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| Physics (School of Science) |
| PHYS-1010 A Passion for Physics A weekly one-hour seminar by physics department faculty members, in which they describe their scientific and research interests, at a level suitable for first year college students. This course is graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory. Fall term annually. 1 credit hour |
| PHYS-1050 Physical Principles of Design Physics fundamentals for Architecture students. Mechanics with emphasis on equilibrium and statics, fluids, oscillations, and waves. Basics of thermodynamics and electromagnetic radiation. Reflection, refraction, and optics. Spring term annually. 4 credit hours |
| PHYS-1100 Physics I The first semester of a two-semester sequence of interactive courses. Topics include linear and angular kinematics and dynamics, work and energy, momentum and collisions, forces and fields, gravitation, elementary electrostatics, and motion of charged particles in a magnetic field. Corequisite: MATH-1010 or equivalent or permission of instructor. Fall and spring terms annually. 4 credit hours |
| PHYS-1200 Physics II The second semester of the two-semester sequence of interactive courses. Topics include Gauss’s Law, current electricity, Ampere’s Law and Faraday’s Law, electromagnetic radiation, physical optics, and quantum physics. Prerequisite: PHYS-1100 or equivalent or permission of instructor. Corequisite: MATH-1020. Fall and spring terms annually. 4 credit hours |
| PHYS-1500 Physical Modeling An introductory physics course in which students learn by constructing computer models of physical systems and then examining the behavior of the models. Whenever possible, the models will be compared to real systems. Spreadsheets will be the main tools used to construct the models, and no prior programming experience is required. Prerequisite: high school physics. Fall term annually. 4 credit hours |
| PHYS-1860 Phenomena of Light and Color in the Open Air A survey of the physics, physiology, and psychology of various aspects of light in nature, including rainbows, halos, glories, mirages, multiple moons, black snow, colored shadows, and iridescent clouds. This course is graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory, and it cannot be counted towards the Institute’s baccalaureate requirement of 24 credit hours in the sciences. Prerequisite: PHYS-1200 or permission of instructor. Spring term annually. 1 credit hour |
| PHYS-1960 Topics in Physics 1 credit hour |
| PHYS-2050 Science of Information Technology Addresses scientific concepts behind modern methods of information processing, storage, and transfer, and considers future technologies. Drawing on the expertise of Rensselaer researchers, this studio course teaches information not found in traditional textbooks. Class time includes hands-on activities so students can explore the processes providing the foundation of information technology. High-school physics is assumed. Some calculus is used in lectures, but students are not required to perform calculus on assignments. Spring term annually. 4 credit hours |
| PHYS-2100 Introduction to Methods of Theoretical Physics Linear differential equations for classical systems; complex analysis; Fourier Transforms for waves; wave equations and solutions; vector analysis for classical fields; Lorentz transformation and four vectors. Prerequisites: PHYS-1100/1200 and MATH-1010/1020. Fall term annually. 4 credit hours |
| PHYS-2240 Medical Physics An exploration of the interfaces between physics, medicine, and biology. Topics include: membrane transport, nerve membranes, the electrocardiogram, biomagnetism, image reconstruction, X-rays, nuclear medicine, and magnetic resonance imaging. Prerequisite: PHYS-1200. 3 credit hours |
| PHYS-2260 Introduction to Laboratory Electronics A basic course dealing with elementary electric and electronic circuits, emphasizing laboratory instruction. Topics include passive and active components in DC and AC circuits, operational amplifiers, and digital logic and computer interfacing. The laboratory stresses measurement technique and fundamental laboratory equipment. Prerequisite: PHYS-1200. Fall term annually. 4 credit hours, 6 contact hours |
