Physics Course Descriptions

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100- and 200-Level Courses

PHYS 111 (3) Concepts of Physics [INTRO, IAI No. P1 900] — Motion; matter; electricity; magnetism; optics; atoms.
Prerequisite:  Satisfaction of high school math requirements for entering freshmen.

PHYS 112 (1) Conceptual Physics Laboratory [Dist. NSM] — Weekly introductory laboratory dealing with mechanics, heat, electricity, sound and light.  Emphasis placed on measurements and data analysis.
Prerequisite:  Concurrent enrollment in PHYS 111.

PHYS 206a,b (5,5) College Physics [(a) INTRO; (b) Dist. NSM] — Designed to meet premedical requirements and needs of students majoring in biological sciences.  (a) Mechanics; fluids; heat.  (b) Waves; sound; electrostatics; circuits; magnetism; electromagnetic waves; optics; modern physics.  Includes weekly lab.
Prerequisites:  (a) MATH 125.  (b) PHYS 206a.

PHYS 211a,b (4,4) University Physics [(a) INTRO, IAI No. P2 900; (b) Dist. NSM] — Calculus-based course designed to meet needs of engineering and science students.  (a) Kinematics; dynamics; planar motion; work and energy; momentum; rotational motion; oscillations; gravitation; waves.  (b) Heat; kinetic theory of gases; thermodynamics; electric charge; electric fields; Gauss' law; potentials; circuits; magnetic fields; electromagnetic waves.
Prerequisites:  (a) MATH 152 or concurrent enrollment, concurrent enrollment in PHYS 212a.  (b) PHYS 211a, concurrent enrollment in PHYS 212b.

PHYS 212a,b (1,1) University Physics Laboratory [(a) IAI No. P2 900L] — Physics measurements; data analysis and presentation; error analysis.  (a) Velocity; acceleration; moments; potential; kinetic and heat energy; simple harmonic motion.  (b) Additional experiments in classical mechanics; electromagnetism; electrical measurements; simple circuits; optics.
Prerequisites:  (a) Concurrent enrollment in PHYS 211a.  (b) PHYS 212a, concurrent enrollment in PHYS 211b.

300-Level Courses

PHYS 301 (3) Waves [Dist. NSM] — Oscillations, linearization, and normal modes.  Classical wave equation and Fourier analysis.  Phase velocity, wave packets and bandwidth theorem.  Interference and diffration.  Applications to light and sound.
Prerequisites:  PHYS 206B or 211B.  Corequisite:  MATH 250.

PHYS 302 (4) Modern Physics [Dist. NSM] — Physical optics; special relativity; photoelectric effect.  Planck’s radiation theory; Compton effect.  Matter waves; uncertainty principle; Schroedinger solutions for confined particles; hydrogen atom; atomic, nuclear and solid-state physics.
Prerequisites:  PHYS 211b, MATH 250.

PHYS 303 (3) Thermal Physics [Dist. NSM] — Introduction to thermodynamics; fluids; kinetic theory; statistical distribution functions; applications.
Prerequisites:  PHYS 211b, MATH 250.

PHYS 308 (4) Introduction to Classical Mechanics [Dist. NSM] — Newtonian particle mechanics including oscillations, non-inertial frames, central forces, many-particle systems, rigid bodies, and vibrating systems.
Prerequisites:  PHYS 211b, MATH 250.

PHYS 312 (3) Intermediate Physics Laboratory — Experimental methods in modern physics:  Modern experimental techniques; computer-aided data acquisition; numerical methods; detectors and sensors; data and error analysis.
Prerequisite:  PHYS 302 or concurrent enrollment.

PHYS 318 (3) Theory and Applications of Electronic Measurements [Dist. NSM] — Principles of modern electronic measurements and computer interfacing techniques.  Transistor circuits; digital electronics; op amps; sensors; digital/analog and analog/digital conversions; computer-aided data acquisition.  Includes weekly two-hour laboratory.
Prerequisite:  PHYS 212b.

PHYS 320 (3) Special Relativity [Dist. NSM] — Michaelson-Morley experiment; Lorentz transformation; relativistic notions of space and time; relativistic kinematics and dynamics; relativistic view of electricity and magnetism.
Prerequisite:  PHYS 302.

