Physics courses at Lehigh University

Courses for Undergraduates (200 level and below)

Courses for Advanced Undergraduates and Graduate Students (300 level)

Courses for Graduate Students (400 level)

Courses for Undergraduate Students (top)

Fundamental discoveries and concepts of physics and their relevance to current issues and modern technology. For students not intending to major in science or engineering. Lectures, demonstrations, group activities, and laboratories using modern instrumentation and computers. This is a non- calculus course: no previous background in physics is assumed. Three class meetings and one laboratory period per week. No prerequisites.

7. (PHY/ASTR 7) Introduction to Astronomy (3)

Introduction to planetary, stellar, galactic, and extragalactic astronomy. An examination of the surface characteristics, atmospheres, and motions of planets and other bodies in our solar system. Properties of the sun, stars, and galaxies, including the birth and death of stars, stellar explosions, and the formation of stellar remnants such as white dwarfs, neutron stars, pulsars, and black holes. Quasars, cosmology, and the evolution of the universe. May not be taken by students who have previously completed ASTR/PHY 105, 201, or 202.

8. (PHY/ASTR 8) Introduction to Astronomy Laboratory (1)

Laboratory to accompany PHY 7 (ASTR 7).

9. Introductory Physics I Completion (1-2)

For students who have Advanced Placement or transfer credit for 2 or 3 credits of PHY 11. The student will be scheduled for the appropriate part of PHY 11 to complete the missing material. The subject matter and credit hours will be determined by the Physics Department for each student. Students with AP Physics C credit for mechanics will take the thermodynamics and kinetic theory part of PHY 11 for one credit. Prerequisite: MATH 21, 31, or 51 previously or concurrently; and consent of the department.

10. General Physics I (4)

Statics, dynamics, conservation laws, thermodynamics, kinetic theory of gases, fluids. Primarily for architecture, biological science, earth and environmental science students. Prerequisite: MATH 21, 31, or 51, previously or concurrently.

11. Introductory Physics I (4)

Kinematics, frames of reference, laws of motion in Newtonian theory and in special relativity, conservation laws, as applied to the mechanics of mass points; temperature, heat and the laws of thermodynamics; kinetic theory of gases. Two lectures and two recitations per week. Prerequisite: Math 21, 31 or 51, previously or concurrently.

12. Introductory Physics Laboratory I (1)

A laboratory course taken concurrently with Phys 11. Experiments in mechanics, heat, and DC electrical circuits. One three-hour laboratory period per week. Prerequisite: Phys 11, preferably concurrently.

13. General Physics (3)

A continuation of Phys 10, primarily for biological science and earth and environmental science students. Electrostatics, electromagnetism, light, atomic physics, nuclear physics and radioactivity. Prerequisites: Phys 10 or 11 and Math 21, 31 or 51.

19. Introductory Physics II Completion (1-2)

For students who have Advanced Placement or transfer credit for 2 or 3 credits of PHY 21. The student will be scheduled for the appropriate part of PHY 21 to complete the missing material. The subject matter and credit hours will be determined by the Physics Department for each student. Students with AP Physics C credit for electricity and magnetism will take the optics and modern physics part of PHY 21 for one credit. Prerequisite: 4 credits of PHY 10 or 11, MATH 23, 32, or 52 previously or concurrently; and consent of the department.

21. Introductory Physics II (4)

A continuation of Phys 11. Electrostatics and magnetostatics; DC circuits; MaxwellÆs equations; waves; physical and geometrical optics; introduction to modern physics. Two lectures and two recitations per week. Prerequisite: Phy 11; Math 23, 32, or 44, previously or concurrently.

22. Introductory Physics Laboratory II (1)

A laboratory course to be taken concurrently with Phy 21. One three-hour laboratory period per week. Prerequisite: Phy 12; Phy 21, preferably concurrently.

31. Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (3)

Experimental basis and historical development of quantum mechanics; the Schroedinger equation; one- dimensional problems; angular momentum and the hydrogen atom; many-electron systems; spectra; selected applications. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite: Phy 13 or 21; Math 205, previously or concurrently.

