Physical Science    501

1 – 5 (crs.)

Waves and Fields for Teachers

The main purpose of this course is to sharpen your teaching skills in the area of waves and fields. The philosophy of the course is simple: for teachers to adopt and successfully use best teaching practices, they must experience the effectiveness of those methods firsthand. Therefore, in this course, teachers will be exposed to a wide-range of research-based teaching techniques. These include: the use of computer-based probes and detectors, modeling discourse, Socratic questioning, interactive lecture demonstrations and the bridging analogies. Prerequisite: Permission from the instructor.

Physical Science    505

1 – 5 (crs.)

Optics for Teachers

The main purpose of this course is to sharpen your teaching skills in the areas of geometric and physical optics. The philosophy of the course is simple: for teachers to adopt and successfully use best teaching practices, they must experience the effectiveness of those methods firsthand. Therefore, in this course, teachers will be exposed to a wide-range of research-based teaching techniques. Cross-listed: Secondary Ed 505/Physical Science 505. Students may receive credit for only one of the two cross-listed courses. Prerequisite: Permission from the instructor.

Physical Science    510

1 – 5 (crs.)

Classical Mechanics for Teachers

The main purpose of this course is to sharpen your teaching skills in the area of classical mechanics. The philosophy of the course is simple: for teachers to adopt and successfully use best teaching practices, they must experience the effectiveness of those methods firsthand. Therefore, in this course, teachers will be exposed to a wide-range of research-based teaching techniques. Cross-listed: Secondary Ed 510/Physical Science 510. Students may receive credit for only one of the two cross-listed courses. Prerequisite: Permission from the instructor.

Physics/Astronomy    505

3 (crs.)

Electronic Circuits and Devices

DC and AC circuit theory with emphasis placed on the external electrical properties of analog electronic devices and their practical applications. Prerequisite: Physics 172 or 192 or consent of instructor. 305/505 (2+2)

Physics/Astronomy    507

3 (crs.)

Physical Optics

Review of geometrical optics, interference, diffraction, polarization, double refraction, electromagnetic theory of light, introduction to quantum optics and lasers. Prerequisite: Physics 110 and Mathematics 172. 307/507 (3+0)

Physics/Astronomy    511

4 (crs.)

Digital Instrumentation

Fundamentals and applications of combinational and sequential digital circuits, memory and storage, microprocessors, digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital conversion, emphasizing use in measurement and instrumentation. Credit may not be earned for both Physics 211 and 311/511. Prerequisite: Previous physics or electronics course, Mathematics 122 or consent of instructor. 311/511 (3+2)

Physics/Astronomy    519

3 (crs.)

Digital Signal Processing

The fundamentals of digital signal processing techniques with an emphasis on their computer implementation: linear shift-invariant systems, the Z-transform, the discrete and continuous fourier transforms, digital filter design, and inverse filters. Familiarity with calculus, complex numbers, and BASIC or FORTRAN is assumed. 319/519 (3+0)

Physics/Astronomy    533

3 (crs.)

Our Changing View of the Physical Universe

This course traces the evolution of our conception of the physical universe from its prehistoric beginnings to the current cosmological theories. 333/533 (3+0)

Physics/Astronomy    535

3 (crs.)

Demonstration and Laboratory Techniques in Physics

A laboratory course to provide the high school physics teacher with opportunities to handle the physical apparatus used in modern physics curricula. Prerequisite: A two-semester sequence in General Physics. 335/535 (1+3)

Physics/Astronomy    608

3 (crs.)

Statistical Physics and Thermodynamics

Temperature, entropy, and other thermal quantities introduced from microscopic considerations and related to macroscopic thermodynamic variables. Calculation of macroscopic properties of matter from microscopic models.  Prerequisite: Physics 320. 408/608 (3+0)

Physics/Astronomy    615

3 (crs.)

Microprocessor Applications

Hardware and software for input-output applications on microprocessors, use of polling and interrupts, and comparison of various microprocessors for I/O applications. Laboratory included. Prerequisite: Physics 211 or 311, and Computer Science 310.  415/615 (2+2)

Physics/Astronomy    617

3 (crs.)

Electricity and Magnetism

An advanced treatment of important topics in electricity and magnetism. Prerequisite: Physics 320. 417/617 (3+0)

Physics/Astronomy    618

3 (crs.)

Analytical Mechanics

Advanced treatment of important topics in classical mechanics. Prerequisite: Physics 320. 418/618 (3+0)

Physics/Astronomy    619

3 (crs.)

