Graduate Programs - Graduate Courses Offered
The courses you will study in our department will furnish you with a sound foundation in basic and applied physics and astronomy. We will challenge you. And if you are willing to work, we will help you succeed.The following are the physics and astronomy courses offered for graduate level students at UMaine. (If you are interested in the courses of other departments on the UMaine campus, check these sources of information: First Class, UMaine Course Catalog, WebDSIS, WebCT.)
Graduate Level Physics Courses available:
Advanced Undergraduate Courses available:
AST 598 Special Topics in Theoretical or Experimental Astrophysics
Prerequisite: departmental permission. *>Cr Ar.
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PHY 500 Topics in Materials Science and Technology
No description available.
Prerequisites: PHY 463, PHY 469, PHY 480 or their equivalents. *>Cr 1-3.
Course offerings: Click here
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PHY 501 Mechanics
Covers kinematics and dynamics of particle and rigid body motion, Lagrange's equations, variational principles, Hamilton's equations, canonical transformations, Hamilton-Jacobi theory.
Prerequisite: PHY 238 or equivalent. *>Cr 3.
Course offerings: Click here
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PHY 502 Electrodynamics I
Topics include boundary-value problems in electrostatics, electrostatic energy, multipoles, dielectrics and magnetostatics.
Prerequisite: PHY 455 or equivalent, partial differential equations or PHY 574. *>Cr 3.
Course offerings: Click here
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PHY 503 Quantum Mechanics I
Topics include Dirac notation, state vectors and operators, one dimensional systems, angular momentum, central forces, perturbation theory, scattering.
Prerequisite: PHY 501 or permission of instructor. *>Cr 3.
Course offerings: Click here
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PHY 510 Graduate Laboratory
Experience with sophisticated techniques and specialized equipment acquaints students with different areas of experimental physics. For graduate students in physics and for scientists and engineers in allied studies or industry.
Prerequisite: graduate standing in physics, chemistry, electrical engineering, or permission.
*>Cr Ar.
Course offerings: Click here
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PHY 512 Statistical Mechanics
A study of macroscopic behavior of matter derived from a statistical consideration of microscopic properties of systems, as well as relationships to Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory.
Prerequisite: PHY 462 or equivalent. Corequisite: PHY 503. *>Cr 3.
Course offerings: Click here
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PHY 513 Physical Meas. & Data Anal. With Microcomputers
Computer control of experiments and instrumentation, data acquisition and data analysis. Culminates in individualized final project. Open to non-physics students. Requires some programming and electronics background.
Prerequisite: PHY 441 or permission. Lec 2, Lab 2. *>Cr 3.
Course offerings: Click here
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PHY 574 Methods of Theoretical Physics I
Topics may include linear algebra, complex analysis, theory of differential equations, special functions, Green's functions, integral transforms calculus of variations, with applications from physics.
Prerequisite: permission. *>Cr 3.
Course offerings: Click here
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PHY 575 Methods of Theoretical Physics II
Advanced topics in mathematical physics of special interest. Advanced topics in mathematical physics of special interest. May include chaos, complex analysis, theory of integral equations, tensor analysis, elements of group theory, Green's functions theory.
Prerequisite: PHY 475 or PHY 574 or equivalent. *>Cr 3.
Course offerings: Click here
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PHY 588 Graduate Seminar - Condensed Matter Physics
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PHY 598 Special Topics in Theor. or Exp. Physics
Specific topics determined by current interests of students and staff. Offered on demand with approval of the Department Chairperson.
*>Cr Ar.
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PHY 602 Electrodynamics II
Topics may include Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves, radiating systems, scattering and diffraction, special relativity, dynamics of relativistic particles and fields.
Prerequisites: PHY 502, or equivalent. *>Cr 3.
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PHY 603 Quantum Mechanics II
Covers electron spin, spinors, relativistic wave equations, Dirac equation for electron, relativistic treatment of hydrogen atom, second quantization of electromagnetic and electron fields.
Prerequisite: PHY 503 or equivalent. *>Cr 3.
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PHY 607 Nuclear Physics
Application of principles of Quantum Mechanics (PHY 503) and Electrodynamics (PHY 502) to the understanding of nuclear properties, the nuclear two-body problem, nuclear forces, nuclear shell theory, and nuclear reactions.
*>Cr 3.
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PHY 624 Solid State Physics I
Covers free electron theory of metals, crystal lattices and reciprocal lattices, X-ray diffraction, electron levels in a periodic potential, semiclassical model of electron dynamics.
Prerequisite: PHY 503 or permission. *>Cr 3.
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PHY 625 Solid State Physics II
A continuation of PHY 624 covering other phenomena in solid state physics with emphasis on current research topics.
Prerequisite: PHY 624 or equivalent. *>Cr 3.
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PHY 688 Graduate Seminar
Report and discussion of recent developments in Physics and related fields based on the literature or results of current investigations.
*>Cr Ar.
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PHY 699 Graduate Thesis
*>Cr Ar.
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AST 451 Astrophysics I
Application of the principles of physics to selected topics in the study of cosmogony, stellar evolution and dynamics, interstellar processes, the formation and evolution of galaxies, and cosmology.
Prerequisite: PHY 236, PHY 238, PHY 455, MAT 259 or permission. Rec 3. *>Cr 1-3.
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AST 452 Astrophysics II
AST 452 Astrophysics II A continuation of AST 451. Prerequisite: AST 451. *>Cr 1-3. .
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AST 497 Topics in Astrophysics
AST 497 -- Topics in Astrophysics
Selected topics in areas not already covered by regular course offerings in the Department.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. *>Cr 1-3.