PHYS 350 (3) Energy and the Environment [Dist. NSM, IAI No. P1 901] — Problems and prospects of meeting national and worldwide energy demands.  Scientific background, role, and environmental impact of fossil fuel, nuclear, solar, geothermal, and other technologies.
Prerequisite:  Satisfaction of high school math requirements for entering freshmen.

PHYS 351 (3) Music and Acoustics [Dist. NSM, IAI No. P1 901] — Vibrations; nature and propagation of sound waves; musical pitch and intervals; tone quality, analysis, and synthesis; instruments; speech; ears and hearing; psychological aspects; other topics.
Prerequisite:  Satisfaction of high school math requirements for entering freshmen.

PHYS 352 (3) Physics of Modern Sound Reproduction [Dist. NSM, IAI No. P1 901L] — Equipment and principles of operation:  Speakers; microphones; amplifiers; tuners; magnetic and optical recording.  Includes two-hour biweekly laboratory.
Prerequisite:  Satisfaction of high school math requirements for entering freshmen.

PHYS 355 (3) Light and Color [Dist. NSM, IAI No. P1 901] — Nature of light; ray and wave phenomena; optical devices; the eye; color theory; lasers and holography; applications to art, photography, and other visual media.
Prerequisite:  Satisfaction of high school math requirements for entering freshmen.

PHYS 356 (3) Astronomy [Dist. NSM, IAI No. P1 906] — Introduction to astronomical observation; time, seasons; light; telescopes; planetary motion; solar system; stellar structure, classification, evolution; star clusters; nebulae; galaxies; cosmology.  Supplemental night viewing sessions.
Prerequisite:  Satisfaction of high school math requirements for entering freshmen.

PHYS 366 (3) Space Physics [Dist.  NSM] — Mechanics of orbital and sub-orbital flight.  Physical, chemical and geologic characteristics of solar system objects determined by exploration and remote sensing.
Prerequisite:  PHYS 206b or equivalent.

PHYS 375 (1) Seminar — Selected topics in theories and applications.  May be repeated to a maximum of 3 hours provided that no topic is repeated.  Pass / No Credit only.
Prerequisite:  Consent of instructor.

PHYS 397 (2) Junior Experimental Project — Individual experimental investigation of a topic to be agreed upon with an instructor.  May be repeated for a maximum of 4 hours.
Prerequisite:  Consent of Instructor.

PHYS 398 (2) Junior Theoretical Project — Individual experimental investigation of a topic to be agreed upon with an instructor.  May be repeated for a maximum of 4 hours.
Prerequisite:  Consent of Instructor.

400-Level Courses

PHYS 405a,b (3,3) Introduction to Electromagnetic Field Theory [Dist. NSM] — Vector treatment of the theory.  (a) Electrostatics in vacuum and in matter; steady currents.  (b) Magnetism; magnetic materials; electromagnetic radiation.
Prerequisites:  (a) PHYS 308, MATH 305.  (b) PHYS 405a.

PHYS 410 (3) Optics [Dist. NSM] — Nature of light; photometric quantities; geometrical optics; interference and diffraction; polarization; introduction to lasers; optical properties of materials.  Includes weekly two-hour lab.
Prerequisites:  PHYS 302, MATH 250.

PHYS 415a,b (3,3) Wave Mechanics and Atomic Physics [Dist. NSM] — (a) Foundations of quantum mechanics:  Wave functions; expectation values; operators; Schroedinger equation; simple applications including step potentials and harmonic oscillator; perturbation theory.  (b) Topics pertinent to atomic and molecular systems:  Angular momentum; hydrogen atom; electron spin; atomic transitions and spectra; exclusion principle; multielectron atoms; molecular structure.
Prerequisites:  (a) PHYS 302, MATH 305.  (b) PHYS 415a.

PHYS 416 (4) Principles of Quantum Mechanics — Wave functions, packets, probabilities, operators, uncertainty relations.  Schroedinger equation, square wells, harmonic oscillator, barrier penetration, angular momentum, hydrogen atom, spin, exclusion principle, multielectron atoms, molecules.
Prerequisites:  PHYS 301, 302, MATH 305 or instructor permission.

PHYS 417 (3) Nuclear Physics [Dist. NSM] — Applications of wave mechanics to the study of the atomic nucleus:  Scattering theory; nuclear forces; nuclear models; nuclear reactions.
Prerequisite:  PHYS 415b.

