Physics and Astronomy

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Physics and Astronomy Courses

Prerequisites and corequisites are specified as guides and may be waived by the instructor. Courses 029:003, 029:006, 029:008, 029:011, 029:012, 029:027, 029:028, 029:044, 029:050, 029:051, 029:052, 029:061, 029:062, 029:081, 029:082, and 029:084 are approved for the natural sciences component of College of Liberal Arts and Sciences General Education Program.

Physics, Primarily for Undergraduates

029:001 Selected Topics in Physics	arr.

029:002 Nanoscience	3 s.h.
Properties of very small materials and structures; unique properties emerging at a length scale of one billionth of a meter, or one nanometer.

029:003 From Quarks to Quasars	3-4 s.h.
Conceptual explanation of the latest discoveries in physics--from the smallest objects, such as quarks and atoms, to the largest, such as galaxies, black holes, and quasars; for nonscience majors. GE: natural sciences.

029:006 Physics of Everyday Experience	3 s.h.
Principles of physics for nonscience majors; basic motion, behavior of fluids, waves, temperature and heat, gravity and planetary motion, electricity and magnetism, optics, nuclear energy, radioactivity, and medical imaging technology; examples from everyday experience. GE: natural sciences.

029:008 Basic Physics	3-4 s.h.
Quantitative treatment of mechanics, electricity, heat, liquids, gases, and atomic, nuclear, and elementary particle physics. GE: natural sciences. Prerequisite: 22M:005 or equivalent; closed to students who have taken 029:011 or 029:012.

029:011 College Physics I	4 s.h.
Mechanics, waves, thermodynamics, special relativity. GE: natural sciences. Prerequisite: 22M:005 or equivalent.

029:012 College Physics II	4 s.h.
Continuation of 029:011; electricity, magnetism, light, modern physics. GE: natural sciences. Prerequisite: 029:011.

029:027 Physics I	4 s.h.
Newtonian mechanics for point particles and rigid bodies; conservation laws. Offered fall semesters. GE: natural sciences. Prerequisite: physics or astronomy major. Corequisite: 22M:025.

029:028 Physics II	4 s.h.
Continuation of 029:027; introduction to fluid mechanics, electricity, magnetism (Maxwell's equations). Offered spring semesters. GE: natural sciences. Prerequisites: physics or astronomy major and 029:027. Corequisite: 22M:026.

029:029 Physics III	4 s.h.
Continuation of 029:028; electromagnetic waves, optics; mechanical and sound waves; thermal physics. Offered fall semesters. Prerequisite: 029:028.

029:030 Physics IV	4 s.h.
Introduction to quantum mechanics and other topics in modern physics, including special relativity, atomic and solid state physics. Offered spring semesters. Prerequisites: 22M:026 and 029:029.

029:039 First-Year Seminar	1-2 s.h.
Small discussion class taught by a faculty member; topics chosen by instructor; may include outside activities (e.g., films, lectures, performances, readings, visits to research facilities). Prerequisite: first- or second-semester standing.

029:044 Physics of Sound	3-4 s.h.
Acoustical foundations of music; production of sound by vibrating objects, properties of sound waves, vocal acoustics, hearing, room acoustics, principles of electroacoustics. GE: natural sciences.

029:081 Introductory Physics I	4 s.h.
Mechanics, waves, thermodynamics. GE: natural sciences. Corequisite: 22M:025 or 22M:031.

029:082 Introductory Physics II	3-4 s.h.
Continuation of 029:081; electricity, magnetism, light. GE: natural sciences. Prerequisite: 029:081. Corequisite: 22M:026 or 22M:032.

029:083 Modern Physics	3 s.h.
Wave mechanics, hydrogen atom, atomic and molecular structure, solid state physics, special relativity; primarily for engineering students. Prerequisite: 029:028 or 029:082.

029:084 Introductory Physics II Lab	1 s.h.
Laboratory for 029:082. GE: natural sciences. Prerequisite: 3 s.h. in 029:082 or equivalent.

