PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

171.101 (E,N)

GENERAL PHYSICS FOR PHYSICAL SCIENCE  MAJORS I (4) Ford   Limit 23 per section Coreq:173.111-112; 110.108-109 One-year course in general physics covering mechanics, heat, sound, electricity and magnetism, optics, and atomic physics.

Sec. 14 added 8/01/06

Lec.

Sec. 01-14

ThF 10:30-12

T 8

171.102 (E,N)

GENERAL PHYSICS FOR PHYSICAL SCIENCE MAJORS II (4) Barnett  Limit 24 22 per section  Prereq: C- or better in 171.101  Coreq:173.112; 110.109   One-year course in general physics covering mechanics, heat, sound, electricity and magnetism, optics, and atomic physics.

Lec.

Sec. 01-04

MTW 11

Th 8

171.103 (E,N)

GENERAL PHYSICS I FOR BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE MAJORS (4) Feldman   Limit 24 22 per section Coreq: 173.111-112; 110.108-109 or 110.106-107 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

171.105 (E,N)

CLASSICAL MECHANICS I (4) Tchernyshyov  Coreq: 173.115-116 and 110.108-109   Recommended for students who plan to major or minor in Physics.  Students enrolled in this course should enroll in the Classical Mechanics Lab only.  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.

Lec.

Sec. 01

MTW 11

Th 11

173.111 (N)

GENERAL PHYSICS LAB I (1) Swartz   Limit 24 22 per section 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 9-12am

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

173.112

GENERAL PHYSICS LAB II (1) Swartz   Limit 24 22 per section Prereq: 173.111    Coreq: 171.102; 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

W 1-4

W 6-9pm

Th 1-4

Th 6-9pm

171.113 (N)

SUBATOMIC WORLD (3) Blumenfeld    Limit 44     Introduction to concepts of physics of the subatomic world: Symmetries, relativity, quanta, neutrinos, particles, and fields. Emphasis on ideas of modern physics, not on the mathematics. Intended for nonscience majors

Sec. 01

MTW 11

172.113 (N)

(W)

INTRODUCTION TO FRONTIER PHYSICS (1) Henry   Limit 45 Explores modern experimental methods and theoretical ideas in physics.

Sec. 01

M 2

171.115 (N)

PHYSICS OF THE EVERYDAY WORLD (3) Krolik  Limit 30 Introduction to concepts of physics and their consequences for everyday experience. Using numbers to describe the natural world. Intended for non-scientists.

Sec. 01

MTW 2

173.115 (N)

CLASSICAL MECHANICS LABORATORY (1) (3) Swartz  Limit 24    Coreq: 171.105   Experiments chosen to complement the lecture course Classical Mechanics I, II 171.105-106 and introduce students to experimental techniques and statistical analysis.

Sec. 01

M 6-9pm

171.201 (E,N)

SPECIAL RELATIVITY AND WAVES (4) Leheny  Prereq: 171.105-106 (preferred) or 171.101-102 or 171.103-104; 110.108-109; Coreq: Calculus 110.202 or 110.211-212  Course continues introductory physics sequence (begins with 171.105-106). Special theory of relativity, mathematics of waves, harmonic oscillation, forced and damped oscillators, electromagnetic waves, diffraction, interference.

Lec.

Sec.01

02

MTW 11

Th 12

F 2

172.203 (N)

CONTEMPORARY PHYSICS SEMINAR (1) Henry  Prereq: 171.101-102, 171.103-104, or 171.105-106   This seminar exposes physics majors to a broad variety of contemporary experimental and theoretical issues in the field. Students read and discuss reviews from the current literature, and are expected to make an oral or written presentation.

Sec. 01

T 2

171.207 (N)

SPECIAL RELATIVITY (1) Leheny Three-week introduction to special relativity for students physics majors who elect to take 171.209 in place of 171.201. Prereq: 171.105-106 (preferred) or 171.101-102 or 171.103-104; Calculus 110.108-109. Coreq: Calculus 110.202 or 110.211-212

Lec.

