum simulations for electronic structure study
and functional property analysis. (3-0) T
PHYS 5381 Space Science (3 semester hours) Introduction to the dynamics
of the middle and upper atmospheres, ionospheres and magnetospheres of the
earth and planets and the interplanetary medium. Topics include:
turbulence and diffusion, photochemistry, aurorae and airglow, space weather
and the global electric circuit. (3-0) R
PHYS 5382 Space Science Instrumentation (3 semester hours) Design,
testing and operational criteria for space flight instrumentation including
retarding potential analyzers, drift meters, neutral and ion mass
spectrometers, auroral particle spectrometers, fast ion mass spectrometers,
Langmuir probes, and optical spectrometers; ground support equipment;
microprocessor design and operations. (3-0) R
PHYS 5383 (MSEN 5383 and EEMF 5383) Plasma Technology (3 semester hours)
Hardware oriented study of useful laboratory plasmas. Topics will include
vacuum technology, gas kinetic theory, basic plasma theory and an introduction
to the uses of plasmas in various industries. (3-0) Y
PHYS 5385 Natural And Anthropogenic Effects On The Atmosphere (3
semester hours) An examination of the physical, chemical and electrical effects
on the atmosphere and clouds due to varying solar photon and solar wind inputs;
and of the physical and chemical effects on ozone and atmospheric temperature
following anthropogenic release of CFC’s and greenhouse gases into the
atmosphere. Suitable for Science Education and other
non-physics majors. (3-0) R
PHYS 5391 Relativity I (3 semester hours) Mach’s principle and the
abolition of absolute space; the principle of relativity; the principle of
equivalence; basic cosmology; four-vector calculus; special relativistic
kinematics, optics, mechanics, and electromagnetism; basic ideas of general
relativity. (3-0) T
PHYS 5392 Relativity II (3 semester hours) Tensor calculus and
Riemannian geometry; mathematical foundation of general relativity; the crucial
tests; fundamentals of theoretical relativistic cosmology; the Friedmann model
universes; comparison with observation. (Normally follows PHYS 5391.) (3-0) T
PHYS 5395 Cosmology (3 semester hours) The course is an overview of
contemporary cosmology including: cosmological models of the universe and their
parameters; large scale structure of the universe; dark matter; cosmological
probes and techniques such as gravitational lensing, cosmic microwave background
radiation, and supernova searches; very early stages of the universe; dark
energy and recent cosmic acceleration. (3-0) T
PHYS 6300 Quantum Mechanics I (3 semester hours) Dirac formalism, kets,
bras, operators and position, momentum, and matrix representations, change of
basis, Stern-Gerlach experiment, observables and uncertainty principle,
translations, wave functions, time evolution, the Schrödinger and Heisenberg
pictures, simple harmonic oscillator, wave equation, WKB approximation,
rotations, angular momentum, spin, Clebsch-Gordan coefficients, perturbation
theory, variational methods. Prerequisite: PHYS 5311 or consent of the
instructor. (3-0) Y
PHYS 6301 Quantum Mechanics II (3 semester hours) Non-relativistic
many-particle systems and their second quantization description with creation
and annihilation operators; Interactions and Hartree-Fock approximation,
quasi-particles; Attraction of fermions and superconductivity; Repulsion of
bosons and superfluidity; Lattice systems, classical fields and canonical
quantization of wave equations; Free electromagnetic field, gauges and
quantization: photons; Coherent states; Interaction of light with atoms and
condensed systems: emission, absorption and scattering; Vacuum fluctuations and
Casimir force; Elements of relativistic quantum mechanics: Klein-Gordon and
Dirac equations; Particles and antiparticles; Spin-orbit coupling; Fine
structure of the hydrogen atom; Micro-causality and spin-statistics theorem;
Non-relativistic scattering theory: scattering amplitudes, phase shifts,
cross-section and optical theorem; Born series; Inelastic and resonance
scattering; Perturbative analysis of the interacting fields: Time evolution and
interaction representation, S-matrix and Feynman diagrams; Simple scattering
processes; Dyson’s equation, self-energy and renormalization.
