Mar 29, 2024  
University Catalog 2020-2021 
    
University Catalog 2020-2021 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Descriptions


 

Physics (Undergraduate)

  
  • PHYS 1100 - Physics

    (4)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 4
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Mechanics of particles, rigid bodies; gravity; simple harmonic motion,  waves, sound, fluids, thermal physics, kinetic theory. Fundamental treatment of physics without use of calculus. Required for biological science majors; recommended for behavioral science majors. Biologists planning graduate work may find the 2100-2300  series in physics with calculus better suited to their needs. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours for each course.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): Knowledge of elementary algebra and trigonometry.
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    GE B1 (restricted to specific majors)
    .
    Articulation C-ID: PHYS 100 S
    his University course articulates with any California Community College (CCC) course that is approved by the C-ID program and given the corresponding “C-ID Course” designation listed here. The articulation is one-way articulation, meaning the approved community college course will articulate for the indicated course credit at the four-year university. Articulation does NOT apply from the four-year institution to the community college or between the four-year institutions.
  
  • PHYS 1200 - Physics

    (4)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 4
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Electricity and magnetism, light and optics, relativity, quanta, atoms, nuclei, and fundamental particles. Fundamental treatment of physics without use of calculus. Required for biological science majors; recommended for behavioral science majors. Biologists planning graduate work may find the 2100-2300  series in physics with calculus better suited to their needs. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours for each course.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 1100  
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    GE B1 (restricted to specific majors)
    .
    Articulation C-ID: PHYS 100 S
    his University course articulates with any California Community College (CCC) course that is approved by the C-ID program and given the corresponding “C-ID Course” designation listed here. The articulation is one-way articulation, meaning the approved community college course will articulate for the indicated course credit at the four-year university. Articulation does NOT apply from the four-year institution to the community college or between the four-year institutions.
  
  • PHYS 1560 - Physics for the Twenty-first Century

    (2)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 2
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Current topics in physics that will play a significant role in social and economic issues of the 21st century. Fundamental physics concepts necessary to understand these topics. Together with PHYS 1570  , satisfies GE B1.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): None Corequisite(s): PHYS 1570  
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    GE B1-Lecture
    .
  
  • PHYS 1570 - Physics for the Twenty-first Century Laboratory

    (1)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 1
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Laboratory experiments designed to complement PHYS 1560   lecture material and promote utilization of the techniques of scientific inquiry.  Students will write reports. Together with PHYS 1560, satisfies GE Block B1.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): None Pre/Co-requisite(s): PHYS 1560  
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    GE B1-Lab
    .
  
  • PHYS 1980 - General Physics Laboratory

    (1)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 1
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Provides registration mechanism for transfer students who require lower division laboratory to complete requirements for lower division physics course.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): Chair and Advisor Approval Only.
    Needs Permission to Enroll: Yes, Department Consent
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 2100 - General Physics I: Mechanics

    (5)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 5
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Motion in one, two and three dimensions, Newton’s laws of motion, circular motion, work and energy, energy transfer, linear and angular momentum and their conservation, universal gravitation, and periodic motion, Lecture 3 hours, lab 3 hours, tutorial workshop 2 hours.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): MATH 2110  with a grade of C or better.
    Needs Permission to Enroll: Yes, Department Consent
    Special Fee Applied: No

    GE B1 (restricted to specific majors)
    .
    Articulation C-ID: PHYS 205
    This University course articulates with any California Community College (CCC) course that is approved by the C-ID program and given the corresponding “C-ID Course” designation listed here. The articulation is one-way articulation, meaning the approved community college course will articulate for the indicated course credit at the four-year university. Articulation does NOT apply from the four-year institution to the community college or between the four-year institutions.
  
