Courses in Astronomy (AST)
Lower Division Courses
2. Introduction to Modern Astronomy and
Astrophysics (4)
(This course will become AST 25 in Spring 2008)
Lecture - 3 hours; laboratory/discussion - 2 hours.
Prerequisite: good facility in high school physics and mathematics
(algebra and trigonometry). Description and interpretation of
astronomical phenomena using the laws of modern physics. Modern
astronomical instrumentation. Gravitation, relativity, electromagnetic
radiation, atomic and nuclear processes in relation to the structure
and evolution of stars, the solar system, galaxies, and the Universe.
Not open to students who have received credit for course 10. - I, III.
(I, III.) Becker, Fassnacht, Knox, Lubin
10G. Introduction to Stars, Galaxies, and the
Universe (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Non-mathematical introduction to
astrophysics of the Universe beyond our solar system using concepts of
modern physics. Not open for credit to students who have completed
course 2, 10, or any physics course (except 10, 137 or 160). GE credit:
SciEng. - I, III. (I, III.)
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10L. Observational Astronomy Laboratory (1)
Laboratory - 2.5 hours. Prerequisite: course 10G or 10S
(may be taken concurrently). Introduction to observations of the night
sky using small telescopes in nighttime laboratory. Not open for credit
to students who have completed course 2 or 10. - I, II, III. (I, II,
III.)
10S. Introduction to the Solar System (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Non-mathematical introduction to
astrophysics of the solar system using concepts of modern physics. Not
open for credit to students who have completed course 2, 10, or any
physics course (except 10, 137 or 160). GE credit: SciEng. - II, III.
(II, III.)
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Courses in Physics (PHY)
Physics 10 is primarily a concept-oriented one-quarter
lecture/discussion course requiring relatively little mathematical
background.
Physics 1 is a two-quarter sequence requiring some
mathematics (trigonometry). Either 1A alone or both quarters may be
taken. The sequence is not intended to satisfy entrance requirements of
a year of physics for professional schools, but will satisfy
requirements of 3 or 6 units of physics.
Physics 7 is a one-year (three-quarter) introductory
physics course with laboratory intended for students majoring in the
biological sciences. It has a calculus prerequisite. If you don’t need
a full year of introductory physics, you should take one or two
quarters of Physics 1 instead. Read the following information carefully
if you are using Physics 7 to complete an introductory course you have
already begun.
The sequence of material in Physics 7 is different from
that in most traditionally taught introductory physics courses. Physics
7B is most like the first quarter or semester of traditionally taught
courses which treat classical mechanics. Physics 7C is most like the
last quarter or semester which, in traditionally taught courses, treats
optics, electricity and magnetism, and modern physics. The content and
sequence of Physics 7A is unlike that of most other traditionally
taught courses.
If you have completed one introductory quarter or semester of a
traditionally taught physics course and want to continue with Physics
7, you should first take (and will receive full credit for) Physics
7A.Then, either skip 7B, but self-study the last three weeks of
material, or take 7B and receive reduced credit. Next, take 7C for full
credit.
If you have taken two quarters of a year-long
introductory physics course and have not had extensive work in optics,
electricity and magnetism, and modern physics, you should take Physics
7C. In no case should you take Physics 7B without first taking Physics
7A. All other situations should be discussed directly with a Physics 7
instructor.
Students not intending to take the entire sequence
should take Physics 1.
Physics 9 is a four-quarter sequence using calculus
throughout and including laboratory work as an integral part. The
course is primarily for students in the physical sciences and
engineering.
Physics 9H is a five-quarter honors physics sequence,
which may be taken instead of Physics 9. It is intended primarily for
first-year students with a strong interest in physics and with advanced
placement in mathematics. In course requirements and prerequisites,
Physics 9HA-9HE can be substituted for Physics 9A-9D.
Lower Division Courses
1A. Principles of Physics (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: trigonometry or
consent of instructor. Mechanics. Introduction to general principles
and analytical methods used in physics with emphasis on applications in
applied agricultural and biological sciences and in physical education.
Not open to students who have received credit for course 7B, or 9A. -
I. (I.)
1B. Principles of Physics (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: course 1A or 9A.
Continuation of course 1A. Heat, optics, electricity, modern physics.
Not open for credit to students who have received credit for course 7A,
7B, 7C, 9B, 9C, or 9D. - II. (II.)
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Physics
7 series breakdown
7A. General Physics (4)
Lecture - 1.5 hours; discussion/laboratory - 5 hours.
Prerequisite: Mathematics 16B (may be taken concurrently). Introduction
to general principles and analytical methods used in physics for
students majoring in a biological science. Only two units of credit
allowed to students who have completed course 9B, or 1B. - I, II, III.
