Summer 2008 Course Descriptions

All courses below are approved to be taught in Summer 2008; however, some (or all) may not be offered.  The course numbers that are offered, in either Pre-Session, Summer I or Summer II, are linked to the Schedule of Classes. Classes with alternative delivery modes (Web based, cable TV, correspondence, etc) are noted in the Schedule at the section level.  The complete list below is a good indicator of what may be offered over the next few years (contact department about offerings).  For explanations of course elements see the Key to Course Descriptions.

Physics (PHYS)  Department Info

PHYS 102 -- Introductory Physics I  (3 units)
Description:  Designed for liberal arts and life science majors with no calculus background. Survey of the basic fields of physics, with emphasis on applications to other fields and historical development. Class covers classical mechanics and thermodynamics. Students needing a laboratory credit (which is determined by your major requirements) should co-register with PHYS 181.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  placement into college algebra or equivalent. Credit will be allowed for only one of the following sequences of courses; PHYS 102-103-181-182, 131-132-181-182, 141-142-241-242, 151-152-251-252.
Special exam:  course may be taken by special exam for credit (not for grade).
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 103 -- Introductory Physics II  (3 units)
Description:  Continuation of 102. Class covers optics, electricity and magnetism, and modern physics. Students needing a laboratory credit (which is determined by your major requirements) should co-register with PHYS 182.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 102. Credit will be allowed for only one of the following sequences of courses; PHYS 102-103-181-182, 131-132-181-182, 141-142-241-242, 151-152-251-252.
Special exam:  course may be taken by special exam for credit (not for grade).
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 107 -- The Physics of Music  (4 units)
Description:  Sound production, musical instruments, frequency analysis, physics of hearing, psychological and physiological effects, harmony and scales, hall acoustics, electronic production and recording.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E. Available to qualified students for Pass/Fail Option.
Typical structure:  3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory.
Special exam:  course may be taken by special exam for credit (not for grade).
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 131 -- Introductory Physics with Calculus I  (4 units)
Description:  Designed for liberal arts and life science majors with calculus background. Principles of kinematics, dynamics, wave motion and acoustics, thermodynamics. Students needing a laboratory credit (which is determined by your major requirements) should co-register with PHYS 181.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  MATH 124 or MATH 125; Concurrent registration, MATH 129. Credit will be allowed for only one of the following sequences of courses; PHYS 102-103-181-182, 131-132-181-182, 141-142-241-242, 151-152-251-252.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 132 -- Introductory Physics with Calculus II  (4 units)
Description:  Designed for liberal arts and life science majors with calculus background. Thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, geometrical and physical optics, optical instruments, atomic and nuclear physics. Students needing a laboratory credit (which is determined by your major requirements) should co-register with PHYS 182.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 131; lecture-lab combination requires co-registration with PHYS182. Credit will be allowed for only one of the following sequences of courses; PHYS 102-103-181-182, 131-132-181-182, 141-142-241-242, 151-152-251-252.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 141 -- Introductory Mechanics  (4 units)
Description:  Vector concepts; kinematics, statics and dynamics for point masses, particle systems and rigid bodies; conservation laws of energy, momentum, and angular momentum; fluid static's and dynamics.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Special course fee required:  $50.
Prerequisite(s):  MATH 124 or MATH 125; Concurrent registration, MATH 129. Credit will be allowed for only one of the following sequences of courses; PHYS 102-103-181-182, 131-132-181-182, 141-142-241-242, 151-152-251-252.
Typical structure:  4 hours lecture, 2 hours laboratory.
Special exam:  course may be taken by special exam for credit (not for grade).
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 142 -- Introductory Optics and Thermodynamics  (3 units)
Description:  Temperature scales, heat, thermodynamics, heat engines and kinetic theory; geometrical optics, lenses, mirrors and optical instruments; physical optics, diffraction, interference and wave theory.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Special course fee required:  $50.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 141; Concurrent registration, MATH 223. Credit will be allowed for only one of the following sequences of courses; PHYS 102-103-181-182, 131-132-181-182, 141-142-241-242, 151-152-251-252.
Typical structure:  2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory.
Special exam:  course may be taken by special exam for credit (not for grade).
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 143 -- Introductory Optics and Thermodynamics  (2 units)
Description:  Temperature scales, heat, thermodynamics, heat engines and kinetic theory; geometrical optics, lenses, mirrors and optical instruments; physical optics, diffraction, interference and wave theory.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 141, MATH 223. Credit will be allowed for only one of the following sequences of courses: PHYS102-103-181-182 or PHYS131-132-181-182 or PHYS141-142-241-242 or PHYS151-152-251-252.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 151 -- Introduction to Mechanics  (4 units)
Description:  Kinematics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies, conservation laws. Intended for physics and astronomy majors.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Special course fee required:  $50.
Prerequisite(s):  or Concurrent registration, MATH 124 or MATH 125. Credit will be allowed for only one of the following sequences of courses; PHYS 102-103-181-182, 131-132-181-182, 141-142-241-242, 151-152-251-252.
Typical structure:  3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 152 -- Introduction to Thermodynamics and Optics  (4 units)
Description:  Continuation of PHYS 151. Fluid Statics and dynamics, heat, thermodynamics and heat engines; kinetic theory and statistics of many particle systems, physical optics, diffraction, interfere and wave theory.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Special course fee required:  $50.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 151; Concurrent registration, MATH 129. Credit will be allowed for only one of the following sequences of courses; PHYS 102-103-181-182, 131-132-181-182, 141-142-241-242, 151-152-251-252.
Typical structure:  3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 161H -- Honors Introductory Mechanics  (4 units)
Description:  Kinematics and dynamics of point masses, particle systems and rigid bodies; conservative laws of energy momentum and angular momentum; fluid statics and dynamics.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Special course fee required:  $50.
Prerequisite(s):  MATH 124 or MATH 125; Concurrent registration, MATH 129. Credit will be allowed for only one of the following sequences of courses; PHYS 102-103-181-182, 131-132-181-182, 141-142-241-242, 151-152-251-252.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 162H -- Honors Introductory Optics and Thermodynamics  (4 units)
Description:  Temperature scales, heat, thermodynamics and heat engines; kinetic theory and statistics of many particle systems; geometrical optics, lenses, mirrors and optical instruments; physical optics, diffraction, interference and wave theory.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Special course fee required:  $50.
Prerequisite(s):  Concurrent registration, MATH 223.
Typical structure:  3 hours laboratory, 3 hours lecture.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 181 -- Introductory Laboratory I  (1 unit)
Description:  Quantitative experiments in physics, both illustrative and exploratory. Designed to accompany 102 or 131; sections are established corresponding to each course.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Special course fee required:  $50.
