Phys 8001. Strongly recommended for most Advanced Quantum Mechanics. (3 cr. Prereq–5002 or #)
Topics in non-relativistic quantum mechanics; second quantization. Introduction to Diagrammatic and Greenʼs function techniques and to relativistic wave equations. Application of relativistic perturbation theory to particle interactions with electromagnetic field. Invariant interactions of elementary particles.
Phys 8011. Quantum Field Theory I. (3 cr. Prereq–8001 or #)
Second quantization of relativistic wave equations: canonical quantization of the free scalar and Dirac fields. Fields in interaction: interaction picture. Quantum electrodynamics: quantization of the electromagnetic field, propagators and Feynman rules, tree-level processes. Higher-order processes and renormalization.
Phys 8012. Quantum Field Theory II. (3 cr. Prereq–8011 or #)
Aspects of general theory of quantized fields, including space-time and discrete transformation properties, the CPT theorem, and the spin-statistics connection. Introduction to functional and path-integral methods. Renormalization group and asymptotic freedom. Semi-classical methods and instantons in gauge theories.
Phys 8013. Special Topics in Quantum Field Theory. (3.0 cr. Prereq-8012 or #)
Includes non-perturbative methods in quantum field theory, supersymmetry, two-dimensional quantum field theories and their applications, lattice simulations of quantum fields, topological quantum field theories, quantum field theory methods applied to condensed matter physics, and string theory.
Phys 8100. Seminar: Problems of Physics Teaching and Higher Education. (1 cr [max 3 cr])
Lectures and informal discussions of courses and curricula, techniques, and materials important in undergraduate physics instruction; relation to general problems of higher education.
Phys 8161. Atomic and Molecular Structure. (3 cr. Prereq–Level of mathematics associated with BS in physical sciences)
Emphasizes interpretation of quantum numbers and selection rules in terms of symmetry. Experimental data summarized and compared with theoretical predictions.
Phys 8200. Seminar: Cosmology and High Energy Astrophysics. (1 cr [max 6 cr]; S-N only. Prereq–#)
Current topics in cosmology and high energy astrophysics.
Phys 8301. Symmetry and Its Application to Physical Problems. (3 cr. Prereq–5002 or #)
Fundamental invariance principles obeyed by laws of physics. Group theory as tool for using symmetry and invariance to help understand behavior of physical systems. Applications made to atomic, molecular, nuclear, condensed-matter, and elementary particle physics.
Phys 8311. Biological Physics of Single Molecules (3 cr. Prereq-5002 and 5201 or #)
Biological molecules, based on statistical mechanics, kinetics, optics, and other physics ideas. Physics of DNA/proteins, their interactions. Force spectroscopy (optical tweezers, atomic force microscopy). Concepts of optical spectroscopy. Single molecule fluorescence/imaging.
Phys 8312. Biological Physics of Macroscopic Systems (3 cr. Prereq-5002 and 5201 or #)
Macroscopic systems, based on physics such as fluid dynamics, statistical mechanics, non-linear dynamics, and chaos theory. Super-molecular aggregates. Biological physics of the cell. Biological physics of populations/evolution.
Phys 8333. FTE: Master’s. (1 cr. Prereq–Master’s student, adviser and DGS consent)
This is the course to keep “active” student status after you took all necessary credits including Plan A thesis credits (8777) or Plan B project (8500) but you still need to do some work. Most MS students should not have to register for this.
Phys 8444. FTE: Doctoral. (1 cr. Prereq–Doctoral student, adviser and DGS consent)
This is the course to keep “active” student status and is supported by the U as TA/RA/fellowships after you took all necessary credits including PhD thesis credits (8888) but you are still doing your PhD research work. Most PhD students should register for this in their last years. If you are not supported by the U, you can take GRAD 999 to keep active status, which does not incur any tuition. But no health insurance coverage is given. Also, if you are an international student (no US citizen), GRAD 999 may cause a problem with INS. So please consult with ISSS before you register for GRAD 999.
Phys 8500. Plan B Project. (4 cr. Prereq–#; may be taken once to satisfy Plan B master’s project requirement; no cr toward PhD)
Project topic arranged between student and instructor. Written report required.
Phys 8501. General Relativity and Cosmology I. (3 cr. Prereq–5012 or #)
Tensor analysis and differential geometry. Special relativity leading to formulation of principles of general relativity and Einsteinʼs equations. Tests of general relativity and thorough discussion of various black hole solutions, including Schwarzschild, Reisner-Nordstom, and Kerr solutions.
Phys 8502. General Relativity and Cosmology II. (3 cr. Prereq–8501 or #)
Gravitational radiation. Applications of general relativity to stellar structure of white dwarfs and neutron stars, action principle, and symmetric spaces. Big-bang cosmology, strongly emphasizing particle physics.
Phys 8600. Seminar: Space Physics. (1 cr [max 6 cr]; S-N only)
Current topics in space physics and plasma physics.
Phys 8601. Plasma Physics I. (3 cr. Prereq–4621, 5012 or #)
Theory of plasma waves and instabilities in plasmas, magnetohydrodynamics, nonlinear waves in plasmas, wave propagation in inhomogeneous plasmas.
Phys 8602. Plasma Physics II. (3 cr. Prereq–8601 or #)
Theory of plasma waves and instabilities, collisions, radiation, transport, nonlinear wave-particle and wave-wave interactions, instabilities in inhomogeneous plasmas.
