• PHYS 7010

    Theoretical Mechanics I
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.38

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    The statics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies. Discusses the methods of generalized coordinates, the Langrangian, Hamilton-Jacobi equations, action-angle variables, and the relation to quantum theory. Prerequisite: PHYS 3210 and MATH 5220.

  • PHYS 7210

    Statistical Mechanics
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.39

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    Discusses thermodynamics and kinetic theory, and the development of the microcanonical, canonical, and grand canonical ensembles. Includes Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac distributions, techniques for handling interacting many-particle systems, and extensive applications to physical problems.

  • PHYS 7410

    Electricity and Magnetism I
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.38

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    A consistent mathematical account of the phenomena of electricity and magnetism; electrostatics and magnetostatics; macroscopic media; Maxwell theory; and wave propagation. Prerequisite: PHYS 7250 or instructor permission.

  • PHYS 7420

    Electricity and Magnetism II
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.46

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    Development of the theory of special relativity, relativistic electrodynamics, radiation from moving charges, classical electron theory, and Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations of electrodynamics. Prerequisite: PHYS 7420 or instructor permission.

  • PHYS 7610

    Quantum Theory I
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.42

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    Introduces the physical basis of quantum mechanics, the Schroedinger equation and the quantum mechanics of one-particle systems, and stationary state problem. Prerequisite: Twelve credits of 3000-level physics courses and MATH 5210, 5220, or instructor permission.

  • PHYS 7620

    Quantum Theory II
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.39

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    Includes angular momentum theory, techniques of time-dependent perturbation theory, emission and absorption of radiation, systems of identical particles, second quantization, and Hartree-Fock equations. Prerequisite: PHYS 7610 or instructor permission.

  • PHYS 7995

    Independent Study
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    Independent research or practical training supervised by a faculty member. May be repeated for credit.

  • PHYS 8220

    Fundamentals of Photonics
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.67

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Studies nonlinear optical phenomena; the laser, sum, and difference frequency generation, optical parametric oscillation, and modulation techniques. Prerequisite: PHYS 5310 and exposure to quantum mechanics.

  • PHYS 8610

    Condensed Matter Theory I
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.82

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    The description and basic theory of the electronic properties of solids including band structure, electrical conduction, optical properties, magnetism and super-conductivity. Prerequisite: PHYS 7620 or instructor permission.

  • PHYS 8630

    Introduction to Field Theory
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.55

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    Introduces the quantization of field theories, including those based on the Dirac and Klein-Gordon equations. Derives perturbation theory in terms of Feynman diagrams, and applies it to simple field theories with interactions. Introduces the concept of renormalization. Prerequisite: PHYS 7620.