87 courses with the subject PHYS, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
or PHYS 211 General Physics: Mechanics or PHYS 250 Introductory Physics I Select 5-6 credits of the following: 5-6 MATH 22 College Algebra With Analytic Geometry and & MATH 26 Applications II and Plane Trigonometry and Applications of
General Education Course 3 16 18
/Maximum of 9 Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.
/Maximum of 12 Courses offered in foreign countries by individual or group instruction.
& PHYS 212 and General Physics: Electricity and Magnetism & PHYS 213 and General Physics: Fluids and Thermal Physics & PHYS 214 and General Physics: Wave Motion and Quantum
Calculus-based introduction to classical mechanics, including such topics as: measurement, dimensional analysis, motion in one-dimension, vectors, motion in 2 and 3 dimensions, relative and circular motion, force and dynamics, Newton's Laws, friction, kinetic energy, work, potential energy, energy conservation, systems of particles, center of mass and momentum, elastic and inelastic collisions, rotation (moments of inertia), rolling motion, torque, angular momentum, static equilibrium, gravitational force and Kepler's laws, gravitational potential energy, oscillations, waves (transverse and longitudinal, superposition of waves). This course is designed to provide students with a working knowledge of the elementary physics principles mentioned above, as well as their applications, and to enhance their conceptual understanding of physical laws. The exact model varies at different campuses due to different resources and class sizes. Students attend several class meetings including at least one lab or activity period per week. Use of a combination of computer-based and traditional lab exercises is expected and collaborative learning exercises will be used in both small class sessions. The introduction of data acquisition and analysis methods (often making use of modern computer tools) will be stressed in the laboratory/activity period. As an honors course, compared to PHYS 211, in this course examples from the current research literature and more applications to physics research/applications can be made. The course is an important prerequisite for later work in many science and engineering disciplines. Enforced Concurrent at Enrollment: MATH 140 Bachelor of Arts: Natural Sciences General Education: Natural Sciences (GN)
MATH 140 or 140E (GQ) *‡#† 4 General Education Course † † General Education Course 3 General Education Course 1.5 † (GHW) 17 16.5
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/Maximum of 4 Calculus-based introduction to classical electricity and magnetism, including such topics as, electric charge and electric fields, Gauss's law, electric potential, capacitance, current, resistance, and circuits, magnetic fields, and fields due to currents, induction and inductance, magnetism of matter, Maxwell's equations, and electromagnetic oscillations. This course is designed to provide students with a working knowledge of the elementary physics principles mentioned above, as well as their applications, and to enhance their conceptual understanding of physical laws. The exact model varies at different campuses due to different resources and class sizes. Students attend several class meetings including at least one lab or activity period per week. Use of a combination of computer-based and traditional lab exercises is expected and collaborative learning exercises will be used in both small class session. Use of a combination of computer-based and traditional lab exercises is expected and collaborative learning exercises will be used in both small class settings. The introduction of data acquisition and analysis methods (often making use of modern computer tools) will be stressed in the laboratory/activity period. As an honors course, compared to PHYS 212, in this course, examples from the current research literature and more applications to physics research/applications can be made The course is an important prerequisite for later work in many science and engineering disciplines. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: MATH 140 and PHYS 211 Concurrent Courses: MATH 141 Bachelor of Arts: Natural Sciences General Education: Natural Sciences (GN)
ME 201 3 PHYS 213 EMCH 211 3 MATH 231
Course) Mathematical, or Physical *
Course) Government Service, Public Policy Course (from
Introduction to special and general relativity including space-time diagrams and relativistic kinematics, length contraction, time dilation, equivalence principles, curved space and cosmology. PHYS 230 Introduction to Relativity (3) This course is designed for science or engineering students who have successfully completed calculus-based physics courses through electricity and magnetism (PHYS 212), and differential and integral calculus (MATH 140 and MATH 141). Concurrent courses of linear algebra (MATH 220) and vector calculus (MATH 230 or MATH 231) are required. This course should provide the student with a mathematical and physical understanding of relativity theory beyond that which one encounters in semi-popular treatments of the subject. The mathematical skills which this course will develop, e.g. tensors and tensor analysis, should be especially useful to students in a wide range of science and engineering fields from computer science to physics and electrical engineering. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: PHYS 212 and MATH 141 Prerequisite or concurrent: MATH 220 and (MATH 230 or MATH 231)
Supporting Courses and Related Areas Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better Select two 400-level PHYS courses 6-8 Select two 400-level PHYS courses, except: • PHYS 444 • PHYS 446 • PHYS 457 • PHYS 457W • PHYS 494 • PHYS 494H • PHYS 495 • PHYS 496 • PHYS 496H • PHYS 499
Relativity and quantum theory applied to selected topics in atomic, molecular, solid state, and nuclear physics. PHYS 237H Introduction to Modern Physics (3) The course covers much of the modern physics curriculum including topics such as special relativity, the concepts and mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics, both in one- and three-dimensional model systems, and the applications of quantum theory to topics ranging from atomic/molecular, nuclear, particle, and condensed matter physics to astrophysics.In contrast to the non-honors version, PHYS 237H typically makes more frequent use of higher level mathematical concepts and involves the solution of more sophisticated problems. A number of topics are considered in more depth, and these Undergraduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 4709 often focus on connections of the material to real-life science research applications.
Undergraduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 55 ANSC Selection at 400-Level 3 400-Level Course Selection 3 Additional Selection in 3 Additional Selection in 3 Consultation with Adviser Consultation with Adviser 18 18 Total Credits 133-138 * Course requires a grade of C or better for the major ‡ Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education # Course is an Entrance to Major requirement † Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement Recommended GQ courses are MATH 110 or MATH 140 and STAT 200 or STAT 250. Course titles are available on the semester schedule of Animal Science courses offered. Recommended to complete ENGL 202C. University Requirements and General Education Notes: US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures). W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement. General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better. All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. Each course is 3 credits. Advising Notes: • Students are responsible for reviewing individual veterinary and graduate program requirements. Common requirements are included in the curriculum and can be found in the Veterinary Interested Student Worksheet.
General Education Course or 3 General Education Course or 3 ‡
/Maximum of 18 Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.
Consequences of Einstein's Theory of Rela Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.
/Maximum of 9 Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.
/Maximum of 12 Courses offered in foreign countries by individual or group instruction.
This course will introduce quantum mechanics from the perspective of quantum information science and engineering, focusing on two- level systems and the concepts of entanglement and decoherence. It will educate students on how quantum information can be used in quantum communication and quantum computing, both in theory and experiment. The course covers basic concepts such as two- level systems, Schroedinger equation, Bloch sphere, superposition, entanglement, quantum bits, quantum gates, Bell¿s inequalities, and mixed states. Covering these basic concepts prepare the students for more advanced courses in the minor where they learn in depth about quantum algorithms, physical implementation of different quantum systems, and how to compute with existing quantum computers. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: MATH 220 and PHYS 214 Cross-listed with: EE 337, ESC 337
its
or PHYS 458 Intermediate Optics Select 6-7 credits from items A, B, and/or C:
This course will provide an overview and introduction to the field of acoustics from a physics and engineering viewpoint. Topics will include the physics of oscillation and wave motion, frequency spectrum analysis, sound pressure levels, sound wave propagation in air and water, models of sound sources (monopoles, dipoles, quadrupoles, line arrays), standing waves and mode shapes in (string, membranes, pipes), acoustics of large and small rooms, noise and vibration measurements, human hearing and psychoacoustics, loudspeaker design and performance, and other engineering applications. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: PHYS 212 and (MATH 250 or MATH 251)
Introductory treatment of elementary particles, fundamental strong and electroweak interactions, nuclear structure, accelerators, particle detection, nuclear astrophysics. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: PHYS 410
3 Additional Courses 4 Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better 4 Select 12 credits of the following: 12 4 MATH 421 Complex Analysis 4 MATH 455 Introduction to Numerical Analysis I 2 MATH 456 Introduction to Numerical Analysis II 2 PHYS 402 Electronics for Scientists
General theory of angular momentum; approximation methods; scattering theory; radiation theory; applications to atomic, molecular, condensed matter, nuclear and particle physics. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: PHYS 410
This course provides an introduction to solid-state physics, which is the study of quantum, thermal, electrical, magnetic and structural properties of solids. Specific topics include crystal symmetry, X-ray structure analysis, lattice vibrations, thermal properties and phonons, free electron transport theory, elementary one-electron quantum theory of solids. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: MATH 230 or MATH 231 Concurrent at Enrollment: PHYS 410