029:093 Reading in Physics	arr.

029:098 Undergraduate Seminar	arr.
Selected topics in physics or astronomy.

029:099 Honors Seminar	arr.
Supervised original research leading to written report, oral defense. Prerequisite: junior or senior honors standing in physics or astronomy.

Physics for Undergraduate and Graduate Students

029:103 Reading in Physics	arr.

029:105 Special Topics in Physics	arr.

029:115 Intermediate Mechanics	3 s.h.
Newtonian mechanics; noninertial reference systems; central forces, celestial mechanics; rigid body motion; Lagrangian, Hamiltonian equations of motion; small oscillations. Prerequisites: 22M:026, and 029:011 or 029:027 or 029:081.

029:118 Statistical Physics	3 s.h.
Integrated introduction to subjects of thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, kinetic theory; emphasis on applications. Prerequisites: 029:030 or 029:083, and 029:115.

029:128 Electronics	4 s.h.
Design and construction of small circuits; use of measurement instruments--oscilloscope, multimeter, function generator; circuits, including transistors, operational amplifiers, digital, analog-to-digital conversion; laboratory course for majors in UI science departments. Prerequisite: 029:012 or 029:028 or 029:082.

029:129 Electricity and Magnetism I	3 s.h.
Electrostatics, magnetic fields, introduction to Maxwell's equations. Prerequisites: 22M:028 or 22M:048, and 029:012 or 029:028 or 029:082.

029:130 Electricity and Magnetism II	3 s.h.
Continuation of 029:129; magnetism, electromagnetic waves, A.C. circuits, applications of Maxwell's equations to wave guides, antennas, optics, plasma physics, other topics. Prerequisite: 029:129.

029:132 Intermediate Laboratory	3 s.h.
Electricity; electronics; magnetism; optics; atomic, nuclear, solid state physics; techniques in data analysis, including error analysis. Prerequisites: 029:028 or 029:082, and 029:029 or 029:083. Corequisite: 029:129.

029:133 Advanced Laboratory	3 s.h.
Topics in electricity; electronics; magnetism; atomic, nuclear, plasma, solid state physics; techniques in data analysis, including error analysis.

029:140 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I	3 s.h.
Superposition principle, Stern-Gerlach experiment, linear operators, measurement theory, time evolution, angular momentum, wave mechanics in one dimension, one-dimensional harmonic oscillator, two-body problems with central forces, the hydrogen atom. Prerequisites: 029:030 or 029:083; 029:115; 22M:027 and 22M:028, or 22M:047 and 22M:048.

029:141 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics II	3 s.h.
Perturbation theory, variational methods, WKB approximation, scattering, Helium atom, periodic table, atomic spectroscopy, transition rates, other selected applications. Prerequisite: 029:140.

029:171 Mathematical Methods of Physics I	3 s.h.
Functions of complex variables, integration methods, linear vector spaces, tensors, matrix algebra. Prerequisite: 22M:028, or 22M:047 and 22M:048.

029:172 Mathematical Methods of Physics II	3 s.h.
Continuation of 029:171; Hilbert space, special functions, Fourier transform and expansions in orthogonal polynomials, differential equations, Green's functions. Prerequisite: 029:171.

029:180 Introductory Optics	3 s.h.
Geometrical and physical optics; interference; diffraction; polarization; microscopic origins of macroscopic optical properties of matter; optical activity; electro-optical, magneto-optical, acousto-optical phenomena; spontaneous Brillioun, Raman, Rayleigh scattering. Prerequisite: 029:130 or equivalent. Same as 055:177.

029:182 Electro-Optics	3 s.h.
Propagation, nonlinear effects in bounded structures; optical birefringence; dielectric waveguides, fibers; electro-optic, acousto-optic modulation; optical detection, noise. Prerequisite: 029:130 or equivalent. Same as 055:179.

029:184 Optical Signal Processing	3 s.h.
Linear optics from perspective of Fourier analysis; impulse response, convolution, transfer functions, coherence, interference, diffraction, image formation, Gaussian beam propagation, holography, sampling theory, optical information and signal processing. Prerequisite: 029:130 or equivalent. Same as 055:178.

