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Course Descriptions, Applied and Atmospheric Physics Graduate Classes


Index: PHYS 470, 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 609, 610, 613, 614, 621, 631, 632, 622, 640, 650, 671, 672, 690, 698, 701, 704, 707, 710, 721, 722, 731, 732, 741, 799, 899
Key:
[APPH-MS] ... Required for APPH M.S.
[APPH-PhD] ... Required for APPH Ph.D.
See also the Current & Forthcoming Schedule for courses offered by the Physics Department.

PHYS 470 Techniques of Experimental Physics [3 credits]
Design and execution of physical experiments. Advanced theory of error, principles of experimental design, techniques of engineering, and construction of apparatus, high-vacuum techniquesa, cryogenics, electron optics and other topics of current interest. Modern examples of these systems and their characteristics are investigated in the laboratory.

PHYS 601
[APPH-PhD]
[APPH-MS]
Quantum Mechanics [3 credits]
Postulates, one-dimensional problems, angular momentum, three-dimensional problems, perturbation theory, interaction of quantum systems with the electromagnetic field; fine structure, hyperfine structure, and the Zeeman effect; the ground state of Helium; Kronig-Penny model, applications to solid-state physics and to laser physics.

PHYS 602
[APPH-PhD]
 Statistical Mechanics Credits [3 credits]
Review of statistical mechanics of ideal systems, non-ideal gases, phase transitions, Monte Carlo methods, non-equilibrium systems.

PHYS 603
Physics Of Materials Credits [3 credits]
An introductory overview of the materials properties of condensed matter with particular emphasis on a description of the microstructure of solid materials. A student wishing to obtain a broad overview of the theory and applications of condensed matter physics may take this course in parallel with the complementary solid state physics course (PHYS304). Topics include: atomic arrangements in crystalline and amorphous materials; experimental techniques for observing structure down to nanometer scales; point and line defects, their motion and importance; and the differences between bulk and surface arrangements. The thermodynamics of solutions, multi-phase equilibria and phase transformations. Interfaces, nucleation and growth in bulk materials and at surfaces. The course ends with a discussion of the production and properties of technologically important materials such as semiconductor thin films and multilayers, rapidly solidified amorphous materials, and materials with useful magnetic and/or optical properties.

PHYS 604
Solid-state Physics [3 credits]
A survey of the physics of metallic, semiconducting and insulating solids with particular emphasis on the electronic and vibrational properties of crystals. This course can serve as the first part of a complete two semester survey of the quantum theory of matter (with PHYS704). A student wishing to obtain a broad overview of the theory and applications of condensed matter physics may take this course in parallel with complementary physics of materials course (PHY603). The first part of the course concerns the classical theory of the electronic and thermal behavior of metallic solids and the development of the quantum mechanical description of free-electron metals. The failure of the free-electron model leads a discussion of crystal structure, the reciprocal lattice and X-ray crystallography. The one-electron band theory of crystals is developed within the nearly free electron and tight-binding approximations and is applied to the theory of cohesion of simple and transition metals. The electronic properties and device applications of semiconducting crystals are discussed. The course concludes with a review of the classical and quantum theory of lattice vibrations.
Prerequisites: PHYS601 and PHYS602

PHYS 605
[APPH-PhD]
[APPH-MS]
Mathematical Physics [3 credits]
Group theory, non-linear differential equations, integral transforms, integral equations, numerical methods

PHYS 606
[APPH-PhD]
 Classical Mechanics [3 credits]
Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics, normal modes, phase space, non-linear mechanics, numerical methods, stability.

PHYS 607
[APPH-PhD]
 Electromagnetic Waves and Radiation [3 credits]
Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves in dielectrics, metals, and crystals, wave guides, radiation, potentials, and multipoles.

PHYS 609
Modern Optics [3 credits]
Geometrical optics: matrix representation of Gaussian optics, optical instruments, aberrations. Wave properties of light: interference, coherence, Michelson interferometer. Fourier optics: diffraction theories, theory of image formation, optical transfer functions holography. Crystal optics: polarization, double refraction, Jones calculus, dielectric tensors, optical activities, electro- and magneto-optical effects, second harmonic generation.
Prerequisite: PHYS607

PHYS 610
Quantum Electronics [3 credits]
Introduction to quantum theory of electromagnetic fields, interaction of radiation with matter, laser physics, non-linear optics, parametric amplifiers, noise, phase-conjugation, detection of radiation.
Prerequisites: PHYS601, PHYS607.

