UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO

A) Course offered typically: Fall and Spring

B) Prerequisite - One year of high school algebra.

Corequisite or prerequisite - MATH 1000 or 1010 or 1030.

C) Representative Texts: Tippens - "Basic Technical Physics"

D) Weekly Schedule

Three lectures, 1 hour each. The course includes some half dozen experiments which are done during the lecture hour.

E) Description

This course develops quantitative reasoning and math skills (QRMS) serving also as an entry into the PHYS 1110-1120-1140 and 2010-2020 sequences. It can also be used to remove a MAPS deficiency in natural science.

F) Topics

1. Algebra Refresher

methods

"word problems"

graphs

proportions

2. Measurement and Units

calculator usage

angular measurement

scientific notation

3. One Dimensional Motion

graphs

equations

physical reasoning for real problems

4. Trigonometry

methods

applications

5. Static Balances

forces and torques

examples

6. Two-Dimensional Motion and Vectors

analytical methods

graphical methods

"two equations with two unknowns"

7. Laws of Motion as Tools

forces

momentum

energy

other conservation laws

8. Rotations

uniform

accelerated

planetary motion

Physics 1010-3, 1020-4: Physics of Everyday Life 1,2

A) Course offered typically: 1010-Fall, 1020-Spring

B) Prerequisite - High school algebra, PHYS 1010 prerequisite for PHYS 1020

C) Representative Texts

How Things Work: The Physics of Everyday Life

D) Weekly Schedule

Two lectures, 1.3 hours each

Physics 1020 will have an additional weekly two-hour laboratory period.

E) Description

Physics 1010 - Includes a range of topics including the physics of such things as balls, scales, balloons, stoves, insulation, light bulbs, clocks, musical instruments, nuclear weapons, and the basics of some electrical devices such as flashlights and microwave ovens.

Physics 1020 - Continuation of 1010. It explains the physics behind many elements of modern technology, including electrical power generation and distribution, electric motors, radio, television, computers, copiers, lasers, fluorescent lights, camera, and medical imaging.

F) Laboratory

Equipment and instructions for the laboratory have been adapted from the existing physics laboratories especially Physics 2020.

Physics 1110-4: General Physics 1 - (First Semester, Calculus-Based) - Note on the Use of Calculus in Physics 1110: It is expected that manipulative calculus will be introduced early in the first course in calculus, which is a corequisite for this course. Physics 1110 will develop and use calculus throughout the semester.

A) Course offered typically: Fall, Spring, Summer

B) Prerequisites - Knowledge of algebra, geometry and trigonometry.

Corequisites - APPM 1350 or Math 1300 or APPM 1370

The course introduces and uses calculus through derivatives, and indefinite and definite integrals of polynomials and trigonometric functions, as covered typically in Math 1300 or APPM 1370.

C) Representative Texts - (determined by Departmental Course Committee)

R. Resnick and D. Halliday, "Physics"

F. W. Sears & M. W. Zemansky, "University Physics"

P. A. Tipler, "Physics"

C. Zafiratos, "Physics"

D. Serway, "Physics"

D) Weekly Schedule - Three lectures and one recitation

E) Description - This is the first semester of an introductory physics course for science and engineering students. This course covers classical mechanics and an introduction to thermodynamics.

F) Topics

Time assignments are estimated on the basis of a fifteen-week semester.

1. Introduction (1 day)

Preview of the course

Units and dimensions of physical quantities

2. Mechanics (12 weeks)

Kinematics and dynamics

Fluids, statics and dynamics

Gravitation

Elasticity, simple harmonic motion

3. Introduction to Thermodynamics (3 weeks)

Temperature and ideal gas law

Calorimetry, First Law of Thermodynamics

Changes of phase; heat transport; conduction, radiation

Second Law of Thermodynamics

Heat engines, Carnot cycle

Physics 1120-4: General Physics 2 - (Second Semester, Calculus-Based)

A) Course offered typically: Fall, Spring, Summer

B) Prerequisites - Physics 1110 or equivalent

Corequisites - Math 2300 or APPM 1360 or APPM 1380. Normally to be taken concurrently with Physics 1140, but not required.

C) Representative Texts - (determined by Departmental Course Committee)

This course will use the second volume or part of the text used the preceding semester for

Physics 1110.

D) Weekly Schedule - Three lectures and one recitation

E) Description - This is the second semester of a calculus-based introductory physics course for science and engineering students, covering electricity and magnetism, wave motion, and geometrical and physical optics.

F) Topics

Time assignments are estimated on the basis of a fifteen-week semester.

1. Wave Motion (2 weeks)

Properties and types of waves

Sound, Doppler effect

Interference

2. Optics (2 weeks)

Nature and propagation of light

Reflection, plane and curved mirrors

Refraction, thin lenses

Interference and diffraction

Optical instruments

3. Electricity and Magnetism (11 weeks)

Coulomb's Law

Electric field and potential

Gauss' Law

Capacitance and dielectrics, electric energy density

Circuits, resistance, EMF

Magnetism

Ampere's and Faraday's Laws

Inductance, magnetic energy density

Circuits with L, R, and C

Alternating current circuits

Maxwell's equations (integral form)

Electromagnetic Radiation

Physics 1140-1 and 1150-1: Experimental Physics 1 and 2

For Plan 3 physics majors, Physics 1140 and 1150 must both be taken. Other plans require only Physics 1140.

A) Course offered typically: Fall, Spring, Summer

B) Prerequisite - Physics 1110

Corequisite - Normally to be taken concurrently with Physics 1120, but not required.

C) Representative Texts - (determined by Departmental Course Committee)

J. R. Taylor, "An Introduction to Error Analysis"

D) Weekly Schedule

One two-hour lab each week, plus a one-hour lecture-demonstration each week for approximately the first six weeks of the course.