Prerequisite(s):  Concurrent registration, PHYS 102 or PHYS 131. Credit will be allowed for only one of the following sequences of courses; PHYS 102-103-181-182, 131-132-181-182, 141-142-241-242, 151-152-251-252.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 182 -- Introductory Laboratory II  (1 unit)
Description:  Quantitative experiments in physics, both illustrative and exploratory. Designed to accompany 103 or 132; sections are established corresponding to each course.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Special course fee required:  $50.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 181; Concurrent registration, PHYS 103 or PHYS 132. Credit will be allowed for only one of the following sequences of courses; PHYS 102-103-181-182, 131-132-181-182, 141-142-241-242, 151-152-251-252.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 195A -- Creation of the Universe  (1 unit)
Description:  One of the oldest questions in science concerns the origin and structure of the Universe. Every culture has had myths and models of the creation of the Universe. Our perception of the Universe, our cosmology, has served throughout the ages a canvas upon which we have painted our view of the man’s place in the Universe. "Creation of the Universe" is the story of advances in physical cosmology, the modern view of our place in the Universe. It traces the developments of Big Bang cosmology, from the expansion of the universe to quantum.  This is a First-Year Colloquium Course.
Grading:  Regular or alternative grades can be awarded for this course: A B C D E or S P C D E.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 199 -- Independent Study  (1-4 units)
Description:  Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P C D E.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PHYS 199H -- Honors Independent Study  (1-4 units)
Description:  Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 201 -- How Things Work: Physics through Everyday Tools and Devices  (3 units)
Description:  A study of everyday devices, emphasizing the use of principles of physical science to understand their operation. Devices ranging from gears and pulleys to satellites and CAT scanners will be used to illustrate principles of mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, etc.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  two courses from Tier One, Natural Sciences (NATS 101, 102, 104).
Approved as:  General Education Tier Two - Natural Sciences.
Typical structure:  1 hour discussion, 2 hours laboratory, 2 hours lecture.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 204 -- Mathematical Techniques in Physics  (3 units)
Description:  Mathematical techniques used in upper division physics courses. Complex numbers, Taylor series, Fourier series, coordinate systems, elementary probability, vector spaces.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  MATH 129, PHYS 142 or PHYS 152.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 241 -- Introductory Electricity and Magnetism  (4 units)
Description:  Field concepts, electrostatics, magnetostatics, currents, electromagnetic phenomena and electromagnetic waves.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Special course fee required:  $50.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 141; Concurrent registration, MATH 223. Credit will be allowed for only one of the following sequences of courses; PHYS 102-103-181-182, 131-132-181-182, 141-142-241-242, 151-152-251-252.
Typical structure:  3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory.
Special exam:  course may be taken by special exam for credit (not for grade).
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 242 -- Introductory Relativity and Quantum Physics  (3 units)
Description:  Introduction to 20th century concepts. Relativity and quantum theory will be emphasized. Other topics may be chosen from the following list: atomic and molecular structure, nuclear and elementary particle physics, quantum statistics and condensed matter.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 141, PHYS 142, PHYS 241, MATH 223. Credit will be allowed for only one of the following sequences of courses; PHYS 102-103-181-182, 131-132-181-182, 141-142-241-242, 151-152-251-252.
Special exam:  course may be taken by special exam for credit (not for grade).
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 251 -- Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism  (4 units)
Description:  Laws of electric and magnetic fields, DC and AC circuits, Maxwell's equations.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Special course fee required:  $50.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 152; Concurrent registration, MATH 223. Credit will be allowed for only one of the following sequences of courses; PHYS 102-103-181-182, 131-132-181-182, 141-142-241-242, 151-152-251-252.
Typical structure:  4 hours lecture, 2 hours laboratory.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 252 -- Introduction to Special Relativity and Quantum Theory  (4 units)
Description:  Continuation of PHYS 251. Special theory of relativity, introduction to quantum theory and modern physics.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Special course fee required:  $50.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 152. Credit will be allowed for only one of the following sequences of courses; PHYS 102-103-181-182, 131-132-181-182, 141-142-241-242, 151-152-251-252.
Typical structure:  4 hours lecture, 2 hours laboratory.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 261H -- Honors Introductory Electricity and Magnetism  (4 units)
Description:  Electrostatic forces, fields, and potentials; magnetostatics; dynamics of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields; electrical currents and circuit analysis, electromagnetic phenomena associated with time-dependent electric and magnetic fields; Maxwell's equations in differential form and electromagnetic waves. Methods of vector calculus are used extensively.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Special course fee required:  $50.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 141 with consent of instructor; Concurrent registration, MATH 223. Credit will be allowed for only one of the following sequences of courses; PHYS 102-103-181-182, 131-132-181-182, 141-142-241-242, 151-152-251-252.
Typical structure:  3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 262H -- Honors Introductory Relativity and Quantum Physics  (4 units)
Description:  Introduction to 20th century concepts. Relativity and quantum theory will be emphasized. Other topics may be chosen from the following list: atomic and molecular structure, nuclear and elementary particle physics, quantum statistics and condensed matter.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Special course fee required:  $50.
Prerequisite(s):  MATH 223.
Typical structure:  3 hours laboratory, 3 hours lecture.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 299 -- Independent Study  (1-4 units)
Description:  Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P C D E.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PHYS 299H -- Honors Independent Study  (1-3 units)
Description:  Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 301H -- Explorations in Integrated Science  (4 units)
Description:  Students explore through a set of laboratory- and lecture- based modules the interconnections among fundamental areas of science including physics, biology, chemistry, geology, astronomy, computer science, planetology. Topics vary year-to-year, and provide exposure to the myriad research opportunities available at the University.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  MATH 124 or MATH 125. Enrollment in Honors College.
Typical structure:  3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory.
May be repeated:  for credit 1 time (maximum 2 enrollments).
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 305 -- Computational Physics  (3 units)
Description:  Introduction to numerical techniques for solving physics problems. Includes introduction to programming. Sample problems will be drawn from material covered in the introductory physics sequence.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 142 or PHYS 143 or PHYS 152.
Identical to:  ASTR 305.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 320 -- Optics  (3 units)
Description:  Electromagnetic waves; rays, interference, diffraction, scattering; applications to imaging systems, Fourier methods, holography, and crystal optics.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 242 or PHYS 252; MATH 223.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 321 -- Theoretical Mechanics I  (3 units)
Description:  Newton's laws; rectilinear and rotational motion; simple, damped and rotational oscillators; Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations; central forces and orbital motion; noninertial reference frames; rigid bodies; coupled oscillators.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 251 or PHYS 261H; MATH 223; Concurrent registration, MATH 254.
Special exam:  course may be taken by special exam for credit (not for grade).
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 331 -- Electricity and Magnetism I  (3 units)
Description:  Electromagnetic phenomena leading to Maxwell's equations; static and time-dependent solutions.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  Concurrent registration, PHYS 321 or MATH 422.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 332 -- Electricity and Magnetism II  (3 units)
Description:  Continuation of 331. Transmission lines and wave guides; radiation theory, 4-vector formulation of special relativity.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 331.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 371 -- Quantum Theory  (3 units)
Description:  Introductory quantum mechanics; Schroedinger's Equation, one-dimensional problems, operators and matrices, three-dimensional problems, two particle problems, angular momentum, the hydrogen atom and spin.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 242 or PHYS 252; PHYS 321, MATH 254.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 381 -- Methods in Experimental Physics I  (2 units)
Description:  Designed to develop experimental skills and to demonstrate important concepts in classical and modern physics.  This is a Writing Emphasis Course.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Special course fee required:  $50.
