Updated:  Sept. 9, 2003
physics@fisk.edu

Physics Graduate Courses:

PHYS 501, ADVANCED MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS, 4 credits. Mathematical methods of theoretical physics, including topics from intermediate and partial differential equations:  Green's function, tensor analysis.

PHYS 541, ADVANCED DYNAMICS, 4 credits. Variational methods, LaGrange's equations, Hamilton's equation, canonical transformation; Hamilton-Jacobi theory; classical perturbation theory.  Prerequisite:  PHYS 341 or equivalent.  Students should also register concurrently for PHYS 501.

PHYS 542, NONRELATIVISTIC QUANTUM MECHANICS, 4 credits. Review of the foundations of quantum physics; operator formalism; both time dependent and time independent perturbation theory; transition probabilities and magnetic moments. Both the Schrodinger and Heisenberg approaches will be discussed.  Prerequisites:  PHYS 501 and 541 or equivalents. 

PHYS 552, ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY, 4 credits. Classical electromagnetic field theory; interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter; conformal mapping. Prerequisites:  PHYS 352 and 501 or equivalents.

PHYS 558, CRYSTAL GROWTH, 4 credits. Theory and experimental techniques concerning the growth of single crystals.  Will involve both lecture topics and laboratory work.  

PHYS 559, MATERIALS CHARACTERIZATION, 4 credits. This course is designed to acquaint the student with concepts and experimental techniques necessary to understand the mechanical, optical, electrical and thermal properties of materials as well as surface characterization techniques. Prerequisite:  PHYS 359. 

PHYS 581, ADVANCED EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS, 2-4 credits. Review of the technology involved in current advances in experimental physics.  Students perform an experiment using low temperatures, high vacuum, advanced digital electronics and/or lasers. 

PHYS 582, TOPICS IN THEORETICAL PHYSICS, 2-4 credits. Theoretical treatment of selected topics from molecular, solid state, nuclear and/or elementary particle physics. Includes a survey of current state-of-the-art research in each area. 

PHYS 583 or 584, GRADUATE PHYSICS SEMINAR, 1 credit. Survey of the current literature and developments in physics; special readings and papers. 

PHYS 591 or 592, RESEARCH IN PHYSICS, 3 credits. Individual research work of an experimental or theoretical nature on problems approved by the department. This research may be submitted for thesis requirements. 

PHYS 599, THESIS PREPARATION, not for credit.  For students who have completed all regular course requirements but have not submitted an approved thesis.