Back to Home

Astronomy Courses 

This course is prerequisite for all 8000-level courses. Application of mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and atomic and nuclear physics to the solution of astrophysical problems.

Astr 6100.Astronomical Technique and Instrumentation. (3) Three lecture hours a week.

Fundamentals and practical application of photography, spectroscopy, photometry, astrometry, interferometry, and current developments in detector technology and telescope design.

Astr 6300.Teaching Astronomy. (1)

Prerequisite: Demonstrated ability in basic astronomy via anundergraduate program or consent of instructor.

Research on student learning, understanding concepts, teaching styles and models, types of tests and other evaluations, and presentation techniques; participation in the faculty enrichment seminars organized by the Center for Teaching and Learning.

Astr 6310.Teaching Astronomy Lab Practicum. (1) One half-hour seminar and two laboratory hours a week.

Prerequisite: Astronomy 6300 or current enrollment in Astr 6300 or consent of instructor.

Hands-on experience in teaching introductory laboratories; the syllabus will vary according to the specific lab taught.

Astr 7010.Astronomy for Teachers I. (4) (Formerly Astr 704.)

Designed to give teachers a basic understanding of introductory astronomy, including celestial motions of the stars, sun, moon, and planets; historical development of our understanding of gravitation and orbital motion. Electromagnetic radiation and basic light emitting processes. Telescopes and astronomical instrumentation. Physical nature of the earth, moon, and terrestrial and Jovian planets. Information on teaching resources in astronomy will be available.

Astr 7020.Astronomy for Teachers II. (4) (Formerly Astr 705.)

Prerequisite: Astr 7010.

Designed to extend a teacher’s understanding of our observations of the sun and stars with the derivation of their fundamental properties, including the conditions and fusion reactions below their surfaces. Matter between stars and stellar birth, old-age, and death, including neutron stars and black holes. Our Milky Way and other galaxies; quasars and peculiar galaxies; evidence for and interpretation of an expanding universe. Information on teaching resources will be available.

Astr 8000.Stellar Atmospheres. (3) Three lecture hours a week.

Physics of radiative transfer in stellar atmospheres and the formation of continuous and line spectra with particular emphasis on the spectroscopic analysis of stellar photospheres and chromospheres.

Astr 8100.Stellar Structure and Evolution. (4) Four lecture hours a week.

Applications of the time-dependent equations of stellar structure to models of stellar interiors: thermodynamics, hydrostatics, energy transport, nuclear energy generation; protostars, red giants, white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes.

Astr 8200.Methods of Infrared Astronomy. (3) Three lecture hours a week.

Structure, kinematics, and dynamics of the Milky Way Galaxy and its various components.

Astr 8250.Methods of Infrared Astronomy. (3) Three lecture hours a week.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Topics of current research in infrared astronomy, especially galactic star formation; important concepts of infrared photometry and spectroscopy; differences from studies of astronomy in other wavelength ranges.

Astr 8300.The Interstellar Medium. (3) Three lecture hours a week.

Physical conditions within the various components of the interstellar medium and the observational approaches to understanding these components.

Astr 8400.Extragalactic Astronomy. (3) Three lecture hours a week.

Observed distribution and properties of normal galaxies, active galaxies, and quasars; introduction to cosmology.

Astr 8450.Cosmology. (3) Three lecture hours a week.

Prerequisite: Phys 8100.

Physics of models ofthe universe; observational evidence for the big bang, mathematical descriptions of cosmologies, observed mass distributions, “missing mass”, galaxy formation, nonstandard cosmological models.

Astr 8500.Binary Stars. (3) Three lecture hours a week.

Various observational approaches to the study of binary stars; their formation, evolution, statistics and importance in astrophysics.

Astr 8600.Stellar Spectroscopy. (3) Three lecture hours a week.

Prerequisite: Astr 8000.

Multilayer stellar atmosphere models; absorption line formation, deviations from local thermodynamical equilibrium, determination of chemical abundances in stars.

Astr 8700.Relativistic Astrophysics. (3) Three lecture hours a week.

Prerequisite: Phys 8100 or equivalent.

Introduction to the theory of general relativity; coordinate systems, tensor analysis and Einstein’s equations. Applications to problems of astronomical concern such as black holes, quasars, and relativistic cosmologies.

Astr 8800.Optics in Astronomy. (3) Three lecture hours a week.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Optical design and Fourier optics with emphasis on astronomical applications: first and third order ray theory results (foci, pupils, stops and Seidel aberrations); experience with ZEMAX code on a variety of examples will be emphasized; linear systems and Fourier transforms; scalar diffraction theory; astronomical applications. A class project will be assigned.

Astr 8900.Seminar in Astronomy. (1-3) May be repeated for no more than three total credit hours.

Prerequisite: Departmental consent.

Discussion of current research in astronomy.

Astr 8910.Directed Study in Astronomy. (1-6)

Area of study and credit to be determined by the department.