  • PHYS 2200 - General Physics II: Electromagnetism and Circuits

    (5)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 5
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Elementary field theory, basic electricity and magnetism, electromagnetic induction, DC, RC, and RLC circuits, Maxwell’s equations, and propagation of light. Lecture 3 hours, lab 3 hours, tutorial workshop 2 hours.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 2100   with a grade of C or better.
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    GE B1 (restricted to specific majors)
    .
    Articulation C-ID: PHYS 210
    This University course articulates with any California Community College (CCC) course that is approved by the C-ID program and given the corresponding “C-ID Course” designation listed here. The articulation is one-way articulation, meaning the approved community college course will articulate for the indicated course credit at the four-year university. Articulation does NOT apply from the four-year institution to the community college or between the four-year institutions.
  
  • PHYS 2510 - Physics Topics in Civil Engineering

    (2)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 2
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Topics in physics for civil engineering majors, using calculus.  Mechanics of rigid bodies; fluid mechanics; mechanical vibrations and sound; thermal physics.  Lecture 2 hours.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 2100 Pre/Co-requisite(s): MATH 2120  
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 3120 - Basic Electronics

    (4)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 4
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description AC and DC circuits, solid-state circuits and devices, feedback, operational amplifiers, transistor logic gates, Boolean algebra, truth tables, combinational and sequential logic circuits, state machines, ADC, DAC, noise in measurements. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 6 hours.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 2200  
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 3200 - Physics Computing

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Introduction to the use of computers in physics. The use of numerical recipes and symbolic manipulation programs for the solution of scientific problems. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 1100  or PHYS 2100 , MATH 2040  or MATH 2110 
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 3300 - Oscillations, Waves, and Special Relativity

    (4)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 4
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Mechanical vibrations including simple harmonic motion, forced and damped oscillators, coupled oscillations, and normal modes; wave phenomena including reflection, refraction, diffraction, and interference; optics; and special relativity.  Lecture 3 hours, lab 3 hours.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): MATH 2120 , PHYS 2200 , both with a grade of C or better.
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 3400 - Modern Physics and Thermodynamics

    (4)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 4
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description An introduction to modern physics and thermodynamics including: particle and wave properties of light and matter; the Schrödinger equation; models of atomic and molecular structure; the laws of thermodynamics; statistical physics. Lecture 3 hours, lab 3 hours.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): MATH 2120 , PHYS 2200 , both with a grade of C or better, PHYS 3300  recommended.
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 3700 - Energy and the Environment

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Introduces the science and engineering aspects of the Earth’s natural sources of energy (e.g. the Sun, Wind, and Fossil Fuels), and the current technologies used for generating energy. The impact of energy generation and energy use on the environment will be covered. The course emphasizes how CO2emissions from the use of fossil fuels for energy, have caused uncontrollable global warming, and how this warming, drives climate change. The renewable energy sources and renewable energy technology that are required to mitigate global warming, will be covered extensively.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s):  Completion of GE 4 basic subjects and a course each from lower division Blocks B, C, and D.
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    GE UD B (cl)(wi)
    .
  
  • PHYS 3960 - Honors Studies in Physics

    (2)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 2
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Study leading to colloquium presentation required for conferral of Bachelor of Science degree with Departmental Honors in Physics.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): Admission to departmental honors program.
    Needs Permission to Enroll: Yes, Department Consent
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 4101 - Mathematical Methods of Physics

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Vector calculus, integration, series, complex variables, special functions, boundary value problems, calculus of variations. Emphasis on mathematical solution of problems in physics.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 2200 , MATH 2120 
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 4102 - Mathematical Methods of Physics

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Vector calculus, integration, series, complex variables, special functions, boundary value problems, calculus of variations. Emphasis on mathematical solution of problems in physics.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 4101 
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 4120 - Laboratory Applications of Minicomputers and Microcomputers

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description The use of minicomputers and microcomputers in physics laboratories and research. Fundamentals of data acquisition, interfacing, and data display. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 6 hours.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 3120 
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 4142 - Chemistry and Physics of Materials (also listed as CHEM 4142)

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Introduction to the chemistry and physics underlying bulk materials and thin films. Topics include chemical bonding, crystal chemistry, crystal structure, and electronic band structure, with applications to semiconductors and metals.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): MATH 2150 
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 4200 - Introduction to Computational Physics

