NOTE: In courses which include a laboratory, satisfactory completion of the laboratory work is required in order to pass the course.
Physics - Course Descriptions
PH 090 College Preparatory Physics 4R-0L-4C
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: College Algebra II
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Topics covered include: Units, significant figures, vectors, 1 and 2 dimensional motion; kinematic equations, objects in free-fall, motion in a circle, projectile motion, Newton’s Laws, contact forces, non-contact forces: gravity, Coulomb’s Law, magnetic force; centripetal force; collisions, linear momentum, rotational kinematics, torques, angular momentum, mechanical equilibrium - static equilibrium. The credits from this course cannot be counted toward any degree completion at Rose-Hulman.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: College Algebra II
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Topics covered include: Units, significant figures, vectors, 1 and 2 dimensional motion; kinematic equations, objects in free-fall, motion in a circle, projectile motion, Newton’s Laws, contact forces, non-contact forces: gravity, Coulomb’s Law, magnetic force; centripetal force; collisions, linear momentum, rotational kinematics, torques, angular momentum, mechanical equilibrium - static equilibrium. The credits from this course cannot be counted toward any degree completion at Rose-Hulman.
PH 111 Physics I 3.5R-1.5L-4C F,W
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.
Corequisites: MA 111 or MA 106
Kinematics, Newton's laws of motion, gravitation, Coulomb's law, Lorentz force law, strong and weak nuclear forces, conservation of energy and momentum, relevant laboratory experiments.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.
Corequisites: MA 111 or MA 106
Kinematics, Newton's laws of motion, gravitation, Coulomb's law, Lorentz force law, strong and weak nuclear forces, conservation of energy and momentum, relevant laboratory experiments.
PH 112 Physics II 3.5R-1.5L-4C W,S,F
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 111, and either MA 111 or MA 106
Corequisites: MA 112 or MA 107
Torque and angular momentum, oscillations, one-dimensional waves, electric fields and potentials, electric current and resistance, DC circuits, capacitance, relevant laboratory experiments.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 111, and either MA 111 or MA 106
Corequisites: MA 112 or MA 107
Torque and angular momentum, oscillations, one-dimensional waves, electric fields and potentials, electric current and resistance, DC circuits, capacitance, relevant laboratory experiments.
PH 113 Physics III 3.5R-1.5L-4C S,F,W
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 112, and either MA 112 or MA 107
Corequisites: MA 113
Sources of magnetic fields, Faraday's law, inductance electromagnetic waves, reflection and polarization, geometric and physical optics, introduction to relativity, relevant laboratory experiments.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 112, and either MA 112 or MA 107
Corequisites: MA 113
Sources of magnetic fields, Faraday's law, inductance electromagnetic waves, reflection and polarization, geometric and physical optics, introduction to relativity, relevant laboratory experiments.
PH 199 Professional Experience 1R-0L-1C
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
The professional experiences course captures the practical work experiences related to the student’s academic discipline. Students are required to submit a formal document of their reflections, which communicates how their employment opportunity reinforced and enhanced their academic studies. The course will be graded as “S” satisfactory, or “U” unsatisfactory based on the written report of the professional experience.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
The professional experiences course captures the practical work experiences related to the student’s academic discipline. Students are required to submit a formal document of their reflections, which communicates how their employment opportunity reinforced and enhanced their academic studies. The course will be graded as “S” satisfactory, or “U” unsatisfactory based on the written report of the professional experience.
PH 200 Career Preparation 1R-0L-1C W,S
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
This course is for physics majors to be taken in the second year. The course addresses career choices, summer opportunities, employment and graduate school preparation, and curriculum vitae and resumes preparation. This course is cross-listed with CHEM200, MA200 and SV200.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
This course is for physics majors to be taken in the second year. The course addresses career choices, summer opportunities, employment and graduate school preparation, and curriculum vitae and resumes preparation. This course is cross-listed with CHEM200, MA200 and SV200.
