Physics Courses

Catalog Data

One hour lecture. Only open to Freshmen and transfer physics majors or prospective majors. 

Prerequisites By Topic

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor

Objectives

Introduction to the profession.

Topics Covered

1. Historical perspectives
2. Use of microcomputers in physics

Catalog Data

Three hours lecture. Night observation. The solar system; description and evolution of stars and the universe; methods of obtaining astronomical information; applications of astronomical knowledge.

Prerequisites By Topic

None

Objectives

Detailed investigations into each of the topics listed below in the form of lectures and evaluation materials; but also observations of the sky outside of class to "further broaden one's horizons" of what is taught in class.

Topics Covered

1. Perspectives on the Universe
2. Introduction to Astronomy and Mass-Energy Topics
3. Planets and the Solar System
4. Stellar Evolution
5. Galaxies

Catalog Data

Three hours lecture. Calculus-based course emphasizing Newtonian mechanics and conservation laws.

Prerequisites By Topic

Thorough knowledge of algebra and trigonometry and at least completion of MA 1713(Calculus 1)

Objectives

To develop the student's conceptual understanding of kinematics, Newtonian dynamics, conservation of momentum, conservation of energy, and rotational dynamics. To develop the student's problem solving skills in those areas.

Topics Covered

1. Measurement and Units
2. One-Dimensional Kinematics
3. Vectors
4. Two-Dimensional Kinematics
5. Newton's Laws and Applications
6. Work and Energy
7. Conservation of Energy
8. Collisions and Momentum
9. Rotational Dynamics
10. Statics and Elasticity

Catalog Data

Two hours lecture, one hour recitation, two hours laboratory. Calculus-based introduction to gravitation, electricity and magnetism. Laboratory emphasizes concepts of force and motion, conservation laws, and simple electrical circuits. Honors section available.

Prerequisites By Topic

PH 2213 and MA 1723(Calculus 2)

Objectives

To develop the student's conceptual understanding of electricity, magnetism, and gravitation and to develop the student's problem solving skills in those areas.

Topics Covered

1. Gravitation
2. Coulomb's Law
3. Electric fields
4. Electric potential
5. Capacitance
6. Ohm's Law
7. DC circuits
8. Magnetic force laws
9. Ampere's and Biot-Savart Laws
10. Magnetic fields
11. Faraday's Law
12. Inductance
13. AC circuits

Catalog Data

Two hours lecture, one hour recitation, two hours laboratory. Calculus-based course in simple harmonic motion, waves, optics and an introduction to modern physics. Laboratory emphasizes optics and electronics.

Prerequisites By Topic

Completion and Passing of PH 2223

Objectives

To develop the student's conceptual understanding of simple harmonic motion, waves, sound, optics, and topics in modern physics and to develop the student's problem solving skills in those areas.

Topics Covered

1. Oscillatory Motion
2. Waves Motion
3. Sound Waves
4. Superposition and Standing Waves
5. Electromagnetic Waves
6. Nature of Light and Laws of Geometrical Optics
7. Geometrical Optics
8. Interference of Light Waves
9. Diffraction and Polarization
10. Introduction to Quantum Physics
11. Quantum Mechanics
12. Atomic Physics
13. Nuclear Structure
14. Fission and Fusion

Catalog Data

Three hours lecture. Quantitative treatment of astronomical topics. Stellar evolution, black holes, neutron stars, gamma-ray bursts, Newtonian and relativistic cosmologies, Big Bang.

Prerequisites By Topic

Class attendance at the instructor's discretion

Objectives

Astronomical topics are covered with a rigorous mathematical emphasis

Topics Covered

TBA by instructor

Catalog Data

Three hours lecture. Special relativity, quantum physics, atomic, nuclear, and solid state physics.

Prerequisites By Topic

Introductory Physics Sequence and Integral Calculus(MA 1723 and MA 2733).

Objectives

A quick look at the basic concepts of Modern physics with emphasis on special relativity and basic quantum theory. The class will involve discussions of the experimental and theoretical evidence which has lead our current understanding of the physical world. Once the basics are established, the class will spend some time looking at the application of modern physics as related to several areas including solid state physics (semiconductor devices), nuclear physics, particle physics, and cosmology.

