400

This course builds on PHYS 30000. Computational techniques will be used to study various topics in mechanics selected at the discretion of the instructor.  Topics may include Hamiltonian and Lagrangian formulations of mechanics and their applications, coupled oscillators, fluids, non-linear systems, and/or chaos.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. Laboratory fee applies.

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.

This seminar gives students the opportunity to explore contemporary topics in Physics though literature research and class presentations and by attending seminars and colloquia. In this seminar, which has a significant writing component, students prepare a proposal for their Capstone project. The writing is spread throughout the semester with regular instruction, peer review, and revision. Students also prepare a poster on their Capstone proposal and present it. This course fulfills the Advanced Writing General Education requirement for the Physics major.

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

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