| PHYS-2330 Intermediate Mechanics Particle and rigid body dynamics using Newtonian, Lagrangian, and Hamiltonian methods. Motion of particle systems. Central force motion. Rotating coordinate systems. Rigid body motion. Coupled systems and normal coordinates. Deformable media. Introduction to Hamilton-Jacobi theory. Prerequisite: MATH-2400. Fall term annually. 4 credit hours |
| PHYS-2350 Experimental Physics Experiments in mechanics, optics, electricity and electromagnetics, oscillations and waves, atomic, nuclear, and solid-state physics. Experimental methods, quantitative observations, and interpretation of data. This course is writing intensive. Spring term annually. 4 credit hours, 9 contact hours |
| PHYS-2370 Research Participation An introduction to research. Research participation in projects on campus, not necessarily in physics. The student is aided in finding a research group and presents a report at the end of the term. Prerequisite: PHYS-2350. Fall term annually. 3 or 4 credit hours |
| PHYS-2510 Quantum Physics Matter waves and Schrodinger wave mechanics. Problems in one, two, and three dimensions including central force problems and one-electron atoms. Introduction to perturbation theory. Angular momentum and spin. Prerequisite: MATH-2400. Fall term annually. 4 credit hours |
| PHYS-2620 Fundamentals of Optics A survey of optics and optical phenomena and their applications. A modern laboratory is part of the course. Topics include geometrical optics and instruments, wave and Fourier optics, and polarization of light. Applications of modern optics to communications and manufacturing are stressed. Prerequisite: PHYS-1200 or equivalent. Spring term annually. 4 credit hours |
| PHYS-2940 Special Projects in Physics Reading and study in various fields of physics to develop interest in and ability for independent study. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. 3 credit hours |
| PHYS-2960 Topics in Physics 4 credit hours |
| PHYS-2990 Thesis An independent investigation. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. 3 or 4 credit hours |
| PHYS-4100 Introductory Quantum Mechanics Quantum mechanics beyond Schrodinger wave mechanics. The postulates of quantum mechanics. Second quantization, Dirac notation, Hilbert spaces, perturbation theory, and applications to simple systems. Spring term annually. 4 credit hours |
| PHYS-4210 Electromagnetic Theory Field theory of electricity and magnetism with emphasis on solving boundary value problems. Dielectric and magnetic materials. Maxwell’s equations and wave propagation with applications to optics. Relativistic electrodynamics. Prerequisite: MATH-2400 and PHYS-1200. Spring term annually. 4 credit hours |
| PHYS-4420 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics The principles and physical applications of classical thermodynamics are developed. Basic concepts in classical and quantum statistical mechanics are introduced and their relations to thermodynamics are developed. Prerequisite: PHYS-1200 (or PHYS- 2510) and MATH-2400. Spring term annually. 4 credit hours |
| PHYS-4510 Quantum Mechanics I Review of Schrodinger wave mechanics. Operator algebra and theory of representation. Approximation methods for stationary problems. The theory of scattering and application to atomic and nuclear scattering problems. Students cannot obtain credit for both this course and PHYS-6510. Prerequisite: PHYS-4100 or equivalent. Fall term annually. 3 credit hours |
| PHYS-4530 Group Theory in Quantum Mechanics Methods for applying the principles of invariance to quantum mechanical systems. Topics include abstract group theory, theory of group representations and characters, discrete groups. Continuous groups introduced via the rotation group. Applications to atomic and nuclear physics, molecular vibrations, quantum theory of solids, with emphasis on wave functions, degeneracy of energy levels, and selection rules. Prerequisites: MATH-2010 and PHYS-4100 or permission of instructor. Spring term annually. 4 credit hours |
| PHYS-4620 Particles and Nuclei This course develops current theories of the elementary structure of particles and fields and their fundamental interactions. The role of symmetries in nature is stressed, and the possible unification of the basic interactions is considered. The properties of atomic nuclei are discussed in terms of the elementary nuclear force and in terms of nuclear models such as the shell model. Prerequisite: PHYS-4100 or equivalent. Spring term annually. 4 credit hours |