Topics Covered

1. The special theory of relativity
2. Experimental basis for quantum mechanics
3. Quantum theory
4. The wave nature of matter
5. The uncertainty principle
6. The nuclear atom
7. The exclusion principle
8. Atomic and molecular structure
9. Band theory of solids
10. The laser
11. Radioactive decay
12. The strong and weak interactions
13. The conservation laws in nuclear reactions
14. The quark model
15. Cosmology and Astrophysics

Catalog Data

No Description Available

Prerequisites By Topic

Dependent on material being covered.

Objectives

Any kind of research, whether on the immediate campus or at some other facility, can be arranged and implemented through this course. A faculty member and topic investigated are required.

Topics Covered

Dependent on material being covered.

Catalog Data

Two hours classwork, three hours laboratory. For teachers. Basic concepts of physics. Will include discussion and clarification of material from currently adopted public school textbooks.

Prerequisites By Topic

*Oriented for teachers only

Objectives

A review of the main topics covered by high school physics classes, with emphasis on common problems areas and certain teaching techniques.

Topics Covered

TBA by instructor

Catalog Data

Two hours classwork. Three hours laboratory. For teachers. An introduction to the physical universe with emphasis on observational astronomy.

Prerequisites By Topic

*Oriented for teachers only

Objectives

A review of the main topics covered by high school-level, astronomy classes, with an emphasis on teaching techniques and observation methods.

Topics Covered

TBA by instructor

Catalog Data

Two hours lecture, three hours laboratory. Topics are those normally covered in first semester high school physics. Equal emphasis on theory, problems, demonstrations, and laboratory.

Prerequisites By Topic

At least two semesters of introductory college physics

Objectives

This course is designed to help future and in-service physics teachers by improving their basic knowledge of physics and by providing them with ideas for laboratory exercises and demonstrations. Each class will include some review of key ideas and problem solving techniques from introductory mechanics. It will also provide some laboratory practice. Some time will be allotted for preparing and practicing inexpensive hands-on activities and demonstrations of important concepts.

Topics Covered

• Math Review
• Velocity and Acceleration, 1-D motion
• Forces and Laws of Motion
• Vectors and Vector Math
• 2-D Motion and Circular Motion
• Motion due to Gravitation
• Satellites and Weightlessness, Center of Mass and Torque
• Momentum and Impulse
• Work, Simple Machines, Power
• Energy Conservation and Conversion

Catalog Data

Two hours lecture, three hours laboratory. Topics are those normally covered in second semester high school physics. Equal emphasis on theory, problems, demonstrations, and laboratory.

Prerequisites By Topic

At least two semesters of introductory college physics.

Objectives

This course is designed to help future and in-service physics teachers by improving their basic knowledge of physics and by providing them with ideas for laboratory exercises and demonstrations. Each class will include some review of key ideas and problem solving techniques from introductory physics. It will also provide some laboratory practice. Some time will be allotted for preparing and practicing inexpensive hands-on activities and demonstrations of important concepts.

Topics Covered

• Thermal Energy, Thermodynamics, Pressure, and Buoyancy
• Static Electricity, Electric Field, Potential Difference
• Electric Circuits, Current, Voltage, Resistance, Power, Electric Energy
• Electric Circuit Analysis, Parallel and Series Circuits, Meters
• Magnetism and Electricity
• Waves, Interference, Standing Waves, Sound
• Light, Color
• Reflection, Refraction, Total Internal Reflection
• Image Formation, Mirrors, Lenses, Optical Instruments
• Interference and Diffraction of Light

Catalog Data

Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory. DC and AC circuits. Resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes and transistors in basic analog circuits. Topics include filters, tuned circuits, power supplies, amplifiers and oscillators.

Prerequisites By Topic

MA 2733 and PH 1133 or PH 2223(Physics classes that cover electricity and magnetism topics and applications)

Objectives

A look into circuit components and applications in terms of students having a rigorous physics background.

