Physics
6140
Fundamentals
of Modern Physics
Fall 2009
D.
G. Ellis
Official
course description from 2006-2008 catalog:
PHYS 6140 FUNDAMENTALS OF MODERN
PHYSICS [3 hours]
An intensive course which reviews the fundamentals of atomic, statistical and condensed matter physics. Provides a common foundation for entering graduate students for succeeding courses in physics and astronomy.
Prerequisite: Permission of department
Attention
graduate students and advisors:
PHYS 6140 is
required for the MS degree in physics. For
Ph.D. students who already have the MS degree, it can be taken to count toward
the required 18 hours in physics from courses numbered above 6100.
Meeting
time: TR 8:30-9:45
AM in MH 4012
Course content: We will emphasize the fundamental concepts underlying current physics research and applications. Selected “modern physics” phenomena will be discussed to illustrate these concepts. The modern formulation of quantum theory will be presented, along with the basics of statistical physics, but detailed mathematical methods will not be treated. Fundamental concepts will be applied, as time permits, to astrophysics, AMO physics, and condensed matter physics. There will be regular homework assignments, a midterm exam, and a final exam, all emphasizing concepts and approximations rather than detailed calculations.
Textbook:
There will be no required textbook. There are several widely-used
undergraduate "Modern Physics" textbooks, such as those by Krane, or
Eisberg and Resnick, or Gasiorowicz, or Bernstein et al, or Tipler. If you
already have one of these, or an equivalent, there's no need to buy a new
book. If not, then we recommend the following:
Modern
Physics, 2nd edition, by Kenneth Krane (Wiley 1996)