Physics (PHYS)

College of Natural Science and Mathematics
Physics Department
907-474-7339

PHYS F102X      Energy and Society      (n)
4 Credits

Offered Spring

Exploring the concept of energy. Investigation of the sources, conversion, distribution and ultimate dispersion of energy, as well as the consequences of its use in the development and maintenance of modern society. May be used to fulfill part of the natural science requirement. Designed for non-science majors.

Prerequisites: Placement in WRTG F111X; placement in MATH F105.

Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F115L      PHYS F115X Laboratory
0 Credit

Co-requisites: PHYS F115X.

Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req

Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Non-Graded

PHYS F115X      Physical Sciences      (n)
4 Credits

Offered Spring

Basic concepts and general overview in physics. Presents interrelatedness and interdependence within this scientific field.

Prerequisites: Placement in WRTG F111X; placement in MATH F105.

Co-requisites: PHYS F115L.

Recommended: MATH F105.

Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F123L      PHYS F123X Laboratory
0 Credit

Co-requisites: PHYS F123X.

Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req

Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Non-Graded

PHYS F123X      College Physics I      (n)
4 Credits

Offered Fall

Algebra-based introduction to classical physics, including: kinematics, Newton's laws, momentum, work, energy, gravity, rotational motion, fluids, heat, temperature, laws of thermodynamics. The laboratory part is integrated in the course.

Prerequisites: High school algebra, trigonometry and geometry; placement in WRTG F111X; placement in MATH F105.

Co-requisites: PHYS F123L.

Special Notes: Additional topics include oscillations and waves.

Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F124L      PHYS F124X Laboratory
0 Credit

Co-requisites: PHYS F124X.

Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req

Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Non-Graded

PHYS F124X      College Physics II      (n)
4 Credits

Offered Spring

Algebra-based introduction to classical physics, including: Coulomb's law, electrical potential, electric circuits, capacitance, Kirchhoff's laws, magnetic fields, Faraday's law, electromagnetic waves, physical and geometric optics, waves and particles. The laboratory part is integrated in the course.

Prerequisites: PHYS F123X; placement in WRTG F111X; placement in MATH F105.

Co-requisites: PHYS F124L.

Special Notes: Additional topics include atomic and nuclear physics.

Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F165L      PHYS F165X Laboratory
0 Credit

Co-requisites: PHYS F165X.

Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req

Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Non-Graded

PHYS F165X      Introduction to Astronomy      (n)
4 Credits

Offered Fall

Examination of the science of astronomy and its social consequences, with an emphasis on the interrelationships between astronomy and other sciences. Topics include astronomical concepts and tools, earth-based and satellite observation of light, the solar system, stellar astronomy and cosmology.

Prerequisites: Placement in WRTG F111X; placement MATH F105.

Co-requisites: PHYS F165L.

Special Notes: A laboratory part is integrated into the course.

Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F211L      PHYS F211X Laboratory
0 Credit

Co-requisites: PHYS F211X.

Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req

Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Non-Graded

PHYS F211X      General Physics I      (n)
4 Credits

Offered Fall and Spring

Calculus-based introduction to classical mechanics, including: kinematics, Newton's laws, momentum, work, energy, gravity, rotational motion, oscillations and fluids. The laboratory part is integrated into the course.

Prerequisites: MATH F251X (concurrent enrollment in MATH F252X recommended) or ES F186 (concurrent enrollment in MATH F251X recommended); placement in WRTG F111X.

Co-requisites: PHYS F211L.

Recommended: One year of high school physics.

Special Notes: Additional topics include waves.

Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F212L      PHYS F212X Laboratory
0 Credit

Co-requisites: PHYS F212X.

Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req

Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Non-Graded

PHYS F212X      General Physics II      (n)
4 Credits

Offered Fall and Spring

Calculus-based introduction to classical physics, including: Coulomb's law, electrical potential, electric circuits, capacitance, Kirchhoff's laws, Biot-Savart law, Faraday's law, and electromagnetic waves. Additional topics include thermodynamics. The laboratory part is integrated into the course.

Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in MATH F253X; PHYS F211X or ES F208 or concurrent enrollment in ES F210; placement in WRTG F111X.

Co-requisites: PHYS F212L.

Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F213L      PHYS F213X Laboratory
0 Credit

Co-requisites: PHYS F213X.

Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req

Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Non-Graded

PHYS F213X      Elementary Modern Physics      (n)
4 Credits

Offered Fall

Geometrical and physical optics, elementary-level modern physics including special relativity, atomic physics, nuclear physics, solid-state physics, elementary particles, simple transport theory, kinetic theory and concepts of wave mechanics.

Prerequisites: Placement in WRTG F111X; MATH F252X; MATH F253X; PHYS F211X; PHYS F212X.

Co-requisites: PHYS F213L.

Attributes: UAF GER Natural Science Req

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F220      Introduction to Computational Physics      (n)
4 Credits

Offered Spring

Introduction to computational techniques for solving physics problems. The computer is used as a tool to provide insight into physical systems and their behavior in all areas of physics.

Prerequisites: MATH F253X; PHYS F211X; PHYS F212X; PHYS F213X.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F301      Introduction to Mathematical Physics
4 Credits

Offered Spring

Introduction to theoretical foundations of classical and modern physics. Includes calculus of vector fields, linear algebra, elementary tensor theory, complex analysis, ordinary and partial differential equations, fourier analysis and probability. Physical applications include planetary motion, rotating bodies, damped and driven harmonic oscillator, wave equation, Schroedinger's equation and diffusive systems.

Prerequisites: PHYS F211X; PHYS F212X; PHYS F213X; MATH F253X.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 4 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F341      Classical Physics I: Particle Mechanics
4 Credits

Offered Fall

Newtonian mechanics, conserved mechanical quantities, motion of systems of particles, rigid body statics and dynamics, moving and accelerated coordinate systems, rigid body rotations and Lagrangian mechanics.

Prerequisites: PHYS F211X; PHYS F212X; PHYS F220; PHYS F301.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 4 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F342      Classical Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism
4 Credits

Offered Spring

Statics and dynamics of electric and magnetic fields in vacuum and in the presence of materials. Lorentz force law. Maxwell's equations.

Prerequisites: PHYS F341.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 4 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F343      Classical Physics III: Vibration and Waves
4 Credits

Offered Fall

Normal modes and small vibrations, continuum systems, wave mechanics, electromagnetic waves and radiation. Relativistic mechanics and electromagnetism.

Prerequisites: PHYS F342.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 4 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F351      Thermal Physics
2 Credits

Offered Spring

Classical macroscopic thermodynamics; systems and states, equations of state, the first and second laws of thermodynamics and their consequences, entropy, enthalpy, Helmholtz and Gibbs functions, equilibrium, Maxwell's relations.

Prerequisites: PHYS F212X, PHYS F220, PHYS F301, PHYS F341.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F381      Physics Laboratory Part I      (n)
3 Credits

Offered Fall

Laboratory experiments in classical and modern physics. Part one of a two-part course series.

Prerequisites: COM F131X or COM F141X; PHYS F213X; WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 6 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F382      Physics Laboratory Part II      (n)
3 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

Laboratory experiments in classical and modern physics.

Prerequisites: WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X; PHYS F381.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 6 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F400      Capstone Project
0 Credit

Offered Fall and Spring

Course to be taken during semester of initiating a capstone project. Project must include communication of study intent, methods, results, interpretation and conclusions. It may consist of undergraduate research, independent study with a faculty member, or participation in the international University Physics Competition. Course duration may exceed one semester.

Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Pass/Fail Grades

PHYS F413      Atmospheric Radiation
3 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

Atmospheric radiation including the fundamentals of blackbody radiation theory and radiative properties of atmospheric constituents. Discussion of gaseous absorption including line absorption, broadening effects and radiative transfer. Includes scattering, radiative properties of clouds and radiation climatology.