E) Description

This is an introduction to experimental physics through laboratory observations of a wide range of phenomena. The course covers experiments on physical measurements, linear and rotational mechanics, harmonic motion, wave motion, sound and heat, all from Physics 1110. The second half of the course covers topics from Physics 1120, electricity and magnetism, optics, and electromagnetic waves. A wide variety of experiments is made available so that the student has considerable freedom of choice in the investigation of special topics. The material covered in the lecture includes the estimation of uncertainties, significant figures, mean values, the standard deviation, the standard deviation of the mean, comparison of measured and accepted values, random and systematic errors, propagation of errors, and the normal distribution.

Physics 1150-1: Students do another full set of Physics 1140 experiments (7 different labs from those previously completed).

Physics 1170-4 and 1180-4: Honors General Physics 1 and 2

A) Physics 1170 typically offered in the Fall, Physics 1180 typically offered in the Spring

B) Prerequisites - PHYS 1170 - one year High School physics; H.S. GPA higher than 3.5; Calculus 2 or AP Physics C-Mechanics with the minimum exam score of 3 points. Prerequisite for Physics 1180 is Physics 1170.

C) Representative Texts:

Wolfson & Pasachoft, “Physics for Scientists and Engineers”, 3^rd Ed.

Kleppner & Kolenkow, “An Introduction to Mechanics”, 1^st Ed.

A) Course offered periodically

B) Prerequisite - none

C) Representative Texts: Peak and Frame, “Chaos Under Control”

D) Weekly Schedule - Three lectures and week plus one 50 minute lab

A)Description - Students will study the nature of natural systems in the context of the new and evolving science of complexity. In so doing, their literacy and knowledge of complexity, as well as aspects of earth science, physical geography and biological sciences will be enhanced. Lectures will provide insights into the historical origins of the field and illustrate the potential significance and applications that might be realized by current developments. The very nature of the course, an introduction to a new paradigm in the sciences, will demonstrate that science is a dynamics process that leads to new knowledge. The comparisons that will be made between the complexity paradigm and the “reductionist” paradigm will enable students to critically evaluate the process by which conclusions and interpretations are derived from observation. The homework exercises will enhance measurement and data interpretation skills. By the end of the course, students will be sufficiently conversant in the vocabulary and methodology of complexity to understand its potential role in resolving various scientific issues, and to understand whatever they might encounter in the popular press or literature on complexity science.

Physics 1700-3: Physics: Its History and Philosophy

A) Course offered - Periodically

B) Prerequisites - High School Algebra

C) Representative Texts - Chalmers, A. F. (1999), “What is This Thing Called Science-”

D) Weekly Schedule - Lecture twice a week, one hour and 15 minutes.

E) Description - This course will include various approaches to the philosophy of science and discuss the validity of experimental evidence and the relation of that evidence to theories of nature. These will be illustrated using episodes from the history of physics.

F) Topics

1. Philosophy of Science - Thomas Kuhn, Karl Popper, Imre Lakatos

2. Ptolemaic and Copernican Theories of the Solar System - Calculational devices used in Ptolemaic astronomy and their purpose; the differences between Copernican and Ptolemaic theories; How the issue was decided.

3. Falling Bodies: Aristotle, Galileo, and Newton - Does the speed of a falling body depend on its weight-; Galileo and the inclined plane, diluted gravity, including Galileo’s original data; a horizontal plane and the principle of inertia.

4. Electromagnetism - Oersted and the connection between magnetism and electric current; Faraday and electromagnetic induction and the electric motor, electromagnetic waves and interference-Hertz’s discovery.

5. Relativity: Special and General - The Michelson-Morley experiment; Alternative explanations of the result of the Michelson-Morley experiment; Eddington and the eclipse expedition of 1919.

6. The Discovery of Parity Nonconservation: Left-Right Asymmetry in Nature - Why was it proposed-; how was it tested-; Experimental results decide the issue.

7. The Neutrino: From Radioactivity to Neutrino Oscillations - radioactivity and the need for the neutrino; Fermi’s theory of $ decay and its competitors; Observation of the neutrino; the solar neutrino problem; neutrino oscillations.

Physics 1810 or 2810: Special Topics in Physics (Variable Credit)

These courses cover various topics that are not normally included in the curriculum. They are offered intermittently depending on student demand and on the interest and availability of instructors.

Physics 2010-5: General Physics 1 - (First semester - Algebra based)

A) Course offered typically: Fall, Spring, Summer

B) Prerequisite - One and one half years of high school algebra

C) Representative Texts - Giancoli, "Physics"

D) Weekly Schedule

Three demonstration-lectures, one recitation, and one 2-hour lab. The laboratories are coordinated with the lectures.

E) Description

The emphasis of the course is on the basic principles of physics, related by illustration and example to the world in which the student lives. This is the non-calculus introductory physics course for pre -medical, pre-pharmacy, kinesiology, architecture and other students.

F) Topics

1. Statics; equilibrium, vectors (addition and subtraction), hydrostatics and hydrodynamics (Archimedes, Pascal, Bernoulli

2. Dynamics; Newton's laws, falling bodies, inclined planes, projectile motion

3. Energy and momentum: work, KE & PE (including gravitational potential energy), power, momentum, conservation laws, collisions

4. Rotation; rotational analogs to translational concepts, centripetal force, rotational energy and momentum

5. Orbits and satellites; gravitation, escape velocity, orbital energy

6. Vibrations; Hooke's law, simple harmonic motion and pendulums, resonance

7. Waves; pulses, reflections, wave types, wave trains and standing waves, sound, ultrasonics, supersonics, shock waves, Doppler effect (sound and light), interference, Young's two-slit experiment

8. Temperature and heat; thermometers and thermometric scales, gas laws (empirical) and absolute zero, calorimetry, thermal expansion, heat transfer, entropy, weather, mechanical equivalent of heat, heat and energy

9. Molecular nature of matter: Brownian motion and thermal energy, equipartition of energy, kinetic theory of gases, diffusion, evaporation

Physics 2020-5: General Physics 2 - (Second semester - Algebra based)

A) Course offered typically: Fall, Spring, Summer

B) Prerequisite - Physics 2010

C) Representative Texts - The same text is used in Physics 2010 and 2020.

D) Weekly Schedule - The schedule is the same as for Physics 2010.

E) Description - This course is a continuation of Physics 2010.

