UVa Physics - Course Descriptions

Physics at the University of Virginia
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Course Descriptions

Undergraduate Courses

Undergraduate/Graduate Courses

Graduate Courses

Guide to reading course descriptions

Example:

PHYS 1090 - (3) (Y) Galileo and Einstein For non-science majors. Examines how new understandings of the natural world develop, taking two famous scientists as case studies. Galileo was the first to appreciate the importance of experiment, while Einstein was the first to realize time is not absolute and that mass can be converted to energy.

Explanation of example:

PHYS 1090 - course mnemonic and number. Variations include PHYS 1010-1020 where two semesters of a course must be completed to obtain credit toward a degree, or PHYS 1610,1620 where credit may be obtained by taking either semester or both.

(3) - number of credits that will be earned upon successful completion of the course. Where courses are dually numbered (1010-1020 or 1030, 1040), the number of credits represents the number of credits for each section of the courses, e.g., three credits for 101 and three credits for 1020.

(Y) - code for frequency with which the course is offered. Variations are:

	S	offered fall and spring semesters
	Y	offered at least once every academic year (fall or spring semester)
	E	offered when the fall semester occurs in an even year (e.g., 2008-2009)
	O	offered when the fall semester occurs in an odd year (e.g., 2009-2010)
	SI	offered upon sufficient student interest
	IR	offered irregularly
	SS	offered during summer session

Undergraduate Course Descriptions
(Physics entry in Official UVa Undergraduate Record)

Note: There are several introductory course sequences that cover essentially the same topics but in two, three, or four semesters, fulfilling different student needs. Students may offer for degree credit only one of PHYS 1425, 1610, and 2310; only one of PHYS 2320, 2415, and 2610.

PHYS 1010, 1020 - (3) (Y) Concepts of Physics For non-science majors. Topics vary from year to year. 1010 covers classical physics, such as Newton's laws, science fiction, weight room physics, and weather. 1020 covers modern physics, such as relativity, atomic structure, quantum physics, and the atomic and hydrogen bombs. Premedical and predental students should take PHYS 2010, 2020 rather than 1010, 1020. They may be taken in either order.

PHYS 1050, 1060 - (3) (Y) How Things Work For non-science majors. Introduces physics and science in everyday life, considering objects from our daily environment and focusing on their principles of operation, histories, and relationships to one another. 1050 is concerned primarily with mechanical and thermal objects, while 1060 emphasizes objects involving electromagnetism, light, special materials, and nuclear energy. They may be taken in either order.

PHYS 1090 - (3) (Y) Galileo and Einstein For non-science majors. Examines how new understandings of the natural world develop, taking two famous scientists as case studies. Galileo was the first to appreciate the importance of experiment, while Einstein was the first to realize time is not absolute and that mass can be converted to energy.

PHYS 1110 - (3) (Y) Energy on this World and Elsewhere Prerequisite: Physics and math at high school level. The subject of energy will be considered from the perspective of a physicist. Students will learn to use quantitative reasoning and the recognition of simple physics restraints to examine issues related to energy that are of relevance to society and the future evolution of our civilization.

PHYS 1150 - (4) (Y) Powerful Ideas in Physical Science Covers several main ideas in physical science including matter, sound, heat and energy, force and motion, electricity and magnetism, and light and optics, using a hands-on conceptual learning approach. Students work in cooperative learning groups during both the lab and lecture components. Suitable for preservice education students and other nonscience majors.

PHYS 1210 - (3) (IR) The Science of Sound and Music Studies the basic physical concepts needed to understand sound. Aspects of perception, the human voice, the measurement of sound, and the acoustics of musical instruments are developed and illustrated.

PHYS 1610, 1620, 2610, 2620 - (4) (Y) Introductory Physics I, II, III, IV Corequisite: MATH 1310, 1320, or 2310, 3250, respectively, or equivalent. The courses should be taken in sequence. This series of courses, intended for prospective physics majors and other science majors who wish to begin the study of physics in their first semester, prepares students for the physics courses numbered 3000 and above. Three lecture hours, one problem hour.