Sec.01

02

MTW 11

Th 12

F 2

171.209 (N)

WAVE PHENOMENA WITH BIOPHYSICAL APPLICATIONS (4) Reich  Prereqs: 171.101-102 or 171.103-104 or 171.105-106  Introduction to wave phenomena, primarily through study of biophysical probes that depend on the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter. Topics include Fourier Analysis; standing waves; sound and hearing; diffraction and crystallography; geometrical and physical optics – the physics of modern light microscopy; quantum mechanics – how living things absorb light; NMR and MRI. Occasional laboratory exercises are included.

Lec.

Sec. 01

MTW 9

Th 12

171.301 (N)

ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY II (4) Kaplan Prereq: 171.101-102 or 171.105-106; 110.201-202; Coreq: 110.302 or 110.416 Static electric and magnetic fields in free space and matter; boundary value problems; electromagnetic induction; Maxwell's equations; and an introduction to electrodynamics.  

Lec.

Sec. 01

MTW 11

Th 12

171.303 (N)

QUANTUM MECHANICS I (4) Broholm  Prereq: 171.202, 171.204, 110.113 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 (time-independent and time-dependent), transition probabilities and selection rules, atomic structure, scattering theory.

Lec.

Sec. 01

MTW 9

Th 1

173.308

(W)

ADVANCED PHYSICS LAB (3) Armitage   A broad exposure to modern laboratory procedures such as holography, chaos, and atomic, molecular, and particle physics.

Sec. 01

Lab

M 12

M 1-4

171.312 (N)

STATISTICAL PHYSICS AND THERMODYNAMICS (4) Markovic Limit 25 Undergraduate course that develops the laws and general theorems of thermodynamics from a statistical framework.

MTW 1

Th 2

171.313 (N)

INTRODUCTION TO STELLAR PHYSICS (3) Wyse Prereq: 110.108-109, 171.202   Survey of stellar astrophysics. Topics include stellar atmospheres, stellar interiors, nucleosynthesis, stellar evolution, supernovae, white dwarfs, neutron stars, pulsars, black holes, binary stars, accretion disks, protostars, and extrasolar planetary systems.

ThF 9-10:30

171.405 (N)

CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS (3) Chien, C.L.   Prereq: 171.304, 110.201-202  Undergraduate course covering basic concepts of condensed matter physics: crystal structure, diffraction and reciprocal lattices, electronic and optical properties, band structure, phonons, superconductivity and magnetism.

M 4-5:30pm W 3-4:30 MW 3-4:30 ThF 10:30-12

171.415 (N)

MATHEMATICAL METHODS FOR PHYSICISTS (4) Kovesi-Domokos   Limit 20 Prereq: 110.201-202 Selection of topics in applied mathematics most frequently used by physicists. First term focuses on analytic methods: functions of complex variables, series and perturbation methods for solving differential equations, Sturm-Liouville theory and special functions, Fourier series and transforms.

ThF 9-10:20

T 12

110.369 (Q,N)

INTRODUCTION TO MATHEMATICAL BIOLOGY (4) Morava    Limit 25   Prereq: 110.107, 110.302 Cross-listed with Mathematics

MTW 11

171.501

INDEPENDENT RESEARCH: UNDERGRADUATES   Staff   Students may register for independent research with a faculty member in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. A research plan should be sent to the Director of Undergraduate Study before the add/drop date that includes project details, the number of hours of effort each week and the number of credits. This course may not be used for one of the two electives required for a BA, but one semester of research may be used as one of four focused electives in a BS program.

171.503

(W)

SENIOR THESIS Staff Open to Senior Dept. majors only  Preparation of a substantial thesis based upon independent student research, supervised by at least one faculty member in Physics and Astronomy. This course may only be taken for credit during one semester. However, students are expected to have engaged in their research project during previous semesters through 171.501-502, summer research, etc. This course may not be used as one of the two electives required for a BA, but can be used as one of the four focused electives in a BS program.

171.603 

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

171.605

QUANTUM MECHANICS Tesanovic 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.

Lec.

Sec. 01

ThF 10:30-12

F 1

173.608

ADVANCED LABORATORY Armitage   Covers a thorough survey of analog and digital electronics with a strong emphasis on integrated-circuit technology.