PHYS 613
Thermodynamics of Materials [3 credits]
First and second laws, entropy, Gibbs free energy, chemical potential, reactions between gases and condensed phases, behavior of solutions, adsorption, calculation of equilibrium phase diagrams, phase transitions, critical phenomena.
Prerequisite: PHYS603

PHYS 614
Introducation to Surface Physics [3 credits]
A graduate level introductory survey of the physics of solid surface. Both clean surfaces and adsorption systems will be discussed. A review of both theoretical and experimental techniques will be included. Topics include: surface crystallography and characterization, surface electronic structure, electronic excitations and optical properties, thermodynamics and phase transitions, surface kinetics and dynamics, reactions at surfaces, epitaxy and growth. Analytical techniques include: low-energy electron diffraction (LEED), high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS), UV photoemission and inverse photoemission (UPS, IPES), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), auger spectroscopy (AES) and ion scattering.
Prerequisite: PHYS601

PHYS 621
Atmospheric Physics I [3 credits]
Composition and structure of the Earth's atmosphere, application of thermodynamics to atmospheric problems, development of the fundamental equations of fluid motion, applications to synoptic scale atmospheric circulations, boundary layer effects, global circulation, and other selected topics.
Prerequisites: PHYS602 and PHYS605

PHYS 622
Atmospheric Physics II [3 credits]
Physical meteorology including atmospheric aerosols and cloud physics; introduction to atmospheric radiative transfer including blackbody theory, Kirchoff's law, description of molecular absorption, Rayleigh and description of Mie scattering, simple solutions to the radiative transfer equation; and other selected topics, time permitting (e.g., atmospheric electricity, climatology, atmospheric chemistry).
Prerequisites: PHYS601, PHYS602, PHYS605, PHYS607, and PHYS621.

PHYS 631
The Physics of Astrophysics I [3 credits]
Introduction to the emission, absorption and scattering of radiation by matter in astrophysical environments, illustrated using recent results from the astrophysical literature. Topics include radiative transfer, statistical mechanics, local thermodynamic equilibrium, emission and absorption line diagnostics in common use, and the effects of dust. These physical processes will be applied to stellar atmospheres, the interstellar medium, HII regions, supernova remnants, active galactic nuclei, and clusters of galaxies. [More Info]

PHYS 632
The Physics of Astrophysics II [3 credits]
The course follows on from PHYS631, and provides an introduction to gas dynamics within astrophysical environments. The focus is on the interactions of matter & radiation with electromagnetic fields on macroscopic scales. Topics include single-fluid theory, differential motion, equilibria of self-gravitating masses &gravitational collapse, viscosity & fluid instabilities, shears, turbulence & shocks, magnetohydrodynamics and plasma physics. These physical processes will be illustrated using recent results from the astrophysical literature, and will include galaxy formation, star-formation, giant planets & neutron stars, viscous accretion disks in both galactic & extragalactic objects, the ionization fronts in expanding HII regions, blast waves from supernova remnants, solar flares and MHD flows from accretion disks. [More Info]
Prerequisites: PHYS631

PHYS 640
[APPH-PhD]
[APPH-MS]
Computational Physics [3 credits]
Application of computers and numerical methods applied to physical models. Boundary value problems, Monte Carlo techniques, and modeling.

PHYS 650
Special Topics in Applied Physics [3 credits]
Courses will cover a specialized topic in some field of current interest in applied physics and will be taught by regular and visiting faculty.

PHYS 671
Introduction to High-Resolution Spectroscopy [3 credits]
An introduction to molecular spectroscopy from the microwave to the ultraviolet. Molecular vibrations and rotations, and the physics of spectral line shapes will be studied in some detail. Experimental techniques and applications of molecular spectroscopy to astronomy, remote sensing of the earth's atmosphere, and other fields will be studied. (Fall)
Prerequisite: PHYS 601.

PHYS 672
Techniques in Materials Research [3 credits]
Electron microscopy (TEM and SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, diffraction using X-rays, electrons and neutrons, photoelectron and Auger spectroscopy, Rutherford backscattering, nuclear techniques. (Spring)
Prerequisites: PHYS603 and PHYS604.