	I.	Kinematics and Newton's laws with vector calculus; frames of reference; energy and momentum conservation; rotational motion; special relativity.
	II.	Gravitation and Kepler's laws; harmonic motion; thermodynamics; wave motion; sound; optics.
	III.	Electrostatics, circuits, electric andmagnetic fields; electromagnetic waves.
	IV.	Quantum physics; atomic structure; nuclear and elementary particle physics; solid state physics.

PHYS 2010, 2020 - (4) (Y, SS) Principles of Physics I, II A terminal course covering the principles of mechanics, heat, electricity and magnetism, optics, atomic, solid state, nuclear, and particle physics. A working knowledge of arithmetic, elementary algebra, and trigonometry is essential. PHYS 2010, 2020 does not normally serve as prerequisite for the courses numbered 3150 and above. Students who plan to take more physics should elect PHYS 1610, 1620, 2610, 2620, 2630, 2640 instead. PHYS 2010, 2020, in conjunction with the laboratory, PHYS 2030, 2040, satisfies the physics requirement of medical and dental schools. PHYS 2010 is prerequisite for 2020. Three lecture hours; two hours of recitation and problem work.

PHYS 2030, 2040 - (1) (Y,SS) Basic Physics Laboratory I, II Corequisite: PHYS 2010, 2020, or 2310, 2320. Premedical and predental students should elect this course along with PHYS 2010, 2020; it is an option for others. PHYS 2030 is prerequisite for 2040. Selected experiments in the different branches of physics are carried out and written up by the student. One two-hour exercise per week.

PHYS 2630, 2640 - (3) (Y) Elementary Laboratory I, II Prerequisite: PHYS1610, 1620; corequisite: PHYS 2610 and PHYS 2620, respectively or prerequisite: PHYS 2301, 2320; corequisite: PHYS 2620 for PHYS 2640. Selected experiments in mechanics, heat, electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics. One lecture hour and four laboratory hours per week.

PHYS 2310, 2320 - (4) (Y) Classical and Modern Physics I, II Prerequisite: MATH 1320 or instructor permission. A two-semester introduction to classical and modern physics for science majors. A calculus-based treatment of the principles of mechanics, electricity and magnetism, physical optics, elementary quantum theory, and atomic and nuclear physics. This sequence can be used by prospective physics majors and by other students planning to take physics courses numbered 3000 and higher; however, the four-semester sequence PHYS 1610, 1620, 2610, 2620 is recommended. PHYS 2310, 2320 in conjunction with the laboratory, PHYS 2030, 2040 satisfies the requirements for the B.S. in Chemistry, and can be used in place of PHYS 2010, 2020, 2030, 2040 to satisfy the requirements of medical and dental schools. PHYS 2310 is prerequisite for 2320. Three lecture hours and one problem session per week.

PHYS 2540 - (3) (Y) Fundamentals of Scientific Computing Prerequisite: One semester of calculus and one semester of introductory physics (PHYS 1610, 2310, 1425 or 2010) or permission of instructor. Applications of computers to solving basic problems in physical science. Introduction to programming, use of external libraries, and implementation of basic algorithms with focus on numerical methods, error analysis and data fitting. No previous computer experience is required. One lecture and 2 two-hour lab sessions each week.

PHYS 3040 - (3) (IR) Physics of the Human Body Prerequisite: PHYS 2010, MATH 1220; corequisite: PHYS 2020 or instructor permission. Application of basic physical principles to functions of the human body; studies selected aspects of hearing, vision, cardiovascular system, biomechanics, urinary system, and information handling.

