PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

171.101 (E,N)

GENERAL PHYSICS FOR PHYSICAL SCIENCE MAJORS I  (4) Barnett 
Limit 24 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 24 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. 01-14

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 tostudents 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 Limit 22 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
Conf.

MTW 11
Th 11

173.111 (N)

GENERAL PHYSICS LAB I (1)
Swartz Limit 24 per section Coreq: 171.101, 171.103, or 171.105 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

W 1-4
W 6-9pm
Th 1-4
Th 6-9pm

171.112 (N)
             

GREAT DISCOVERIES IN ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS (3) Riess   Limit 45   Course focuses on key discoveries in astronomy and astrophysics from the speed of light to the speed of the expanding and now accelerating Universe, from the discovery of Neptune to the modern detection of extrasolar planets, spanning hundreds of years and many orders of magnitude of astronomical breakthroughs.

Sec. 01

MTW 10

173.112

GENERAL PHYSICS LAB II (1) Swartz  Limit 24 per section Prereq: 173.111; Coreq: 171.102 or 171.104 or 171.106 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
Th T 6-9pm

172.114 (N)
(W)

INTRODUCTION TO FRONTIER PHYSICS (1) Armitage/ Markovic Limit 25 Explores modern experimental methods and theoretical ideas in physics.

Sec. 01

M 2

173.116 (N)

CLASSICAL PHYSICS LABORATORY (1)  Swartz  Limit 24  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 45   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

171.120 (N)

PHYSICS OF MODERN TECHNOLOGIES (3) Walker   Limit 45   This course for non-scientists offers accessible non-mathematical explanations of modern technologies: electric power generation and distribution (AC vs. DC), florescent lighting, lasers, computers, the internet, GPS, and student suggested topics. Course added 11/1/06

Sec. 01

ThF 1-2:30

171.202 (N)

MODERN PHYSICS (4) Chien, C.L.
Limit 20 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) Maksimovic   Limit 35    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

171.210 (N)

BIOLOGICAL PHYSICS (4) Reich Limit 35 Prereq: 171.101-102 or 171.103-104 or 171.105-106 Covers aspects of statistical physics, fluid mechanics and electricity and magnetism that are relevant to understanding biological systems. Topics include diffusion, entropic forces, self-assembly, membrane physics, and nerve conduction. Occasional laboratory exercises are included.

Sec. 01 Conf.

MTW 11
Th 12

171.302 (N)

TOPICS IN ADVANCED INTRODUCTION TO ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY (4)
Kovesi-Domokos Limit 25 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   Limit 30
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
Conf.

MTW 9
Th 1

173.308 (N)
(W)

INTERMEDIATE PHYSICS LABORATORY (3) Wyse Limit 24 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

171.408 (N)

INTRODUCTION TO NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE PHYSICS (3) Gritsan Limit 15 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

171.410 (N)

PHYSICAL COSMOLOGY (3) Bennett Limit 15 Course provides an insight into modern physical cosmology, a non-technical overview of the physical principles governing the expansion of the universe, and conveys the excitement in this rapidly evolving area.

Sec. 01

ThF 10:30-12 9-10:30

171.411 (N)

GEOMETRIC AND PHYSICAL OPTICS (3) Feldman, P.  Limit 15 Course covers conceptual and experimental topics of importance for scientists and engineers in the practice of their professions. Course canceled 02/21/07

Sec. 01

ThF 10:30-12

171.416 (N)

NUMERICAL METHODS FOR PHYSICISTS (4) Neufeld   Limit 30
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.

Sec. 01
Conf.

ThF  9-10:30 T 12

171.472 (N)

INTRODUCTION TO PLASMA PHYSICS AND ATOMIC PROCESSES IN HOT PLASMAS (3)  Finkenthal   Limit 30  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
(W)

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 Domokos  Limit 20  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 Limit 20 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

173.608

ADVANCED LABORATORY Wyse Limit 24   Experiments carried out on cosmic rays, X-ray scattering Mössbauer effect, atomic beams, and optical spectroscopy.

Sec. 01 Conf.

M 1-4
  M 12

171.617

EXTRAGALACTIC ASTRONOMY Ford Limit 20 15 Establishing the extragalactic distance scale; kinematics of an expanding universe; light element nucleosynthesis; formation of the microwave background. Clusters of galaxies. The Hubble sequence and inventory of internal galactic structures: bulges, disks, star clusters; measurements of distance within the galaxy; stellar kinematics; stellar populations; chemical evolution.

Sec. 01

MT 1-2:20

171.622

CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS Markovic Limit 30 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    Limit 30 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

171.635

MOLECULAR SIMULATIONS: METHODS AND APPLICATIONS Robbins
Prereq: Undergraduate course in statistical mechanics or Perm Req'd. Limit 20 Introduction to the methods of Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics. Simulations for a wide range of equilibrium and nonequilibrium applications, including hands-on experience with existing codes. Course added 11/17/06

Sec. 01

ThF 9-10:30

171.636

MODELING MATTER Robbins
Limit 20 Introduction to single-scale methodologies for continuum fluid and solid mechanics, and for atomistic simulations will be followed by study of new multiscale algorithms that span length and time scales. Course canceled 11/17/06

Sec. 01

ThF 9-10:30

171.672

INTRODUCTION TO PLASMA PHYSICS AND ATOMIC PROCESSES IN HOT PLASMAS Finkenthal    Limit 20 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

171.702

QUANTUM FIELD THEORY  Erdas  Limit 15    Introduction to relativistic quantum mechanics and quantum field theory.  Canonical Quantization; scalar; spinor, and vector fields; scattering theory; renormalization; functional integration; spontaneous symmetry breaking; Standard Model of particle physics.

Sec. 01

T 2:30-4, F 3:30 M 3:30-5:10pm
T 9

172.712

INTERMEDIATE SEMINAR Henry
Limit 30    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 Limit 30

Sec. 01

M 4-6pm

171.731

EXPERIMENTAL PARTICLE PHYSICS Gritsan  Limit 15   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

172.732

CENTER FOR ASTROPHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH SEMINAR Meurer  Limit 30

Sec. 01

T 3:30-5

172.736

STARBURST JOURNAL CLUB Heckman   Limit 30

Sec. 01

F 12

172.752

ELEMENTARY PARTICLE PHYSICS SEMINAR  Barnett  Limit 30

Sec. 01

W 12

171.754

ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI  Krolik  Limit 25   Phenomenology of the zoo; samples and search techniques; cosmological evolution of the AGN population; physics of black holes; accretion disks; X-ray and gammaray
emission mechanisms; pair plasmas; relativistic jets and radio emission; emission lines; broad absorption lines; obscuration, reflection, and unified schemes; host galaxies and fueling.

Sec. 01

MTW 2:30 2

172.754

ADVANCED PARTICLE THEORY SEMINAR Staff  Limit 30

Sec. 01

F 2

171.762

ADVANCED CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS Tchernyshyov  Limit 20      
This course is designed for graduate students interested in learning the language, techniques, and problematics of modern quantum many-body theory as applied to condensed matter physics.

Sec. 01

MT 9-10:30 10:30-12

172.764

CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS SEMINAR Tchernyshyov Limit 30

Sec. 01

W 2-3:30

171.802

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 – Krolik
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 – Open
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