Department of Physics

Quarter Courses Offered

• 1000 Level
• 3000 Level
• 5000 Level
• 8000 Level

The official description of each course can be found in the UMD Bulletin. Sequence courses must be taken in sequence, except where otherwise noted. 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. .

Phys 1010. Ideas in Physics. 3 credits.
Descriptive, nonmathematical survey of basic concepts in physics from Newton to the present, including the concept of energy in mechanics, electricity, and heat; need for relativity and quantum theories; atoms, nuclei, and radiation. Instructor has considerable latitude with regard to content. Primarily for liberal arts. students; not for preprofessional preparation.
Prerequisites: None.
Instructors: Jordan.
Semester equivalent: Phys 1011.

Phys 1101 - 1102 - 1103. Introduction to Physics. 5 credits each.
Noncalculus general physics course primarily for certain preprofessional fields. Topics in mechanics, heat, sound, light, electricity, magnetism, and modern physics.
Prerequisites: Math 1003, Math 1210, or equivalent. Phys 1102 may be skipped in the sequence.
Instructors: Kroening, Oakland.
Semester equivalent: Phys 1001 - 1002.

Phys 1106. Solving Physics Problems. 3 credits.
Practice in applying mathematical and reasoning skills to physics problems.
Prerequisites: Math 1296 (taken simultaneously).
Instructors: Jordan, Sydor.
Semester equivalent: Phys 1101.

Phys 1107 - 1108 - 1109. General Physics. 5 credits each.
Calculus-level general physics course. Topics in mechanics, heat, sound, light, electricity, and magnetism.
Prerequisites: Math 1297 (taken simultaneously with 1107). Students concerned about their preparation should discuss Phys 1106 with their advisors.
Instructors: Staff.
Semester equivalent: Phys 1201 - 1202 or Phys 1201 - 1202 - 1203 or Phys 1201 - 1204.

Phys 3007. Intermediate General Physics. 4 credits.
Topics in mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism.
Prerequisites: Phys 1109 (may be taken simultaneously), and Math 3298.
Instructors: Casserberg, Jordan, Sydor.
Semester equivalent: Phys 1203 or Phys 1205.

Phys 3010. Oscillations. 3 credits.
Studies of waves and vibrations; superposition of periodic motions, free vibrations of physical systems, forced vibrations, resonance phenomena with examples from electricity, optics, and mechanics; progressive waves, boundary effects, interference.
Prerequisites: Phys 1109 .
Instructors: Staff.
Semester equivalent: Phys 2001.

Phys 3041. Introductory Laboratory Electronics. 4 credits.
Introduction to electronics for scientific applications. Analog electronics, DC and AC circuits, linear and nonlinear devices, integrated circuits. Transducers. Digital electronics.
Prerequisites: Phys 1109.
Instructors: Maps.
Semester equivalent: Phys 3061.

Phys 3071. Physics Laboratory. 2 credits.
Experiments selected to provide experience with both concepts and techniques in physics.
Prerequisites: Phys 3500 or consent of instructor.
Instructors: Casserberg, Kroening, Maps, Sydor.
Semester equivalent: Phys 2031.

Phys 3500. Modern Physics. 4 credits.
Descriptive course; quantum mechanics, hydrogen atom, multielectron atoms, molecular structure, quantum statistics, thermal radiation, solid state physics, nuclear physics.
Prerequisites: Phys 1109 .
Instructors: Kroening, Maps, Sydor.
Semester equivalent: Phys 2021.

Phys 3700. Independent Study. 1-3 credits.
Directed individual study.
Prerequisites: Consent of department and instructor.
Instructors: Staff.
Semester equivalent: Phys 3091.

Phys 3980. Physics Research. 1-10 credits.
Supervised research.
Prerequisites: Consent of department and instructor.
Instructors: Staff.
Semester equivalent: Phys 3094.

Phys 3981. Physics Seminar. 1 credit.
Preparation and presentation of written and oral reports on approved physics topic or research project.
Prerequisites: Consent of department and instructor.
Instructors: Staff.
Semester equivalent: Phys 5090.

Phys 3990. Applied Physics Project. 1-5 credits.
Selection and completion of an approved and supervised project. Registration in two consecutive quarters required.
Prerequisites: Consent of department and instructor.
Instructors: Staff.
Semester equivalent: Phys 3094.

Phys 3991. Applied Physics Seminar. 1 credit.
Preparation and presentation of written and oral reports on approved topic or research project in applied physics.
Prerequisites: Consent of department and instructor.
Instructors: Staff.
Semester equivalent: Phys 5090.

