Upper-Division

PHYS 102 Modern Physics

Topics in quantum physics including the Schrodinger equation; angular momentum and spin; the Pauli exclusion principle; and quantum statistics. Applications in multi-electron atoms and molecules, and in solid-state, nuclear, and particle physics.

Credits

5

Instructor

Stefania Gori, Barun Dhar

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 5A, PHYS 5L, PHYS 5B, PHYS 5M, PHYS 5C, PHYS 5N and PHYS 5D; or PHYS 6A, PHYS 6L, PHYS 6B, PHYS 6M, PHYS 6C, PHYS 6N, and PHYS 5D; or equivalent.

PHYS 105 Mechanics

Particle dynamics in one, two, and three dimensions. Conservation laws. Small oscillations, Fourier series and Fourier integral solutions. Phase diagrams and nonlinear motions, Lagrange's equations, and Hamiltonian dynamics.

Credits

5

Instructor

The Staff

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 5A and PHYS 5L; and PHYS 116A or MATH 21 plus MATH 24 or AM 10 plus AM 20; and ASTR 119 or CSE 20. Concurrent enrollment in PHYS 116C or MATH 107 is required.

PHYS 110A Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics

Examines electrostatics, including the electric field, potential, solutions to Laplace's and Poisson's equations, and work and energy; electricity in matter (conductors, dielectrics); magnetostatics, including the magnetic field and vector potential, Ampere's and Faraday's laws; magnetism in matter; and Maxwell's equations.

Credits

5

Instructor

Michael Hance

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 5C; and PHYS 116A or MATH 21 and MATH 24; and PHYS 116C or MATH 107.

PHYS 110B Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics

Examines electromagnetic waves, including absorption and dispersion, reflection and transmission, and wave guides; conservation laws and gauge invariance; time-dependent vector and scalar potentials and application to radiation of charges and antennae; and electrodynamics and relativity.

Credits

5

Instructor

Onuttom Narayan

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 110A; and PHYS 116C or MATH 107.

PHYS 112 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics

Consequences of the first and second laws of thermodynamics, elementary statistical mechanics, thermodynamics of irreversible processes.

Credits

5

Instructor

Sasha Sher

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 5D and MATH 23B. Concurrent enrollment in PHYS 102 is required.

PHYS 115 Computational Physics

This course applies efficient numerical methods to the solutions of problems in the physical sciences which are otherwise intractable. Examples will be drawn from classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, and electrodynamics. Students apply a high-level programming language, such as Python, to the solution of physical problems and develop appropriate error and stability estimates.

Credits

5

Instructor

Jason Nielsen

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 102 and PHYS 105; and PHYS 116A or MATH 21 and MATH 24; and PHYS 116C or MATH 107, or equivalent. Basic programming experience in Python or similar language.

PHYS 116A Mathematical Methods in Physics

Infinite series. Topics in linear algebra including vector spaces, matrices and determinants, systems of linear equations, eigenvalue problems and matrix diagonalization. Ordinary differential equations and Laplace transforms.

Credits

5

Instructor

The Staff

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): MATH 23A.

PHYS 116C Mathematical Methods in Physics

Fourier series and transforms, Dirac-delta function, Green's functions, series solutions of ordinary equations, Legendre polynomials, Bessel functions, sets of orthogonal functions, and partial differential equations.

Credits

5

Instructor

Onuttom Narayan, Bruce Schumm

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 116A or MATH 21 and MATH 24; and MATH 23A and MATH 23B.

PHYS 116D Mathematical Methods in Physics

Complex functions, complex analysis, asymptotic series and expansions, special functions defined by integrals, and probability and statistics. (Formerly offered as PHYS 116B.)

Credits

5

Instructor

George Brown

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 116A or MATH 21 and MATH 24; and PHYS 116C.

PHYS 120 Polymer Physics

Statistical properties polymers; scaling behavior, fractal dimensions; random walks, self avoidance; single chains and concentrated solutions; dynamics and topological effects in melts; polymer networks; sol-gel transitions; polymer blends; application to biological systems; computer simulations will demonstrate much of the above. Students cannot receive credit for this course and PHYS 240.

Credits

5

Instructor

Joshua Deutsch

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 112.