F) Topics

1. Electrostatics; Atomic structure and charged particles, Coulomb's law, induced charges electric field and potential practical units, capacitance

2. Electric Currents; electric cells, Ohm's law, simple series and parallel circuits, power and energy

3. Magnetism; magnetic fields, field of currents, force on moving charge and on currents, flux, galvanometer (voltmeter and ammeter), induced potentials and current generation, alternating current circuits

4. Reflections and refraction of light; plane mirror, concave and convex mirrors, prisms and lenses, optical instruments

5. Light; velocity, photometry, color, nature of refraction

6. Wave nature of light; Huygen's principle, surface waves, light interference, slits and gratings, EM spectrum

7. Electrical nature of matter; ions, Faraday's laws, e/m, atomic models, insulators, conductors

8. Special relativity; Michelson-Morley and the ether, space-time transformations, E = mc²

9. Energy quantum; distribution of radiation from hot bodies, Planck's E = hf, photoelectric effect, Compton effect

10. Bohr atom; Bohr's postulates and his model of the hydrogen atom, energy levels and radiation, limitations of Bohr model

11. Atomic structure; quantum numbers, electrons and periodic system, spectra, lasers, X-ray spectra

12. Wave nature of particles; de Broglie waves, uncertainty principle, probability waves

13. Radioactivity; ", $, ( rays, isotopes, decay chains, half-lives, radioactive dating

14. Artificial nuclear transformations; examples, bubble-, cloud-, spark-chambers, cyclotron, other accelerators

15. Structure of nucleus; nuclear models, binding energy, fusion and fission, potential barriers and tunneling

16. Nuclear reactions; fission and fission neutrons, U-235 and Plutonium, piles and reactors, critical size and nuclear bomb, fusion and fusion reactors

17. Particles; positron, pair production and annihilation, anti-protons and anti-neutrons, the neutrino, exchange forces and mesons, other particles

Physics 2130-3: General Physics 3

A) Course offered typically: Fall, Spring

B) Prerequisites - Physics 1120 and Physics 1140

Corequisite - Math 2400: Normally to be taken concurrently with Physics 2150, but not required.

C) Representative Texts - (determined by Departmental Course Committee)

P. A. Tipler, "Modern Physics"

R. A. Serway, "Modern Physics"

J. R. Taylor & C. D. Zafiratos, "Modern Physics"

D) Weekly Schedule - Three lectures

E) Description

This is the third semester of a calculus-based introductory physics course sequence for engineering students. This course is an introduction to relativity and modern physics.

F) Topics - ( Time assignments are estimated on the basis of a fifteen-week semester)

1. Special Relativity (3 weeks)

Historical perspective

Frames of reference

Time dilation, length contraction

Lorentz transformations

Energy, momentum relations

2. Particles and Waves (4 weeks)

Historical perspective

Photon and electron

Bohr atom

Uncertainty principle

Schrödinger equation

3. Atomic Structure (4 weeks)

Hydrogen atom

Spin

Periodic table

Fine structure, X-rays, magnetic effects, etc.

4. Applications (4 weeks), (instructor's choice)

Molecules

Nuclei

Condensed matter

Elementary particles

Physics 2140-3: Methods of Theoretical Physics

A) Course offered typically: Fall, Spring

B) Prerequisite - Physics 1120

Corequisite - MATH 2400 or APPM 2350

C) Representative Texts - (determined by Departmental Course Committee)

Boas, "Math Methods in Physical Sciences"

D) Weekly Schedule - Three lectures

E) Description - In PHYS 2140 students learn the fundamental mathematical methods used in theoretical, experimental and computational physics. Complementing the Calculus I, II and III series, the course is example oriented with minimal emphasis on proofs and mathematical rigor. Examples of applications are from mechanics and E&M. During the semester students gain some familiarity using MATHEMATICA, a powerful general purpose computer language. Standard text book for this course is by M.L. Boas :

Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences.

F) Topics: Course outline:

Ch 2: Complex numbers

representations, roots, series: sin, sinh, cos, cosh

Ch 3: Linear algebra

determinant, inverse, Crammer's rule, Gaussian elimination, pivoting

Ch 5: Surface, volume integrals

center of mass, moment of inertia, Jacobian, cylindrical and spherical coordinates

Ch 7: Fourier series

sin and cos, complex form, arbitrary intervals, briefly: Fourier transforms and power spectrum

Ch 8: Ordinary differential equations

first order, second order with constant with coefficients, using Fourier series, briefly: using Fourier and Laplace transforms, Green's function, nonlinear DEs and PDEs

Ch 10: Coordinate transformations

eigenvalues, eigenvectors and their interpretation:

Ch 12: Special functions (Legendre polynomials, Orthonormal Sets of Functions in general)

Ch 6: Vector analysis

(Note to the instructor: By this time the students will have covered vectors, divergence and Stoke's theorems in Calculus III; this knowledge is to be assumed.)

physical meaning of div, curl, continuity equation, standard tricks of `closing' and `collapsing' surfaces

when using divergence and Stokes theorems

Mathematica demo (typically the class after midterms):

1) Using Mathematica

2) Fourier series

3) numerical solution of nonlinear DE-s

Physics 2150-1 and 2160-1: Experimental Modern Physics

For Plan 3 physics majors, Physics 2150 and 2160 must both be taken.

A) Course offered typically: Fall, Spring

B) Prerequisites - Physics 1120 and 1140

Corequisite - Normally to be taken concurrently with Physics 2130 or Physics 2170, but not required.

C) Representative Texts

J. R. Taylor, "Error Analysis"

D) Weekly Schedule -

One two-hour lab each week, and a one-hour lecture each week for the first 4 to 6 weeks.

E) Description

This course is an introduction to the techniques of experimental modern physics, including emphasis on error analysis. On the average, each experiment requires two 2-hour periods. In the report for each experiment, students are expected to describe the observed phenomena and give a detailed analysis of the errors that arise from the measurements and from the analysis.

Physics 2160-1: Students do another full set of Physics 2150 experiments (7 different labs from those previously completed).

