Graduate Degrees Requirements

Graduate Courses in Physics and Astronomy

AST 710 Observational Astronomy

Techniques
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. 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.

PHY 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.

PHY 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.

PHY 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; PHY 461 or equivalent. 3 credits.

PHY 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: PHY 482/682, PHY 483/683 and graduate standing. 3 credits.

PHY 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: PHY 707 and graduate standing. 3 credits.

PHY 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: PHY 422/622 and graduate standing. 3 credits each.

PHY 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: PHY 482/682 and graduate standing. 3 credits each.

PHY 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: PHY 622 and PHY 682/721, or consent of instructor. 3 credits.

PHY 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.

PHY 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: PHY 461/661, 481/681 and graduate standing. 3 credits.

PHY 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: PHY 722 and graduate standing. 3 credits.

PHY 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: PHY 411 and 683, or EEG 414 and 420, and consent of instructor. 3 credits.

PHY 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: PHY 482/682 and graduate standing. 3 credits.

PHY 731 Statistical Physics I

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

PHY 732 Statistical Physics II

Quantum statistical mechanics, Fermi-Dirac and Bose- Einstein statistics. Phase transitions. Fluctuations. Prerequisites: PHY 731 and graduate standing. 3 credits.

PHY 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: PHY 721 and graduate standing. 3 credits.

PHY 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.

PHY 777 Advanced Special Problems

Special study of advanced topics not specifically covered in listed courses. Prerequisite: Prior conference with instructor. 1-3 credits.

PHY 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.

PHY 797 Thesis

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

PHY 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.

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.

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