Topics Covered

1. Direct Current Circuits
2. Capacitors and Inductors
3. Alternating Current Circuits
4. AC Circuits
5. Diodes and other applications
6. Test Equipment and Measurement
7. Transducers
8. Transistors
9. Operational Amplifiers
10. Waveform Generators

Catalog Data

Six hours Laboratory. Data analysis. Experiments in classical and modern physics. Scientific report writing.

Prerequisites By Topic

TBA

Objectives

Graduate Students

Graduate Students taking this course as PH 6142 or PH 6152 must make a significant improvement in the usual method on at least one experiment. This may require a literature search.

Reports

Reports should be brief, neatly typed, and well written. They should, where applicable, contain the following: (1) a brief introduction; (2) a diagram neat and detailed enough to make the procedure almost obvious; (3) a brief discussion of procedure (This is not necessarily a separate section; it can be integrated into a narrative about the experiment. Do not repeat detailed instructions you may have followed unless they are unusual. You don't have to report everything you tried that didn't work; you may decide to report mistakes that clarify the physics); (4) your results; (5) an estimate of your confidence in your results with justifications; (6) comparison with appropriate theoretical predictions; (7) a discussion of improvements you have made and others which you suggest; and (8), as footnotes or endnotes, the sources of anyone else's ideas that you have borrowed or referred to.

Assume that you are writing for someone who has the same general knowledge of physics that you have, but who has not done or read much about the particular experiment you are reporting.

Avoid having your report seem like a filled out form. Also avoid including details which would be obvious to anyone in a position to read the report intelligently. But don't make him/her guess at important details. Contrary to a common misconception you do not need to avoid first person.

Besides being more direct, first person makes dangling participles easier to avoid. Do not wander, for no good reason, between active and passive voice. Pronouns need clear antecedents. Don't use "it", "that", "which", etc. unless word order makes the pronoun's antecedent obvious on the first reading. Otherwise, use a noun instead.

See a physics journal such as American Journal of Physics for examples of good reports and appropriate use of footnotes or endnotes. There is an AIP Style Manual that has useful guidelines. I have a copy and the library has one.

Every report should be edited carefully before it is handed in. It should be clear and grammatically correct. It is not uncommon for a scientist to rewrite a paper a dozen times before it is published. You should do at least a couple of rewrites on every report before handing it in.

Usually, you should hand in your report on a completed experiment before starting another experiment.

Graphics

Graphics should be done on the computer if you are skilled enough to make this method better than doing drawings neatly by hand. If you do drawings by hand, do them neatly in black ink. You may find it helpful to first do the drawing in very light pencil; go over the lines with ink and then erase any remaining pencil lines. Usually it is better to make equipment drawings schematic rather than pictorial. Graphs should be very neatly drawn with scales chosen so that most of the page of graph paper is used. You are encouraged to use a spreadsheet or other software to generate graphs. Either put drawings and graphs near where they are first referred to in the text or collect them all at the end of the report. In either case make the reference to them very clear. For example, you might refer to Fig. 1 provided that the appropriate drawing is clearly labeled Figure 1.

Notebooks

You should keep a bound notebook in which you record in ink all your data, descriptions of your activities, and diagrams of your apparatus. Clearly date every entry. Record any parameter or occurrence that could possibly influence results. A common unacceptable practice is jotting down data on a scrap of paper and copying it into the notebook later. Do not erase or use liquid paper; mark through errors or deletions in such a way that they can still be seen. This notebook should also contain outlines of what you plan to do and dated comments about what you have done. Include very clear sketches of all equipment arrangements. Jot down ideas you have for improving the experiment even if it isn't practical to do them at the time. Leave a few blank pages at the front for a table of contents.

Special Projects

In addition to several standard experiments, you are encouraged to do a special project which has not been done before at MSU. The special project may count up to half of your experimental requirement. You should decide on and plan your special project before February 3. On that date turn in a brief proposal for you experiment including specifications for any specialized equipment or supplies that you will need. In some cases equipment must be ordered. You will do the lab work at the end of the semester.

