(For astronomy degree requirements, see Astronomy.)
Professor William Oliver, Chair; Experimental high-energy physics
Professor Peggy Cebe, Experimental condensed matter polymer physics
Professor Lawrence H. Ford, Cosmology, general relativity, astrophysics
Professor Gary R. Goldstein, Theoretical high-energy physics
Professor Robert P. Guertin, Experimental condensed-matter physics
Professor Leon Gunther, Theory of condensed matter
Professor Kenneth R. Lang, Astronomy
Professor W. Anthony Mann, Experimental high-energy physics
Professor Austin Napier, Experimental high-energy physics
Professor Jacob Schneps, Vannevar Bush Chair; Experimental high-energy physics
Professor Yaacov Shapira, Experimental condensed-matter physics
Professor Krzysztof Sliwa, Experimental high-energy physics
Professor Roger Tobin, Experimental condensed-matter physics
Professor Alexander Vilenkin, Cosmology, general relativity, astrophysics
Professor David L. Weaver, Molecular biophysics
Assistant Professor Hugh Gallagher, Experimental high-energy physics
Lecturer Esther Zirbel, Astronomy
Visiting Associate Professor Rosanne DiStefano, Astronomy and
astrophysics
Research Professor Tomas Kafka, Experimental high-energy physics
Research Associate Professor William H. Waller,
Observational astrophysics, space science education
Research Associate Professor Robert F. Willson, Astronomy
The laws of physics are few in number yet appear to govern all known material phenomena: physical, chemical, and biological. The science of physics involves the observation of natural processes and the formulation from these observations of general principles that may be tested further or exploited for useful ends. Majoring in physics can be a valuable part of a broad education. Students who combine mastery of the basic laws of physics with the outlook and flexibility of a liberal education will be well prepared to take on a variety of specialized roles. Men and women who majored in physics in the recent past have successfully entered careers in business administration, the computer industry, law, medicine, dentistry, meteorology, public health, teaching, as well as physics and other sciences.
Undergraduate Concentration Requirements - College of Liberal Arts
Major in Physics
Eight courses in physics more advanced than Physics 2 or 12 and including Physics 13 and
64; two courses in mathematics more advanced than Mathematics 13 and 18. With the exception of
Physics 13 and 64, two of the physics courses and one mathematics course may be replaced
by approved advanced courses in related fields (such as astronomy, biology, chemistry,
computer science, engineering, or mathematics). The ten courses required for the major
must include two courses in advanced laboratory training. One of these courses must be
Physics 64; the other may be Physics 31 or 41.
Major in Applied Physics
Five courses in physics more advanced than Physics 2 or 12, including Physics 13 and 64;
two courses in mathematics more advanced than Mathematics 13 and 18; three courses from the
concentration requirements of one of the engineering departments. With the exception of
Physics 13 and 64, one of the five physics courses may be replaced by an approved course
in a related field.
Major in Chemical Physics
Four courses in physics more advanced than Physics 2 or 12, including Physics 13; two
courses in mathematics more advanced than Mathematics 13 and 18; four courses in chemistry
more advanced than Chemistry 2 and 12 and 16. The ten courses required for the major must include
one course in advanced laboratory training, either Physics 64 or Chemistry 33 and 34. One
mathematics course may be replaced by approved advanced course in a related field. Faculty
advisers in the chemistry and physics departments are available for consultation on the
chemical physics program.
Major in Astrophysics
Four courses in physics more advanced than Physics 2 or 12, including Physics 13 and 64;
two courses in mathematics more advanced than Mathematics 13 and 18; four courses in astronomy
more advanced than Astronomy 10. One mathematics course may be replaced by an approved
advanced course in a related field. Research experience is strongly recommended.
Premedical, Predental, Preveterinary Students
Students interested in entering medical, dental, or veterinary school after
graduation may take advantage of the following replacement option to complete the
corresponding entrance requirements as part of the physics major. With the exception of
Physics 13 and 64, two of the physics courses and one mathematics course may be replaced
by Chemistry 51 and 53 and 52 and 54, and one other advanced elective. Chemistry 53 and 54 will
also fulfill one term of the advanced laboratory training requirement for the physics
major.
Undergraduate Concentration Requirements - College of Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics
A minimum of 38 credits is required: Introductory (11 credits),
humanities/arts/social science (5 credits), and free elective (2 credits) requirements of the School of
Engineering; a foundation requirement (8 credits); and a physics/engineering concentration
requirement (12 credits). The introductory requirement includes Physics 12.