(I, II, III.)
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7B. General Physics (4)
Lecture - 1.5 hours; discussion/laboratory - 5 hours.
Prerequisite: course 7A. Continuation of course 7A. Only two units of
credit allowed to students who have completed course 9A, or 1A. - I,
II, III. (I, II, III.)
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7C. General Physics (4)
Lecture - 1.5 hours; discussion/laboratory - 5 hours.
Prerequisite: course 7B. Continuation of course 7B. Only two units of
credit allowed to students who have completed course 9C. - I, II, III.
(I, II, III.)
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Physics
9 series breakdown
9A. Classical Physics (5)
Lecture - 3 hours; laboratory - 2.5 hours; discussion -
1 hour. Prerequisite: Mathematics 21B. Introduction to general
principles and analytical methods used in physics for physical science
and engineering majors. Classical mechanics. Only 2 units of credit to
students who have completed course 1A or 7B. Not open for credit to
students who have completed course 9HA. - III.
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9B. Classical Physics (5)
Lecture - 3 hours; laboratory - 2.5 hours; discussion -
1 hour. Prerequisite: course 9A, Mathematics 21C, 21D (may be taken
concurrently). Continuation of course 9A. Fluid mechanics,
thermodynamics, wave phenomena, optics. Only 2 units of credit to
students who have completed course 7A. Not open for credit to students
who have completed course 9HB, 9HC, or Engineering 105. - I.
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9C. Classical Physics (5)
Lecture - 3 hours; laboratory - 2.5 hours; discussion -
1 hour. Prerequisite; course 9B, Mathematics 21D, 22A (may be taken
concurrently). Electricity and magnetism including circuits and
Maxwell’s equations. Only 3 units of credit to students who have
completed course 7C. Not open for credit to students who have completed
course 9HD. - II.
9D. Modern Physics (4)
Lecture - 3 hours; discussion - 1.5 hours.
Prerequisite: course 9C and Mathematics 22A; Mathematics 22B
recommended (may be taken concurrently). Introduction to physics
concepts developed since 1900. Special relativity, quantum mechanics,
atoms, molecules, condensed matter, nuclear and particle physics. Not
open for credit to students who have completed course 9HB, 9HC, or 9HE.
- III. (III.)
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9HA. Honors Physics (5)
Lecture - 3 hours; discussion/laboratory - 4 hours.
Prerequisite: Mathematics 21B (may be taken concurrently) or consent of
instructor. Classical mechanics. Same material as course 9A in greater
depth. For students in physical sciences, mathematics, and engineering.
Only 2 units of credit to students who have completed course 7B. Not
open for credit to students who have completed course 9A. - I.
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9HB. Honors Physics (5)
Lecture - 3 hours; discussion/laboratory - 4 hours.
Prerequisite: Physics 9HA or 9A, Mathematics 21C (may be taken
concurrently). Special relativity, thermal physics. Continuation of
course 9HA. Only 2 units of credit to students who have completed
course 7A. Not open for credit to students who have completed course 9B
or 9D. - II.
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9HC. Honors Physics (5)
Lecture - 3 hours; discussion/laboratory - 4 hours.
Prerequisite: course 9HB and Mathematics 21D (may be taken
concurrently). Waves, sound, optics, quantum physics. Continuation of
Physics 9HB. Only 2 units of credit to students who have completed
course 7C. Not open for credit to students who have completed course 9B
or 9D. - III.
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9HD. Honors Physics (5)
Lecture - 3 hours; discussion/laboratory - 4 hours.
Prerequisite: course 9HC and Mathematics 21D. Electricity and
magnetism. Continuation of Physics 9HC. Not open for credit to students
who have completed course 9C. - I. Recent
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9HE. Honors Physics (5)
Lecture - 3 hours; discussion/laboratory - 4 hours.
Prerequisite: course 9HD and Mathematics 22B (may be taken
concurrently). Application of quantum mechanics. Not open for credit to
students who have completed course 9D. - II.
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10. Topics in Physics for Nonscientists (4)
Lecture - 3 hours; discussion - 1 hour. Prerequisite:
high school algebra. Emphasis varies: survey of basic principles or a
deeper exploration of some particular branch. Past topics included
black holes, space time, and relativity; physics of music; history and
philosophy; energy and the environment; and natural phenomena. Check
with the department office for the current emphasis. No units of credit
allowed if taken after any other physics course. GE credit: SciEng,
Wrt. - I, II. (I, II.)
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49. Supplementary Work in Lower Division Physics
(1-3)
Students with partial credit in lower division physics
courses may, with consent of instructor, complete the credit under this
heading. May be repeated for credit. - I, II, III. (I, II, III.)