PH 215 Introduction to CHAOS 2R-0L-2C W
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
What constitutes chaotic behavior, detection of chaos in real systems using phase space plots, Poincare sections, bifurcation plots, power spectra, Lyupunov exponents, and computer simulation of chaotic systems.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
What constitutes chaotic behavior, detection of chaos in real systems using phase space plots, Poincare sections, bifurcation plots, power spectra, Lyupunov exponents, and computer simulation of chaotic systems.
PH 231 Observational Astronomy 1R-3L-2C F
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: MA 111, and PH 111 or EM 120
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Celestial coordinates; basics of celestial mechanics; electromagnetic radiation, atomic structure, spectra, blackbody radiation; telescopes and detectors; quantitative observational work using modern telescopes and detectors.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: MA 111, and PH 111 or EM 120
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Celestial coordinates; basics of celestial mechanics; electromagnetic radiation, atomic structure, spectra, blackbody radiation; telescopes and detectors; quantitative observational work using modern telescopes and detectors.
PH 235 Many-Particle Physics 3.5R-1.5L-4C F
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 111
Corequisites: MA 112
Dynamics of rigid body, harmonic motion; mechanics of fluids; heat, kinetic theory, thermodynamics. Alternate week laboratories.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 111
Corequisites: MA 112
Dynamics of rigid body, harmonic motion; mechanics of fluids; heat, kinetic theory, thermodynamics. Alternate week laboratories.
PH 241 Physics of Stars 4R-0L-4C W
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: MA 111, and PH 111 or EM 120
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Binary stars and stellar parameters; stellar spectra; stellar atmospheres; stellar interiors; star formation; stellar evolution; star death; stellar remnants; black holes and binary stars.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: MA 111, and PH 111 or EM 120
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Binary stars and stellar parameters; stellar spectra; stellar atmospheres; stellar interiors; star formation; stellar evolution; star death; stellar remnants; black holes and binary stars.
PH 250 Planets and Galaxies 4R-0L-4C S
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: MA 111, and PH 111 or EM 120
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Overview of planets and planetary science; origin and evolution of the solar system; structure and evolution of galaxies; origin and evolution of the universe; introduction to cosmology.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: MA 111, and PH 111 or EM 120
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Overview of planets and planetary science; origin and evolution of the solar system; structure and evolution of galaxies; origin and evolution of the universe; introduction to cosmology.
PH 255 Foundations of Modern Physics 3.5R-1.5L-4C W
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 113
Corequisites: MA 221
Wave-particle nature of matter and radiation, Bohr model, Schrodinger equation, quantum description of the hydrogen atom, atomic and molecular spectra, and introduction to statistical physics.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 113
Corequisites: MA 221
Wave-particle nature of matter and radiation, Bohr model, Schrodinger equation, quantum description of the hydrogen atom, atomic and molecular spectra, and introduction to statistical physics.
PH 265 Fundamentals of Nuclear Physics & Radiation 3R-3L-4C S
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 112, and MA 221
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Relativity, black-body radiation, the Bohr model, physics of the nucleus, fission and fusion, reactors, nuclear radiation, radiation damage, medical applications.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 112, and MA 221
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Relativity, black-body radiation, the Bohr model, physics of the nucleus, fission and fusion, reactors, nuclear radiation, radiation damage, medical applications.
PH 270 Special Topics in Physics 1-4C
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Lectures on special topics in physics. Maximum of 4 credits per term.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Lectures on special topics in physics. Maximum of 4 credits per term.
PH 290 Directed Research 1-4C
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Research for freshmen and sophomore students under the direction of a physics and optical engineering faculty member. May earn up to a maximum of 2 credits for meeting the graduation requirements. The student must make arrangements with a faculty member for the research project prior to registering for this course.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Research for freshmen and sophomore students under the direction of a physics and optical engineering faculty member. May earn up to a maximum of 2 credits for meeting the graduation requirements. The student must make arrangements with a faculty member for the research project prior to registering for this course.
