Courses

Same as PHYS 4130 and MCDB 5130.

Covers magnetohydrodynamics and a few related areas of plasma physics applied to space and astrophysical systems, including planetary magnetospheres and ionospheres, stars, and interstellar gas in galaxies. Prereq., graduate standing in astrophysical and planetary science or physics. Same as ASTR 5140.

Includes basic phenomena of ionized gases, static and dynamic shielding, linear waves, instabilities, particles in fields, collisional phenomena, fluid equations, collisionless Boltzman equations, Landau damping, scattering and absorption of radiation in plasmas, elementary nonlinear processes, Wkb wave theory, controlled thermonuclear fusion concepts, astrophysical applications, and experimental plasma physics (laboratory). Prereq., PHYS 3310. Same as ASTR 5150.

Covers the basic physic of lasers. Topics include basics of optical resonators and gaussian beam propagation, stimulated emission, laser threshold conditions, laser linewidth, q-switching and mode locking of lasers, tuning of Cw lasers, and specifics of various common lasers. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Variational principles, Lagrange's equations, Hamilton's equations, motion of rigid body, relativistic mechanics, transformation theory, continuum mechanics, small oscillations, Hamilton-Jacobi theory. Coreq., PHYS 5250. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Quantum phenomena, Ehrenfest theorem and relation to classical physics, applications to one-dimensional problems, operator techniques, angular momentum and its representations, bound states and hydrogen atom, and Stern-Gerlack experiment and spin and spinor wave function. Prereqs., PHYS 3220 and 4410. Coreq., PHYS 5210. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Symmetries and conservation laws, identical particle systems, approximation techniques (including time-dependent and time-independent perturbation theories and variational techniques) and their applications, scattering theory, radiative transitions, and helium atom. Prereq., PHYS 5250.

Same as PHYS 4430.

Same as PHYS 4450 and PHIL 5450. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Same as PHYS 4460 and EDUC 5460. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Consists of 13 optics experiments that introduce the techniques and devices essential to modern optics, including characterization of sources, photodetectors, modulators, use of interferometers, spectrometers,and holograms, and experimentation of fiber optics and Fourier optics. Prereq., undergraduate optics course such as PHYS 4510. Same as ECEN 5606.

Presents Einstein's relativistic theory of gravitation from geometric viewpoint; gives applications to astrophysical problems (gravitational waves, stellar collapse, etc.). Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Subject matter to be arranged. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours.

Same as PHYS 4970 and MCDB 5970. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Focuses on differential geometric techniques in quantum field and string theories. Topics include spinors, Dirac operators, index theorem, anomalies, geometry of superspace, supersymmetric quantum mechanics and field theory, and nonperturbative aspects in field and string theories. Prereq., MATH 6230, PHYS 5250, or instructor consent. Recommended prereqs., MATH 6240 and PHYS 7280. Same as MATH 6260.

Same as GEOL 6610 and ASTR 6610.

Same as GEOL 6620 and ASTR 6620. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Same as GEOL 6630 and ASTR 6630.

Same as GEOL 6650 and ASTR 6650. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Prereqs., calculus, computer programming (any language). Same as GEOL 6670. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Approved problem in theoretical or experimental physics under the direction of staff members. Intended to introduce the student to procedures in research and development work. Work of an original nature expected. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Continuation of PHYS 5150. Topics vary yearly but include nonlinear effects such as wave coupling, quasilinear relaxation, particle trapping, nonlinear Landau damping, collisionless shocks, solutions; nonneutral plasmas; kinetic theory of waves in a magnetized plasma; anisotropy; inhomogeneity; radiation---ponderomotive force, parametric instabilities, stimulated scattering; plasma optics; kinetic theory, and fluctuation phenomena. Prereq., PHYS 5150 or instructor consent. Same as ASTR 7160.

Classical and quantum statistical theory, including study of both equilibrium and nonequilibrium systems. Topics covered include kinetic theory, degenerate gases, macrocanonical and grand canonical ensembles, and irreversible processes. Prereq., PHYS 5250 and 5260.

Introduces current research topics in statistical mechanics. Topics vary from year to year and may include phase transitions, critical phenomena, nonequilibrium phenomena, dense fluids, dynamical systems, plasma physics, or quantum statistical mechanics. Prereq., PHYS 7230.