PHY 306: Modern Physics
Professor Bonfim
This course covers discoveries in physics that occurred during the period around the turn of the 20th century. It explores Einstein’s theories of relativity and the foundation of quantum mechanics. These theories modify Newtonian mechanics in the realms of very high velocities and very small dimensions, respectively. Topics discussed will include special theory of relativity, wave-particle duality, and the Schrödinger equation. The latter part of the course is a survey of special topics in solid state, statistical, nuclear, molecular, and particle physics, all of which have their roots in relativity and quantum mechanics. Each of these topics could of course be entire courses in themselves, so we will only be covering the highlights.
PHY/MTh 356: Mathematical Methods for Science and Engineering
Professor Schlosshauer
This course introduces a variety of essential mathematical techniques used in modeling physical phenomena. The techniques will be illustrated through their application in many areas of physics. Core topics include: infinite series, including Taylor and Fourier series; oscillations and waves; complex numbers and functions; vector calculus; coordinate systems; partial differential equations and boundary-value problems; special functions; linear algebra; and eigenvalue problems.
PHY 371A: Analog and Digital Electronics
Professor More
This course includes both a hands-on laboratory experience in constructing and using analog and digital circuits and a theory component in which we examine circuit design, applications, and device physics. Topics include AC circuit and filters, diodes and rectifiers, transistor switches and amplifiers, operational amplifier circuits, logic gates, and binary mathematics.
PHY 391: Introduction to Quantum Information Science
Professor Bonfim
The invention of classical computing in the mid twentieth century gave rise to the current digital age, and will eventually be displaced by a more exciting, powerful, and radically different form of computing. This new technology, known as quantum computing, operates under completely different physical rules and has the potential to provide a massive technological leap forward that will enable breakthroughs in biology, chemistry, applied math, physics, material science, artificial intelligence, and much more. Quantum computers have the potential to efficiently solve problems that are intractable for their classical counterparts. They also promise exponential speedups for a class of important problems, such as simulating quantum systems or to determine the prime factors of large composite numbers which are used in cryptography.
This course will explore the foundation of quantum computing and will cover basic concepts in quantum physics and theoretical computer science, in addition to introducing core quantum computing topics. No previous background in quantum mechanics is required. However, a solid background in linear algebra is essential.
PHY 411: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics – I
Professor Bonfim
Quantum Mechanics provides a description of physical phenomena on atomic and subatomic levels, where wave phenomena exhibit particle-like characteristics and particles behave like waves. Quantum mechanics extends the rules of classical (Newtonian) physics (valid only for everyday large objects, like bullets, balls, and planets), to that of elementary particles like electrons, neutrons, photons, as well as atoms and molecules. It provides the basic tools for the description of the microscopic world (nanoscales) and is essential for understanding the fundamentals of modern technology.
This course covers the basic principles of quantum mechanics. The topics discussed include the description and analysis of sequential Stern-Gerlach measurements on two-state spin systems, Dirac bra-ket representation, probabilities and measurements, the Schrödinger equation, the use of time evolution to understand spin precession, calculation of energy eigenstates for various physical system of interest, and other relevant applications.
PHY 303A: Computational Physical Science
Professor More
This course, cross listed in both mathematics and chemistry as well as in physics, offers an introduction to computational methods and explorations of select applications in physics and chemistry. It also provides an introduction to programming using Python and Mathematica as well as the basic skills of programming. No prior programming experience is assumed – an explicit goal of the course is to learn how to program in a physical science context.
We will study algorithms for numerical integration, root finding, simulating random and chaotic processes, non-dimensionalization, and solving partial differential equations and examine the mathematics underlying them.
Applications include diffusion, magnetic phase transitions, quantized energies in bound systems, drag, normal modes, electric potential and heat calculations, and more. Students will have frequent opportunities to apply the computational techniques to problems of their own interest.