GRADUATE
PHYSICS
AND ASTRONOMY COURSES
For a list of all courses offered during a particular semester, please see the Schedule of Courses in MyZou.
Physics 7085: Problems (credit by
arrangement)
Laboratory work involving study of literature of special
experiments in physics. Introduces research methods.
Physics 7087: Seminar in Physics (1).
Topics of current interest selected for discussion. May be
elected repeatedly. S/U Graded only. Prerequisite: 8150.
Physics 7110: Light and Modern Optics
(4).
Interaction of light with matter, spectroscopic techniques, wave
optics,
interferometry, multilayer films, polarization, nonlinear optics,
design of
optical instruments, matrix methods, waveguides, fiber optics,
acousto-optic
and photo-elastic modulation. Includes both Lectures and Laboratory.
Prerequisite: PHYSCS 2760 or equivalent.
Physics/Astronomy 7180: Solar System Science (3)
(same as Geology and Astronomy 7180)
Investigates physical states,
interior structures and comparative geology of solar systems bodies:
planets, moons, asteroids, comets, sun. Solar system formation and
evolution. Prerequisites: Physics 1220 or 2760 or instructor's consent.
Physics 7190: Physics and Chemistry of
Materials (3) (same as Nuclear Engineering 7319 and
Chemistry
7490).
This course will cover fundamental and applied aspects relating to the
Physics, Chemistry and Biology of material with specific emphasis on
Nanoscience and Nanomedicine. Consists of lectures and experiments in
nanoscience.
Prerequisite: Physics 2760 and Chemistry 1320 or equivalent and
consent of instructor.
Physics 7230: Scanning Electron Microscopy
and X-Ray Microanalysis (3)
This course is designed for senior undergraduate/graduate
students and
covers the basic principles and practical considerations using the
scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectrometry
(EDS) in the characterization of materials. The structure of the course
consists of a series of lectures followed by computer simulation labs
covering the lecture topics. This is followed by hands-on lab
assignments reinforcing the same material while also servicing as
operational training and analytical methods. Also covered in this
course is a sample preparation techniques, digital imaging and data
acquisition and processing. Prerequisites: Physics 3150 and
instructor's
consent.
Physics/Astronomy 7301: Topics in Astronomy and
Astrophysics (3)
Selected topics
from solar system, stellar, galactic and extragalactic
astronomy, and astrophysics. May be repeated for credit. Graded on A/F
basis only.
Physics 7310: Physics in Cell and
Developmental
Biology (3) (same as Biological Science 7310).
Discusses the role of
physical mechanisms in specific cellular and developmental processes
and
phenomena, in particular those characterizing the embryonic stage of
multicellular organisms. Each process and phenomenon is first described
in
biological terms and then within a physical model, with special
emphasis on the
interplay between the two descriptions. Prerequisite: PHYSCS 1220 or
2760 and BIO SC
2300 or instructor's consent.
Physics 7400: Physics of Electronic Devices
(3)
This course is designed for graduate and undergraduate students of
Physics and Electrical Engineering who have an interest in learning the
basic physical idea underlying the operation of electronic devices. The
course consists of lectures, handout lecture notes, problem sets, two
mid-term and one final exam. Prerequisites: basic knowledge of modern
physics (electromagnetism and quantum mechanics) at the level of
Physics 3150 or equivalent, or approval by instructors.
Physics 7450: Introduction to Cosmology
(3)
Develops the physical concepts necessary for understanding the major
recent discoveries in cosmology, such as the acceleration of the
universe and dark energy. No prior knowledge of general relativity is
assumed. Prerequisite: PHYSCS 3150 or equivalent or instructor's
consent. Graded on A/F basis only.
Physics
7500: Computational Biological Physics (3)
Provides a practical introduction (hands-on approach) to the study of
the structure
and function of biomolecular systems by employing computational methods
and
theoretical concepts familiar from the physical sciences.
Prerequisites:
graduate standing and PHYSCS 1220 or 2760 or instructor's consent.
Physics 7600: Semiconductor Optics (3)
It is an introductory-level course in the field of optical processes in
semiconductors (both inorganic and organic) and solid-state
optoelectronics, designed both for graduate and undergraduate students
of Physics, Chemistry, and Electrical engineering. Prerequisite:
Physics 3150 or instructor's consent. Graded on A/F basis only.
Physics 8040: Study of Techniques of Teaching College
Physics (1-3).
Objectives, methods, and problems related to teaching
college physics. Some credit in this course is required for all
students
teaching physics. May repeat for 3 hours maximum.
Physics 8090: Research in Physics and
Astronomy (cr.arr.).
Graduate
research in physics and astronomy. Prerequisites: graduate standing
required. Graded on an S/U basis only.
Physics 8101: Topics of Physics and Astronomy (1-3)
Organized study of selected topics. Subjects and earnable credit may
vary from semester to semester. Prerequisite: instructor's consent.
Departmental consent for repetition.
Physics 8150: Condensed Matter Physics I (3).
Crystal structure, reciprocal lattice, phonons, neutron &
x-ray scattering, free electron theory of metals, Fermi surfaces,
energy bands, static properties of solids, semiconductors,
devices and quantum structures, optical properties, excitons,
introduction to magnetism, and superconductivity. Prerequisite:
4800 or equivalent.