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PHY 441 Physical Electronics Laboratory
Theories and practices in the measurement of physical quantities using both analog and digital techniques. Primarily for physics and engineering physics majors; others admitted by permission. (Satisfies the General Education Demonstrated Writing Competency Requirement.)
Lab 4. *>Cr 2.
Course offerings: Click here
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PHY 447 Molecular Biophysics
An introduction to physical properties of biological macromolecules including proteins, nucleic acids and membranes. Solution thermodynamics developed as needed. Some statistical mechanics introduced. Topics include macromolecular structure, dynamics and functions, inter- and intra-molecular interactions, ligand binding equilibria, helix-coil transitions, physical techniques used in biophysics such as calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, optical and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Four credit version contains additional term project to be arranged with instructor.
Prerequisites: PHY 112 or PHY 122, MAT 126, CHY 121 or permission. *>Cr 3.
Course offerings: Click here
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PHY 454 Electricity and Magnetism I
An intermediate level course in the fundamentals of the theory of electricity and magnetism. Treats electrostatics and magnetostatics, both in vacuum and in matter.
Prerequisites: PHY 112 or PHY 122. Corequisite: PHY 476. Rec 3. *>Cr 3.
Course offerings: Click here
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PHY 455 Electricity and Magnetism II
A continuation of PHY 454. Treats electrodynamics by developing Maxwell's equations and applying them to systems of general interest.
Prerequisite: PHY 454. Rec 3. *>Cr 3.
Course offerings: Click here
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PHY 462 Physical Thermodynamics
A theoretical study of the structure and concepts of equilibrium thermodynamics including the thermodynamic descriptions of the properties and phases of matter, analysis of processes and practical applications. Normally taken as a junior or senior elective by students in the sciences or engineering. Four credit version contains additional term project to be arranged with instructor.
Prerequisite: PHY 111 or PHY 121, MAT 228. Rec 3. *>Cr 3-4.
Course offerings: Click here
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PHY 463 Statistical Mechanics
Introduces statistical mechanics and thermodynamics with examples chosen from magnetic systems, ideal gases, metals, superfluidity, chemical reactions, phase transformations, mixtures, semiconductors, kinetic theory or related topics. Normally taken as a junior or senior elective by students in the sciences or engineering.
Prerequisites: PHY 236, MAT 258 or MAT 259. Rec 3. *>Cr 3.
Course offerings: Click here
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PHY 469 Quantum and Atomic Physics
Introductory quantum mechanics applied to simple systems and molecules. Wavepackets, Schroedinger equation, operator methods and angular momentum.
Prerequisites: PHY 236, PHY 476 or permission. Rec 3. *>Cr 3.
Course offerings: Click here
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PHY 470 Topics in Materials Science and Technology
No description available.
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PHY 471 Nuclear Physics Laboratory
Laboratory exercises to accompany PHY 470.
Corequisite: PHY 470 or permission of instructor. Lab 2. *>Cr 1.
Course offerings: Click here
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PHY 472 Geometrical and Fourier Optics
Covers geometrical optics, refraction and reflection at plane and spherical surfaces, optical instruments; Fourier optics, interference of waves and diffraction by a single and a double aperture; Lasers - theory of their operation, mode locking and pulse formation.
Prerequisite: PHY 112 or PHY 122; Corequisite: MAT 228. Rec 3. *>Cr 3.
Course offerings: Click here
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PHY 473 Modern Optics Laboratory
Laboratory exercises to accompany PHY 472, Geometrical and Fourier Optics.
Corequisite: PHY 472 or permission of instructor. Lab 2-4. *>Cr 1-2.
Course offerings: Click here
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PHY 476 Methods of Mathematical Physics
Mathematical methods with applications to physics. Topics include: vector algebra volume and surface
integral, del operator, Gauss' and Stokes' theorems. Matrices and elgenvalue problems. Complex numbers,
Laplace's equation and boundary value problems.
Prerequisite: MAT 259. Cr 3.
Course offerings: Click here
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PHY 480 Physics of Materials
A senior level introductory course in the physics of materials, primarily solid state physics. Structural, mechanical, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties of materials are discussed.
Prerequisites: PHY 236, PHY 455. Rec 3. *>Cr 3.
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PHY 497 Topics in Physics
Selected topics in areas not already covered by regular course offerings in the department. Primarily for undergraduates. *>Cr Ar.
Course offerings: Click here
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PHY 499 Problems in Physics
A thesis project primarily for undergraduates and ordinarily of an experimental nature.
*>Cr 1-3.
Course offerings: Click here
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First Class
First Class is a network environment in which students, staff, and faculty may participate in email, public and private discussion groups, on-line chat, Netnews and ListServ subscriptions. Many faculty members use First Class conferences to supplement their lectures and in-class exercises.
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UMaine Course Catalogue
This online resource lists all of the University of Maine courses by Department. There is also a search function available. The available information includes:
- All UMaine courses listed by department
- Course designator and title (e.g. PHY 469 Quantum and Atomic Physics)
- Brief course descriptions
- Prerequisite courses (e.g. completed PHY 236, or instructor's permission)
- Credit hours of study (e.g. Cr 3 is equal to 3 hours of in-class time per week).
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Web DSIS (Distributed Student Information System)
Guests (non-faculty/staff or unenrolled students) may explore the transferability of courses from other schools, or the equivalency of UMaine courses with other University of Maine institutions. Enrolled students may review the following:
- Term grades or schedule
- Academic program or history
- Search for open course sections
- Review and update personal information
- Transfer information
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WebCT
This is an online course environment. Some instructors supplement their lectures and reading with web-based materials. Some of your instructors may even be teaching their entire course online. Check it out!
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