Physics 6140 / 7140

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)