029:192 Elementary Particles and Nuclear Physics	3 s.h.
Accelerators, particle detectors, passage of radiation through matter; nuclear structure, nuclear reactions; quark model of hadrons; strong, electromagnetic, weak interactions of elementary particles; gauge theories, intermediate vector bosons; unification of electromagnetic and weak interactions. Prerequisite: 029:140.

029:193 Introductory Solid State Physics	3 s.h.
Phenomena associated with solid state; classification of solids and crystal structures, electronic and vibrational properties in solids; thermal, optical, magnetic, dielectric properties of solids. Prerequisites: 029:140; and 22M:028, or 22M:047 and 22M:048. Same as 055:173.

029:194 Plasma Physics I	3 s.h.
Physics of ionized gases, including orbit theory, guiding center motion, adiabatic invariants, ionization balance description of plasmas by fluid variables and distribution functions; linearized wave motions, instabilities; magnetohydrodynamics. Prerequisite: 029:130.

029:195 Plasma Physics II	3 s.h.
Continuation of 029:194; linear, nonlinear solutions of the Vlasov equation, kinetic theory of plasmas, including Landau damping and velocity space instabilities. Prerequisite: 029:194.

029:196 Computational Physics	3 s.h.
Introduction to contemporary use of computers by physicists; topics such as numerical solutions of ordinary differential equations in classical mechanics, boundary value problems in electricity and magnetism, eigenvalue problems in quantum mechanics, Monte Carlo simulations in statistical mechanics, methods of data analysis. Prerequisites: 029:115, 029:129, and 029:140.

Physics, Primarily for Graduate Students

029:202 Workshops and Special Training in Physics	arr.
Workshops and special training opportunities for postbaccalaureate students; may include collaborations with other departments, institutions, or externally funded research organizations. Repeatable.

029:205 Classical Mechanics	3 s.h.
Dynamics of mass points; Lagrange multipliers, small oscillations, Hamilton's equations; canonical transformations, Hamilton-Jacobi theory; chaos. Prerequisite: 029:115.

029:206 Nonlinear Dynamics	3 s.h.
Deterministic approach of turbulence and chaotic dynamical systems; qualitative theory of ordinary differential equations, perturbation in classical mechanics, erogodicity, bifurcation, universal properties of discrete maps, intermittency, fractals, quantitative characterizations of chaos.

029:211 Mechanics of Continua	3 s.h.
Hydrostatics, dynamics of ideal fluids, both incompressible and compressible; viscous flow; classical theory of elasticity. Prerequisite: 029:205.

029:212 Statistical Mechanics I	3 s.h.
Probability concepts; kinetic equations; classical and quantum equilibrium statistical mechanics with applications, including ideal and imperfect gases and phase transitions, irreversible processes, fluctuation-dissipation theorems. Prerequisites: 029:118 and 029:140.

029:213 Classical Electrodynamics I	3 s.h.
Advanced electromagnetostatics, boundary value problems, Green's functions, Maxwell's equations, radiation theory, physical optics, multipole expansion of radiation field. Prerequisite: 029:130.

029:214 Classical Electrodynamics II	3 s.h.
Special relativity, motion of charges in fields, theories of radiation reaction, special topics. Prerequisite: 029:213.

029:220 Individual Critical Study	arr.
Essay on topic chosen in consultation with faculty member. Prerequisite: candidacy for M.S. with critical essay.

029:222 Nonlinear Optics	3 s.h.
Classical treatment of second- and third-order optical nonlinearities; phase matching, harmonic generation, three- and four-wave mixing, self-focusing, self-phase modulation, stimulated scattering of light, applications. Prerequisite: 029:130 or equivalent. Same as 055:276.

029:224 Laser Principles	3 s.h.
Laser theory, stimulated emission, dispersion theory, broadening mechanisms, rate equations, gain saturation, optical resonators, mode-locking, Q-switching techniques, survey of laser types, modes of operation. Prerequisite: 029:130 or equivalent. Same as 055:274.

