Courses

Provides backup instruction for PHYS 1112. Recommended for students who either feel insecure about taking PHYS 1112 or simply want to develop their problem-solving skills. Emphasis is on getting the student to develop a deep understanding of basic concepts in mechanics. Class time is also spent looking at real life applications and discussing strategies to be successful in PHYS 1112.

Full details for PHYS 1012 - Physics 1112 Supplement

Provides backup instruction for PHYS 2213. Recommended for students who either feel insecure about taking PHYS 2213 or simply want to develop their problem-solving skills. Emphasis is on getting the student to develop a deep understanding of basic concepts in Electricity & Magnetism. Class time is also spent looking at real life applications and discussing strategies to be successful in PHYS 2213.

Full details for PHYS 1013 - Physics 2213 Supplement

PHYS 1101 and PHYS 1102 emphasize quantitative and conceptual understanding of the topics and tools of introductory physics developed without use of calculus.  The course offers individualized instruction. There are no scheduled lectures, discussion sections, or labs. Instruction occurs via one-on-one tutoring in the learning center, open Mon-Fri afternoons, Mon-Thurs evenings, and Sundays in fall and spring; Mon-Fri 9am-2pm in summer. Students learn through completing assigned readings, problems, and laboratory exercises and through individualized tutoring. Additionally, videotaped lectures, sample tests, overview sessions, and on-line tutorials are provided. The course format provides flexibility, but in some ways is more demanding than a course with a traditional format. Success requires discipline and well-developed study habits. Students without high school physics can succeed, but should allow extra time. Evaluation includes an oral notebook check and a written test for each unit; these must be completed within a flexible set of deadlines. Major topics for PHYS 1101: kinematics, forces and dynamics, momentum, energy, fluid mechanics, waves and sound, thermal physics, kinetic theory, and thermodynamics. At the level of College Physics vol. 1, 4th ed., by Giambattista, Richardson, and Richardson.

Full details for PHYS 1101 - General Physics I

First course in a three-semester introductory physic sequence. This course is taught in a largely "flipped', highly interactive manner, with reading preparation required for class. Covers the mechanics of particles with focus on kinematics, dynamics, conservation laws, central force fields, periodic motion. Mechanics of many-particle systems: center of mass, rotational mechanics of a rigid body, rotational equilibrium, and fluid mechanics.  Temperature, heat, the laws of thermodynamics. At the level of University Physics, Vol. 1, by Young and Freedman.

Full details for PHYS 1112 - Physics I: Mechanics & Heat

First in a three-semester introductory physics sequence. Explores quantitative modeling of the physical world through a study of mechanics. More mathematical and abstract than a typical mechanics course - for example, considers how choice of coordinate system (Cartesian, cylindrical, etc.) influences the nature of kinematical equations. Fast paced. Includes kinematics, dynamics, conservation laws, central force fields, periodic motion, and special relativity. At the level of An Introduction to Mechanics by Kleppner and Kolenkow.

Full details for PHYS 1116 - Physics I: Mechanics and Special Relativity

Students perform the laboratory component of one of the introductory courses (PHYS 1112, PHYS 2207, PHYS 2208, PHYS 2213, PHYS 2214) to complement the lecture-related course credit acquired elsewhere. Those wishing to take equivalent of one of these introductory courses at another institution should receive prior approval from the physics director of undergraduate studies.

Full details for PHYS 1190 - Introductory Laboratory (Transfer Supplement)

The world around us is constantly in motion: from the random thermal jostling of atoms to the swimming of bacteria, or the dancing of a ballerina these motions depend strongly on the size of the moving object. What physical laws govern motions on these different length scales? Our class will approach this question from an experiential point of view making use of in class demonstrations, movies, and extracurricular projects where students will construct simple experiments. The course is aimed to spark the curiosity of the general non-science student to engage with and explore the world around them. 

Full details for PHYS 1201 - Why the Sky Is Blue: Aspects of the Physical World

PHYS 2207-PHYS 2208 is a two-semester introduction to physics, intended for students majoring in biological science, physical science, or mathematics. The course provides a rich exposure to the methods of physics and to the basic analytical and scientific communication skills required by all scientists. Lectures are illustrated with applications from the sciences, medicine, and everyday life. Labs highlight topics from the lectures and utilize computer-aided data acquisition and analysis. Recitation sections emphasize learning via cooperative problem-solving. The course covers mechanics, conservation laws, gravitation, fluids, oscillations and waves, acoustics and thermal physics. At the level of University Physics for the Physical and Life Sciences, Vol. I, by Kesten and Tauck.