91. Measurement and Transducers (1)

Computer-assisted laboratory course, dealing with physical phenomena in mechanics, electricity and magnetism, optics, spectroscopy and thermodynamics. Measurement strategies are developed and transducers devised. Computer simulation, analysis software, digital data acquisition. Prerequisites: Phys. 21 and 22 or their equivalent or consent of chairperson.

105. (PHY/ASTR 105, EES 105) PlanetaryAstronomy (4)

Structure and dynamics of planetary interiors, surfaces, and atmospheres. Models for the formation of the solar system and planetary evolution. Internal structure, surface topology, and composition of planets and other bodies in our solar system. Comparative study of planetary atmospheres. Organic materials in the solar system. Properties of the interplanetary medium, including dust and meteoroids. Orbital dynamics. Extrasolar planetary systems.

110 (PHY/ASTR 110) Methods of ObservationalAstronomy (1)

Techniques of astronomical observation, data reduction, and analysis. Photometry, spectroscopy, CCD imaging, and interferometry. Computational analysis. Examination of ground- based and spacecraft instrumentation, and data transmission, reduction, and analysis.

190. Electronics (3)

DC and AC circuits, diodes, transistors, operational amplifiers, oscillators, and digital circuitry. Two laboratories and one recitation per week. Prerequisites: Phy 21 and 22, or Phy 13 and 14.

For Advanced Undergraduates and Graduate Students (top)

201. (PHY/ASTR 201) Modern Astrophysics I (4)

Physics of stellar atmospheres and interiors, and the formation, evolution, and death of stars. Variable stars. The evolution of binary star systems. Novae, supernovae, white dwarfs, neutron stars, pulsars, and black holes. Stellar spectra, chemical compositions, and thermodynamic processes. Thermonuclear reactions. Interstellar medium. Prerequisites: PHY 10 and 13, or PHY 11 and 21, MATH 22 or 52.

202. (PHY/ASTR 202) Modern Astrophysics II (4)

The Milky Way Galaxy, galactic morphology, and evolutionary processes. Active galaxies and quasars. Observed properties of the universe. Relativistic cosmology, and the origin, evolution and fate of the universe. Elements of General Relativity and associated phenomena.
Prerequisites: PHY 10 and 13, or PHY 11 and 21, MATH 22 or 52.

212. Electricity and Magnetism I (3)

Electrostatics, magnetostatics, and electromagnetic induction. Prerequisites: Phys 21 or 13; Math 205, previously or concurrently.

213. Electricity and Magnetism II (3)

Maxwell's equations, Poynting's theorem, potentials, the wave equation, waves in vacuum and in materials, transmission and reflection at boundaries, guided waves, dispersion, electromagnetic field of moving charges, radiation, Lorentz invariance and other symmetries of Maxwell's equations. Prerequisite: Phys 212.

215. Classical Mechanics I (4)

Kinematics and dynamics of point masses with various force laws; conservation laws; systems of particles; rotating coordinate systems; rigid body motions; topics from LagrangeÆs and HamiltonÆs formulations of mechanics; continuum mechanics. Prerequisites: Phys 21 or Phys 13 and Math 205, previously or concurrently.

262. Advanced Physics Laboratory (2)

Laboratory practice, including machine shop, vacuum systems, and computer interfacing. Experiment selected from geometrical optics, interference and diffraction, spectroscopy, lasers, fiber optics, and quantum phenomena. Prerequisites: Phys 21 and 22, or Phys 13 and 22.

273. Research (2-3)

Participation in current research projects being carried out within the department. Intended for seniors majoring in the field. May be repeated once for credit.

281. Basic Physics I (3)

A course designed especially for secondary-school teachers in the master teacher program. Presupposing a background of two semesters of college mathematics through differential and integral calculus and of two semesters of college physics, the principles of physics are presented with emphasis on their fundamental nature rather than on their applications. Open only to secondary-school teachers and those planning to undertake teaching of secondary-school physics.

282. Basic Physics II (3)

Continuation of Phys 281.

Courses for Advanced Undergraduates and Graduate Students (top)

332. (PHY/ASTR 332) High-Energy Astrophysics (3)

Observation and theory of X-ray and gamma-ray sources, quasars, pulsars, radio galaxies, neutron stars, black holes. Results from ultraviolet, X-ray and gamma ray satellites. Prerequisites: Math 23 or 33, previously or concurrently, and Phys 21.