90X. Lower Division Seminar (2)
Seminar - 2 hours. Prerequisite: lower division
standing and consent of instructor. Examination of a special topic in
Physics through shared readings, discussions, written assignments, or
special activities such as laboratory work. May be repeated for credit.
Limited enrollment.
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98. Directed Group Study (1-5)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor; primarily for
lower division students. (P/NP grading only.)
99. Special Study for Undergraduates (1-5)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (P/NP grading
only.)
Upper Division Courses
102. Computational Laboratory in Physics (1)
Laboratory - 3 hours. Prerequisite: Mathematics 21D,
22A, 22B, Computer Science Engineering 30, course 9D or 9HD, course
104A concurrently. Introduction to computational physics and to the
computational resources in the physics department. Preparation for
brief programming assignments required in other upper division physics
classes. Not open for credit to students who have completed course 104B
or 105AL. - I. (I.) Fong
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104A. Introductory Methods of Mathematical
Physics (4)
Lecture - 3 hours; extensive problem solving.
Prerequisite: courses 9B, 9C, 9D and Mathematics 21D, 22A, and 22B with
grade C- or better or consent of instructor. Introduction to the
mathematics used in upper-division physics courses, including
applications of vector spaces, Fourier analysis, partial differential
equations. - I. (I.)
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104B. Computational Methods of Mathematical
Physics (4)
Lecture - 3 hours; extensive problem solving.
Prerequisite: course 104A with grade C- or better and course 105AL or
consent of instructor. Introduction to the use of computational
techniques to solve the mathematical problems that arise in advanced
physics courses, complementing the analytical approaches emphasized in
course 104A. - II. (II.)
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104C. Intermediate Methods of Mathematical
Physics (4)
Lecture - 3 hours; extensive problem solving.
Prerequisite: course 104A with grade C- or better or consent of
instructor. Applications of complex analysis, conditional probability,
integral transformations and other advanced topics. Not offered every
year.
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105A-105B. Analytical Mechanics (4-4)
Lecture - 3 hours; extensive problem solving.
Prerequisite: courses 9B, 9C, 9D and Mathematics 21D, 22A, and 22B
passed with grade C– or better; or consent of department; course 104A
and 105A passed with a grade C– or better or consent of department
required for 105B. Principles and applications of Newtonian mechanics;
introduction to Lagrange’s and Hamilton’s equations. - I-II. (I-II.)
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105C. Continuum Mechanics (4)
Lecture - 3 hours; extensive problem solving.
Prerequisite: courses 104B and 105A passed with a grade of C– or
better, or consent of department. The continuum hypothesis and
limitations. Tensor methods develop stress-strain relations for linear
isotropic solids/fluids and field equations to study wave propagation
in solids/fluids, heat flow, potential flow and ocean waves. - III.
(III.)
108. Optics (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: course 9 or 7 sequence
and Mathematics 21 sequence or consent of instructor. The phenomena of
diffraction, interference, and polarization of light, with applications
to current problems in astrophysics, material science, and atmospheric
science. Study of modern optical instrumentation. Open to non-majors. -
III. (III.) Recent
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108L. Optics Laboratory (1)
Laboratory - 3 hours. Prerequisite: course 108
concurrently. The laboratory will consist of one major project pursued
throughout the quarter, based on modern applications of optical
techniques. - III. (III.)
110A-110B-110C. Electricity and Magnetism (4-4-4)
Lecture - 3 hours; extensive problem solving.
Prerequisite: courses 9B, 9C, 9D and Mathematics 21D, 22A, and 22B
passed with grade C– or better, or consent of department; prerequisite
for 110B is courses 110A and 104A passed with a grade of C– or better
or consent of department; prerequisite for course 110C is courses 110B
and 104B passed with a grade of C– or better, or consent of department.
Theory of electrostatics, electromagnetism, Maxwell’s equations,
electromagnetic waves. - II-III-I. (II-III-I.)
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112. Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (4)
Lecture - 3 hours; extensive problem solving.
Prerequisite: course 115A or the equivalent. Introduction to classical
and quantum statistical mechanics and their connections with
thermodynamics. The theory is developed for the ideal gas model and
simple magnetic models and then extended to studies of solids, quantum
fluids, and chemical equilibria. - I. (I.)
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115A. Foundation of Quantum Mechanics (4)
Lecture - 3 hours; extensive problem solving.
Prerequisite: courses 104A and 105B with grade C- of better, or consent
of instructor. Introduction to the methods of quantum mechanics with
applications to atomic, molecular, solid state, nuclear and elementary
particle physics. - III. (III.)