List of experiments available

l. e/m of electrons

2. Millikan oil-drop

3. Michelson Interferometer

4. Franck-Hertz Experiment

5. Rest mass and lifetime of the K^o

6. Photoelectric effect

7. Compton effect

8. Electron diffraction

9. Balmer series

10. Radioactive decay

11. Nuclear magnetic resonance

12. Normal Zeeman Effect

13. The Hall Effect

Physics 2170-3: Foundations of Modern Physics - (Third Semester - Calculus Based)

For physics majors in plans 1 and 2 and those studying computer applications in physics.

A) Course offered typically: Fall, Spring

B) Prerequisite - Physics 1120 and 1140

Corequisite - MATH 2400 or APPM 2350: Normally to be taken with Physics 2150, but not required.

C) Representative Texts

Gasiorowicz - "Structure of Matter"

Eisberg - "Quantum Physics Atoms, Molec. Solids"

Taylor & Zafiratos - "Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers"

D) Weekly Schedule - Three lectures a week

E) Description - Completes the three-semester sequence of general physics. Emphasizes developing skills for physics majors. Includes relativity, quantum mechanics and atomic structure.

F) Topics

1. Galilean relativity and frames of reference.

2. Einstein's postulates and consequences-time dilation and length contraction.

3. Lorentz transformations.

4. Relativistic kinematics and mechanics

5. Blackbody radiation and history of quantization of energy

6. Rutherford scattering and nuclear atom.

7. de Broglie waves and particle-wave duality.

8. Schrödinger equation and wave function.

9. Simple systems - one dimensional problems

10. Harmonic oscillator using differential-equation.

11. Three dimensional box.

12. Atomic structure: 3-D Schrödinger equation with Coulomb potential.

Physics 2840, or 4840/ 4850/ 4860: Independent Study (Variable Credit)

Selected topics for undergraduate independent study.

Physics 2900-4: Science, Computer Images and the Internet

A) Course offered typically: Fall

B) Prerequisites - Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematical Skills, QRMS 1010 or 2380 or

equivalent skill level. Satisfies Arts & Sciences Core Natural Science Requirement.

C) Representative Texts

“Mapping the Next Millennium”, Stephen S. Hall, Vintage Books, 1993.

“How Computer Graphics Work”, Jeff Prosise, Ziff-Davis Press, 1994.

D) Weekly Schedule - Lecture usually twice a week for an 1 hr, 15 minutes plus lab.

E) Description

Computer classroom overview for non-specialists of how quantitative scientific information is visualized using color images. Internet basics are covered and graphics are downloaded and processed. MacIntosh lab projects use Netscape, Photoshop, Powerpoint.

F) Topics

1. Voyage, Landsat, Seasat and Nimbus satellites and remote sensing of the solar system, earth’s landmass, oceans, atmosphere and biomass. Ozone depletion. Spectral imaging.

2. Computer models and computer simulations of atmospheric global warming.

3. Radio astronomy and molecular clouds

4. Tomographic imagery in geophysics and medicine. Seismic mapping of Earth’s mantle convection. Medical CAT, MRI and PET scan imagery.

5. Molecular biology visualizations. DNA-protein interaction. Gene mapping via RFLP’s. X-ray crystallography.

6. Mathematical images. Fractal maps and chaos. Universality. Strange attractors.

7. Visualization in physics: Scanning probe microscopy of atomic surfaces. Particle physics, Feynman diagrams, bubble chambers and other detectors.

Physics 3050-3: Writing in Physics

A) Course offered typically: Spring

B) Prerequisite - Physics 2130 or Physics 2170 AND the lower division core writing requirement.

C) Representative Texts - Perelman, Paradis and Barrett, “The Mayfield Handbook of Technical and Scientific Writing” 1998.

D) Weekly Schedule - Lecture Tuesday Thursday, one hour 15 minutes.

E) Description - Problem solving and rhetoric. Teaches strategies used in scientific writing with an emphasis on argument, reviews and reinforces essential writing skills, provides experience in writing both academic and professional communications in a style appropriate to the literature of physics.

Physics 3070-3: Energy and the Environment

A) Course offered typically: Fall and Spring

B) Prerequisite - No background in physics or mathematics is required.

C) Representative Text

J. J. Kraushaar & R. A. Ristinen, "Energy and the Environment"

D) Weekly Schedule - Three lectures

E) Description - Contemporary issues in energy consumption and its environmental impact, including: fossil fuel use and depletion, nuclear energy and waste disposal; solar, wind, hydroelectric and other renewable sources; home heating; energy storage; fuel cells; and alternative transportation vehicles. Included are some basic physical concepts and principles that often constrain choices. Approved for Arts and Sciences core curriculum: natural science.

F) Topics

1. Basics of power and energy, conservation, conversion

2. Fossil fuels: coal, oil, natural gas, alternate fossil

3. Heat engines, Carnot efficiency

4. Passive solar, solar thermal and photovoltaic

5. Hydroelectric and tidal

6. Wind

7. Ocean thermal, geothermal

8. Radioactivity, nuclear reactors;

9. Public health: natural radiation, plant accidents, fallout

10. Nuclear waste storage, nuclear fusion

11. Transportation: energy requirements, fuel cells, hybrids, batteries, alcohol

12. Atmosphere: composition, inversion and smog

13. Carbon dioxide, sulfur and nitrogen oxides, acid rain

14. Ozone hole

15. Global warming

Physics 3210-3: Analytical Mechanics

A) Course offered typically: Fall, Spring

B) Prerequisites - Physics 2170 and APPM 2360

C) Representative Text - G. R. Fowles, "Analytical Mechanics", 3rd Edition

D) Weekly Schedule - Three lectures

E) Description

Classical mechanics is developed from Newton's laws to Hamilton's principle and Lagrange's equations. The theory is applied to oscillatory motion, orbital motion and scattering by central forces, simple rigid-body motion, small oscillations and wave propagation.