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Use of computers to create numerical laboratories of physical systems by Monte Carlo simulation, by molecular-dynamics simulation, by exact and approximate solutions of quantum dynamics, and by analysis of data bases.  Lecture 2 hrs, laboratory 3 hrs.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 3200  or CS 2010  or approval of instructor.
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 4251 - Classical Mechanics I

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Application of mathematics to solutions of problems in classical physics with emphasis on Newtonian, Lagrangian, and Hamiltonian mechanics, field theory, and relativity.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): MATH 2150 , PHYS 3300 
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 4252 - Classical Mechanics II

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Application of mathematics to solutions of problems in classical physics with emphasis on Newtonian, Lagrangian, and Hamiltonian mechanics, field theory, and relativity.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 4251 
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 4261 - Electricity and Magnetism I

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Theoretical electricity and magnetism; properties of electric and magnetic fields, electromagnetic waves; emphasis on mathematical solution of problems.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): MATH 2130 , PHYS 3300 
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 4262 - Electricity and Magnetism II

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Theoretical electricity and magnetism; properties of electric and magnetic fields, electromagnetic waves; emphasis on mathematical solution of problems.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 4261 
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 4270 - Thermal and Statistical Physics

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Introduction to thermodynamics and statistical physics; emphasis on mathematical solution of problems.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): MATH 2130 , PHYS 3400 
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 4280 - Advanced Statistical Physics

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Introduction to a variety of advanced topics in statistical mechanics, including transport phenomena and fluctuations; emphasis on mathematical solution of problems.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 4270 
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 4310 - Modern Optics

    (3)


    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Introduction to modern optics; geometric optics by matrix methods, partial polarization, coherence, diffraction, quantum optics, and developments in laser technology.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 3400 ;

    Recommended: MATH 2150  
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .


  
  • PHYS 4321 - Introductory Quantum Mechanics I

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Fundamentals of wave mechanics, wave packets, and the uncertainty principle. Schrödinger’s equation, operators and eigenfunctions, one-dimensional problems. Central potential, the hydrogen atom, angular momentum and spin. Identical particles and Pauli Exclusion Principle.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): MATH 2150 , PHYS 3400 
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 4322 - Introductory Quantum Mechanics II

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Time-independent perturbation theory, time-dependent perturbation theory, emission and absorption of radiation, and scattering.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 4321 
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 4330 - Solid State Physics I

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Crystal structure, thermal and electrical behavior of insulators, metals, and semiconductors; band theory.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 3400 , MATH 2150  recommended.
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 4340 - Solid State Physics II

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Fermi surface, transport theory, superconductivity, magnetic resonance, optical properties, superfluidity, ion implantation.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 4330 
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 4430 - Biophysics

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Physical aspects of the living state. Theory of physical methods used in the measurement of biological processes. Lecture 3 hours.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): CHEM 1040  or CHEM 1100 , MATH 2050  or MATH 2120 , PHYS 1200  or PHYS 2200 
    Needs Permission to Enroll: Yes, Department Consent
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 4440 - Nuclear Physics

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Nuclear phenomenology; alpha, beta, and gamma decays; nuclear reactions, nuclear energy, radiation detectors; radioactivity.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 3400 ; Recommended MATH 2150  
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 4700 - Advanced Physics Laboratory and Applications

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Instrumentation, techniques, and analytical evaluation involved in current experimental practice; basic experiments in vacuum techniques, and in classical, solid-state, and nuclear physics and materials science. Lecture 1 hour, laboratory 6 hours.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 3400 
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 4710 - Applied Physics and Instrumentation Laboratory

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: Yes
    Max # of units may be repeated: 3
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 6
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 2

    Description This course covers advanced instrumentation, experimental techniques, and analytical evaluation used in current experimental practice and contains experiments in a variety of fields, including optics, solid-state physics, and materials science. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units. Lecture 1 hour, laboratory 6 hours.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 4700  or permission of instructor.
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 4880 - Modern Topics in General Relativity

