Physics Major, Mathematical Physics Option

Physics Core

A physics major must satisfactorily complete the following courses: Physics 51, 52, 54, 64, 111, 116, 133, 134, 151, 195 (taken four times), and Mathematics 82. In addition, a physics major must satisfactorily complete the courses in the standard program or in one of the Physics options. A final oral and written report of completed research, Clinic, or independent project work is required for all physics majors. The Physics 195 Colloquium requirement is waived for any semester during which a student is away on a study abroad program.

  • MATH082 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructor: Staff

    Offered: Fall

    Description: Modeling physical systems, first-order ordinary differential equations, existence, uniqueness, and long-term behavior of solutions; bifurcations; approximate solutions; second-order ordinary differential equations and their properties, applications; first-order systems of ordinary differential equations. Applications to linear systems of ordinary differential equations, matrix exponential; nonlinear systems of differential equations; equilibrium points and their stability. Additional topics.

    Prerequisites: (MATH019 HM and MATH073 HM) or equivalent

  • PHYS051 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructors: Breznay, Gerbode, Tamayo

    Offered: Fall

    Description: An introduction to electricity and magnetism leading to Maxwell’s elec­tromagnetic equations in differential and integral form. Selected topics in classical and quantum optics.

    Prerequisites: PHYS023 HM and PHYS024 HM

    Corequisites: MATH082 HM or MATH056 HM

  • PHYS052 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructor: Staff

    Offered: Spring

    Description: The development and formulation of quantum mechanics, and the application of quantum mechanics to topics in atomic, solid state, nuclear, and particle physics.

    Prerequisites: PHYS051 HM and MATH082 HM

  • PHYS054 HM

    Credit: 1

    Instructors: Eckert, Staff

    Offered: Spring

    Description: Classical experiments of modern physics, including thermal radiation and Rutherford scattering. Nuclear physics experiments, including alpha, beta and gamma absorption, and gamma spectra by pulse height analysis. Analysis of the buildup and decay of radioactive nuclei.

    Corequisites: PHYS050 HM and PHYS052 HM

  • PHYS064 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructor: Staff

    Offered: Spring

    Description: This course combines mathematical and computational methods that are useful for studying physical systems. Topics include: Linear algebra, Hilbert spaces, the eigenvalue problem and numerical algorithms for solving problems in linear algebra, including various modes of decomposition; Fourier series and transforms, convolution, correlation and numerical methods using fast Fourier transforms; computer simulation methods based on integrating coupled differential equations and also using pseudorandom numbers, including Monte Carlo methods; partial differential equations, separation of variables, Laplace and Poisson equations in various dimensions, the wave equation, and numerical approaches to solution.

    Prerequisites: (CSCI005 HM or CSCI042 HM) and MATH082 HM

  • PHYS111 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructor: Tamayo

    Offered: Fall

    Description: The application of mathematical methods to the study of particles and of systems of particles; Newton, Lagrange, and Hamilton equations of motion; conservation theorems; central force motion, collisions, damped oscillators, rigid body dynamics, systems with constraints, variational methods.

    Prerequisites: PHYS023 HM, PHYS024 HM, and (MATH082 HM or PHYS064 HM)

  • PHYS116 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructor: Gerbode

    Offered: Spring

    Description: The elements of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics. Topics include the general formalism, one-dimensional and three-dimensional problems, angular momentum states, perturbation theory and identical particles. Applications to atomic and nuclear systems.

    Prerequisites: PHYS052 HM

  • PHYS133 HM

    Credit: 1

    Instructors: Gallicchio, Staff

    Offered: Fall

    Description: An intermediate laboratory in electronics involving the construction and analysis of rectifiers, filters, transistor and operational amplifier circuits.

    Prerequisites: PHYS054 HM

  • PHYS134 HM

    Credits: 2

    Instructor: Staff

    Offered: Spring

    Description: A laboratory-lecture course on the techniques and theory of classical and modern optics. Topics of study include diffraction, interferometry, Fourier transform spectroscopy, grating spectroscopy, lasers, quantum mechanics and quantum optics, coherence of waves and least-squares fitting of data.

    Prerequisites: PHYS051 HM and PHYS054 HM

  • PHYS151 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructor: Sahakian

    Offered: Fall

    Description: The theory of static and dynamic electromagnetic fields. Topics include multipole fields, Laplace’s equation, the propagation of electromagnetic waves, radiation phenomena and the interaction of the electromagnetic field with matter.