You may get ideas for special projects anywhere. To help those of you who don't already have definite ideas I can suggest articles in American Journal of Physics and Scientific American which contain interesting possibilities.

Important Rules

1. Never work alone except with special permission.
2. Return tools to toolbox and lock it before leaving lab.
3. Leave the lab and equipment in better condition than you find them. Never return broken equipment to the shelf. Make minor repairs yourself. Notify me of problems you can't fix. Make sure equipment is properly put away after you are finished with it; if you are not sure where it goes, ask.
4. Make equipment work! Often, students complain about equipment which doesn't work. One of the most valuable things you can learn in this lab is how to locate problems with equipment and solve them. In physics research, things often don't work right and, even when they do work right, appear not to have.
5. Do background reading on every experiment before you begin it. Put in your notebook a brief plan of attack.
6. Before you perform any operation, be prepared to give a detailed answer to this question "Why are you doing that"?

Standard Experiments

You are being supplied with a partially complete lab manual that describes experiments that have been done in this course in previous semesters. Below is a list of those experiments along with a rough estimate of the number of weeks of lab that will be required to finish each. I will base actual time credit on my observations of your work. You are expected to perform at least 10 weeks-worth. Before beginning an experiment, discuss it with me, so that I may guide you toward the proper equipment and make suggestions. Before beginning experimental work prepare a plan of attack and let me comment on it.

Topics Covered

1. Determination of G from the Cavendish Ba1ance
2. The Ratio of CP to CV for Gases
3. Millikan Oil Drop Experiment
4. Bainbridge Tube Measurement of e/m
5. Obtaining Planck's Constant from Measurements on a Light bulb
6. Franck-Hertz Experiment
7. Lifetime of a Metastable State
8. Determination of the Speed of Light from a Rotating Mirror
9. Modulated-Laser Measurement of the Speed of Light
10. Microwave Optics
11. Michelson Interferometer
12. Index of Refraction of Gases
13. Holography
14. Grating Spectrograph
15. Grating Monochromator
16. Absorption Spectroscopy
17. Fluorescence Measurements
18. Interference with Polarized Light
19. Investigations of Stress Birefringence
20. Polarization Changes Produced by Internal Reflection of Light
21. Polarization Effects in Internal-Mirror He-Ne Lasers
22. Faraday Effect in a Solid or Liquid
23. Raman Effect in a Liquid
24. Flash-Lamp-Pumped Dye Laser
25. Fraunhofer and Fresnel Diffraction
26. Rutherford Scattering
27. Nuclear Spectroscopy

Catalog Data

Six hours Laboratory. Scientific report writing. Experiments in modern physics, optics, and classical physics.

Prerequisites By Topic

none

Objectives

Graduate Students

Graduate Students taking this course as PH 6142 or PH 6152 must make a significant improvement in the usual method on at least one experiment. This may require a literature search.

Reports

Reports should be brief, neatly typed, and well written. They should, where applicable, contain the following: (1) a brief introduction; (2) a diagram neat and detailed enough to make the procedure almost obvious; (3) a brief discussion of procedure (This is not necessarily a separate section; it can be integrated into a narrative about the experiment. Do not repeat detailed instructions you may have followed unless they are unusual. You don't have to report everything you tried that didn't work; you may decide to report mistakes that clarify the physics); (4) your results; (5) an estimate of your confidence in your results with justifications; (6) comparison with appropriate theoretical predictions; (7) a discussion of improvements you have made and others which you suggest; and (8), as footnotes or endnotes, the sources of anyone else's ideas that you have borrowed or referred to.

Assume that you are writing for someone who has the same general knowledge of physics that you have, but who has not done or read much about the particular experiment you are reporting.

Avoid having your report seem like a filled out form. Also avoid including details which would be obvious to anyone in a position to read the report intelligently. But don't make him/her guess at important details. Contrary to a common misconception you do not need to avoid first person.

