Department of Physics
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Courses Offered

The official description of each course is given in the UMD Catalog. The status of individual sections during registration is available here.

The inclusion of dates for planned offerings is intended to give some indication of what will probably occur. Please refer to the official class schedule for the actual offerings of these courses.

1000-Level Courses

Phys 1001. Introduction to Physics I. 5 credits.
Noncalculus general physics course primarily for certain preprofessional fields. Topics in mechanics, heat, and sound.
Prerequisites: Algebra and trigonometry.
Instructors: Staff.
Next planned offerings: Every semester.

Phys 1002. Introduction to Physics II. 5 credits.
Noncalculus general physics course primarily for certain preprofessional fields. Topics in light, electricity, magnetism, and modern physics.
Prerequisites: Phys 1001.
Instructors: Staff.
Next planned offerings: Every semester.

Phys 1011. Ideas in Physics. 3 credits.
Descriptive, nonmathematical survey of basic concepts in physics from Newton to the present. Instructor has considerable latitude with regard to content. Primarily for liberal arts students; not for preprofessional preparation.
Prerequisites: None.
Instructors: Johnson.
Next planned offerings: Every semester.

Phys 1021. Exploring Current Topics in Physics. 1 credit.
Introduction to current topics in the field of physics, with emphasis on recent research developments and local research activities.
Prerequisites: None.
Instructors: Staff.
Next planned offerings: Every Fall semester.

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2000-Level Courses

Phys 2001. Oscillations. 2 credits.
Studies of waves and vibrations, superposition of periodic motion, free vibrations of physical systems, forced vibrations, resonance phenomena with examples from electricity, optics, and mechanics; progressive waves, boundary effects, interference.
Prerequisites: Phys 1203 or Phys 1205.
Instructors:
Next planned offerings: None; replaced by 2022.

Phys 2011. General Physics I. 4 credits.
Calculus-based introduction to Newtonian mechanics, fluid mechanics, and heat.
Prerequisites: Math 1296 or Math 1290. Students concerned about their performance should discuss the optional recitation course Phys 2111 with their advisors.
Instructors: Staff.
Next planned offerings: Every semester.

Phys 2012. General Physics II. 4 credits.
Calculus-based introduction to electricity, magnetism, and optics.
Prerequisites: Phys 2011 and Math 1297. Students concerned about their performance should discuss the optional recitation course Phys 2112 with their advisors.
Instructors: Staff.
Next planned offerings: Every semester.

Phys 2021. Relativity and Quantum Physics. 4 credits.
Descriptive course; relativity, quantum mechanics, hydrogen atom, multielectron atoms, molecular structure, quantum statistics, thermal radiation, solid state physics, nuclear physics.
Prerequisites: Phys 2012.
Instructors: Staff.
Next planned offerings: Every Spring semester.

Phys 2022. Classical Physics. 4 credits.
Survey of various topics in classical physics: vector angular momentum, AC circuits, oscillatory motion, waves, physical optics.
Prerequisites: Phys 2012.
Instructors: Staff
Next planned offerings: Every Spring semester.

Phys 2031. Quantum Physics Laboratory. 1 credit.
Experiments and computer simulations selected to provide experience with both concepts and techniques in modern physics.
Prerequisites: Phys 2021 (may be taken simultaneously).
Instructor: -
Next planned offerings: None; replaced by 2033.

Phys 2033. Classical and Quantum Physics Laboratory. 2 credits.
Experiments and computer simulations selected to provide experience with both concepts and techniques in classical and quantum physics.
Corequisites: Phys 2021 and Phys 2022 (may be taken simultaneously).
Instructors: Sydor.
Next planned offerings: Every Spring semester.

Phys 2111. Solving Physics Problems I. 1 credit.
Extended practice in applying basic physics principles and mathematical reasoning to problems in mechanics and thermodynamics.
Corequisite: Phys 2011 (must be taken simultaneously).
Instructors: Staff.
Next planned offerings: Every semester.

Phys 2112. Solving Physics Problems II. 1 credit.
Extended practice in applying basic physics principles and mathematical reasoning to problems in electricity, magnetism and optics.
Corequisite: Phys 2012 (must be taken simultaneously).
Instructors: Staff.
Next planned offerings: Every semester.

Phys 2199. Physics Tutoring. 1-2 credits.
Tutoring students in 1000-level physics courses.
Prerequisites: Phys 2012 and consent of department.
Instructors: Maps.
Next planned offerings: Every semester.