PHYS 3110, 3120 - (4) (Y) Widely Applied Physics I, II Prerequisite: PHYS 1610, 1620, 2610, 2620 or PHYS 2310, 2320, and MATH 1310, 1320, 2310. Applications of physical principles to a diverse set of phenomena. Topics include materials science and engineering, computers and electronics, nuclear physics and energy, astrophysics, aeronautics and space flight, communications technology, meteorology, and medical physics and imaging. Emphasis on conceptual issues, order of magnitude estimates, and dimensional analysis. PHYS 3110 is a prerequisite for PHYS 3120. Three lecture hours and a discussion session each week.

PHYS 3150 - (3) (Y) Electronics Laboratory Prerequisite: PHYS 2630 or 2030. Analogue and digital electronics for scientific applications, including the use of transistors, FET's, operational amplifiers, TTL, and CMOS integrated circuits. Six laboratory hours each week.

PHYS 3170 - (3) (Y) Intermediate Laboratory I Prerequisite: PHYS 222 or instructor permission. Approximately five experiments drawn from the major fields of physics. Introduces precision apparatus, experimental techniques, and methods of evaluating experimental results. Outside report preparation is required. Six laboratory hours each week.

PHYS 3180 - (3) (Y) Intermediate Laboratory II Prerequisite: PHYS 2630 or instructor permission. Approximately three to five experiments, selected in consultation with the instructor, emphasizing modern aspects. Outside library research and report preparation are required. Six laboratory hours each week.

PHYS 3190 - (3) (Y) Advanced Laboratory Prerequisite: Instructor permission. Normally a single, semester-long experiment chosen in consultation with the instructor.

PHYS 3210 - (3) (Y) Classical Mechanics Prerequisite: MATH 3250 and PHYS 1620 or 2310 or instructor permission. Statics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies treated with extensive use of vector calculus; includes the Lagrangian formulation of mechanics.

PHYS 3310 - (3) (Y) Statistical Physics Prerequisite: PHYS 2620 and MATH 3250, or instructor permission. Includes temperature and the laws of thermodynamics; introductory treatments of kinetic theory and statistical mechanics; and applications of Boltzmann, Bose-Einstein, and Fermi-Dirac distributions.

PHYS 3420 - (3) (Y) Electricity and Magnetism I Prerequisite: MATH 3250 and PHYS 2620 or 2320 or instructor permission. Systematic treatment of electromagnetic phenomena with extensive use of vector calculus, including Maxwell's equations.

PHYS 3430 - (3) (Y) Electricity and Magnetism II Prerequisite: PHYS 3420. Includes Maxwell’s equations; electromagnetic waves and their interaction with matter; interference, diffraction, polarization; waveguides; and antennas.

PHYS 3550 - (3) (Y) Quantum Physics I Prerequisite: MATH 3250; corequisite: PHYS 3210 or instructor permission. Includes quantum phenomena and an introduction to wave mechanics; the hydrogen atom and atomic spectra.

PHYS 3560 - (3) (Y) Quantum Physics II Prerequisite: PHYS 3550. Continuation of PHYS 3550. Intermediate quantum mechanics including perturbation theory; application to systems of current interest.

PHYS 3810, 3820 - (3) (IR) Topics in Physics-Related Research Areas PHYS 381 is not prerequisite to PHYS 382. Applies the principles and techniques of physics to related areas of physical or life sciences or technology with an emphasis on current research problems.

PHYS 3993 - (3) (S-SS) Independent Study Prerequisite: PHYS3420 and 3550, or instructor permission. For physics majors in their final year of candidacy. A program of independent study carried out under the supervision of a faculty member and culminating in a written report or essay. May be taken more than once.

Note: Service courses offered by the Department of Physics for the School of Engineering and Applied Science (PHYS 1425, 2415) are open to students in the College of Arts and Sciences. These courses count against the degree credits a student may earn for courses taken outside the College. They are described in the Official UVa Undergraduate Record.