The foundation requirement comprises Physics 13, Physics 32 (or Engineering Science 6), Physics 52 (or Engineering Science 7), Physics 41; two courses from Engineering Science 3, 4, 5, 8, or 9; plus two other courses satisfying the foundation requirements of the School of Engineering.
Concentration requirement: four courses in physics and astronomy at the intermediate or advanced levels, which must include Physics 64; four courses from the concentration requirements of one of the engineering departments; four approved elective courses in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or science.
Undergraduate Minor Program
The program requires the completion of five courses.
Physics Minor
The student takes Physics 11 and 12 (or 1 and 2), and Physics 13, and any two courses from
the following: Physics 31, 32, 41, 42, 43, 52, 61, 62, and 64. For example, one possible
minor, which emphasizes classical physics, would be Physics 11, 12, 13, 32, and 52.
Another, which emphasizes quantum physics, would be Physics 11, 12, 13, 31, and 61.
Astrophysics Minor
The student takes Physics 11 and 12 (or 1 and 2) and any three courses from the following:
Astronomy 21, 22, 101, 111, and 112.
Graduate Program
The Department of Physics and Astronomy grants two degrees: the doctor of philosophy and
the master of science. The department has established qualifications to ensure that
degree candidates have a broad background in experimental and theoretical physics. A
faculty advisory committee is appointed for each student to supervise the program of study
leading to the degree.
Master of Science
The master of science degree requires eight graduate-level courses in physics or related
fields, the latter to be subject to approval by the advisory committee. These courses must
include Physics 131, 145, 146, 163, and 164, and must be completed with a grade of B- or
better. The student has the option of writing and defending a master's thesis, which may
count as the equivalent of up to three courses.
Doctor of Philosophy
The doctoral candidate must demonstrate proficiency in the basic fields of
classical physics (classical mechanics and classical electromagnetic theory) and
quantum physics (quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics). Proficiency is
demonstrated by earning an average of A- or better in the basic
graduate courses (131, 145, 146, and 153, 163, 164), or by passing special
examinations in the areas covered by these courses. Graduate courses taken at
other institutions may in some cases be used to fulfill part of this
requirement. The doctoral candidate is also required to complete with a grade
of B- or better two courses, one each in any two of four specialized
fields: condensed matter physics (173 or 174), particle physics (183 or 184),
general relativity and cosmology (167 or 268), and advanced quantum mechanics
(263).
Generally in the second year, the candidate chooses a field of specialization from the areas of research within the department and selects a research advisor. After completing the required course work, the candidate takes an oral examination in this specialized field. Satisfactory performance on the oral examination qualifies the candidate to undertake a program of independent research under the guidance of the research advisor, culminating in the preparation and defense of a doctoral dissertation.
The current areas of research in the department are astronomy and astrophysics, biophysics, condensed-matter physics, cosmology and general relativity, and high-energy physics.
Undergraduate Courses
Please note: Only one of Physics 1, 1N, 11, and 11N, and only one of Physics 2, 2N, 12,
and 12N may be counted for credit.