PH 292 Physical Optics 3.5R-1.5L-4C F
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 113
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
The wave equation; electromagnetic waves; phase and group velocities; complex refractive index; dispersion, interference; interferometers and applications, optical interferometry; coherence; polarized light; Jones vectors/matrices; production of polarized light; birefringence, Fraunhoffer diffraction; diffraction gratings.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 113
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
The wave equation; electromagnetic waves; phase and group velocities; complex refractive index; dispersion, interference; interferometers and applications, optical interferometry; coherence; polarized light; Jones vectors/matrices; production of polarized light; birefringence, Fraunhoffer diffraction; diffraction gratings.
PH 302 Biophysics 4R-0L-4C F
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 113 or consent of instructor
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Biological examples of the interaction of radiation and matter; medical uses of x-rays, nuclear medicine, magnetic resonance imaging, and current applications in biophysics.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 113 or consent of instructor
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Biological examples of the interaction of radiation and matter; medical uses of x-rays, nuclear medicine, magnetic resonance imaging, and current applications in biophysics.
PH 310 Introduction to Special Relativity 2R-0L-2C F
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 113 or Consent of instructor
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Experimental background of the special theory of relativity, the structure of the theory and its consequences in measurements involving space, time and motion. Relativistic mechanics, relativity and electromagnetism, and applications in modern physics.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 113 or Consent of instructor
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Experimental background of the special theory of relativity, the structure of the theory and its consequences in measurements involving space, time and motion. Relativistic mechanics, relativity and electromagnetism, and applications in modern physics.
PH 314 Theoretical Mechanics I 4R-0L-4C S
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 112, and MA 222
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Statics and dynamics of particles and systems of particles, including rigid bodies. Conservation of energy, linear and angular momentum. Central forces. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian equations of motion. Vibrations.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 112, and MA 222
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Statics and dynamics of particles and systems of particles, including rigid bodies. Conservation of energy, linear and angular momentum. Central forces. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian equations of motion. Vibrations.
PH 315 Theoretical Mechanics II 4R-0L-4C W
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 314
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Statics and dynamics of rigid bodies. Lagrangian treatment of rigid body dynamics. Euler method of rigid body dynamics. Small oscillations about positions of equilibrium and about steady motion. Statics and dynamics of deformable bodies. Computational analysis of mechanical systems.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 314
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Statics and dynamics of rigid bodies. Lagrangian treatment of rigid body dynamics. Euler method of rigid body dynamics. Small oscillations about positions of equilibrium and about steady motion. Statics and dynamics of deformable bodies. Computational analysis of mechanical systems.
PH 316 Electric & Magnetic Fields 4R-0L-4C F
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 113, and MA 222
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Maxwell's equations in integral and point form, vector calculus; electric field and potential, electric fields in matter, boundary conditions; the magnetic field.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 113, and MA 222
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Maxwell's equations in integral and point form, vector calculus; electric field and potential, electric fields in matter, boundary conditions; the magnetic field.
PH 317 Electromagnetism 4R-0L-4C W
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 316
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Further methods in electrostatics, Poisson's equation; magnetostatics, the vector potential; electromagnetic induction; magnetic properties of matter; further applications of Maxwell's equations, properties of electromagnetic radiation.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 316
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Further methods in electrostatics, Poisson's equation; magnetostatics, the vector potential; electromagnetic induction; magnetic properties of matter; further applications of Maxwell's equations, properties of electromagnetic radiation.
PH 322 Celestial Mechanics 4R-0L-4C S
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 112 or MA 221
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Dynamics of point masses; the two-body problem; the restricted three-body problem; orbital position as a function of time; orbits in three dimensions; preliminary orbit determination; orbital maneuvers; interplanetary trajectories.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 112 or MA 221
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Dynamics of point masses; the two-body problem; the restricted three-body problem; orbital position as a function of time; orbits in three dimensions; preliminary orbit determination; orbital maneuvers; interplanetary trajectories.
PH 325 Advanced Physics Laboratory I 2R-6L-4C S
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 113
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Introduction to the methods of experimental physics; topics may include error analysis, component fabrication, transducers, ac circuits, operational amplifiers, electrical signal conditioning, and automated data acquisition.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 113
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Introduction to the methods of experimental physics; topics may include error analysis, component fabrication, transducers, ac circuits, operational amplifiers, electrical signal conditioning, and automated data acquisition.