Prerequisite(s):  satisfaction of the Mid-Career Writing Assessment (MCWA) or the former upper-division writing proficiency requirement (UDWPE); or Concurrent registration, two upper-division courses in physics. Satisfaction of the upper-division writing proficiency requirement. PHYS 205 is recommended for students without programming experience.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 382 -- Methods of Experimental Physics II  (2 units)
Description:  contact department.  This is a Writing Emphasis Course.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Special course fee required:  $50.
Prerequisite(s):  satisfaction of the Mid-Career Writing Assessment (MCWA) or the former upper-division writing proficiency requirement (UDWPE).
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 391 -- Preceptorship  (1-6 units)
Description:  Specialized work on an individual basis, consisting of instruction and practice in actual service in a department, program, or discipline. Teaching formats may include seminars, in-depth studies, laboratory work and patient study.
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P C D E.
May be repeated:  for credit 3 times (maximum 4 enrollments).
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PHYS 392 -- Directed Research  (1-6 units)
Description:  Individual or small group research under the guidance of faculty.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PHYS 396H -- Honors Proseminar  (3 units)
Description:  The development and exchange of scholarly information, usually in a small group setting. The scope of work shall consist of research by course registrants, with the exchange of the results of such research through discussion, reports, and/or papers.
Grading:  Regular or alternative grades can be awarded for this course: A B C D E or S P C D E.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PHYS 399 -- Independent Study  (1-6 units)
Description:  Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P C D E.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PHYS 399H -- Honors Independent Study  (1-3 units)
Description:  Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 405 -- Digital Electronics Techniques  (3 units)
Description:  This course is an introduction to electronic techniques used in experimental physics. Topics include op-amps, logic elements and proceed to the use of programmable logic. A large emphasis of this course will be on computer-aided schematic capture and simulation. The course will have a two-hour lecture each week accompanied by a three hour lab.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS241 or PHYS 251.
May be convened with:  PHYS 505.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 422 -- Theoretical Mechanics II  (3 units)
Description:  Advanced classical mechanics. Topics include coupled harmonic oscillators and normal modes, inertia and stress tensors, deformations, continuum mechanics, elementary fluid mechanics.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 321, MATH 254.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 426 -- Thermal Physics  (3 units)
Description:  A statistical approach to thermodynamics; thermal and chemical equilibrium; classical and quantum gases; heat engines; phase transitions; irreversible processes.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 242 or PHYS 252; MATH 223.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 427 -- Philosophy of the Physical Sciences  (3 units)
Description:  Theories and models. Measurement, experimentation, testing hypothesis. Philosophical problems concerning explanation, causation, and law of nature. Philosophical problems raised by quantum mechanics and/or other physical theories.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  PHIL 427; PHIL is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 430 -- Introduction to Biophysics  (2 units)
Description:  Concepts and experimental techniques of molecular biophysics; physical properties of biological macromolecules and cell organelles, optical interactions, macromolecular transitions, molecular mechanism or regulation.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 103 or PHYS 132; CHEM 103A, CHEM 103B.
Special exam:  course may be taken by special exam for credit (not for grade).
Identical to:  MIC 430.
May be convened with:  PHYS 530.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 431 -- Molecular Biophysics  (3 units)
Description:  A survey of basic biological processes and the advanced physical techniques to study these processes, primarily at the single-molecule scale. Topics may include thermal and statistical physics, free energy transduction, entropic forces, biopolymers, molecular motors, and biological machines, but also biochemical networks, nerve impulses, and neural computing.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  CHEM 103A; PHYS 103 or PHYS 132; CHEM 103B or equivalent.
May be convened with:  PHYS 531.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 433 -- Physics Demonstrations  (1-3 units)
Description:  Introduction to teaching materials and laboratory demonstrations illustrating principles of classical and modern physics, with emphasis on inexpensive techniques and direct experience.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  two semesters of physics.
May be convened with:  PHYS 533.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 436A -- Fundamentals of the Atmospheric Sciences  (3 units)
Description:  Broadly covers fundamental topics in the atmospheric sciences. Topics include composition of the atmosphere, atmospheric thermodynamics, atmospheric chemistry, cloud physics, radiative transfer, atmospheric dynamics, and climate.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  MATH 125.
Identical to:  ATMO 436A; ATMO is home department.
May be convened with:  PHYS 536A.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 439 -- Central Ideas in the Physical Sciences  (3 units)
Description:  This is a culminating course in the preparation of physical science, physics, and chemistry teachers. It is required for students in the College of Science Teacher Preparation Program who plan to teach physical science. The course focuses on the analysis and understanding of central ideas in the physical sciences traditionally included in the secondary school science curriculum. Additionally, the course helps students identify and assess physical-science concepts that secondary level students are likely to have difficulty understanding and evaluate the implications for teaching and learning science.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  STCH 250, STCH 310, 18 units of physics or chemistry major courses. Corequisite course, STCH 410, or have completed STCH 410 or STCH 420.
May be repeated:  for credit 2 times (maximum 3 enrollments).
Identical to:  CHEM 439.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 440 -- Medical Physics  (3 units)
Description:  Applications of physics in medicine. Topics may include X-ray, MRI imaging techniques, interaction of radiation and tissue, nuclear medicine, visual auditory processes, and basic physics. of the human body.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 103 or PHYS 132 or OPTI 330.
Identical to:  OPTI 440.
May be convened with:  PHYS 540.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 445A -- Experimental Spectroscopy  (1 unit)
Description:  Laboratory experiments with spectroscopic sources, spectrometers, instrument functions, detectors, light collection optics, spectral recording and analysis. Students select one to three sections from the five-week lectures listed as PHYS 445A through 445F. Credit can only be given once for each topic.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 141, PHYS 142, PHYS 241 or PHYS 151, PHYS 152, PHYS 251 or consult department before enrolling. PHYS 445A is not prerequisite to PHYS 445B-F. A maximum of three units from PHYS 445A-445F may be counted towards any physics major or minor.
May be convened with:  PHYS 545A.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 445B -- Experimental Acoustics  (1 unit)
Description:  Laboratory experiments with sound sources, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, sound level meters. Filters, musical instruments, recording, room acoustics. Students select one to three sections from the five-week lectures listed as PHYS 445A through 445F. Credit can only be given once for each topic.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 141, PHYS 142, PHYS 241 or PHYS 151, PHYS 152, PHYS 251 or consult department before enrolling. PHYS 445A is not prerequisite to PHYS 445B-F. A maximum of three units from PHYS 445A-445F may be counted towards any physics major or minor.
