School of Science and Engineering: Physics and Astronomy
2008-2009 Academic Year
680
instruments, spectroscopy, and interferometry, Fourier optics, lasers, and
holography.
PHYS H491, H492 Independent Studies (1-3, 1-3)
Staff. Prerequisite: approval of instructor and chair of department.
PHYS H499-H500 Honors Thesis (3, 4)
Staff. Open only to candidates for honors degrees with department approval.
PHYS 601 Techniques of Theoretical Physics I (3)
Prof. MacLaren, Prof. McGuire. Prerequisite: approval of instructor.
Mathematical techniques used in theoretical physics. Topics include partial
differential equations, orthogonal coordinate systems, separation of variables,
introduction to ordinary differential equations, series solutions and convergence;
Sturm Liouville theory, eigensystems and orthogonal functions; complex
variables, Taylor and Laurent series, contour integration, integration by steepest
descents, and conformal mappings.
PHYS 602 Techniques of Theoretical Physics II (3)
Prof. MacLaren, Prof. McGuire. A continuation of Physics 601. Calculus of
variations, Rayleigh Ritz technique, Bessel and Legendre functions, Fourier
series, Fourier and Laplace transforms, Green functions. An introduction to group
theory and symmetry.
PHYS 607 Astrophysics (3)
Prof. Purrington, Prof. Tipler. Fundamentals of stellar atmospheres and interiors:
nuclear astrophysics, energy generation in stars, stellar evolution, nucleo-
synthesis, and theories of supernovae. Gravitational collapse and properties of
superdense stars. Galactic structure and evolution, elements of cosmology.
PHYS 608 Surface Science (3)
Prof. Diebold. Prerequisite: approval of instructor. Introduction to current topics
of surface and interface physics and applications. Methods and techniques of
modern surface science, experimental requirements and applications. Concepts of
two-dimensional physics and chemistry, properties of surfaces and model
systems.
PHYS 621 Molecular Biophysics and Polymer Physics (3)
See Physics 321 for description.
PHYS 625 The Standard Model (3)
Prof. Purrington, Prof. Tipler. Prerequisite: PHYS 447. Unification of the strong,
weak, and electro-magnetic interactions, based on the U(1) x SU(2) x SU(3)
gauge group. Introduction to quantum field theory and the Feynman rules. Gauge
invariance and non-Abelian Gauge Theories. The Standard Model Lagrangian.
Electroweak theory and quantum chromodynamics. Masses and the Higgs
mechanism. W and Z boson widths and decay channels. Quarks, gluons,
confinement, and jets. Mesons, baryons, and glueballs. The Higgs boson. Running
coupling constants in QED and QCD. Quark mixing angles, CP violation, and
KM matrix. Beyond the Standard Model: grand unification, supersymmetry,
supergravity, and superstrings.