PH 327 Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics 4R-0L-4C S
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 235 or consent of instructor
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
First, second, and third laws of thermodynamics. Ideal gases, real gases, liquids, solids, change of phase. The Joule-Thompson effect, adiabatic demagnetization. Kinetic theory of gases, classical and quantum statistical mechanics.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 235 or consent of instructor
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
First, second, and third laws of thermodynamics. Ideal gases, real gases, liquids, solids, change of phase. The Joule-Thompson effect, adiabatic demagnetization. Kinetic theory of gases, classical and quantum statistical mechanics.
PH 401 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics 4R-0L-4C W
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 255 or PH 113, and PH 265
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Review of wave-particle experiments, atomic model, Bohr theory, deBroglie's hypothesis. Uncertainty principle, Schroedinger equation, quantum mechanical operators and stationary states, quantization and role of angular momentum.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 255 or PH 113, and PH 265
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Review of wave-particle experiments, atomic model, Bohr theory, deBroglie's hypothesis. Uncertainty principle, Schroedinger equation, quantum mechanical operators and stationary states, quantization and role of angular momentum.
PH 402 Introduction to Atomic Physics 4R-0L-4C S (odd years)
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 401
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Solutions of Schroedinger equation, perturbation theory, applications to one electron system. Quantum numbers, spin and magnetic moments, multi-electron systems including LS coupling. Zeeman effect, transition rates, hyperfine structure, X-rays.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 401
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Solutions of Schroedinger equation, perturbation theory, applications to one electron system. Quantum numbers, spin and magnetic moments, multi-electron systems including LS coupling. Zeeman effect, transition rates, hyperfine structure, X-rays.
PH 404 Acoustics 4R-0L-4C W (odd years)
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 113, and MA 222
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Harmonic motion, waves on strings, membranes, eigenfunctions and eigenvalues; waves in rods and fluids; behavior of waves at interfaces; radiation from vibrating piston; resonators, absorption.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 113, and MA 222
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Harmonic motion, waves on strings, membranes, eigenfunctions and eigenvalues; waves in rods and fluids; behavior of waves at interfaces; radiation from vibrating piston; resonators, absorption.
PH 405 Semiconductor Materials & Applications 3R-3L-4C F
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: PH 113 or PH 255 or PH 265
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Material structure electronic levels and energy bands; semiconductor doping; optical and electronic material characteristics; p-n junction and diode characteristics; bipolar junction transistor; basics of device fabrication. Laboratories on X-ray and Scanning Electron Microscope investigations, device characteristics and a three-week design project on production and testing of thin films. Cross-listed with PH 505.
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: PH 113 or PH 255 or PH 265
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Material structure electronic levels and energy bands; semiconductor doping; optical and electronic material characteristics; p-n junction and diode characteristics; bipolar junction transistor; basics of device fabrication. Laboratories on X-ray and Scanning Electron Microscope investigations, device characteristics and a three-week design project on production and testing of thin films. Cross-listed with PH 505.
PH 407 Solid State Physics 4R-0L-4C S (even years)
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: PH 255 or PH 265
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Selected topics in the field are discussed in detail; e.g., crystal structures, lattice vibrations and electronic band structure; electrical, optical and thermal properties of solids and semi-conductors; and the properties of materials at very low temperatures.
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: PH 255 or PH 265
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Selected topics in the field are discussed in detail; e.g., crystal structures, lattice vibrations and electronic band structure; electrical, optical and thermal properties of solids and semi-conductors; and the properties of materials at very low temperatures.
PH 410 General Relativity 4R-0L-4C W (odd years)
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: PH 310, and MA 421
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
An in-depth study of Einstein’s theory of General Relativity. Gravity as geometry and curved space-time, metrics, and geodesics. Orbits and light paths around spherical masses. Detailed study of Einstein’s equation in vacuum and with sources of space-time curvature.