Full details for PHYS 2207 - Fundamentals of Physics I

Second in a three semester introductory physics sequence.  Topics include electrostatics, behavior of matter in electric fields, DC circuits, magnetic fields, Faraday's law, AC circuits, and electromagnetic waves. At the level of University Physics, Vol. 2, by Young and Freedman, 13th ed.

Full details for PHYS 2213 - Physics II: Electromagnetism

For majors in engineering (including bio-, civil, and environmental engineering), computer and information science, physics, earth and atmospheric science, and other physical and biological sciences who wish to understand the oscillation, wave, and quantum phenomena behind everyday experiences and modern technology including scientific/medical instrumentation. Covers the physics of oscillations and wave phenomena, including driven oscillations and resonance, mechanical waves, sound waves, electromagnetic waves, standing waves, Doppler effect, polarization, wave reflection and transmission, interference, diffraction, geometric optics and optical instruments, wave properties of particles, particles in potential wells, light emission and absorption, and quantum tunneling.  With applications to phenomena and measurement technologies in engineering, the physical sciences, and biological sciences.  Some familiarity with differential equations, complex representation of sinusoids, and Fourier analysis is desirable but not essential. As with PHYS 1112 and PHYS 2213, pre-class preparation involves reading notes and/or watching videos, and in-class activities focus on problem solving, demonstrations, and applications.

Full details for PHYS 2214 - Physics III: Oscillations, Waves, and Quantum Physics

Introduction to Einstein's Theory of Special Relativity, including Galilean and Lorentz transformations, the concept of simultaneity, time dilation and Lorentz contraction, the relativistic transformations of velocity, momentum and energy, and relativistic invariance in the laws of physics. At the level of An Introduction to Mechanics by Kleppner and Kolenkow.

Full details for PHYS 2216 - Introduction to Special Relativity

Second in a three semester introductory physics sequence. Explores quantitative modeling of the physical world through a study of electricity and magnetism. More mathematical and abstract than a typical introductory electricity and magnetism course. Topics include electrostatics, behavior of matter in electric fields, circuits, magnetic fields, Faraday's law, AC circuits, and electromagnetic waves. Makes substantial use of vector calculus. At the level of Electricity and Magnetism by Purcell.

Full details for PHYS 2217 - Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism

This course is divided into two parts. The larger segment of the course typically focuses on wave phenomena. Topics include coupled harmonic oscillators, strings, sound and light waves, superposition principle, wave equations, Fourier series and transforms, diffraction and interference. The discussion is at the level of The Physics of Waves by Georgi. The second segment of the course covers thermodynamics and statistical mechanics at the level of Thermal Physics by Schroeder.

Full details for PHYS 2218 - Physics III: Waves and Thermal Physics

Topics include breakdown of classical concepts in microphysics; light quanta and matter waves; Schrödinger equation and solutions for square well, harmonic oscillator, and the hydrogen atom; wave packets, scattering and tunneling effects, angular momentum, spin, and magnetic moments. At the level of An Introduction to Quantum Physics by French and Taylor and Introduction to Quantum Physics by Griffiths.

Full details for PHYS 3316 - Basics of Quantum Mechanics

Covers a number of applications of quantum mechanics to topics in modern physics. Uses the tools developed in PHYS 3316, and does not introduce new formalism. Topics include: the physics of single and multi-electron atoms, introduction to quantum statistics, band theory of solids, superconductivity, nuclear structure, elementary particle physics, and quantum computing.  Computational tools will be used to gain insights into the behavior of quantum systems. Previous familiarity with programing is a plus, though the course is self-contained. Students will develop their order-of-magnitude reasoning, and their modeling skills.

Full details for PHYS 3317 - Applications of Quantum Mechanics

A survey of electricity and magnetism that exploits the student's growing mathematical capability in order to explore the electromagnetic properties of of matter and vacuum  and their consequences.  Topics include electro/magnetostatics, boundary value problems, dielectric and magnetic media, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves, including guided waves, and sources and sinks of electromagnetic radiation. At the level of Introduction to Electrodynamics by Griffiths.

Full details for PHYS 3323 - Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism

Covers electro/magnetostatics, vector and scalar potentials, multipole expansion of the potential solutions to Laplace's Equation and boundary value problems, time-dependent electrodynamics, Maxwell's Equations, electromagnetic waves, reflection and refraction, wave guides, retarded potential, antennas, relativistic electrodynamics, four vectors, Lorentz, and transformation of fields. At the level of Classical Electromagnetic Radiation by Heald and Marion.

