PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

171.101 (E, N)

GENERAL PHYSICS FOR PHYSICAL SCIENCE MAJORS I  (4) Barnett  Limit 18 per section  Coreq: 110.108-109,173.111-112  One-year course in general physics covering mechanics, heat, sound, electricity and magnetism, optics, and atomic physics.

Lec.

Sec. 01

02

03

04

MTW 11

Th 8

Th 8

Th 8

Th 8

171.102 (E, N)

GENERAL PHYSICS FOR PHYSICAL SCIENCE MAJORS II (4) Heckman  Limit 22 per section  Prereq: Grade of C- or better in 171.101 or 171.103 Coreq: 110.109,173.112   One-year course in general physics covering mechanics, heat, sound, electricity and magnetism, optics, and atomic physics.

Lec.

Sec. 01-13

ThF 10:30-12

T 8

171.104 (E, N)

GENERAL PHYSICS FOR BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE MAJORS II (4) Norman   Limit 24 per section Prereq: Grade of C- or better in 171.101 or 171.103  Coreq: 110.109,173.112     Standard calculus based physics tailored to students majoring in one of the biological sciences. Topics in modern physics and in fluid dynamics will be covered in this course.

Lec.

Sec. 01-09

MTW 9

F 8

171.106 (E, N)

INTRODUCTION TO CLASSICAL PHYSICS (4) Leheny    Prereq: Grade of C- or better in 171.105; Co-req: 173.116, 110.109   Classical electricity and magnetism with fewer topics than 171.101-102 and 171.103-104 but in greater depth, and is for students who intend to take 171.201-202. Particularly recommended for students who plan to major or minor in physics.

Sec. 01

MTW 11

Conf. Th 11

173.111 (N)

GENERAL PHYSICS LAB I (1) Swartz   Limit 24 per section Coreq: 171.101, 171.103, or 171.105   Monthly lecture Wednesdays at 8:00am (canceled 11/10/05) Experiments are chosen from both physical and biological sciences and are designed to give students background in experimental techniques as well as to reinforce physical principles.

Sec. 01

02

03

04

W1-4

W 6-9pm

Th 1-4

Th 6-9pm

173.112

GENERAL PHYSICS LAB II (1) Swartz,  Limit 24 per section Prereq: 173.111; Coreq: 171.102 or 171.104   or 171.106  Monthly lecture Wednesdays at 8:00am (canceled 11/10/05) Experiments are chosen from both physical and biological sciences and are designed to give students background in experimental techniques as well as to reinforce physical principles

Sec. 01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

M 1-4

M 1-4

M 1-4

T 1-4

T 1-4

T 1-4

W 1-4

W 1-4

W 1-4

Th 1-4

Th 1-4

Th 1-4

Th 9-12

M 6-9pm

M 6-9pm

T 6-9pm

T 6-9pm

W 6-9pm

W 6-9pm

W 6-9pm

Th 6-9pm

Th 6-9pm

Th 6-9pm

T 6-9pm

172.114 (N)

(W)

INTRODUCTION TO FRONTIER PHYSICS (1) Szalay Explores modern experimental methods and theoretical ideas in physics.

Sec. 01

M 2

173.116 (N)

CLASSICAL PHYSICS LABORATORY (1)  Swartz Coreq:  171.105-106 Experiments chosen to complement the lecture course Introduction to Classical Physics 171.105-106 and introduce students to experimental techniques and statistical analysis

Sec. 01

M 6-9pm

171.118 (N)

STARS & THE UNIVERSE: COSMIC EVOLUTION (3) Henry     Limit 70   Evolution of the universe: from origin in a cosmic explosion to emergence of life on Earth and possibly other planets throughout the universe.

Sec. 01

ThF 9-10:30

171.202 (N)

MODERN PHYSICS (4) Chien, C.L. Prereq: 171.201 Course completes four-semester introductory sequence that includes 171.105-106 and 171.201. Planck’s hypothesis, de Broglie waves, Bohr atom, Schrodinger equation in one dimension, hydrogen atom, Pauli exclusion principle, conductors and semiconductors, nuclear physics, particle physics.

Sec. 01

Conf.

MTW 11

   Th 12

171.204 (N)

CLASSICAL MECHANICS (4) Sundrum Prereq: 110.108-109, 171.201    Principles of Newtonian and Lagrangian mechanics; application to central-force motion, rigid body motion, and the theory of small oscillations.

Sec. 01

Conf.

MTW 9

      Th 9

171.250 (N)

LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE (3) Vishniac Course draws on a wide array of sciences to study the origin of life in the universe and chances for finding extraterrestrial life.  Topics covered: origin of chemical components of living organisms, star and planet formation, origin and evolution of life on Earth, search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

Sec. 01

MTW 10

171.302 (N)

TOPICS IN ADVANCED ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY (4) Chien, CY   Prereq: 171.301   Topics include electromagnetic waves; reflection and refraction; waveguides; retarded potentials and electromagnetic radiation; relativistic electrodynamics.