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115B. Applications of Quantum Mechanics (4)
Lecture - 3 hours; extensive problem solving.
Prerequisite: course 115A passed with a grade of C– of better, or
consent of department. Angular momentum and spin; hydrogen atom and
atomic spectra; perturbation theory; scattering theory. - I. (I.)
116A. Electronic Instrumentation (4)
Lecture - 3 hours; laboratory - 3 hours. Prerequisite:
course 9C, Mathematics 22B. An experimental and theoretical study of
important electronic circuits commonly used in physics. - I. (I.)
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116B. Electronic Instrumentation (4)
Lecture - 3 hours; laboratory - 3 hours. Prerequisite:
courses 9D, 116A. Continuation of course 116A. Introduction to the use
of digital electronics and microcomputers in experimental physics. -
II. (II.)
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116C. Introduction to Computer-Based Experiments
in Physics (4)
Lecture - 3 hours; laboratory - 3 hours. Prerequisite:
course 9D or 9HD, 116B, Mathematics 22B or consent of instructor.
Introduction to techniques for making physical measurements using
computer-based instrumentation. - III. (III.) Pellett
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122. Advanced Physics Laboratory (4)
Laboratory - 8 hours; extensive problem solving.
Prerequisite: course 9D with grade C- or better or consent of
instructor. Experimental techniques and measurements in atomic,
condensed matter, nuclear and high energy physics. Student performs
three to six experiments depending on difficulty. Individual work is
stressed. May be repeated for credit. - II. (II.)
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123. Signals and Noise in Physics (4)
Lecture - 3 hours;
extensive problem solving. Prerequisite(s): Physics 9ABCD
and 104A, or consent of
instructor. Techniques of measurement and analysis designed to
avoid systematic error and maximize
signal/noise ratio. Illustrative examples of optimal filters
ranging from condensed matter to
cosmology. - II. (II.)
126. Introduction to Cosmology (4)
(This course will become Physics 156 in Spring 2009) Lecture - 3
hours; discussion - 1 hour. Prerequisite:
course 105A or consent of instructor. Introduction to cosmology. - III.
(III.)
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127. Introduction to Astrophysics (4)
(This course will become Physics 153 in Winter 2008)
Lecture - 3 hours; extensive problem solving.
Prerequisite: course 105A passed with grade C- or better, or consent of
instructor. Celestial mechanics, radiation, astrophysical measurements,
electromagnetic processes, the sun, binary and variable stars, stellar
structure and evolution, galaxies, cosmology. - III. (III.)
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129A. Introduction to Nuclear Physics (4)
Lecture - 3 hours; extensive problem solving.
Prerequisite: course 115A passed with a grade of C- or better or
consent of instructor. Survey of basic nuclear properties and concepts
requiring introductory knowledge of quantum mechanics: nuclear models
and forces, radioactive decay and detecting nuclear radiation and
nuclear reaction products, alpha, beta and gamma decay. - III. (III.)
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130A-130B. Elementary Particle Physics (4-4)
Lecture - 3 hours; extensive problem solving.
Prerequisite: course 115A passed with a grade of C- or better or
consent of instructor. Properties and classification of elementary
particles and their interactions. Experimental techniques. Conservation
laws and symmetries. Strong, electromagnetic, and weak interactions.
Introduction to Feynman calculus. Not offered every year.
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140A-140B. Introduction to Solid State Physics
(4-4)
Lecture - 3 hours; extensive problem solving.
Prerequisite: course 115A or the equivalent passed with a grade of C-
or better or consent of instructor. Survey of fundamental ideas in the
physics of solids, with selected device applications. Crystal
structure, x-ray and neutron diffraction, phonons, simple metals,
energy bands and Fermi surfaces, semiconductors, optical properties,
magnetism, superconductivity. - II-III. (II-III.)
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150. Special Topics in Physics (4)
Lecture - 3 hours; extensive problem solving.
Prerequisite(s): Physics 9ABCD or 9HA, HB, HC, HD, HE or consent of
instructor. Topics vary, covering areas of contemporary research in
physics. - I. II. III. (I. II. III.) Offered irregularly/on demand.
151. Stellar Structure and Evolution (4)
Lecture - 3 hours; extensive problem solving. Prerequisite(s): Physics
9ABCD or consent of instructor. The chemical composition, structure,
energy sources and evolutionary history of stars, with equal emphasis
on both the observational data and theoretical models, including black
holes, neutron stars and white dwarfs and the formation of substellar
masses. - I. (I.) Not offered every year.
