printer friendly pagePHYSICS 113: Computational Physics
Numerical methods for solving problems in mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics. Methods include numerical integration; solutions of ordinary and partial differential equations; solutions of the diffusion equation, Laplace's equation and Poisson's equation with relaxation methods; statistical methods including Monte Carlo techniques; matrix methods and eigenvalue problems. Short introduction to MatLab, used for class examples; class projects may be programmed in any language such as C. Prerequisites:
MATH 53 and PHYS 120. Previous programming experience not required.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-AQR, WAY-FR
Instructors:
Abel, T. (PI)
;
Nosarzewski, B. (TA)
PHYSICS 120: Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism I
Vector analysis. Electrostatic fields, including boundary-value problems and multipole expansion. Dielectrics, static and variable magnetic fields, magnetic materials. Maxwell's equations. Prerequisites:
PHYSICS 43 or PHYS 63;
MATH 52 and
MATH 53. Pre- or corequisite:
MATH 131P or
MATH 173. Recommended corequisite: PHYS 112.
Terms: Win
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-FR, WAY-SMA
PHYSICS 121: Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism II
Conservation laws and electromagnetic waves, Poynting's theorem, tensor formulation, potentials and fields. Plane wave problems (free space, conductors and dielectric materials, boundaries). Dipole and quadruple radiation. Special relativity and transformation between electric and magnetic fields. Prerequisites: PHYS 120 and
MATH 131P or
MATH 173; Recommended: PHYS 112.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 4
PHYSICS 130: Quantum Mechanics I
The origins of quantum mechanics and wave mechanics. Schrödinger equation and solutions for one-dimensional systems. Commutation relations. Generalized uncertainty principle. Time-energy uncertainty principle. Separation of variables and solutions for three-dimensional systems; application to hydrogen atom. Spherically symmetric potentials and angular momentum eigenstates. Spin angular momentum. Addition of angular momentum. Prerequisites:
PHYSICS 65 or
PHYSICS 70 and
MATH 131P or
MATH 173.
MATH 173 can be taken concurrently. Pre- or corequisites:
PHYSICS 120.
Terms: Win
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-FR, WAY-SMA
PHYSICS 131: Quantum Mechanics II
Identical particles; Fermi and Bose statistics. Time-independent perturbation theory. Fine structure, the Zeeman effect and hyperfine splitting in the hydrogen atom. Time-dependent perturbation theory. Variational principle and WKB approximation. Prerequisite:
PHYSICS 120,
PHYSICS 130,
MATH 131P, or
MATH 173. Pre- or corequisite:
PHYSICS 121.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 4
PHYSICS 134: Advanced Topics in Quantum Mechanics (PHYSICS 234)
Scattering theory, partial wave expansion, Born approximation. Additional topics may include nature of quantum measurement, EPR paradox, Bell's inequality, and topics in quantum information science; path integrals and applications; Berry's phase; structure of multi-electron atoms (Hartree-Fock); relativistic quantum mechanics (Dirac equation). Undergraduates register for
PHYSICS 134 (4 units). Graduate students register for
PHYSICS 234 (3 units). Prerequisite:
PHYSICS 131.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3-4
Instructors:
Hayden, P. (PI)
;
Salton, G. (TA)
PHYSICS 152: Introduction to Particle Physics I (PHYSICS 252)
Elementary particles and the fundamental forces. Quarks and leptons. The mediators of the electromagnetic, weak and strong interactions. Interaction of particles with matter; particle acceleration, and detection techniques. Symmetries and conservation laws. Bound states. Decay rates. Cross sections. Feynman diagrams. Introduction to Feynman integrals. The Dirac equation. Feynman rules for quantum electrodynamics and for chromodynamics. Undergraduates register for
PHYSICS 152. Graduate students register for
PHYSICS 252. (Graduate students will be required to complete additional assignments in a format determined by the instructor.) Prerequisite:
PHYSICS 130. Pre- or corequisite:
PHYSICS 131.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 3
Instructors:
Peskin, M. (PI)
;
Whalen, D. (TA)
PHYSICS 160: Introduction to Stellar and Galactic Astrophysics (PHYSICS 260)
Observed characteristics of stars and the Milky Way galaxy. Physical processes in stars and matter under extreme conditions. Structure and evolution of stars from birth to death. White dwarfs, planetary nebulae, supernovae, neutron stars, pulsars, binary stars, x-ray stars, and black holes. Galactic structure, interstellar medium, molecular clouds, HI and HII regions, star formation, and element abundances. Undergraduates register for
PHYSICS 160. Graduate students register for
PHYSICS 260. (Graduate students will be required to complete additional assignments in a format determined by the instructor.) Prerequisite:
PHYSICS 121.
Terms: Win
| Units: 3-4
Instructors:
Petrosian, V. (PI)
PHYSICS 161: Introduction to Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics (PHYSICS 261)
What do we know about the physical origins, content, and evolution of the Universe -- and how do we know it? Students learn how cosmological distances and times, and the geometry and expansion of space, are described and measured. Composition of the Universe. Origin of matter and the elements. Observational evidence for dark matter and dark energy. Thermal history of the Universe, from inflation to the present. Emergence of large-scale structure from quantum perturbations in the early Universe. Astrophysical tools used to learn about the Universe. Big open questions in cosmology. Undergraduates register for
Physics 161. Graduates register for
Physics 261. (Graduate students will be required to complete additional assignments in a format determined by the instructor.) Prerequisite:
PHYSICS 121 or equivalent.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 3
Instructors:
Roodman, A. (PI)
;
Yoon, J. (TA)
PHYSICS 170: Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory, and Statistical Mechanics I
Basic probability and statistics for random processes such as random walks. The derivation of laws of thermodynamics from basic postulates; the determination of the relationship between atomic substructure and macroscopic behavior of matter. Temperature; equations of state, heat, internal energy, equipartition; entropy, Gibbs paradox; equilibrium and reversibility; heat engines; applications to various properties of matter; absolute zero and low-temperature phenomena. Distribution functions, fluctuations, the partition function for classical and quantum systems, irreversible processes. Pre- or corequisite:
PHYSICS 130.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 4
Instructors:
Schleier-Smith, M. (PI)
;
Zhao, Y. (TA)
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