Besides being more direct, first person makes dangling participles easier to avoid. Do not wander, for no good reason, between active and passive voice. Pronouns need clear antecedents. Don't use "it", "that", "which", etc. unless word order makes the pronoun's antecedent obvious on the first reading. Otherwise, use a noun instead.

See a physics journal such as American Journal of Physics for examples of good reports and appropriate use of footnotes or endnotes. There is an AIP Style Manual that has useful guidelines. I have a copy and the library has one.

Every report should be edited carefully before it is handed in. It should be clear and grammatically correct. It is not uncommon for a scientist to rewrite a paper a dozen times before it is published. You should do at least a couple of rewrites on every report before handing it in.

Usually, you should hand in your report on a completed experiment before starting another experiment.

Graphics

Graphics should be done on the computer if you are skilled enough to make this method better than doing drawings neatly by hand. If you do drawings by hand, do them neatly in black ink. You may find it helpful to first do the drawing in very light pencil; go over the lines with ink and then erase any remaining pencil lines. Usually it is better to make equipment drawings schematic rather than pictorial. Graphs should be very neatly drawn with scales chosen so that most of the page of graph paper is used. You are encouraged to use a spreadsheet or other software to generate graphs. Either put drawings and graphs near where they are first referred to in the text or collect them all at the end of the report. In either case make the reference to them very clear. For example, you might refer to Fig. 1 provided that the appropriate drawing is clearly labeled Figure 1.

Notebooks

You should keep a bound notebook in which you record in ink all your data, descriptions of your activities, and diagrams of your apparatus. Clearly date every entry. Record any parameter or occurrence that could possibly influence results. A common unacceptable practice is jotting down data on a scrap of paper and copying it into the notebook later. Do not erase or use liquid paper; mark through errors or deletions in such a way that they can still be seen. This notebook should also contain outlines of what you plan to do and dated comments about what you have done. Include very clear sketches of all equipment arrangements. Jot down ideas you have for improving the experiment even if it isn't practical to do them at the time. Leave a few blank pages at the front for a table of contents.

Special Projects

In addition to several standard experiments, you are encouraged to do a special project which has not been done before at MSU. The special project may count up to half of your experimental requirement. You should decide on and plan your special project before February 3. On that date turn in a brief proposal for you experiment including specifications for any specialized equipment or supplies that you will need. In some cases equipment must be ordered. You will do the lab work at the end of the semester.

You may get ideas for special projects anywhere. To help those of you who don't already have definite ideas I can suggest articles in American Journal of Physics and Scientific American which contain interesting possibilities.

Important Rules

1. Never work alone except with special permission.
2. Return tools to toolbox and lock it before leaving lab.
3. Leave the lab and equipment in better condition than you find them. Never return broken equipment to the shelf. Make minor repairs yourself. Notify me of problems you can't fix. Make sure equipment is properly put away after you are finished with it; if you are not sure where it goes, ask.
4. Make equipment work! Often, students complain about equipment which doesn't work. One of the most valuable things you can learn in this lab is how to locate problems with equipment and solve them. In physics research, things often don't work right and, even when they do work right, appear not to have.
5. Do background reading on every experiment before you begin it. Put in your notebook a brief plan of attack.
6. Before you perform any operation, be prepared to give a detailed answer to this question "Why are you doing that"?

Standard Experiments

You are being supplied with a partially complete lab manual that describes experiments that have been done in this course in previous semesters. Below is a list of those experiments along with a rough estimate of the number of weeks of lab that will be required to finish each. I will base actual time credit on my observations of your work. You are expected to perform at least 10 weeks-worth. Before beginning an experiment, discuss it with me, so that I may guide you toward the proper equipment and make suggestions. Before beginning experimental work prepare a plan of attack and let me comment on it.