Prerequisites: ATM F401 (may be taken concurrently).

Cross-listed with ATM F413.

Stacked with PHYS F613; ATM F613.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F421      Quantum Mechanics      (n)
4 Credits

Offered Fall

Schrodinger's equation, Born interpretation, operator formalism, measurement and projection, stationary states, one-dimensional systems, hydrogen atom, states of definite angular momentum, perturbation theory.

Prerequisites: PHYS F213X; PHYS F220; PHYS F301; PHYS F341.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 4 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F451      Statistical Physics
2 Credits

Offered Spring

The canonical ensemble; maximizing entropy, the partition function and Helmholtz free energy, the harmonic oscillator, Einstein and Debye solids, classical systems and the ideal gas, diatomic molecules, equipartition theorem, the photon gas and the blackbody spectrum, the grand canonical ensemble, quantum statistics, Fermion and Boson systems.

Prerequisites: PHYS F342, F351, F421.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F462      Geometrical and Physical Optics      (n)
4 Credits

Offered Spring

Geometrical optics, interference and diffraction theory, nonlinear optics, Fourier optics, and coherent wave theory.

Prerequisites: PHYS F213X; PHYS F301.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 3 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F471A      Advanced Topics in Physics I: Condensed Matter Physics I      (n)
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

Emphasis topics provide increased breadth in basic physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one-credit courses.

Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

Repeatable for Credit: May be taken unlimited times for up to unlimited credits

PHYS F471B      Advanced Topics in Physics I: Condensed Matter Physics II      (n)
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

Emphasis topics provide increased breadth in basic physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one-credit courses.

Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

Repeatable for Credit: May be taken unlimited times for up to unlimited credits

PHYS F471C      Advanced Topics in Physics I: Space and Auroral Physics      (n)
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

Emphasis topics provide increased breadth in basic physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one-credit courses.

Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

Repeatable for Credit: May be taken unlimited times for up to unlimited credits

PHYS F471D      Advanced Topics in Physics I: Nonlinear Dynamics      (n)
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

Emphasis topics provide increased breadth in basic physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one-credit courses.

Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

Repeatable for Credit: May be taken unlimited times for up to unlimited credits

PHYS F471E      Advanced Topics in Physics I: Biophysics      (n)
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

Emphasis topics provide increased breadth in basic physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one-credit courses.

Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

Repeatable for Credit: May be taken unlimited times for up to unlimited credits

PHYS F471F      Advanced Topics in Physics I: Nuclear and Particle Physics      (n)
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

Emphasis topics provide increased breadth in basic physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one-credit courses.

Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

Repeatable for Credit: May be taken unlimited times for up to unlimited credits

PHYS F471G      Advanced Topics in Physics I: General Relativity      (n)
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

Emphasis topics provide increased breadth in basic physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one-credit courses.

Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

Repeatable for Credit: May be taken unlimited times for up to unlimited credits

PHYS F471H      Advanced Topics in Physics I: Astrophysics      (n)
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

Emphasis topics provide increased breadth in basic physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one-credit courses.

Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

Repeatable for Credit: May be taken unlimited times for up to unlimited credits

PHYS F471I      Advanced Topics in Physics I: Topics in Modern Mathematical Physics      (n)
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

Emphasis topics provide increased breadth in basic physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one-credit courses.

Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

Repeatable for Credit: May be taken unlimited times for up to unlimited credits

PHYS F471J      Advanced Topics in Physics I: Order of Magnitude Physics
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

By avoiding mathematical complexity, order-of-magnitude techniques increase our physical understanding and allow us to study difficult or intractable problems. Students will learn how to do so and apply these techniques to problems in fluid mechanics, biophysics, astrophysics, and/or other applications.

Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F471M      Advanced Topics in Physics I: Machine Learning and Applications
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

Introduction to machine learning and applications. 14-lecture, one-credit courses. Python knowledge is required for taking this class.

Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F472A      Advanced Topics in Physics II: Planetary Atmospheres      (n)
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

Application topics provide expanded exposure to subjects in physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one-credit courses.

Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F472B      Advanced Topics in Physics II: Fluid Dynamics      (n)
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

Application topics provide expanded exposure to subjects in physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one-credit courses.

Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F472C      Advanced Topics in Physics II: Plasma Physics      (n)
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

Application topics provide expanded exposure to subjects in physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one-credit courses.

Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F472D      Advanced Topics in Physics II: Hamiltonian Mechanics      (n)
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

Application topics provide expanded exposure to subjects in physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one-credit courses.

Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F472E      Advanced Topics in Physics II: Physics of Glaciers      (n)
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

Application topics provide expanded exposure to subjects in physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one-credit courses.

Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F472F      Advanced Topics in Physics II: Remote Sensing      (n)
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

Application topics provide expanded exposure to subjects in physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one-credit courses.

Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F472G      Advanced Topics in Physics II: Solar Physics      (n)
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

Application topics provide expanded exposure to subjects in physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one-credit courses.

Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F472H      Advanced Topics in Physics II: Advanced Laboratory      (n)
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

Application topics provide expanded exposure to subjects in physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one-credit courses.

Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F472I      Advanced Topics in Physics II: Spectroscopy      (n)
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

Application topics provide expanded exposure to subjects in physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one-credit courses.

Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F472J      Advanced Topics in Physics II: Cosmology      (n)
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

Application topics provide expanded exposure to subjects in physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one-credit courses.

Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F472K      Advanced Topics in Physics II: Quantum Computation      (n)
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

Application topics provide expanded exposure to subjects in physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one-credit courses.

Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F472L      Advanced Topics in Physics II: Covariant Kinematics/Dynamics      (n)
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

Application topics provide expanded exposure to subjects in physics. Three topics are offered within the fall and spring semesters of each academic year as compressed 14-lecture, one-credit courses.

Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F472Z      Advanced Topics in Physics II: Current Topics in Physics
1 Credit

Offered As Demand Warrants

Advanced topics modules provide expanded exposure to modern subjects in physics. Three topics are offered each semester, providing breadth beyond the core subjects of the physics undergraduate curriculum. This course will present most current material from one particular topic in physics, to be determined at the time of the offering.

Prerequisites: PHYS F220; PHYS F301.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

Repeatable for Credit: May be taken 2 times for up to 2 credits

PHYS F488      Undergraduate Research
1-3 Credits

Offered Fall, Spring and Summer

Advanced research topics from outside the usual undergraduate requirements.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.

Recommended: A substantial level of technical/scientific background.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

Repeatable for Credit: May be taken 98 times for up to 294 credits

PHYS F605      Physics Teaching Seminar/Practicum
1 Credit

Offered Fall and Spring

This course will give science graduate students both lectures and hands-on training in dealing with all aspects of teaching, focused on but not exclusive to the Teaching Assistant level. Course topics include teaching pedagogy, preparation strategies, student management, time management and learning assessment.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing in a science discipline.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 1

Grading System: Pass/Fail Grades

Repeatable for Credit: May be taken 2 times for up to 2 credits

PHYS F611      Mathematical Physics I
3 Credits

Offered Fall

Mathematical tools and theory for classical and modern physics. Core topics: Linear algebra including eigenvalues, eigenvectors and inner products in finite dimensional spaces. Infinite series. Hilbert spaces and generalized functions. Complex analysis, including Laurent series and contour methods. Applications to problems arising in physics. Selected additional topics, which may include operator and spectral theory, groups, tensor fields, hypercomplex numbers.