Undergraduate/Graduate Course Descriptions
(5000 level courses may be taken for credit by both undergraduate and graduate students)

PHYS 5190 - (3) (Y) Electronics Prerequisite: Instructor permission. Studies practical electronics for scientists, from resistors to microprocessors.

PHYS 5210 - (3) (Y) Theoretical Mechanics I Prerequisite: PHYS 3210 and MATH 5220 or instructor permission. Studies the statics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies. Discusses methods of generalized coordinates, the Lagrangian, Hamilton-Jacobi equations, and action-angle variables. Relation to the quantum theory is explored.

PHYS 5240 - (3) (Y) Introduction to the Theory of General Relativity Prerequisite: Advanced calculus through partial differentiation and multiple integration; vector analysis in three dimensions. Reviews special relativity and coordinate transformations. Includes the principle of equivalence; effects of gravitation on other systems and fields; general tensor analysis in curved spaces and gravitational field equations; Mach's principle, tests of gravitational theories: perihelion precession, red shift, bending of light, gyroscopic precession, radar echo delay; gravitational radiation; relativistic stellar structure and cosmography; and a short survey of cosmological models.

PHYS 5310 - (3) (Y) Optics Prerequisite: Knowledge of vector calculus and previous exposure to Maxwell's equations. Includes reflection and refraction at interfaces, geometrical optics, interference phenomena, diffraction, Gaussian optics, and polarization.

PHYS 5470 - (3) (IR) Introduction to Molecular Biophysics Prerequisite: PHYS 3310 or CHEM 3610, PHYS 3550 or CHEM 3620, MATH 5210, or instructor permission. Introduces the physics of molecular structures and processes in living systems. Includes molecular structure analysis by X-ray (and neutron) diffraction; electronic configuration of atoms, groups, and small molecules of critical importance in biology; physical methods of macromolecular structure determination, in solution and in the solid state; thermodynamic and electronic factors underlying group interactions, proton dissociation, and charge distribution in macromolecule; solvent-macromolecule interactions; action spectroscopy; and rate processes in series and parallel.

PHYS 5110, 5120 - (3) (IR) Special Topics in Classical and Modern Physics Prerequisite: PHYS 3420 or instructor permission. Topics of current interest in physics research and pedagogy. May be repeated.

PHYS 5620 - (3) (Y) Introduction to Solid State Physics Includes crystal structures, lattice vibrations, and electronic properties of insulators, metals, and semiconductors; superconductivity.

PHYS 5720 - (3) (Y) Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics Studies subatomic structure, basic constituents and their mutual interactions.

PHYS 5993 - (3) (Y) Independent Study Independent study supervised by a faculty member, culminating in a written report, essay, or examination. May be repeated. Professional Development Courses for Teachers Courses numbered in the 6000s are offered for the professional development of K-12 teachers to improve competency in physics and to assist them in obtaining endorsement or recertification. In the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences these courses count for degree credit only for the MAPE degree.

Graduate Course Descriptions
(Physics entry in Official UVa Graduate Record)

PHYS 6050, 6060 - (3) (SI) How Things Work I, II Prerequisite: Undergraduate degree or instructor permission. These courses consider objects from our daily environment and explain how they work with emphasis on physics concepts. PHYS 6050 focuses on mechanics and heat; PHYS 6060 treats objects involving electromagnetism, light, special materials, and nuclear energy. These may be distance learning courses intended for in-service science teachers with lectures, homework and exams conducted via the internet.

PHYS 6090 - (3) (SI) Galileo and Einstein Prerequisite: Undergraduate degree or instructor permission. This course examines how new understanding of the natural world developed from the time of Galileo to Einstein taking the two famous scientists as case studies. This may be a distance learning course intended for in-service science teachers with lectures, homework and exams conducted via the internet.

PHYS 6110, 6120 - (3) (IR) Physical Science for Teachers Prerequisite: Undergraduate degree and presently (or intending to be) a K-8 teacher. Laboratory-based course providing elementary and middle school teachers hands-on experience in the principles and applications of physical science. Not suitable for physics majors; no previous college physics courses are assumed.

