1320 Musical Acoustics
NEW COURSE!
Covers both the acoustics (physical sound properties) and the
psychoacoustics (psychological, perceptual properties) of music. Topics
will include sound in general, sound of musical instruments (including
voice), sound characteristics of rooms, electronic production
(synthesis) and reproduction of sound.
Fulfills a requirement for Laboratory Science.
Prerequisite: None.
1301 Weird Universe (The Ideas of Modern Physics):
Lecture,
Laboratory
Will attempt to present cosmology, relativity, quantum mechanics, and
particle physics in an essentially descriptive, nonmathematical
framework accessible to all SMU students.
Fulfills a requirement for Laboratory Science.
Prerequisite: None.
1101 Introduction to the Universe
Designed for first-year students. Topics in cosmology, including
expansion of the Universe, the cosmic microwave background, cosmic
nucleo-synthesis, and cosmic inflation. Treated qualitatively, but
with illustrative mathematics.
Prerequisite: The student should be comfortable with calculus or
be taking it concurrently.
1303/1403 Introductory Mechanics
For science and engineering majors. Vector kinematics, Newtonian mechanics,
gravitation, rotational motion, vibrations, waves, and fluids.
Physics 1403 includes one three-hour
laboratory
period per week.
Prerequisite: MATH 1337 or high school calculus course recommended.
1304/1404 Introductory Electricity and Magnetism
For science and engineering majors. Electricity, magnetism,
electromagnetic radiation, optics, special relativity.
Physics 1404 includes one three-hour
laboratory
period per week.
Prerequisite: PHYS 1303. MATH 1338 recommended.
1105 General Physics Laboratory (Mechanics) One three-hour laboratory period per week.
1106 General Physics Laboratory (Electricity and Magnetism) One three-hour laboratory period per week.
1407 General Physics (Mechanics)
Principles and concepts of physics; applications in the life sciences.
Mechanics, thermodynamics, sounds, optics.
Includes one three-hour
laboratory
period per week.
Prerequisite: MATH 1337.
1408 General Physics (Electricity and Magnetism)
Principles and concepts of physics; applications in the life sciences.
Electricity, magnetism, modern physics.
Includes one three-hour
laboratory
period per week.
Prerequisite: MATH 1337.
1311 Elements of Astronomy Descriptive survey of Astronomy from the Sun and planets to the outer galaxies. Associated laboratory provides experience in making measurements and working with real astronomical data.
1313 Fundamentals of Physics
Contemporary concepts of physics including Newtonian mechanics,
gravitation, rotational motion, fluids, the gas laws, vibrations
and waves, sound. Intended for the non-science major.
No prior knowledge of physics required or expected
Fulfills a requirement for Laboratory Science.
Prerequisite: High school algebra.
1314 The Physical Perspective
Principles and concepts of physics including electricity, magnetism, the
nature of light, Einstein's theory of relativity, quantum theory, atomic
physics, and the Big Bang. Intended for the non-science major.
No prior knowledge of physics required or expected
Fulfills a requirement for Laboratory Science.
Prerequisite: High school algebra.
3305 Introduction to Modern Physics
Special relativity and introductory quantum mechanics.
Schrödinger equation, statistical physics, elementary particle
physics, special topics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 1304.
3344 Classical Mechanics
The motion of a particle and of systems of particles, including
oscillatory systems, accelerated coordinate systems, central-force
motion, rigid-body dynamics, gravitation, and Lagrangian mechanics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 1303.
3345 Advanced Mechanics
Topics in classical mechanics including the motion of a system of
particles, the two-body central-force problem, small oscillations of
coupled systems, collision theory, Lagrange's and Hamilton's formulations,
the vibrating string and the special theory of relativity.
Prerequisite: PHYS 3344.
3368 Principles of Astrophysics and Cosmology
Cosmic distance scales, physics of stars, expansion of the Universe,
cosmic nucleo-synthesis, selected other topics as appropriate.
