An asterisk (*) denotes an elective that has been explicitly stated to count towards the physics major. Otherwise, you may need to ask the department if this course will satisfy the major requirement for physics electives. Two asterisks (**) denote a graduate-level class, recommended for highly motivated, upper-level undergraduates. Consent to take this course must be given by the instructor before enrolling.
The quarter each course is offered is given in parentheses after each course title as Autumn (A), Winter (W), or Spring (S).
Quantum Information/computing
CHEM 26800: Quantum Molecular and Materials Modeling * (S) An exploration of quantum mechanical methods and quantum chemistry for the purpose of simulating the properties of molecules and materials MENG 26400: Quantum Computation * (W) An introduction to the fundamentals of quantum computing. Topics include entanglement, quantum entanglement, cryptography, teleportation, and error correction. PHYS 24300: Advanced Quantum Mechanics * (W) Covers topics including symmetry in quantum mechanics, quantum mechanics and electromagnetism, path integral formulation, adiabatic approximation and Berry phase, and more. MENG 25510: Quantum Molecular and Materials Modeling (S) Quantum mechanical methods for simulating the properties of molecules and materials, along with the introduction of numerical algorithms and techniques allowing for the solution of approximate forms of the Schrödinger and Boltzmann equations. Will cover examples of the application of quantum mechanical methods for energy conversion and quantum information technologies. (Requires PHYS 23400)
Condensed matter, Materials science & engineering
CHEM 26800: Quantum Molecular and Materials Modeling * (S) An exploration of quantum mechanical methods and quantum chemistry for the purpose of simulating the properties of molecules and materials
PHYS 23600: Solid State Physics* (W) Topics include crystal structure, crystal binding, lattice vibrations and phonons, liquid helium, the free-electron model, semi-conductors, and the optical properties of solids.
MENG 21400: Molecular Engineering Thermodynamics (S) An integration of thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and chemical physics to describe the properties of matter and behaviors of systems at equilibrium, as well as to understand the relationship between intermolecular forces and macroscopic properties.
MENG 25300: Molecular Science and Engineering of Water (A) This course covers the properties of water, hydrogen bonding, clusters, supercritical water, condensed phases, solutions, nucleation, water splitting and fuel cells, and more.
MENG 25500: Classical Molecular and Materials Modeling (W) An introduction to the methods of molecular modeling and molecular dynamics, as well as ensemble methods and advanced sampling techniques.
MENG 25510: Quantum Molecular and Materials Modeling (S) Quantum mechanical methods for simulating the properties of molecules and materials, along with the introduction of numerical algorithms and techniques allowing for the solution of approximate forms of the Schrödinger and Boltzmann equations. Will cover examples of the application of quantum mechanical methods for energy conversion and quantum information technologies.
PHYS 36700: Soft Condensed Matter ** (S)
Biophysics
BIOS 29326: Introduction to Medical Physics and Medical Imaging * (S) An exploration in the interaction of radiation with matter, and how such interactions may be used in medical imaging and cancer treatment.
BIOS 21506: Biological Physics * (S) This course is an introduction to the physics of living matter. Its goal is to understand the design principles from physics that characterize the condensed and organized matter of living systems. Topics include: basic structures of proteins, nucleotides, and biological membranes; application of statistical mechanics to diffusion and transport; hydrodynamics of low Reynolds number fluids; thermodynamics and chemical equilibrium; physical chemistry of binding affinity and kinetics; solution electrostatics and depletion effect; biopolymer mechanics; cellular mechanics and motions; molecular motors.
BIOS 29326: Introduction to Medical Physics and Medical Imaging *
Applications of Physics in Engineering
PHYS 21400: Creative Machines and Innovative Instrumentation * (W) Topics include mechanical design, machining, materials properties, computer aided design, circuit design, and electrical measurement.
PHYS 22600: Electronics * (S) A hands-on course exploring the properties of diodes, amplifiers, operational amplifiers, oscillators, logic gates, digital circuits, and more.
MENG 25310: Energy Storage and Conversion Devices (W) An exploration of energy conversion devices such as solar cells, wind turbines, and fuel cells, as well as energy storage systems such as lithium ion batteries and redox-flow batteries.
MENG 26300: Engineering Electrodynamics * (S) An advanced course in electromagnetism with an engineering focus. Requires preparation in calculus based electrostatics and magnetostatics as well as vector calculus.
MENG 26600: Electronic and Quantum Materials for Technology (S) An introductory course on the science and engineering of electronic and quantum materials, covering the basics of the electrical and optical properties of electronic materials and how these materials enable modern electronic and optoelectronic devices and circuitry.
MENG 26620: Physics of Solid State Semiconductor Devices (A) This course covers the fundamental concepts needed to understand nano-electronics semiconductor devices, and the physics behind major semiconductor devices such as the p-n junction diode, solar cells, LEDS, and more.
Particle physics
PHYS 23700: Nuclei and Elementary Particles * (S) Covers topics such as nuclear structure, processes of transformations, passage of nuclear radiation and matter, accelerators and detectors, photons, leptons, mesons and baryons, hadronic interactions, and the weak interaction.
PHYS 36300: Introduction to Particle Physics ** (S)
optics
MENG 26500: Foundations of Quantum Optics (A) This course provides an foundation in the fundamental principles and applications of quantum optics. This includes discussion of Fermi’s Golden Rule, interaction of two-level atoms and light, spontaneous emission, Rabi oscillations, beam splitters, coherence, entanglement, and more. MENG 26510: Optics and Photonics (W) This course covers the basic properties of light, its propagation in and interactions with matter, and techniques for generating, guiding, and detecting light.
General relativity
PHYS 25400: Spacetime and Black Holes (A) This course is an introduction to general relativity, focusing on metrics and geodesics, and treating gravity as the curvature of four-dimensional spacetime. Covers special relativity, curved spacetime, and properties of black holes and their orbits.
Fluids
GEOS 24230: Geophysical Fluid Dynamics: Foundations * (A) This course is for incoming graduate students in physical sciences intending to take further courses in geophysical fluid dynamics, fluid dynamics, condensed matter physics, and other areas requiring this fundamental skill set. It sets the stage for follow-on courses that present the detail of the behavior of fluids and continuums in geophysical, physical, chemical, and other settings. Undergrads who take this course should intend to complete a second fluid-dynamics course in Geophysical Sciences.
GEOS 24240. Geophysical Fluid Dynamics: Rotation and Stratification * (W) This course is an introduction to geophysical fluid dynamics for upper-level undergraduates and starting graduate students. The topics covered will be the equations of motion, the effects of rotation and stratification, shallow water systems and isentropic coordinates, vorticity and potential vorticity, and simplified equations for the ocean and atmosphere.
GEOS 24250. Geophysical Fluid Dynamics: Understanding the Motions of the Atmosphere and Oceans * (S) This course is part of the atmospheres and oceans sequence (GEOS 24220, 24230, 24240, 24250) and is expected to follow Geophysical Fluid Dynamics: Rotation and Stratification (GEOS 24240). The course demonstrates how the fundamental principles of geophysical fluid dynamics are manifested in the large-scale circulation of the atmosphere and oceans and their laboratory analogs.