1, 2 Introductory Physics. Principles and concepts of classical and relativistic mechanics; heat; thermodynamics; electricity and magnetism; properties of waves; light; sound; atomic, nuclear, and particle physics; astrophysics. Lectures, recitations, laboratories. Physics 1 is a prerequisite for Physics 2. Two courses. Members of the department
1N, 2N Introductory Physics. Physics 1-2 without the laboratories. Physics 1 or 1N is a prerequisite for Physics 2N. Two courses. Members of the department
6 Physics for Humanists. Intended for those who are intellectually and emotionally curious but do not intend to specialize in the natural sciences. Facts and concepts of classical and modern physics; eminent scientists and the emotions that have impelled them; nuclear energy and nuclear bombs; the interaction, both constructive and destructive, between science and society. Goldstein
10 The Physics of Music and Color. The role physics principles play in the production, transmission, and perception of sound and light; their relation to music and art. The nature of sound and light; the production of sound by musical instruments; the general characteristics of wave phenomena. Development of an appreciation of the common bases of natural phenomena. Lectures and laboratories. No background in physics or college math is assumed. Elementary high school algebra will be used. Offered alternate years. Goldstein, Gunther
11, 12 General Physics. Principles of classical mechanics, heat, electricity and magnetism, waves, and light. Lectures, recitations, laboratories. Prerequisite: must be preceded or accompanied by Mathematics 11 and 12 or equivalent. Physics 11 or 11N is a prerequisite for Physics 12. Two courses. Members of the department
11N, 12N General Physics. Physics 11 and 12 without the laboratories. Physics 11 or 11N is a prerequisite for Physics 12N. Two courses. Members of the department
13 General Physics III. A survey of modern physics: special relativity and quantum mechanics, kinetic theory, atomic, molecular, and condensed matter physics, astrophysics. Prerequisite: Physics 2 or 12 and Mathematics 12. Fall. Members of the department
15, 16 Special Topics in Physics. A course in which the widespread application of physics will be discussed in a way suitable for a broad spectrum of undergraduates of variable and, possibly, minimal backgrounds in physics. Satisfies the distribution requirement in the natural sciences. Members of the department
25 Introduction to Medical and Biological Physics. Presentation at an introductory level of selected topics in physics relevant to modern medicine and biology. Development of topics to the point of application to biomedical problems. Topics drawn from acoustics, physics of fluids, diffusion, laser physics, and other subjects varying from year to year. Offered alternate years. Prerequisites: Physics 1, 2, or 11, 12 or consent. Corequisite: Mathematics 13. Members of the department
31 Optics and Wave Motion. Propagation of electromagnetic waves; geometrical optics; polarization; optical properties of metals, insulators, and semiconductors; Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction; interference; Fourier optics. Lectures and laboratories. Prerequisite: Physics 2 or 2N or 12 or 12N. Corequisite: Mathematics 13. Cebe
32 Intermediate Mechanics. A vector treatment of mechanics: forces and moments; kinematics of a particle and motion of a rigid body; particle dynamics; central force motion; work, kinetic energy, and potential energy; impulse and momentum; mechanical vibrations. Prerequisites: Physics 2 or 2N, or 12 or 12N; and Mathematics 13. Offered in alternate years. Members of the department
41 Electronics. Resistors, capacitors and inductors, network analysis of linear circuits, power transfer, response of linear circuits to voltage steps and to sinusoidal voltages, semiconductor diodes, bipolar and field effect transistors, transistor amplifiers, negative feedback, operational amplifiers. Two lectures, one laboratory. Physics majors may substitute Electrical Engineering 3 and 4. Prerequisite: Physics 2 or 2N, or 12 or 12N. Fall. Oliver
42 Electricity and Magnetism I. A field treatment of electricity and magnetism: electrostatic fields and potentials, dielectrics, magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction, magnetic materials, energy in static and magnetic fields. Three lectures. Prerequisites: Physics 2 or 2N, or 12 or 12N, and Mathematics 13. Fall. Members of the department
43 Electricity and Magnetism II. The laws of induction, the Maxwell equations, electromagnetic potentials, electromagnetic waves, resonant cavities, transmission lines, wave guides and waves in a dielectric; electromagnetic radiation. With two microwave experiments. Offered in alternate years. Prerequisites: Physics 42 and Mathematics 38, or consent. Members of the department
52 Thermal Physics. Temperature, work, heat, and the laws of thermodynamics: reversibility and irreversibility, entropy, the properties of pure substances, and change of phase. Introduction to statistical thermodynamics. Spring 2002 and alternate years. Prerequisites: Physics 2 or 2N, or 12 or 12N, and Mathematics 13. Members of the department
61 Quantum Theory and Atomic Physics. Review of quantum and wave properties, Schrödinger wave equation and energy quantization in bound state problems, perturbation theory and applications, electron spin, Pauli exclusion principle, atomic structure and collision theory. Prerequisites: Physics 13 and Mathematics 38. Fall. Mann
62 Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics. Nuclear properties, the deuteron, nuclear magnetic and electric moments, nuclear models, radioactivity, nuclear energy, fission and fusion processes; properties of the elementary particles; quarks and leptons. Prerequisite: Physics 61. Offered in alternate years. Members of the department