F) Topics

1. Review of vector analysis, various coordinate systems (rectangular, plane-polar, cylindrical and spherical), kinematics

2. Newtonian mechanics in one dimension; momentum, kinetic energy and potential energy, motion with constant forces and with velocity-dependent forces, harmonic motion

3. Newtonian mechanics in three dimensions; angular momentum and torque, conservation of momentum, angular momentum and energy

4. Non-inertial reference systems; statics and dynamics in accelerating reference systems, Coriolis forces, projectile motion, the Foucault pendulum

5. Central forces and planetary motion; gravitational forces and gravitational potential energy, conservation of angular momentum, Kepler's laws, Rutherford scattering

6. Systems of two and more particles; center of mass, linear and angular momenta, reduced mass of two interacting particles, two-body collisions, laboratory and center-of-mass coordinate systems, motion of bodies with variable mass, rocket motion

7. Mechanics of rigid bodies; motion of the center-of-mass, moment of inertia, angular momentum, translational and rotational kinetic energy, examples of rigid body motion

8. Lagrangian mechanics; generalized coordinates and generalized forces, Lagrange's equations, applications of Lagrange's equations including some which emphasize the simplicity of the approach in comparison with the use of Newton's Second Law, the Hamiltonian and Hamilton's equations

9. Theory of small vibrations; potential energy, equilibrium and stability, Lagrange's equations for oscillatory systems, oscillatory systems with one degree of freedom, coupled oscillators, vibrations of a loaded string, vibrations of continuous system, the classical wave equation, traveling and standing wave solutions to the classical wave equation

Physics 3220-3: Quantum Mechanics and Atomic Physics I

A) Course offered typically: Fall, Spring

B) Prerequisite - Physics 3210

C) Representative Text

J. S. Townsend, "A Modern Approach to Quantum Mechanics"

S. Gasiorowicz, "Quantum Physics"

D) Weekly Schedule - Three lectures

E) Description - This is the first semester of a two semester sequence (with PHYS 4410) which develops quantum mechanics and its application to the structure of the atom. Physics 3320 covers a coherent subset of this material so that it can stand on its own if the student elects not to take Physics 4410. Its culmination is the quantitative approximate ("lowest order") description of one-electron atoms.

F) Topics

1. Systems of two discrete quantum states, state vectors, basis states

2. Quantum operators and their matrix representations; change of basis

3. Observables and expectation values

4. Rotation operator s, angular momentum, commutation relations, ladder operators

5. The Hamiltonian operator and time evolution

6. Spin precession in magnetic fields; paramagnetic and nuclear magnetic resonance

7. Addition of angular momentum in quantum mechanics

8. Wave mechanics in one dimension; wave packets; Fourier series and integrals; Dirac delta function; uncertainty principle

9. Eigenfunctions and eigenvalues; stationary state wave functions

10. Particle flux; scattering in one dimension

11. The simple harmonic oscillator

12. Two body systems, center of mass coordinates, conservation of angular momentum

13. Schrödinger equation in three dimensions; central potentials

14. The hydrogen atom in lowest order

Physics 3310-3: Principles of Electricity and Magnetism 1

A) Course offered typically: Fall, Spring

B) Prerequisites - Physics 2170 and APPM 2360

Corequisite - Physics 3210

C) Representative Texts

Reitz, Milford & Christry, "Foundations of Electromagnetic Theory"

Lorrain and Corson, "Electromagnetic Fields and Waves"

D) Weekly Schedule - Three lectures

E) Description

In this two-semester sequence (Physics 3310 and 3320), the formal framework of E & M theory is developed through Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic waves. Applications of the theory to physical phenomena are developed. Vector calculus and other mathematical methods will be developed as needed

F) Topics

1. Electrostatics; Coulomb's law, electric field, electrostatic multipole expansion and the electric dipole, Poisson's equation, Laplace's equation

2. Electrostatic problems; separable solutions of Laplace's equation, boundary value problems, method of images, solutions of Poisson's equation

3. Dielectric media; polarization, electric field, electric displacement, Gauss's law, susceptibility and dielectric constant, boundary value problems, microscopic theory of dielectrics

4. Electrostatic energy; energy of charge distributions, energy density in the field, systems of conductors and capacitance, forces and torques

5. Electric currents; equation of continuity, Ohm's law, EMF, continuous media and boundary-value problems

6. D.C. circuits; voltage and current sources, Kirchhoff's laws circuit analysis by nodal and mesh methods, four-terminal networks, circuit theorems (superposition), Thevenin's theorem, Norton's theorem, reciprocity and maximum power transfer

7. Magnetostatics; Lorentz force equation, forces on current-carrying conductors, Biot-Savart Law, Ampere's law, magnetic vector potential, magnetic-dipole approximation to current loop

8. Magnetic properties of matter; magnetization, equivalent currents, the H field, susceptibility, permeability, hysteresis, magnetic scalar potential, boundary conditions, magnetic circuits, boundary value problems

Physics 3320-3: Principles of Electricity and Magnetism 2

A) Course offered typically: Fall, Spring

B) Prerequisite - Physics 3310

C) Representative Text - The text for Physics 3320 will be the same as the text used in Physics 3310

D) Weekly Schedule - Three lectures

E) Description - This course is a continuation of Physics 3310.

F) Topics

1. Electromagnetic Induction; Faraday's law, self-inductance, mutual inductance

2. Magnetic Energy; energy of coupled circuits, energy density in the magnetic field, forces and torques, hysteresis loss

3. Microscopic theory of magnetic properties; diamagnetism, paramagnetism, ferromagnetism

4. A.C. circuits; transient and steady state responses of circuits containing L, C, and R, complex quantities, impedance, phase, power factor, resonance, circuit analysis, mutual inductance and transformers

5. Maxwell's Equations; displacement current, review of relations leading to Maxwell's equations, E.M. energy and Poynting's vector, wave equation, boundary condition

6. Plane waves, reflection and refraction at dielectric interfaces, Snells' law, Brewster's angle, total internal reflection, Fresnel equations

7. Waveguides and transmission lines

8. Radiation from electric and magnetic dipoles and from an accelerated charge

The total list of topics in the two courses Physics 3310-3320 is more important than the exact topic where the break appears between the syllabi of the two courses. Occasionally, instructors have found time, after completing topic 8, to include discussions of one or more of the following: relativity, ferromagnetism, plasmas, or superconductors.