| PHYS-4630 Lasers and Optical Systems Optical physics and applications of lasers. Design of optical systems. Topics include: wave optics and beam propagation, Gaussian beams, resonators, optical properties of atoms and laser gain media, laser amplifiers, pulsed laser systems, applications of lasers, nonlinear optics. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week. (Cross listed as ECSE-4630. Students cannot obtain credit for both this course and ECSE-4630.) Prerequisite: PHYS-2620 recommended. Fall term odd-numbered years. 4 credit hours |
| PHYS-4640 Optical Communications and Integrated Optics Phenomena, materials, and devices for optical communications and computing. Topics include: guided wave and fiber optics, integrated optics, electro-optic and nonlinear optical switching, pulse and soliton propagation, sources and detectors. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week. (Cross listed with ECSE-4640. Students cannot receive credit for both this course and ECSE-4640.) Prerequisite: PHYS-2620. Fall term even- numbered years. 4 credit hours |
| PHYS-4720 Solid-State Physics An introduction to theoretical and experimental solid-state physics. Wave mechanics in the perfect crystal. X-rays, electrons, and phonons. Electrical properties of metals and semiconductors. Qualitative treatment of lattice defects. (Cross listed with ECSE- 4720. Students cannot receive credit for both this course and ECSE-4720.) Prerequisites: PHYS-2100 and PHYS-2510 or equivalent. Fall term annually. 4 credit hours |
| PHYS-4750 Introduction to Surface Physics A survey of the phenomena occurring at surfaces. Surface structure and surface electronic properties. Surface processes including adsorption, surface diffusion, crystal growth. Interaction of charged particles with surfaces. Prerequisite: PHYS-2510 or permission of instructor. Fall term annually. 4 credit hours |
| PHYS-4810 Computer Modeling in Physics A survey course in the basic techniques of computational physics, emphasizing studies of physical systems by numerical experimentation. The systems to be studied include examples from plasma physics, nuclear physics, condensed matter physics, high energy physics, and astrophysics. Prerequisites: CSCI-1100, PHYS-1100, and PHYS-1200 or permission of instructor. Spring term odd-numbered years. 4 credit hours |
| PHYS-4960 Topics in Physics 4 credit hours |
| PHYS-6110 Methods in Theoretical Physics Vector calculus and partial differential equations, especially with applications to electrodynamics. Separation of variables and second-order differential equations. Sturm-Liouville theory with applications to special functions. Complex analysis and conformal mapping. Green functions and boundary value problems. Fall term annually. 3 credit hours |
| PHYS-6310 Advanced Mechanics Variation principle formulation; applications to two-body central force problems and to rigid body motion; small oscillations and normal modes; Hamilton’s equations of motion; Hamilton-Jacobi theory. Prerequisite: PHYS-2330 or equivalent. Fall term annually. 3 credit hours |
| PHYS-6410 Electrodynamics Boundary value and radiation problems. Propagation of electromagnetic waves in inhomogeneous media and scattering phenomena. Dispersion theory. Waveguides. Relativistic electrodynamics and fields associated with accelerated charged particles. Prerequisite: PHYS-6110. Spring term annually. 3 credit hours |
| PHYS-6510 Quantum Mechanics I Review of Schrodinger wave mechanics. Operator algebra and theory of representation. Approximation methods for stationary problems. The theory of scattering and application to atomic and nuclear scattering problems. Students cannot obtain credit for both this course and PHYS-4510. Prerequisite: PHYS-4100 or equivalent. Fall term annually. 3 credit hours |
| PHYS-6520 Quantum Mechanics II Continuation of PHYS-6510. Time-dependent perturbations. Radiation absorption and emission. Relativistic quantum mechanics. Introduction to quantum electrodynamics. Prerequisite: PHYS-6510. Spring term annually. 3 credit hours |
| PHYS-6530 Quantum Mechanics III Relativistic wave equations. Commutation relations and the quantization of free fields. Spin and statistics of Bose and Fermi fields. Interacting fields and commutation relations. Interaction representation and S-matrix perturbation theory. Renormalization theory and applications in quantum electrodynamics. Prerequisite: PHYS-6520. Fall term annually. 3 credit hours |