Prerequisites: graduate standing.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F612      Mathematical Physics II
3 Credits

Offered Spring

Continuation of Mathematical Physics I; mathematical tools and theory for classical and modern physics. Core topics: classical solutions to partial differential equations of electromagnetism, classical and quantum mechanics. Boundary value problems and Sturm-Liouville theory. Green's functions and eigenfunction expansions. Integral transforms. Orthogonal polynomials and special functions.

Prerequisites: PHYS F611.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F613      Atmospheric Radiation
3 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

Atmospheric radiation including the fundamentals of blackbody radiation theory and radiative properties of atmospheric constituents. Discussion of gaseous absorption including line absorption, broadening effects and radiative transfer. Includes scattering, radiative properties of clouds and radiation climatology.

Prerequisites: ATM F601 (may be taken concurrently); graduate standing.

Cross-listed with ATM F613.

Stacked with PHYS F413; ATM F413.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F614      Ice Physics
3 Credits

Offered Spring Even-numbered Years

A survey of the physics of ice. Topics will include the crystal structure and properties of ice, high pressure phases, hydrogen bonding, mechanical, thermal, electrical and acoustic properties, nucleation and growth, and optical and surface properties (adhesion, friction).

Prerequisites: Graduate standing.

Cross-listed with GEOS F614.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F621      Classical Mechanics
3 Credits

Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years

Lagrange's equations, two-body problem, rigid body motion, special relativity, canonical equations, transformation theory, and Hamilton-Jacobi method.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F622      Statistical Mechanics
3 Credits

Offered Spring Even-numbered Years

Classical and quantum statistics of independent particles, ensemble theory and applications.

Prerequisites: PHYS F621; graduate standing.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F625      Inverse Problems and Parameter Estimation
3 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

An inverse problem uses observations to infer properties of an unknown physical model. This course covers methods for solving inverse problems, including numerous examples arising in the natural sciences. Topics include linear regression, method of least squares, estimation of uncertainties, iterative optimization, and probabilistic (Bayesian) and sampling approaches.

Prerequisites: MATH F253X; MATH F314.

Cross-listed with GEOS F627.

Stacked with GEOS F427.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F626      Fundamentals of Plasma Physics
3 Credits

Offered Fall

Single charge particle motion in the electromagnetic fields, plasma kinetic theory, Vlasov equations for collisionless plasmas, magnetohydrodynamic equations, linear plasma waves and instabilities, nonlinear plasma waves and instabilities.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F627      Advanced Plasma Physics
3 Credits

Vlasov description of small amplitude waves in magnetized plasmas, advanced particle orbit theory, fluctuation and incoherent scattering theory, plasma discontinuities and collisionless shocks, weak turbulent theory, statistical theory of turbulence.

Prerequisites: PHYS F626; graduate standing.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F628      Digital Time Series Analysis
3 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

Applied time series analysis, including correlation, convolution, filtering and spectral estimation of multivariate data. The statistical properties of estimators; signal detection; and array processing.

Prerequisites: experience in programming; graduate standing.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F629      Methods of Numerical Simulation in Fluids and Plasma
3 Credits

Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years

The fundamentals of computer simulation for fluids and multi-particle systems. Topics include methods for the discretization of numerical solutions, and boundary and initial conditions. Methods will be applied to convection, diffusion, and steady states in fluids and plasmas.

Prerequisites: Experience in programming; graduate standing.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F631      Electromagnetic Theory Part I
3 Credits

Offered Fall Even-numbered Years

Electrostatics, magnetostatics, Maxwell's equations, and potentials. Lorentz equations, field energy, gauge conditions, retarded potentials, waves, radiation and tensor formulations. Part one of a two-part course series.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F632      Electromagnetic Theory Part II
3 Credits

Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years

Electrostatics, magnetostatics, Maxwell's equations and potentials. Lorentz equations, field energy, gauge conditions, retarded potentials, waves, radiation and tensor formulations.