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: PH 310, and MA 421
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
An in-depth study of Einstein’s theory of General Relativity. Gravity as geometry and curved space-time, metrics, and geodesics. Orbits and light paths around spherical masses. Detailed study of Einstein’s equation in vacuum and with sources of space-time curvature.
PH 425 Advanced Physics Laboratory II 0R-8L-4C W
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: PH 325
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Selected experiments in various areas of physics, with primary emphasis on nuclear physics and a significant independent student project
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: PH 325
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Selected experiments in various areas of physics, with primary emphasis on nuclear physics and a significant independent student project
PH 431 Advanced Observational Astronomy 1R-3L-2C S
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 231, and either PH 241 or PH 250
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Students will conduct astronomical observations with telescopes and learn to process and interpret astronomical data. They will learn astronomical data processing, statistical analysis, image processing, observational bias, data interpretation, and scientific writing skills.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 231, and either PH 241 or PH 250
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Students will conduct astronomical observations with telescopes and learn to process and interpret astronomical data. They will learn astronomical data processing, statistical analysis, image processing, observational bias, data interpretation, and scientific writing skills.
PH 440 X-rays and Crystalline Materials 2R-6L-4C S (even years)
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: PH 255 or PH 265
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
X-ray emission, absorption, fluorescence, and diffraction. Methods of analyzing crystalline solid materials. Applications in solid-state physics, materials science, chemistry, metallurgy, and biology.
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: PH 255 or PH 265
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
X-ray emission, absorption, fluorescence, and diffraction. Methods of analyzing crystalline solid materials. Applications in solid-state physics, materials science, chemistry, metallurgy, and biology.
PH 460 Directed Study 1-4C
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Permits study in an area of physics not available in regular course offerings. Maximum of 4 credits per term.
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Permits study in an area of physics not available in regular course offerings. Maximum of 4 credits per term.
PH 470 Special Topics in Physics 2-4C
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Lectures on special topics in physics.
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Lectures on special topics in physics.
PH 480 Seminar 0C
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Lectures by staff, students, and outside speakers on topics of special interest.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Lectures by staff, students, and outside speakers on topics of special interest.
PH 490 Directed Research 1-2 C
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Research for junior and senior students under the direction of a physics and optical engineering faculty member. May earn a maximum of 8 credits between PH 290 and PH 490 for meeting graduation requirements. Maximum of 2 credits per term. The student must make arrangements with a physics and optical engineering faculty member for the research project prior to registering for this course.
Graduate Studies Eligible: Yes
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Research for junior and senior students under the direction of a physics and optical engineering faculty member. May earn a maximum of 8 credits between PH 290 and PH 490 for meeting graduation requirements. Maximum of 2 credits per term. The student must make arrangements with a physics and optical engineering faculty member for the research project prior to registering for this course.
PH 496 Senior Thesis 2-4C
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: Consent of PHOE faculty
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Literature search, research proposal preparation, and laboratory project work with a total number of 8 credit hours over the three quarter sequence. This sequence is designed to result in a completed senior thesis.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: Consent of PHOE faculty
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Literature search, research proposal preparation, and laboratory project work with a total number of 8 credit hours over the three quarter sequence. This sequence is designed to result in a completed senior thesis.
PH 497 Senior Thesis 2-4C F
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: Consent of PHOE faculty
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Literature search, research proposal preparation, and laboratory project work with a total number of 8 credit hours over the three quarter sequence. This sequence is designed to result in a completed senior thesis.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: Consent of PHOE faculty
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Literature search, research proposal preparation, and laboratory project work with a total number of 8 credit hours over the three quarter sequence. This sequence is designed to result in a completed senior thesis.
PH 498 Senior Thesis 2-4C W
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: Consent of PHOE faculty
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Literature search, research proposal preparation, and laboratory project work with a total number of 8 credit hours over the three quarter sequence. This sequence is designed to result in a completed senior thesis.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: Consent of PHOE faculty
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Literature search, research proposal preparation, and laboratory project work with a total number of 8 credit hours over the three quarter sequence. This sequence is designed to result in a completed senior thesis.