Prerequisite: PHYS 3305.
3374 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Basic concepts of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics with emphasis
on quantum statistics. The laws of thermodynamics, entropy,
Maxwell-Boltzmann, Bose-Einstein, and Fermi-Dirac statistics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 3305.
4211 Laboratory Physics I Introduction to experimental physics. Approximately one experiment per week. One three-hour laboratory period per week.
4112 Laboratory Physics II Intermediate level experimental physics. Approximately one experiment per week. One three-hour laboratory period per week.
4190, 4290, 4390 Special Projects in Physics
Directed study of special topics. For physics majors only.
Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification and permission of
the department.
4321 Methods of Theoretical Physics
Matrices, determinants, linear algebra, complex variables,
inhomogeneous equations, Sturm-Liouville theory, partial differential
equations, special functions, Fourier series and integral transforms,
integral equations, calculus of variations, applications.
Prerequisite: MATH 2339, 2343.
4375 Research
For physics majors. Students will participate in physics research with a
member of the Faculty of the Department of Physics.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
4392 Introduction to Electromagnetic Theory
A development of electromagnetic theory from the experimental laws;
Maxwell's equations for the electromagnetic field. Electrostatics,
magnetostatics, steady currents, boundary-value problems, time-varying
electric and magnetic fields.
Prerequisite: PHYS 4321 or permission of instructor.
5380 Concepts of Experimental Particle Physics
Principles of elementary particle physics and the experiments by which we
learn laws obeyed by these particles, with reading of scientific articles.
Prerequisite: PHYS 3305 or equivalent;
PHYS 5382 recommended.
5337 Introduction to Solid State Physics This course is part of the core requirements in the Master's in Materials Science and Engineering degree program. Crystal lattices and the reciprocal lattice. The free-election model of metals. Crystal binding. Lattice vibrations-phonons. Thermal properties of solids. Energy bands in solids.
5382 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics A study of the development of quantum mechanics and its role in atomic theory, including applications to one-dimensional problems, free particles, the hydrogen atom, and the spinning electron.
5383 Advanced Physics
Brief review of modern physics; fine and hyperfine structure;
multielectron atoms; molecular physics; lasers, optical resonance,
and spectroscopy.
Prerequisite: PHYS 5382 or consent of instructor.
5384 Quantum Physics II
Quantum statistics; band theory of solids; superconductivity,
magnetism, and critical phenomena; nuclear physics; physics of
elementary particles.
Prerequisite: PHYS 5383 or consent of instructor.
5393 Electromagnetic Waves and Optics
Theory and applications of electromagnetic wave radiation,
propagation, and scattering. Geometrical and physical optics. Guided
waves. Lasers. Coherent optics, interferometry, and holography.
Prerequisite: PHYS 4392, equivalent, or
permission of the instructor.
5395 Introduction to Elementary Particles
Modern theories of elementary particles including relativistic
kinematics, Feynman diagrams, quantum electrodynamics, quarks, weak
interaction, and gauge theories.
Prerequisite: PHYS 5383.
5398 Applications of Quantum Mechanics
The principles of quantum theory are used in a study of radiative
transition in atoms and molecules, quantum statics, band theory or
solids, semiconductor theory, and laser physics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 5382 or equivalent.
6321 Classical Mechanics Topics in classical mechanics including the mechanics of a system particles, the two-body central-force problem, Lagrange's and Hamilton's formulations, special theory or relativity, Hamilton-Jacobi theory, continuous system and fields.
6332 Physical Properties of Materials Electric, magnetic, transport, optical and elastic properties. Piezoelectricity. Electromagnetic and elastic wave propagation. Methods of materials characterization and nondestructive evaluation.
6335 Quantum Mechanics
Fundamental principles of quantum
theory with applications to one-dimensional problems, the free particle,
and the hydrogen atom; the spinning electron. Perturbation theory with
applications to atomic spectra; systems of identical particles; scattering
theory; Dirac theory of the electron.