152. Galactic Structure and the Interstellar
Medium (4)
Lecture - 3 hours; extensive problem solving. Prerequisite(s): Physics
9ABCD and Physics 105A concurrently or consent of instructor. The
structure, contents, and formation of our Milky Way galaxy, viz. its
shape and size, the nature of the interstellar medium, stellar
populations, rotation curves, mass determination and evidence of dark
matter. - III. (III.) Not offered every year.
153. Extragalatic Astrophysics (4)
Lecture - 3 hours; extensive problem solving. Prerequisite(s): Physics
9ABCD and Physics 104A and 105A or consent of the instructor. Not
open to students who have taken Physics 127. Structure and
evolution of galaxies and clusters of galaxies, including distance and
mass determination, galaxy types and environments, active galactic
nuclei and quasars, gravitational lensing and dark matter, global
cosmological properties. - III. (III.) Not offered every year.
154. Astrophysical Applications of Physics (4)
Lecture - 3 hours; extensive problem solving. Prerequisite(s): Physics
105AB, 110A; 110B, and 115A concurrently; 112 or consent of instructor.
Not open to students who have taken this course
previously as Physics 198. Applications of classical and quantum
mechanics, thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and electricity and
magnetism to astrophysical settings such as the Big Bang, degenerate
white dwarf and neutron stars, and solar neutrinos. - III. (III.) Not
offered every year.
155. General Relativity (4)
Lecture - 3 hours; extensive problem solving. Prerequisite(s): Physics
104A and 105A; 105B and 110A or consent of instructor. Definition of
the mathematical frame work for the description of the gravitational
field, introduction of the dynamical equations of Einstein governing
its evolution and review of the key solutions, including black holes
and expanding universes. - II. (II.) Not offered every year.
156. Introduction to Cosmology
Lecture - 3 hours; extensive problem solving. Prerequisite(s): Physics
9ABCD and Physics 105A or consent of instructor. Not open to
students who have taken Physics 126. Contemporary knowledge
regarding the origin of the universe, including the Big Bang and
nucleosynthesis, microwave background radiation, formation of cosmic
structure, cosmic inflation, cosmic acceleration and dark energy. -
III. (III.) Not offered every year.
157. Astronomy Instrumentation and Data Analysis
Laboratory
Lecture - 2 hours; laboratory - 6 hours; extensive problem solving.
Prerequisite(s): Physics 9ABCD. Experimental techniques, data
acquisition and analysis involving stellar, nebular and galaxy digital
imaging, photometry and spectroscopy. Analyzing time resolved changes
in the solar atmosphere in the light of hydrogen alpha. - III. (III.)
Not offered every year.
160. Environmental Physics and Society (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: course 9D or 7C; or
course 10 or 1B and Mathematics 16B or the equivalent. Impact of
humankind on the environment will be discussed from the point of view
of the physical sciences. Calculations based on physical principles
will be made, and the resulting policy implications will be considered.
(Same course as Engineering 160.) GE credit: SciEng or SocSci. - III.
(III.)
190. Careers in Physics
(1)
Seminar - 2 hours. Overview of important research areas in
physics, discussions of research opportunities and internships,
strategies for graduate school and industrial careers, the fellowship
and assistantship selection process, preparation of resumes, personal
statements, and letters of recommendation. - I. (I.)
194HA-194HB. Special Study for Honors Students
(4-4)
Independent study - 12 hours. Prerequisite: consent of
instructor required. Open only to Physics and Applied Physics majors
who satisfy the College of Letters and Science requirements for
entrance into the Honors Program. Independent research project at a
level significantly beyond that defined by the normal physics
curriculum. (Deferred grading only, pending completion of sequence).
195. Senior Thesis (5)
Independent study - 15 hours. Prerequisite: consent of
instructor required. Open only to Physics and Applied Physics majors
with senior standing. Preparation of a senior thesis on a topic
selected by the student with approval of the department. May be
repeated for a total of 15 units. - I, II, III. (I, II, III.)
197T. Tutoring in Physics and Astronomy (1-5)
Tutoring of students in lower division courses. Leading
of small voluntary discussion groups affiliated with one of the
department’s regular courses. Weekly meeting with instructor. (P/NP
grading only.) - I, II, III. (I, II, III.)
198. Directed Group Study (1-5)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (P/NP grading
only.)
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199. Special Study for Advanced Undergraduates
(1-5)
(P/NP grading only.)
Graduate Courses
200A. Theory of Mechanics and Electromagnetics (4)
Lecture - 3 hours; independent study - 1 hour.