May be convened with:  PHYS 545B.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 445C -- Experimental Microscopy  (1 unit)
Description:  Laboratory experiments with microscopes and polarized scattered light to characterize small particles and surfaces, optical constants, lasers, remote sensing. Students select one to three sections from the five-week lectures listed as 445A through 445F. Credit can only be given once for each topic.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 141, PHYS 142, PHYS 241 or PHYS 151, PHYS 152, PHYS 251 or consult department before enrolling. PHYS 445A is not prerequisite to PHYS 445B-F. A maximum of three units from PHYS 445A-445F may be counted towards any physics major or minor.
May be convened with:  PHYS 545C.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 445D -- Experimental Geometrical and Physical Optics-The Classic Experiments  (1-3 units)
Description:  Laboratory experiments with basic optical elements - lenses, mirrors, prisms, gratings, slits, polarizers, apertures, optical fibers, light sources and microscopes, spectrographs, cameras, projectors. Students select one to three sections from the five-week lectures listed as PHYS 445A through 445F (None is a prerequisite to any other). Credit can only be given once for each topic.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 141, PHYS 142, PHYS 241 or PHYS 151, PHYS 152, PHYS 251 or consult department before enrolling. PHYS 445A is not prerequisite to PHYS 445B-F. A maximum of three units from PHYS 445A-445F may be counted towards any physics major or minor.
May be convened with:  PHYS 545D.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 445E -- Experimental Optical Interferometry  (1 unit)
Description:  Laboratory experiments with basic interferometers and interference filters to measure wavelengths, widths, shapes and shifts of spectral lines and the coupling of interferometers to telescopes, spectrometers, cameras and microscopes. Students select one to three sections from the five-week lectures listed as PHYS 445A through 445F (None is a prerequisite to any other). Credit can only be given once for each topic.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 141, PHYS 142, PHYS 241, or consult department before enrolling. PHYS 445A is not prerequisite to PHYS 445B-F. A maximum of three units from PHYS 445A-445F may be counted towards any physics major or minor.
May be convened with:  PHYS 545E.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 445F -- Experimental High Vacuum Techniques and Thermodynamics of Gaseous Systems  (1 unit)
Description:  Laboratory experiments with basic vacuum systems to study pumps, gauges, valves seals and the concepts of fluid flow, gas densities, mono-layers, mean free paths and collision frequencies. Students select one to three sections from the five-week lectures listed as PHYS 445A through 445F (None is a prerequisite to any other). Credit can only be given once for each topic.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 141, PHYS 142, PHYS 241or consult department before enrolling. PHYS 445A is not prerequisite to PHYS 445B-F. A maximum of three units from PHYS 445A-445F may be counted towards any physics major or minor.
May be convened with:  PHYS 545F.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 450 -- Nuclear and Particle Physics  (3 units)
Description:  Nuclear forces; nuclear phenomenology. Reactions and stability; nuclear models. Radiation and decay. The structure of nucleons; particle phenomenology; the standard model.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 371, MATH 254.
May be convened with:  PHYS 550.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 460 -- Solid-State Physics  (3 units)
Description:  Modern theory of crystalline solids. Topics include free electron theory of metals, crystals, x-ray diffraction, phonons, band theory, Fermi surfaces, semiconductors, magnetism and superconductivity.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 371, PHYS 426.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 472 -- Quantum Theory II  (3 units)
Description:  Continuation of 371. Applications of quantum mechanics: fine structure of atomic spectra, addition of angular momentum, molecules, perturbation theory, transition rates, special topics in nuclear, elementary particle and condensed matter physics.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 371.
May be convened with:  PHYS 572.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 473 -- Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy for Experimentalists I  (3 units)
Description:  Experimental techniques to generate, analyze and detect photons from X-ray to infrared; interpretation of spectra from gases, liquids, solids and biological macromolecules; light scattering, polarization.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 242 or PHYS 252.
Identical to:  OPTI 473.
May be convened with:  PHYS 573.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 474 -- Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy for Experimentalists II  (3 units)
Description:  Continuation of 473.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 473.
Identical to:  OPTI 474.
May be convened with:  PHYS 574.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 476 -- Methods of Mathematical Physics II  (3 units)
Description:  Special functions, transform theory, integral equations, variational techniques.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  or Concurrent registration, PHYS 332; MATH 254, PHYS 204.
May be convened with:  PHYS 576.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 478 -- Laser Spectroscopy and Atomic Structure  (4 units)
Description:  Laser spectroscopy experiments with atomic vapors and atom beams will be used to quantitatively study atom-photon interactions. Fluorescence, absorption, Faraday rotation, Doppler-free saturated absorption, and non-linear Faraday rotation spectra will be observed. Photonics, electronics, and vacuum technologies will be used in the lab. Theoretical calculations of atomic fine structure, hyperfine structure, absorption rates, optical pumping rates, and Zeeman shifts will be compare to data.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 241, PHYS 371.
Typical structure:  3 hours laboratory, 3 hours lecture.
Identical to:  OPTI 478.
May be convened with:  PHYS 578.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 480 -- Topics in Applied Quantum Mechanics  (1-3 units)
Description:  Runs in parallel with PHYS 472. Covers applications of quantum theory to a variety of realistic systems in particle physics (neutrino oscillations, k-mesons, CP violation; nuclear physics (shell model, isotopic spin; atomic physics (hydrogen atom, Hartree-Fock methods; condensed-matter physics (superconductivity and Cooper pairing). Also covers applications to chemistry (molecules, bonding, band structure) and theoretical foundations of quantum mechanics (Bell's inequality, Berry phase, measurement theory). Students conduct independent study projects on topics of their choosing, and give classroom presentations. Meets one evening per week for student presentations.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  Concurrent registration, PHYS 472.
May be convened with:  PHYS 580.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 481 -- Methods of Experimental Physics III  (2 units)
Description:  Continuation of 382, with emphasis on individual work.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Special course fee required:  $50.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 382, 10 units of upper-division physics.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 483 -- Methods of Experimental Physics IV  (3 units)
Description:  Continuation of PHYS 481, with heavy emphasis on individual work. Both PHYS 481 and PHYS 483 are offered each semester, but students are encouraged not to enroll simultaneously.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Special course fee required:  $50.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 484 -- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy  (3 units)
Description:  Basic theory and interpretation of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods from a multidisciplinary perspective. The course covers experimental NMR methods; nuclear spin interactions; relaxation and dynamics; solid state NMR; liquid state NMR; and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Emphasis is placed on a unified description of magnetic resonance phenomena at a level appropriate for chemists, physicists, biochemists, and engineers.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E. Available to qualified students for Pass/Fail Option.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 371 or CHEM 480B or CHEM 481 or equivalent experience or consent of instructor.
Typical structure:  2 hours lecture, 1 hour discussion.
Identical to:  BIOC 484.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 492 -- Directed Research  (1-6 units)
Description:  Individual or small group research under the guidance of faculty.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PHYS 494 -- Practicum  (3 units)
Description:  The practical application, on an individual basis, of previously studied theory and the collection of data for future theoretical interpretation.
