Current version - Indiana University South Bend

3783 IU SOUTH BEND COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
PHYS-P 323
PHYS-P 324
PHYS-P 331
PHYS-P 334
PHYS-P 340
PHYS-P 410
PHYS-P 441
PHYSICS 3 (3 cr.)
P: MATH-M 216, PHYS-P 222. Third
semester of a four-semester sequence.
Special relativity, introduction to
quantum theory, Schroedinger equation,
the hydrogen atom, many-electron
atoms, statistical physics, molecules, and
solids. I
PHYSICS 4 (3 cr.)
P: MATH-M 216, PHYS-P 323. Fourth semester
of a four-semester sequence. Conduction in
metals; semiconductors; superconductivity;
nuclear structure, reactions, and applications;
radioactivity; elementary particles; cosmology;
introduction to general relativity. II (odd years)
Theory of Electricity and
Magnetism (3 cr.)
P: PHYS-P 222, MATH-M 216.
Electrostatic potentials and electric
fields, differential operators, Laplace and
Poisson equations, dielectric materials,
steady currents, power and energy,
induction, magnetic fields, scalar and
vector potentials, Maxwell’s equations. I
(odd years)
Fundamentals of Optics (3 cr.)
P: PHYS-P 222, MATH-M 216.
Geometrical optics: matrix formulation
of the laws of reflection and refraction,
ray tracing with computers, aberrations.
Physical optics: interference, diffraction,
polarization, lasers, holography.
Thermodynamics and Statistical
Mechanics (3 cr.)
P: MATH-M 216, PHYS-P 323.
Intermediate course covering the three
laws of thermodynamics, classical and
quantum statistical mechanics, and some
applications. II (even years)
computing applications in physics
(3 cr.)
P: MATH-M 216, PHYS-P 222. Computing
methods and techniques applied to a broad
spectrum of physics problems. Emphasis
on least-squares method and other curvefitting
techniques of nonlinear functions;
montecarlo methods; data manipulation,
including sorting, retrieval, and display.
Analytical Mechanics I (3 cr.)
P: PHYS-P 222, MATH-M 216. C:
MATH-M 343 or consent of instructor.
Elementary mechanics of particles
and rigid bodies treated by methods
of calculus and differential equations.
Hamiltonian and Lagrangian methods,
continuum mechanics. I (even years)
PHYS-P 453
PHYS-P 473
PHYS-S 106
PHYS-S 405
PHYS-S 406
PHYS-T 105
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
(3 cr.)
P: PHYS-P 323. C: MATH-M 343 or consent
of instructor. The Schroedinger Equation
with applications to problems such as
barrier transmission, harmonic oscillation,
and the hydrogen atom. Discussion of
orbital and spin angular momentum,
and identical particles. Introduction to
perturbation theory. II (odd years)
introduction to string theory (3 cr.)
P: MATH-M 216, PHYS-P 323.
Introduction to the fundamentals of
string theory and some of its current
applications. Main themes include the
formulation of relativistic strings in
terms of the Nambu-Goto action and the
quantized string state space of open and
closed strings. Applications include string
compactification, T-duality of open and
closed strings, and D-branes.
CONTEMPORARY PHYSICS SEMINAR (1 cr.)
This course provides early exposure to
current and exciting topics in physics
and related fields at a qualitative level.
Sessions include presentations by faculty,
advanced students, and visiting scientists.
I, II
Readings in Physics (1-3 cr.)
P: Consent of instructor. Independent
reading under supervision of a faculty
member. Study in depth of a topic of
interest to the student, culminating in a
research paper.
Research project (1-6 cr.)
P: Consent of instructor. Research
participation in group or independent
project under the supervision of a faculty
member in department research areas; or
topic agreed upon between the student and
supervisor. Alternatively, internship in
industry or national laboratory, arranged
between the student, the student’s faculty
mentor, and internship supervisor.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE FOR ELEMENTARY
TEACHERS (4 cr.)
P: MATH-T 101. Principles of physical
science with focus on elementary
chemistry and physics. Laboratory,
demonstration, and exploration enrich
course material which develops the
expertise needed for success in the
elementary school classroom. Open
only to elementary education majors.
Does not satisfy the general-education
requirement in the College of Liberal Arts
and Sciences. II
P = Prerequisite, R = Recommended, C = Concomitant, VT = Variable Title
I = fall semester, II = spring semester, S = summer session(s)