Phys 8611. Cosmic Rays and Plasma Astrophysics. (3 cr. Prereq–5012 or #)
Properties of energetic particles in heliosphere and in astrophysical environments; solar physics, including radiation and magnetic effects; solar wind and magnetospheric physics; physics of radiation belts.
Phys 8650. Advanced Topics in Space and Plasma Physics. (3 cr [max 9 cr]. Prereq–8602 or 8611 or #)
Topics in plasma waves and instabilities, solar physics, cosmic ray physics, atmospheric physics or planetary physics.
Phys 8666. Doctoral Pre-Thesis Credits. (1-6 cr [max 24 cr]. Prereq–Max 6 cr per semester or summer; doctoral student who is doing PhD research but has not passed prelim oral);
You should not have to take this for more than one semester - you should take the oral soon if you are in this situation. Also, when you consider taking this, most likely, you should be taking 8994 or 5994 (independent research) instead.
Phys 8700. Seminar: Condensed Matter Physics. (1 cr [max 6 cr]; S-N only. Prereq–#)
Current research.
Phys 8702. Statistical Mechanics and Transport Theory II. (3 cr. Prereq–8701 or #)
Equilibrium properties of macroscopic classical and quantum systems. Phase transitions and Renormalization Group. Transport theory. Applications to soft condensed matter systems.
Phys 8711. Solid-State Physics I. (3 cr. Prereq–4211, 5002 or #)
Fundamental properties of solids. Electronic structure and transport in metals and semiconductors. Properties of disordered materials.
Phys 8712. Solid-State Physics II. (3 cr. Prereq–8711 or #)
Fundamental properties of solids. Electronic structure and transport in metals and semiconductors. Properties of disordered materials.
Phys 8750. Advanced Topics in Condensed Matter Physics. (3 cr [max 9 cr]. Prereq–8712 or #)
Sample research topics: magnetism, superconductivity, low temperature physics, superfluid helium.
Phys 8777. Thesis Credits: Master’s. (1-18 cr [max 50 cr]. Prereq–Max 18 cr per semester or summer; 10 cr total required [Plan A only])
Phys 8800. Seminar: Nuclear Physics. (1 cr [max 6 cr]; S-N only)
Current research topics.
Phys 8801. Nuclear Physics I. (3 cr. Prereq–5001 or concurrent reg in 5001)
Properties of nuclei based on hadronic and quark-gluon degrees of freedom. Relativistic field theory at finite temperature and density applied to many-body problems, especially nuclear matter and quark-gluon plasma. Applications to lepton and hadron scattering, nucleus-nucleus collisions, astrophysics and cosmology.
Phys 8802. Nuclear Physics II. (3 cr. Prereq–8801 or #)
Properties of nuclei based on hadronic and quark-gluon degrees of freedom. Relativistic field theory at finite temperatures and density applied to many-body problems, especially nuclear matter and quark-gluon plasma. Applications to lepton and hadron scattering, nucleus-nucleus collisions, astrophysics and cosmology.
Phys 8850. Advanced Topics in Nuclear Physics. (3 cr [max 9 cr]. Prereq–8802 or #)
Research topics.
Phys 8888. required for PhD; Thesis Credit: Doctoral. (1-24 cr. Prereq–Prelim Oral exam; 24 cr required)
These credits need to be taken to show that you did significant research work, give credits to the department for its research advising work, and give graduate school a share of tuition money for your research
Phys 8900. Seminar: Elementary Particle Physics. (1 cr [max 6 cr]; S-N only)
Elementary particle physics, high energy physics, particle astrophysics and cosmology.
Phys 8901. Elementary Particle Physics I. (3 cr. Prereq–8001 or #)
Types of fundamental interactions. Exact and approximate symmetries and conservation laws. Gauge quanta: gluons, photons, W and Z bosons, gravitons. Fundamental fermions: leptons and quarks. Isotopic and flavor SU(3) symmetries of strong interaction. Heavy hadrons. Amplitudes and probabilities. Quantum chromodynamics.
Phys 8902. Elementary Particle Physics II. (3 cr. Prereq–8901 or #)
Deep inelastic scattering. Weak interactions of leptons. Semileptonic and nonleptonic weak processes with hadons. Oscillations of neutral Kaons. Violation of CP symmetry in Kaons. Neutrino masses and oscillations. Standard model of the electroweak interaction. Grand unification. Unitarity of the S matrix. Properties of soft pions.
Phys 8911. Introduction to Supersymmetry. (3 cr. Prereq–8011 or #)
Motivation. Coleman-Mandula theorem. Supersymmetric Quantum Mechanics. 4D supersymmetry algebra and representations. Extended supersymmetry. N=1 superspace and superfields. Supersymmetric guage theories. Chiral/vector multiplets. Non-renormalization theorems. Supersymmetry breaking. Supersymmetric Standard Model. Phenomenology. Nonperturbative supersymmetry. Supergravity.
Phys 8950. Advanced Topics in Elementary Particle Physics. (3 cr [max 9 cr]. Prereq–8902 or #)
Research topics.
Phys 8994. Research in Physics. (1-12 cr [max 24 cr]. Prereq–#)
Research under faculty direction. You will need to fill out a form available in the front office (room 148) to get a permission number. On the form, you write what the goals of the research, and what you will do to reach your goals, and get your adviser's approval.