400

PHYS-40100 Computational Mechanics

This course builds on PHYS 30000 and CPSC 31500.  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.

3

Prerequisites

PHYS 30000

PHYS-41100 Computational Electrodynamics

This course is a continuation of PHYS 31000.  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.

3

Prerequisites

PHYS 31000

PHYS-44100 Quantum Mechanics

Building on the theory developed in PHYS 34100 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

PHYS 34100 or CHEM 30500

PHYS-44200 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

PHYS 34200 or PHYS 44100 or consent of the instructor

PHYS-44300 Nuclear and Particle Physics

This course builds on the material covered in PHYS 34300.  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

PHYS 34300 or PHYS 44100 or consent of instructor

PHYS-46500 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

PHYS 36500 and PHYS 49600 or consent of instructor

PHYS-47000 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

PHYS-49600 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

PHYS 29600

Corequisites

PHYS 36500 recommended

PHYS-498XX 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

PHYS-49900 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.