Transfer Student Courses in Physics (Division 444)

Winter Term, 2000 (January 5 - April 26, 2000)

To see what Transfer Student courses have been added or changed in Physics this week go to What's New This Week.

The Physics Department discourages students from changing midstream from Physics 140 to Physics 125 or from Physics 240 to Physics 126, so it is important that students choose the first course of a physics sequence with care. Prospective engineers, physicists, and chemists should elect Physics 140/240 rather than Physics 125/126 because concentration programs in these areas require the Physics 140/240 sequence. In the case of some departmental concentration programs (e.g., biology) or in special individual circumstances, students can elect or are encouraged to elect the Physics 125/126 sequence. Some advisors will advise all students who have had calculus to elect Physics 140/240. Physics 140/240 can be elected by all students who have had calculus, but it should be elected only by students who enjoy solving difficult problems and who think that they will be good at it.

Note: If the Waitlist code on a Physics course is WL:5, then both sign on the waitlist through Touch-tone Registration and contact the department office.

Section 035, 036 – Keller Plan, Self-Paced, Individualized Instruction. No Formal Lectures With These Sections. Important That Students Pick Up Information In 2464 Randall Lab Before Registering For These Sections. Students are encouraged to Elect One Section of Physics 141.

Prerequisites & Distribution: Math. 115. Phys. 140 and 141 are normally elected concurrently. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in Phys. 125, 145, or 160. (4). (NS). (BS). (QR/1).

Credits: (4).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

Certain sections of Physics 240 are offered by the Keller Plan, a self-paced program without formal lectures. These sections are marked in the Time Schedule. An information sheet describing the format of Keller Plan offerings is available in the Physics Student Services Office (2464 Randall Lab). Students who want to elect Physics 240 by the Keller Plan should read this information before registering.

Section – There Will Be Three Evening Exams On Thurs., Feb 4, Mar 11 and Apr 8, 8-9:30 pm

Prerequisites & Distribution: Phys. 140, 145 or 160; and Math. 116. Phys. 240 and 241 are normally elected concurrently. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in 126 or 260. (4). (NS). (BS). (QR/1).

Credits: (4).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

See Physics 140 for a general description of the introductory physics sequence.

The topics covered in Physics 240 include classical electromagnetism: charge, Coulomb’s Law, electric fields, Gauss’ Law, electric potential, capacitors and dielectrics, current and resistance, electromotive force and circuits, magnetic fields, Biot-Savart Law, Ampere’s Law, Faraday’s Law of induction, and simple AC circuits. There will be three evening examinations (see Time Schedule for dates and times) and a final examination.

Section 001.

Prerequisites & Distribution: No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in Physics 489. (3). (NS). (BS). (QR/1).

Credits: (3).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

The purpose of this course is to study the physical aspects of the phenomena that make up the practice and experience of music, as well as to get a glimpse into physics as a mental activity. No previous expertise in either physics or music is required. The main emphasis will be on lecture demonstrations with student participation where feasible. Topics to be covered include: the nature of sound; mechanics of vibration; musical tones and intervals; scales and temperaments; wave motion, interference, and diffraction; propagation of sound through pipes; physics of brass instruments; physics of woodwind instruments; physics of string instruments; physics of the piano; and high-fidelity sound reproduction. A graduate-credit option (Physics 489) is available by supplementing the regular course with an appropriate independent project.

Section 001.

Prerequisites & Distribution: Phys. 125 or 140, and prior or concurrent enrollment in 126 or 240. (3). (NS). (BS). (QR/2).

Credits: (3).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

This course is intended for students interested in the application of physics to biology, biochemistry, physiology, psychology, genetics, medicine, bioengineering, and related life sciences. It provides an introduction to topics in biomechanics, biophysics, and medical physics including biosensors (EKG, EMG,...) and medical imaging (X-rays, CT, PET, MRI, ultrasound,...). The lectures will include interactive demonstrations requiring student participation and related audio-visual/CAI material will be provided for take-home assignments. Selected visits to related UM research facilities (e.g., at UM Hospital) will also be arranged. Grading will be based on in-class participation, take-home assignments, a midterm exam, and a final exam.

Prerequisites & Distribution: Phys. 240 or 260, and Math. 215. Concurrent election of Phys. 341 is strongly recommended. (3). (Excl). (BS).

Credits: (3).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

This course is the third in a three-term introductory physics sequence, and is required of all physics concentrators. The topics covered in this course include thermodynamics, light and optics, and special relativity. The Wave equation is treated in detail. The class meets in lecture, with applications and demonstrations of the topics covered.

Section 001.

Prerequisites & Distribution: Phys. 126/128 or 240/241, and Math. 216. (3). (Excl). (BS). (QR/1).

Credits: (3).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

This course is required for physics concentrators. It presents a systematic development of Newtonian mechanics beginning with single particle motion in one dimension and extending through multiparticle systems moving in three dimensions. The conservation laws of energy and linear and angular momentum are emphasized. Lagrangian mechanics is introduced, and Hamiltonian mechanics may be introduced as well. Physical systems treated in detail include the forced damped-oscillator, inverse square forced orbits, harmonic motion in two dimensions, coupled oscillations and rigid body motion in two and three dimensions. Mathematical topics given extensive treatment include vector algebra, elements of vector calculus, ordinary differential equations, plane and spherical polar coordinates and phasors and/or complex numbers. Grades are based on one or two exams and a two-hour final.

