Graduate Course Atlas - Spring Semester 2006

Content:Introductory quantum theory, including the Schrödinger equation, uncertainty
principle, simple harmonic oscillator, central force problems, hydrogen atom,
operator formalism, matrix representation, and eigenvalue and eigenvector
problems.

Particulars: Grades are based on Exams and homework assignments. Problems are assigned on a regular basis. There is a midterm and a final exam.

Text: (Optional) Principles of Quantum Mechanics, Hans C. Ohanian (Prentice Hall)

Prerequisite: Physics 253 or consent of the instructor

Content: This course covers electro- and magneto-statics at the advanced undergraduate and first year graduate level. Topics covered include Gauss' and Ampere's laws both in their integral
and differential forms, as well as the scalar and vector potentials. This course is heavily
based upon multi-variable calculus and higher-dimensional derivatives such as divergence,
gradient and curl using various coordinate systems. Prerequisites are good working
knowledge of multi-dimensional calculus as well as basic knowledge of differential
equations in higher dimensions.

Text: Electromagnetism, Pollack & Stump, Addison-Wesley, 1st edition, 2002
Introduction to Electrodynamics, 2nd ed. , Griffiths

Content: Maxwell's Equations; Variational Principles; Conservation Laws; Green's Functions;
Retarded Green's Functions; Radiation-Field and Source Viewpoints; Models of
Antennas; Spectral Distribution of Radiation; Cerenkov Radiation; Synchrotron
Radiation; Propagation in Dielectric Media; Waveguides; Scattering by Small Obstacles; Diffraction.

Text: Classical Electrodynamics by Schwinger, DeRaad, Milton, Tsai

Content: Entropy, temperature, free energy, statistical mechanics, Gibbs ensembles, partition function, ideal gas, Fermi and Bose gases, principles of classical thermodynamics, Carnot Theorem, phase transitions, and critical phenomena.

Prerequisite: Physics 421 or equivalent.

Content: The course focuses on how structure and dynamics at the molecular level contribute to the observed function of biological systems, with a specific emphasis on proteins. An introduction to protein structure and dynamics is given, followed by a detailed examination of specific protein systems, including those involved in solar energy conversion, visual transduction and molecular motion (motors). A parallel focus is on the physical techniques of spectroscopy and scattering that are used to obtain the molecular-scale information. The physical techniques are described in the context of the problems in molecular biophysics that they have solved.

Audience: The course is intended for students in the physical, chemical or biological sciences who wish to understand fundamental molecular "operating principles" of biological systems, and specifically, proteins.

Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.

Particulars: Three take home exams; problem sets; term paper.

Prerequisite: (Written Permission of Instructor Required Prior to Pre-Registration)

Prerequisite: (Written Permission of Instructor Required Prior to Pre-Registration)

Prerequisite: (Written Permission of Instructor Required Prior to Pre-Registration)

Prerequisite: (Written Permission of Instructor Required Prior to Pre-Registration)

Prerequisite: (Written Permission of Instructor Required Prior to Pre-Registration)

Prerequisite: (Written Permission of Instructor Required Prior to Pre-Registration)

Prerequisite: (Written Permission of Instructor Required Prior to Pre-Registration)