PHYS 129 Particle Physics and Astrophysics

The standard model of particle physics; physics beyond the standard model; neutrino physics; the early universe; dark matter and dark energy; selected topics in general relativistic cosmology and high-energy astrophysics. (Formerly Nuclear and Particle Astrophysics.)

Credits

5

Instructor

Mike Hance

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 5D, PHYS 102, and MATH 23B; and PHYS 116A or MATH 21. Students with equivalent coursework may contact instructor for permission to enroll.

PHYS 130 Multiwavelength Astronomical Techniques

Survey of observational astronomy across the electromagnetic spectrum and including multi-messenger probes. Covers the physics of light detection and instrumentation in different wavelength bands as well as astrophysical sources of emission and the relevant radiative processes associated to them. Aspects of statistics and statistical inference relevant for astronomical data analysis are also covered.

Credits

5

Cross Listed Courses

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 102; and PHYS 133; and either ASTR 19 or ASTR 119 or CSE 20.

Cross Listed Courses

ASTR 114

Instructor

Tesla Jeltema

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 102; and PHYS 133; and either ASTR 19 or ASTR 119 or CSE 20.

PHYS 133 Intermediate Laboratory

Demonstration of phenomena of classical and modern physics. Development of a familiarity with experimental methods. Special experimental projects may be undertaken by students in this laboratory.

Credits

5

Instructor

Art Ramirez, Aiming Yan, Jairo Velasco

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 5C and PHYS 5D and one from CSE 5J, or CSE 14, or CSE 20, or ASTR 119, or by permission of the instructor. Enrollment is restricted to physics, applied physics, physics (astrophysics), and science education majors and physics minors.

General Education Code

SR

PHYS 134 Physics Advanced Laboratory

Individual experimental investigations of basic phenomena in atomic, nuclear, and solid state physics.

Credits

5

Instructor

Sasha Sher, Art Ramirez

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 133 and PHYS 102.

Repeatable for credit

Yes

PHYS 135 Astrophysics Advanced Laboratory

Introduction to the techniques of modern observational astrophysics at optical and radio wavelengths through hands-on experiments. Offered in some academic years as a multiple-term course: PHYS 135A in fall and PHYS 135B in winter, depending on astronomical conditions.

Credits

5

Cross Listed Courses

ASTR 135

Instructor

Steve Ritz, David Smith

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 133 and at least one astronomy course. Enrollment is restricted to physics (astrophysics) majors. Intended primarily for juniors and seniors majoring or minoring in astrophysics.

PHYS 135A Astrophysics Advanced Laboratory

Introduction to techniques of modern observational astrophysics at optical and radio wavelengths through hands-on experiments. Intended primarily for juniors and seniors majoring or minoring in astrophysics. Offered in some academic years as single-term course PHYS 135 in fall, depending on astronomical conditions.

Credits

3

Cross Listed Courses

ASTR 135A

Instructor

Tesla Jeltema

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 133 and at least one astronomy course. Enrollment is restricted to physics (astrophysics) majors.

PHYS 135B Astrophysics Advanced Laboratory

Introduction to techniques of modern observational astrophysics at optical and radio wavelengths through hands-on experiments. Intended primarily for juniors and seniors majoring or minoring in astrophysics. Offered in some academic years as single-term PHYS 135 in fall, depending on astronomical conditions.

Credits

2

Cross Listed Courses

ASTR 135B

Instructor

George Brown

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 135A. Enrollment is restricted to physics (astrophysics) majors.

PHYS 137 Advanced Optics Laboratory

Application of advanced optical techniques to the study of problems in astrophysics, physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering. Techniques include interferometry, Fourier optics, adaptive optics, optical tweezers, photon correlation spectroscopy, optical pumping, laser spectroscopy, and more.

Credits

5

Instructor

Sasha Sher

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 102 or ECE 102; and PHYS 133 or by permission of instructor.

PHYS 138 Quantum Information Science Laboratory

Application of advanced laboratory techniques to the emerging field of quantum information science. Techniques include laser physics, quantum entanglement, quantum correlations, electron spin resonance, ion trapping; Josephson junctions, and more.

