PHYS 001
(GN)
THE SCIENCE OF PHYSICS
( 3)
Historical development and significance of major concepts, with emphasis on
the nature of physics and its role in modern life. (For students in
non-mathematical fields.)
PHYS 097
SPECIAL TOPICS
( 1 - 9)
PHYS 150
(GN)
TECHNICAL PHYSICS I
( 3)
Elementary treatment of topics in mechanics, heat, wave motion, and sound
leading toward an understanding of technical applications.
Prerequisite:
1 1/2 units of algebra. Prerequisite or concurrent:
MATH 021
,
MATH 081
PHYS 150L
(GN)
TECHNICAL PHYSICS I
( 3)
Elementary treatment of topics in mechanics, heat, wave motion, and sound
leading toward an understanding of technical applications.
PHYS 150P
(GN)
TECHNICAL PHYSICS I
( 3)
Elementary treatment of topics in mechanics, heat, wave motion, and sound
leading toward an understanding of technical applications.
PHYS 151
(GN)
TECHNICAL PHYSICS II
( 3)
Elementary treatment of topics in electricity, light, and modern physics
leading toward an understanding of technical applications.
Prerequisite: PHYS 150
PHYS 151L
(GN)
TECHNICAL PHYSICS II
( 3)
Elementary treatment of topics in electricity, light, and modern physics
leading toward an understanding of technical applications.
Prerequisite: PHYS 150
PHYS 151P
TECHNICAL PHYSICS II
( 3)
Elementary treatment of topics in electricity, light, and modern physics
leading toward an understanding of technical applications.
Prerequisite: PHYS 150
PHYS 197
SPECIAL TOPICS
( 1 - 9)
PHYS 199
(IL)
FOREIGN STUDIES
( 1 -12)
PHYS 205
INTRODUCTION TO NANOSCIENCE SEMINAR
( 1)
Introductory nanoscience seminar required of Behrend College students for
preparation for capstone courses E SC 211-216.
Prerequisite: CHEM 110
,
MATH 140
,
PHYS 211
or
PHYS 250
PHYS 211
(GN)
GENERAL PHYSICS: MECHANICS
( 4)
Calculus-based study of the basic concepts of mechanics: motion, force,
Newton's laws, energy, collisions, and rotation.
Concurrent: MATH 140
PHYS 211L
(GN)
GENERAL PHYSICS: MECHANICS
( - 4)
Calculus-based study of the basic concepts of mechanics: motion, force,
Newton's laws, energy, collisions, and rotation.
NOTE: UP offers for 0 credits; Altoona offers for 4 credits.
Concurrent: MATH 140
PHYS 211P
GENERAL PHYSICS: MECHANICS
Calculus-based study of the basic concepts of mechanics: motion, force,
Newton's laws, energy, collisions, and rotation.
Concurrent: MATH 140
PHYS 211R
(GN)
GENERAL PHYSICS: MECHANICS
( 4)
Calculus-based study of the basic concepts of mechanics: motion, force,
Newton's laws, energy, collisions, and rotation.
Concurrent: MATH 140
PHYS 212
(GN)
GENERAL PHYSICS: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
( 4)
Calculus-based study of the basic concepts of electricity and magnetism.
Prerequisite: MATH 140
,
PHYS 211
Concurrent: MATH 141
PHYS 212L
(GN)
GENERAL PHYSICS: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
( - 4)
Calculus-based study of the basic concepts of electricity and magnetism.
NOTE: UP offers for 0 credits; Altoona offers for 4 credits.
Prerequisite: MATH 140
,
PHYS 211
Concurrent: MATH 141
PHYS 212P
GENERAL PHYSICS: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
Calculus-based study of the basic concepts of electricity and magnetism.
Prerequisite: MATH 140
,
PHYS 211
Concurrent: MATH 141
PHYS 212R
(GN)
GENERAL PHYSICS: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
( 4)
Calculus-based study of the basic concepts of electricity and magnetism.
Prerequisite: MATH 140
,
PHYS 211
Concurrent: MATH 141
PHYS 213
(GN)
GENERAL PHYSICS: FLUIDS AND THERMAL PHYSICS
( 2)
Calculus-based study of the basic concepts of fluids and sound, heat, kinetic
theory, and entropy.
Prerequisite: MATH 140
,
PHYS 211
Concurrent: MATH 141
PHYS 213L
(GN)
GENERAL PHYSICS: FLUIDS AND THERMAL PHYSICS
Calculus-based study of the basic concepts of fluids and sound, heat, kinetic
theory, and entropy.
Prerequisite: MATH 140
,
PHYS 211
Concurrent: MATH 141
PHYS 213R
(GN)
GENERAL PHYSICS: FLUIDS AND THERMAL PHYSICS
( 2)
Calculus-based study of the basic concepts of fluids and sound, heat, kinetic
theory, and entropy.
