School of Science and Engineering: Physics and Astronomy
2008-2009 Academic Year
679
effort with the aim to manipulate and control matter at length scales down to
single molecules and atoms and thus to create materials and devices with novel
properties. With diminishing dimensions material properties are being governed
by quantum mechanics. The description and exploitation of quantum phenomena
in novel devices is the quintessence of nanophysics. Consequently, the main
emphasis of this course is to give an overview of the physics of low dimensional
solid state systems. This course is supplementary to courses in solid state physics
and surface science but can be taken independently. Same as ENGP 360.
PHYS 363 Electromagnetic Theory I (3)
Staff. Prerequisites: PHYS 131, 132, and Mathematics 221 or equivalent. Three
lecture hours and one conference hour a week. Electrostatic fields in a vacuum,
dielectric materials, solutions to Laplace's and Poisson's equations, steady current
and non-magnetic materials, low frequency circuit theory, Maxwell's equations.
PHYS 374 Classical Mechanics (3)
Staff. Prerequisites: PHYS 131, 132, and MATH 221. Three lecture hours and one
conference hour a week. Newtonian mechanics, oscillations, central force motion,
special theory of relativity, dynamics of rigid bodies, and the Lagrangian
formulation of classical mechanics.
PHYS 380 Seminar (1)
Staff. Prerequisite: junior standing or departmental approval. A series of
undergraduate and faculty seminars emphasizing topics and points of view not
covered in the standard curriculum, but which are nonetheless important to the
education of a physicist. Required of all majors.
PHYS 388 Writing Practicum (1)
Staff. Corequisite: three-credit departmental course. Prerequisite: successful
completion of the First-Year Writing Requirement. Fulfills the college intensive-
writing requirement.
PHYS 391 Special Topics in Physics (3)
Staff. Special topics in physics depending upon faculty and student interest.
PHYS 423 Thermal Physics (3)
Staff. Prerequisites: PHYS 121 and 122, or 131 and 132. A study of the physical
properties of matter where temperature is an important variable. The laws of
thermodynamics, equations of state, thermodynamic potentials. Kinetic theory of
gases. Elementary statistical postulates. Ensembles, the partition function.
Entropy, phase transitions.
PHYS 447 Introductory Quantum Mechanics (3)
Prof. Rosensteel. Prerequisites: PHYS 235 and Mathematics 221. The postulates
of quantum mechanics, Schroedinger equation, operator methods, angular
momentum, fermion and boson systems, and Heisenberg formulations,
applications to simple physical systems.
PHYS 465 Optics (3)
Staff. Prerequisites: PHYS 121 and 122, or 131 and 132, and eight credits of
mathematics. Geometrical, physical, and quantum optics. Applications to optical