    Prerequisites: PHYS051 HM and (PHYS111 HM or PHYS116 HM) and (MATH180 HM or PHYS064 HM)

  • PHYS195 HM (taken four times)

    Credit: 0.5

    Instructor: Staff

    Offered: Fall and spring

    Description: Oral presentations and discussions of selected topics, including recent developments. Participants include physics majors, faculty members, and visiting speakers. Required for all junior and senior physics majors. No more than 2.0 credits can be earned for departmental seminars/col­loquia.

Mathematical Physics Option

Note: Physics 170 can be substituted for Physics 133 in this option provided Physics 170 is not used to meet the physics half-course requirement.

  • One physics halfcourse
    •

AND

  • PHYS117 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructors: Esin, Saeta

    Description: Classical and quantum statistical mechanics, including their connection with thermodynamics. Kinetic theory of gases. Applications of these concepts to various physical systems.

    Prerequisites: PHYS052 HM

OR

  • PHYS154 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructor: Ilton

    Offered: Spring

    Description: The theory of deformable media. Field equations for elastic and fluid media and for conducting fluids in electromagnetic fields. Particular emphasis on body and surface wave solutions of the field equations.

    Prerequisites: MATH180 HM or PHYS064 HM

OR

  • PHYS156 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructor: Sahakian

    Offered: Spring

    Description: This course explores concepts, methods, and applications of the classical theory of fields. On the physics side, we will learn about cosmological inflation, superconductivity, electroweak theory, solitons, the nuclear force, and magnetic monopoles. On the mathematics side, we will learn the basics of differential geometry and Lie algebras. Throughout the course, we will emphasize the unity of physical principles and techniques across a wide range of systems and disciplines.

    Prerequisites: PHYS111 HM and (MATH180 HM or PHYS064 HM)

AND

4 to 6 credits of:

  • PHYS199 HM (taken twice)

    Credits: 1-3

    Instructor: Staff

    Offered: Fall and spring

    Description: Original experimental or theoretical investigations in physics undertaken in consultation with a faculty member. Projects may be initiated by the student or by a faculty member. Present faculty research areas include astrophysics, biophysics, optics, solid-state and low-temperature physics, general relativity, quantum mechanics, particle physics, geophysics, and soft matter physics. Students are responsible for an oral presentation on progress and plans in the first half of the thesis research.

    Prerequisites: Permission of department. Senior standing.

OR

6 credits of:

  • MATH197 HM (taken twice)

    Credits: 3

    Instructor: Staff

    Offered: Fall and spring

    Description: Senior thesis offers the student, guided by the faculty advisor, a chance to experience a taste of the life of a professional research mathematician. The work is largely independent with guidance from the research advisor. The principal objective of the senior thesis program is to help you develop intellectually and improve your written and verbal communication skills. Students are expected to present their work orally and to produce a thesis conforming to the publication standards of a professional mathematician.

    Prerequisites: Senior standing as a mathematics major and permission from the Mathematics Senior Thesis Coordinator.

OR

  • An approved Clinic

AND

Two additional courses to be chosen from

  • PHYS117 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructors: Esin, Saeta

    Description: Classical and quantum statistical mechanics, including their connection with thermodynamics. Kinetic theory of gases. Applications of these concepts to various physical systems.

    Prerequisites: PHYS052 HM

  • PHYS154 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructor: Ilton

    Offered: Spring

    Description: The theory of deformable media. Field equations for elastic and fluid media and for conducting fluids in electromagnetic fields. Particular emphasis on body and surface wave solutions of the field equations.

    Prerequisites: MATH180 HM or PHYS064 HM

  • PHYS156 HM

    Credits: 3

    Instructor: Sahakian

    Offered: Spring

    Description: This course explores concepts, methods, and applications of the classical theory of fields. On the physics side, we will learn about cosmological inflation, superconductivity, electroweak theory, solitons, the nuclear force, and magnetic monopoles. On the mathematics side, we will learn the basics of differential geometry and Lie algebras. Throughout the course, we will emphasize the unity of physical principles and techniques across a wide range of systems and disciplines.

    Prerequisites: PHYS111 HM and (MATH180 HM or PHYS064 HM)

  • 3credit mathematics courses numbered 100 or higher that are not included in the physics major requirements
    •