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Graduate Courses

Experiments in nuclear, solid-state, and surface physics. Includes discussion of laboratory techniques, data analysis, and data presentation. Special projects assigned to individual students. 4 cr.

Review of the sun, stars, Milky Way, external galaxies, and expansion of the universe. Recent discoveries of radio galaxies, quasi-stellar objects, cosmic black-body radiation, x rays, and gamma rays precede a discussion of Newtonian and general relativistic cosmological models, steady-state/big-bang theories, and matter-antimatter models. (Also offered as EOS 810.) 4 cr. (Alternate years only.)

Discussions, lectures, and laboratory work on topics of current interest in physics. An introductory course for secondary school teachers and others with some science background. 1–4 cr. (Not offered every year.)

Introduces basic plasma physics using a case study of the Earth's ionosphere and its connection both to the upper atmosphere and to the Earth's magnetosphere. Topics include single-particle motion, fluid and kinetic descriptions of ionospheric plasma, wave propagation, and instabilities. Prereq: electricity and magnetism I or equivalent; calculus II. (Also offered as EOS 812.) 4 cr.

Crystal structure, diffraction, lattice vibrations, electronic and optical properties of metals and semiconductors; selected topics in modern condensed matter physics. Prereq: introduction to quantum mechanics I, electricity and magnetism I or equivalent. 4 cr. (Normally offered every other year.)

Nuclear phenomenology, ractions, models, radiation, interaction of radiation with matter; accelerators; properties and interactions of elementary particles; symmetries and symmetry breaking standard model. Prereq: introduction to quantum mechanics I and II; electricity and magnetism I and II; or permission or instructor. 4 cr.

Introduction to the tools and methodology of scientific computing via the examination of interdisciplinary case studies from science and engineering. Emphasis on numerical approaches to solving linear systems, eigenvalue-eigenvector problems, and differential equations. Problems are solved on various hardware platforms using a combination of software and data visualization packages. Prereq: linear algebra; differential equations; introduction to programming;/or permission. (Also offered as MATH 854; CS 854). Lab. 3 cr.

Individual project under direction of a faculty adviser. 1–8 cr.

Course for new graduate students providing an introduction to their role as teaching assistants. Designed to raise awareness of professional responsibilities, to provide instruction on theory-based teaching and learning, and to provide opportunities for reflective practice. 1 cr. Cr/F.

Issues in teaching and learning physics including cognitive models of learning; assessment tools; meta-cognitive issues; role of mathematics; effectiveness of labs; issues in problem solving; misconceptions studies. Extensive reading, writing, discussion and reflection is required. May be repeated for a maximum of 3 credits. 1–3 cr.

Complex variables, differential equations, asymptotic methods, integral transforms, special functions, linear vector spaces and matrices, Green's functions, and additional topics selected from integral equations, variational methods, numerical methods, tensor analysis, and group theory. (Also offered as MATH 931–932.) 3 cr.

Review of thermodynamics and kinetic theory, followed by an introduction to classical and quantum statistical mechanics. Microcanonical, canonical, and grand canonical ensembles; ideal Fermi and Bose gases and applications of statistical mechanics to selected physical problems. Prereq: PHYS 931; 939; 943. 3 cr.

Newtonian, Lagrangian, and Hamiltonian formulation of the classical mechanics of particles and rigid bodies; continuum mechanics. Topics that serve as background for the study of modern physical theories are emphasized. 3 cr.

The formulation and detailed application of electromagnetic theory to physical problems. The material covered is at the level of the text by J. D. Jackson, Classical Electrodynamics. 3 cr.

Introduces nonrelativistic quantum theory, covering wave mechanics, Dirac notation, angular momentum, the use of perturbation theory to calculate atomic energy levels, the interaction of atoms with radiation, and various approaches to calculating the differential scattering cross-section. 3 cr.

Kinetic theory of plasmas; plasma waves, instabilities, turbulence, diffusion, adiabatic motion of charged particles, nonlinear plasma phenomena. Prereq: PHYS 935; 941; 942. 3 cr. (Normally offered every other year.)