3 PHYS 446 3 PHYS 494 Physics Research Project (1-3 credits) 3 PHYS 495 Internship (1-3 credits) 3 Supporting Courses and Related Areas 3 Select one of the following two sequences: 13 4 Sequence A 3 Select 8 credits of a world language Select 5 credits from a school-approved list 28 Sequence B
Principles of Newtonian, Lagrangian, and Hamiltonian mechanics of particles with applications to vibrations, rotations, orbital motion, and collisions. PHYS 419 / MATH 419 Theoretical Mechanics (3) A second course in classical mechanics, required of all physics majors who typically take it in their 5th or 6th semester. The course includes a review of relevant mathematics, detailed discussions of advanced topics in Newtonian mechanics, introductions to Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics, and applications to such forced oscillations, orbital motion, vibrational motion and normal modes, rigid body motion, and collisions.It is a prerequisite for Physics 461, which is a second semester extension. Undergraduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 4711 It is also a valuable background for most 400-level physics courses, especially Physics 410. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: (MATH 230 or MATH 231) and (MATH 250 or MATH 251) and PHYS 212 and PHYS 213 and PHYS 214 Cross-listed with: MATH 419
Basic postulates of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, microscopic quantum states and macroscopic parameters; partition functions; Maxwell- Boltzmann and quantum statistics. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: (MATH 250 or MATH 251) and (MATH 230 or MATH 231) and PHYS 237
Methodology focusing on the theory of measurement and experiment design. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: PHYS 237 Writing Across the Curriculum
300-400-level CMPSC 400-level MATH from departmental list 400-level STAT CMPSC 122 has CMPSC 121 as a prerequisite and CMPSC 132 has CMPSC 131 as a prerequisite so care should be taken when choosing the 'programming requirement' under the Common Requirements for the Major. Electronics Option (27 credits) Code Title Credi
Introduction to the physical implementation of quantum bits (qubits) based on state-of-the-art technologies. The course will consider issues in quantum information technology from an experimental point of view. The various types of qubits that will be discussed include those made with superconducting circuits, atoms (including ions, atoms and molecules), electron spins, and photons. In each case, the goal will be to develop a physical understanding of the various approaches, to get a sense of their
14 15
3 PHYS 458 Intermediate Optics 1 PHYS 479 Special and General Relativity 3 Supporting Courses and Related Areas 3 Select 3 additional credits from advanced courses in computer 3 4 science and engineering, mathematics, or statistics 4 Select 10-11 credits in consultation with adviser from department list Computer Science Option (33 credits) Code Title Credits
Geometrical and physical optics: theory of lens systems, aberrations, apertures, interference, diffraction, polarization. PHYS 458 Intermediate Optics (4) An intermediate optics course which builds on the wave and optics used in the 200-level introductory course, this course (which includes a lab component) focuses on physical and geometrical optics, propagation of light and its interaction with matter, polarization interference, and diffraction. Optical components such as lenses, mirrors, prisms, fiber optics, spectrometers, and interferometers are discussed and employed. The laboratory component includes a number of 1-2 period experiments designed to illustrate the principles of applied geometrical and physical optics. Longer (5 period) experiments are also included which utilize modern, computer-controlled multi-channel detection systems and are applied to such systems as thin-film optics and the optics of semi-conductors. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: PHYS 212 and PHYS 213 and PHYS 214 and (MATH 250 or MATH 251) and (MATH 230 or MATH 231)
Recommended Preparations: (PHYS 212, PHYS 213, PHYS 214,)