Full details for PHYS 3327 - Advanced Electricity and Magnetism

A practical laboratory course in basic and modern optics. Students use lasers and basic optical bench equipment to cover a wide range of topics from geometrical optics to interference, diffraction, and polarization. Each experimental setup is equipped with standard, off-the-shelf optics and opto-mechanical components to provide the students with hands-on experience in practical laboratory techniques currently employed in physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering. Students are also introduced to digital imaging and image processing techniques. Five projects are prescribed and one last project defined and designed by the student with help from the instructor. Each project will be documented by a professional laboratory notebook and a detailed scientific report. At the level of Optics by Hecht.

Full details for PHYS 3330 - Modern Experimental Optics

Practical electronics as encountered in a scientific or engineering research/development environment. Analyze, design, build, and test circuits using discrete components and integrated circuits. Analog circuits: resistors, capacitors, operational amplifiers, feedback amplifiers, oscillators, comparators, passive and active filters, diodes, and transistor switches and amplifiers. Digital circuits: combinational and sequential logic (gates, flipflops, registers, counters, timers), analog to digital (ADC) and digital to analog (DAC) conversion, signal averaging, and computer architecture and interfacing. Additional topics may include analog and digital signal processing, light wave communications, transducers, noise reduction techniques, and computer-aided circuit design. At the level of Art of Electronics by Horowitz and Hill.

Full details for PHYS 3360 - Electronic Circuits

Quantum statistical basis for equilibrium thermodynamics, microcanonical, canonical and grand canonical ensembles, and partition functions. Classical and quantum ideal gases, paramagnetic and multiple-state systems. Maxwell-Boltzmann, Fermi-Dirac, and Bose-Einstein statistics and applications. Introduction to systems of interacting particles. At the level of Introductory Statistical Mechanics by Bowley and Sanchez.

Full details for PHYS 4230 - Statistical Thermodynamics

Experiments of widely varying difficulty in one or more areas, as listed under PHYS 4410, may be done to fill the student's special requirements.

Full details for PHYS 4400 - Informal Advanced Laboratory

Over 50 available experiments on various topics including atomic and molecular spectroscopy, optics, condensed matter physics, nuclear physics, electrical and microwave circuits, x-rays, and magnetic resonance. Each student selects and performs three experiments. Independent work is stressed, and scientific writing and presentation skills are emphasized. Weekly lectures will cover techniques and skills necessary for the class and experimental physics in general.

Full details for PHYS 4410 - Advanced Experimental Physics

One-semester introduction to general relativity that develops the essential structure and phenomenology of the theory without requiring prior exposure to tensor analysis. General relativity is a fundamental cornerstone of physics that underlies several of the most exciting areas of current research, including relativistic astrophysics, cosmology, and the search for a quantum theory of gravity. The course briefly reviews special relativity, introduces basic aspects of differential geometry, including metrics, geodesics, and the Riemann tensor, describes black hole spacetimes and cosmological solutions, and concludes with the Einstein equation and its linearized gravitational wave solutions. At the level of Gravity: An Introduction to Einstein's General Relativity by Hartle.

Full details for PHYS 4445 - Introduction to General Relativity

Introduction the physics of crystalline solids. Covers crystal structures; electronic states; lattice vibrations; and metals, insulators, and semiconductors. Covers optical properties, magnetism, and superconductivity as time allows. The majority of the course addresses the foundations of the subject, but time is devoted to modern and/or technologically important topics such as quantum size effects. At the level of Introduction to Solid State Physics by Kittel or Solid State Physics by Ashcroft and Mermin.

Full details for PHYS 4454 - Introductory Solid State Physics

Covers numerical methods for ordinary and partial differential equations, linear algebra and eigenvalue problems, integration, nonlinear equations, optimization, and fast Fourier transforms. Find out how and why the "black-box" numerical routines you use work, how to improve and generalize them, and how to fix them when they don't. Based on the text Numerical Recipes by William H. Press, Saul A. Teukolsky, William T. Vetterling, and Brian P. Flannery.