Physics 3330-2: Junior Laboratory

A) Course offered typically: Fall

B) Prerequisites - Physics 2130 or 2170 and Physics 2150

Corequisites - Physics 3310

C) Representative Texts

Laboratory notes are provided

Reference Texts

Brophy, "Basic Electronics for Scientists

Horowitz & Mill, "The Art of Electronics"

D) Weekly Schedule - One lecture plus one 3-hour lab

E) Description

This course combines the use of electronics with appropriate transducers to examine phenomena in thermal and solid state physics, optical communication and nuclear particle detection. Students acquire basic skills in circuit-building and in use of modern electronic research instruments. This knowledge is applied to various experiments that students themselves design and build. The course concludes with a project symposium at which project results are presented by the students.

F) Topics:

1. DC and AC electrical circuits; oscilloscope, RLC networks

2. Transistor amplifiers

3. Integrated circuit operational amplifiers; negative feedback

4. Positive feedback; oscillators

5. Transducer readout; photodetectors, particle detectors, magnetic field measurement, etc.

6. Digital logic elements and circuits

7. Project experiment - Students perform a project experiment of their own design, employing electrical, thermal, mechanical, or optical measurement techniques.

The project experiments in Physics 3330 require a ten-minute oral report prepared and presented in the style of contributed papers at a meeting of the American Physical Society.

Physics 3340-3: Introduction to Research in Optical Physics

A) Course typically offered: Spring

B) Prerequisites - Physics 3330

C) Representative Texts

Laboratory notes are provided

Reference Texts

Heavens & Ditchburn, "Insight into Optics"

Wilford, "Optics"

D) Weekly Schedule - Two lectures plus one 3-hour lab.

E) Description

Students design and build their own experiments using a modular type of optical research kit. Experiments cover basic research methods in instrument design, laser physics, Fourier optics, holography, spectroscopy and interferometry. Students learn how to plan major projects and evaluate critically the significance of results. The course concludes with a 4-week major project.

F) Topics

1. Absolute measurements (Faraday)

2. Optical imaging

3. Diffraction and Fourier optics

4. Interferometry

5. Project experiment and oral presentation

The project experiments in Physics 3340 require a ten-minute oral report prepared and presented in the style of contributed papers at a meeting of the American Physical Society.

Physics 4110-3/ 5110-3: Analytical Techniques for Materials Analysis

A) Typically given:

B) Prerequisites: PHYS 3220 or consent of the Instructor, Recommended prerequisite PHYS 4340.

C) Representative Texts: Material will be taken from a combination of sources, including Feldman and Mayer, “Physics of Modern Materials Analysis”, Brundle and Baker, “Electron Spectroscopy: Theory, Techniques and Applications” or Cullity, “Elements of X-Ray Diffraction”.

D) Weekly Schedule:

E) Description: This lecture and lab-based course covers the physical principles and applications of standard analytical techniques for materials such as X-ray diffraction, photoemission spectroscopy, Auger spectroscopy, Scanning Tunneling MICROSCOPY, Atomic Force Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, etc.

F) Topics:

1. Review of the solid state, Crystal structure, electronic structure and energy levels

2. Determination of structure of materials, diffraction for determination of long-range order and crystal structure-X-ray, electron 4-circle diffraction, powder diffraction;

Physics 4130-3/5130-3: Biological Electron Microscopy - Principles and Recent Advances:

Same as MCDB 4130 and MCDB 5130 - always taught by MCDB.

Covers basic mechanisms for imaging and recent advances used in current biological research, elements

of electron optics, image optimization, resolution, radiation damage, various imaging modes (TEM, HVEM,

SEM, STEM, STM), specimen quantization and reconstruction (stereo and 3D), microanalysis, and

electron diffraction. Specimen preparation treated only incidentally. Prereq., one of the following: MCDB

1150, EPOB 1220, MCDB 4500, PHYS 1120 or 2020, or instructor consent. Same as MCDB 5130 and PHYS 4130. Prereq. MCDB 1150 OR EPOB 1220 or MCDB 4500/5500 or PHYS 1120 or 2020, or Instructor consent. Same as MCDB 5130, PHYS 4130/5130.

Physics 4150-3 - Plasma Physics

A) Course offered typically: Fall

B) Prerequisites - PHYS 1110 and 1120, and MATH 2400 or APPM 2350. Prerequisite or Corequisite

PHYS 3310.

C) Representative Text:

“Introduction to Plasma Physics & Controlled Fusion, Vol. 2, by F. Chen, Plenum.

D) Weekly Schedule - Three lectures

E) Description

Discusses the fundamentals of plasma physics and presents examples from space plasmas, astrophysical plasma, laboratory fusion plasma, and plasma in accelerators.

F) Topics

1. Particle motion in electromagnetic fields

2. wave propagation

3. Collisions

4. Diffusion

5. Resistivity

Physics 4230-3: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics

A) Course offered typically: Spring

B) Prerequisites - Physics 3210, APPM 2360

C) Representative Texts

Kittel and Kroemer, "Thermal Physics"

W.G.V. Rosser, "Introduction to Statistical Physics"

F. Reif, "Fundamentals of Statistical and Thermal Physics"

D) Weekly Schedule - Three lectures

E) Description

This is an introduction to Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics. The necessary elements of quantum mechanics are introduced in an ad hoc fashion. Applications to ideal gases, phase transitions, chemical equilibrium, kinetic theory and paramagnetism are included.

F) Topics

1. Macroscopic systems, thermodynamic variables

2. Ideal gases

3. Heat engines

4. Chemical equilibrium

5. Phase transitions, homogeneous functions

6. Statistical methods and applications to systems of particles

7. Ensembles and distributions

8. Kinetic theory

9. Transport phenomena

10. Low temperature physics and/or irreversible thermodynamics

Physics 4300-3: Dynamics of Fluids - Same as ASTR 4300.