/Maximum of 3 The survival of a cell, organism or population in a variable environment depends on mounting specific responses to external stimuli. Each of these responses is governed by the coordinated action of multiple (potentially numerous) individual functional components. Understanding the collective behavior of such a complex interacting system is enabled by representing the system as a network, where we denote the components of the system with nodes and their interactions by edges. The properties of these interaction networks can then be analyzed by computational methods. This analysis can lead to important conclusions and predictions about the possible collective, dynamical behaviors of the system. The course will cover examples of network analysis - and modeling in biology and medicine, focusing on systems at the molecular and cellular level. After taking this course students will be able to integrate information to construct a network model corresponding to a biological system, to use graph theoretical measures to describe this network, and to use mathematical or computational methods to model the dynamic processes that take place in this system. These skills are important for careers in life science and medical research, in bioengineering and biotechnology. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: MATH 140 or BIOL 230W or BMB 251 or BME 201. Recommended Preparation: MATH 140B or MATH 141B or MATH 297. Cross-listed with: BIOL 465
to Medical Imaging and Treatments Choose one of the following capstone courses for the Bio-Tech cluster: BIOTC/MICRB Microbial Biotechnology 416 BIOTC/BIOL/ Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology HORT 459 Note: if a course is taken to satisfy 400-level elective, it cannot a used to satisfy capstone requirement. Digital Entrepreneurship and Innovation Cluster Code Title C
Mathematical description, physical concepts, and experimental tests of special and general relativity. MATH 479 / PHYS 479 Special and General Relativity (3) This course is intended as an elective course (within the undergraduate Physics program) for Physics majors to be taken in their senior year. Intended to be cross-listed with MATH, it can also be used in support of a Mathematics minor and, in some options, within the Math program as a program elective as well. The course significantly expands upon the introduction to Special Relativity (SR) seen in PHYS 237, including discussions of experimental tests of SR and applications to relativistic mechanics. It then introduces students to the mathematical machinery required to understand General Relativity (GR), starting with the description of curved spacetimes and geodesics. It discusses solutions to the Einstein equations and surveys the classic tests which established the validity of General Relativity. It concludes with applications of GR in such areas as black hold physics, the generation and detection of gravitational waves, other topics (such as cosmology, relativistic astrophysics, etc.). Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: PHYS 237 and PHYS 400 and PHYS 419 and (MATH 250 or MATH 251) and (MATH 230 or MATH 231) Cross-listed with: MATH 479 Bachelor of Arts: Quantification
/Maximum of 12 Investigation of an original research problem, including a literature search. Preparation of a formal thesis is optional.
/Maximum of 12 Investigation of an original research problem, including a literature search. Preparation of a formal thesis is optional.
Supporting Courses and Related Areas Select 3 credits from a school-approved list Undergraduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 2367 3 General Physics Option (28 credits) 2 Code Title Credits 4 Prescribed Courses 4 Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
/Maximum of 18 Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.
/Maximum of 18 Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.
/Maximum of 9 Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.
/Maximum of 12 Courses offered in foreign countries by individual or group instruction.
Foundations of general relativity, elements of differential geometry, Einstein's equation, Newtonian limit, gravity waves, Friedmann cosmologies and Schwarzschild solution.
Selected topics from: Cauchy problem, Hamiltonian formulation, positive energy theorems, asymptotics, gravitational radiation, singularity theorems, black-holes, cosmology, observational tests.
Electrons in periodic potentials; single electron approximations; lattice dynamics; electrical, optical, and magnetic properties of solids; transport theory. t Prerequisite: PHYS 412; Concurrent: PHYS 517
Electron-phonon interaction, BCS theory; Landau Fermi-liquid theory; disorder and localized states; spin-wave theroy; many-body theory.
This course focuses on interfacial and surface phenomena; structural, electronic, vibrational and thermodynamic properties; physisorption and chemisorption; phase transitions and ultrathin film nucleation; and growth phenomena.
