Department of Physics
Chairperson and Professor Harmon
Professors Gesell, Parker, Price, Vegors
Associate Professors Knox, McLeod
Instructors Kelley, Johnson
Master of
Science in
Physics
A satisfactory score on physics examination(s) is required before
admission to candidacy. Required courses are:
PHYS 611-612 Electricity and Magnetism 6 cr PHYS 621 Classical Mechanics 3 cr PHYS 624-625 Quantum Mechanics 6 cr
5-9 additional credits in courses approved by the student's advisor, department chairperson, and the Graduate School.
PHYS 650 Thesis 6-10 cr
6-10 credits for the thesis option or 6-10 credits in additional
courses approved by the graduate faculty in the department for
the non-thesis option. In addition to the oral examination
required of the thesis and non-thesis options, the non-thesis
option will include a written comprehensive examination.
Master of
Natural Science in Physics
The Master of Natural Science in Physics is designed primarily
for teachers and prospective teachers who want to improve their
understanding of the subject matter of physics. Emphasis is upon
the subject matter and is generally not a thesis program.
Individuals interested in this degree should hold a teaching
certificate or be working toward one. The program of the student
will be determined in consultation with the student's advisor and
committee. The program requires a minimum of 30 credits, 22 of
which must be in residence. A final oral examination is required.
Physics Graduate Courses
g301 Modern Physics 3 credits. A one-semester course surveying
20th century physics including elements of special relativity and
quantum mechanics as applied to atoms. A continuation of the
Engineering Physics sequence. PREREQ: PHYS 222; COREQ: MATH 360.
g302 Introductory Quantum Mechanics 3 credits. The development of
Schrodinger's wave mechanics and applications to atomic and
aggregate systems. PREREQ: PHYS 301 or ENGR 327 or CHEM 351 or
permission of the instructor.
g307 Electronics I 4 credits. Circuit theory, solid state
devices, and simple electronic circuits. Course includes two
laboratory sections and two lectures per week. PREREQ: PHYS 222
or permission of instructor.
g308 Electronics II 2 credits. Continuation of PHYS 307;
instrumentation and logic circuits. PREREQ: PHYS 307 or ENGR 313.
g310 Electronics II Laboratory 2 credits. Provides laboratory
experience with circuits discussed in PHYS 308. COREQ: PHYS 308.
g331 Principles of Health Physics 3 credits. A lecture/laboratory
course covering topics such as the interaction of radiation with
matter, instrumentation for measuring radiation and shielding
from radiation. PREREQ: Junior standing in Health Physics.
g332 Principles of Health Physics 3 credits. A continuation of
g331. A lecture/laboratory course covering topics such as the
interaction of radiation with matter, instrumentation for
measuring radiation and shielding from radiation. PREREQ: g331.
g352 Intermediate Optics 3 credits. Topics covered include
fundamental wave theory, interference, diffraction, polarization,
and selected topics from the electromagnetic theory of light.
PREREQ: PHYS 221-222; COREQ: MATH 360.
g353 Topics in Astrophysics 2 credits. Laboratory oriented course
covering various selected topics in astronomy. Projects on and
work with telescopes will be included. PREREQ: Permission of
instructor.
g370 Crystallography and X-ray 3 credits. X-ray diffraction
analysis: study of crystallography, goniometry, powder method.
Introduction to crystal structure analysis. PREREQ: CHEM 122.
Cross-listed with GEOL g370 and CHEM g370.
g383-g384 Theoretical Mechanics 3 credits. Mechanics of
particles, planetary motion, rigid bodies, vibrating particles,
and vibrating strings. Use of Lagrange and Hamilton's equations
and generalized coordinates. Additional selected topics in
theoretical mechanics. PHYS g383 is a PREREQ for g384. PREREQ:
PHYS 222 and MATH 360.
g403-404 Advanced Modern Physics 3 credits. Study of the
elementary principles of quantum mechanics and an introduction to
atomic, solid state and nuclear physics. Quantum mechanics will
be used as much as possible. PHYS g403 is a PREREQ for g404.
PREREQ: MATH 360 or equivalent, and PHYS 302.
g405-g406 Advanced Laboratory 2 credits. Experiments in atomic
physics, nuclear physics, and optical spectroscopy. PREREQ:
301-302 and MATH 360.
g409 Introductory Nuclear Physics 3 credits. A course in Nuclear
Physics with emphasis upon structural models, radioactivity,
nuclear reactions, fission and fusion. PREREQ: Knowledge of
elementary quantum mechanics and differential equations or
permission of instructor.
g415 Statistical Physics 3 credits. Topics covered may include
kinetic theory, elementary statistical mechanics, random motion
and the theory of noise. Choice of topics will depend upon the
interest of the students and instructor. PREREQ: PHYS 221-222,
MATH 360.
g421-422 Electricity and Magnetism 3 credits. Intermediate course
in fundamental principles of electrical and magnetic theory. Free
use will be made of vector analysis and differential equations.
PHYS g421 is a PREREQ for g422. PREREQ: PHYS 222 and MATH 360.
g433 Advanced Health Physics 3 credits. A lecture/laboratory
course covering topics such as personnel and effluent monitoring,
bioassay, sampling techniques, and calibration and standards.