PHYS 690
[APPH-PhD]
[APPH-MS]
Professional Techniques in Physics [1 credit]
Topics include the preparation of research presentations and posters, the use of research data bases, proposal writing and budget preparation, and resume development.

PHYS 698
[APPH-PhD]
[APPH-MS]
Physics Seminar [1 credit]
Each graduate student will attend and discuss a weekly research seminar. The is a mandatory course for two semesters for M.S. students, and three semesters for Ph.D. students.

PHYS 701
[APPH-PhD]
 Quantum Mechanics II [3 credits]
Scattering theory, operator techniques, many particle systems, density matrix, second quantization, quantization of the electromagnetic field, applications. (Spring)
Prerequisite: PHYS601.

PHYS 704
Solid-State Physics II [3 credits]
Electronic properties of solids, semiconductors, superconductors, electron-phonon interactions.
Prerequisite: PHYS604

PHYS 707
[APPH-PhD]
 Advanced Electromagnetic Theory [3 credits]
Boundary-value problems, derivation of macroscopic properties, plasma physics, radiation from moving charges, advance topics in radiation, wave guides, and cavities. (Fall)
Prerequisite: PHYS607.

PHYS 710
Quantum Optics [3 credits]
Properties of the electromagnetic field, coherent states, squeezed states, Bloch-Maxwell equations, photon optics.
Prerequisites: PHYS601 and PHYS607.

PHYS 721
Atmospheric Radiative Transfer [3 credits]
This course introduces the student to formal radiative transfer theory, which is quickly simplified for application to the Earth's atmosphere. The physical processes which contribute to absorption and scattering in the Earth's atmosphere are examined. Topics include molecular absorption via vibration-rotation transitions and spectral line formation in inhomogeneous atmospheres. Raleigh and Mie scattering theory are covered, as well as their application to radiative transfer in clouds and aerosol-laden atmospheres. The importance of radiative transfer to the heat balance of the Earth and implications for weather and climate will be examined. If time permits, various parameterizations and approximation schemes for atmospheric radiative transfer will be developed.
Prerequisites: PHYS602, PHYS604, PHYS605, PHYS607, PHYS621, and PHYS622

PHYS 722
Remote Sensing of the Earth's Atmosphere [3 credits]
Techniques for the passive and active remote sensing of the state and composition of the Earth's atmosphere. Fundamentals of radiative transfer as applied to remote sensing. Introduction to the measurement of radiation and the design of passive and active instruments, theoretical background and algorithmic considerations for the passive and active sensing of aerosol and cloud properties, atmospheric profiles of temperature, humidity, and trace gas concentration, and the state and composition of the surface.
Prerequisite: PHYS721.

PHYS 731
Atmospheric Dynamics [3 credits]
Overview of conservation laws, principles of rotating fluids, basic fluid flows, and approximations to the primitive equations; description of the dynamics of mid-latitude synoptic systems, baroclinic waves, and fronts using idealized models and basic approximations; dispersion, propagation, and energetics of atmospheric waves documented over different temporal and spatial scales of motion; survey of nonhydorstatic cloud and mesoscale convective systems.
Prerequisites: PHYS621 and PHYS622

PHYS 732
Computational Fluid Dynamics [3 credits]
Basic concepts and theory of numerical solutions to partial differential equations will be taught, with an emphasis on those related to fluid dynamics. A major application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), numerical weather prediction and climate simulation, will be introduced.
Prerequisite: PHYS731

PHYS 741
Inverse Methods and Data Analysis [3 credits]
This course provides an overview of the mathematical methods used in inverse problems of remote sensing and in atmospheric data analysis. Methods based on estimation theory and variational principles will be presented. Topics include conditional mode and conditional mean estimation, linear and nonlinear least-squares, and applications to remote sensing and atmospheric data analysis.
Prerequisites: PHYS621, PHYS622 and STAT 355 (Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Scientists and Engineers).

PHYS 799
[APPH-MS]
Master's Thesis Research [1-6 credits]
A total of 6 credits is required. Normally, a student registers for 3 credits per semester.

PHYS 899
[APPH-PhD]
 Doctoral Research [1-6 credits]
A minimum of 12 credits is required. Normally, a student registers for 3 credits per semester.

 

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Department of Physics - 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250