Prerequisite: PHYS 5382 or equivalent, MATH 3333.
6336 Quantum Mechanics
Fundamental principles of quantum
theory with applications to one-dimensional problems, the free particle,
and the hydrogen atom; the spinning electron. Perturbation theory with
applications to atomic spectra; systems of identical particles; scattering
theory; Dirac theory of the electron.
Prerequisite: PHYS 6335.
6338 Condensed Master Physics
Plasmons, polaritons, and polarons.
Optical properties of solids. Superconductivity. Atomic and collective
magnetism. Atomic and collective electrical phenomena.
Prerequisite: PHYS 5337 or consent of instructor.
6341 Nuclear Physics
General properties of the nucleus; the two
nucleon problem; radioactivity; beta decay; interaction of charged particles
and radiation with matter; detection methods; nuclear models; nuclear
reactions; neutron physics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 6335 or consent of instructor.
6351 Statistical Mechanics
Derivation of classical and quantum
statistical distribution functions; partition functions; the laws of
thermodynamics; ensemble theory; application to gases and solids.
Prerequisite: PHYS 3374 or consent of instructor.
6361 Selected Topics in Physics
6398, 6399 Thesis Research
7305 Methods of Theoretical Physics
Mathematical methods; theory of
analytic functions; evaluation of integrals, linear vector spaces, special
functions, integral equations, tensor analysis, calculus of vibrations,
group theory.
7311, 7312 Electromagnetic Theory
Boundary-value problems in
electrostatics; dielectrics; magnetic media; Maxwell's equations;
electromagnetic waves; refraction and reflection; wave guide and cavities.
Electromagnetic radiation; diffraction and interference; plasma physics;
special relativity; dynamics of charged particles; multipole expansion.
7314 Quantum Field Theory I
Classical fields; symmetry transformations
and conservation laws; the quantum theory of radiation; relativistic quantum
mechanics of spin -1/2 particles, second quantization and the theory of
interaction fields. Covariant perturbation theory; collision phenomena in
quantum electrodynamics; renormalization.
7315 Quantum Field Theory II
Path integral formulation; renormalization
group; symmetry structure; formal aspects; nonabelian gauge theories.
7321 Atomic Physics
The central-field model of atomic structure, the
Hartree methods, angular momentum and the vector model of the atom;
antisymmetry and the determinantal method; theory of multiplets; magnetic
properties of atoms.
7330 Physics of Quantum Electronics
Interactions of electromagnetic
radiation with atomic systems; absorption and dispersion, line-broadening
mechanisms, amplification. Quantum theory of light scattering; Rayleigh,
Raman, and Brillouin scattering. Theory of lasers. Coherent pulse
propagation. Nonlinear optical processes.
7341 Theoretical Nuclear Physics
Properties of nuclear forces;
many-body theory of nuclear models; analysis of scattering experiments.
Interaction between nucleons and radiation; pion physics; weak interactions.
7350 General Relativity
Einstein theory; black holes; gravitational waves; cosmology.
7360 Elementary Particles I
Physics of the standard model; quarks and
leptons; internal symmetries, grand unified theories.
7361 Elementary Particles II
Continues PHYS 7360 with emphasis on current topics.
8361, 8362, 8363 Special Topics in Physics
Prerequisite: Working knowledge of complex variable, Fourier
transforms, and partial differential equations.
Prerequisite: PHYS 5393 or consent of instructor.
Prerequisite: PHYS 6336.
Prerequisite: PHYS 6321 or consent of instructor.
Prerequisites: PHYS 6336 or working knowledge
of quantum mechanics and consent of instructor.
Prerequisite: PHYS 6336 or working knowledge
of quantum mechanics and consent of instructor.
Prerequisite: PHYS 6336
and 6341.
Prerequisite: PHYS 6321 or consent of instructor.
Prerequisite: PHYS 6321 or consent of instructor.
Prerequisite: PHYS 7360 or consent of instructor.
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