PHYS 419 (4) Introduction to Theoretical Physics [Dist. NSM] — Mathematical techniques:  Vectors; tensors; matrices; differential equations; special functions; boundary value problems; other selected topics.
Prerequisites:  PHYS 302, MATH 305.

PHYS 431 (3) Instructional Strategies for Particle and Rigid Body Motion — Pedagogical innovations, assessments, and inquiry-based activities will be developed for particle and rigid-body motion.  Addresses Illinois Professional Teaching Physics-Designation Standard #2.
Prerequisites:  PHYS 211a and CI 200 or certified K-12 teacher, or physics graduate status.

PHYS 432 (3) Instructional Strategies for Physical Waves and Thermodynamics — Pedagogical innovations, assessments and inquiry-based activities will be developed for physical waves and thermodynamics.  Addresses Illinois Professional Teaching Physics-Designation Standard #3 and #4.
Prerequisities:  PHYS 303 and CI 200, or certified K-12 teacher, or physics graduate status.

PHYS 433 (3) Instructional Strategies for Electricity and Magnetism — Pedagogical innovations, assessments and inquiry-based activities will be developed for particle and rigid body motion.  Addresses Illinois Professional Teaching Physics-Designation Standard #2.
Prerequisites:  PHYS 211b and CI 200, or certified K-12 teacher, or physics graduate status.

PHYS 434 (3) Instructional Strategies for Astronomy — Pedagogical innovations, assessments, and inquiry-based activities will be developed for astronomy.  Addresses Illinois Professional Teaching Earth and Space Science Standards #3 and #4.
Prerequisites:  PHYS 356 and CI 200 or certified K-12 teacher, or physics graduate status.

PHYS 438 (1) Physics and Astronomy Education Research Seminar — Seminar discussing current issues in physics and astronomy education research.  May be repeated for a maximum of 4 hours provided no topic is repeated.

PHYS 450 (3) Solid-State Physics [Dist. NSM] — Crystal structures and binding; lattice vibrations; electronic states; band theory of solids; semiconductors; optical properties of solids; other selected topics.
Prerequisite:  PHYS 415a or 416 or concurrent enrollment.

PHYS 480 (2 to 3) Selected Topics in Physics — Classroom instruction in a topic of special interest not covered in other courses.  May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours provided that no topic is repeated.
Prerequisite:  Consent of the instructor.

PHYS 490 (3) Senior Physics Honors [Dist. NSM] — Directed by student's Physics Honors Program adviser in independent study format on topics chosen jointly by student and adviser.  Not for graduate credit.
Prerequisites:  PHYS 390, 405a.

PHYS 494 (3) Methods of Teaching Physics in Secondary Schools — Current teaching and resource materials.  Ways to teach different topics in physics, problem-solving techniques, and societal issues.  Preparing for laboratory activities.  Safety concerns.  Not for Physics majors or graduate credit.

PHYS 495 (3) Physics Honors Thesis — Research project directed by student's adviser results to be written up in the thesis form and presented at a departmental seminar.  Not for graduate credit.
Prerequisites:  PHYS 390, 405a, 415a.

PHYS 497 (2 to 3) Senior Experimental Project — Individual experimental investigation of topic to be agreed upon with instructor.  May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours.
Prerequisite:  PHYS 308.

PHYS 498 (2 to 3) Senior Theoretical Project — Individual investigation of topic to be agreed upon with instructor, using mathematical techniques and often involving systematic library research and computer use.  May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours.
Prerequisite:  PHYS 308.

500-Level (Graduate) Courses

PHYS 501 (3) Advanced Electronic Instrumentation — Operation principles for analog and digital oscilloscopes, lock-in amplifiers, gated integrators, spectrum analyzers.  Computer programming for data acquisition.  Advanced computer interfacing.
Prerequisite:  Graduate standing in Physics or consent of instructor.

PHYS 502 (3) Vacuum Techniques and Materials Characterization Methods — Vacuum system behavior and components; microscopy; electron beam instruments; diffraction and scattering; electron emission spectroscopies; ion scattering techniques; mass spectroscopy.
Prerequisite:  Graduate standing in Physics or consent of instructor.