    (2)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 2
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Introduction to basic ideas of general relativity: physics of spacetime, relativistic stars, gravitational collapse and black holes, gravitational waves, testing of general relativity.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 4251 , PHYS 4252 
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 4910 - Topics in Contemporary Experimental Physics

    (1-3)
    This course is repeatable: Yes
    Max # of units may be repeated: 19
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 20
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 20

    Description Each section of course is a lecture series designed to present current developments in research; laboratory program may be included. Specific topics listed in Schedule of Classes and in department. May be repeated for credit.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): Upper division or graduate standing in Physics; others as listed in department announcement.
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 4920 - Topics in Contemporary Theoretical Physics

    (1-3)
    This course is repeatable: Yes
    Max # of units may be repeated: 19
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 20
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 20

    Description Each section of course is a lecture series designed to present current developments in theory; Specific topics listed in Schedule of Classes and in department. May be repeated for credit.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): Upper division or graduate standing in Physics; others as listed in department announcement.
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 4970 - Undergraduate Research

    (1-3)
    This course is repeatable: Yes
    Max # of units may be repeated: 15
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 16
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 16

    Description Laboratory work organized on a project basis open to a limited number of qualified physics majors each year. Emphasis on developing experimental ability and initiative of the student. May be repeated for credit.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): Faculty Consent.
    Needs Permission to Enroll: Yes, Instructor Consent
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 4990 - Undergraduate Directed Study

    (1-3)
    This course is repeatable: Yes
    Max # of units may be repeated: 15
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 16
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 16

    Description Includes regular conferences with sponsor and preparation of a report. May be repeated for credit.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): Faculty Consent.
    Needs Permission to Enroll: Yes, Instructor Consent
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .

Physics (Graduate)

All 4000-level courses may be applied toward master’s degree requirements except the following, subject to limits established by the department and approval of the graduate adviser: PHYS 4100, PHYS 4101, PHYS 4250, PHYS 4251, PHYS 4260, PHYS 4261, PHYS 4270, PHYS 4320, PHYS 4321, PHYS 4700, PHYS 4970, PHYS 4990.
Classified graduate standing is required for admission.

  
  • PHYS 5101 - Mathematical Methods of Physics

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Intended for beginning graduate students. Problem-solving using techniques current in theoretical physics. Series, integration, complex variables, integral transforms, matrices, eigenvalues, special functions, integral equations, numerical methods, probability and tensors.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 4251 , PHYS 4261 
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 5102 - Mathematical Methods of Physics

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Intended for beginning graduate students. Problem-solving using techniques current in theoretical physics. Series, integration, complex variables, integral transforms, matrices, eigenvalues, special functions, integral equations, numerical methods, probability and tensors.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 5101  recommended.
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 5121 - Modern Physics

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Hydrogen atom, atomic spectroscopy, electron shell structure, molecular binding, quantum statistics, and theory of solids.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 4251 , PHYS 4261 
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 5122 - Modern Physics

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description X-rays, properties of nuclei, radioactivity, nuclear forces, elementary particles, cosmic rays, nuclear astrophysics.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 5121  recommended. Recommended: PHYS 5121 
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 5301 - Classical Physics

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Unified treatment of advanced topics in classical physics, including Lagrange’s and Hamilton-Jacobi theory, special relativity, electrodynamics, and radiation theory.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 5101 
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 5302 - Classical Physics

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Unified treatment of advanced topics in classical physics, including Lagrange’s and Hamilton-Jacobi theory, special relativity, electrodynamics, and radiation theory.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Recommended: PHYS 5301 
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 5310 - Topics in Electrodynamics

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Continuation and expansion of topics covered in PHYS 5302  . Emphasis on special topics and applications such as waveguides, scattering, diffraction, plasma physics, radiation damping, and self fields of a particle.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 5302  
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 5321 - Quantum Mechanics

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Formal structure of quantum mechanics, hermitian operators, Schrödinger theory and applications to soluble systems, angular momentum, and rotation matrices, spin, symmetry and conservation laws.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): None Pre/Co-requisite(s): PHYS 5101 
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 5322 - Quantum Mechanics

