Physics, Astronomy and Materials Science Courses
Astronomy (AST) courses
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Prerequisite: AST 113 or AST 114 or AST 115; and MTH 303.
Formation of planetary systems, planetary dynamics, and comparative planetology. Project required. May be taught concurrently with AST 313 and/or AST 513. May only receive credit for one of AST 313, AST 513, and AST 613.
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Prerequisite: AST 113 or AST 114 or AST 115; and MTH 303.
Basic concepts of stellar structure, atmospheres, and evolution. Project required. May be taught concurrently with AST 315 and/or AST 615. May only receive credit for one of AST 315, AST 515, and AST 615.
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Prerequisite: AST 113 or AST 114 or AST 115; and MTH 303.
Study of galaxies and the Universe. Topics include the structure and content of our Galaxy and other galaxies, clusters of galaxies, the Big Bang theory (including Inflation), and the eventual fate of our Universe. Project required. May be taught concurrently with AST 317 and/or 617. May only receive credit for one of AST 317, AST 517, and AST 617.
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Theory and techniques of observational astronomy.
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Advanced astronomical observational techniques in imaging, photometry, spectroscopy, and astrometry. Techniques of data and error analysis. Laboratory portion will include obtaining and analyzing observational data.
Materials Science (MAT) courses
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Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
Variable content course. Topics to be chosen from current areas of interest in Materials Science. May be repeated to a maximum of six hours with a different topic. May be taught concurrently with MAT 509. Cannot receive credit for both MAT 509 and MAT 609.
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An introduction to techniques in electron microscopy with a primary emphasis on scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis. Theoretical background and experimental procedures involve both techniques but the major focus will be on obtaining secondary electron images. Additional coverage will include sample preparation, back-scattered electron imaging, X-ray mapping, and related image processing techniques. May be taught concurrently with MAT 514. Cannot receive credit for both MAT 514 and MAT 614.
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Prerequisite: PHY 343 or CHM 506 or CHM 606.
Review of classical thermodynamics, equilibrium in thermodynamic systems, the statistical interpretation of entropy, unary and multi-component systems, thermodynamics of phase diagrams and phase equilibrium. May be taught concurrently with MAT 540. Cannot receive credit for both MAT 540 and MAT 640.
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Prerequisite: PHY 375 or CHM 507 or CHM 607.
Investigation of the relationships that exist between the structure, properties, processing and performance of materials. Different types of materials will be studied with a special emphasis on polymers and semiconductors. Structure-property correlations, including electronic, thermal, and mechanical properties, will be presented for these materials. May be taught concurrently with MAT 550. Cannot receive credit for both MAT 550 and MAT 651.
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Prerequisite: PHY 375 or CHM 507 or CHM 607.
Review of quantum mechanics, followed by an in-depth study of crystal structures, energy band structures in solids, lattice dynamics, and a survey of the physical properties of solids. May be taught concurrently with MAT 580. Cannot receive credit for both MAT 580 and MAT 681.
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Advanced topics in quantum mechanics including variational methods, approximation techniques, time-independent and time-dependent perturbation theory, second quantization, and the interactions of light with matter.
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Laboratory techniques necessary for the development of instrumentation. Topics will include elementary computer interfacing, prototype design, mechanical and electronic construction, and reliability testing. The student will develop, design and build a test instrument and study each of the above topics during this process.
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Course includes the study of advanced electronic properties of materials, lattice dynamics, and a survey of the optical-electronic interactions in materials.
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Experimental techniques in the synthesis of advanced materials applications in electronics and energy technology. The mechanism of growth of thin films using different deposition techniques will be studied. Structural and physical characterization of the thin films will also be studied. Experimental methods including physical vapor deposition, X-ray diffraction, and optical spetrocopies and analysis will be studied.
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Preparation of polymers, including the techniques of condensation polymerization, free radical polymerization, and if time permits, plasma polymerization. Characterization experiments will be viscosity measurements, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermal gravimetric analysis. Film preparation including spin coating, aspiration, and doctor blade systems will also be investigated.
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Selective topics in materials science important to the design, testing, fabrication, and manufacture of materials whose underlying theme is mathematical modeling based in statistical methods. The topics include mass transport in solids, atomic diffusion on surfaces, adsorption and desorption on surfaces, epitaxial growth, degradation of materials, queuing theory, and operations research.
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Prerequisite: PHY 575 or PHY 675 or equivalent Introduction to Quantum Mechanics course.
The course aims to provide an introduction to and practical applications in high-performance computing as implemented in atomistic-based computational materials science. Topics include electronic structure calculations, classical molecular dynamics, Monte-Carlo simulations and crystal structure predictions for materials processes and/or fundamental materials properties.
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Completion of an internship project (480 hours) at a discipline-related business, nonprofit organization, or government agency, approved and supervised by both the departmental and internship advisors. Includes a formal report in the appropriate professional format, and an oral presentation at an approved venue. Graded Pass/Not Pass only. No more than 6 hours may count toward a master's degree.
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Prerequisite: candidate for the MS degree in Materials Science.
Selected topics in materials science of a theoretical, experimental, or applied nature with an emphasis on recent developments and their impact. May be repeated to a maximum of four hours.
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Prerequisite: permission.
Supervised research in areas of materials science. May be repeated, but no more than 12 hours may be counted toward the MS degree.
Physics (PHY) courses
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Prerequisite: permission.
Variable content, variable credit course. Topics to be chosen from current areas of interest. May be repeated to a maximum of six hours with different topic. May be taught concurrently with PHY 509. Cannot receive credit for both PHY 509 and PHY 609.
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Prerequisite: PHY 375 or CHM 607.
A mathematical development of the principles of quantum mechanics and their application to selected systems. Topics include Schrodinger's equation, operators, Heisenberg uncertainty principle, angular momentum, and applications, including the hydrogen atom. May be taught concurrently with PHY 575. Cannot receive credit for both PHY 575 and PHY 675.
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Prerequisite: PHY 291 or permission of instructor.
Computational techniques related to physical sciences including techniques used for data analysis. An exploration of scientific operating systems, programs used for analysis and simulations, and methods for analyzing data and producing simulations. May be taught concurrently with PHY 591. Cannot receive credit for both PHY 591 and PHY 692.
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Prerequisite: permission.
Workshop to upgrade understanding of selected topics in science, and improve elementary, middle school and/or secondary science teaching. Each workshop will include performance and analysis of appropriate investigations to enhance understanding of the selected topics. Number of class hours determined by semester hours of credit. Variable content course. May be repeated to a maximum of six hours provided the topics are different.
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Prerequisite: permission.
Performance and analysis of secondary laboratory experiments in physics.
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Prerequisite: permission.
Extensive paper on agreed topic in physics or astronomy to be read before staff seminars. May be repeated to a maximum of four hours.
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Completion of an internship project (80 hours/credit hour) at a discipline-related business, nonprofit organization, or government agency, approved and supervised by both the departmental and internship advisors. Includes a formal report in the appropriate professional format, and an oral presentation at an approved venue. Graded Pass/Not Pass only. No more than 6 hours may count toward a master's degree.
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Prerequisite: permission of department head.
Supervised research in the natural and applied sciences. May be repeated, but no more than 12 hours may be counted toward the master's degree. Cannot be applied toward the MS degree in Materials Science.