Prerequisite: PHYS 6300. (3-0) Y
PHYS 6302 Quantum Mechanics III (3
semester hours) Advanced topics in quantum mechanics. Prerequisite: PHYS 6300 and PHYS 6301. (3-0) R
PHYS 6303 Applications Of Group Theory In Physics
(3 semester hours) Group representation theory and selected applications in
atomic, molecular and elementary-particle physics. Survey of abstract group
theory and matrix representations of SU(2) and the rotation group, group theory
and special functions, the role of group theory in the calculation of energy
levels, matrix elements and selection rules, Abelian and non-Abelian gauge
field theories, the Dirac equation, representations of SU(3), and the Standard
Model of elementary-particle physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 5301. (3-0) R
PHYS 6313 Elementary Particles (3 semester hours) Elementary particles
and their interaction; classification of elementary particles; fermions and
bosons; particles and antiparticles; leptons and hadrons; mesons and baryons;
stable particles and resonances; hadrons as composites of quarks and
anti-quarks; fundamental interactions and fields; electromagnetic,
gravitational, weak and strong interactions; conservation laws in fundamental
interactions; parity, isospin, strangeness, G-parity; helicity and chirality;
charge conjugation and time reversal; strong reflection and CPT theorem; gauge
invariance; quarks and gluons; discovery of c, b and t quarks and the W+ and Z°
particles; recent discoveries. (Normally follows PHYS 6300 or 6301.) (3-0) T
PHYS 6314 High Energy Physics (3
semester hours) Electromagnetic and nuclear interactions of particles with
matter; particle detectors; accelerators and colliding beam machines;
invariance principles and conservation laws; hadron-hadron
interactions; static quark model of hadrons; weak interactions; lepton-quark
interactions; the parton model of hadrons;
fundamental interactions and their unification; generalized gauge invariance;
the Weinberg-Salam Model and its experimental tests: quantum chromo-dynamics;
quark-quark interactions; grand unification theories; proton decay, magnetic
monopoles, neutrino oscillations and cosmological aspects; supersymmetries.
(3-0) R
PHYS 6339 Special Topics In Quantum Electronics
(3 semester hours) Topics vary from semester to semester. (May
be repeated for credit to a maximum of 9 hours.) (3-0) R
PHYS 6341 Nuclear Physics I: The Principles Of
Nuclear Physics (3 semester hours) Atomic physics; atomic spectra, x-rays
and atomic structure. The constitution of the nucleus;
isotopes, natural radioactivity, artificial nuclear disintegration and
artificial radioactivity; alpha-, beta-, and gamma-decay; nuclear reactions,
nuclear forces and nuclear structure. Nuclear models, neutron physics
and nuclear fission. (3-0) R
PHYS 6342 Nuclear Physics II: Physics And Measurement Of
Nuclear Radiations (3 semester hours) Interaction of nuclear radiation with
matter; electromagnetic interaction of electrons and photons; nuclear
interactions. Operation and construction of counters and particle track
detectors; electronic data acquisition and analysis systems. Statistical
evaluation of experimental data. (3-0) R
PHYS 6349 Special Topics In High Energy Physics
(3 semester hours) Topics vary from semester to semester. (May
be repeated for credit to a maximum of 9 hours.) (3-0) R
PHYS 6353 Atomic And Molecular Processes (3 semester hours) Study of
theory and experimental methods applied to elastic scattering, excitation and
ionization of atoms and molecules by electron and ion impact, electron
attachment and detachment, and charge transfer processes. (3-0) R
PHYS 6369 Special Topics In Optics (3 semester
hours) Topics vary from semester to semester. (May be
repeated for credit to a maximum of 9 hours.) (3-0) R
PHYS 6371 (MSEN 6371) Advanced Solid State Physics (3 semester hours)
Continuation of PHYS 5371, transport properties of semiconductors,
ferroelectricity and structural phase transitions, magnetism,
superconductivity, quantum devices, surfaces. Prerequisite: PHYS 5371 or
equivalent. (3-0) R
PHYS 6372 Physical Materials Science (3 semester hours) Advanced concepts of Materials Science. New directions in
fabrication routes and materials design, such as biologically-inspired routes
to electronic materials. Advanced materials and device characterization.
Prerequisite: PHYS 5376 or equivalent. (3-0) R
PHYS 6374 (MSEN 6374) Optical Properties Of Solids
(3 semester hours) Optical response in solids and its applications. Lorentz,
Drude and quantum mechanical models for dielectric response function.
Kramers-Kronig transformation and sum rules considered. Basic properties
related to band structure effects, excitons and other excitations. Experimental techniques including reflectance, absorption,
modulated reflectance, Raman scattering. Prerequisite: PHYS 5371 or
equivalent. (3-0) T
PHYS 6376 Electronics and Photonics of Molecular and Organic Solids (3
semester hours) Electronic energy bands in molecular solids and conjugated
polymers. Elementary excitations: Frenkel, Wannier and charge transfer
excitons. Polarons, bipolarons and solitons. Mobility of excitons and charge carriers, photoconductivity.