Sec. 01

Conf.

MTW 10

    Th 12

171.304 (N)

INTRODUCTION TO QUANTUM MECHANICS (4) Broholm Prereq: 171.303, 171.202, 171.204, 110.202 Fundamental aspects of quantum mechanics. Uncertainty relations, Schrodinger equation in one and three dimensions, tunneling, harmonic oscillator, angular momentum,hydrogen atom, spin, Pauli principle, perturbation theory, transition probabilities and selection rules, atomic structure,scattering theory.

Sec. 01

MTW 9

Th 1

173.308 (N)

(W)

INTERMEDIATE PHYSICS LABORATORY (3) Blumenfeld    A broad exposure to modern laboratory procedures such as holography, chaos, and atomic, molecular, and particle physics.

Sec. 01

Conf.

M 1-4

    M 12

171.314 (N)

INTRODUCTION TO GALAXIES AND ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI (3) Krolik   Prereq: 110.108-109, 171.202.  The continuation of Introduction to Stellar Physics, this course examines the more distant contents of the Universe: our Milky Way Galaxy and other normal galaxies, active galaxies, galaxy clusters, and cosmology. 

Sec. 01

ThF 9:30-11 9-10:30

171.320 (N)

INTERMEDIATE GENERAL PHYSICS FOR THE BIOSCIENCES  (4) Reich Prereq: previous introduction to Calculus- based General Physics. Course reviews basic concept of physics using examples drawn from the biosciences.  Appropriate for advanced undergraduates in the biosciences and graduate students wishing to refresh or develop their knowledge of physics.

Sec. 01

Conf.

MTW 9

Th 12

171.408 (N)

INTRODUCTION TO NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE PHYSICS (3) Gritsan  Prereq: 171.304, 110.201-202   Basic properties of nuclei, masses, spins, parity. Nuclear scattering, interaction with electromagnetic radiation, radioactivity, Pions, muons and elementary particles, including resonances.

Sec. 01

MTW 10

171.416 (N)

NUMERICAL METHODS FOR PHYSICISTS (4) Neufeld Prereq: 171.415, 110.201-202 Topics in applied mathematics used by physicists, covering numerical methods: linear problems, numerical integration, pseudo-random numbers, finding roots of nonlinear equations, function minimization, eigenvalue problems, fast Fourier transforms, solution of both ordinary and partial differential equations.

Conf.

Sec. 01

ThF  9-10:30

T 12

171.472 (N)

INTRODUCTION TO PLASMA PHYSICS AND ATOMIC PROCESSES IN HOT PLASMAS (3)  Finkenthal Course consists of three parts: an introduction of the basic concepts and approaches to plasma physics, a review of the atomic processes which determine the properties of hot plasmas and a brief overview of major laboratory and astrophysical plasma research today.  Part 1 considers fluid and kinetic theories (knowledge of basic undergraduate classical mechanics and electromagnetism an asset); part 2 assumes students have an understanding of quantum mechanics at an introductory level. Course gives general overview of subjects under discussion, in preparation for more advanced - specific courses in these areas offered in coming years.

Sec. 01

ThF 1-2:30

171.502

UNDERGRADUATE INDEPENDENT RESEARCH  Research done in senior year in conjunction with experimental equipment of intermediate laboratory or as special project in research group. Credit for independent study given to junior and senior students who act as tutors.

171.504

SENIOR THESIS   Preparation of a substantial thesis based upon independent student research, supervised by at least one faculty member in Physics and Astronomy.

171.604

ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY Szalay  Theory of the Maxwell equations, with static and dynamic applications, boundary-value problems, guided and free waves, diffraction, scattering, special relativity, electron theory.

Sec. 01

MTW 11

171.606

QUANTUM MECHANICS Tesanovic  Prereq: 171.303 and 171.304  Review of wave mechanics and the Schrodinger equation, Hilbert space, harmonic oscillator, the WKB approximation, central forces and angular momentum, scattering, electron spin, density matrix, perturbation theory (time -independent and time - dependent), quantized radiation field, absorption and emission of radiation, identical particles, second quantization, Dirac equation.

Sec.01

Conf.

ThF 10:30-12

F 1

171.611

STELLAR STRUCTURE & EVOLUTION Wyse   Basic physics of stellar structure and evolution will be discussed with emphasis on current research.

Sec. 1

ThF 10:30-12
2-3:30

173.608

ADVANCED LABORATORY Blumenfeld  Experiments carried out on cosmic rays, X-ray scattering Mössbauer effect, atomic beams, and optical spectroscopy.

Sec. 01

Conf.