340. Thermal Physics (3) fall

Basic principles of thermodynamics, kinetic theory, and statistical mechanics, with emphasis on applications to classical and quantum mechanical physical systems. Prerequisites: Phys 13 or 21, and Math 23, 32 or 52.

342. (PHY/ASTR 342) Relativity and Cosmology (3)

Special and general relativity. Schwarzschild and Kerr black holes. Super massive stars. Relativistic theories of the origin and evolution of the universe. Prerequisites: Math 23 or 33, previously or concurrently, and Phys 21.

348. Plasma Physics (3)

Single particle behavior in electric and magnetic fields, plasmas as fluids, waves in plasmas, transport properties, kinetic theory of plasmas, controlled thermonuclear fusion devices. Prerequisites: Phys 21, Math 205, and senior standing or consent of the chairman of the department.

352. Modern Optics (3)

Paraxial optics, wave and vectorial theory of light, coherence and interference, diffraction, crystal optics, and lasers. Prerequisites: Math 205, and Phys 212 or ECE 202.

355. Lasers and Non-linear Optics (3)

Basic principles and selected applications of lasers and non- linear optics. Topics include electromagnetic theory of optical beams, optical resonators, laser oscillation, non-linear interaction of radiation with atomic systems, electro- and acousto-optics, optical noise, optical waveguides, and laser devices. Prerequisites: Phys 31; Phys 213 or ECE 203, previously or concurrently.

362. Atomic and Molecular Structure (3)

Review of quantum mechanical treatment of one-electron atoms, electron spin and fine structure, multi-electron atoms, Pauli principle, Zeeman and Stark effects, hyperfine structure, structure and spectra of simple molecules. Prerequisite: Phys 31 or Chm 341.

363. Physics of Solids (3)

Introduction to the theory of solids with particular reference to the physics of metals and semiconductors. Prerequisite: Phys 31 or Mat 316 or Chm 341, and Phy 340 or equivalent, previously or concurrently.

364. Nuclear and Elementary Particle
Physics (3)

Models, properties, and classification of nuclei and elementary particles; nuclear and elementary particle reactions and decays; radiation and particle detectors;
accelerators; applications. Prerequisites: PHY 31 and MATH 205.

365. Physics of Fluids (3)

Concepts of fluid dynamics; continuum and molecular approaches; waves, shocks and nozzle flows; nature of turbulence; experimental methods of study. Prerequisites: Phys 212 or ECE 202, and Phys 340 or ME 104 or equivalent, previously or concurrently.

369. Quantum Mechanics I (3)

Principles of quantum mechanics: Schroedinger, Heisenberg, and Dirac formulations. Applications to simple problems. Prerequisites: Phys 31, Math 205; Phys 215, previously or concurrently.

372. Special Topics in Physics (1-3)

Special topics in physics not sufficiently covered in the general courses. Lecture and recitations or conferences.

380. Introduction to Computational
Physics (3)

Numerical solution of physics and engineering problems using computational techniques. Topics include linear and nonlinear equations, interpolation, eigenvalues, ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, statistical analysis of data, Monte Carlo, and molecular dynamics methods. Prerequisite: MATH 205 previously or concurrently.

411 Survey of Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics (3)

Intended for non-specialists. Fundamentals and modern advanced topics in Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics. Topics include: nuclear force, structure of nuclei, nuclear models and reactions, scattering, elementary particle classification, SU(3), quarks, gluons, quark flavor and color, leptons, gauge theories, GUT, the big bang. Prerequisite: Phys 369; Text: Subatomic Physics, H. Frauenfelder and E. Henley

420 Mechanics (3)

Includes the variational methods of classical mechanics, methods of Hamilton and Lagrange, canonical transformations, Hamilton-Jacobi Theory. Text: Classical Mechanics, Goldstein

421. Electricity & Magnetism I (3)

Electrostatics, magnetostatics, Maxwell’s equations, dynamics of charged particles, multipole fields.

422. Electricity & Magnetism II (3)

Electrodynamics, electromagnetic radiation, physical optics, electrodynamics in anisotropic media. Special theory of relativity. Prerequisite: PHY 421.