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P C D E.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PHYS 495F -- Topics in Entrepreneurship for Scientists  (1 unit)
Description:  This course will present different topics in and aspects of entrepreneurship specifically for undergraduate and graduate students in science
Grading:  Regular or alternative grades can be awarded for this course: A B C D E or S P C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  Some business knowledge is presumed, but not required. Proposal writing experience beneficial.
May be repeated:  for credit 3 times (maximum 4 enrollments).
Identical to:  ENTR 495F, MATH 495F, MCB 495F.
May be convened with:  PHYS 595F.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 498 -- Senior Capstone  (1-3 units)
Description:  A culminating experience for majors involving a substantive project that demonstrates a synthesis of learning accumulated in the major, including broadly comprehensive knowledge of the discipline and its methodologies. Senior standing required.
Grading:  Regular or alternative grades can be awarded for this course: A B C D E or S P C D E.
May be repeated:  for a total of 6 units of credit.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 498H -- Honors Thesis  (3 units)
Description:  An honors thesis is required of all the students graduating with honors. Students ordinarily sign up for this course as a two-semester sequence. The first semester the student performs research under the supervision of a faculty member; the second semester the student writes an honors thesis.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be repeated:  for a total of 9 units of credit.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 499 -- Independent Study  (1-5 units)
Description:  Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P C D E.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PHYS 499H -- Honors Independent Study  (1-3 units)
Description:  Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 505 -- Digital Electronics Techniques  (3 units)
Description:  This course is an introduction to electronic techniques used in experimental physics. Topics include op-amps, logic elements and proceed to the use of programmable logic. A large emphasis of this course will be on computer-aided schematic capture and simulation. The course will have a two-hour lecture each week accompanied by a three hour lab. Graduate students will complete a final project including programmable logic and at least one of the following components in its design: state machine, tri-state logic, memory or FIFOs, arithmetic units.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be convened with:  PHYS 405.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 506 -- Applied Electromagnetics  (3 units)
Description:  Students in the course review the tools and techniques used to apply electromagnetic theory to common problems. Electromagnetic radiation, antennas, atmospheric effects, diffraction, reflection, and scattering are addressed. The effects of vehicles and structures on radiation patterns are covered as are the means to predict the bit error rate of various communication systems. Electromagnetic fields associated with radios, cellular phones, television, radar, and microwave systems are examined. Various techniques used to generate electromagnetic fields in the subsurface are also examined as are their uses for the delineation of pipes, mineral occurrences, pollution, and water.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 511 -- Analytical Mechanics  (3 units)
Description:  Laws of motion as developed by Newton, d'Alembert, Lagrange and Hamilton; dynamics of particles and rigid bodies.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 513 -- Topics in Advanced Mechanics  (3 units)
Description:  Modern topics in classical mechanics, including canonical perturbation theory, invariant mappings, nonintegrated system stochastic behavior and applications to semi-classical quantum theory.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 511.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 515A -- Electromagnetic Theory  (3 units)
Description:  Theory of classical electromagnetic phenomena, including time-dependent and static solutions of Maxwell's equations, radiation theory and relativistic electrodynamics.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 332, PHYS 476.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 515B -- Electromagnetic Theory  (3 units)
Description:  Theory of classical electromagnetic phenomena, including time-dependent and static solutions of Maxwell's equations, radiation theory and relativistic electrodynamics.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 332, PHYS 476.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 520 -- Optical Materials for Solid-State Laser Systems  (3 units)
Description:  This course will cover the fundamental physical processes of materials used in solid-state lasers. This includes optically active ions in insulating host materials and nonlinear optical materials. The necessary background in quantum mechanics, atomic spectroscopy, and group theory will be reviewed. Specific topics to be discussed include: Optical resonators, the principles of laser gain and oscillation; Origin of electronic energy levels for laser transitions, radiative transition strengths and selection rules, effects of electron-phonon and ion-ion interactions; Characteristics of specific laser systems including ruby, alexandrite, Ti-sapphire, Nd-YAG, Tm, Ho-YAG, Er-glass and others; Nonlinear optics; materials for frequency conversion, optical parametric oscillators, and Raman shifters.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  MSE 320 or PHYS 320, or OPTI 201R or OPTI 310 or equivalent and MSE 434/534 or equivalent.
Identical to:  MSE 520; MSE is home department.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 528 -- Statistical Mechanics  (3 units)
Description:  Physical statistics; the connection between the thermodynamic properties of a macroscopic system and the statistics of the fundamental components; Maxwell-Boltzmann, Fermi-Dirac, Einstein-Bose statistics.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 476.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 530 -- Introduction to Biophysics  (2 units)
Description:  Concepts and experimental techniques of molecular biophysics; physical properties of biological macromolecules and cell organelles, optical interactions, macromolecular transitions, molecular mechanism or regulation. Graduate-level requirements include extra assignments.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  IMB 530.
May be convened with:  PHYS 430.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 531 -- Molecular Biophysics  (3 units)
Description:  A survey of basic biological processes and the advanced physical techniques to study these processes, primarily at the single-molecule scale. Topics may include thermal and statistical physics, free energy transduction, entropic forces, biopolymers, molecular motors, and biological machines, but also biochemical networks, nerve impulses, and neural computing. Graduate-level requirements include an extra term paper.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be convened with:  PHYS 431.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 533 -- Physics Demonstrations  (1-3 units)
Description:  Introduction to teaching materials and laboratory demonstrations illustrating principles of classical and modern physics, with emphasis on inexpensive techniques and direct experience. Graduate-level requirements include assisting with undergraduate lecture planning and demonstrations.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be convened with:  PHYS 433.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 536A -- Fundamentals of the Atmospheric Sciences  (3 units)
Description:  Broadly covers fundamental topics in the atmospheric sciences. Topics include composition of the atmosphere, atmospheric thermodynamics, atmospheric chemistry, cloud physics, radiative transfer, atmospheric dynamics, and climate. Graduate-level requirements include additional questions on homework and exams plus a term paper on a specialized research topic.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  ATMO 536A; ATMO is home department.
May be convened with:  PHYS 436A.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 537 -- The Physics of the Sun  (3 units)
Description:  The purpose of this course is to present an introduction to the physics of the Sun. The course begins with a discussion of the standard solar model, the solar-neutrino problem, and observational techniques. Long-term variability in the total irradiance, sunspot number, and diameter, and its effect on Earth's climate will be addressed in some detail. Other topics include the physics of the solar interior, solar oscillations, and solar composition. This course will also introduce the equations of magnetohydrodynamics and apply them to important solar-physics problems, such as: the solar magnetic dynamo, stability of prominences, physics of sunspots and flares, and heating of the solar atmosphere. The emphasis throughout will be on basic physical processes and the various approximations used in their application to concrete problems.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  PTYS 537; PTYS is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 540 -- Medical Physics  (3 units)
Description:  Applications of physics in medicine. Topics may include X-ray, MRI imaging techniques, interaction of radiation and tissue, nuclear medicine, visual auditory processes, and basic physics. of the human body. Graduate-level requirements include students to complete supplemental assignments at the graduate level.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  OPTI 540.