Prerequisites: PHYS F631; graduate standing.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F639      Geodetic Imaging
3 Credits

Offered Spring Even-numbered Years

We cover concepts and applications of Geodetic Imaging, a technology field that encompasses techniques for extracting geodetic information from images. Focusing on Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and optical instruments, we cover techniques to measure the shape (InSAR; stereo-photogrammetry; structure-from-motion) and displacement (InSAR time-series analysis; feature tracking) of the earth surface.

Prerequisites: Basic remote sensing course.

Cross-listed with GEOS F639.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 2 + 3 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F640      Auroral Physics
3 Credits

Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years

Survey of aurora phenomena, the associated physical processes, and techniques used to investigate the aurora. Includes electron and proton impact spectra; physical processes that accelerate and precipitate electrons and protons; auroral currents; ionospheric effects of auroral activity; and principles for ground-based satellite spectroscopy and imaging and the measurements of magnetic and electric fields.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F647      Fundamentals of Geophysical Fluid Dynamics
3 Credits

Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years

Introduction to the mechanics of fluid systems, the fundamental processes, Navier-Stokes' equations in rotating and stratified fluids, kinematics, conservation laws, vortex motion, irrotational flow, laminar flow, boundary layer phenomena, waves, instabilities, turbulent flows and mixing.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing.

Cross-listed with ATM F647.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F648      Nonlinear Dynamics
3 Credits

Offered Spring Even-numbered Years

Introduction into the dynamics of nonlinear systems. Continuous and discrete dynamical systems, stability analysis, bifurcations, limit cycle, chaos and strange attractors, fractals and dimension algorithms, controlling chaos, synchronization processes, and stochastic dynamical systems.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F650      Aeronomy
3 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

The physical and chemical processes that govern the response of planetary atmospheres to solar radiation and energetic particles. Formation of and characteristic processes in the layers within the ionosphere and basic magneto-ionic theory. Includes principles of remote sensing by lidar and radar techniques.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F651      Quantum Mechanics Part I
3 Credits

Offered Fall Even-numbered Years

Schrodinger's equations, operator formalism, correspondence principle, central force problems, perturbation theory, quantum statistical mechanics, and applications of quantum mechanics to collision problems, radiation and spectroscopy. Part one of a two-part course series.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F652      Quantum Mechanics Part II
3 Credits

Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years

Schrodinger's equations, operator formalism, correspondence principle, central force problems, perturbation theory, quantum statistical mechanics, and applications of quantum mechanics to collision problems, radiation and spectroscopy. Part two of a two-part course series.

Prerequisites: PHYS F651; graduate standing.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F672      Magnetospheric Physics
3 Credits

Offered Spring Even-numbered Years

The physics and dynamics of Earth's magnetosphere. Discusses the magnetosphere as a test bed for microscopic plasma processes equilibrium configurations, plasma instabilities, highly nonlinear eruptive plasma processes, and global dynamics which involve the interaction of various regions of the magnetosphere. Introduction to various aspects of magnetospheric physics with a systematic discussion of the various elements of the magnetosphere, their structure and dynamics, and a discussion of the relevant plasma physics.

Prerequisites: PHYS F626; graduate standing.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F673      Space Physics
3 Credits

Offered Fall Odd-numbered Years

Plasma physics of the heliosphere from the solar core to the interstellar medium. Includes coronal structure, interplanetary magnetic field and solar wind, shocks, interactions with planets, planetary magnetospheres, cosmic rays, solar-terrestrial relations and instrumentation.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Letter Grades with option of Plus/Minus

PHYS F692P      Seminar
1 Credit

Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Pass/Fail Grades

Repeatable for Credit: May be taken unlimited times for up to 99 credits

PHYS F698      Non-thesis Research/Project
1-9 Credits

Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Pass/Fail Grades

Repeatable for Credit: May be taken unlimited times for up to 99 credits

PHYS F699      Thesis
1-12 Credits

Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0

Grading System: Pass/Fail Grades

Repeatable for Credit: May be taken unlimited times for up to 99 credits