424 Quantum Mechanics II (3)

General principles of quantum theory, approximation methods, spectra, symmetry laws, theory of scattering. Prerequisite: Phys 369 or equivalent; Text: A Modern Approach to Quantum Physics, J. Townsend

425 Quantum Mechanics III (3)

A continuation of Phys 424. Relativistic quantum theory of the electron, theory of radiation; Text: Advanced Quantum Mechanics, J.J. Sakurai

428. Methods of Mathematical Physics I (3)
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Analytical and numerical methods of solving the ordinary and partial differential equations that occur in physics and engineering. Includes treatments of complex variables, special functions, product solutions and integral transforms.

429. Methods of Mathematical Physics II (3)

Continuation of Physics 428 to include the use of integral equations. Green’s functions, group theory, and more on numerical methods. Prerequisite: PHY 428.

431 Theory of Solids (3)

Advanced topics in the theory of the electronic structure of solids. Many-electron theory. Theory of transport phenomena, magnetic properties, optical properties, superconductivity, point imperfections. Desirable preparation: Phys 363 and 424; Text: Solid State Physics, Ashcroft and Mermin

442 Statistical Mechanics(3)

General principles of statistical mechanics with application to thermodynamics and the equilibrium properties of matter. Prerequisite: Phys 340 and 369; Texts: Statistical Mechanics of Phases, Interfaces and Thin Films, Davis; and Statistical Mechanics, Huang and Kerson

443 Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics (3)

A continuation of Phys 442. Applications of kinetic theory and statistical mechanics to nonequilibrium processes, nonequilibrium thermodynamics. Prerequisite: Phys 442; Text: Introduction to Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics, McLennan

446 Atomic and Molecular Physics (3)

Advanced topics in the experimental and theoretical study of atomic and molecular structure. Topics include fine and hyperfine structure, Zeeman effect, interaction of light with matter, multi-electron atoms, molecular spectroscopy, spectral line broadening, atom-atom and electron-atom collisions, and modern experimental techniques. Prerequisite: Phy 424 or consent of the department. Text: Physics of Atoms and Molecules, Bransden and Joachain

455 Physics of Nonlinear Phenomena (3)

Basic concepts, theoretical methods of analysis and experimental development in nonlinear phenomena and chaos. Topics include nonlinear dynamics, including period-multiplying routes to chaos and strange attractors, fractal geometry and devil's staircase. Examples of both dissipative and conservative systems will be drawn from fluid flows, plasmas, nonlinear optics, mechanics and waves in disordered media. Text: Deterministic Chaos, H.G. Schuster

462 Theories of Elementary Particle Interactions (3)

Relativistic quantum theory with applications to the strong, electromagnetic, and weak interactions of elementary particles. Prerequisite: Phys 425.

467 Nuclear Theory (3)

Theory of low-energy nuclear phenomena within the framework of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics. Text: Nuclear Physics, Wong

471 Continuum Mechanics (Mech-411) (3)

An introduction to the continuum theories of the mechanics of solids and fluids. This includes a discussion of the mechanical and thermodynamical bases of the subject, as well as the use of invariance principles in formulating constitutive equations. Applications of the theories to specific problems are given.

472 Special Topics in Physics (1-3)

Selected topics not sufficiently covered in the more general courses. May be repeated for credit.

474 Seminar in Modern Physics (3)

Discussion of important advances in experimental physics. May be repeated for credit when a different topic is offered.

475 Seminar in Modern Physics (3)

Discussion of important advances in theoretical physics. May be repeated for credit when a different topic is offered.

482. Applied Optics (3)
Review of ray and wave optics with extension to inhomogenous media, polarized optical waves, crystal optics, beam optics in free space (Gaussian and other types of beams) and transmission through various optical elements, guided wave propagation in planar waveguides and fibers (modal analysis), incidence of chromatic and polarization mode dispersion, guided propagation of pulses, nonlinear effects in waveguides (solitons), periodic interactions in waveguides, acousto-optic and electro-optics. Prerequisite: PHY 352 or equivalent.

491. Research (3)
Research problems in experimental or theoretical physics.

492. Research (3)
Continuation of PHY 491. May be repeated for credit

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