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Physics PHYCS Course Descriptions |
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University of Utah General Catalog 2002-2003
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| College of Science
Department Office: 201 James Fletcher Building, 581-6901 Department Chair. Z. V. Vardeny, Ph.D. Associate Chairs. C. DeTar, Ph.D. Faculty Distinguished Professors. A. Efros, P. C. Taylor, Z.Z. Vardeny Professors. D. Ailion, G. Cassiday, J.W. DeFord, C. DeTar, F. Harris, D. Kieda, K. Kuchar, D. Mattis, R. Price, M. Raikh, P. Sokolsky, B. Sutherland, O. Symko, Z. V. Vardeny, C. Williams, G. Williams, Y.S. Wu. Associate Professors. B. Bromley, R.R. Du, C. Jui, B. Saam, J. Shi. Assistant Professors. K. Becker, K. Martens, R.W. Springer, V. Vassiliev. Research Professors. W. Gellerman, V. Kozhevnikov, K. Pokhodnya, S. Rudolph, P. Sommers, J. Worlock. Research Associate Professor. Z. Cao, J. Matthews, L. Wiencke. Research Assistant Professors. E. Abdel-Rahman, V. Apalkov, C. Beetle, I. Ermakov, C. Inglefield, G. Laicher, M. Zudov. Research Associate Professor (Lecturer). R. Ingebretsen. Research Assistant Professors (Lecturers). A. Pantziris, C. Stone. Instructors (Lecturers). L. Higgs, S. Jackson. Adjunct Professors. B. Altshuler, S. Bishop, J. Bjorken, R. Blinc, E. Ehrenfreund, J. Facelli, T. Gaisser, W. Harrison, C. Isham, C. Johnson, K. Liou, A. Madan, J. Ormes, D. Parker, J. Pullin, M. Salamon, S. Shastry, F. Stecker, G. Stringfellow. Adjunct Assistant Professor. S. Blair. Adviser. Coordinator of Advising, Lynn Higgs, 201-E JFB, 581-7140, higgs@physics.utah.edu. The scope of physics is so vast and plays such a fundamental, important role in all engineering and science disciplines that it is difficult to define physics without limiting its breadth. For example, astrophysicists have the largest possible laboratory—the universe. Elementary-particle physicists are interested in what happens inside the atomic nucleus. They learn about nature's fundamental building blocks that make up nuclear particles. Although these two extremes may seem unrelated, new discoveries on the subnuclear scale are now thought to be keys that will unlock the mysteries of the universe on the grandest scale. Because of their diversified interests, physicists become involved in a wide variety of research areas. The principles of physics form the basis of all of the other natural sciences. In particular, disciplines such as chemistry, meteorology, and engineering require a good physics background for success. Students planning to major in these areas should take the relevant physics courses as early as possible in their careers. Students interested in a medical career should consider physics as an undergraduate major. Undergraduate Program Degrees. B.A., B.S. Departmental Advising. Physics majors and minors should see the department adviser, Lynn Higgs, 201-E JFB, for counseling and schedule planning. (Students can easily waste a year by not obtaining proper counseling.) The Physics Undergraduate Handbook is available to all potential physics majors. Preparation. The time and effort needed to finish the physics degree depends on the student's precollege preparation. The best high school preparation is to take all mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and English courses offered. Many high schools offer advanced placement (AP) physics. A score of 3, 4, or 5 on the AP Physics C exams may provide eight hours of credit, but waiving of the PHYCS 2210 or 2220 requirement may be done only with departmental approval. Hours of AP credit received upon admission do not automatically release a student from a course requirement. Requests to exempt a class must be approved by the department adviser or associate chair. Students who took AP physics in high school and receive a 4 or 5 on the AP test are urged to start with the PHYCS 2210 or 3210 series. Entering freshmen normally begin mathematics studies in the MATH 1210, 1220 sequence, depending upon preparation. Students should refer to the placement and prerequisites listing under Mathematics elsewhere in this section of the catalog to determine appropriate placement in math courses. Many students have been able to get both physics and mathematics degrees with only minor changes in a typical program. If interested, see Lynn Higgs, 201 JFB, for details. Physics classes numbered below the PHYCS 2210, 2220 sequence do not count toward the 30 hours required for a physics degree. Students who have not taken high school physics should consider taking PHYCS 1100 to prepare for PHYCS 2210. Physics majors and minors must complete all general education and College of Science requirements and have a GPA of at least 2.0 in physics courses combined. All required physics, math, and chemistry classes must be passed with at least a C- grade. The CR/NC option may not be elected for any course used to fulfill the degree requirements for a physics major or minor. All beginning or transfer physics majors must meet before registration with Lynn Higgs, 201 JFB, to work out individual programs and be assigned a faculty adviser. Although more frequent counseling is recommended, students must meet with their adviser at least one semester before graduation for an exit interview and to ensure their program meets