M 1-4

  M 12

171.614

RADIATIVE ASTROPHYSICS Feldman A two-term sequence including equation of transfer, connection to thermodynamics, diffusion; linear EM waves: dispersion relations, polarization; special relativity; classical EM radiation; bremsstrahlung; synchrotron radiation; Compton scattering; properties of plasmas; charged particles in matter; atomic and molecular spectroscopy; time-dependent perturbation theory; calculation of quantum transition rates for both radiative and collisional processes; techniques for solution of the transfer equation, applications to stellar atmospheres and interstellar nebulae.

Sec. 01

MT 2-3:30

171.622

CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS Markovic   This sequence is intended for graduate students in physics and related fields. Topics include superconductivity, magnetism, metal-insulator transitions, low dimensional materials, quantized hall effect.

Sec. 01

ThF 10:30-12

172.632

PHYSICS SEMINAR Broholm    Graduate students only   Intended for beginning graduate students. Study of the methods and results of modern physics and other topics of interest. Each student will discuss some phase of the subject.

Sec. 01

M 12

171.638

RADIO ASTRONOMY & COSMIC MICROWAVE BACKGROUND Bennett This course provides an introduction to radio sources, radio astronomy observational techniques, and the cosmic microwave background radiation.  Topics include filled aperture and interferometric systems, detectors and noise, emission mechanisms, galactic and extragalactic sources, and cosmology. Course canceled 11/15/05

Sec. 01

ThF 9-10:30

171.640

EXTRASOLAR PLANETS  Ford This seminar-style course will cover:  the ESP inventory and characteristics, techniques for finding ESPs, dependencies on parent stars, debris disks, planet formation theories, ESP outstanding issues, the search for extra-terrestrial life, and NASA’s ESP plans

Sec. 01

MTW 1

171.672

INTRODUCTION TO PLASMA PHYSICS AND ATOMIC PROCESSES IN HOT PLASMAS Finkenthal  Course will be a combination between an introduction to plasma physics and an overview of the basic atomic processes which determine the properties of hot, laboratory and astrophysical plasmas.

Sec. 01

ThF 1-2:30

171.704

ADVANCED STATISTICAL MECHANICS  Tchernyshyov This second semester course covers renormalization group theories of critical  phenomena, the fluctuation-dissipation theorem, and analytic and numerical techniques for studying interacting systems.

Sec. 01

ThF 9-10:30 MTW 10

172.712

INTERMEDIATE SEMINAR Henry Nonspecialized seminar in which second-year graduate students discuss subjects of general interest, supplementing the material of the standard courses and including recent advances in physics.

Sec. 01

T 12

172.722

HOT TOPICS IN ASTROPHYSICS SEMINAR Norman

Sec. 01

M 4-6pm

171.731

EXPERIMENTAL PARTICLE PHYSICS Gritsan   For graduate students interested in experimental particle physics, or theory students, or students from other specialties. Subjects covered: experimental techniques, including particle beams, targets, electronics, and various particle detectors; and a broad description of high energy physics problems.

Sec. 01

MTW 10
TW 2:30-4

172.732

CENTER FOR ASTROPHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH SEMINAR Zheng

Sec. 01

T 3:30-5

172.736

STARBURST JOURNAL CLUB Heckman

Sec. 01

F 12

172.752

ELEMENTARY PARTICLE PHYSICS SEMINAR Blumenfeld

Sec. 01

W 12-1:30

172.754

ADVANCED PARTICLE THEORY SEMINAR Sundrum

Sec. 01

F 2

172.764

CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS SEMINAR Tchernyshyov

Sec. 01

W 2-3:30

171.802 801

INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
Sec. 01 - Staff
Sec. 02 - Sundrum
Sec. 03 - Feldman
Sec. 04 - C.L. Chien
Sec. 05 - Domokos
Sec. 06 - Reich
Sec. 07 - C.Y. Chien
Sec. 08 - Krolick
Sec. 09 - Barnett
Sec. 10 - Norman
Sec. 11 - Blumenfeld
Sec. 12 - Heckman
Sec. 13 - Moos
Sec. 14 - Szalay
Sec. 15 - Ford
Sec. 16 - Bagger
Sec. 17 - Wyse
Sec. 18 - Henry
Sec. 19 - Neufeld
Sec. 20 - Tesanovic
Sec. 21 - Blair
Sec. 22 - Robbins
Sec. 23 - Glazebrook
Sec. 24 - Broholm
Sec. 25 - Bianchi
Sec. 26 - Falk
Sec. 27 - Kaplan
Sec. 28 - Finkenthal
Sec. 29 - Leheny
Sec. 30 - Markovic
Sec. 31 - Tchernyshyov
Sec. 32 - Bennett
Sec. 33 - Vishniac
Sec. 34 - Gritsan

Secs. 33 & 34 added 03/02/06