This course describes the fundamentals of fluid dynamics, particularly recent developments in topics

of physical interest such as boundary layers; thermal convection in earth's mantle, oceans, atmosphere, and the sun; compressible flows; magnetohydrodynamics; turbulence; chaos; superfluids, ferrofluids; non-

Newtonian fluids. Prereqs math 2400 or APPM 2350, APPM 2360, PHYS 3210, PHYS 3310, PHYS 3320.

Physics 4340-3: Solid State Physics

A) Course offered typically: Spring

B) Prerequisites - Physics 3220, 3320, and 4230

C) Representative Texts

Ashcroft and Mermin, "Solid State Physics"

Kittel: "Introductory Solid State Physics"

D) Weekly Schedule - Three lectures

E) Description - This course is designed to introduce the student to the basic physics of solid state phenomena. The course is intended primarily for senior physics majors.

F) Topics

1. Lattice structures

2. The reciprocal lattice

3. Scattering as a probe of crystal lattice structure

4. Consequences of translational invariance

5. Lattice dynamics, quantization of lattice modes, the phonon

6. Electron band theory of solids; the free electron model

7. Electron dynamics in solids

8. Band structure of metals

9. Band structure of semiconductors

10. Magnetism in solids

11. Superconductivity

Physics 4410-3: Quantum Mechanics and Atomic Physics 2

A) Course offered typically: Fall and Spring

B) Prerequisites - Physics 3220, 3320

C) Representative Texts

J. S. Townsend, "A Modern Approach to Quantum Mechanics"

S. Gasiorowicz, "Quantum Physics"

D) Weekly Schedule - Three lectures

E) Description - This is the second semester of a two-semester sequence (with PHYS 3220) which develops quantum mechanics and its application to the structure of the atom. In this course quantum mechanics is extended to include interactions with external forces, the periodic table, and dynamical processes including electromagnetic transition rates and selection rules.

F) Topics

l. Interaction of an electron with a static magnetic field; Zeeman effect.

2. Time-independent perturbation theory; degenerate states; Stark effect.

3. Corrections to the hydrogen atom: fine and hyperfine structure.

4. Multiparticle systems; identical particles; exclusion principle.

5. Helium atom.

6. Systems of higher atomic number; periodic table; spectroscopy.

7. Time-dependent perturbation theory, phase space; transition amplitudes.

8. Radiative transitions in atoms; decay rates and line widths.

Physics 4420-3: Nuclear and Particle Physics

A) Course offered typically: Spring

B) Prerequisites - Physics 4410

C) Representative Texts

Eisberg & Rresnick, "Fundamentals of Modern Physics"

Perkins, "Introduction to High Energy Physics"

D) Weekly Schedule - Three lectures

E) Description

This one semester course introduces the structure of the atomic nucleus, spectroscopy of sub-nuclear particles, scattering, reactions, radioactive decay, and the fundamental interactions of quarks and leptons. Quantum mechanical concepts and techniques learned in Physics 3220 and 4410 will be further developed and applied to problems in this domain.

F) Topics

1. X-rays

2. Properties of nuclear forces; range, size of nucleus, charge independence and isotopic spin, exchange forces

3. Nuclear scattering, the deuteron

4. Stability of nuclei; semi-empirical Weizacker mass formula

5. Nuclear models; shell model, liquid drop model, alpha particle model

6. Radioactivity; photon transitions, alpha decay, penetration of barriers, fission, fusion, beta-decay

7. Nuclear reactions; modification of scattering formalism in presence of inelastic channels, the compound nucleus, branching ratio, Breit-Wigner resonance

8. Elementary particles; fermions, bosons, classification of particles as leptons, mesons, baryons, selection rules, lepton conservation, strangeness, conservation in strong interactions; associated production, use of isotopic spin conservation in the strong interactions

9. Decays of elementary particles; pure leptonic, semi-leptonic and non-leptonic decays

l0. C-, P-, T-symmetry

l1. The K^o, K^o system

l2. Quark model: description of quarks

Physics 4430-3: Introduction to Research in Modern Physics

Cross listed: Same as Physics 5430

A) Course offered typically: Spring

B) Prerequisites - Physics 3310 and 3320

Corequisite - Physics 4410

C) Representative Texts - "Experiments in Modern Physics" by A. C. Melissinos

D) Weekly Schedule - One three-hour laboratory period

E) Description:

This is a one-semester laboratory course for seniors majoring in physics. In this course, students become familiar with a variety of experiments and modern experimental methods in atomic, solid state, optical, nuclear, and high energy physics. The students use research-quality apparatus and perform experiments of sufficient sophistication to give an introduction to experimental physics at a professional level. The importance of quantitative data analysis is emphasized.

There are 4 or 5 sections of the course scheduled each semester with up to 8 students per section. Each section is divided into two groups of 2, 3, or 4 students and each of these groups works with an instructor on a sequence of experiments. A faculty member supervises each section. A one-hour lecture on topics in experimental physics is given each week.

F) Topics

1. Nuclear physics; gamma ray spectroscopy, the mass of the neutron, muon half-life measurement

2. Atomic physics, optical pumping, atom trapping.

3. Solid state physics; pulsed NMR, EPR, Mossbauer Effect.

4. Electronics, pulse propagation, microwaves.

Physics 4450/5450-3: History and Philosophy of Physics

Cross listed: Same as Physics 5450 and PHIL 4450/5450

A) Course offered typically: Spring

B) Prerequisites - One year of physics or instructor consent

C) Representative Texts

Hacking, "Representing and Intervening"

Galison, "How Experiments End"

D) Weekly Schedule - Two lectures; 1.3 hours each

E) Description

Topics vary from year to year and may include the role of experiment, studies in the history of physics, and scientific methodology.