Astr 9999.Doctoral Dissertation Research. (1-15)

Physics Courses

Phys 6310.Teaching Physics Lab Practicum. (1). One half-hour of seminar and two hours oflaboratory a week.

Prerequisites: Phys 6300 or current enrollment in Phys 6300 or consent of instructor.

Hands-on experience in teaching introductory labs; the syllabus will vary according to the specific lab taught.

Phys 6391.Differential Geometry and its Applications to Physics. (3) (Same as Math 6391.) Three lecture hours a week.

The theory of curves and surfaces in parametric and implicit surface. The Gauss-Weingarten equations; the Egregium Theorem; surfaces of constant curvature and non-Euclidean geometry. Minimal surfaces; the Gauss Bonnet Theorem; submanifolds in Euclidian spaces; vector fields; differential forms; and the theorems of Frobenius and Stokes. Applications to Physics.

Phys 6410.Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics. (3) Three lecture hours a week.

Prerequisite: Introduction quantum mechanics at a level of Phys 3402 or higher.

Properties of nuclei; nuclear models; nuclear reactions and radioactive decay processes; properties of elementary particles; their symmetries and interactions; standard model of elementary particles.

Phys 6510.Mathematics of Physics I.(3).Three lecture hours a week.

Prerequisite: Math 2215 or equivalent.

Algebra of vectors, vector calculus, divergence, gradient, curl, line integrals, surface integrals, divergence theorem of Gauss, Stokes' theorem, conservative fields, orthogonal curvilinear coordinates, matrices, eigenvalue problems.(Equivalent to Math 6258.)

Phys 6520.Mathematics of Physics II.(3) Three lecture hours a week.

Prerequisite:Math 3260 or equivalent.

Derivation and solution of partial differential equations of physics, wave equation, Laplace's equation, Schroedinger's equation, power series solution of ordinary differential equations, special functions of mathematical physics, Fourier series, Sturm-Liouville system, complex analysis and integration.(Equivalent to Math 6265.)

Phys 6810.Introduction to Quantum Mechanics.(3) Three lecture hours a week.

Prerequisite: Schroedinger's theory of quantum mechanics; solutions of Schroedinger's equation; perturbation theory; one-electron atoms; magnetic moments, spin, and relativistic effects; identical particles; multi-electron atoms.

Phys 6910. Solid State Physics.(3) Three lecture hours a week.

Prerequisite: Phys 3401 and 3402 or equivalent or consent of the instructor.

Atoms 9in crystals (crystal structure); waves in crystals; crystal binding, lattice vibrations and other thermal properties of solids, free electrons in crystals, energy bands, and semiconductors.

Phys 7011.Foundation of Physical Science.(3) Three lecture hours a week.

Basic principles of physical science and their relation to the teaching of science in grades K-8.

Phys 7110.Conceptual Physics I.(3) Three lecture and laboratory hours a week.

Designed for science teachers in the secondary and middle schools and includes both lecture and laboratory.No prior knowledge of physics is assumed.Dynamics, energy concepts, properties of matter, heat and thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism.

Phys 7120.Conceptual Physics II.(3) Three lecture and laboratory hours a week.

Prerequisite: Phys 7110 or equivalent.

Sound, light, atomic and nuclear physics, relativity and astrophysics, energy and the future, advancing technology.This is a continuation of Phys 7110, and includes both lecture and laboratory.

Phys 7450.Physics for Secondary School Teachers.(3) Three lecture hours a week.

Designed to refresh and enlarge the high school teacher's knowledge of general physics.

Phys 7460.Modern Physics for Secondary Teachers I.(4) Four lecture hours a week.

Prerequisite:Phys 2211-2212 or equivalent.

Physical and quantum optics, introduction to special relativity, quantum mechanics and atomic structure.

Phys 7470.Modern Physics for Secondary Teachers II.(3) Three lecture hours a week.

Prerequisite:Phys 7460 or equivalent.

Introduction to x-ray spectra, molecular structure, solid state physics, nuclear structure, and nuclear reactions.

Phys 7600.Classical Mechanics.(3) Three lecture hours a week.

Prerequisite:Math 3260 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.

Vector algebra, Newton's laws, conservation laws, many-body systems, motion in central fields, small oscillations, motion in electromagnetic fields, rotation of rigid bodies, Lagrangian equations, Hamilton's principle.

Phys 7700.Electricity and Magnetism. (3) Three lecture hours a week.

Prerequisites: Phys 2212 and Math 2215 or equivalent.

Electrostatics, steady currents, magnetic fields, magnetic induction, AC circuits, dielectrics, magnetic properties of matter.

Phys 7800.Optics.(3) Three lecture hours a week.

Prerequisites: Phys 2211-2212 or equivalent.

Fundamentals and applications of optics; diffraction, interference, lasers, fiber optics, and applications of optical instrumentation.

Phys 7850.Statistical and Thermal Physics.(3) Three lecture hours a week.

Prerequisites:Phys 2211-2212 or equivalent.