Physics 8160: Condensed Matter Physics II (3).
The basic Hamiltonian, phonons, theory of the electron
gas, second quantization, hartree and Hartee-Fock approximation,
local-density, tight-binding theory, electron-electron
interaction
and screening, Fermi liquid theory, transport properties,
impurities,
Green's functions, Localization, Quantum Hall effect, magnetism,
superconductivity. Prerequisite: 8150. Continuation of 8150.
Physics 8230: Scanning Electron Microscopy (3).
This course is designed for graduate/senior undergraduates. This course
covers the basic principles and practical considerations using the
scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectrometry
(EDS) in the characterization of materials. Prerequisite: instructor's
consent.
Astronomy 8301: Topics in Astronomy and
Astrophysics (3).
Selected topics from solar system, stellar, galactic and
extragalactic astronomy, and astrophysics. May be repeated to a
maximum of six hours. Prerequisite: instructor's consent.
Physics 8400: Low Energy Neutron Scattering (3).
Theory, application of low energy neutron scattering to
investigation of structure and dynamics of aggregate matter, to
include lattice vibrations, ordered spin systems, spin waves,
diffusive motions in liquids; experimental techniques discussed.
Prerequisite: 8150.
Physics 8450: Plasma Physics (3).
Single particle motion, plasma kinetic theory,
magnetohydrodynamics and other fluid theories, waves in
unmagnetized and magnetized plasmas, transport phenomena,
instabilities, controlled fusion. Prerequisite: instructor's
consent.
Physics/Astronomy 8550: Stellar Structure and Evolution (3).
Reviews of atomic and molecular spectra. Investigates quantum radiation
law, emission and adsorption processes, radiation transfer theory,
continuous and discrete line spectra of stars, stellar composition.
Prerequisites:
Astro 4250, Physics 4800, or instructor' consent.
Physics 8560: Quantitative X-Ray Microanalysis and
Advanced
Imaging (3).
This course is designed for graduates/senior undergraduate students.
This course covers the theory and methodology to quantitatively analyze
materials using both energy-dispersive (EDS) and wavelength-dispersive
(WDS) spectrometry along with image processing and analysis techniques.
Prerequisites: Physics 8230
Physics 8610: Classical Mechanics (3).
The interplay of dynamics and symmetry, Hamilton's principle
and Neother's theorem, Lagrangian, Hamiltonian, Hamilton-Jacobi
theories of mechanics. Mechanics in special relativity. Rigid
body motion, small oscillations, canonical transformations and
fields as continuous mechanical systems. Prerequisite: 4140 or
equivalent.
Physics 8620: Electromagnetic Theory (3).
Electrostatics, dielectrics, magnetostatics, method of images,
Green's functions, Maxwell's equations, time-varying fields,
plane electromagnetic wave propagation, reflection, refraction,
wave guides. Additional topics may include plasma physics,
diffraction, radiation. Prerequisite: Physics 8610.
Physics 8640: Electrodynamics (3).
Tensors, special relativity, and the Lorentz group. Variational
approach to classical field theory, Noether's theorem, and
invariance principles. Microscopic Maxwell equations,
conservation laws
for electromagnetism, application to radiation problems.
Prerequisite:
Physics 8620 or instructor's consent.
Physics 8660: Methods in Mathematical Physics (3).
Concentrates on mathematical techniques used in modern
physics. Infinite series, functions of a complex variable,
differential
equations, Fourier series and integral, etc. Prerequisite:Physics 4700
or instructor's consent.
Physics 8680: Thermodynamics and Statistical
Mechanics (3).
Thermodynamics as applied in physics, chemistry; laws of
distribution; statistical methods of study matter, radiation.
Prerequisite: 8710 or concurrently.
Physics 8710: Quantum Mechanics I (3).
Non-relativistic quantum theory in Hilbert space. States and
self- adjoint observables, unitary time evolution in various pictures,
the path-integral, identical particles, Fock space, angular
momentum, and some perturbation theory. Prerequisite: Physics 8610.
Physics 8720: Quantum Mechanics II (3).
More perturbation theory, variational methods, semi-classical
methods and application to radiation theory, scattering theory,
linear response theory, and rudiment of relativistic quantum
mechanics, including the Klein-Gordan and the Dirac equations.
Prerequisite:
Physics 8710.
Physics 8730: Quantum Mechanics III (3).
Properties of many-particle systems at low temperature. General
Formalism for Fermi and Bose systems, Theory of superconductivity
and superfluidity, Introduction to quantum spin model -
Diagromatic formulation of quantum electrodynamics. Scattering of
electrons and positrons, introduction to radioactive corrections. Prerequisites: Physics 8720. Graded on S/U basis only.
Physics 8801: Topics in Solid State Theory (3).
Selected topics in solid-state theory, including various
elementary excitations in solids and their interactions. May be
elected more than once. Prerequisite: instructor's consent.
Physics 8820: Relativity and Gravitation (3).
Special and general theories of relativity. Discussion of
accelerated observers and the principle of equivalence.
Einstein's gravitational field equations, black holes,
gravitational waves, and cosmology. Prerequisite: Physics 8610 and Physics 8620.
Physics 9090: Research (credit by
arrangement).
Research leading to PhD dissertation. Prerequisite: PhD
candidacy has been established. Graded on an S/U basis only.
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