F) Topics

1. Experimental observation in science (1 week)

2. The microscope as an example of experiment and observation

3. Measurement, the creation of phenomena, and scientific realism

4. Strategical demonstration and presuppositions (1 week)

5. Case studies: Gyromagnetic experiments, Cosmic rays, weak-neutral currents (3 weeks)

6. Theoretical and experimental cultures, the end of experiments (1 week)

7. The discovery and non-discovery of parity nonconservation, CP violation (1.5 weeks)

8. The roles of experiment, do experiments tell us about the world (1 week)

9. The Epistemology of experiment, fraud in science (1.5 weeks)

10. Other case studies: presented by graduate students (3 weeks)

Physics 4510-3: Optics

A) Course offered typically: Fall

B) Prerequisite - Physics 3320

C) Representative Texts

Hecht and Zajac, "Optics" (1974)

Supplementary Texts

Jenkins and White, "Fundamentals of Optics" 4th Ed. (1976)

Stone, "Radiation and Optics" (1963)

Born and Wolf, "Principles of Optics" 5th Ed. (1975)

D) Weekly Schedule - Three lectures

E) Description - The principles of optics are developed on the basis of Maxwell's equations.

F) Topics

1. Reflection and refraction (briefly, since this material is covered in Physics 3320)

2. Geometrical optics: lenses, mirrors and optical instruments, lens aberrations

3. Polarization

4. Anisotropic media, birefringence and optical activity Fourier Analysis

5. Fourier series, Fourier integrals, the power spectral density function and correlation functions and their applications in optics

6. Coherence and partial coherence, coherence time and coherence length

7. The Michelson and Fabry-Perot interferometers

8. Applications of interferometry: wavelength and length standards

9. Fraunhofer diffraction

10. Fresnel diffraction

11. Lasers

12. Applications in spectroscopy, light scattering and astronomy, as time permits

Physics 4610-2, 4620-2 and 4630-2: Physics Honors

Physics and Engineering Physics majors may graduate with an honors designation on their diploma.

An honors designation is only achievable by the completion of an original piece of work. A senior thesis must be submitted, with typical lengths anywhere from 20 to 100 pages. An oral defense of the thesis also must be given to a committee of three faculty members. Typically the presentations last for 40 minutes.

The thesis will be directed by a faculty member from physics or any of the associated departments, including APS, CASA, JILA or possibly even a research lab such as NIST or NREL. The physics department honors chair can play a helpful role in directing students towards potential advisors.

The first order determination for graduation with honors is based upon the GPA:

GPA > 3.8 Summa Cum Laude

GPA > 3.5 Magna Cum Laude

GPA > 3.3 Cum Laude

However, a GPA of 4.0 with no honors thesis will not earn an honors designation, nor will a 4.0 GPA with a very poor quality thesis earn a designation. An especially high quality thesis will often bump a student up from one designation to another - for instance a student with a 3.4 and a very strong thesis may earn a Magna or possibly even a summa designation. It is for this reason that we open enrollment in PHYS 4610/4620/4630 to students with a GPA > 3.0.

There will be twice-monthly hour-long honors meetings which all enrolled students are required to attend. The students will rotate through giving 20 minute oral presentations of their research to their peers.

To graduate with an honors designation students should enroll in at least one semester of honors, although two or three are more usual.

Physics 4801-3 and 5001-3: Computational Physics

A) Course offered typically: intermittently

B) Prerequisite: Recommended Physics 4230. Prereq. PHYS 2170, PHYS 3210, CSCI 1200 OR

Programming Experience; or Instructor Consent.

C) Representative Texts: “Computational Physics”, N. J. Giordono, (1997)

“Numerical Recipes: The Art of Scientific Computing”, 2^nd Ed.

D) Description:

This course is an introduction to computational physics emphasizing research relevant material. Topics covered with include: nonlinear dynamics, wave equations (including quantum), spectral methods, random processes, diffusion, Monte-Carlo methods, molecular dynamics, the Ising model, and phase transitions. In addition select interdisciplinary topics are covered such as neural networks and protein folding. Motivated by applications, the course will cover the numerical solution of initial-value Monte-Carlo methods. Students will learn by doing substantial projects that involve writing computer programs and diagnosing simulation data. Lectures and examples will help set the theoretical framework.

Though not the main point of the course, students gain a working knowledge of IDL (Interactive Data Language) which is a powerful tool for visualization, graphics, and data environment available at this time since the university has a software site license. Scientists planning to do experimental work or computing will benefit enormously from a working knowledge of software of this type. Other self-contained languages could easily be used, such as Matlab or Mathematica.

E) Topics

1. Introduction to IDL programing, finite difference methods for initial-value ordinary differential equations, accuracy, stability and convergence.

2. Dynamical Systems, damped-driven pendulum, Lorenz equations, surface of sections and bifurcation diagrams.

3. Finite difference methods for the wave equation, von Neumann stability analysis.

4. Wave equations, frequency spectra, dispersion, spectral methods, Burger’s equation and nonlinearities.

5. Stochastic processes, diffusion, Fokker-Planck theory, statistical noise, Monte Carlo integration, and finite-difference solution to the heat equation.

6. Diffusion limited aggregation, percolation, Ising model, mean-field theory and phase transitions.

7. Molecular dynamics and other particle simulation methods.

8. Solution to the Schrodinger equation, shooting methods, Crank-Nicholson methods, spectral method.

9. Interdisciplinary topics: protein folding and neural networks.

Physics 4810/ 4820/ 4830: Special Topics in Physics (Variable Credit)

These courses cover various topics in physics which are not normally in the curriculum. The credit is variable. The courses are given if there is sufficient demand and if instructors are available to teach them.

Physics 4970-3 and 5970-3: Seminar on Physical Methods in Biology - Same as MCDB 4970 & 5970.

Covers basic mechanisms and applications of physical methods used in current biological research,

microprobe analysis and EELS, elementary electron and x-ray crystallography, biomedical imaging (NM, MRI, PET, CAT), Fourier analysis, synchrotron radiation, EXAFS, neutron scattering, and novel ultramicroscopy techniques. Includes lectures, student presentations, and occasional demonstrations. Emphasis depends on student interest. Prereqs., MCDB 1050 or 3120 and/or PHYS 1120 and 1140 or 3010 and 3020, or instructor consent. Same as MCDB 5970 and PHYS 4970. Prereqs MCDB 1050 or 3120 and/or PHYS 1120, 1140 or 3010, 3020 or Instructor Consent. Same as MCDB 5970, PHYS 4970/5970.