Phys 5045. Advanced Laboratory Electronics. 4 credits.
Applications of microcomputers to laboratory data acquisition. A/D and D/A conversion methods. Computer-based analysis methods. Signal processing techniques.
Prerequisites: Phys 3041, one quarter of Pascal or FORTRAN or consent of instructor.
Instructors: Maps.
Semester equivalent: Phys 5061.

Phys 5102 - 5103. Modern Physics. 4 credits each.
Selected topics in modern physics, including special relativity, quantum mechanics, and applications.
Prerequisites: Phys 3500.
Instructors: Kroening, Maps.
Semester equivalent: Phys 4021.

Phys 5107. Thermal Physics. 4 credits.
Elements of statistical physics, thermodynamics.
Prerequisites: Phys 3500.
Instructors: Jordan, Maps, Sydor.
Semester equivalent: Phys 4031.

Phys 5109. Statistical Physics. 4 credits.
Principles of statistical physics applied to equilibrium properties of classical and quantum systems.
Prerequisites: Phys 5107.
Instructors: Jordan, Maps, Sydor.
Semester equivalent: Phys 4031.

Phys 5119. Optics. 4 credits.
Fundamentals of physical optics.
Prerequisites: Phys 1109.
Instructors: Kroening.
Semester equivalent: Phys 5041.

Phys 5123. Theoretical Mechanics. 4 credits.
Theoretical mechanics, including Lagrangian and Hamiltonian functions, symmetries and conservation laws, with examples from relativity and electrodynamics, and introducing relevant mathematics.
Prerequisites: Phys 3010, Math 3380.
Instructors: Casserberg.
Semester equivalent: Phys 4001.

Phys 5124. Mathematical Methods. 4 credits.
Systematic development of mathematical techniques in mechanics and electromagnetic theory.
Prerequisites: Phys 5123.
Instructors: Casserberg.
Semester equivalent: Phys 4001 and Phys 4011.

Phys 5125. Electromagnetic Theory. 4 credits.
Electric and magnetic fields, Maxwell's equations and applications, radiation.
Prerequisites: Phys 5124.
Instructors: Casserberg.
Semester equivalent: Phys 4011.

Phys 5141 - 5142. Computational Physics. 4 credits each.
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 3500, Math 3380, two quarters of C, Pascal, or FORTRAN or consent of instructor.
Instructors: Hiller.
Semester equivalent: Phys 5051.

Phys 5150 - 5151. Introduction to Solid State Physics. 3 credits each.
Solid structure, thermal, and electronic properties of solids and solid surfaces.
Prerequisites: Phys 5103, 5107.
Instructors: Maps, Sydor.
Semester equivalent: Phys 5531.

Phys 5170. Classical Mechanics. 3 credits.
Advanced study of classical mechanics: Hamiltonian and Lagrangian formulations for discrete and continuous systems, relativistic particles in electromagnetic fields, canonical transformations.
Prerequisites: Phys 5125 (may be taken simultaneously) or consent of instructor.
Instructors: Casserberg, Jordan.
Semester equivalent: Phys 5501.

Phys 5174. Electrodynamics. 4 credits.
Maxwell's equations, relativity and electrodynamics, radiation and scattering of electromagnetic waves.
Prerequisites: Phys 5125 or consent of instructor.
Instructors: Casserberg, Jordan.
Semester equivalent: Phys 5511.

Phys 5176 - 5177 - 5178. Quantum Mechanics. 4 credits each.
Schrodinger equation, operator formulation, angular momentum, symmetries, perturbation theory, scattering, identical particles, interaction with electromagnetic field.
Prerequisites: Phys 5103, 5125.
Instructors: Hiller, Jordan.
Semester equivalent: Phys 5521 - Phys 5522.

Phys 5181 - 5182. General Relativity. 4 credits each.
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 5123.
Instructors: Jordan.
Offered when sufficient demand exists.
Semester equivalent: Phys 5551.

Phys 5700. Independent Study. 1-3 credits.
Special studies, useful in individual graduate programs, not available in regular course offerings.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
Instructors: Staff.
Semester equivalent: Phys 5591.

Phys 8200. Research in Physics. 1-3 credits.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
Instructors: Staff.
Semester equivalent: Phys 5594.

Phys 8777. Thesis Credits: Master's. 1-16 credits.
Thesis research and development.
Prerequisites: Consent of thesis advisor.
Instructors: Staff.
Semester equivalent: Phys 8777.

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