Introduction to solar physics, with emphasis on gas dynamics and magnetic fields. Interior structure, the theory of convection, wave motions in the presence of magnetism and gravity, coronal heating theories, steady and nonsteady flows, dynamo theory, and the theory of solar flares and other transient phenomena. Salient observational data are reviewed. 3 cr. (Normally offered every other year.)

The solar wind and its effects on cosmic rays. The basic equations of the solar wind: mass, momentum, angular momentum, and energy balance. Transport processes. Waves, shocks, and instabilities in the solar wind. The basic equations of energetic particle transport. Solar modulation of solar and galactic cosmic rays. Interaction of energetic particles with shock waves. Salient data are reviewed. 3 cr. (Normally offered every other year.)

Applies principles of fluid dynamics and magnetohydrodynamics to the Earth's atmosphere and oceans and to space plasmas. Emphasizes common problems and techniques. Topics include mass, momentum, energy conservation; static equilibriums; quasigeostrophic flow; waves (acoustic-gravity, planetary, magnetoacoustic); surface waves in the ocean and in space; instabilities (convective, baroclinic Rayleigh-Taylor, Kelvin Helmholz); boundary layer problems (Ekman layers, Stewartson layers, tearing modes; resonance absorption); supersonic flows (the solar wind, shock waves). Prereq: MATH 845 and 846, or PHYS 931. (Also offered as EOS 955.) 3 cr. (Normally offered every other year.)

Relativistic wave equations, propagator theory and Feynman diagrams, quantum theory of radiation, second quantization, introduction to quantum field theory and related topics. Prereq: PHYS 939; 944. 3 cr. (Normally offered every other year.)

Introduction to nuclear processes including nuclear forces, nuclear structure and models, static properties, beta and gamma emission, and nuclear reactions. Selected topics in experimental methods. Prereq: PHYS 944. 3 cr. (Normally offered every other year.)

Theory of crystalline metals, semiconductors, and insulators. Selected topics from the following: surfaces, films, quantum dots, clusters, solid-state devices. Prereq: PHYS 935; 941; 943. 3 cr. (Normally offered every other year.)

Lectures and discussion of current topics in nuclear and particle physics. 1–3 cr. (Not offered every year.)

Lectures and discussion of current topics in space science. (Not offered every year.)

Lectures and discussion of current topics in condensed matter physics. May be repeated. 1–3 cr.

Lectures and discussion of current topics in the interdisciplinary field of nonlinear dynamics. 1–3 cr.

A new seminar on geometry and physics will be held fall semester 2000. In general, the discussions will alternate between topics in mathematics and the corresponding ones in physics. There will be invited speakers on current topics (to be arranged).

Introduces plasma physics of the interaction of solar and stellar winds with planets having internal magnetic fields, most predominantly, the Earth. Both MHD and kinetic descriptions of internal and boundary processes of magnetospheres as well as treatment of the interaction with collisional ionospheres. Flow of mass, momentum, and energy through such systems. Prereq: PHYS 951; 952;/or permission. (Also offered as EOS 987.) 3 cr. (Normally offered every other year.)

One-semester course on the physical principles underpinning the field of high energy astrophysics. Subjects covered include production, detection, and transport processes of neutral and charged high energy particles and photons. Emphasizes the applications of these processes to the detection and measurement problem and theory of telescope design. Uses astrophysical examples to illustrate the subject matter. First part serves as a basis for discussing the astrophysics of the heliosphere, including solar flares, galactic and solar cosmic rays, and the influence of the Earth's magnetic field on the cosmic rays. Prereq: PHYS 941; 942; 944. (Also offered as EOS 988.) 3 cr. (Normally offered every other year.)

Lectures and discussions of current research in the physics of fields and particles in space. May be repeated to 6 credits. 1–3 cr. (Not offered every year.)

 

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Copyright 2007 The University of New Hampshire  •  Department of Physics
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