all requirements. Four different undergraduate tracks are offered: the preprofessional option, the applied option, the physics of modern technology (PMT) option, and the pre-med option. The preprofessional option is designed to serve as preparation for graduate study in physics or other scientific or engineering disciplines. The applied program is intended for students aiming for a technical career in which a grounding in physics will be important. The applied program is also an excellent preparation for secondary school science teaching, science or technology related administration, etc. In the new PMT program, motivated students will learn the way in which physical principles are related to real-world problems. This program uses an innovative integration of theory, laboratory, and computation, and is intended to prepare students to be leaders in areas of rapidly changing technology. The premed physics program replaces some of the elective requirements with courses in biology and chemistry. This program is designed to give the best preparation to a student planning on medical school. A physics degree is an excellent preparation for a career in medicine, law, secondary school science teaching, science- or technology-related administration, technical writing, or business. The preprofessional technical curriculum consists approximately of the following:
The physics bachelor's degree normally requires four years. Both programs require a minimum of 30 semester hours of approved physics courses. PHYCS 1100, 2010, 2110 and all courses listed under physics courses for nonscientists do not count toward the 30 hours. Preprofessional Program The preprofessional program is a rigorous one designed for students intending to go on to a doctoral program in physics or a closely related discipline. The model program below is for the well-prepared student who has had AP calculus and AP physics in high school. Many students in the preprofessional program are also in the Honors
Program.
A suggested model sequence of recommended courses for the well-prepared student would also include, in order of importance: PHYCS 3610 Electronics I
Preprofessional Program First Year
Spring Semester
Second Year
Spring Semester
Third Year
Spring Semester
Fourth Year
Spring Semester
** Assumes student has a 3, 4, or 5 on the AP calculus BC test. The starting course in math depends on the AP calculus score. Other starting points for the Preprofessional Program are possible. Note: This model program assumes a well-prepared student who has had AP calculus and AP physics in high school. Less well prepared students are encouraged to major in physics, but may need to start with Math 1210 the first year. Students should see an adviser to make appropriate adjustments to the program. Variations are possible. Consult with Mr. Higgs. This model program contains 60 hours required by the Physics Department. The remaining 62 hours need to be selected to fill general education requirements. Check with the University College, 450 SSB, to make certain all University general requirements are filled. Applied Program The Applied Physics Program is for those who in all likelihood will stop their formal education at the bachelor level or who will continue their training in some other field. However, this program leads naturally into the master's of instrumentation physics degree. It is an excellent program for prelaw students and for students planning on other professional graduate programs. I. Course Requirements
Applied Program First Year
Spring Semester
Second Year
Spring Semester
Third Year
Spring Semester
Fourth Year
Spring Semester
Note: Students who have had AP calculus and physics in high school may start with more advanced courses. Students should see an adviser to make appropriate adjustments to the program. Physics of Modern Technology Program The PMT program will prepare students to be leaders in fields connected to the rapidly changing technology of the modern world. The program gives students a solid understanding of the connection of technology to underlying principles, so that graduates will be able to adapt quickly to changes and can be among those who are making the changes. As compared with a traditional physics curriculum, there is some sacrifice of breadth of coverage in exchange for depth of understanding and integration of theory, laboratory, and computation. In addition, the program includes practice with technical writing and group work that are part of the high-technology workplace, but are not part of a typical physics program. This is an excellent program for prelaw students I. Course Requirements
Physics of Modern Technology Program First Year
Spring Semester
Second Year
Spring Semester
Third Year
Spring Semester
Fourth Year
Spring Semester
Note: This model program assumes the student has had precalculus and physics in high school. Students with more preparation in high school may start the program with more advanced courses. Students should see an adviser to make appropriate adjustments to the program. Pre Medical Physics Program
First Year
Spring Semester
Second Year
Spring Semester
Third Year
Spring Semester
Fourth Year
Spring Semester
*This program assumes AP math preparation in high school. Other
starting points are possible but may require an additional semester or
a summer semester.
