Graduate Courses, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ball State University

PHYCS 530 - Mechanics.

Basic concepts of mechanics, general motion of particles in three dimensions. Simple and damped harmonic motion. Particle dynamics in noninertial frames of reference, central forces. Dynamics of systems of particles. Motion of rigid bodies in three dimensions. Dynamics of oscillation systems. Prerequisite: permission of the department chairperson. Not open to students who have credit in PHYCS 330.

PHYCS 534 - Thermodynamics.

Laws of thermodynamics and introduction to the kinetic theory of gases. No regularly scheduled laboratory. Prerequisite: PHYCS 330 or permission of the department chairperson. Not open to students who have credit in PHYCS 434.

PHYCS 540 - Physical Optics.

The electromagnetic wave theory of light; spectra, interference, diffraction, polarization, and double refraction. Prerequisite: PHYCS 122. Not open to students who have credit in PHYCS 340.

PHYCS 546 - Acoustics.

Elements of pure and applied acoustics. Topics include solutions to the wave equation, acoustic impedances, electro-mechanical-acoustic analogies, direct-radiator loudspeaker and enclosure theory, and room acoustics. Prerequisite: PHYCS 122. Not open to students who have credit in PHYCS 346.

PHYCS 550 - Electricity and Magnetism.

Application of vector analysis to electrostatics, dipole and multipole fields, and dielectric theory, alternating currents, magnetic fields, and Maxwell's equations. No regularly scheduled laboratory. Prerequisite: PHYCS 122; MATHS 267. Not open to students who have credit in PHYCS 450.

PHYCS 552 - Electromagnetic Theory.

Electrostatic boundary-value problems, multipoles, dielectrics, magnetostatics, Maxwell's equation, EM waves and radiation, plasmas, relativistic kinematics and dynamics, and radiation of moving charges. Prerequisite: PHYCS 450 or 550. Not open to students who have credit in PHYCS 452.

PHYCS 554 - Electronics 1.

Introductory DC and AC circuit theory, semiconductor components, power supplies, transistor amplification, integrated circuit operational amplifiers, active filters, oscillators, and function generators. Basic combinational logic circuits and Boolean algebra. Emphasizes application of integrated circuits. Prerequisite: PHYCS 122 or permission of the department chairperson. Not open to students who have credit in PHYCS 354.

PHYCS 556 - Electronics 2.

Sequential logic circuits including scalars, displays, memories, shift registers, analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion techniques. Microprocessor architecture and support electronics for microcomputer design. IC chips and circuits for experiment to microcomputer interfacing. Use of a microprocessor development system. Prerequisite: PHYCS 354 or 554. Not open to students who have credit in PHYCS 356.

PHYCS 560 - Introductory Nuclear Techniques.

Experimental studies of radioactive disintegrations and decay products and their relationship to nuclear structure. Instrumentation in radioscope measurements. Two lectures and two two-hour laboratory periods a week. Prerequisite: PHYCS 260. Not open to students who have credit in PHYCS 360.

PHYCS 561 - Elementary Particles.

Investigates the nature and behavior of elementary particles through the study of the symmetries and dynamics responsible for their production, reactions, and decays. Prerequisite: PHYCS 464 or 564. Not open to students who have credit in PHYCS 461.

PHYCS 563 - Nuclear Physics.

The nucleus and nuclear interactions. Theoretical and experimental elements of radioactive decay and models of the nucleus. Prerequisite: PHYCS 260. Not open to students who have credit in PHYCS 463.

PHYCS 564 - Introduction to Quantum Mechanics.

De Broglie's postulate, the uncertainty principle, the Schroedinger equation, the free particle, square well potentials, harmonic oscillator, the hydrogen atom, and angular momentum in quantum mechanics, and other selected wave mechanics problems. No regularly scheduled laboratory. Prerequisite: PHYCS 260. Not open to students who have credit in PHYCS 464.

PHYCS 565 - Quantum Mechanics.

Review of barrier problems, the harmonic oscillator, and angular momentum using matrix methods. Problems involving perturbation theory, one-electron atoms, magnetic moments, spin, relativistic effects, symmetric and anti-symmetric wave functions, the helium atom, transition rates, and scattering theory. Prerequisite: PHYCS 464 or 564. Not open to students who have credit in PHYCS 465.

PHYCS 566 - Solid State Physics.

Structure and physical properties of matter in the solid state. Electrical and magnetic properties and band theory of solids, with special emphasis on semiconductors. Prerequisite: PHYCS 260. Not open to students who have credit in PHYCS 466.

PHYCS 570 - Introductory Mathematical Physics 1.

Application of mathematical techniques to the formulation and solution of physical problems in classical mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetic theory and in quantum mechanics. Topics include computer algebra systems and applications. Prerequisite: PHYCS 122, 260; or permission of department chairperson. Not open to students who have credit in PHYCS 370.

PHYCS 572 - Introductory Mathematical Physics 2.

Techniques in the formulation and solution of physical problems. Computer algebra systems (e.g. Mathematica) may be introduced for the study of topics such as boundary value problems, transforms, special functions of mathematical physics, and applications of tensor analysis in physics. Prerequisite: PHYCS 122, 260; or permission of the department chairperson. Not open to students who have credit in PHYCS 372.

PHYCS 580 - Descriptive Astronomy.

The celestial sphere, the solar system, formation and decay of stars, instruments and basic laws of astronomy, nebulae, galactic structure, theories of the origin of the universe, and constellation and telescope work. Not open to students who have credit in PHYCS 380.

PHYCS 602 - Observational Astronomy Workshop for Teachers.

