Graduate Course Atlas - Fall Semester 2009

Content: An advanced-level graduate course on classical mechanics. Topics to be covered include: Lagrangian mechanics; conservation laws; integration of equations of motion; central forces and planetary motion; collisions between particles; small oscillations; motions of rigid bodies; motion in non-inertial frames; Hamilton's equations.

Particulars: Prerequisite-Consent of instructor.

Texts: Course of Theoretical Physics Volume 1: Mechanics, L.D. Landau and E.M. Lifshitz, ISBN 0 7506 2896 0

Content: General formulation of quantum mechanics and applications to various types of problems including: matrix formulation, quantization of physical observables, time evolution of a system state, perturbation theory, theory of angular momentum, two level systems, magnetic dipole-dipole interactions, spin-orbit interactions, anomalous Zeeman effect, exchange degeneracy and systems of identical particles, atomic structures, and scattering theory.

Particulars: Grades are based on homework assignments and class presentations. Problems are assigned on a regular basis. Subjects of presentations will be assigned by the instructor with the consent of the presenting students. Prerequisite-Physics 503A or consent of the instructor.

Content: Modern experimental techniques and hands-on laboratory projects, including semiconductor device physics, chaos in electronics, X-ray crystallography, and astronomical photometry.

Particulars: Prerequisite-Physics 253 AND consent of the instructor. Each student will complete written reports for at least three experimental projects. All students must register for both T 2:30-5:30 and W 2:30-5:30

Texts: Student Manual for the Art of Electronics

Content: This course is meant to provide physics graduate students, in their first year of study, and advanced undergraduates with the fundamental knowledge necessary to practice research in biophysics. Toward this goal, the first part of the course will introduce the concept of atomic (electronic) structure, including molecular orbitals and basic ligand field theory, pertinent to the discussion of the nature of the chemical bonds involved in the structure and function of biomacromolecules. The course will then discuss the interaction of biomacromolecules with different types of environments. The concepts of acids, bases, pH and buffer effects will be introduced along with those of membranes and Brownian motion. Subsequently, polymer chain statistics will be thoroughly discussed, followed by an analysis of binding interactions including a discussion of ensemble versus single-molecule analysis especially in relation to conformational changes, molecular motors. The course will conclude with a section dedicated to reaction dynamics: kinetics, especially enzyme kinetics, also at the single-molecule level.

Audience: Graduates and advanced undergraduates

Prerequisite: There are no a prior prerequisites given the nature of the course which is aimed at providing the basic tools for the understanding of the biochemical and biophysical behavior of macromolecules as a function of their environment.

Texts: TBA

Content: This seminar serves two purposes: (1) to set up and prepare to teach each week’s specific undergraduate laboratory experiment and (2) to read and discuss important studies that have come from the field of physics education research. In the short term, this survey of physics education research is meant to inform and improve the beginning teaching assistant’s effectiveness in the undergraduate classroom. In the long term, this seminar provides our graduate students with a significantly deeper teaching experience than the standard job as an introductory lab TA.

Audience: Required for physics graduate students, to be taken concurrently with the first semester of service as a teaching assistant.

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)

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

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