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.
Prerequisite: PHYS 1105.
1301 The Ideas of Modern Physics
Will 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.
1303 Introductory Mechanics
For science and engineering majors. Vector kinematics, Newtonian mechanics,
gravitation, rotational motion, vibrations, waves, and fluids.
If you require a one-credit laboratory with this course, you must
register separately for PHYS 1105.
Prerequisite: MATH 1337 or high school calculus course recommended.
1304 Introductory Electricity and Magnetism
For science and engineering majors. Electricity, magnetism, electromagnetic
radiation, optics, special relativity.
If you require a one-credit laboratory with this course, you must
register separately for PHYS 1106.
Prerequisite: PHYS 1303. MATH 1338 recommended.
1307 General Physics - Mechanics
Principles and concepts of physics; applications in the life
sciences. Mechanics, thermodynamics, sounds, optics.
If you require a one-credit laboratory with this course, you must
register separately for PHYS 1105.
Prerequisite: MATH 1337.
1308 General Physics - Electricity and Magnetism
Principles and concepts of physics; applications in the life sciences.
Electricity, magnetism, modern physics.
If you require a one-credit laboratory with this course, you must
register separately for PHYS 1106.
Prerequisite: PHYS 1307, 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.
Fulfills a requirement for Laboratory Science.
Prerequisite: High school algebra.
1313 Fundamentals of Physics
Contemporary concepts of physics including Newtonian mechanics, gravitation,
waves, electricity, magnetism, the nature of light, Einstein's theory of
relativity, atomic and nuclear physics. Intended for the non-science major.
No prior knowledge of physics required or expected.
Fulfills a requirement for Laboratory Science.
Prerequisite: High school algebra.
1320 Musical Acoustics
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.
3305 Introduction to Modern Physics
Special relativity and introductory quantum mechanics. Schrödinger
equation, statistical physics, elementary particle physics, special
topics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 1304.
3310 Waves and Relativity
One dimensional harmonic oscillator, coupled oscillators, longitudinal
and transverse waves, sound and electromagnetic waves, interference
and diffraction, Lorentz transforms and invariants, time dilation,
length contraction, equivalence principle and black holes.
Prerequisite: MATH 2339, Pre or Corequisite: PHYS 3305 and MATH 2343
3320 Physics of Music
Covers the acoustics (physical sound properties) of music. Topics
include sound in general, sound of musical instruments, acoustics,
electronic synthesis, Fourier transforms, interference, diffraction,
resonance.
Prerequisites: PHYS 1304 or equivalent.
PHYS 3344 recommended.
3333 (KNW 2333, CFB 3333) The Scientific Method (Debunking Pseudoscience)
This course provides students with an understanding of the scientific method
sufficient to detect pseudoscience in its many guises: paranormal phenomena;
free-energy devices; alternative medicine; intelligent-design creationism;
and many others.
Prerequisite: None.
3337 (CF) Nuclear Physics and Society
How do applications of nuclear physics affect society? Topics include
nuclear weapons and proliferation, nuclear power generation, and
nuclear waste management -- issues relevant to current public-policy
challenges.
Prerequisite: None.
3340 Computational Physics
Introduction to the modeling of physical systems. Emphasis is on algorithm selection
and implementation for simulating classical and quantum physics.
Prerequisites: PHYS 3305 and MATH 2343 (may be taken concurrently).
No programming experience required.
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.
Prerequisites: PHYS 1303 and MATH 2339 (may be taken concurrently).
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.
Prerequisite: PHYS 1105, 1106, and PHYS 3305.
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.
5337 Introduction to Solid State Physics 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.
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.
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 Quantum 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 Matter 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
7170 Current Topics in Physics
Seminar course on current topics in Physics.
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.
Prerequisite: Working knowledge of complex variable, Fourier transforms, and
partial differential equations.
7311 Electromagnetic Theory I
Boundary-value problems in electrostatics; dielectrics; magnetic media;
Maxwell's equations; electromagnetic waves; refraction and reflection; wave
guide and cavities.
Prerequisite: PHYS 5393 or consent of instructor.
7312 Electromagnetic Theory II
Electromagnetic radiation; diffraction and interference;
plasma physics; special relativity; dynamics of charged particles; multipole
expansion.
Prerequisite: PHYS 7311 or consent of instructor.
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.
Prerequisite: PHYS 6336.
7315 Quantum Field Theory II
Path integral formulation; renormalization group; symmetry structure; formal
aspects; nonabelian gauge theories.
Prerequisite: PHYS 7314 or consent of instructor.
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.
Prerequisite: PHYS 6336 or working knowledge of
quantum mechanics and consent of instructor.
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.
Prerequisite: PHYS 6336 or working knowledge of
quantum mechanics and consent of instructor.
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.
Prerequisite: PHYS 6336 and 6341.
7350 General Relativity
Einstein theory; black holes; gravitational waves; cosmology.
Prerequisite: PHYS 6321 or consent of instructor.
7360 Elementary Particle Physics I
Physics of the standard model; quarks and leptons; internal symmetries, grand
unified theories.
Prerequisite: PHYS 6321 or consent of instructor.
7361 Elementary Particles II
Continues PHYS 7360 with emphasis on current topics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 7360 or consent of instructor.