| PHYS-6590 Statistical Mechanics The study of classical and quantum statistical mechanics. The relationship to thermodynamics and applications to gases and solids. Prerequisite: PHYS-6510. Spring term annually. 3 credit hours |
| PHYS-6620 Nuclear and Particle Physics I An introduction to the physical concepts and methods of modern nuclear and elementary particle physics, for specialists and nonspecialists. Nonrelativistic scattering theory, resonance production, group symmetries and conservation laws, quark-model of hadron structure, and simple Feynman diagrams. Prerequisite: PHYS-6520. On availability of instructor. 3 credit hours |
| PHYS-6630 Nuclear and Particle Physics II Gauge symmetries and their application to modern problems in nuclear and particle physics. Precise tests of quantum electrodynamics. The Weinberg-Salam model of weak interactions. Quantum chromodynamics. Nuclear chromodynamics, color transparency, and the quark-gluon plasma. Grand unification and cosmology. Prerequisite: PHYS-6530 or PHYS-6620. Spring term annually. 3 credit hours |
| PHYS-6710 Theory of Solids I An introduction to the theory of solids. Theory of the free-electron metal, band theory, and phonons. Application to the electrical, optical, and thermal properties of solids. Qualitative discussion of cohesion. Prerequisite: PHYS-6520. Fall term annually. 3 credit hours |
| PHYS-6720 Theory of Solids II More detailed application of solid-state theory to electrical, magnetic, and optical properties of matter. Consideration of particular materials; semiconductors, ferrites, ferroelectrics, and superconductors. Prerequisite: PHYS-6710. On availability of instructor. 3 credit hours |
| PHYS-6730 Advanced Solid-State Physics Quantum theory of crystal vibration, second quantization, electron gas and Feynman graphs, linked cluster expansion, Green’s functions, Dyson equation, dielectric screening, electron-phonon interaction, optical absorption of metals, temperature-dependent graphs, quasi-particle theory, many-body theory of electrical conduction. Prerequisite: PHYS-6720. Corequisite: PHYS-6530. Fall term alternate years. 3 credit hours |
| PHYS-6810 Nonlinear and Quantum Optics Theoretical framework for analysis of wave propagation in nonlinear media. Classical and quantum theory of nonlinear response. Multi-wave mixing, including second-harmonic generation, optical phase conjugation and optical bistability. Quantization of the electromagnetic field and quantum stochastic processes in atom-field interactions. Applications to amplifiers, lasers, resonance fluorescence, and squeezed state generation. Quantum theory of measurements. Prerequisite: PHYS-6510. Spring term, alternate years. 3 credit hours |
| PHYS-6900 Seminar Selected topics. Credit hours to be arranged |
| PHYS-6940 Readings in Physics Supervised reading and study in various fields of physics. 3 credit hours |
| PHYS-6960 Topics in Physics Variable credit hours |
| PHYS-6980 Master’s Project Active participation in a Master’s-level project under the supervision of a faculty adviser, leading to a master’s Project report. Grades of IP are assigned until the master’s project has been approved by the faculty adviser. If recommended by the adviser, the master’s project may be accepted by the Office of Graduate Education to be archived in the Library. Grades will then be listed as S. 1 to 9 credit hours |
| PHYS-6990 Master’s Thesis Active participation in research, under the supervision of a faculty adviser, leading to a master’s thesis. Grades of IP are assigned until the thesis has been approved by the faculty adviser and accepted by the Office of Graduate Education to be archived in a standard format in the library. Grades will then be listed as S. 1 to 9 credit hours |
| PHYS-9990 Dissertation Active participation in research, under the supervision of a faculty adviser, leading to a doctoral dissertation. Grades of IP are assigned until the dissertation has been publicly defended, approved by the doctoral committee, and accepted by the Office of Graduate Education to be archived in a standard format in the library. Grades will then be listed as S. Variable credit hours |
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