This course gives students an overview of the theory and practice of calculations performed with Density Functional Theory (DFT). DFT is a powerful tool to calculate the structural and electronic properties of collections of atoms. The course emphasizes the practical aspects of the calculations and the theory will be only described as necessary to understand and perform correct calculations. The target audience of the course is students of Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical or
PHYS 530 PHYS 557
Critical phenomena using field theoretical and renormalization group techni- ques; solvable statistical models and conformal field study; fluctuations and random processes. PHYS 518 Critical Phenomena and Field Theory (3) The application of field theoretical methods, in particular, the renormalization group approach, has profoundly influenced our understanding of the physics of continuous phase transitions. In particular, they reveal the origin of universality between seemingly unrelated phase transitions, and the reason for the failure of the Landau Ginzburg theory close to the critical point. This course will begin with th concepts of the order parameter and spontaneous symmetry breaking, and the shortcomings of the Landau Ginzburg theory that neglects fluctuations of the order parameter. Subsequently, we will introduce field theoretical techniques and Feynman diagrams, and the basic foundations of the renormalization group method for integrating out rapidly fluctuating modes of the order parameter. These concepts will be applied to various classes of phase transitions, including the Heisenberg ferromagnet, nonlinear sigma model, and the Kosterlitz-Thouless model. Epsilon expansion will be performed in detail starting from both four and two dimensions, and a connection will be made to experiments, such as superfluid transition in thin helium films. No prior knowledge of field theory is required. The course grade will be based upon homework assignments and a term paper.
This course explores the role of topology and geometry in condensed matter physics. This course will cover a variety of topics, including Berry phase and Berry curvature, quantum Hall effect and quantum anomalous Hall effect, time reversal symmetry and quantum spin Hall effect, Landauer-Buttiker formalism, 3D topological insulators, Dirac and Weyl semimetals, as well as other research frontiers in topological physics of condensed matter systems. Students will engage with current research literature, discussing prototypical models, formal theory and experiments on topological states of matter. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: PUBH 301 and STAT 250 Recommended Preparations: STAT 184 Graduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 1331
Electronic structure, optical and transport properties of crystalline and amorphous semiconductors, quantum wells, superlattices; quantum devices; quantum Hall effect.
Complex variables, Hilbert spaces, linear operators, calculus of variations, Fourier analysis, Green's functions, distributions, differential equations, and special functions.
Finite and Lie groups, representations and application to condensed matter and particle physics; selected topics from differential geometry.
e 3 Credits This course provides an advanced overview of applications of numerical methods and computer programming to physics and astrophysics. Numerical calculations provide a powerful tool for understanding physical phenomena, complementing laboratory experiment and analytical mathematics. The main objectives of the course are: to survey the computational methods used for modeling physical and astrophysical systems; to apply the computational methods to solve real world problems in physics and astrophysics; to assess the reliability of numerical results using convergence tests and error estimates; and to use scientific visualization as a tool for computer programming development and for physical understanding of numerical results. Strong programming skill in any of the common programming languages such as C, C++, or Python, is highly recommended. Recommended Preparations:Strong programming skills are highly recommended. Cross-listed with: ASTRO 527
The ability to use formal control theory to observe and control neuronal systems is rapidly becoming more feasible as our models of neural systems become more realistic and as our advances in nonlinear Kalman filtering become more sophisticated. This course will explore the cutting edge of nonlinear state estimation of neuronal systems and the construction of control algorithms based on that state estimation. We will give an overview of several canonical neuroscience models, which represent experimental systems that can be controlled: the Hodgkin- Huxley equations, their reduction with the Fitzhugh-Nagumo equations, the Wilson-Cowan model of cortex, and recent models of Parkinson's disease. We will then apply nonlinear state estimation to measurements from such systems and construct control algorithms that interact with such models.
Newtonian mechanics, noninertial coordinate system, Lagrangian mechanics, small oscillations, Hamiltonian formulation, canonical transformations, Hamilton-Jacobi theroy, dynamical systems.
Baryons and mesons; leptons and quarks; electromagnetic and weak inter- actions and their unification; quantum chromodynamics; experimental techni- ques.
Weinberg-Salam model of electroweak interactions, spontaneous symmetry breaking, quantum chromodynamics; selected topics from grand unified theories and superstring theory.