Charge generation and recombination, electroluminescense,
photovoltaic phenomena. Spin selective magnetic effects on excitons and
carriers. Superconductivity: granular SC, and field
induced SC in organic FETs. (3-0) R
PHYS 6377 (MSEN 6377) Physics of Nanostructures: Carbon nanotubes,
Fullerenes, Quantum wells, dots and wires (3 semester hours) Electronic
bands in low dimensions. 0-d systems: fullerenes and quantum dots. Optical properties, superconductivity and ferromagnetism of
fullerides. 1-d systems: nano-wires and carbon nanotubes (CNT). Energy
bands of CNTs: chirality and electronic spectrum. Metallic versus
semiconducting CNT: arm-chair, zigzag and chiral tubes. Electrical
conductivity and superconductivity of CNTs, thermopower.
Electromechanics of SWCNT: artificial muscles. Quantum wells, FETs and organic
superlattices: confinement of electrons and excitons. Integer and fractional
quantum Hall effect (QHE). (3-0) R
PHYS 6379 Special Topics In Solid State Physics
(3 semester hours) Topics vary from semester to semester. (May
be repeated for credit to a maximum of 9 hours.) (3-0) R
PHYS 6383 (EEMF 6383) Plasma Science (3 semester hours): Theoretically
oriented study of plasmas. Topics to include: fundamental properties of
plasmas, fundamental equations (kinetic and fluid theory, electromagnetic
waves, plasma waves, plasma sheaths) plasma chemistry and plasma diagnostics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 5320 or equivalent. (3-0) T
PHYS 6388 Ionospheric Electrodynamics (3 semester hours) Generation of
electric fields in the earth’s ionosphere. The role of
internal dynamos and external generators from the interaction of the earth with
the solar wind. Satellite and ground-based observations of ionospheric
phenomena such as ExB drift, the polar wind and plasma instabilities.
Prerequisites: PHYS 5320, PHYS 6383 (3-0) R
PHYS 6V59 Special Topics In Atomic Physics (1-3
semester hours) Topics vary from semester to semester. (May
be repeated for credit to a maximum of 9 hours.) ([1-3]-0) R
PHYS 6389 Special Topics In Space Physics (3
semester hours) Topics will vary from semester to semester. (May
be repeated for credit to a maximum of 9 hours.) (3-0) S
PHYS 6399 Special Topics In Relativity (3
semester hours) Topics vary from semester to semester. (May
be repeated for credit to a maximum of 9 hours.) (3-0) R
PHYS 7V10 Internal Research (3-6 Semester Hours) On
campus research for Masters in Applied Physics. May be
repeated for credit. ([3-6]-0) S
PHYS 7V20 Industrial Research (3-6 Semester Hours) Industrial research
for Masters in Applied Physics. May be repeated for
credit. ([3-6]-0) S
PHYS 8V10 Research In High Energy Physics And
Elementary Particles (3-9 semester hours) (P/F grading) (May be repeated
for credit.) ([3-9]-0) S
PHYS 8V20 Research in Astrophysics and Cosmology (3-9 semester hours)
(P/F grading) (May be repeated for credit) ([3-9]-0) S
PHYS 8V30 Research In Quantum Electronics (3-9
semester hours) (P/F grading) (May be repeated for credit.) ([3-9]-0) S
PHYS 8V40 Research in Applied Physics (3-9
semester hours) (P/F grading) (May be repeated for credit.) ([3-9]-0) S
PHYS 8V49 Advanced Research In Physics (1-3
semester hours) (P/F grading) (May be repeated for credit.) ([1-3]-0) S
PHYS 8V50 Research In Atomic And Molecular Physics
(3-9 semester hours) (P/F grading) (May be repeated for credit.) ([3-9]-0) S
PHYS 8V60 Research In Optics (3-9 semester
hours) (P/F grading) (May be repeated for credit.) ([3-9]-0) S
PHYS 8V70 Research In Materials Physics (3-9
semester hours) (P/F grading) (May be repeated for credit.) ([3-9]-0) S
PHYS 8V80 Research In Atmospheric And Space Physics
(3-9 semester hours) (P/F grading) (May be repeated for credit.) ([3-9]-0) S
PHYS 8V90 Research In Relativity (3-9 semester
hours) (P/F grading) (May be repeated for credit.) ([3-9]-0) S
PHYS 8398 Thesis (3 semester hours) (May be repeated for credit.) (3-0)
R
PHYS 8399 Dissertation (3 semester hours) (May be repeated for credit.)
(3-0) S
PHYS 8V99 Dissertation (1-9 semester hours) May be repeated for credit.
([1-9]-0) S