Topics Covered

1. Determination of G from the Cavendish Balance
2. The Ratio of CP to CV for Gases
3. Millikan Oil Drop Experiment
4. Bainbridge Tube Measurement of e/m
5. Obtaining Planck's Constant from Measurements on a Light bulb
6. Franck-Hertz Experiment
7. Lifetime of a Metastable State
8. Determination of the Speed of Light from a Rotating Mirror
9. Modulated-Laser Measurement of the Speed of Light
10. Microwave Optics
11. Michelson Interferometer
12. Index of Refraction of Gases
13. Holography
14. Grating Spectrograph
15. Grating Monochromator
16. Absorption Spectroscopy
17. Fluorescence Measurements
18. Interference with Polarized Light
19. Investigations of Stress Birefringence
20. Polarization Changes Produced by Internal Reflection of Light
21. Polarization Effects in Internal-Mirror He-Ne Lasers
22. Faraday Effect in a Solid or Liquid
23. Raman Effect in a Liquid
24. Flash-Lamp-Pumped Dye Laser
25. Fraunhofer and Fresnel Diffraction
26. Rutherford Scattering
27. Nuclear Spectroscopy

Catalog Data

Three hours lecture. Plane statics and dynamics of particles and systems of particles with emphasis on both derivation and application of principles involved.

Prerequisites By Topic

PH 1133 or PH 2233 AND MA 2733(Calculus 3).

Objectives

This course is an in depth study of particle dynamics and kinematics in one, two and three dimensions. Other important topics include the oscillatory motion, central force motion, and particle systems. Particular emphasis will be placed on the development of abilities of solving problems quantitatively using advanced mathematical tools, such as integration and differentiation, differential equations, series expansion, vector analysis and vector calculus, and coordinate transformations.

Topics Covered

1. Introduction to Newtonian Mechanics
2. Particle Dynamics in One Dimension
3. Harmonic Oscillators
4. Oscillating Systems
5. Vector Analysis, Vector Operators, and Transformations
6. Motion in Two and Three Dimensions
7. Central Force
8. Systems of Particles: Conservation Laws and Collisions

Catalog Data

Three hours lecture. Statics and dynamics of particles in three dimensional space using vector notation; Lagrange's equations; introduction to the special theory of relativity.

Prerequisites By Topic

PH 4213

Objectives

The principles and methods discussed include rigid body motion, gravitational field, nonlinear coordinate systems, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics, and coupled small oscillations. Emphasis will also be placed on the development of abilities of solving problems quantitatively using advanced mathematical tools, such as integration and differentiation, differential equations, series expansion, vector analysis and calculus, and coordinate transformations.

Topics Covered

1. Rigid Body Motion
2. Gravitational Force and Potential
3. Noninertial Coordinate Systems
4. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Dynamics
5. Advanced Rigid Body Motion
6. Theory of Small Oscillations and Coupled Oscillators

Catalog Data

Three hours lecture. Electrostatics, dielectrics, electric current, magnetostatics, electromagnetic induction, magnetic properties of matter.

Prerequisites By Topic

PH 1133 or PH 2233 AND MA 2743(Calculus 4)

Objectives

This course provides you with a better understanding of the fundamental principles of electromagnetism. The materials will help you learn to use differential and integral calculus effectively in electromagnetism.

Topics Covered

1. Vector Analysis
2. Electrostatics
3. Laplace's Equation
4. Electrostatic Fields in Matter
5. Magnetostatics

Catalog Data

Three hours lecture. Maxwell's equations, propagation of electromagnetic waves in free space and in matter, reflection and refraction, radiation.

Prerequisites By Topic

PH 4323

Objectives

Besides PH2223, this course along with PH4323 provides you with a better understanding of the fundamental principles of electromagnetism. The materials will help you learn to use differential and integral calculus effectively in electromagnetism.

Topics Covered

1. Static Magnetic Fields in Free Space and Matter
2. The Four Maxwell's equations in Differential and Integral Forms
3. Electromagnetic Waves and Radiation

Catalog Data

Three hours lecture. Thermodynamics, kinetic theory, classical and quantum statistical mechanics. Applications to low temperature physics, solid-state physics and plasma physics.

Prerequisites By Topic

PH 3613 AND MA 2743(Calculus 4)

Objectives

To improve the student's understanding of classical thermodynamics, which deals with relations among the macroscopic properties of systems, without regard to the mechanisms behind them. 2. To aquaint you with quantum statistical physics which shows how the macroscopic relations of thermodynamics are dictated by the statistics of the microscopic constituents of the systems.

