Physics Graduate Courses

PHYS 5030 - Mathematical Methods in Physics

[3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)]
Survey of classical mathematical physics. Includes complex variable theory, boundary value problems, Green's functions, matrices, and vector spaces, and the use of numerical methods for solving physical problems. Prer., PES 3250 or equivalent.

PHYS 5150 - Solid State Laboratory

[2 Credits (Minimum) 2 Credits (Maximum)]
Advanced lab on the measurement of fundamental properties of solids. Includes introduction to vacuum and thin film technologies. One lecture andone lab session per week. Meets with PES 4150.

PHYS 5160 - Thin Films Laboratory

[1 Credits (Minimum) 1 Credits (Maximum)]
Introduction to thin film deposition and characterization. Facilities include evaporation, sputtering, Auger electron spectroscopy, ellipsometry and scanning electron microscopy. Coreq., PHYS 5490

PHYS 5200 - Computational Physics

[3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)]
An introduction to methods of solving physics problems via computers. Topics include molecular dynamics, calculation of electromagnetic fields, electronic states, Monte Carlo methods applied to statistical mechanics and quantum systems. Prer., CS 1050 or equivalent.

PHYS 5410 - Statistical Mechanics

[3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)]
An introduction to equilibrium statistical mechanics. Topics include classical or Boltzman statistics, Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein statistics, partition functions and ensembles. Also included are applications to the liquid and solid states.

PHYS 5420 - Physics of Materials

[3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)]
An introduction to the physics of materials. Topics will include crystallography and defects, phase diagrams, phase transformations, diffusion, mechanical properties, and electrical properties.

PHYS 5460 - Introduction to Solid State Physics

[3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)]
Theory of solids including crystal structure, x-ray diffraction, phonons, thermal properties of insulators, theories of metals, band structure, semiconductors, impurities and doping in semiconductors, junctions, superconductivity, and magnetism. Meets with PES 4460.

PHYS 5480 - Surface and Interface Physics

[3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)]
An introduction to the solid state physics of surfaces and interfaces including structural, thermodynamic and electrical properties. Gas-surface interactions and characterization techniques will also be examined.

PHYS 5490 - Physics of Thin Films

[3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)]
A broad survey of the physics of thin films (emphasizing nucleation and growth) and common techniques for the production and characterization of thin films. Meets with PES 4490.

PHYS 5510 - Modern Optics

[3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)]
This is a mathematically rigorous course on optics for Physics major graduates. Prer., PES 3310, PES 3320, PES 4510; Graduate standing.

PHYS 5720 - Stellar Structure and Evolution

[3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)]
Basic stellar astronomy and astrophysics. H-R diagrams. Principles of stellar structure includingenergy generation and energy transport. Stellar formation and evolution to compact objects.

PHYS 5950 - Special Topics

[1 Credits (Minimum) 6 Credits (Maximum)]
Various topics in physics, energy science, astronomy and related fields.

PHYS 6210 - Theoretical Mechanics

[3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)]
Variational principles, Lagranges's equations, Hamilton's equations, motion of a rigid body, relativistic mechanics, transformation theory, continuum mechanics, small oscillations, Hamilton-Jacobi theory.

PHYS 6250 - Introduction to Quantum Mechanics

[3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)]
Quantum phenomena, relation to classical physics, Schroedinger and Heisenberg picture, application to problems, approximation techniques; angular momentum; scattering; theory; Pauli spin theory; radiation theory; relativistic wave equations with simple applications; introduction to field theory and second quantization. Prer., PES 4260.

PHYS 6260 - Quantum Mechanics II

[3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)]
Quantum phenomena, relation to classical physics, Schroedinger and Heisenberg picture, application to problems, approximation techniques; angular momentum; scattering theory; Pauli spin theory; radiation theory; relativistic wave equations with simple applications; introduction to field theory and second quantization.

PHYS 6310 - Electromagnetic Theory I

[3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)]
Applications of Maxwell's equations to electrostatic and magnetostatic properties of matter, conservationlaws. Prer., PES 3310, PES 3320 or equivalent.

PHYS 6320 - Electromagnetic Theory II

[3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)]
Electromagnetic fields; applications of Maxwell's equations to electromagnetic wave propagation, and fundamental properties of light; relativistic electrodynamics, radiation theory. Prer., PHYS 331-332, or equivalent.

PHYS 6900 - Theory of the Solid State I

[3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)]
Stresses application to the solid state of physical concepts basic to much of modern physics, single- particle approximation and the energy-band description of electron states in solids, pseudopotential theory applied to ordered and disordered systems dynamical behavior of electrons in solids, lattice dynamics, Hartree-Fock and random-phase approximation in solids, many-body aspects of magnetism, and superconductivity. Prer., Graduate students only.

PHYS 6910 - Theory of the Solid State II

[3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)]
Stresses application to the solid state of physical concepts basic to much of modern physics, single-particle approximation and the energy-band description of electron states in solids, pseudopotential theory applied to ordered and disordered systems, dynamical behavior of electrons in solids, lattice dynamics, Hartree-Fock and random-phase approximation in solids, many body aspects of magnetism, and superconductivity. Prer., Graduate students only.

PHYS 6950 - Special Topics in Physics

[3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)]
Various topics such as group theory in quantum mechanics, collision, astrophysics, surface physics,magnetism.