Prerequisite: courses 104B, 105B, and 110C or the equivalent; course
204A concurrently. Theoretical approaches in classical mechanics
including the use of generalized coordinates and virtual work;
variational calculus; Lagrange equations; symmetries, conservation
laws, and Noether theorem; Lagrangian density; Hamilton formalism;
canonical transformations; Poisson brackets; and Hamilton-Jacobi
equations. - I. (I.)
200B-200C. Theory of Mechanics and Electromagnetics
(4-4)
Lecture - 3 hours; independent study - 1 hour.
Prerequisite: course 200A, and course 204B concurrently. Theoretical
approaches in electromagnetics including static electromagnetic fields;
Maxwell’s equations; plane waves in various media;
magnetohydrodynamics; diffraction theory; radiating systems; and
special relativity. - II-III. (II-III.)
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204A-204B. Methods of Mathematical Physics (4-4)
Lecture - 3 hours; independent study - 1 hour.
Prerequisite: courses 104A and 104B or the equivalent. Linear vector
spaces, operators and their spectral analysis, complete sets of
functions, complex variables, functional analysis, Green's functions,
calculus of variations, introduction to numerical analysis. - I-II.
(I-II.)
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210. Computational Physics (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: knowledge of Fortran
or C. Analytic techniques to solve differential equations and
eignevalue problems. Physics content of course will be self-contained,
and adjusted according to background of students. - II. (II.)
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215A-215B-215C. Quantum Mechanics (4-4-4)
Lecture - 3 hours; independent study - 1 hour.
Prerequisite: course 115B or the equivalent. Formal development and
interpretation of non-relativistic quantum mechanics; its application
to atomic, nuclear, molecular, and solid-state problems; brief
introduction to relativistic quantum mechanics and the Dirac equation.
- I-II-III. (I-II-III.)
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219A. Statistical Mechanics (4)
Lecture - 3 hours; extensive problem solving.
Prerequisite: course 215B or the equivalent. Foundations of
thermodynamics and classical and quantum statistical mechanics with
simple applications to properties of solids, real gases, nuclear
matter, etc. and a brief introduction to phase transitions. - III.
(III.)
219B. Statistical Mechanics (4)
Lecture - 3 hours; extensive problem solving.
Prerequisite: course 219A. Further applications of thermodynamics and
classical and quantum statistical mechanics. The modern theory of
fluctuations about the equilibrium state, phase transitions and
critical phenomena. - I. (I.)
223A. Group Theoretical Methods of Physics—Condensed
Matter (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: courses 215A, 215B
(215C is corequisite) or consent of instructor. Theory of groups and
their representations with applications in condensed matter. Not
offered every year.—I. (I.)
223B. Group Theoretical Methods of Physics—Elementary
Particles (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: courses 215A, 215B
(215C is corequisite) or consent of instructor. Theory of groups and
their representations with applications in elementary particle physics.
Not offered every year.
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224A. Nuclear Physics (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: course 215B.
Comprehensive study of the nucleon-nucleon interaction including the
deuteron, nucleon-nucleon scattering, polarization, determination of
real parameters of S-matrix, and related topics. Not offered every year.
224B. Nuclear Physics (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: course 224A. Study of
nuclear models, including shell model, collective model, unified model.
Energy level spectra, static momenta, and electromagnetic transition
rates. Not offered every year.
224C. Nuclear Physics (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: course 224B. Study of
nuclear scattering and reactions including the optical model and direct
interactions. Beta decay and an introduction to weak interactions. Not
offered every year.
229A. Advanced Nuclear Theory (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: course 224C. Advanced
topics in nuclear theory; theory of quantum-mechanical scattering
processes. Exact formal theory and models for two-body scattering. Not
offered every year.
229B. Advanced Nuclear Theory (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: course 229A. Advanced
topics in nuclear theory; theory of quantum-mechanical scattering
processes. Exact formal theory and models for three-body scattering.
Not offered every year.
230A. Quantum Theory of Fields (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: course 215C.
Relativistic quantum mechanics of particles; techniques and
applications of second quantization; Feynman diagrams; renormalization.
- I. (I.)
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230B. Quantum Theory of Fields (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: course 230A.
Continuation of 230A, with selected advanced topics, such as S-matrix
theory, dispersion relations, axiomatic formulations. - II. (II.)
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240A-240B. Condensed Matter Physics (3-3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: courses
215A-215B-215C; courses 140A-140B recommended. Introduction to the
phenomena and theory of the solid state. Periodic structures, lattice
structures, electron states, static properties, electron-electron
interaction, electron dynamics, transport properties, optical
properties, the Fermi surface, magnetism, superconductivity. - III.
(I-III.)
