Graduate courses

Astronomy

AST 710
Observational Astronomy
Techniques used in observational astronomy. Students plan and execute an observing program on a research-grade telescope. Data reduction and analysis using standard professional software packages and procedures. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. 3 credits.

AST 713
Astrophysics I
Laws of physics applied to astrophysical situations. Major topics include solar physics, element synthesis, stellar evolution, end states of stars. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. 3 credits.

AST 714
Astrophysics II
Laws of physics applied to astrophysical situations. Major topics include interstellar medium, the Milky Way, active galaxies, galaxy clusters, the Big Band. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. 3 credits.

AST 721
Gaseous Nebulae and Active Galactic Nuclei
Theory and observations used to determine the physical conditions in gaseous nebulae (H II regions, planetary nebulae, supernova remnants, etc.) and active galactic nuclei. Formation of spectra in these regions and analysis to determine temperatures, density and chemical composition. Recent observational results will be discussed. Prerequisites: Graduate standing. 3 credits.

AST 727
Cosmology
Classical cosmology, the isotropic universe, gravitational lensing, the age and distance scales, the early universe, observational cosmology, matter in the universe, galaxies and their evolution, active galaxies, galaxy formation and clustering, cosmic background fluctuations. Prerequisites: Graduate standing. 3 credits.

AST 731
Stellar Atmospheres: Theory, Observation, and Analysis
Theoretical treatment of stellar atmospheric structure and radiative transfer, state-of-the-art astrophysical analysis techniques used to derive atmospheric parameters, current observational understanding of stellar atmospheres, special topics in stellar atmospheres (pulsation, chromospheric activity, etc.), and relevance to galactic and extragalactic astronomy. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. 3 credits.

AST 747
Interstellar Medium
Physics of the interstellar medium. Overall chemical, thermal and physical state of the gas in our galaxy. Astrochemistry, cosmic rays, radiative transfer, atomic and molecular physics, thermal equilibrium, and the overall dynamics of the galaxy. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. 3 credits.

Physics

PHYS 700-701
Mathematical Physics I, II
A course to review and introduce various specific mathematical functions and techniques basic to the study of physics. 3 credits each.

PHYS 702-703
Classical Mechanics I, II
Newtonian mechanics from an advanced point of view. Variational principles, Lagrange's and Hamilton's equations, central forces, rigid body motion, canonical transformations, Hamilton-Jacobi theory, small oscillations. 3 credits each.

PHYS 705
Advanced Optical Systems
Analysis and design of complete optical systems. Light sources and detectors. Matrix methods. Characteristics and applications of optical components, including lenses, mirrors fibers, filters, holographic elements, prisms, and gratings. Apertures, stops and pupils. Fourier optics. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor; PHYS 461 or equivalent. 3 credits.

PHYS 707
Condensed Matter Theory I Comparison of different band structure calculation methods The local-density approximation. Relation of structural, transport, and optical properties to electronic structure. The properties of metals, insulators and semiconductors. Quantum theory of magnetism. Prerequisites: PHYS 482/682 , PHYS 483/683 and graduate standing. 3 credits.

PHYS 708
Condensed Matter Theory II
Lattice dynamics. Electron-photon interaction. Elementary excitations. Many-body effects in condensed matter physics. Superconductivity. Phase transitions. Renormalization group theory. Prerequisites: PHYS 707 and graduate standing. 3 credits.

PHYS 711-712
Electromagnetic Theory I, II
General properties of vector fields with special application to electrostatic and magnetostatic fields. Solutions to boundary value problems. General electromagnetic equations and conservation theorems. Energy and momentum in the electromagnetic field. Motions of charged particles in electromagnetic fields. Electromagnetic theory of radiation, electrodynamics and special relativity. Reflection, refraction, and dispersion of electromagnetic waves. Prerequisites: PHYS 422/622 and graduate standing. 3 credits each.

PHYS 721-722
Quantum Theory I, II
Development of quantum theory. Schroedinger equation, operators, expectation values. Matrix formalism of Heisenberg, eigenvalue problems, wave packets, conjugate variables, and uncertainty principle. Solution of wave equation for square potentials, harmonic oscillator, and hydrogen-like atoms. Perturbation theory, both time- independent and time-dependent. Degeneracy, interaction of matter with radiation, selection rules. Scattering theory, Born approximation and other approximation methods, Dirac notation and an introduction to spin. Prerequisites: PHYS 482/682 and graduate standing. 3 credits each.

PHYS 723
Quantum Optics
The properties of light, its creation, and its interaction with matter explored as quantum-mechanical phenomena. Quantization of the light field. The quantum theory of coherence. Dissipation and fluctuations. Light amplification. Nonlinear optics. Prerequisites: PHYS 622 and PHYS 682/721, or consent of instructor. 3 credits.

