Course Recommendations by Research Specialty
Astronomy and High-Energy Astrophysics
The following courses are suggested for students interested in this research area. The recommendations are in addition to the departmental requirements for the various degrees.
A wide variety of research topics are available within these two groups. Hence, the best courses for each student will vary on a case by case basis, taking into account the background of the student and the recommendations of the adviser. In many astronomy departments it is not unusual for students to take as many as 12 graduate courses in physics and astronomy.
Core courses required for all research in astrophysics are
ASTR 451 Sun and Stars and
ASTR 452 Galaxies and Cosmology.
Most research projects require
PHYS 541 Radiative Processes.
Students also must participate in the AU (ASTR 500), a weekly astronomy seminar given by faculty, students, and outside speakers in order to gain experience presenting talks.
In addition, students typically take several of the following
ASTR 570 Solar System Physics
ASTR 542 Nebular Astrophysics
ASTR 554 Astrophysics of the Sun
ASTR 555 Protostars and Planets
ASTR 565 Compact Objects
PHYS 580 Introduction to Plasma Physics
PHYS 521 Quantum Mechanics I
PHYS 561 General Relativity
Students who lack a strong foundation in thermodynamics and statistical physics should consider taking PHYS 425 (Statistical and Thermal Physics).
Other useful courses include PHYS 522 (Quantum Mechanics II), PHYS 532 (Classical Electrodynamics), PHYS 515 (Classical Dynamics) and PHYS 526 (Statistical Physics). A good course for observers and experimentalists is ASTR 450 (Experimental Space Science). Students who want to specialize in numerical simulations will probably want to take PHYS 516 (Mathematical Methods) and advanced computation courses in the Computational and Applied Mathematics Department.
Atomic, Molecular and Optical (AMO) Physics
The following courses are suggested for students interested in this research area. The recommendations are in addition to the departmental requirements for the various degrees.
AMO physics studies simple systems that reveal the behavior of matter and light at a fundamental level. While the phenomena can be complex, physical intuition stems from a strong grounding in the classical areas. Further study introduces students to the terminology, concepts, and techniques of the field.
The core courses required for research in AMO physics are
PHYS 521 Quantum Mechanics I
PHYS 526 Statistical Physics
PHYS 532 Classical Electrodynamics
PHYS 515 Classical Dynamics
Students also typically take
PHYS 522 Quantum Mechanics II
PHYS 571 Modern Atomic Physics
PHYS 572 Fundamentals of Quantum Optics
Other valuable courses are
PHYS 516 Mathematical Methods
PHYS 517 Computational Physics
PHYS 537/538 Methods of Experimental Physics I and II
PHYS 563 Introduction to Solid State Physics I
PHYS 622 Quantum Field Theory
PHYS 664 Condensed Matter Theory: Many-Body Formalism
During the first year, interested students are encouraged to discuss course selection with professors doing research in AMO physics.
Biophysics
The following courses are suggested for students interested in this research area. The recommendations are in addition to the departmental requirements for the various degrees.
Biophysicists study the physical principles underlying the complex processes of living systems at all levels. Experimental and theoretical approaches to biophysical research require a strong background in fundamental physics. Due to the highly multidisciplinary nature of biophysics, additional coursework is determined by the area of specialization. Current research in the department focuses on molecular biophysics.
The core courses required for Biophysics are
PHYS 521 Quantum Mechanics I
PHYS 526 Statistical Physics
PHYS 532 Classical Electrodynamics
PHYS 515 Classical Dynamics
Students also typically take
PHYS 522 Quantum Mechanics II
PHYS 563 Introduction to Solid State Physics I
Other valuable courses are
PHYS 537/538 Methods of Experimental Physics I and II
PHYS 533/534 Nanostructure and Nanotechnology I and II
PHYS 551 Biological Physics
PHYS 552 Topics in Biological Physics
PHYS 610 Biological and Molecular Simulation
During the first year, interested students are encouraged to discuss course selection with professors doing research in Biophysics.
Condensed Matter and Nanoscale Physics
The following courses are suggested for students interested in this research area. The recommendations are in addition to the departmental requirements for the various degrees.
Condensed matter physics concerns systems with many degrees of freedom (e.g. metals) where many- body phenomena play an important role (e.g. superconductivity and magnetism). Nanoscale physics examines the evolution of these properties as the system size approaches the atomic scale. Graduate level proficiency in the fundamental concepts is an essential prerequisite, while further coursework focuses on specific phenomena and techniques of the field. The department sponsors both theoretical and experimental research in these areas.
All students pursuing research in CM or nanoscale physics must take the following courses:
PHYS 515 Classical Dynamics
PHYS 521 Quantum Mechanics I
PHYS 526 Statistical Physics
PHYS 532 Classical Electrodynamics
PHYS 563 Introduction to Solid State Physics I
Other valuable courses are
PHYS 533/534 Nanostructures and Nanotechnology I and II
PHYS 539 Characterization and Fabrication at the Nanoscale
PHYS 566 Surface Physics
PHYS 567 Quantum Materials
PHYS 516 Mathematical Methods
PHYS 537/538 Methods of Experimental Physics I and II
During the first year, interested students are encouraged to discuss course selection with professors doing research in CM and nanoscale physics.
Nuclear and Particle Physics
The following courses are suggested for students interested in this research area. The recommendations are in addition to the departmental requirements for the various degrees.
The courses required for research in nuclear and particle physics are:
PHYS 521 Quantum Mechanics I
PHYS 542 Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics
PHYS 543 Physics of Quarks and Leptons
Other valuable courses depending on student interests and focus are:
PHYS 516 Mathematical Methods
PHYS 517 Computational Physics
PHYS 526 Statistical Physics
PHYS 561 General Relativity
PHYS 522 Quantum Mechanics II
PHYS 622 Quantum Field Theory
ASTR 452 Galaxies and Cosmology.
Space Plasma Physics
The following courses are suggested for students interested in this research area. The recommendations are in addition to the departmental requirements for the various degrees.
Courses that are essential to space plasma physics:
ASTR 570 Solar System Physics
PHYS 580 Introduction to Plasma Physics
PHYS 532 Classical Electrodynamics
Additional courses that some space physics faculty advise their students to take:
ASTR 451 Sun and Stars
PHYS 521 Quantum Mechanics I
Relevant Math Courses:
PHYS 516 (Mathematical Methods) deals mostly with the classic theoretical methods of physics and is recommended for people who wish to use a lot of analytic theory in their research or who need some brushing up in that type of work. People who wish to do computer simulations in their research should take PHYS 517 (Computational Physics) and may wish to take a course in numerical methods or programming from another department. Possibilities include CAAM 420 Computational Science I, and CAAM 520, Computational Science II.
Some advanced courses in space plasma physics are offered every two or three years. A graduate student specializing in space plasma physics will probably be advised to take some of these courses, depending on the situation.
PHYS 510 Magnetospheric Physics
PHYS 519 Plasma Kinetic Theory
ASTR 554 Astrophysics of the Sun