PH 499 Physics Ethics and Communication 1R-0L-1C S
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 497, PH 498 or PH 425
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Guidelines will be discussed to encourage ethical reporting and conduct of research performed by individuals. Situations in physics research and publication will be presented and discussed in regards to ethical reporting and conduct. As the final component of the students’ Senior Thesis, students will prepare oral and written presentations of their research and present them at a public forum held near the end of the spring term. Students not in the thesis track will present (in both oral and written form) the projects conducted in PH425 Advanced Physics Lab II.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 497, PH 498 or PH 425
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Guidelines will be discussed to encourage ethical reporting and conduct of research performed by individuals. Situations in physics research and publication will be presented and discussed in regards to ethical reporting and conduct. As the final component of the students’ Senior Thesis, students will prepare oral and written presentations of their research and present them at a public forum held near the end of the spring term. Students not in the thesis track will present (in both oral and written form) the projects conducted in PH425 Advanced Physics Lab II.
PH 505 Semiconductor Materials & Devices I 3R-3L-4C F
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 113 or PH 255 or PH 265
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Material structure electronic levels and energy bands; semiconductor doping; optical and electronic material characteristics; p-n junction and diode characteristics; bipolar junction transistor; basics of device fabrication. Laboratories on X-ray and Scanning Electron Microscope investigations, device characteristics and a three-week design project on production and testing of thin films. Students must do additional project work on a topic selected by the instructor. Cross-listed with PH 405.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 113 or PH 255 or PH 265
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Material structure electronic levels and energy bands; semiconductor doping; optical and electronic material characteristics; p-n junction and diode characteristics; bipolar junction transistor; basics of device fabrication. Laboratories on X-ray and Scanning Electron Microscope investigations, device characteristics and a three-week design project on production and testing of thin films. Students must do additional project work on a topic selected by the instructor. Cross-listed with PH 405.
PH 512 Methods of Mathematical Physics 4R-0L-4C
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Ordinary and partial differential equations, linear vector spaces, matrices, tensors. Strum-Liouville theory and eigenvalue problems, special functions, function of a complex variable, theory of groups, linear integral equations.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Ordinary and partial differential equations, linear vector spaces, matrices, tensors. Strum-Liouville theory and eigenvalue problems, special functions, function of a complex variable, theory of groups, linear integral equations.
PH 514 Quantum Mechanics 4R-0L-4C
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Development of quantum mechanical theory to the present time. Examples from spectroscopy, chemistry, nuclear physics.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Development of quantum mechanical theory to the present time. Examples from spectroscopy, chemistry, nuclear physics.
PH 530 Advanced Acoustics 4R-0L-4C
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 404
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Waves in solids, electrodynamics and piezoelectric sound transducers, ultrasonics. Architectural acoustics. Underwater sound.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: PH 404
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Waves in solids, electrodynamics and piezoelectric sound transducers, ultrasonics. Architectural acoustics. Underwater sound.
PH 538 Introduction to Neural Networks 3R-3L-4C
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: Senior or Graduate Standing
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Classifiers, linear separability. Supervised and unsupervised learning. Perceptrons. Back-propagation. Feedback networks. Hopfield networks. Associative memories. Fuzzy neural networks. Integral laboratory.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: Senior or Graduate Standing
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Classifiers, linear separability. Supervised and unsupervised learning. Perceptrons. Back-propagation. Feedback networks. Hopfield networks. Associative memories. Fuzzy neural networks. Integral laboratory.
PH 540 Computer Physics 3R-3L-4C
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Exploration of physics by simulation including planetary motion, waves, chaos, cellular automata and fractals; application of numerical methods of differentiation and integration; computer hardware and machine language as it affects laboratory use; curve fitting and smoothing of data.
Graduate Studies Eligible: No
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Exploration of physics by simulation including planetary motion, waves, chaos, cellular automata and fractals; application of numerical methods of differentiation and integration; computer hardware and machine language as it affects laboratory use; curve fitting and smoothing of data.