PHYS 724
Laser Applications: Interaction with Matter
Laser principles. Introduction to laser spectroscopy, isotope separation, and trace element analysis. Laser induced fusion. Laser induced plasmas and their radiation. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor 3 credits.

PHYS 725
Spectroscopy
A survey of spectroscopy, including absorption and emission spectroscopy, classical grating spectroscopy, laser spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform spectroscopy. Intensities, sensitivity limits, and resolution. High-resolution and ultra-high-resolution spectroscopy. Photon correlation spectroscopy. Analysis of spectra. Prerequisites: PHYS 461/661, PHYS 481/681 and graduate standing. 3 credits.

PHYS 726
Advanced Quantum Theory
The Dirac equation, hole theory, second quantization, Feynman diagrams, self-energy, vacuum polarization, renormalization, QED effects in high-Z atoms, path integral methods in field theory. Prerequisites: PHYS 722 and graduate standing. 3 credits.

PHYS 727
Advanced Topics in Semiconductor Devices I
Topics of current interest in solid state electronic devices: physics of semiconductors, thermal, optical and electronic properties of semiconductors, bipolar junction devices, field effect devices, surface related effects, optoelectronic devices, semiconductor lasers. Applications and the design of circuits using these devices. Intended for electrical and electronic engineers, physicists, and qualified senior students in engineering and physics. Prerequisites: PHYS 411 and 683, or EEG 414 and 420, and consent of instructor. 3 credits.

PHYS 728 Applications of Group Theory in Quantum Mechanics
Abstract group theory, theory of group representations, and direct product theory. Relationship to quantum mechanics; applications to atomic, molecular and solid state physics. Time-reversal symmetry, continuous groups, and the symmetric group. Prerequisites: PHYS 482/682 and graduate standing. 3 credits.

PHYS 731
Statistical Physics I
Liouville's theorem, ensembles, Boltzmann and Gibbs methods. Non-ideal gases, cluster expansions, theory of condensation. Prerequisites: PHYS 467, 468 and graduate standing. 3 credits.

PHYS 732
Statistical Physics II
Quantum statistical mechanics, Fermi-Dirac and Bose- Einstein statistics. Phase transitions. Fluctuations. Prerequisites: PHYS 731 and graduate standing. 3 credits.

PHYS 741
Atomic and Molecular Theory
Hartree-Fock theory, many-body perturbation theory, relativistic effects, energy levels, oscillator strengths, bound-continuum processes, Born-Oppenheimer approximation for molecules, symmetries, selection rules. Prerequisites: PHYS 721 and graduate standing. 3 credits.

PHYS 771
Advanced Topics in Experimental and Theoretical Physics
This course consists of lectures dealing with experimental and theoretical aspects of one of the fields listed. It may be repeated for credit in different fields to a maximum of 12 credits. a) Electrodynamics. b) Fluid mechanics. c) Plasma physics. d) Quantum theory. e) Nuclear physics. f) Atomic and molecular physics. g) Electron and ion physics. h) Low- temperature physics. i) Solid and/or liquid state. k) Cosmic rays. m) Relativity. n) Elementary particles. p) Astrophysics. s) Geophysics. t) Applied Optics. Prerequisite: Depends on particular topic; consult instructor. 3 credits.

PHYS 777
Advanced Special Problems br> Special study of advanced topics not specifically covered in listed courses. Prerequisite: Prior conference with instructor. 1-3 credits.

PHYS 796
Graduate Seminar
Students are required to give presentations on topics outside their Ph.D. work and to discuss the presentations. Presentations by graduate students will be given on a regularly scheduled basis, will last about an hour, and will be given at the non-specialist level. A total of three acceptable presentations in three different semesters during the six semesters of enrollment will be required. May be repeated to a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. 1 credit.

PHYS 797
Thesis
May be repeated but only six credits will be applied to the student's program. S/F grading only. 1-3 credits.

PHYS 799
Doctoral Dissertation
Doctoral dissertation. May be repeated. A minimum of 18 credits are required for the degree. Prerequisites: Qualifying exam and approval by department. 1-3 credits.

PHYS 600 Level Courses
The following upper division undergraduate courses have also been approved by the Graduate College for possible inclusion in graduate programs. Prior consent of advisor and department is required.

  • PHYS 622 Electricity and Magnetism
  • PHYS 624 Mechanics
  • PHYS 631 Nuclear Physics
  • PHYS 641 Mathematical Physics
  • PHYS 651 Modern Scientific Instrumentation
  • PHYS 657 Computational Physics
  • PHYS 661 Light and Physical Optics
  • PHYS 662 Modern Optics
  • PHYS 667 Therrnodynamics
  • PHYS 668 Statistical Mechanics
  • PHYS 670 Special Topics in Physics
  • PHYS 681 Quantum Mechanics I
  • PHYS 682 Quantum Mechanics II
  • PHYS 683 Solid State Physics
  • PHYS 684A Semiconductor Physics
  • PHYS 685 Condensed Matter Physics