Prerequisite: MATH 140
,
PHYS 211
Concurrent: MATH 141
PHYS 214
(GN)
GENERAL PHYSICS: WAVE MOTION AND QUANTUM PHYSICS
( 2)
Calculus-based study of the basic concepts of wave motion, geometrical optics,
interference phenomena, photons, wave mechanics, and the structure of matter.
Prerequisite: MATH 141
,
PHYS 211
and
PHYS 212
PHYS 214L
(GN)
GENERAL PHYSICS: WAVE MOTION AND QUANTUM PHYSICS
Calculus-based study of the basic concepts of wave motion, geometrical optics,
interference phenomena, photons, wave mechanics, and the structure of matter.
Prerequisite: MATH 141
,
PHYS 211
and
PHYS 212
PHYS 214R
(GN)
GENERAL PHYSICS: WAVE MOTION AND QUANTUM PHYSICS
( 2)
Calculus-based study of the basic concepts of wave motion, geometrical optics,
interference phenomena, photons, wave mechanics, and the structure of matter.
Prerequisite: MATH 141
,
PHYS 211
and
PHYS 212
PHYS 230
INTRODUCTION TO RELATIVITY
( 3)
Introduction to special and general relativity including space-time diagrams
and relativistic kinematics, length contraction, time dilation, equivalence
principles, curved space and cosmology.
Prerequisite: PHYS 212
,
MATH 141
. Prerequisite or concurrent:
MATH 220
,
MATH 230
or
MATH 231
PHYS 237
INTRODUCTION TO MODERN PHYSICS
( 3)
Relativity and quantum theory applied to selected topics in atomic,
molecular, solid state, and nuclear physics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 212
Concurrent: PHYS 214
PHYS 237L
INTRODUCTION TO MODERN PHYSICS
( 3)
Relativity and quantum theory applied to selected topics in atomic,
molecular, solid state, and nuclear physics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 212
Concurrent: PHYS 214
PHYS 237R
INTRODUCTION TO MODERN PHYSICS
Relativity and quantum theory applied to selected topics in atomic,
molecular, solid state, and nuclear physics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 212
Concurrent: PHYS 214
PHYS 250
(GN)
INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS I
( 4)
Selected topics in mechanics, heat, and sound.
Prerequisite: MATH 022
,
MATH 026
; or
MATH 040
; or
MATH 041
or satisfactory performance on the mathematics proficiency
examination
PHYS 250L
(GN)
INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS I
( 4)
Selected topics in mechanics, heat, and sound.
Prerequisite: MATH 022
,
MATH 026
; or
MATH 040
; or
MATH 041
or satisfactory performance on the mathematics proficiency
examination
PHYS 250P
(GN)
INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS I
Selected topics in mechanics, heat, and sound.
Prerequisite: MATH 022
,
MATH 026
; or
MATH 040
; or
MATH 041
or satisfactory performance on the mathematics proficiency
examination
PHYS 250R
(GN)
INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS I
( 4)
Selected topics in mechanics, heat, and sound.
Prerequisite: MATH 022
,
MATH 026
; or
MATH 040
; or
MATH 041
or satisfactory performance on the mathematics proficiency
examination
PHYS 251
(GN)
INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS II
( 4)
Selected topics in light, electricity, and magnetism.
Prerequisite: PHYS 250
PHYS 251L
(GN)
INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS II
( 4)
Selected topics in light, electricity, and magnetism.
Prerequisite: PHYS 250
PHYS 251P
(GN)
INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS II
Selected topics in light, electricity, and magnetism.
Prerequisite: PHYS 250
PHYS 251R
(GN)
INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS II
( 4)
Selected topics in light, electricity, and magnetism.
Prerequisite: PHYS 250
PHYS 255
(GN)
PHYSICS OF MUSIC AND SPEECH
( 3)
Descriptive study of vibration and sound waves, hearing and speech, musical
instruments, physical bases of harmony and scales.
PHYS 296
INDEPENDENT STUDIES
( 1 -18)
PHYS 297
SPECIAL TOPICS
( 1 - 9)
PHYS 397
SPECIAL TOPICS
( 1 - 9)
PHYS 399
(IL)
FOREIGN STUDIES
( 1 -12)
PHYS 400
INTERMEDIATE ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM I
( 3)
Electrostatics, steady-state magnetic field; electrical and magnetic
properties of matter; Maxwell's equations, boundary-value problems, and wave
propagation.
