3000 level courses

Note: These courses are offered on an irregular schedule, depending on demand and on the needs of current students. 

Advanced Mechanics (PHY 3010). 4 credits.  This course offers an advanced formal treatment of classical mechanics, building on Mechanics (PHY2010).  Topics include: Calculus of variations, Hamilton's Principle, Lagrangian formulation of mechanics, Hamilton's formulation of mechanics, rigid body, coupled oscillations and normal modes, canonical transformations, Hamilton-Jacobi theory.  Prerequisites: Calculus III, Differential Equations, and Mechanics.

Quantum Mechanics (PHY 3020).  4 credits. This course provides a formal treatment of non-relativistic quantum mechanics following PHY 2030 Quantum Physics.  Topics include: the formulation of quantum mechanics in terms of state vectors and linear operators, three-dimensional spherically symmetric potentials, the theory of angular momentum and spin, time-independent and time dependent perturbation theory, scattering theory and identical particles.  Prerequisites: Calculus III, Differential Equations, Mechanics, and Quantum Physics.

Electrodynamics (PHY 3030). 4 credits.  This course offers a rigorous treatment of classical electrodynamics following PHY 2021 Electromagnetism.  Topics include: Electrostatics; magnetostatics, quasi-stationary phenomena, and Maxwell's equation; Special mathematical methods for problems in electrostatics; Electromagnetic waves and boundary value problems; Potentials and gauge transformations; Radiation from charge and current distributions, including multipole expansion of the field, and the field of moving charges.  Prerequisites: Calculus III, Differential Equations, Mechanics, and Electromagnetism.

Mathematical Methods of Physics (PHY 3040).  4 credits.  This course covers the necessary mathematics for treatment of advanced physics topics.  Topics may include: complex analysis, partial differential equations, integral equations, Green's functions, special functions, boundary problems, Fourier and other transforms, group theory and representations.  Emphasis is placed on applications to physical problems.  Prerequisites: Calculus III, Differential equations.

Solid-State Physics (PHY 3050).  4 credits. This course is a rigorous introduction to solid-state physics.  Topics include: crystal structures, properties of periodic lattice, electrons in metals, band structure, transport properties, semi-conductors, magnetism, and superconductivity.  Prerequisites: Electromagnetism, Quantum Physics, & Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics.

Statistical Mechanics (PHY 3060). 4 credits. This course provides a rigorous treatment of both classical and quantum statistical mechanics following PHY 2040 Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics.  Topics include: Fundamentals of statistical mechanics; theory of ensembles; quantum statistics; imperfect gases; cooperative phenomena.  Prerequisites: Electromagnetism, Quantum Physics, & Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics.

Research Internship (PHY 3080). 3 credits.  Students may choose to take any intermship in physics for credit using this course designation.  Doing an internship, particularly recommended during the junior-senior summer, provides opportunities for students to engage in actual research at universities, institutes, or other laboratory facilities.  This supplements the academic-year theoretical courses and gives enhanced experimental training, while helping students make career decisions.  Prerequisites: Mechanics, Electromagnetism, Quantum Physics, & Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics, or by approval by the Department.

Senior Research Project and Seminar (PHY 3090). 3 credits. This course is the capstone experience for physics majors. It includes advanced readings in a selected field of physics or an extended experimental investigation of a particular topic, under the supervision of a faculty member, and leads to a significant final paper.   Prerequisite: Written permission of the faculty member who agrees to act as supervisor and the permission of the department.