Credits

5

Instructor

Alexander Sher

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 102 and PHYS 133, or permission of the instructor. Enrollment is restricted to physics B.S. majors.

PHYS 139A Quantum Mechanics I

Basic principles and mathematical techniques of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics: Schrodinger equation and Dirac notation; one-dimensional systems, including the free particle and harmonic oscillator; three-dimensional problems with spherical symmetry; angular momentum; hydrogen atom; spin; identical particles and degenerate gases.

Credits

5

Instructor

Aris Alexandradinata

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 102; and PHYS 116A or MATH 21 and MATH 24; and PHYS 116C or MATH 107.

PHYS 139B Quantum Mechanics II

Approximation methods in nonrelativistic quantum mechanics: time-independent perturbation theory (non-degenerate and degenerate) and addition of angular momenta; variational methods; the WKB approximation; time-dependent perturbation theory and radiation theory; scattering theory.

Credits

5

Instructor

Sriram Shastry

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 102; and PHYS 116A or MATH 21 and MATH 24; and PHYS 116C or MATH 107; and PHYS 139A.

PHYS 150 Quantum Computing

Review of linear algebra. Includes basic concepts in quantum mechanics including quantum states, measurements, operators, entanglement, entanglement entropy, "no cloning" theorem, and density matrices; classical gates, reversible computing, and quantum gates; several quantum algorithms including Deutsch's algorithm, Simon's algorithm, Shor's algorithm, and the Grover algorithm; quantum error correction; and quantum key distribution and teleportation.

Credits

5

Cross Listed Courses

CSE 109

Instructor

Peter Young

Requirements

PHYS 116A or MATH 21 or AM 10. Enrollment is restricted to juniors and seniors.

PHYS 152 Physics and Machine Learning

Review of select topics in statistical physics including information theory, entropy, coupled systems, phase transitions, and symmetry breaking. Introduction to multivariate algorithms, with an emphasis on their foundations in statistical physics and classical mechanics. Notebooks, data preparation, cross-validation, supervised and unsupervised learning. Practical considerations for training and optimizing neural networks and related tools. (Formerly offered as Neural Networks, Statistical Physics and Computing.)

Credits

5

Instructor

Mike Hance

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 105; and CSE 20 or ASTR 119 or PHYS 115 or prior programming experience with permission of instructor. Corequisite: PHYS 112.

PHYS 156 Applications of Quantum Materials

Quantum mechanics in solid-state materials plays a fundamental role in the development of quantum computation and sustainable technologies, as well as the search for fundamental physics beyond the Standard Model. This course introduces the quantum physics of semiconductors and low-dimensional materials (such as graphene), with emphasis on applications to transistors for logic operations, p-n junctions for photovoltaic cells and particle detection, as well as quantum dots for qubits. (Formerly Applications of Solid State Physics.)

Credits

5

Instructor

Aris Alexandradinata

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 102 or CHEM 163A.

PHYS 157 Frontier of Quantum Materials

The fundamentals of quantum materials are revamped by incorporating the geometric Berry phase and the topology of quantum wave functions. The traditional solid-state phenomena of superconductivity and magnetism are taught from a cutting-edge topological perspective, to understand phenomena such as the quantum Hall effect and emergent Majorana fermions. Applications of topological quantum materials range from spintronics to quantum information and computation. (Formerly offered as PHYS 155, Solid State Physics.)

Credits

5

Instructor

Jairo Velasco

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 112 and PHYS 139A; students with equivalent coursework may contact instructor for permission to enroll.

PHYS 160 Practical Electronics

Provides a practical knowledge of analog electronics that experimentalists generally need in research, including basic circuits with bipolar and field-effect transistors, op-amps, comparators, oscillators, and voltage regulators. It assumes no previous knowledge of electronics but includes twice-weekly lectures with some homework assignments, including small circuit simulations done using PSpice. However, with the aid of the instructor and teaching assistant, the students are expected to learn mainly through the construction, debugging, and analysis of small electronics projects.

Credits

5

Instructor

Robert Johnson

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 5C and PHYS 5N or PHYS 6C and PHYS 6N.

PHYS 171 General Relativity, Black Holes, and Cosmology

Special relativity is reviewed. Curved space-time, including the metric and geodesics, are illustrated with simple examples. The Einstein equations are solved for cases of high symmetry. Black-hole physics and cosmology are discussed, including recent developments.