Prerequisite: MATH 250
or
MATH 251
;
MATH 230
or
MATH 231
;
PHYS 212
,
PHYS 213
, and
PHYS 214
Concurrent: MATH 230
OR
MATH 231
;
PHYS 204
PHYS 401
INTERMEDIATE ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM II
( 3)
Electromagnetic wave propagation in media, wave guides, dipole radiation,
electrodynamics of charged particles, special theory of relativity, special
topics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 400
PHYS 402
ELECTRONICS FOR SCIENTISTS
( 4)
Circuit and network theory; active devices; amplifiers; introduction to
digital electronics; noise theory.
Prerequisite: MATH 250
or
MATH 251
;
PHYS 212
,
PHYS 213
, and
PHYS 214
PHYS 406
SUBATOMIC PHYSICS
( 3)
Introductory treatment of elementary particles, fundamental strong and
electroweak interactions, nuclear structure, accelerators, particle detection,
nuclear astrophysics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 410
PHYS 410
INTRODUCTION TO QUANTUM MECHANICS I
( 3 - 4 per semester)
Basic postulates; Schrodinger wave equation; stationary states; variational
method; scattering in one dimension; orbital angular momentum; hydrogen atom;
numerical methods.
Prerequisite: MATH 250
or
MATH 251
;
MATH 230
or
MATH 231
;
PHYS 237
PHYS 411
INTRODUCTION TO QUANTUM MECHANICS II
( 3)
General theory of angular momentum; approximation methods; scattering theory;
radiation theory; applications to atomic, molecular, condensed matter,
nuclear and particle physics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 410
PHYS 412
SOLID STATE PHYSICS I
( 3)
Crystal symmetry, x-ray structure analysis, lattice vibrations, thermal
properties, free electron transport theory, elementary one-electron quantum
theory of solids.
Prerequisite: MATH 230
or
MATH 231
Concurrent: PHYS 410
PHYS 413
SOLID STATE PHYSICS II
( 3)
Quantum theory of electronic and optical properties of solids,
semiconductors, dielectrics, magnetic properties, crystal imperfections, low-
temperature effects, and superconductivity.
Prerequisite: PHYS 412
PHYS 414
SOLID STATE PHYSICS
( 3)
Crystal structure; reciprocal lattice; X-ray diffraction; lattice vibrations;
thermal properties; free electron gas model; energy bands; semiconductors;
magnetism.
Prerequisite: MATH 230
,
PHYS 237
PHYS 419
(MATH)
THEORETICAL MECHANICS
( 3)
Principles of Newtonian, Lagrangian, and Hamiltonian mechanics of particles
with applications to vibrations, rotations, orbital motion, and collisions.
Prerequisite: MATH 230
or
MATH 231
;
MATH 250
or
MATH 251
;
PHYS 212
,
PHYS 213
, and
PHYS 214
PHYS 420
THERMAL PHYSICS
( 3)
Basic postulates of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, microscopic
quantum states and macroscopic parameters; partition functions; Maxwell-
Boltzmann and quantum statistics.
Prerequisite: MATH 230
or
MATH 231
;
MATH 250
or
MATH 251
;
PHYS 237
PHYS 421W
RESEARCH METHODS IN PHYSICS
( 3)
Methodology focusing on the theory of measurement and experiment design.
Prerequisite: PHYS 237
PHYS 443
INTERMEDIATE ACOUSTICS
( 3)
Vibration and simple vibrating systems, sound wave propagation, acoustic
instruments, recent developments.
Prerequisite: MATH 251
,
PHYS 212
,
PHYS 213
, and
PHYS 214
; or
PHYS 203
or
PHYS 204
PHYS 444
TOPICS IN CONTEMPORARY PHYSICS
( 2)
Modern research topics and career opportunities in physics; employment,
graduate education, and tailoring the physics curriculum to meet career
goals.
Prerequisite: PHYS 237
and 3 credits of physics at the 400 level
PHYS 445
NANOSCIENCE SEMINAR
( 1)
Advanced nanoscience seminar required of Behrend College students for
completion of the nanoscience minor.
Prerequisite: CHEM 112
,
E SC 211
,
E SC 212
,
E SC 213
,
E SC 214
,
E SC 215
,
E SC 216
,
MATH 140
,
PHYS 211
or
PHYS 250
PHYS 446
THE YEAR IN PHYSICS: A SEMINAR ON THE LATEST RESEARCH
( 1)
Discussion recent research in physics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 211
PHYS 457
EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS
( 1 - 3)
Selected experiments in various fields of physics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 212
,r
PHYS 213
,
PHYS 213
,
PHYS 214
, and
PHYS 237
PHYS 457W
EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS
( 3)
Selected experiments in various fields in physics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 212
,
PHYS 213
,
PHYS 214
, and
PHYS 237
PHYS 458
INTERMEDIATE OPTICS
( 4)
Geometrical and physical optics: theory of lens systems, aberrations,
apertures, interference, diffraction, polarization.