Modern cosmology of the early universe, including inflation, the cosmic microwave background, nucleosynthesis, dark matter and energy. ASTRO (PHYS) 545 Cosmology (3)Cosmology is the scientific study of the universe as a whole: its physical contents, principal physical processes, and evolution through time. Modern cosmology, which began in the early 20th century, is undergoing a renaissance as a precision science as powerful ground- and space-based telescopes allow us to observe the formation of the first starts, galaxies and galaxy clusters; th echoes of the inflationary epoch as they are impressed upon the cosmic microwave background; and evidence for and clues to the nature of the mysterious dark energy, which is driving the accelerating expansion of the universe. This course will introduce students to the key observations and the theoretical framework through which we understand the physical cosmology of the early universe. Cross-listed with: ASTRO 545
Introduction to the fundamental concepts needed to understand the physics applicable to polymer melts, solutions and gels. MATSE (PHYS) 555 Polymer Physics I (3) This course develops fundamental understanding of the conformations of polymers in solution and melt states. We start with ideal chains that have random walk statistics. Next excluded volume is introduced to understand the self-avoiding walk conformation and collapsed conformation of real chains. The behavior ideal and real chains are studied in extension, compression and adsorption. While positive excluded volume leads to swelling, negative excluded volume leads to collapse and phase separation. The phase behavior of polymer mixtures and solutions is described in detail Semidilute solutions are understood in terms of two length scales where each chain changes it's conformational statistics. Scattering is used to determine the conformation of chains, their molar mass and their interactions with surroundings. Percolation theory is introduced to model the statistics of random branching and gelation. The rubber elasticity of fully developed networks is understood in terms of the stretching laws for network chains. Entanglement effects, swelling and viscoelasticity are discussed in detail. Once the conformations of polymers are understood, dynamics of polymer liquids are considered. In dilute solutions hydrodynamic interactions dominate and the viscoelasticity predicted by the Zimm model is derived. In unentangled melts of short chains, hydrodynamic interactions are screened and the Rouse model is used to understand viscoelasticity. Unentangled polymers in semidilute solutions have Zimm dynamics on small length scales and Rouse dynamics on longer length scales. Dynamic scattering techniques are discussed for measuring polymer dynamics. Entanglement effects are described using the tube model, where surrounding chains confine the motion of a given polymer to a tube-like region. The effects of concentration, chain length and polydispersity of linear chain polymer liquids are discussed in detail. The effects of branching on polymer dynamics are introduced at the level of simple structures such as star polymers and comb polymers. The course assumes some prior knowledge of polymers, usually obtained through an introductory undergraduate course. The students should attain a working understanding of the basic concepts of polymer physics in this course, allowing them to tackle more difficult problems in their research. Such skills are reinforced through homework and take-home examinations. Cross-listed with: MATSE 555
Special relativity, electromagneti fields, Maxwell's equations, conservation laws, electrostatics and magnetostatics. PHYS 557 Electrodynamics (3) The first half of the course starts from special relativity and uses Hamilton's principle to derive relativistic dynamics and Maxwell's equations. This approach, developed by Landau and Lifshitz, sets e classical electrodynamics in a broad base of theoretical physics, and provides insights to solving many interesting problems that might be hard to solve starting from the traditional approach of deriving Maxwell's equations empirically through Coulomb's law, the law of Biot and Savart, Faraday's law, and Maxwell's inclusion of displacement current. The second half is based on the classic textbook by Jackson, and is devoted to application of electrodynamics in various settings. This includes dynamics of charged particles in given electromagnetic fields, with special emphasis on problems with symmetry and the guiding center dynamics. Examples of such topics include electromechanical problems with the use of Lagrangian; fields generated by given distributions of charges and currents, especially for case of small sources, and the use of multiple expansions; polarization and magnetization, and Maxwell's equations in continuous media; boundary value problems; electromagnetic waves with single frequency in vacuum and medium; wave guides and resonant cavities; the generation of electromagnetic radiation.
Study and applications of techniques and instrumentation used in modern physics laboratories.
Postulates of quantum mechanics, Hilbert space methods, one dimensional potentials, spin systems, Harmonic oscillator, angular momentum, Hydrogen atom.
Addition of angular momenta, perturbation theory, variational principle, scattering theory, density matrices, identical particles, interpretations o quantum mechanics, Dirac theory.