Introductory Quantum Mechanics

Development of quantum mechanics principles and application to important simple physical systems. Prerequisite: Physics 320. 419/619 (3+0)

Physics/Astronomy    649

3 (crs.)

Quantum Physics: Nuclei and Solids

Quantum physics applied to nuclei and elementary particles, special relativity, statistics of particles and physics of solids. Prerequisite: Physics 320. 449/649 (3+0)

Physics/Astronomy    670

3 (crs.)

Solid State Physics

Introduction to the structure of solids, lattice vibrations, heat capacity, electrical conductivity of metals and semi-conductors, superconductivity, magnetic and mechanical properties of solids and a survey of non-crystalline condensed matter states. Prerequisite: Physics 109 and 110. 470/670  (3+0)

Physics/Astronomy    746

1 – 3 (crs.)

Workshop on Current Topics

A workshop in special topics of interest. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Special course fees may apply.

Physics/Astronomy    760

3 (crs.)

Modeling Physical Science I Trial Course

A study of advanced physics teaching strategies that address common student learning difficulties using mathematical and physical models.  Content areas include mechanics, electric circuits, and the structure of matter.  Prerequisites:  Previous teaching experience and permission from the instructor.

Physics/Astronomy    761

3 (crs.)

Modeling Physical Science II Trial Course

A study of advanced physics teaching strategies that address common student learning difficulties using mathematical and physical models.  Content areas covered include mechanics, geometric optics, and gases and liquids.  Prerequisites:   Previous teaching experience and permission from the instructor.

Physics/Astronomy    771

2 (crs.)

Theory of Atomic Structure

Methods of determining the atomic states in multi-electron atoms up to the rare earths. Hartree-Fock Hamiltonian and the single electron spherical harmonic wave functions. The multiple states, the term states and their energies are derived using perturbation theory, coupling of angular momentum and the Wigner-Eckart Theorem. Prerequisite: Physics 419/619. (2+0)

Physics/Astronomy    772

3 (crs.)

Magnetic Resonance

Techniques and theory of electron paramagnetic resonance and nuclear magnetic resonance as applied to the properties of solids and liquids. Prerequisite: Modern physics course or consent of instructor. (3+0)

Physics/Astronomy    773

3 (crs.)

Advanced Signal Processing

Advanced digital signal processing techniques important to applied physics such as the numerical solution of partial differential equations, digital inverse theory, power spectral estimation, and state-space variable methods. Applications will be taken from areas of current student/faculty research interest, normally instrumentation and seismology. Prerequisite: Physics 519 or consent of instructor. (3+0)

Physics/Astronomy    775

2 (crs.)

Atomic Collision Theory

The quantum mechanics of scattering theory will be developed with emphasis in the area of atomic collisions. A range of methods that have been found of use in research will be surveyed. Prerequisite: Physics 619. (2+0)

Physics/Astronomy    776

3 (crs.)

Seismology

The use of seismic waves for exploring the earth’s interior. Emphasis is placed on reflection seismology: its data acquisition, processing, and interpretation. Familiarity with geological concepts, calculus, complex numbers, and BASIC or FORTRAN is assumed. (3+0)

Physics/Astronomy    777

3 (crs.)

Advanced Physics Microcomputer Instrumentation

Applications of real-time programming and digital control to data acquisition, experimental system and device testing, and experiment and production control. Expertise in user language and assembler programming and knowledge of digital and analog electronics are assumed. (2+2)

Physics/Astronomy    778

3 (crs.)

Advanced Electronics Topics

Advanced digital and analog electronic topics are covered. Areas suitable to microcomputer interfacing for experimental control are emphasized. Design of programmable logic array applications, use of instrumentation and isolation amplifiers and phase-locked loops, devices and techniques used in radio and microwave electronics will be included. Knowledge of basic analog and digital electronics assumed. (2+2)

Physics/Astronomy    791

1 (crs.)

Graduate Seminar

Reading, consultation and discussions by graduate students and faculty members concerning current research and recent developments in Physics. 1-credit each registration with a maximum accumulation of 3 credits. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

Physics/Astronomy    795

1 – 6 (crs.)

Physics Thesis

Each registration with maximum accumulation of 6 cr. Registration for Physics students for thesis credit. Prerequisite: Thesis Proposal and Advisor Approval Form must be filed with Graduate Office prior to registration. Pass/Fail course.

Physics/Astronomy    796

1 – 3 (crs.)

Independent Study in Physics

Each registration with maximum accumulation of 6 cr. Registration for advanced Physics students for independent work on topics chosen by the student and an instructor. Prerequisite: Independent Study Topic and Instructor Approval Form must be filed at or prior to registration.