Topics Covered

1. The First Law of Thermodynamics
2. The Second Law of Thermodynamics
3. Paramagnetism
4. Heat Capacity of Solids
5. Perfect Classical gases
6. Phase Equilibria
7. Perfect Quantal gases
8. Black-Body Radiation
9. Systems with Variable Particle Numbers

Catalog Data

Three hours lecture. An Introduction to modern methods of computational physics including topics such as:solution of differential equations, numerical matrix methods, and Monte Carlo simulation.

Catalog Data

Three hours lecture. Geometrical optics and physical optics.

Prerequisites By Topic

PH 1123 or PH 2233 AND MA 2733(Calculus 3)

Objectives

To provide the student with a thorough introduction to a wide range of optics topics so that the student will be prepared to read intelligently from optics media and calculate important basic geometrical and wave optics.

Topics Covered

1. The Mathematics of Wave Motion
2. EM Theory, Photons, and Light
3. The Propagation of Light
4. Geometrical Optics-Paraxial Theory
5. The Superposition of Waves
6. Polarization
7. Interference
8. Diffraction

Catalog Data

Three hours lecture. Special theory of relativity; nuclear structure; radioactivity; nuclear reactions; nuclear forces; fission; fusion; high energy particle and astrophysics. Experimental apparatuses and techniques.

Prerequisites By Topic

PH 3613

Objectives

To give students an introduction to nuclear and particle physics. The course will cover the following topics: nuclear properties, radioactive decay, nuclear structure, nuclear forces, nuclear reactions, fission, fusion, particle physics, nuclear astrophysics, experimental apparatuses and techniques.

Topics Covered

1. Review of Quantum Mechanics
2. Nuclear Properties, Forces, and Models
3. Radioactive Decay and Radiation Detection
4. Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Decay
5. Nuclear Reactions and Fission
6. Accelerators
7. Nuclear Astrophysics
8. Particle Physics

Catalog Data

Three hours lecture. Principles of quantum mechanics, Heisenberg uncertainty principle, angular momentum; the Schrdinger wave equation in one and three dimensions; the one-electron atom.

Prerequisites By Topic

PH 3613 AND MA 3253(Differential Equations)

Objectives

Investigations into the nature and applications of Quantum mechanics and related topics.

Topics Covered

1. Limits of Classical Physics
2. Wave Packets and the Uncertainty Relations
3. The Schrodinger Wave Equation and the Probability Interpretation
4. Eigenvalues and Eigenfunctions
5. One-Dinemsional Potentials
6. The General Structure of Wave Mechanics
7. Operator Methods in Quantum Mechanics
8. N-Particle Systems
9. The Schrodinger Equation in Three Dimensions

Catalog Data

Three hours lecture. Introduction to perturbation theory and quantum statistics. Topics selected from multi-electron atoms, diatomic molecules, solid state and nuclear physics.

Prerequisites By Topic

PH 4713

Objectives

Further investigation into Quantum Mechanics topics including current applications and ideas.

Topics Covered

1. Spin-1/2 Particle
2. Hydrogen Atom Properties
3. Angular Momentum
4. Multielectron atoms
5. Atomic Structure

Catalog Data

Three hours lecture. Crystal structure, crystal diffraction and the reciprocal lattice, crystal binding, free electron gas, energy bands, and semiconductors.

Prerequisites By Topic

PH 3613

Objectives

Investigations into topics of solid state physics in terms of structures, Quantum Mechanics, and energy relationships.

Topics Covered

1. Crystal Structure
2. Diffraction of Waves
3. Crystal Binding
4. Review of Quantum Mechanics
5. Free Electron Gas
6. Energy Bands
7. Semiconductors

Catalog Data

Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years).

Prerequisites By Topic

Dependent on material being covered.

Objectives

A course designed for the faculty to supplement topics not ordinarily covered in courses below the senior level of physics courses.

Topics Covered

Dependent on material being covered.