PHYS 6513 - (1-3) (SI) Topics in Physical Science Prerequisite: Undergraduate degree or instructor permission. Small classes studying special topics in physical science using cooperative teaching in a laboratory setting. Hands-on experiments and lecture demonstrations allow special problems to be posed and solved. May be taken more than once.

PHYS 6200 - (1) (SI) Topical Physical Science Prerequisite: Undergraduate degree or instructor permission. A series of one credit hour science courses of interest to K-12 teachers, as well as the general public. These courses are offered anywhere in the state as needed through School of Continuing and Professional Studies regional centers. The courses are designed to meet Virginia's SOLs and consist of lectures, demonstrations, and many hands-on science activities. Current course topics include Sound, Light & Optics, Aeronautics and Space, Electricity, Meteorology, Magnetism, Heat & Energy, Matter, and Force & Motion. May be taken more than once.

PHYS 6310, 6320, 6330 - (4) (SI) Classical and Modern Physics I, II, III Prerequisite: Undergraduate degree and instructor permission. A comprehensive study of physics using some calculus and emphasizing concepts, problem solving, and pedagogy. This course series is intended for in-service science teachers, particularly middle school physical science and high school physics teachers. These courses can be used for crossover teachers who wish to obtain endorsement or certification to teach high school physics. They are required courses for the MAPE degree. The courses are typically taught for 4 weeks in the summer with a daily two-hour lecture and two-hour problem session. Problem sets continue for three months into the next semester. I. Motion, kinematics, Newton's laws, energy and momentum conservation, gravitation, harmonic motion, waves, sound, heat, and fluids. II. Coulomb's law, Gauss's law, electrostatics, electric fields, capacitance, inductance, circuits, magnetism, and electromagnetic waves. III. Geometric and physical optics, relativity, and modern physics.

PHYS 6350, 636, 6370 - (3) (SI) Curriculum Enhancement I, II, III Prerequisite: Undergraduate degree and instructor permission. A laboratory sequence normally taken concurrently with PHYS 6310, 6320, 6330, respectively. It includes experiments with sensors that are integrated with graphing calculators and computers and other experiments using low cost apparatus. The courses are typically held in the summer for four weeks and are extended into the next semester creating an activity plan. The laboratories utilize best teaching practices and hands-on experimentation in cooperative learning groups.

PHYS 6993 - (3-6) (SI) Independent Study Prerequisite: Undergraduate degree and instructor permission. A program of independent study for in-service science teachers carried out under the supervision of a faculty member culminating in a written report. A typical project may be the creation and development of several physics demonstrations for the classroom or a unit activity. The student may carry out some of this work at home, school, or a site other than the University. Advanced Graduate Courses Courses primarily for students seeking M.A., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in physics.

PHYS 7190 - (3) (Y) Advanced Experimental Physics Selected experiments designed to introduce students to concepts and techniques from a variety of fields of contemporary physics.

PHYS 7250 - (3) (Y) Mathematical Methods of Physics I Prerequisite: MATH 5210 and 5220 or instructor permission. Discusses matrices, complex analysis, Fourier series and transforms, ordinary differential equations, special functions of mathematical physics, partial differential equations, general vector spaces, integral equations and operator techniques, and Green's functions.

PHYS 7420 - (3) (Y) Electricity and Magnetism I Prerequisite: PHYS 7250 or instructor permission. A consistent mathematical account of the phenomena of electricity and magnetism; electrostatics and magnetostatics; macroscopic media; Maxwell theory; and wave propagation.

PHYS 7430 - (3) (Y) Electricity and Magnetism II Prerequisite: PHYS 7420 or instructor permission. Development of the theory of special relativity, relativistic electrodynamics, radiation from moving charges, classical electron theory, and Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations of electrodynamics.