Prerequisite: PHYS 212
,
PHYS 213
,
PHYS 214
;
MATH 250
or
MATH 251
;
MATH 230
or
MATH 231
PHYS 461
(MATH)
THEORETICAL MECHANICS
( 3)
Continuation of Math.(Phys.) 419. Theoretical treatment of dynamics of a
rigid body, theory of elasticity, aggregates of particles, wave motion,
mechanics of fluids.
Prerequisite: MATH 419
PHYS 462
APPLICATIONS OF PHYSICS IN MEDICINE
( 3)
Applications of physics in human physiology and in instrumentation for medical
diagnosis and treatment.
Prerequisite: PHYS 211
,
PHYS 212
,
PHYS 213
, and
PHYS 214
; or
PHYS 250
,
PHYS 251
PHYS 479
(MATH)
SPECIAL AND GENERAL RELATIVITY
( 3)
Mathematical description, physical concepts, and experimental tests of
special and general relativity.
Prerequisite: PHYS 237
,
PHYS 400
,
PHYS 419
;
MATH 250
or
MATH 251
;
MATH 230
or
MATH 231
PHYS 494
PHYSICS RESEARCH PROJECT
( 1 -12)
Investigation of an original research problem, including a literature search.
Preparation of a formal thesis is optional.
PHYS 494H
PHYSICS RESEARCH PROJECT
( 1 -12)
Investigation of an original research problem, including a literature search.
Preparation of a formal thesis is optional.
PHYS 495
INTERNSHIP
( 1 -18)
Supervised off-campus, nongroup instruction including field experiences,
practica, or internships. Written and oral critique of activity required.
Prerequisite:
prior approval of proposed assignment by instructor
PHYS 496
INDEPENDENT STUDIES
( 1 -18)
PHYS 497
SPECIAL TOPICS
( 1 - 9)
PHYS 499
(IL)
FOREIGN STUDIES
( 1 -12)
PHYS 510
GENERAL RELATIVITY I
( 3)
Foundations of general relativity, elements of differential geometry,
Einstein's equation, Newtonian limit, gravity waves, Friedmann cosmologies
and Schwarzschild solution.
Prerequisite: PHYS 557
PHYS 511
TOPICS IN GENERAL RELATIVITY
( 3)
Selected topics from: Cauchy problem, Hamiltonian formulation, positive
energy theorems, asymptotics, gravitational radiation, singularity theorems,
black-holes, cosmology, observational tests.
Prerequisite: PHYS 510
PHYS 512
QUANTUM THEORY OF SOLIDS I
( 3)
Electrons in periodic potentials; single electron approximations; lattice
dynamics; electrical, optical, and magnetic properties of solids; transport
theory.
Prerequisite: PHYS 412
Concurrent: PHYS 517
PHYS 513
QUANTUM THEORY OF SOLIDS II
( 3)
Electron-phonon interaction, BCS theory; Landau Fermi-liquid theory;
disorder and localized states; spin-wave theroy; many-body theory.
Prerequisite: PHYS 512
PHYS 514
PHYSICS OF SURFACES, INTERFACES, AND THIN FILMS
( 3)
This course focuses on interfacial and surface phenomena; structural,
electronic, vibrational and thermodynamic properties; physisorption and
chemisorption; phase transitions and ultrathin film nucleation; and growth
phenomena.
Prerequisite: PHYS 412
PHYS 517
STATISTICAL MECHANICS
( 3)
Thermodynamics, classical and quantum statistics; Bose and Fermi gases;
Boltzmann transport equation; phase transitions, critical phenomena; Ising
model.
Prerequisite: PHYS 561
PHYS 518
CRITICAL PHENOMENA AND FIELD THEORY
( 3)
Critical phenomena using field theoretical and renormalization group techni-
ques; solvable statistical models and conformal field study; fluctuations
and random processes.
Prerequisite: PHYS 517
,
PHYS 563
PHYS 524
PHYSICS OF SEMICONDUCTORS AND DEVICES
( 3)
Electronic structure, optical and transport properties of crystalline and
amorphous semiconductors, quantum wells, superlattices; quantum devices;
quantum Hall effect.
Prerequisite: PHYS 412
PHYS 525
METHODS OF THEORETICAL PHYSICS I
( 3)
Complex variables, Hilbert spaces, linear operators, calculus of variations,
Fourier analysis, Green's functions, distributions, differential equations,
and special functions.
PHYS 526
METHODS OF THEORETICAL PHYSICS II
( 3)
Finite and Lie groups, representations and application to condensed matter
and particle physics; selected topics from differential geometry.
Prerequisite: PHYS 525
PHYS 527
COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS
( 3)
Introduction to and applications of computer simulations and nu