May be convened with:  PHYS 440.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 541 -- Introduction to Mathematical Physics  (3 units)
Description:  Mathematical formulation and problems of statistical physics, Quantum Physics & Field Theory, relations between macroscopic and microscopic and between classical and quantum descriptions of physical systems, analytical, probabilistic and geometric methods. Contents vary.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  MATH 523A, MATH 523B or MATH 527A, MATH 527B or consent of instructor.
Identical to:  MATH 541; MATH is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 545A -- Experimental Spectroscopy  (1 unit)
Description:  Laboratory experiments with spectroscopic sources, spectrometers, instrument functions, detectors, light collection optics, spectral recording and analysis. Students select one to three sections from the five-week lectures listed as PHYS 445A through 445F. Credit can only be given once for each topic. Graduate-level requirements include an in-depth report on a topic selected in consultation with the instructor.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be convened with:  PHYS 445A.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 545B -- Experimental Acoustics  (1 unit)
Description:  Laboratory experiments with sound sources, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, sound level meters. Filters, musical instruments, recording, room acoustics. Students select one to three sections from the five-week lectures listed as PHYS 445A through 445F. Credit can only be given once for each topic. Graduate-level requirements include an in-depth report on a topic selected in consultation with the instructor.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be convened with:  PHYS 445B.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 545C -- Experimental Microscopy  (1 unit)
Description:  Laboratory experiments with microscopes and polarized scattered light to characterize small particles and surfaces, optical constants, lasers, remote sensing. Students select one to three sections from the five-week lectures listed as 445A through 445F. Credit can only be given once for each topic. Graduate-level requirements include an in-depth report on a topic selected in consultation with the instructor.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be convened with:  PHYS 445C.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 545D -- Experimental Geometric and Physical Optics  (1-3 units)
Description:  Laboratory experiments with basic optical elements - lenses, mirrors, prisms, gratings, slits, polarizers, apertures, optical fibers, light sources and microscopes, spectrographs, cameras, projectors. Students select one to three sections from the five-week lectures listed as PHYS 445A through 445F (None is a prerequisite to any other). Credit can only be given once for each topic. Graduate-level requirements include two additional experiments that require advanced techniques and an in-depth research report on a topic selected in consultation with the instructor.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be convened with:  PHYS 445D.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 545E -- Experimental Optical Interferometry  (1 unit)
Description:  Laboratory experiments with basic interferometers and interference filters to measure wavelengths, widths, shapes and shifts of spectral lines and the coupling of interferometers to telescopes, spectrometers, cameras and microscopes. Students select one to three sections from the five-week lectures listed as PHYS 445A through 445F (None is a prerequisite to any other). Credit can only be given once for each topic. Graduate-level requirements include two additional experiments that require advanced techniques and an in-depth research report on a topic selected in consultation with the instructor.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be convened with:  PHYS 445E.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 545F -- Experimental High Vacuum Techniques and the Thermodynamics of Gaseous Systems  (1 unit)
Description:  Laboratory experiments with basic vacuum systems to study pumps, gauges, valves seals and the concepts of fluid flow, gas densities, mono-layers, mean free paths and collision frequencies. Students select one to three sections from the five-week lectures listed as PHYS 445A through 445F (None is a prerequisite to any other). Credit can only be given once for each topic. Graduate-level requirements include two additional experiments that require advanced techniques and an in-depth research report on a topic selected in consultation with the instructor.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be convened with:  PHYS 445F.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 550 -- Nuclear and Particle Physics  (3 units)
Description:  Nuclear forces; nuclear phenomenology. Reactions and stability; nuclear models. Radiation and decay. The structure of nucleons; particle phenomenology; the standard model.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be convened with:  PHYS 450.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 551 -- Nuclear Physics  (3 units)
Description:  Theory of nuclear systems, including stability, decay, nuclear forces, scattering, reactions, structure and interaction with electromagnetic radiation.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  Concurrent registration, PHYS 570A, PHYS 570B
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 552 -- Current Topics in Nuclear Physics  (3 units)
Description:  Properties of elementary interactions and their study with atomic nuclei: elements of quantum chromodynamics, quark structure in hadrons and nuclei, ab initio understanding of nuclear forces and nuclei, applications to relativistic heavy ion collisions, and electron-nucleus interactions.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be repeated:  for credit 1 time (maximum 2 enrollments).
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 558 -- Plasma Physics with Astrophysical and Solar System Applications  (3 units)
Description:  The goal of this course is to present an introduction to fundamental plasma physics and magnetohydrodymics, beginning with kinetic theory. The various important limits including the vlasov equation and magnetohydrodynamics will be derived. Applications will be mostly from astrophysics and the solar system. These will include the main dynamical processes in the solar atmosphere, interplanetary medium, magnetospheres, interstellar medium, blast waves, accretion disks, etc. The emphasis throughout will be on basic physical processes and the various approximations used in their application to concrete problems.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  PTYS 558; PTYS is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 560A -- Condensed Matter Physics  (3 units)
Description:  Quantum theory of solids: second-quantization; electrons and phonons; band theory and semiconductors; transport theory; magnetic field effects; semiconductor devices; phenomenological treatments of magnetism and superconductivity.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 560B -- Condensed Matter Physics  (3 units)
Description:  Continuation of PHYS 560A, including a comprehensive selection of the following topics: microscopic theories of magnetism and superconductivity; metal-insulator transitions; broken symmetries and order parameters; surfaces and interfaces; nanostructures and quantum transport; membranes; polymers; liquid crystals; hydrodynamics; complex fluids; novel materials.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 560A.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 561 -- Physics of Semiconductors  (3 units)
Description:  Elementary excitations in solids, phonons, electrons and holes, dielectric formalism of optical response, many-body effects in a Coulomb system.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 460; OPTI 507 recommended but not formally required.