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240C. Condensed Matter Physics (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: course 240A-240B or
the equivalent. Review of second quantization. Interacting electron
gas, electron-phonon interaction and effects, including instabilities
of electronic systems. Topics in the theory of superconductivity and
magnetism. - II-III. (II-III.)
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241. Advanced Topics in Magnetism (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: courses 240A-240B,
240C-240D, or consent of instructor. Topics chosen from areas of
current research interest. Not offered every year.
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242. Advanced Topics in Superconductivity (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: courses 240A-240B,
240C-240D, or consent of instructor. Topics chosen from areas of
current research interest. Not offered every year.
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243A-243B-243C. Surface Physics of Materials (3-3-3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: courses 140A-140B,
115A-115B or the equivalents; courses 215A, 240A, or the equivalents
recommended. Experimental and theoretical fundamentals of surface and
interface physics and chemistry, including electronic and magnetic
structure, thermodynamics, adsorption kinetics, epitaxial growth, and a
discussion of various spectroscopic and structural probes based on
photons, electrons, ions, and scanning probes. Not offered every year.
- (I-II-III.)
245A. High-Energy Physics (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: course 230A.
Phenomenology and systematics of strong, electromagnetic, and weak
interactions of hadrons and leptons; determination of quantum numbers;
quarks and quarkonia; deep inelastic scattering; the quark parton
model; experiments at hadron colliders and electron-positron colliders.
- II. (II.)
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245B. High-Energy Physics (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: course 245A.
Electroweak interactions; phenomenology of the Standard Model of
SU(2)LxU(1); weak interaction experiments; properties of and
experiments with W and Z vector bosons; Glashow-Weinberg-Salam model
and the Higgs boson; introduction to supersymmetry and other
speculations. - III. (III.)
245C. High-Energy Physics (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: course 245A. Strong
interaction: quantum chromodynamics phenomenology; jets and other
experimental tests; quark and gluon distribution functions; quark and
gluon scattering; applications of the renormalization group. Not
offered every year. - III. (III.)
246. Supersymmetry: Theory
and Phenomenology (3)
(This course is soon to be 246A)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: courses 230A-230B,
245A-245B recommended, or consent of instructor. Construction of
supersymmetric models of particle physics; superfields; supersymmetry
breaking the minimal supersymmetric standard model; supergravity.
Collider phenomenology of supersymmetry. Dark matter phenomenology. Not
offered every year.
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246B. Advanced
Supersymmetry (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: course 246A.
Advanced topics in supersymmetry. Topics inculde holomorphy, the
Affleck-Dine-Seiberg superpotential, Seiberg duality for SUSY QCD,
dynamical SUSY breaking,
Seiberg-Witten theory, superconformal field theories, supergravity,
anomaly and gaugino mediation, and the AdS/CFT correspondence. Not
offered every year. - I. (I.)
250. Special Topics in Physics (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
Topic varies. May be repeated for credit. Not offered every quarter. -
I, II, III. (I, II, III.)
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250. Natural Computational and Self-Organization: The
Physics of Information Processing in Complex Systems. (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Describe and quantify randomness and structure;
relation to concepts from the theory of computation. A number of
example complex systems—taken from physics, chemistry, and biology—will
be used to illustrate the phenomena and methods.
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252A. Techniques of Experimental Physics (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Introduction to techniques and
methods of designing and executing experiments. Problems and examples
from condensed matter research will be utilized. Not offered every year.
252B. Techniques of Experimental Physics (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Introduction to techniques and
methods of designing and executing experiments. Problems and examples
from nuclear and particle research will be utilized. - III. (III.)
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260. Introduction to General Relativity (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: courses 200A, 200B. An
introduction to general relativity. Differential geometry and curved
spacetime; the Einstein field equations; gravitational fields of stars
and black holes; weak fields and gravitational radiation; experimental
tests; Big Bang cosmology. Offered in alternate years. - (I.)
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262. Early Universe Cosmology (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: 2nd year standing in Physics graduate
program or consent of instructor. Introduction to early universe
cosmology: the Big Bang, inflation, primordial nucleosynthesis, dark
matter, dark energy, and other topics of current interest. - I.
263. Cosmic Structure Formation (3)
Lecture -- 3 hours. Prerequisite: Course 260 (General Relativity).
Growth of structure from small density inhomogeneities in the early
universe to the diverse structures observable today. Use of observable
properties (cosmic microwave background, gravitational lensing,
peculiar velocities, number density, etc.) to constrain models of
structure formation and fundamental physics. - III.
265. High Energy Astrophysics and Radiative Processes
(3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: graduate standing in Physics or
consent of instructor. Survey course covering galactic and
extragalactic X-ray and gamma-ray astronomy, radiative processes, and
techniques of high-energy astrophysics. - I.