PREREQ: PHYS g332 or permission of instructor.
g434 Advanced Health Physics 3 credits. A continuation of g433
course covering topics such as personnel and effluent monitoring,
bioassay, sampling techniques, and calibration and standards.
PREREQ: PHYS g433 or permission of instructor.
g442 Solid State Physics 3 credits. Introduction to the field of
solid state physics emphasizing the fundamental concepts. Topic s
usually covered are crystal structure, X-ray diffraction, crystal
binding energies, free electron theory of solids, energy bands.
PREREQ: PHYS 302, 384, MATH 360 or permission of the instructor.
g455 Topics in Health Physics I 2 credits. A lecture/seminar
course covering special topics in Health Physics such as state
and federal regulations, waste disposal methodology, and
emergency procedures. PREREQ: PHYS g332 or permission of
instructor.
g456 Topics in Health Physics II 2 credits. A continuation of
g455. A lecture/seminar course covering special topics in Health
Physics such as state and federal regulations, waste disposal
methodology, and emergency procedures. PREREQ: PHYS g332 or
permission of instructor.
g461-g462 Introduction to Mathematical Physics 3 credits.
Introduction to the mathematics most commonly used in physics
with applications to and practice in solving physical problems;
includes vector analysis, ordinary and partial differential
equations. PHYS g461 is a PREREQ for g462. PREREQ: PHYS 222 and
MATH 360.
g492 Colloquium in Physics 1 credit. Faculty and student lectures
in current research topics in physics. Open to upper division and
graduate students in physics.
597 Professional Education Development Topics. Variable credit.
May be repeated. A course for practicing professionals aimed at
the development and improvement of skills. May not be applied to
graduate degrees. May be graded S/U.
603 Particle and Nuclear Physics 3 credits. Basic properties of
particles and nuclei; principles of high energy accelerators,
particle and radiation detectors; nuclear masses and systematics
of nuclei; nuclear models; nuclear interactions; high energy
physics. COREQ: PHYS 624.
605 Radiological Environmental Monitoring and Surveillance 3
credits. Advanced considerations in the design of monitoring
programs. Sampling and analytical measurement programs for
specific radionuclides and sources with emphasis in quality
assurance.
611-612 Electricity and Magnetism 3 credits. Applications of
Maxwell's equations to problems involving antennas, waveguides,
cavity resonators, and diffraction. Includes the solution of
problems by the classical methods of retarded potentials and
orthogonal expansions. PHYS 611 is a PREREQ for 612. PREREQ: PHYS
g383-384, g421-422, g461-462, or permission of the instructor.
615 X-ray Diffraction Analysis 3 credits. The theory and use of
X-ray Diffraction methods for the analysis of crystalline
materials and crystal structure determinations. PREREQ: GEOL,
CHEM, or PHYS 370 or equivalent. Cross-listed with GEOL 605 and
CHEM 6l5.
621 Classical Mechanics 3 credits. Lagrange equations, small
vibrations; Hamilton's canonical equations; Hamilton's principal,
least action; contact transformation; Hamilton-Jacobi equation,
perturbation theory; non-linear mechanics. PREREQ: PHYS 383-384,
461-462, or permission of the instructor.
624-625 Quantum Mechanics 3 credits. Schrodinger wave equation,
stationary state solution; operators and matrices; perturbation
theory, non-degenerate and degenerate cases; WKB approximation,
non-harmonic oscillator, etc.; collision problems. Born
approximation, method of partial waves. PHYS 624 is a PREREQ for
625. PREREQ: PHYS 461-462, 621 or permission of the instructor.
630 Accelerator Physics 3 credits. The physics of direct voltage
accelerators, betatrons, sychrotrons, linear induction
acceleration; high current accelerators; electromagnetic particle
optics, free electron lasers and synchrotron light sources.
PREREQ: PHYS 612, PHYS 624 or equivalent.
631 Accelerator Technology 3 credits. Topics will include high
voltage and pulsed power techniques, wave guide and R.F.
structures, ion and electron beam sources and beam measurements
as applied to particle beam machines. PREREQ: PHYS 612 or
equivalent.
632 Particle Beam Laboratory 1-4 credits. Laboratory projects in
particle beam and ion optics, radiation detectors, ion source
operation, etc. May be repeated up to 4 credits. Permission of
instructor.
640 Statistical Mechanics 3 credits. Statistical ensembles; the
Maxwell-Boltzmann law; approach to equilibrium, quantum
statistical mechanics; application of statistical mechanics to
thermodynamic processes. PREREQ: PHYS 415 and 621.
641 Field Theory, Particles, and Cosmology I 3 credits. Topics
may include Dirac theory, group theory, Feynman diagrams,
superstrings, super gravity, relativity and cosmology. PREREQ:
Permission of instructor.
642 Field Theory, Particles, and Cosmology II 3 credits. A
continuation of 641. Topics may include Dirac theory, group
theory, Feynman diagrams, superstrings, super gravity, relativity
and cosmology. PREREQ: Permission of instructor.
648 Special Topics in Physics 1-3 credits. Survey, seminar, or
project (usually at an advanced level) in one area of physics.
Content varies depending upon the desires of the students and
faculty. PREREQ: Permission of the instructor. May be repeated
until 6 credits are earned.
650 Thesis 1-10 credits.