Full details for PHYS 4480 - Computational Physics

Hardware that exploits quantum phenomena can dramatically alter the nature of computation. Though constructing a working quantum computer is a formidable technological challenge, the theory of quantum computation is of interest in itself, offering strikingly different perspectives on the nature of computation and information, as well as providing novel insights into the conceptual puzzles posed by the quantum theory. The course is intended both for physicists, unfamiliar with computational complexity theory or cryptography, and for computer scientists and mathematicians familiar with some aspects of quantum mechanics.  Topics include: simple quantum algorithms, error correction, cryptography, superdense coding, teleportation, and other forms of quantum information processing, and recent experimental advances. https://courses.cit.cornell.edu/physics4481-7681_2018fa/

Full details for PHYS 4481 - Quantum Information Processing

This 1.5-hour weekly seminar provides undergraduate and graduate students with an introduction to core concepts in physics education. Participants discuss articles and videos drawn from physics and science education research and from cognitive science, and engage in collaborative activities that help them become more effective teachers, communicators and learners. This seminar is especially valuable for those considering teaching physics at some point in their careers. Topics include: Questioning Strategies, Classroom Discourse, Teaching through misconceptions, Argumentation approach to instruction, Learning Theory, Conceptions and Conceptual Change and Fixed vs Growth Mind-set, Science Communication. Text: Articles from science, engineering, and math education journals.

Full details for PHYS 4484 - Teaching and Learning Physics

Designed to give qualified undergraduate students with an interest in teaching careers a structured introduction to teaching physics.  This experience includes attending and participating in weekly course staff meetings, partnering with a graduate teaching assistant in teaching cooperative learning sessions or laboratories in PHYS 1112, PHYS 1116, PHYS 1117, PHYS 2207, PHYS 2208, PHYS 2213, PHYS 2214, or PHYS 3316 and mentoring by a master physics teacher.  Total weekly time commitment is 3-4 hours, including staff meeting time, preparation time and 2 hours of contact time.

Full details for PHYS 4485 - Teaching Experience I

Teaching experience for qualified undergraduate students in PHYS 1101/PHYS 1102.  Contact time will be in the course's Learning Center, in a team environment with graduate student TAs and faculty. Activities include tutoring individual students, working with small groups, assisting students with lab experiments, and participating in course development initiatives.

Full details for PHYS 4486 - Teaching Experience II

Continuation of PHYS 4486 . Teaching experience for qualified undergraduate students to help with PHYS 1101/PHYS 1102. Contact time will be in the course's Learning Center, in a team environment with graduate student TAs and faculty. Activities include tutoring individual students, working with small groups, assisting students with lab experiments, and participating in course development initiatives.

Full details for PHYS 4487 - Teaching Experience III

Individual project work (reading or laboratory) in any branch of physics.  Products vary, but may include a thesis. Evaluation criteria are decided between student and faculty member.

Full details for PHYS 4490 - Independent Study in Physics

Experiments of widely varying difficulty in one or more areas, as listed under PHYS 6510, may be done to fill special requirements.

Full details for PHYS 6500 - Informal Graduate Laboratory

Over 50 available experiments on various topics including atomic and molecular spectroscopy, optics, condensed matter physics, nuclear physics, electrical and microwave circuits, x-rays, and magnetic resonance. Each student selects and performs three experiments. Independent work is stressed, and scientific writing and presentation skills are emphasized. Weekly lectures will cover techniques and skills necessary for the class and experimental physics in general.

Full details for PHYS 6510 - Advanced Experimental Physics

Projects of modern topical interest that involve some independent development work by student. Opportunity for more initiative in experimental work than is possible in PHYS 6510.

Full details for PHYS 6520 - Projects in Experimental Physics

Compact objects (neutron stars, black holes and white dwarfs) are the endpoints of stellar evolution. They are responsible for some of the most exotic phenomena in the universe including: supernova explosions, radio pulsars, magnetars, gamma-ray bursts, neutron star and black hole mergers, gravitational radiation and so on.  Supermassive black holes also lie at the heart of the violent processes in active galactic nuclei and quasars. The study of compact objects allows one to probe physics under extreme conditions (high densities, strong magnetic fields, and gravity). This course surveys the astrophysics of compact stars and related subjects. Emphasis is on the application of diverse theoretical physics tools to various observations of compact stars. There are no astronomy or general relativity prerequisites. At the level of Physics of Black Holes, White Dwarfs, and Neutron Stars by Shapiro and Teukolsky.

Full details for PHYS 6525 - Physics of Black Holes, White Dwarfs, and Neutron Stars

A comprehensive introduction to Einstein's theory of relativistic gravity. This course focuses on the formal structure of the theory.