Lecture/laboratory-oriented course that prepares middle and high school teachers to explain celestial events, plan observing sessions, and use star charts and planetaria-type computer software. Introduces image acquisition and software to extract meaningful data. Not open to students who have credit in ASTRO 602.

PHYCS 604 - Physical Foundations of Astronomy Workshop for Teachers.

Lecture/laboratory-oriented course that introduces middle and high school teachers to basic principles of physics presented in the context of modern astronomy and astrophysics. Fundamentals of mechanics, celestial mechanics, and their applications to space exploration as well as fundamental principles in optics and the structure of matter are discussed. Not open to students who have credit in ASTRO 604.

PHYCS 606 - Stellar Evolution and Black Holes Workshop for Teachers.

Lecture/laboratory-oriented course that introduces middle and high school teachers to the basic principles of stellar properties and stellar evolutions. Fundamental laws are reviewed in the context of pulsars, neutron stars, and black holes. Provides practical applications through hands-on experiences in how stellar properties are determined. Prerequisite: ASTRO 604 or PHYCS 604 or permission of the instructor. Not open to students who have credit in ASTRO 606.

PHYCS 641 - Laser and Holography Workshop for Teachers.

The field of lasers and holography for junior high and high school science teachers. Basic geometrical optics, physical optics, and atomic theory phenomena in relation to laser operation and hologram making. Laboratory- oriented with considerable emphasis on laser safety and the use of lasers for demonstrating optical phenomena in the classroom. Prerequisite: PHYCS 112 or 122 or permission of the department chairperson. Not open to students who have credit in PHYCS 340, 540.

PHYCS 657 - Introductory Integrated Circuit Analog Electronics Workshop for Teachers.

Laboratory-oriented course that acquaints teachers who do not have a strong electronics background with the uses of modern integrated circuitry. Emphasizes the construction and use of circuits that can be presented in the classroom. Introduces analog electronics topics. Prerequisite: PHYCS 112 or 122 or permission of the department chairperson. Not open to students who have credit in PHYCS 354, 356, 554, 556.

PHYCS 658 - Introductory Integrated Circuit Digital Electronics Workshop for Teachers.

Laboratory-oriented course that acquaints teachers who do not have a strong electronics background with the uses of modern integrated circuitry. Emphasizes the construction and use of circuits that can be presented in the classroom. Introduces digital and micro-processor electronics topics. Prerequisite: PHYCS 112 or 122 or permission of the department chairperson. Not open to students who have credit in PHYCS 354, 356, 554, 556.

PHYCS 659 - Application of Nuclear Techniques Workshop for Teachers.

Applications of nuclear techniques in research, medicine, the environment, energy production, and industry. Designed for junior high and high school science teachers. Laboratory oriented. Uses radiation detection devices and radiation safety procedures. Prerequisite: PHYCS 112 or 122 or permission of the department chairperson. Not open to students who have credit in PHYCS 360 or 560.

PHYCS 669 - Work and Learning Experience in Physics.

Paid work and learning experiences in applied or theoretical physics in an institutional, industrial, or university research or development setting. Prerequisite: approval of a proposed program by the department chairperson. A total of 3 hours of credit may be earned. No more than 3 hours in combination with PHYCS 369 may be used as approved electives toward a departmental major.

PHYCS 671 - Classical Mechanics.

Classical Hamiltonian mechanics as applied to particles and rigid body motion. Prerequisite: PHYCS 330 or permission of the department chairperson.

PHYCS 673 - Electrodynamics.

Relativistic particle dynamics and relativistic field theory. Prerequisite: PHYCS 565 or permission of the department chairperson.

PHYCS 675 - Thermal Physics.

Thermal physics, kinetic theory, and statistical mechanics. Prerequisite: PHYCS 434 or 534 or permission of the department chairperson.

PHYCS 677 - Quantum Theory of Solids.

The quantum mechanical theory of the structure, cohesion, and static and dynamic processes in solids, particularly crystalline solids but with some reference to amorphous solids. Prerequisite: PHYCS 565 or permission of the department chairperson.

PHYCS 681 - Resources and Methodology of Physics Research.

Periodical resource material in physics, methodology of literature research. This course may be used to satisfy requirements of the graduate research methodology plan for a master's degree. Prerequisite: permission of the department chairperson.

PHYCS 683 - Seminar in Physics.

Critical examination and discussion of recent experimental and theoretical developments in physics. Participation in and contribution of a presentation at departmental physics colloquia are expected. A total of 4 hours of credit may be earned.

PHYCS 685 - Special Studies in Physics.

Special activities in physics involving one or more of the following: experimental work, study of advanced topics in physics, and attendance in prescribed classes. Prerequisite: permission of the department chairperson. A total of 8 hours of credit may be earned.

PHYCS 691 - Advanced General Science.

Further study of the principles of physics, chemistry, meteorology, geology, and astronomy that were introduced in the prerequisite: PHYCS 101.

PHYCS 693 - Theories of Physics for Secondary Physics Teachers.

Classical mechanics, relativity, electricity, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics used to enable students to use new developments and recent scientific advances. Designed primarily for teachers and workers in the field who need to update their general knowledge of physics. No regularly scheduled laboratory. Prerequisite: 8 hours of credit in college physics.

PHYCS 696 - Modern Developments in Physics Teaching.

Recent developments in secondary physics curricula, multimedia teaching methods, national and local trends in physics teaching, laboratory work, textbooks, tests. Prerequisite: permission of the department chairperson. A total of 3 hours of credit may be earned. Not open to students who have credit in PHYCS 396.