Section 001.

Prerequisites & Distribution: Phys. 126/128 or 240/241, and Math. 216. (3). (Excl). (BS).

Credits: (3).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

An introduction to the thermal and other macroscopic properties of matter, their description in terms of classical thermodynamics, and their microscopic interpretation from the perspective of statistical mechanics. Techniques from classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and elementary quantum mechanics will be used. Frequent homework problem assignments, at least one hour exam, and a final examination will be given.

Section 001.

Prerequisites & Distribution: Math. 216, and Phys. 340 or Chem. 463. (3). (Excl). (BS).

Credits: (3).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

Topics include diffusion in biology (electrical potentials across membranes, nerve action potentials, neuromuscular synapses, the physics of chemoreception, and reaction rate theory); optical techniques (visible and ultraviolet light absorption, fluorescence and phosphorescence); and random processes in biophysics (mathematics of random noise, membrane electrical fluctuations, quasielastic light scattering fluctuations, fluorescence fluctuations, and chaotic processes). This course is intended primarily for biophysics students, but it may be used as one of the two courses needed to satisfy requirement (4) of the physics concentration.

Section 001.

Prerequisites & Distribution: Concurrent registration in Phys. 421. Open only to elementary education concentrators. (3). (Excl).

Credits: (3).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

Physics 420 is a survey course designed for concentrators in elementary education. It focuses on material to be used in the elementary classroom.

Prerequisites & Distribution: Phys. 390 and any 400-level Physics course. (2). (Excl). (BS).

Credits: (2).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

This is an advanced laboratory course. A wide selection of individual experiments are offered. Students are required to select 5 experiments in consultation with the lab instruction. Experiments are to be selected from several different areas of physics.

Section 001.

Prerequisites & Distribution: Phys. 451. (3). (Excl). (BS).

Credits: (3).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

Physics 451 and 452 constitute a two-term sequence in mathematical methods of physics. Among various textbooks, G. Arfken, Mathematical Methods for Physicists, is often used; and in that case about 85% of the contents would be covered over two terms. This course is considered a necessary preparation for graduate school.

Section 001.

Prerequisites & Distribution: Phys. 390. (3). (Excl). (BS).

Credits: (3).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

This course begins with an overview of the experimental and theoretical foundations for quantum mechanics. The theory is developed and applied to simple physical systems, with examples taken from atomic, molecular, condensed matter, nuclear, and particle physics. Topics include: basics of the Schrödinger equations and its solutions in rectangular and spherical coordinates; properties, uses, and interpretations of state functions; expectation values and physical observables; coherence, correlation, and interference. Other topics include spin, the exclusion principle, and some quantum statistical mechanics.

Section 001.

Prerequisites & Distribution: Phys. 453. (3). (Excl). (BS).

Credits: (3).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

This course is a sequel to Physics 453, and continues to develop non-relativistic quantum mechanics from the perspective of atomic physics. Topics covered: quantum mechanics of the hydrogen atom; solving Schrödinger's equation for a single electron atom; spectra of alkali atoms: the quantum defect; orbital and spin magnetism; Fine structure; atoms in magnetic fields; quantum mechanics of atoms in magnetic fields; the Bloch equations; a brief look at relativity in quantum mechanics; atoms in electric fields, and introduction to perturbation theory; atoms in time-varying electric fields; time-dependent perturbation theory in a 2-level system; spin and photon echos; field quantization – why excited states decay. A peek at quantum electrodynamics: mass renormalization and the Lamb shift; optical transitions; theory of lineshape; multi-electron atoms; angular momentum coupling schemes; X-rays and inner shell spectroscopy; ground state configurations and terms; a peek at group theory; Hartree and Hartree Fock methods of calculating wave functions; nuclear spin and the hyperfine interaction; lasers; modern spectroscopy; chemical bonds.

Section 001.

Prerequisites & Distribution: Phys. 453. (3). (Excl). (BS).

Credits: (3).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

Main topics to be covered are cohesion in solids; Free Electron Theory in Metals; Periodicity in Solids, Crystal Structure, Symmetry, Reciprocal Lattice, Diffraction Methods, Electrons in Periodic Structures; Band Theory of Solids and Fermi Surfaces; Phonons, Thermal Effects; Applications to Semiconductor Devices. Students should have a background in thermodynamics, elementary statistical mechanics, plus a little quantum mechanics. There are three lectures per week, one of which may be a discussion period. Student evaluation is based on midterm and final exams; occasional short tests and weekly problem sets.

Section 001.

Prerequisites & Distribution: Open to junior and senior physics concentrators. (2). (Excl). (BS). Meets the Junior-Senior writing requirement.

Credits: (2).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

This course is intended to sharpen your skills at written and oral communication of scientific information. Students will be expected to give several oral presentations assisted by appropriate media. Writing projects of a variety of styles – e.g., review of a paper, review of a talk, technical scientific paper – will be assigned.

Section 001.

Prerequisites & Distribution: Permission of instructor. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in Physics 288. (3). (Excl). (BS). (QR/1). May not be included in a concentration plan in physics.

Credits: (3).

Course Homepage: No Homepage Submitted.

See Physics 288.001.