Kinetic and statistical theories of matter and their relation to classical thermal physics.

Phys 7910.Directed Study in Physics. (1-3) 

Areas of study and credit to be determined by the department.

Phy 8010.Advanced Classical Mechanics. (4) Four lecture hours a week.

Prerequisite: Phys 600 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.

Newton's laws, conservation laws, many-body systems. Langrangian equations, Hamilton's principle, motion in central fields, small oscillations, rotation of rigid bodies, Hamilton's equation, canonical transformations, Hamilton-Jacobi equation, Poisson brackets, transition to quantum mechanics.

Phys 8100.Advanced Electromagnetic Theory I.(3)Three lecture hours a week.

Prerequisite:Phys 6520 or equivalent.

Electrostatics, Gauss’ law, Poisson’s and Laplace’s equations, Green's functions; boundary-value problems in electrostatics; mathod of images; multipoles, electrostatics of macroscopic media, dielectrics; magnetostatics; Faraday’s law, quasi-static fields.

Phys 8110.Advanced Electromagnetic Theory II.(3) Three lecture hours a week.

Prerequisite:Phys 8100 or equivalent.

Time-varying fields; Maxwell's equations, conservation laws; plane electromagnetic waves and wave propagation; wave guides and resonant cavities; simple radiating systems; radiation by moving charges; special theory of relativity.

Phys 8120.   Plasma Physics.(3) Three lecture hours a week.

Prerequisites: Astr 6000 or consent of instructor.

Nature of ionized gases; wave in plasmas; transport phenomena in plasmas; stability of plasma configurations. Application is astrophysical situations including solar coronal physics, synchrotron and coherent radiation, pulsars, quasars, and radio galaxies.

Phys 8210.Quantum Mechanics I.(3) Three lecture hours a week.

Prerequisites: Phys 6810 or consent of instructor.

Postulates, Schroedinger's equation, one- and three-dimensional problems, scattering, transformation theory, perturbation theory, Born approximation, variational method.

Phys 8220.Quantum Mechanics II.(3) Three lecture hours a week.

Prerequisite: Phys 8210.

Spin, relativistic effects, many-electron atoms, second quantization, radiation field, Dirac equation.

Phys 8310.Statistical Mechanics.(3) Three lecture hours a week.

Classical and quantum mechanical statistical theories of many body systems. Topics include the ergodic theorem, distributions, quantum statistics, thermodynamic interpretations, and applications.

Phys 8410.Atomic Physics.(3) Three lecture hours a week.

Prerequisite: Phys 6810 or consent of instructor.

Theory of atomic spectra; scattering theory.

Phys 8420.Molecular Physics.(3) Three lecture hours a week.

Prerequisite: Phys 6810.

Molecular structure, molecular orbital theory, molecular spectra.

Phys 8510.Condensed Matter Physics.(3) Three lecture hours a week.

Prerequisite: Phys 6910 or consent of instructor.

Thermal, electrical, magnetic and mechanical properties of solids, crystal structure; reciprocal lattice, X-ray diffraction, nearly free electrons, band structure and modifications, homogeneous and inhomogeneous semiconductors, defects and dislocations, dielectric properties of insulators, superconductors.

Phys 8550.Physics of Thin Films.(3) Three lecture hours a week.

Prerequisite: Phys 6810 and Phys 8110 or consent of instructor.

Thin film growth methods, optical, and electrical properties of films, characterization techniques.

Phys 8610.Nuclear Physics.(3) Three lecture hours a week.

Prerequisites:Phys 6410 and 6810 or consent of instructor.

Nuclear force and two and three nucleon systems; spherical and deformed nuclear shell model; collective modes; electromagnetic and weak decays; nuclear scattering and reactions.

Phys 8650.Fundamentals of Particles and Interactions.(3).Three lecture hours a week.

Prerequisites:Phys 6410 and 6810 or consent of instructor.

Relativistic wave equations; Feynman diagrams; quantum electrodynamics; quantum chromodynamics; weak interactions; gauge theories.

Phys 8710.Research Topics in Physics.(3) Three lecture hours a week.

Topics related to area of current research to be chosen by the instructor.

Phys 8800.Electronics. (3) Two lecture and four laboratory hours a week.

Fundamentals of analog and digital circuit design; discrete and integrated circuit devices; electronic instrumentation. (Not open to physics and astronomy graduate students.)

Phys 8810.Digital Instrumentation.(3) Two lecture and four laboratory hours a week.

Prerequisite:Phys 8800 or equivalent experience.

Analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion; parallel and serial data transfer; microprocessor fundamentals; microprocessor interfacing for data acquisition and instrument control.

Phys 8910.Directed Study in Physics.(1-6)

Area of study and credit to be determined by the department. May be taken more than once if topics are different.

Phys 8999.Thesis Research.(1-15)

Phys 9999.Doctoral Dissertation Research.(1-15)

 
| Return to Home | Return to Graduate Studies Page |