Sec. 01

Lab

M 12

M 1-4

171.612

INTERSTELLAR MEDIUM AND ASTROPHYSICAL FLUID DYNAMICS Neufeld Norman   Physical states of interstellar gas; diagnostics: commonly encountered emission and absorption lines, continuum processes, refraction, dispersion, and scintillation; ionization equilibrium; heating and cooling, multi-phase systems and thermal instabilities; dust physics: optical properties, temperature and ionization; basic equations of fluid mechanics: mass continuity, Navier-Stokes and equations of state; hydrostatic equilibrium and the Jeans mass; puid instabilities; shock waves and similarity solutions for blast waves; MHD equations and magnetized equilibria.

Sec. 01

MTW 10

171.613

RADIATIVE ASTROPHYSICS / QUANTUM PHYSICS Bennett A one-term survey of the processes that generate radiation of astrophysical importance. Topics include:radiative transfer, the theory of radiation fields, polarization and Stokes parameters, radiation from accelerating charges, bremsstrahlung, synchrotron radiation, thermal dust emission, Compton scattering, properties of plasmas, atomic and molecular quantum transitions, and applications to astrophysical observations. 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

MW 2-3:20

171.616

THE UNIVERSE AT HIGH ENERGIES Norman  Limit 18 Study of the Universe from the perspective of the most energetic phenomena. Topics covered will include: black holes, supernovae, pulsars, active galaxies and quasars, clusters of galaxies and gamma ray bursts. Course added 6/01/06

Sec. 01

MW 10:30-12

171.619

MOLECULAR ASTROPHYSICS Neufeld   An advanced graduate level course that emphasizes the importance of molecules in astrophysical environments as diverse as interstellar clouds, circumstellar outflows, cometary comae, and active galactic nuclei.  Course canceled 5/31/06

Sec. 01

MW 10:30-12

171.621

CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS Chien, C.L.  This sequence is intended for graduate students in physics and related fields. Topics include: metals and insulators, diffraction and crystallography, phonons, electrons in a periodic potential, transport.

Sec. 01

M 4-5:30pm W 3-4:30 MW 3-4:30 ThF 10:30-12

171.634

TOPICS IN MAGNETISM Chien, C.L.  Limit 15 Course added 8/28/06

Sec. 01

ThF 1-2:30

171.701

QUANTUM FIELD THEORY Feldman.  Limit 15 Course added 9/22/06

Sec. 01

M 3:30-5, T 9

171.703

ADVANCED STATISTICAL MECHANICS  Robbins   Prereqs: 171.303-304, 171.312 or equivalents.  Brief review of basic statistical mechanics and thermodynamics. Then hydrodynamic theory is derived from statistical mechanics and classical treatments of phase transitions, including Ginzburg-Landau theory.

ThF 9-10:30

171.801

INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - GRADUATES
Sec. 01  Staff
Sec. 02 Sundrum
Sec. 03 Feldman
Sec. 04 Chien, Chia-ling
Sec. 05 Domokos
Sec. 06 Reich
Sec. 07 Chien, Chih-yung
Sec. 08 Kroli
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. 27 Kaplan
Sec. 28 Finkenthal
Sec. 29 Leheny
Sec. 30 Markovic
Sec. 31 Tchernyshyov
Sec. 32 Bennett
Sec. 33 Vishniac
Sec. 34 Gritsan

172.631

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

M 12

172.633

LANGUAGE OF ASTROPHYSICS Krolik.  Course added 8/28/06

Sec. 01

W 12

172.711

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

T 12

172.722

HOT TOPICS IN ASTROPHYSICS Norman

M 4-6pm

172.731 

CAS RESEARCH SEMINAR Meurer

T 3:30-5

172.735

STARBURST JOURNAL CLUB SEMINAR Heckman

F 12

172.751

ELEMENTARY PARTICLE PHYSICS SEMINAR Staff

W 12-1:30

172.753 

ADVANCED PARTICLE THEORY SEMINAR Kaplan

F 2

172.763

CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS SEMINAR Markovic

W 2-3:30