266. Data Analysis for Astrophysics (3)
Lecture -- 3 hours. Prerequisite: graduate standing in Physics or
consent of instructor. Survey course covering measurement and signal
analysis techniques for astrophysics and cosmology throughout the
electromagnetic spectrum. - II.
267. Observational Extragalactic Astronomy &
Cosmology (3)
Lecture - 3 hours. Prerequisite: graduate standing in Physics or
consent of instructor. Survey course covering current areas of research
on extragalactic objects, their physical properties, origin, evolution,
and distribution in space. - III.
270. Current Topics in Physics Research (2)
Lecture/Discussion - 2 hours. Prerequisite: graduate standing in
Physics or consent of instructor. Reading and discussion to help
physics graduate students develop and maintain familiarity with the
current and past literature in their immediate field of research and
related areas. May be repeated for credit when topics differ. - I, II,
III.
280. Seminar in Ethics for Scientists (2)
Seminar--2 hours. Studies of topical and historical issues in the
ethics of science, possibly including issues such as proper authorship,
peer review, fraud, plagiarism, responsible collaboration, and conflict
of interest.
285. Careers in Physics (1)
Seminar - 1 hour. Prerequisite: graduate standing in Physics. Designed
to give Physics graduate students an in-depth appreciation of career
opportunities with a graduate degree in physics. Professional
physicists, mainly from outside academia, will give seminars describing
both research and career insights. - II.
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290. Seminar in Physics (1)
Seminar - 1 hour. Prerequisite: graduate standing in
Physics or consent of instructor. Presentation and discussion of topics
of current research interest in physics. Topics will vary weekly and
will cover a broad spectrum of the active fields of physics research at
a level accessible to all physics graduate students. May be repeated
for credit. (S/U grading only.) - I, II, III. (I, II, III.)
291. Seminar in Nuclear Physics (1)
Seminar - 1 hour. Prerequisite: graduate standing in
Physics or consent of instructor. Presentation and discussion of topics
of current research interest in nuclear physics. May be repeated for
credit. (S/U grading only.) - I, II, III. (I, II, III.)
292. Seminar in Elementary Particle Physics (1)
Seminar - 1 hour. Prerequisite: graduate standing in
Physics or consent of instructor. Presentation and discussion of topics
of current research interest in elementary particle physics. May be
repeated for credit. (S/U grading only.) - I, II, III. (I, II, II.)
293. Seminar in Condensed Matter Physics (1)
Seminar - 1 hour. Prerequisite: graduate standing in
Physics or consent of instructor. Presentation and discussion of topics
of current research interest in condensed matter physics. May be
repeated for credit. (S/U grading only.) - I, II, III. (I, II, III.)
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294. Seminar in Cosmology (1)
Seminar - 1 hour. Prerequisite: graduate standing in
Physics or consent of instructor. Presentation and discussion of topics
of current research interest in Cosmology. May be repeated for credit.
(S/U grading only.) - I, II, III. (I, II, III.)
295. Introduction to Departmental Research (1)
Seminar - 1 hour. Seminar to introduce first- and
second-year physics graduate students to the fields of specialty and
research of the Physics staff. (S/U grading only.) - II.
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297. Research on the Teaching and Learning of Physics
(3)
Seminar - 3 hours. Prerequisite: graduate standing in
Physics or consent of instructor. Discussion and analysis of recent
research in how students construct understanding of physics and other
science concepts and the implications of this research for instruction.
- III. (III.) Potter
298. Group Study (1-5)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (S/U grading only.)
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299. Research (1-12)
(S/U grading only.)
Professional Courses
371. Teaching in an Active-Engagement Physics
Discussion/Lab Setting (1)
Lecture/Discussion- 1 hour. Prerequisite: Physics 9D or equivalent.
Open to graduate students only. Analysis of recent research on
science/physics teaching and learning and its implications for teaching
labs, discussions, and discussion/labs with an emphasis on the
differences between conventional and active-engagement instructional
settings. The appropriate role of the instructor in specific
instructional settings. - I. (I)
390. Methods of Teaching Physics (1)
Lecture/discussion - 1 hour. Prerequisite: graduate
standing in Physics; consent of instructor. Practical experience in
methods and problems related to teaching physics laboratories at the
university level, including discussion of teaching techniques, analysis
of quizzes and laboratory reports and related topics. Required of all
Physics Teaching Assistants. May be repeated for credit. (S/U grading
only.)—I, II, III. (I, II, III.)
396. Teaching Assistant Training Practicum (1-4)
Prerequisite: graduate standing. May be repeated for
credit. (S/U grading only.) - I, II, III. (I, II, III.)
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