Identical to:  OPTI 561.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 562 -- Theory of Condensed Matter  (3 units)
Description:  Quantum theory of solids. Elementary excitations. Electron-phonon and electron-electron interactions. Spins and magnetism. Metal-insulator transitions. Basic concepts in superconductivity.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 460 or PHYS 560; PHYS 475, PHYS 476.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 563 -- Experimental Condensed Matter Physics  (3 units)
Description:  Topics in experimental condensed matter physics; will include thin film theory, methods, characterization; high vacuum deposition technologies; evaporation sputtering, MBE, CVD, LPE, Ion Beam Deposition; epitaxial films; diffraction theory; x-ray, electron probes: RBS, XPS, Auger; magnetic films; super-conductivity.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 564 -- Topics in Condensed Matter  (3 units)
Description:  This course is mainly devoted to consideration of macroscopical quantum phenomena in condensed matter physics, where quantum physics reveals itself on large scales (i.e., large distances and times). Among them, are such contemporary topics as Bose-Einstein condensation of atoms, superfluidity in He-IV and He-III, d-wave superconductivity in high-Tc superconductors, triplet and Larkin-Ovchinnikov-Fulde-Ferrell phases in organic and heavy-fermion superconductors, mesoscopic physics and sinle-electronics, interference effects in conductivity.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 460 or PHYS 560. PHYS 475 is recommended but not required.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 566 -- Green's Function Methods in Many-Body Theory  (3 units)
Description:  Course reviews the second-quantization method, Green's Function techniques in zero-temperature quantum field theory, basic properties of zero-temperature Feynman-Stuckelberg-Dyson diagrams and Green's Function methods at finite temperatures. Course will also consider applications of these methods in condensed-matter physics, optics and nuclear physics.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 570A, PHYS570B and consent of instructor.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 570A -- Quantum Mechanics  (3 units)
Description:  Introduction to quantum mechanics. Covers theoretical foundations of quantum mechanics (state kets, operators, complex vector spaces, measurement theory, wavefunctions); position, momentum, and linear translations; time evolution and quantum dynamics; decoherence of wave packets; harmonic oscillators; quantum mechanics and classical electromagnetism; path-integral formulation of quantum mechanics; theory of rotations and angular momentum; Wigner-Eckart theorem.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 475; PHYS 476 recommended but not required.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 570B -- Quantum Mechanics  (3 units)
Description:  Continuation of PHYS 570A. Covers discrete symmetries (parity inversion, lattice translations, time reversal, exchange symmetries and correlations); approximation methods (time-dependent and time-independent perturbation theory, variational techniques, WKB approximation); transition rates and Fermi's Golden Rule; relativistic quantum mechanics (Klein-Gordon and Dirac equations). Also covers scattering theory and interaction of radiation with matter as time permits.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 579A.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 571 -- General Relativity and Cosmology  (3 units)
Description:  General relativity with application to celestial mechanics, stellar structure, gravitational radiation, black holes, gravitational lensing and cosmology.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  ASTR 571; ASTR is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 572 -- Quantum Theory II  (3 units)
Description:  Continuation of 371. Applications of quantum mechanics: fine structure of atomic spectra, addition of angular momentum, molecules, perturbation theory, transition rates, special topics in nuclear, elementary particle and condensed matter physics. Graduate-level requirements include additional homework problems.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be convened with:  PHYS 472.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 573 -- Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy for Experimentalists I  (3 units)
Description:  Experimental techniques to generate, analyze and detect photons from X-ray to infrared; interpretation of spectra from gases, liquids, solids and biological macromolecules; light scattering, polarization. Graduate-level requirements include homework problem assignments at an advanced level.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  OPTI 573.
May be convened with:  PHYS 473.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 574 -- Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy for Experimentalists II  (3 units)
Description:  Continuation of 473. Graduate-level requirements include homework problem assignments at an advanced level. Continuation of 573.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  OPTI 574.
May be convened with:  PHYS 474.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 576 -- Methods of Mathematical Physics II  (3 units)
Description:  Special functions, transform theory, integral equations, variational techniques. Graduate-level requirements include advanced examinations, as determined by the instructor.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be convened with:  PHYS 476.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 577 -- Gravitation and Cosmology  (3 units)
Description:  Review of Special Relativity; theory of general relativity; tensor calculus; introduction to relativistic astrophysics and cosmology.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 578 -- Laser Spectroscopy and Atomic Structure  (4 units)
Description:  Laser spectroscopy experiments with atomic vapors and atom beams will be used to quantitatively study atom-photon interactions. Fluorescence, absorption, Faraday rotation, Doppler-free saturated absorption, and non-linear Faraday rotation spectra will be observed. Photonics, electronics, and vacuum technologies will be used in the lab. Theoretical calculations of atomic fine structure, hyperfine structure, absorption rates, optical pumping rates, and Zeeman shifts will be compare to data. Graduate-level requirements include homework problem assignments at an advanced level.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Typical structure:  3 hours laboratory, 3 hours lecture.
Identical to:  OPTI 578.
May be convened with:  PHYS 478.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 579A -- Advanced Relativistic Quantum Mechanics I  (3 units)
Description:  Pair production in e+e- annihilation; Klein-Gordon field; Dirac field; Feynman diagrams; basic quantum electrodynamics and radiative corrections; functional methods; renormalization and the renormalization group; critical exponents.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 515B, PHYS 570B.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 579B -- Advanced Relativistic Quantum Mechanics II  (3 units)
Description:  Non-abelian gauge invariance, quantization of non-abelian gauge theories, quantum chromodynamics, gauge theories with spontaneous symmetry breaking, quantization of spontaneously broken gauge theories. Standard Model of particle physics.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 579A.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 579C -- Advanced Relativistic Quantum Mechanics  (3 units)
Description:  Application of quantum field theory to particle physics. The Standard Model of elementary particles and interactions will be introduced and various topics will be covered, including symmetries, quantum gauge theories, quantum chromodynamics, electroweak theory and phenomenology, flavourdynamics, chiral Lagrangian, effective field theory, grand unification and alternatives to the Standard Model.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 579A, PHYS 579B or consent of instructor.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 580 -- Topics in Applied Quantum Mechanics  (1-3 units)
Description:  Runs in parallel with PHYS 472. Covers applications of quantum theory to a variety of realistic systems in particle physics (neutrino oscillations, k-mesons, CP violation; nuclear physics (shell model, isotopic spin; atomic physics (hydrogen atom, Hartree-Fock methods; condensed-matter physics (superconductivity and Cooper pairing). Also covers applications to chemistry (molecules, bonding, band structure) and theoretical foundations of quantum mechanics (Bell's inequality, Berry phase, measurement theory). Students conduct independent study projects on topics of their choosing, and give classroom presentations. Meets one evening per week for student presentations. Graduate-level requirements include a project at an appropriate level.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be convened with:  PHYS 480.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 581 -- Elementary Particle Physics  (3 units)
Description:  Production, interaction, and decay of mesons, baryons and leptons; high energy scattering of elementary particles; particle classification and symmetries; theoretical interpretation.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  PHYS 472.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 582 -- High Energy Astrophysics  (3 units)
Description:  Radiation mechanisms, synchrotron radiation, charged particle acceleration, pulsars, black holes, accretion disks, X-ray binaries, gamma-ray sources, radio galaxies, active galactic nuclei.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  ASTR 582; ASTR is home department.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 584 -- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy  (3 units)
Description:  Basic theory and interpretation of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods from a multidisciplinary perspective. The course covers experimental NMR methods; nuclear spin interactions; relaxation and dynamics; solid state NMR; liquid state NMR; and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Emphasis is placed on a unified description of magnetic resonance phenomena at a level appropriate for chemists, physicists, biochemists, and engineers.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  CHEM 480B or CHEM 481; or PHYS 371 or equivalent or consent of instructor.
May be repeated:  for credit 1 time (maximum 2 enrollments).