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Scattering theory and phase-shift analysis, matrix mechanics, spin, permutation symmetry and identical particles, and approximation methods, and Dirac equation.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): None Pre/Co-requisite(s): PHYS 5101 
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 5330 - Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Materials

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Application of quantum mechanics to topics in solid state physics such as electronic band theory, phonons, transport processes, and collective particle phenomena.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): (PHYS 4142  or PHYS 5101 ), PHYS 4321 , PHYS 4330 
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 5420 - Physics Research Conference

    (1)
    This course is repeatable: Yes
    Max # of units may be repeated: 1
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 2
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 2

    Description Weekly meetings of faculty and students for report and discussion of recent developments in physics. Includes presentations by faculty, advanced students, or invited speakers. May be repeated to maximum of 2 units.

    Grading: CR/NC
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): None
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 5440 - Theoretical Nuclear Physics

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Selected topics from theory of nuclear models, nuclear reactions, and symmetry properties of elementary particles.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): PHYS 5101 , PHYS 5321 
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 5731 - Theory of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and its Applications to Materials Physics

    (3)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 3
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Introduction to the physical principles of NMR spectroscopy, broadband NMR spectroscopy methods and instrumentation, and applications of NMR techniques to the study of materials. Lecture 3 hours.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): None Pre/Co-requisite(s): PHYS 5101 , PHYS 5330  Recommended: PHYS 5732 
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 5732 - Practical Implementation of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Applications to Materials Physics

    (1)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 1
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description Practical training in broadband NMR spectroscopy methods and instrumentation; specific implementation of NMR techniques to the study of materials. Lab 3 hours.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): None Pre/Co-requisite(s): PHYS 5101 , PHYS 5330 , and PHYS 5731  
    Needs Permission to Enroll: No
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 5920 - Seminar: Contemporary Physics

    (1-3)
    This course is repeatable: Yes
    Max # of units may be repeated: 9
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 10
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 10

    Description Current topics in theoretical and/or experimental physics. May be repeated to maximum of 16 units as subject matter changes.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): Departmental approval.
    Needs Permission to Enroll: Yes, Department Consent
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 5960 - Comprehensive Examination

    (0)
    This course is repeatable: No
    Max # of units may be repeated: 0
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 0
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 1

    Description All Course Option candidates must pass an examination administered by the department. This examination may be supplemented by an oral examination at the discretion of the examining committee. See the Comprehensive Examination in the requirements for the (Masters) Degree section in this catalog.

    Grading: CR/NC
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): Comply with College and Department Requirements.
    Needs Permission to Enroll: Yes, Department Consent
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 5970 - Graduate Research

    (1-3)
    This course is repeatable: Yes
    Max # of units may be repeated: 3
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 4
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 4

    Description Independent research, under guidance of the faculty. May be repeated for credit.

    Grading: CR/NC
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): Faculty Consent; Department Approval.
    Needs Permission to Enroll: Yes, Department Consent
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 5980 - Graduate Directed Study

    (1-3)
    This course is repeatable: Yes
    Max # of units may be repeated: 5
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 6
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 6

    Description Independent study of advanced topics in the field; regular conferences with the sponsor. May be repeated for credit.

    Grading: ABCDF
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): Faculty Consent; Department Approval.
    Needs Permission to Enroll: Yes, Department Consent
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .
  
  • PHYS 5990 - Thesis

    (1-3)
    This course is repeatable: Yes
    Max # of units may be repeated: 5
    Total # of units allowed for credit: 6
    Max times this course can be taken for credit: 6

    Description Independent research resulting in a thesis. May be repeated to maximum of 6 units. 

    Grading: CR/NC
    Mode of Delivery: Face to Face
    Campus: Main Campus

    Prerequisite(s): Advancement to Candidacy, Faculty Consent, Departmental Approval of topic prior to enrollment in course.
    Needs Permission to Enroll: Yes, Instructor Consent
    Special Fee Applied: No

    .