Overview
The department’s research focuses in two major areas: Condensed Matter Physics and Biological Physics.
Theoretical and Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
- Solving cutting-edge problems in dynamical quantum systems, 2D materials (i.e. graphene), and spintronics.
- Materials physics & surface science for energy applications, next-generation computing, and photonics
Biological Physics
- Development of theoretical and computational methods to study biological processes across different spatial scales.
- Structure and dynamics of biological macromolecules, design principles of molecular motors, and protein-drug interactions.
- Soft matter studies on biological tissues, tumors, and bio-inspired materials.
Degrees
Clougherty, Dennis Paul; Professor, Department of Physics; PHD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Dawber, Matthew; Professor, Department of Physics; PHD, University of Cambridge
Headrick, Randall L.; Professor, Department of Physics; PHD, University of Pennsylvania
Kotov, Valeri N.; Professor, Department of Physics; PHD, Clarkson University
Kozen, Alexander C.; Assistant Professor, Department of Physics; PHD, University of Maryland
Ma, Jihong; Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, PHD, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Ma, Wen; Assistant Professor, Department of Physics; PHD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Poirier, Bill; Professor, Department of Chemistry; PHD, University of California, Berkeley
White, Matthew S.; Professor, Department of Physics; PHD; University of Colorado Boulder
Yue, Haicen; Assistant Professor, Department of Physics; PHD, University of California, San Diego
Courses
PHYS 5125. Mathematical Physics. 3 Credits.
Introduction to basic mathematical methods of theoretical physics; vector and tensor analysis, partial differential equations, orthogonal functions, complex variables and variational techniques. Prerequisites: Graduate student or undergraduate student with Instructor permission; knowledge of PHYS 2200 and PHYS 4300 topics strongly recommended.
PHYS 5165. Microelec. Circuit Fabrication. 0 or 4 Credits.
Provides a firm knowledge base in modern semiconductor fabrication technology. This technology lies at the heart of all modern computer and communication systems. Analyze and evaluate the unit processes involved in creating semiconductor chips such as photolithography, plasma etch, ion implant and metallization. Explore the current state-of-the-art and demonstrate how these building blocks affect the electrical behavior of semiconductor devices. Prerequisites: Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or Physics Graduate student; or Instructor permission. Cross-listed with: EE 5460.
PHYS 5185. Nano-analysis of Materials. 1 Credit.
Explores the theory and practical operation of advanced techniques to analyze the structure, composition, and surfaces of micro and nano-scale materials. Students will be trained as users of a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) including x-ray elemental analysis. Credit not awarded for both PHYS 3175 and PHYS 5185. Prerequisite: Graduate student in Physics, Materials Science, or related program, or Instructor permission. Cross-listed with: MATS 5185.
PHYS 5200. Advanced Dynamics. 3 Credits.
Classical mechanics presented as the basis of the concepts and methods of modern physics. Variational, Lagrangian, and Hamiltonian formulations, canonical transformations, continuous systems. Prerequisite: Graduate student or undergraduate student with Instructor permission; knowledge PHYS 2200 topics strongly recommended.
PHYS 5300. Electromagnetic Theory. 3 Credits.
Development of Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism emphasizing its physical basis and the modes of mathematical description. Prerequisite: Graduate student or undergraduate student with Instructor permission; knowledge of PHYS 4300 topics strongly recommended.
PHYS 5400. Statistical Mechanics. 3 Credits.
Following a review of thermodynamics, covers the fundamentals of classical and quantum statistical mechanics including ensembles, identical particles, Bose and Fermi statistics, phase-transitions and critical phenomena, renormalization group, irreversible processes and fluctuations. Prerequisite: Graduate student or undergraduate student with Instructor permission; knowledge of PHYS 3400 topics strongly recommended.
PHYS 5500. Quantum Mechanics II. 3 Credits.
Mathematical and physical foundations of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics from the unifying point of view of Dirac. Symmetry operations and the algebraic structure of quantum mechanics are emphasized. Prerequisite: Graduate student or undergraduate student with Instructor permission; knowledge of PHYS 3400 topics strongly recommended.
PHYS 5625. Structure&Bonding of Materials. 3 Credits.
Study of atomic and molecular bonding, the structure of materials, and their associated properties. Explores how structures and bonding types influence the electrical, thermal, mechanical, and optical properties of materials. Covers topics such as primary and secondary bonding mechanisms, crystallography, diffraction techniques, and the properties of metals, ceramics, polymers, and biological materials. Prerequisites: Graduate student in Physics, Materials Science, or related program, or Instructor permission. Cross-listed with: MATS 5625.
PHYS 5675. Gr Semiconductor Materials/Dev. 0 or 4 Credits.
Covers Energy band theory, effective mass, band structure and electronic properties of semiconductors. Transport of electrons and holes in bulk materials and across interfaces. MOSFETs, BJTs, pn junctions, and Schottky barriers. Experimental portion of course will have a laboratory component for electronic measurements of semiconductor devices. Credit not awarded for both PHYS 5675 and PHYS 3675. Prerequisite: Graduate student or Instructor permission. Cross-listed with: EE 5440.
PHYS 5990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles. Prerequisites: Department permission, Graduate student.
PHYS 6000. Teaching of College Physics. 1 Credit.
Instructional strategies and techniques with application to the teaching of laboratories and recitations. Prerequisites: Undergraduate degree in Physics; Instructor permission.
PHYS 6391. Master's Thesis Research. 1-18 Credits.
Research for the Master's Thesis.
PHYS 6990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
PHYS 6991. Internship. 1-18 Credits.
On-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan directed by a faculty member or a faculty-staff team in which a faculty member is the instructor of record, for which academic credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
PHYS 6993. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
PHYS 6994. Teaching Assistantship. 1-3 Credits.
Student service as a teaching assistant, usually in an introductory level course in the discipline, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
PHYS 6995. Graduate Independent Research. 1-18 Credits.
Graduate student work on individual or small team research projects under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
PHYS 7491. Doctoral Dissertation Research. 1-18 Credits.
Research for the Doctoral Dissertation.
PHYS 7990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
PHYS 7991. Internship. 1-18 Credits.
On-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan directed by a faculty member or a faculty-staff team in which a faculty member is the instructor of record, for which academic credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
PHYS 7993. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.