64 Experimental Modern Physics. An advanced laboratory course in modern physics; experiments in physical optics, spectroscopy, and atomic physics, including measurements of the fundamental constants; during part of the term, opportunity will be provided for development of further experiments on an individual basis. One lecture and two laboratories. Prerequisites: Physics 13. Members of the department
72 Introduction to Solids. An introduction to the physics of solids, including a study of crystalline structures, theory of electrons, lattice vibrations in solids, metals, and semiconductors. Other topics may include solid-state devices, magnetic and superconducting materials, crystal growth, and alloying. Prerequisites: Physics 13 and either Physics 52 or Engineering Science 7. Members of the department
91, 92 Individual Study. Guided individual study of special problems in physics and related fields. Prerequisite: consent. Members of the department
95, 96 Senior Thesis. A reading and research course open to seniors to study the
experimental and theoretical aspects of a particular problem. Credit as arranged. Members
of the department
Courses for Undergraduate and Graduate Students
131 Advanced Classical Mechanics. Topics include variational principles, Lagrange's equations, the two-body central-force problem, rigid bodies, Hamilton's equations, canonical transformations, small oscillations, and continuous systems and fields. Prerequisites: Physics 32 and Mathematics 38. Fall. Members of the department
145, 146 Classical Electromagnetic Theory. Electro- and magnetostatics, the Maxwell equations, electromagnetic potentials, covariant formulation of electrodynamics, energy and momentum in the electromagnetic field, electromagnetic waves, radiation, and multipole expansions. Members of the department
153 Statistical Mechanics. Principles and applications of classical and quantum statistical mechanics; microcanonical, canonical, and grand canonical ensembles; Maxwell-Boltzmann, Bose-Einstein, and Fermi-Dirac distributions; statistical basis of thermodynamics; and applications. Prerequisite: Physics 52 or Engineering Science 7. Members of the department
163, 164 Quantum Theory. Wave functions and the Schrödinger equation, axioms of quantum mechanics and their meaning, equivalence of wave and matrix mechanics, angular momentum and spin, central forces, approximation methods and applications, scattering theory, identical particles and the exclusion principle. Prerequisites: Physics 43, 61, and Mathematics 151. Corequisite: Mathematics 158. Two courses. Members of the department
167 General Relativity. Review of special relativity, tensor analysis and Riemannian geometry, Einstein's equations, linearized gravity theory, gravitational waves, relativistic stars, black holes, and cosmological models. Prerequisite: Physics 146 or consent. Ford
173, 174 Introduction to Solid-State Physics. Crystal structure and crystal diffraction; lattice vibrations and elastic waves; cohesion of solids, electron theory of metals and semiconductors; thermal, electric, and magnetic properties of solids; and superconductivity. Prerequisite: Physics 52. Corequisite: Physics 163 or consent. Members of the department
183, 184 Particle Physics. Accelerators and detectors; symmetries and conservation laws; properties of hadrons; the quark model; weak interactions; the Standard Model; physics of accelerator operation and of selected detection and analysis techniques. Prerequisites: Physics 164, or Physics 162 and consent. Two courses. Schneps
191, 192 Physics Seminar. A weekly discussion course for senior and first-year graduate students on topics of current interest in physics. Members of the department
193, 194 Selected Topics. Lectures on advanced problems of physics. Topics to be announced. Credit as arranged. Members of the department
263 Advanced Quantum Mechanics. Relativistic quantum mechanics, systems of many identical particles, quantum field theory, quantum electrodynamics, Feynman diagrams, and renormalization. Prerequisites: Physics 131, 146, and 164. Fall. Ford
264 Quantum Theory of Fields. Topics vary from year to year, drawn from quantum electrodynamics, gauge theories, theory of weak interactions, many-body theory, and group theory. Prerequisite: Physics 263. Members of the department
268 Cosmology. The standard (big bang) cosmological model; expanding universe; background radiation, production of helium and other elements; galaxy formation; cosmological phase transitions; inflation; monopoles, strings and walls; quantum cosmology. Prerequisites: familiarity with general relativity and statistical physics. Members of the department
283, 284 Special Topics in Theoretical Physics. A treatment of one or more subjects of current importance in theoretical physics. Prerequisite: consent. Two courses. Members of the department
291, 292 Graduate Seminar. Presentation of individual reports on basic topics to a seminar group for discussion and criticism. Credit as arranged. Members of the department
293, 294 Special Topics. Guided individual study of an approved topic. Credit as arranged. Members of the department
295, 296 Thesis. Guided research on a topic that has been approved as a suitable subject for a master's thesis. Two courses. Members of the department
297, 298 Graduate Research. Research on a topic suitable for a doctoral dissertation. Credit as arranged. Members of the department
401PT Master's Continuation, Part-time.
402FT Master's Continuation, Full-time.
501PT Doctoral Continuation, Part-time.
502FT Doctoral Continuation, Full-time.