Canonical and functional integral quantization of relativistic and non- relativistic field theories; Feynman diagrams; spontaneous symmetry breaking; renormalization group.
Abelian and non-Abelian gauge theories; renormalization group and operator product expansions; BRST quantization; scattering theory, other related topics.
Limitations of perturbative methods, conceptual problems; selected topics from black hole thermodynamics, canonical quantum gravity, loop space methods and string-theory.
Particle astrophysics is a discipline at the interface between physics and astronomy, which has undergone tremendous growth in the 21st century, with the commissioning and exciting results from very large facilities detecting the highest energy cosmic rays, neutrinos, gravitational waves, and gamma-rays. There is a rapid and ongoing expansion of the understanding of these radiations, their physics and their sources, which include supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, and active galactic nuclei, and there are major new facilities aimed at characterizing particle properties Graduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 1333 of dark matter and its cosmological effects. Students will be given an overview of the basics of particle astrophysics and to the latest data and its interpretation, stressing issues currently discussed by the community, with particular attention on major projects in which Penn State faculty are involved. The course is designed for graduate students in physics and astronomy and astrophysics, being also appropriate for students in nuclear engineering or related disciplines. Cross-listed with: ASTRO 570
Light-atom interactions, atomic structure, laser cooling and trapping, interferometry, and Bose-Einstein condensation. PHYS 571 Modern Atomic Physics (3) Students will learn the physics behind most of the major recent developments in the field of atomic physics, at the level required for research at the graduate level. Material to be covered will include selected topics from the following list: Light-atom interactions, f atomic structure, laser cooling, atom trapping and atomic optics, atom interferometry, precision measurements with atoms, quantum computing with atoms, atomic Bose-Einstein condensates, degenerate Fermi gases, reduced dimensionality systems, simulating condensed matter physics with atoms. Students will enhance their technical writing and presentation skills. Students will use the background they have acquired to develop an oral presentation related on a research advance related to modern atomic physics.
Theory of modern lasers, non-linear and quantum optics, photon statistics, laser spectroscopies, pulsed lasers. PHYS 572 Laser Physics and Quantum Optics (3) Students will learn the basic physics of lasers, how they work and how they are used, primarily for physics research at the graduate level. They will become familiar with a broad array of the most important topics of laser physics including mode competition, pulsed lasers, pulse propagation, non-linear laser spectroscopy, laser stabilization, and the quantum nature of laser light. Students will enhance their technical writing and presentation skills. Students will use the background they have acquired to develop an oral presentation related on a research advance related to lasers.
Introduction to elements of network theory used to describe and model complex networks; applictions in social, biological, and technological networks. PHYS 580 Elements of Network Science and Its Applications (3) Network Science is the study of network representations of physical, biological, and social phenomena leading to predictive models of these phenomena. This class will focus on four main questions asked by network science: (i) How do we use data analysis methods to determine or infer the interaction graphs underlying complex systems? (ii) How can we characterize the organizational features of large-scale networks? (iii) What are the mechanisms that determine the common topological features of a wide variety of networks? (iv) To what extent does the
There are two options. • Thesis option: A research-based thesis must be written. The thesis must be based on at least 6 credits of PHYS 600 or PHYS 610 and must conform to Graduate School regulations. The thesis must be accepted by the advisers and/or committee members, the head of the graduate program, and the Graduate School. • Nonthesis option: PHYS 530, PHYS 557, and either PHYS 561 or 410 are required. Students must complete at least 18 credits at the 500 level. This is an additional 6 to 10 credits beyond the required courses
/Maximum of 9 Creative projects, including nonthesis research, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.
/Maximum of 9 Formal courses given on a topical or special interest subject which may be offered infrequently.
/Maximum of 999 No description.
0 Credits/Maximum of 999 No description.
/Maximum of 6 Supervised experience in teaching and orientation to other selected aspects of the profession at The Pennsylvania State University
/Maximum of 999 No description.
An overview of the science of teaching and learning physics. This course will prepare physics graduate students to become both better learners and teachers through reading about, discussing, observing and practicing inclusive, evidence-based instructional and learning strategies.
Source: Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College's catalog, linked per course · table learning_unit · CourseShelf publish 59