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3000-Level Courses

Phys 3061. Instrumentation. 3 credits.
Introduction to electronics for scientific applications. DC and AC circuits, linear and nonlinear devices, integrated circuits. Analog electronics. Transducers. Digital electronics. Applications of microcomputers to lab data acquisition.
Prerequisites: 1 semester of programming and Phys 2022.
Instructors: Habig, Maps.
Next planned offerings: Fall 2010.

Phys 3091. Independent Study. 1-3 credits.
Directed individual study.
Prerequisites: Consent of department and instructor.
Instructors: Staff.
Next planned offerings: Every semester.

Phys 3094. Physics Research. 1-6 credits.
Supervised research.
Prerequisites: Consent of department and instructor.
Instructors: Staff.
Next planned offerings: Every semester.

Phys 3099. Physics Tutoring. 1-2 credits.
Tutoring students in 1000-level physics courses.
Prerequisites: Phys 2012 and consent of department.
Instructors:
Next planned offerings: None; replaced by 2199.

Phys 3561. Astrophysics. 3 credits.
The application of physical laws and processes to the understanding of astrophysical objects: celestial mechanics, energy transport, stellar structure and evolution, the interstellar medium, stellar remnants, galactic structure and dynamics, large scale structure and cosmology.
Prerequisites: Phys 2021, Phys 2022 and Math 3280.
Habig.
Next planned offerings: Spring 2011.

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4000-Level Courses

Phys 4001. Classical Mechanics. 4 credits.
Theoretical mechanics, including Lagrangian and Hamiltonian functions, symmetries and conservation laws.
Prerequisites: Phys 2022 and Math 3280.
Instructors: Maps.
Next planned offerings: Fall 2009.
Quarter equivalent: Phys 5123 and Phys 5124.

Phys 4011. Electromagnetic Theory. 4 credits.
Electric and magnetic fields, Maxwell's equations and applications, radiation.
Prerequisites: Phys 2022 and Math 3280.
Instructors: Gran.
Next planned offerings: Spring 2010.

Phys 4021. Quantum Physics II. 4 credits.
Quantum wave mechanics with applications; Schrodinger equation, angular momentum, hydrogen atom, symmetries, identical particles.
Prerequisites: Phys 2021 and Math 3280.
Instructors: Hiller, Maps.
Next planned offerings: Fall 2009.

Phys 4031. Thermal and Statistical Physics. 4 credits.
Elements of thermodynamics; principles of statistical physics applied to equilibrium properties of classical and quantum systems.
Prerequisites: Phys 2021.
Maps, Sydor.
Next planned offerings: Fall 2008.

Phys 4110. Physics for Science Teachers. 2 credits.
Preparation for teaching physics at the high school level. Review of physics concepts important at the high school level. Methods for effective presentation, including problem solving, discussions, demonstrations and lab experiments.
Prerequisites: Phys 1002 or Phys 2012.
No Grad School credit.
Instructors: Johnson.
Next planned offerings: Spring semester, On sufficient demand.

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5000-Level Courses

Phys 5041. Optics. 3 credits.
Fundamentals of physical optics.
Prerequisites: Phys 2022.
Quarter prerequisites: Phys 3010.
Instructors: Sydor.
Next planned offerings: Spring 2011.

Phys 5043. Environmental Optics. 3 credits.
Application of optics in environmental measurements of irradiance and radiance, optical remote sensing using ship-borne and satellite platforms, diffuse spectra, single vs. multiple scattering, object visibility, inherent vs. apparent optical properties, scattering in Beer’s law, optical algorithms.
Prerequisites: Phys 2012.
Instructors: Sydor.
Next planned offerings: Fall 2009.

Phys 5051. Computational Physics. 4 credits.
Application of numerical methods to problems in classical and quantum physics, with emphasis on ordinary and partial differential equations. Computer modeling of physical systems.
Prerequisites: Phys 2021, Math 3280, and 1 semester programming.
Instructors:
Next planned offerings: None; replaced by 5052.

Phys 5052. Computational Methods in Physics. 3 credits.
Applications of numerical methods to problems in classical and quantum physics, emphasizing ordinary and partial differential equations. Computer modeling of physical systems and experimentation with simulations of physical systems.
Prerequisites: Phys 2021, Math 3280, and 1 semester programming.
Instructors: Hiller.
Next planned offerings: Fall 2009.

