400

17-400 Advanced Experimental Physics Lab

This course includes selected advanced experiments, with an emphasis on modern experimental techniques. The course partially fulfills the advanced writing requirement.

4

Prerequisites

Consent of instructor.

17-401 Computational Mechanics

This course builds on 17-300 and 70-315.  Computational techniques will be used to study various topics in mechanics selected at the discretion of the instructor.  Topics may include coupled oscillators, fluids, non-linear systems and chaos.
2

Prerequisites

17-300, 70-315.

17-405 Quantum Mechanics

Building on the theory developed in 17-340 Modern Physics, this course will develop operator techniques, Dirac notation, angular momentum, perturbation theory, and scattering theory. Applications of quantum mechanics in solid state, nuclear, and/or particle physics will be introduced.

4

Prerequisites

17-341.

17-410 Nuclear Physics

This course covers the properties of atomic nuclei and beta decay, modern ideas of the structure of the nucleus, theories of low and intermediate energy-induced nuclear reactions, the deuteron problem and nucleon-nucleon scattering. (See 03-403.)

3

Prerequisites

17-215.

17-411 Computational Electrodynamics

This course is a continuation of 17-310.  Maxwell's Equations are used to describe EM radiation, reflection and refraction, polarization, and energy density.  Applications may include radiating charges, antennae, waveguides, transmission lines, and/or relativistic electrodynamics. Computational techniques will be used to study and model these phenomena.
2

Prerequisites

17-310, 70-315.

17-441 Quantum Mechanics

Building on the theory developed in 17-341 Modern Physics, this course will develop operator techniques, Dirac notation, angular momentum, perturbation theory, and scattering theory. Applications of quantum mechanics in solid state, nuclear, and/or particle physics will be introduced.
3

Prerequisites

17-341.

17-442 Solid State Physics

This course covers the structure and properties of crystals, waves in crystals, specific heat and thermal conduction, electrical conduction in metals and semi-conductors, superconductivity and magnetism.  Other contemporary topics and applications to materials science and optics may also be discussed.
3

Prerequisites

17-342, 17-441 or consent of the instructor.

17-443 Nuclear and Particle Physics

This course builds on the material covered in 17-343.  Topics include nuclear structure models, nuclear decay, Standard Model particles and interactions, conservation laws, angular momentum and isospin, Feynman diagrams, boson and fermion properties, and fundamentals of experimental nuclear and particle physics.  Physics beyond the Standard Model, nuclear and particle astrophysics, or other contemporary topics may be discussed at the instructor’s discretion.
3

Prerequisites

17-343 or consent of instructor.

17-455 Advanced Aerospace Engineering (IIT)

Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) advanced level courses integrate concepts  learned throughout the program of study pertinent to aerospace systems.  Courses include MMAE 410 Aircraft Flight Mechanics (3);  MMAE 411 Spacecraft Dynamics (3);  MMAE 412 Spacecraft Design I (3);  MMAE 413 Spacecraft Design II (3);  MMAE 414 Aircraft Design I (3);  MMAE 415 Aerospace laboratory II (4);  MMAE 416 Aircraft Design II (3);  MMAE 417 (3);  MMAE 418 (3);  MMAE 443 Systems Analysis and Control; (3);  MMAE 450 Computational Mechanics II (3);  MMAE 452 Aerospace Propulsion (3);  MMAE 472 Ferrous Technology (3) ;  IPRO 497 Interprofessional Project (3).

3-4

Prerequisites

Consult an IIT Advisor.

17-456 Advanced Mechanical Engineering (IIT)

The Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) 400-level courses provide in-depth study in advanced topics in mechanical engineering. Courses include: IPRO 497 Interprofessional Project (3), MMAE 419 Mechanics Laboratory (4), MMAE 432 Design of Mechanical Systems (3), MMAE 433 Design of Thermal Systems (4), MMAE 443 Systems Analysis and Controls (3), MMAE 445 Computer-aided design (3), MMAE 485 Manufacturing Processes (3).

3-4

Prerequisites

Consult an IIT Advisor.

17-465 Capstone Project

In this course, students carry out a major project or set of topically-linked smaller projects from proposal through data collection and data analysis to dissemination. Capstone projects may be experimental, computational, or pedagogical depending on the students’ interests and emphasis within the major.  Students present their Capstone Project results in a written journal-style article, an oral presentation, and a poster.  This course partially fulfills the advanced writing requirement for the Physics Major. Laboratory fee applies.
1

Prerequisites

17-365, 17-496.

17-470 Undergraduate Research

Students work under faculty supervision on a research project in Physics, Chemical Physics, Optics, or a related area chosen in consultation with the faculty member. This course may be repeated multiple times for credit.

1-6

Prerequisites

Consent of instructor.

17-475 Research

Students have the opportunity to work with faculty members or other researchers on problems of basic research in various areas of physics. Topic and advisor are chosen in consultation with Physics faculty members.

4

Prerequisites

Consent of instructor.

17-496 Physics Seminar

This seminar gives students the opportunity to explore contemporary topics in Physics though literature research and class presentations and by attending seminars and colloquia.  This seminar also helps prepare students for the major departmental examination, which students will take during the seminar semester.
1

Prerequisites

17-296. Prior or concurrent enrollment in 17-300, 17-341, 17-365, and either 17-310 or 17-311.

17-498 Special Topics in Physics

Students study a specific area of interest in Physics. Topics vary with semester. Course may be repeated for credit if different topics are offered.

1-4

Prerequisites

Advanced standing and consent of the instructor.

17-499 Independent Study

Students undertake advanced study in Physics under the supervision of a department faculty member.

1-4

Prerequisites

Advanced standing and consent of department chair and instructor. To qualify for an Independent Study, a student must have successfully completed 60 credit hours, at least 12 of which were earned at Lewis, and have earned at Lewis University a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.