PHYS 7610 - (3) (Y) Quantum Theory I Prerequisite: Twelve credits of 3000-level physics courses and MATH 5210, 5220 or instructor permission. Introduces the physical basis of quantum mechanics, the Schroedinger equation and the quantum mechanics of one-particle systems, and stationary state problem.

PHYS 7620 - (3) (Y) Quantum Theory II Prerequisite: PHYS 7610 or instructor permission. 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.

PHYS 5995 - (3-12) (Y) Research Note: Admission to 8000- and 9000-level PHYS courses requires the instructor's permission.

PHYS 8220 - (3) (E) Lasers and Nonlinear Optics Prerequisite: PHYS 5310 and exposure to quantum mechanics. Studies nonlinear optical phenomena; the laser, sum, and difference frequency generation, optical parametric oscillation, and modulation techniques.

PHYS 8310 - (3) (Y) Statistical Mechanics Prerequisite: PHYS 7610. 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 8320 - (3) (IR) Statistical Mechanics II Prerequisite: PHYS 8310. Further topics in statistical mechanics.

PHYS 8420 - (3) (O) Atomic Physics Prerequisite: PHYS 7620 or instructor permission.Studies the principles and techniques of atomic physics with application to selected topics, including laser and microwave spectroscopy, photoionization, autoionization, effects of external fields, and laser cooling.

PHYS 8630 - (3) (Y) Introduction to Field Theory Prerequisite: PHYS 7620. 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.

PHYS 8640 - (3) (Y) Modern Field Theory Prerequisite: PHYS 8630. Applies field theory techniques to quantum electrodynamics and to the renormalization-group description of phase transitions. Introduces the path integral description of field theory.

PHYS 8610 - (3) (Y) Solid State Physics I Prerequisite: PHYS 7620 or instructor permission. The description and basic theory of the electronic properties of solids including band structure, electrical conduction, optical properties, magnetism and super-conductivity.

PHYS 8620 - (3) (IR) Solid State Physics II A discussion of various topics and problems relating to the physical properties of crystalline solids.

PHYS 8710 - (3) (E) Nuclear Physics Discusses nuclear theory and experiment. Description and interpretation of nuclear reactions including fission, and the structure of nuclei.

PHYS 8720 - (3) (IR) Nuclear Physics II A continuation of the topics of Physics 8710.

PHYS 8750 - (3) (O) Elementary Particle Physics Discusses the various topics and problems relative to the physical properties and interactions of elementary particles.

PHYS 8760 - (3) (IR) Elementary Particle Physics II Extension of PHYS 8750. Studies topics in modern elementary particle physics, including unified gauge theory of electroweak interactions and introduction to QCD and lattice gauge theory.

PHYS 8810, 8820 - (3) (IR) Selected Topics in Modern Physics

PHYS 8970 - (3-12) (Y) Non-Topical Research, Preparation for Research For master’s research, taken before a thesis director has been selected.

PHYS 8999 - (3-12) (Y) Non-Topical Research For master's thesis, taken under the supervision of a thesis director.

PHYS 9010, 9020 - (3) (Y) General Physics Research Seminar

PHYS 9250, 9260 - (3) (IR) Research Seminar in Theoretical Physics

PHYS 9510, 9520 - (3) (Y) Atomic and Molecular Seminar

PHYS 9610, 9620 - (3) (Y) Research Seminar in Solid State Physics

PHYS 9710, 9720 - (3) (Y) Research Seminar in Nuclear Physics

PHYS 9810, 9820 - (3) (Y) Research Seminar in Particle Physics

PHYS 9998 - (3-12) (Y) Non-Topical Research, Preparation for Doctoral Research For doctoral research, taken before a dissertation director has been selected.

PHYS 9999 - (3-12) (Y) Non-Topical Research For doctoral dissertation, taken under the supervision of a dissertation director.