Additional Requirements for All Degrees Exit Interview. Graduating undergraduates must meet with the administrative manager at least one semester before graduation to have their programs checked to see that they meet all the requirements. Students must also fill out an exit interview form. Exit interview forms may be picked up in 201D JFB, or call the records secretary at 581-5697. In addition to the exit interview, all students are encouraged to make suggestions or comments at any time to the administrative manager or to the department chairperson. Engineering Physics Programs. Variations in the applied physics and preprofessional programs to allow preparation for specific graduate engineering programs may be arranged. See the department adviser. Allied Work. The minimum mathematics requirements for a physics major are MATH 1210, 1220, 2210, 2250, 3150, and 3160. Substitutions are possible with prior written approval from the assigned faculty adviser. Computer science literacy is important for the physics major. Students are also encouraged to take PHYCS 6740 in addition to PHYCS 3730 for greater depth. CHEM 1210, 1220, 1230, and 1240 are required. Courses in allied fields such as chemistry, computer science, and mathematics are recommended, particularly advanced courses in mathematics, in addition to the prerequisites for individual physics courses. All students are required to have 40 hours of course work above the 3000 level. The outlined applied program only provides 37 of those hours. Students must plan on taking an additional three hours of upper-division course work. Several special double-major programs can be arranged (for example, physics/geophysics, physics/materials science). For details, see the department adviser. A few physics courses are listed under the general education program. (See courses for nonscientists listed among physics courses.) Requirements for the Minor Physics majors and minors must complete all general education and College of Science requirements and have a GPA of at least 2.0 in physics courses combined. All physics, math, and chemistry classes must be passed with at least a C-grade. The credit/no-credit option may not be elected for any course used to fulfill the degree requirements for a physics major or minor. To obtain an undergraduate minor in physics, a student must complete at least 16 hours of approved course work. The following courses would count toward the 16 hours. PHYCS 2210, 2220, 2219, 2229
Two essentially similar courses (e.g., PHYCS 4410 and 5010) cannot both be counted toward a minor. Additional recommended courses include PHYCS 3410, 3730, 5450, 5460 and 5510, 5520. Courses that may not be counted for a physics minor include courses lower than the PHYCS 2210, 2220; PHYCS 3060, 3110 and PHYCS 3970. Students may obtain proposed minor approval from Lynn Higgs, 201 JFB. Teaching Major, Minor, Certification. Please refer to Education in the Colleges section for information on teaching major and minor course requirements and state secondary teacher certification. Graduate Program Degrees. M.A., M.S., M.Phil, Ph.D. in physics. See also the Graduate Information section of this catalog. Detailed information about the graduate programs, examinations, financial aid, and research areas is found in the department's Graduate Student Handbook or the Graduate Studies in Physics brochure, available in the department office. For more information, contact Lynn Higgs, 201 JFB. Areas of Specialization. Areas include the theoretical and experimental study of condensed-matter physics; cosmic rays and fundamental particles and their interactions; general relativity and cosmology; and laser physics. A Ph.D. in physics with a medical physics emphasis is available. A specialty at the master's level in instrumentation physics is also offered. Also a physics M.S. with Computational Physics Emphasis is offered. Interdisciplinary studies are available in chemical physics and other fields by special arrangement. Admission to Candidacy. The GRE Advanced Test in Physics is required of all incoming graduate students. A written and oral common examination is given at the beginning of graduate study. It includes material from general physics, PHYCS 3760, 4410, 4420, 5450, 5460. Students must pass this exam before candidacy in the physics Ph.D. program. Master's Degree. A supervisory committee is appointed to guide the study and thesis research of acceptable candidates. The final examination is usually oral, but a written part may be required. The thesis is optional. Early consultation with the supervisory committee is extremely important. Instrumentation Specialty. This program qualifies those with training in science and engineering fields to work with and develop modern instrumentation and control. Study includes numerical analysis by computer, electronics, microprocessor and minicomputer data acquisition and control techniques, and the physical principles of the operation of various measurement transducers. The student takes part in developing an instrumentation project selected from a variety of research and industrial test areas. In many cases, the project occurs in disciplines other than physics. Computational Physics Emphasis. This Physics Masters of Science program provides interdisciplinary training in the use of computers to solve problems in Physics, Computer Science, and Mathematics. With advice and assistance from a supervisory committee the student selects a computational project connected with ongoing campus research or with his or her employment. The project report and documentation constitutes the Master's thesis. M.S. Degree Program in Computational Engineering and Science.
Ph.D. Degree. Those who perform satisfactorily on the common examination may arrange for a physics thesis supervisor through the director of graduate studies. Ph.D. candidates must pass a specialized examination and publish results of research. The Chemical Physics Executive Committee chair acts as graduate adviser for those in this interdisciplinary program. Those interested in interdisciplinary study in other specialized areas should contact the director of graduate studies. Medical Physics Program. The medical physics program is designed to give an appropriate education to physics Ph.D. students desiring to specialize in some branch of medical physics. This program will provide students with a solid physics background (through core and elective courses) but will still allow enough flexibility for students to perform research in medical and other interdisciplinary areas (through elective courses). The research will normally be supervised jointly by faculty from the Physics Department and from medical departments. Areas of current research in medical physics in the Physics Department include nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applied to lungs (Professor Ailion), MRI with hyperpolarized noble gases (Professor Saam), biomedical optics and materials research for medical and laser applications (Professor Gellerman), imaging of biological structures and surfaces using Scanning Probe Microscopy (Professor Williams). Professors Symko, Taylor and Vardeny also have some connection in their research to medical physics. |
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