PHYS 503 (3) Experimental Methods in Optical Spectroscopy — Maxwell’s equations at interfaces; optical properties; transition probabilities and selection rules in quantum systems; vibrational spectra; sources; detectors; spectrometers; interferometers; absorption; emission; excitation; reflectance spectra.
Prerequisite:  Graduate standing in Physics or consent of instructor.

PHYS 504 (3) Applications of Fiber Optics — Optical fiber characteristics; fiber preparation; single and multimode fibers; sources; coupling; communication systems; multiplexing techniques; fiber-optic sensors.
Prerequisite:  Graduate status or consent of instructor.

PHYS 506 (3) Experimental Methods in Optics — Experimental techniques in optics and optical spectroscopy including absorption, fluorescence, and index of refraction spectroscopy; measurements of nonlinear optical properties of materials using several techniques.
Prerequisite:  PHYS 410 or PHYS 514.

PHYS 511 (3) Computational Methods in Classical Physics — Computational approach to problems in classical physics:  Linear and non-linear systems; many-particle systems; normal modes; waves; numerical methods; percolation; fractals; chaos.
Prerequisite:  Graduate standing in Physics or consent of instructor.

PHYS 512 (3) Computational Electrodynamics — Computational approach to problems in electrodynamics:  Fundamentals; multipolesl Laplace equation; time-varying fields; electromagnetic waves; reflection; refraction; waveguides; electromagnetic radiation, antennas, and electrons.
Prerequisites:  PHYS 405 or consent of instructor, PHYS 511.

PHYS 513 (3) Computational Quantum Mechanics — Computational approach to problems in quantum mechanics:  Orthogonality; superposition; expectation values; square wells; time evolution; spectroscopy; atomic properties; many-electron atoms; scattering; band structure; and lasers.
Prerequisites:  PHYS 415 or consent of instructor, PHYS 511.

PHYS 514 (3) Photonics I — Ray and wave optics; Gaussian beams; Fourier optics; diffraction; imaging; holography; electromagnetic waves in dielectric media; polarization; and crystal optics.
Prerequisite:  PHYS 410 or consent of instructor.

PHYS 515 (3) Photonics II — Concepts governing applications of current interest in photonics including waveguides and fiber optics, electro-optics and acousto-optics, photonic switching, and computing.
Prerequisite:  PHYS 514 or consent of instructor.

PHYS 516 (2 or 3) Independent Study — Supervised study in an area selected according to needs of the student.  May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours provided no topic is repeated.
Prerequisite:  Consent of instructor.

PHYS 517 (3) Principles of Lasers — Population inversion; rate equations; laser resonators; Q-switching; mode locking; gas lasers; solid state lasers; semiconductor lasers; dye lasers; laser applications in communications, medicine, and holography.
Prerequisite:  PHYS 514 or consent of instructor.

PHYS 518 (3) Nonlinear Optics — Maxwell’s equations in nonlinear media; second-order nonlinearities; second-harmonic generation; parametric processes; third-order nonlinearities; Kerr-type nonlinearities; Raman amplification; two-photon absorption; nonlinear crystals.
Prerequisites:  PHYS 512 and PHYS 513 or consent of instructor.

PHYS 520 (2 to 4) Graduate Physics Project — Individual investigation of a topic to be agreed upon with the instructor.  May be experimental or theoretical.  May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours provided no topic is repeated.
Prerequisite:  Consent of instructor.

PHYS 575 (1) Colloquium — Participation in departmental colloquia; student presentation on topic of current interest.  May be repeated to a maximum of 2 hours provided no topic is repeated.
Prerequisite:  Consent of instructor.

PHYS 580 (2 to 4) Selected Topics in Physics — Classroom instruction in a topic of special interest not covered in other graduate courses.  May be repeated to a maximum of 8 hours provided no topic is repeated.
Prerequisite:  Consent of instructor.

PHYS 594 (3) Physics Teaching Methods for Secondary Schools — Current teaching and resource materials.  Ways to teach different topics in physics, problem-solving techniques, and societal issues.  Preparing for laboratory activities.  Safety concerns.

PHYS 598 (1 to 6) Advanced Research Project in Physics — Advanced research project in physics.  May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours.
Prerequisite:  Consent of instructor.

PHYS 599 (1 to 6) Thesis — Thesis research in physics.  May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours.
Prerequisite:  Consent of instructor.