Phys 5053. Data Analysis Methods in Physics. 3 credits.
Problems of data analysis in the context of dynamical models. Emphasis will be placed on large datasets that arise in astrophysics, particle dynamics, physical oceanography and meteorology.
Prerequisites: Phys 2012, 1 semester programming, and lab or field experience beyond Phys 2012.
Instructors: Gran, Habig, Katsev.
Next planned offerings: Fall 2010.

Phys 5061. Experimental Methods. 3 credits.
Instruction and practice in methods of experimental physics; microcomputer-based data acquisition, vacuum techniques.
Prerequisites: Phys 2033 and Phys 3061.
Instructors: Habig.
Next planned offerings: Spring 2011.

Phys 5062. Advanced Laboratory. 2 credits.
Computational projects and/or experiments in physics or physical limnology.
Prerequisites: Comp 3150 or Comp 3130 (may be taken simultaneously) and consent of instructor.
Instructors: Staff.
Next planned offerings:

Phys 5090. Physics Seminar. 1 credit.
Preparation and presentation of oral reports on approved physics topics, research projects, and journal articles.
Prerequisites: senior or graduate standing.
Instructors: Staff.
Next planned offerings: Spring 2010.

Phys 5501. Advanced Classical Mechanics. 3 credits.
Advanced study of classical mechanics: Hamiltonian and Lagrangian formulations for discrete systems, canonical transformations, nonlinear dynamics and chaos theory.
Prerequisites: Phys 4001.
Instructors: Jordan.
Next planned offerings: Fall/Spring 2009-10.

Phys 5511. Electrodynamics. 3 credits.
Maxwell's equations, relativity and electrodynamics, radiation and scattering of electromagnetic waves, relativistic particles in electromagnetic fields and radiation reaction.
Prerequisites: Phys 4011.
Instructors: Gran.
Next planned offerings: Spring 2011.

Phys 5521. Quantum Mechanics I. 3 credits.
Schrodinger equation, operator formulation, angular momentum, symmetries.
Prerequisites: Phys 4021.
Instructors: Hiller, Jordan.
Next planned offerings: Fall 2010.

Phys 5522. Quantum Mechanics II. 3 credits.
Identical particles, perturbation theory, scattering, interaction with electromagnetic field.
Prerequisites: Phys 5521.
Instructors: Hiller, Jordan.
Next planned offerings: Spring 2011, on sufficient demand.

Phys 5531. Introduction to Solid State Physics. 3 credits.
Solid structure, thermal, and electronic properties of solids and solid surfaces.
Prerequisites: Phys 4021 and Phys 4031.
Instructors: Maps, Sydor.
Next planned offerings: Spring 2010.

Phys 5541. Fluid Dynamics. 3 credits.
Analytic and numerical treatment of the dynamics of fluids.
Prerequisites: Phys 2022 and Math 3280.
Instructors: Austin.
Next planned offerings: Spring 2011.

Phys 5551. General Relativity. 4 credits.
Differential geometry, tensors, metrics, curvature, Einstein's equation, Newtonian limit, Killing vectors, cosmology, perfect fluids, Schwarzschild and Kerr solutions, observational tests, black holes.
Prerequisites: Phys 4001.
Instructors: Jordan.
Offered when sufficient demand exists.

Phys 5561. Astrophysics. 3 credits.
The application of physical laws and processes to the understanding of astrophysical objects: celestial mechanics, energy transport, stellar structure and evolution, the interstellar medium, stellar remnants, galactic structure and dynamics, large scale structure and cosmology.
Prerequisites: Phys 2021, Phys 2022 and Math 3280.
Instructors: Habig.
Next planned offerings: Spring 2011.
Quarter equivalent: none.

Phys 5591. Independent Study. 1-3 credits.
Special studies, useful in individual graduate programs, not available in regular course offerings.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and dept director of graduate studies.
Instructors: Graduate faculty.
Next planned offerings: Every semester.

Phys 5594. Physics Research. 1-3 credits.
Research in a selected area of physics.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and dept director of graduate studies.
Instructors: Graduate faculty.
Next planned offerings: Every semester.

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8000-Level Courses

Phys 8777. Thesis Credits: Master's. 1-10 credits.
Thesis research and development.
Prerequisites: Consent of advisor and dept director of graduate studies.
Instructors: Graduate faculty.
Next planned offerings: Every semester.
Quarter equivalent: Phys 8777.

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