400r Physics Seminar (1)
Reports and reviews of selected physics research, including the abstracting of publications. On demand. Enrollment limited to juniors or above or approval of the instructor. Cumulative limit of 2 hours.
411 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (3)
Basic elements and principles of quantum physics: probability waves, the Schrodinger equation, expectation values and operator formalism, the hydrogen atom, radiation processes. Fall semester. Prerequisites: Physics 230/280, 231/281, 232/282; or Physics 103/183, 104/184; Mathematics 245 or 255; or approval of the instructor.
412 Nuclear Physics (3)
Theory of nuclear structure; nuclear radiation characteristics; the interaction of radiation with matter; nuclear binding forces; the control and use of nuclear radiation. Spring semester. Prerequisites: Physics 230/280, 231/281, 232/282; or Physics 103/183, 104/184; Mathematics 245 or 255; or approval of the instructor.
414r Advanced Modern Physics (3)
One topic selected from biophysics, elementary particles, quantum mechanics, relativity, solid state physics, statistical mechanics, or superconductivity. Emphasis on the relation of the assumptions and predictions of the theories to the experimental evidence. Consequences of the theories illustrate the nature of physics and its applications in modern science. On demand. Prerequisites: Physics 341; Mathematics 245, 255; or approval of the instructor. Cumulative limit of 9 hours.
419 Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Physics (3)
Nuclear reactions and radiation; fission processes, neutron diffusion, reactor design variables, reactor materials and shielding, reactivity coefficients. On demand. Prerequisite: Physics 412 or equivalent, or approval of the instructor.
424 Instrumentation, Interfacing, and Microcomputers (3)
Interfacing instruments, measuring devices, and controls to mini and microcomputers. Includes voltmeters, counters, timers, temperature and other sensors, CRTs, floppy-disks, keyboards, music synthesizers, and control devices such as relays, thermostats, stepper motors, oscillators, and power supplies. Considers standard S100, IEE-488, and RS232C bus structures. Survey of microcomputer applications. Projects involving interfacing instruments with microcomputers. On demand. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisites: Physics 104/184, 232/282 or equivalent; Computer Science 110 or equivalent; or approval of the instructor.
425 Computer-Based Materials Development in Science (3)
Basic principles and practice of developing computer-based materials for science education. Projects to be chosen from a pool of topics in a specific area of science. Each module to include documentation, a tutorial, a pretest, a post test, explanatory material, a question set, a problem set, a graphics segment, etc. Modules to be prepared to publication standards. Prerequisite: Computer Science 102 or equivalent. Enrollment limited to juniors or above or approval of the instructor.
430 Physics of Living Systems (3)
Introduction to basic biophysical processes occurring at the cellular level. Emphasis on energy transformations, and experimental techniques of biophysics. On demand. Prerequisites: Physics 230/280, 231/281, 232/282, 310; or approval of the instructor.
441 Radiation Dosimetry (3)
Introduction to the theory and methodology of determining exposure and dose from ionizing radiation. Topics include: radioactivity and radioactive decay processes; the interaction of ionizing radiation with matter; exposure, dose and KERMA; cavity chamber theory; and instrumentation for radiation and dose measurement. On demand. Prerequisites: Physics 104/184 or 232/282, or approval of the instructor.
442 Radiation Biology (3)
Molecular effects of ionizing radiation and the relationship between molecular events and the acute and chronic effects of ionizing radiation. The human data base for estimates of the effects of low levels of ionizing radiation. Risk assessment of exposure to populations. On demand. Prerequisites: Physics 104/184 or 232/282, or approval of the instructor.
495r Departmental Honors (1-3 hours per term, 4 hours for the two terms)
On demand. See Departmental Honors.
497r Research (1-4)
On demand. Prerequisite: approval of department head.
498r Individual Studies (1-4)
On demand. Prerequisite: approval of department head.
499r Group Studies (1-4)
On demand. Prerequisite: approval of department head.
ASTRONOMY COURSES (ASTR)
101 Introduction to Astronomy - The Solar System (3)
Descriptive and conceptual introduction to the nature and origin of the solar system. Topics include models of the night sky, natural laws describing celestial objects and light, telescopes, the Earth-Moon system, planets and satellites, and the Sun. Spring semester. Prerequisite: UTC Math Placement level 20 or Math 106 equivalent. Recommended laboratory: Astronomy 181.
102 Introduction to Astronomy - Stars to Galaxies (3)
Nature of stars and galaxies; evolution and structure of the observable universe with emphasis on the experimental foundations of the science. Fall semester. Prerequisite: two years of high school algebra or Mathematics 106. Corequisite: Astronomy 182 laboratory or approval of the head of the department.
181 Astronomy Laboratory - The Solar System (1)
Optional laboratory to accompany Astronomy 101. Illustrates concepts of practical astronomy such as measuring planetary rotation rate and mass, using telescopes, deep sky observation session. On demand. Two hours per week. Corequisite: Astronomy 101 or approval of the head of the department.
182 Astronomy Laboratory - Stars to Galaxies (1)
Laboratory to accompany Astronomy 102. Exercises and observations include learning to set up and use a telescope, spectroscopy, a deep sky observing session, a visit to Jones Observatory and Planetarium, photometry, and the Hubble Redshift-Distance relation. Fall semester. Two hours per week. Corequisite: Astronomy 102 or approval of the head of the department.
199r Special Projects (1-4)
Individual or group studies. On demand. Prerequisites: approval of the instructor and head of the department. Cumulative limit of 4 hours.
300r Advanced Astronomy Laboratory (1)
Laboratory techniques in astronomy. Applications of spectroscopy, optics, modern photographic techniques, and photometry to observational astronomy. Use of the university’s observatory. On demand. Prerequisite: Astronomy 101/181 or 102/182 or approval of the instructor. Cumulative limit of 2 hours.
401 Solar System Astrophysics (3)
Application of basic physical laws to the problem of the origin and evolution of the solar system. Solar structure and energy sources, radiative transfer, the solar magnetic field, the interplanetary medium, celestial mechanics, comets, meteors, asteroids, the planets, and their satellites. On demand. Prerequisite: Physics 342 or approval of instructor.
495r Departmental Honors (1-3 hours per term, 4 hours for the two terms)
On demand. Graded on a satisfactory/no credit basis. See Departmental Honors.
498r Individual Studies (1-4)
On demand. Prerequisites: approval of the instructor and head of the department.
499r Group Studies (1-4)
On demand. Prerequisites: approval of the instructor and head of the department.