Credits

5

Cross Listed Courses

ASTR 171

Instructor

Stefania Gori

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 105, PHYS 110A, and PHYS 110B; and PHYS 116A or MATH 21 and MATH 24.

PHYS 180 Biophysics

Physical principles and techniques used in biology: X-ray diffraction; nuclear magnetic resonance; statistics, kinetics, and thermodynamics of macromolecules; viscosity and diffusion; DNA/RNA pairing; electrophoresis; physics of enzymes; biological energy conversion; optical tweezers.

Credits

5

Instructor

Joshua Deutsch

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 112; students who have a biochemistry background may contact instructor for permission. Restricted to juniors and seniors.

General Education Code

PR-E

PHYS 182 Scientific Communication for Physicists

Develops the writing skills necessary to prepare professional publications: how to structure a physics article; write for a specific audience with clarity, precision, and concision; and deliver a short informal presentation. Additionally, students become familiar with the peer review process and the ethics of the publication process.

Credits

5

Instructor

Aiming Yan, The Staff

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 133 and satisfaction of the Entry Level Writing and Composition requirements. Enrollment is restricted to junior and senior majors in physics, astrophysics, applied physics, or physics education.

PHYS 191 Teaching Practicum

Designed to provide upper-division undergraduates with an opportunity to work with students in lower division courses, leading discussions, reading and marking submissions, and assisting in the planning and teaching of a course. Prerequisite(s): excellent performance in major courses; instructor approval required; enrollment restricted to senior physics majors.

Credits

5

PHYS 192 Directed Student Teaching

Teaching of a lower-division seminar under faculty supervision. (See PHYS 42.) Prerequisite(s): upper-division standing; submission of a proposal supported by a faculty member willing to supervise.

Credits

5

PHYS 195A Senior Thesis I

Independent research for seniors conducted under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Students develop a written research proposal, thesis outline, and introductory material. Prerequisite(s): Entry Level Writing and Composition requirements. Enrollment is restricted to senior applied physics, physics, and physics (astrophysics) majors.

Credits

5

PHYS 195B Senior Thesis II

Independent research for seniors conducted under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Students prepare an oral presentation of their results, and they submit a written senior thesis on their research topic. Prerequisite(s): Entry Level Writing and Composition requirements. Enrollment is restricted to senior applied physics, physics, and physics (astrophysics) majors.

Credits

5

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): PHYS 195A.

PHYS 199 Tutorial

Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Credits

5

Repeatable for credit

Yes

PHYS 199F Tutorial

Tutorial

Credits

2

Repeatable for credit

Yes

Cross-listed courses that are managed by another department are listed at the bottom.

Cross-listed Courses

AM 107 Introduction to Fluid Dynamics

Covers fundamental topics in fluid dynamics: Euler and Lagrange descriptions of continuum dynamics; conservation laws for inviscid and viscous flows; potential flows; exact solutions of the Navier-Stokes equation; boundary layer theory; gravity waves. Students cannot receive credit for this course and AM 217. (AM 107 formerly AMS 107.)

Credits

5

Cross Listed Courses

PHYS 107

Requirements

Prerequisite(s): AM 112 or MATH 107 or PHYS 116C or EART 111.

ASTR 9A Introduction to Research in Physics and Astrophysics

Introduction to research for first-year students interested in physics and astrophysics. Students complete projects in small groups with scientists. Introduces techniques for collaboration; science writing; physics careers. Continuing course spanning two quarters. Enrollment is restricted to first-year proposed astrophysics and physics majors and by permission of the instructor.

Credits

2

Cross Listed Courses

PHYS 9A

ASTR 9B Introduction to Research in Physics and Astrophysics

Introduction to research for first-year students interested in physics and astrophysics. Students complete projects in small groups with scientists. Introduces techniques for collaboration; science writing; physics careers. Continuing course spanning two quarters. Prerequisite(s): ASTR 9A. Enrollment is restricted to first-year proposed applied physics, physics, and physics (astrophysics) majors and by permission of the instructor.

Credits

3

Cross Listed Courses

PHYS 9B

General Education Code

PR-E