029:225 Special Topics in Physics	arr.
Repeatable.

029:226 Quantum Electronics	3 s.h.
Field, particle quantization; interaction of EM, acoustic fields with matter; noise statistics; single- and multiple-photon processes; nonlinear optics; losses in quantum electronics systems. Prerequisites: 029:140 and 055:172. Same as 055:272.

029:228 Topics in Quantum Electronics	3 s.h.
Quantum optics, optical properties of matter, laser science, photonics. Repeatable. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

029:229 Semiconductor Physics	3 s.h.
Electronic, optical, and materials properties of semiconductors. Prerequisites: 029:193 and 029:246. Same as 055:273.

029:240 Medical Physics	4 s.h.
Interactions of radiation with matter, sources of radiation, dosimetry, applications of radiation and radioactivity in medicine. Prerequisite: 8 s.h. of physics or consent of instructor. Same as 077:211.

029:245 Quantum Mechanics I	3 s.h.
Nonrelativistic quantum mechanics, Schr:u.oedinger wave mechanics, Hilbert space methods, perturbation theory, scattering, spin and angular momentum, identical particles, selected applications, introduction to relativistic theory. Prerequisites: 029:140 and 029:141.

029:246 Quantum Mechanics II	3 s.h.
Continuation of 029:245. Prerequisite: 029:245.

029:247 Introduction to Quantum Field Theory	3 s.h.
Quantization of relativistic and nonrelativistic field theories, covariant perturbation theory, theory of renormalization, dimensional regularization, renormalization group theory, introduction to gauge theories and anomalies. Prerequisite: 029:246.

029:248 Quantum Gauge Theories	3 s.h.
Gauge invariance, introductory group theory, Yang-Mills theories, electroweak theory, quantum chromodynamics, running coupling constants, operator product expansions, Ward identities, spontaneous symmetry breaking, chiral anomalies, instantons, monopoles, effective Lagrangians, supersymmetry, quantum gravity, introduction to string theory. Repeatable. Prerequisite: 029:247.

029:261 Seminar: Plasma Physics	arr.
Current research. Same as 055:291.

029:262 Seminar: Solid State Physics	arr.
Current research.

029:266 Seminar: Space Physics	arr.
Current research.

029:267 Seminar: Nuclear Physics	arr.
Current research.

029:268 Seminar: Elementary Particle Physics	arr.
Current research.

029:271 Theoretical Solid State Physics I	3 s.h.
Central principles of the quantum theory of solids; lattice dynamics, electronic structure, optical properties, superconductivity, magnetism; emphasis on viewpoint of elementary excitations. Prerequisites: 029:193 and 029:246.

029:273 General Relativity and Cosmology	2-3 s.h.
Einstein's theory of gravitation; applications to astrophysics and cosmology. Repeatable.

029:275 Particle Physics	3 s.h.
Elementary particle properties and phenomenology, quark-parton models, quantum chromodynamics, unified theory of weak and electromagnetic interactions. Repeatable.

029:276 Special Topics in Quantum Mechanics	3 s.h.
Current topics in quantum mechanics, such as string theory, relativistic quantum mechanics, quantum gravity, axiomatic quantum field theory. Repeatable.

029:277 Special Topics in Condensed Matter	3 s.h.
Current topics, such as superconductivity and magnetism. Repeatable. Prerequisite: 029:271.

029:278 Solar-Terrestrial Physics	2-3 s.h.
Atmosphere of sun, radio and particle emissions therefrom; solar wind; origin and nature of geomagnetic field; upper atmosphere of Earth; magnetospheres of Earth and other planets; propagation of energetic particles in interplanetary medium and their access to Earth. Repeatable.

029:281 Research: Physics	arr.