Identical to:  CHEM 584; CHEM is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 586 -- Techniques in Particle Physics  (3 units)
Description:  Classification of elementary particles and their interactions with matter, relativistic kinematics, detectors, data acquisition techniques, statistical techniques, analysis of experiments, cosmic radiation and accelerators.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 587 -- Nuclear Astrophysics  (3 units)
Description:  A survey of the origin of the elements in stars and the Big Bang. Topics include supernovae and stellar evolution, abundances in meteorites, metal-poor stars, and high-redshift systems, and the nature of the first stars.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  ASTR 587; ASTR is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 589 -- Topics in Theoretical Astrophysics  (3 units)
Description:  Current topics in theoretical astrophysics in depth, with emphasis on the methodology and techniques of the theorist and the cross-disciplinary nature of astrophysics theory. Example subjects are nuclear astrophysics, hydrodynamics, transient phenomena, planetary interiors and atmospheres, neutron stars, jets and the evolution of star clusters.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
May be repeated:  for credit 1 time (maximum 2 enrollments).
Identical to:  ASTR 589, PTYS 589.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 591 -- Preceptorship  (1-3 units)
Description:  Specialized work on an individual basis, consisting of instruction and practice in actual service in a department, program, or discipline. Teaching formats may include seminars, in-depth studies, laboratory work and patient study.
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P C D E.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 593 -- Internship  (1-6 units)
Description:  Specialized work on an individual basis, consisting of training and practice in actual service in a technical, business, or governmental establishment.
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P C D E.
May be repeated:  for credit 1 time (maximum 2 enrollments).
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PHYS 595F -- Topics in Entrepreneurship for Scientists  (1 unit)
Description:  This course will present different topics in and aspects of entrepreneurship specifically for undergraduate and graduate students in science Graduate-level requirements include the invention of a technology-based product and write an early stage business plan around that product with the intent of bringing that product to market. This project is intensive and involves a great deal more intellectual acuity, problem-solving, analysis, research, and foresight than the undergraduate project. The quantity of outside hours required of the graduate student project is significantly greater than that of the undergraduates, as is its degree of difficulty.
Grading:  Regular or alternative grades can be awarded for this course: A B C D E or S P C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  Some business knowledge is presumed, but not required. Students encouraged to take B AD 510 or an equivalent course. Proposal writing experience beneficial.
May be repeated:  for credit 3 times (maximum 4 enrollments).
Identical to:  ENTR 595F, MATH 595F, MCB 595F.
May be convened with:  PHYS 495F.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 596B -- Methods in Computational Astrophysics  (3 units)
Description:  The course is a "hands-on" introduction to computer use for research by scientists in astrophysics and related areas. The course begins with a survey of and introduction to tools available on Linux systems, web-based tools, and open-source software widely used in astrophysics. Standard methods for integration, iteration, differential and difference equations, and Monte Carlo simulations, are discussed, in one to four dimensions. Historically important methods of radiative transfer, reaction networks, and hydrodynamics are presented, and contrasted with presently-used methods. Parallel programming is introduced, and discussed in terms of new and future computer systems. Special topics are added to reflect new developments. The course is task-oriented, with individual and team work projects, and class participation determining grades. Most of the work is done on the student's own personal computer (Linux or Mac operating systems are preferred).
Grading:  Regular or alternative grades can be awarded for this course: A B C D E or S P C D E.
Identical to:  ASTR 596B; ASTR is home department.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 596C -- Medical Physics Seminar  (1 unit)
Description:  During the Medical Physics Seminar several areas of medical physics will be explored, including faculty research, professional issues and guest speakers. Students who attend the course will be up to date on current research, credentialing and professional issues.
Grading:  Regular or alternative grades can be awarded for this course: A B C D E or S P C D E.
Identical to:  RONC 596C; RONC is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 596F -- Topics in Cosmology and Particle Astrophysics  (3 units)
Description:  Cosmography, dynamical models of general relativity (Einstein, Yilmaz, Quantum Field Theory), Evolution of Cosmic Big Bang.
Grading:  Regular or alternative grades can be awarded for this course: A B C D E or S P C D E.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 596H -- Philosophy of Physical Science  (3 units)
Description:  The development and exchange of scholarly information, usually in a small group setting. The scope of work shall consist of research by course registrants, with the exchange of the results of such research through discussion, reports, and/or papers.
Grading:  Regular or alternative grades can be awarded for this course: A B C D E or S P C D E.
May be repeated:  for credit 2 times (maximum 3 enrollments).
Identical to:  PHIL 596H; PHIL is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 599 -- Independent Study  (1-6 units)
Description:  Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work. Graduate students doing independent work which cannot be classified as actual research will register for credit under course number 599, 699, or 799.
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P C D E.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PHYS 601A -- Radiation Dosimetry  (3 units)
Description:  Radiation dosimetry is the science of how ionizing radiation interacts with matter and specifically the energy absorbed. This course will deal with quantitative methods used to determine energy deposition. Topics will include radiation interactions, radiation measurements and dosimetry fundamentals.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  RONC 601A; RONC is home department.
Usually offered:  Fall.

PHYS 601B -- Therapeutic Radiological Physics  (3 units)
Description:  Therapeutic radiological physics is the study of using radiation to treat different medical pathologies. This course will cover areas of basic radiation physics, external beam therapy, brachytherapy and linear accelerators.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Identical to:  RONC 601B; RONC is home department.
Usually offered:  Spring.

PHYS 695A -- Current Problems in Physics  (1 unit)
Description:  contact department.
Grading:  Regular or alternative grades can be awarded for this course: A B C D E or S P C D E.
May be repeated:  for credit 1 time (maximum 2 enrollments).
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 697B -- Applied Mathematics Laboratory  (3 units)
Description:  The practical application of theoretical learning within a group setting and involving an exchange of ideas and practical methods, skills, and principles.
Grading:  Regular grades are awarded for this course: A B C D E.
Prerequisite(s):  applied math core or equivalent.
Identical to:  MATH 697B; MATH is home department.
Usually offered:  Spring, Summer.

PHYS 699 -- Independent Study  (1-3 units)
Description:  Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work. Graduate students doing independent work which cannot be classified as actual research will register for credit under course number 599, 699, or 799.
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P C D E.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PHYS 900 -- Research  (1-6 units)
Description:  Individual research, not related to thesis or dissertation preparation, by graduate students.
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P C D E K.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PHYS 909 -- Master's Report  (1-9 units)
Description:  Individual study or special project or formal report thereof submitted in lieu of thesis for certain master's degrees.
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P E K.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring.

PHYS 910 -- Thesis  (1-6 units)
Description:  Research for the master's thesis (whether library research, laboratory or field observation or research, artistic creation, or thesis writing). Maximum total credit permitted varies with the major department.
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P E K.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PHYS 920 -- Dissertation  (1-9 units)
Description:  Research for the doctoral dissertation (whether library research, laboratory or field observation or research, artistic creation, or dissertation writing).
Grading:  Alternative grades are awarded for this course: S P E K.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.

PHYS 930 -- Supplementary Registration  (1-9 units)
Description:  For students who have completed all course requirements for their advanced degree programs. May be used concurrently with other enrollments to bring to total number of units to the required minimum.
Grading:  Grade of K is awarded for this course except for the final term.
May be repeated:  an unlimited number of times, consult your department for details and possible restrictions.
Usually offered:  Fall, Spring, Summer.