Full details for PHYS 6553 - General Relativity I

Covers special relativity, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic potentials, conservation laws, Green's functions, electromagnetic waves, dispersion, radiation theory, and scattering. The practical application of appropriate mathematical methods is emphasized. At the level of Classical Electrodynamics by Jackson.

Full details for PHYS 6561 - Classical Electrodynamics

First part of the two-semester graduate quantum mechanics sequence. Covers non-relativistic quantum physics, focusing on fundamental conceptual issues and methods. Topics include: fundamental concepts of quantum mechanics using the Dirac notation, theory of angular momentum and spin, symmetries,  approximation methods and identical particles, at the level of Sakurai Modern Quantum Mechanics.

Full details for PHYS 6572 - Quantum Mechanics I

Intended to provide a detailed theoretical development of current ideas in cosmology. Topics include Big Bang cosmology and the universe's matter content; a cosmological chronology very early universe, symmetry breaking, inflationary scenarios, nucleosynthesis, recombination, growth of irregularities, galaxy formation and clustering, dark energy; current and future cosmological observational approaches.

Full details for PHYS 6599 - Cosmology

Foundations of fluid mechanics from an advanced viewpoint, including formulation of continuum fluid dynamics; kinematic descriptions of fluid flow, derivation of the Navier-Stokes equations and energy equation for compressible fluids; and sound waves, viscous flows, boundary layers, and potential flows.

Full details for PHYS 7601 - Foundations of Fluid Mechanics I

Survey of the physics of solids: crystal structures, X-ray diffraction, phonons, and electrons. Selected topics from semiconductors, magnetism, superconductivity, disordered materials, dielectric properties, and mesoscopic physics. The focus is to enable graduate research at the current frontiers of condensed matter physics.

Full details for PHYS 7635 - Solid-State Physics I

Introduction to relativistic quantum field theory for applications in particle physics. Topics include quantization of Klein-Gordon, Dirac and gauge fields, Lorentz invariance in quantum theory, perturbation theory, Feynman diagrams, calculation of decay rates and cross sections, and an introduction to radiative corrections, renormalization and effective field theories. At the level of Quantum Field Theory and the Standard Model by Schwartz.

Full details for PHYS 7651 - Relativistic Quantum Field Theory I

An advanced, graduate-level exploration of universality and scaling in complex systems exhibiting emergent scale invariance -- random walks, continuous phase transitions, earthquakes and crackling noise, mesoscale plasticity and quasi-brittle fracture. Emphasis on developing scaling descriptions for previously unknown systems.

Full details for PHYS 7653 - Statistical Physics II

Covers numerical methods for ordinary and partial differential equations, linear algebra and eigenvalue problems, integration, nonlinear equations, optimization, and fast Fourier transforms. Find out how and why the "black-box" numerical routines you use work, how to improve and generalize them, and how to fix them when they don't. Based on the text Numerical Recipes by William H. Press, Saul A. Teukolsky, William T. Vetterling, and Brian P. Flannery.

Full details for PHYS 7680 - Computational Physics

Hardware that exploits quantum phenomena can dramatically alter the nature of computation. Though constructing a working quantum computer is a formidable technological challenge, the theory of quantum computation is of interest in itself, offering strikingly different perspectives on the nature of computation and information, as well as providing novel insights into the conceptual puzzles posed by the quantum theory. The course is intended both for physicists, unfamiliar with computational complexity theory or cryptography, and for computer scientists and mathematicians familiar with some aspects of quantum mechanics.  Topics include: simple quantum algorithms, error correction, cryptography, superdense coding, teleportation, and other forms of quantum information processing, and recent experimental advances. https://courses.cit.cornell.edu/physics4481-7681_2018fa/

Full details for PHYS 7681 - Quantum Information Processing

This 1.5-hour weekly seminar provides undergraduate and graduate students with an introduction to core concepts in physics education. Participants discuss articles and videos drawn from physics and science education research and from cognitive science, and engage in collaborative activities that help them become more effective teachers, communicators and learners. This seminar is especially valuable for those considering teaching physics at some point in their careers. Topics include: Questioning Strategies, Classroom Discourse, Teaching through misconceptions, Argumentation approach to instruction, Learning Theory, Conceptions and Conceptual Change and Fixed vs Growth Mind-set, Science communication. Text: Articles from science, engineering, and math education journals.

Full details for PHYS 7684 - Teaching and Learning Physics

Special graduate study in some branch of physics, either theoretical or experimental, under the direction of any professorial member of the staff.

Full details for PHYS 7690 - Independent Study in Physics