029:294 Advanced Plasma Physics I	3 s.h.
Microscopic plasma behavior: statistical mechanics of plasmas; Liouville equation; BBGKY hierarchy; Fokker-Planck equation and relaxation processes; Balescu-Lenard equation; Vlasov equation and linearized wave motion; shocks, nonlinear plasma motions, and instabilities; fluctuations and radiation processes; topics from recent literature. Repeatable. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

Astronomy, Primarily for Undergraduates

029:050 Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe	3-4 s.h.
Survey of stars, galaxies, and the universe; life cycles of stars, including black holes and pulsars; diversity of galaxies, including the Milky Way and distant quasars; cosmology--the history, structure, and fate of the universe; current results from recent astronomical observations; night sky observation. GE: natural sciences. Prerequisite: closed to physics and astronomy majors.

029:051 Introductory Astronomy Laboratory	1 s.h.
Laboratory for 029:050. GE: natural sciences. Prerequisite: 3 s.h. in 029:050 or equivalent.

029:052 Exploration of the Solar System	3 s.h.
Survey of the solar system; physical properties of the planets, comets, and asteroids; origin of the solar system; search for extrasolar planetary systems; search for life in the universe; current results of recent planetary space missions; night sky observation. GE: natural sciences. Prerequisite: closed to physics and astronomy majors.

029:061 General Astronomy I	4 s.h.
Qualitative and quantitative introduction to the development of astronomy, celestial mechanics, time, electromagnetic radiation, telescopes and astronomical instrumentation, planets, smaller solar system objects; laboratory emphasis on observation with telescopes. GE: natural sciences. Prerequisite: four years of high school math or consent of instructor.

029:062 General Astronomy II	4 s.h.
Continuation of 029:061; qualitative and quantitative introduction to properties and evolution of sun, stars, interstellar matter, galaxies; cosmology; laboratory emphasis on observation with telescopes. GE: natural sciences. Prerequisite: four years of high school math or consent of instructor.

029:094 Reading in Astronomy	arr.

Astronomy for Undergraduate and Graduate Students

029:104 Reading in Astronomy	arr.

029:106 Special Topics in Astronomy	arr.

029:119 Introduction to Astrophysics I	3 s.h.
Fundamentals of astrophysical processes in solar system objects, stars, nebulae, interstellar medium, galaxies, cosmology; topics include stellar spectra, binary stars, interstellar gas and dust, stellar and galactic kinematics, stellar evolution, HII regions, radiation processes in galaxies and quasars, mathematical descriptions of the universe. Prerequisites: 22M:047, 22M:048, 029:030, 029:061, and 029:062. Recommended: computer programming experience.

029:120 Introduction to Astrophysics II	3 s.h.
Continuation of 029:119. Prerequisite: 029:119.

029:137 Astronomical Laboratory	3 s.h.
Techniques and instrumentation in optical and radio astronomy. Prerequisites: 029:030, 029:061, and 029:062; or consent of instructor.

029:186 Radio Astronomy	3 s.h.
Survey of radio astronomy, emphasizing technical aspects; radiation, antennas, receivers, radio spectroscopy, interferometer arrays and aperture synthesis; emission mechanisms, pulsars, supernova remnants, radio galaxies.

Astronomy, Primarily for Graduate Students

029:232 Theoretical Astrophysics I	3 s.h.
Momentum and energy transport in stellar interiors, stellar structure and evolution, radiative transfer, theory of stellar photospheres and continuous spectra of stars, formation of absorption and emission lines.

029:233 Theoretical Astrophysics II	3 s.h.
The interstellar medium: optical properties of small interstellar grains, radiative processes in interstellar gas, structure of HII regions, interstellar shock waves, supernova remnants, modification of interstellar medium by luminous stars, molecular clouds.

029:234 Stellar Structure and Evolution	3 s.h.
Stellar interiors, nuclear astrophysics; advanced topics.

029:235 Special Topics in Astrophysics	1-3 s.h.
Advanced lectures. Repeatable.

029:263 Seminar: Astrophysics	arr.
Current research.

029:282 Research: Astronomy	arr.
Original research in observational, theoretical astronomy.

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