Overview
Physics at UC Berkeley has long been in the forefront of discovery and achievement. In 1931, Ernest O. Lawrence invented the cyclotron at Berkeley, ushering in the era of high-energy physics and a tradition of achievement that continues today. Nine of Berkeley’s twenty Nobel Prizes were awarded to Berkeley physicists. The most recent National Research Council nationwide rankings identify the department as one of the best in the nation.
In the last 50 years, Berkeley physicists have made many of the significant discoveries that support today’s science. These discoveries extend from fundamental properties of elementary particles to spin echoes — the basis of magnetic resonance imaging — to cutting-edge breakthroughs for building an accurate model of how the universe took shape following the monster explosion commonly known as the Big Bang. Today, faculty members are leading the way to in scientific research and discovery in ways that may challenge the fundamental laws of physics particularly in the areas of gravitation, matter, and energy. At the same time, undergraduate and graduate teaching — through formal courses and research activity — is an integral part of the faculty’s commitment to the development of tomorrow’s scientists.
In their pursuit of original research, physics faculty members collaborate with postdoctoral fellows, PhD graduate students, undergraduate students, and visiting scholars. Research opportunities exist for investigating a wide range of topics in theoretical and experimental physics including astrophysics, atomic physics, molecular physics, biophysics, condensed matter, cosmic rays, elementary particles and fields, energy and resources, fusion and plasma, geochronology, general relativity, low-temperature physics, mathematical physics, nuclear physics, optical and laser spectroscopy, space physics, and statistical mechanics.
Undergraduate Programs
Physics : BA, Minor
Graduate Program
Physics : MA, PhD
Courses
Physics
PHYSICS 5A Introductory Mechanics and Relativity 3 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Kinematics, dynamics, work and energy, rotational motion, oscillations, fluids and relativity. Use of calculus and vector algebra will be emphasized. Intended for students with an interest in pursuing a major in physics, astrophysics, engineering physics, or related disciplines. Successor to the Physics H7 series. Start of three semester 5A-5B-5C sequence.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Prerequisites: MATH 1A; MATH 1B (which may be taken concurrently)
Repeat rules: Only repeatable to replace deficient grade.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS 5B Introductory Electromagnetism, Waves, and Optics 3 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017
Electric fields and potential, circuits, magnetism and induction. Introduction to optics including light propagation, reflection, refraction and interference. Intended for students with an interest in pursuing a major in physics, astrophysics, engineering physics, or related disciplines. Successor to the Physics H7 series. Continuation of 5A-5B-5C sequence.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Prerequisites: PHYSICS 5A or 7A; MATH 53 (which may be taken concurrently)
Repeat rules: Only repeatable to replace deficient grade.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS 5BL Introduction to Experimental Physics I 2 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017
Part one of a two-semester laboratory sequence to introduce students to experimental physics and prepare them for research. Covers a variety of modern and historical experiments, emphasizing data analysis, clear scientific communication, and development of skills on modern equipment. Successor to the Physics H7 series.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Prerequisites: PHYSICS 5A or 7A; 5B or 7B (which may be taken concurrently)
Repeat rules: Only repeatable to replace deficient grade.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 5 hours of laboratory per week
Summer: 6 weeks - 12.5 hours of laboratory per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Alternative to final exam.
PHYSICS 5C Introductory Thermodynamics and Quantum Mechanics 3 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017
Temperature, kinetic theory, entropy; particle/wave nature of matter, Schrodinger equation, hydrogen atom, applications of quantum physics. Intended for students with an interest in pursuing a major in physics, astrophysics, engineering physics or related disciplines. Continuation of 5A-5B-5C sequence. Successor to the Physics H7 series.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Prerequisites: PHYSICS 5B or 7B; PHYSICS 89 or Math 54 (which may be taken concurrently)
Repeat rules: Only repeatable to replace deficient grade.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS 5CL Introduction to Experimental Physics II 2 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017
Part two of a two-semester laboratory sequence to introduce students to experimental physics and prepare them for research. Covers a variety of modern and historical experiments, emphasizing iterative experimental design, clear scientific communication, and development of skills on modern equipment. Successor to the Physics H7 series.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: PHYSICS 5B & 5BL or 7B; PHYSICS 5C or 7C (which may be taken concurrently)
Repeat rules: Only repeatable to replace deficient grade.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 5 hours of laboratory per week
Summer: 6 weeks - 12.5 hours of laboratory per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Alternative to final exam.
PHYSICS 7A Physics for Scientists and Engineers 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Summer 2017 8 Week Session, Spring 2017
Mechanics and wave motion.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: High school physics; MATH 1A; MATH 1B (which may be taken concurrently)
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture, 2 hours of discussion, and 2 hours of laboratory per week
Summer: 8 weeks - 6 hours of lecture, 4 hours of discussion, and 4 hours of laboratory per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS 7B Physics for Scientists and Engineers 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Summer 2017 8 Week Session, Spring 2017
Heat, electricity, and magnetism.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture, 2 hours of discussion, and 2 hours of laboratory per week
Summer: 8 weeks - 6 hours of lecture, 4 hours of discussion, and 4 hours of laboratory per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS 7C Physics for Scientists and Engineers 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Summer 2017 8 Week Session, Spring 2017
Electromagnetic waves, optics, relativity, and quantum physics.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 7A-7B, MATH 1A-1B, MATH 53, 54 (MATH 54 may be taken concurrently)
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture, 1 hour of discussion, and 3 hours of laboratory per week
Summer: 8 weeks - 6 hours of lecture, 2 hours of discussion, and 6 hours of laboratory per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS H7A Physics for Scientists and Engineers 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
Honors sequence corresponding to 7A-7B-7C, but with a greater emphasis on theory as opposed to problem solving. Recommended for those students who have had advanced Physics on the high school level and who are intending to declare a major in physics. Entrance into H7A is decided on the basis of performance on an examination given during the first week of class or the consent of the instructor, and into H7B-H7C on performance in previous courses in a standard sequence.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: High school physics; MATH 1A; MATH 1B (may be taken concurrently)
Credit Restrictions: Students will received no credit for H7A after taking 7A.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture, 1 hour of discussion, and 3 hours of laboratory per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS H7B Physics for Scientists and Engineers 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2016, Spring 2016, Fall 2015
Honors sequence corresponding to 7A-7B-7C, but with a greater emphasis on theory as opposed to problem solving. Recommended for those students who have had advanced Physics on the high school level and who are intending to declare a major in physics. Entrance into H7A is decided on the basis of performance on an examination given during the first week of class or the consent of the instructor, and into H7B-H7C on performance in previous courses in a standard sequence.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 7A, MATH 1A-1B, MATH 53 (may be taken concurrently)
Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit H7B after taking 7B.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture, 1 hour of discussion, and 3 hours of laboratory per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS H7C Physics for Scientists and Engineers 4 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Fall 2016, Spring 2016
Honors sequence corresponding to 7A-7B-7C, but with a greater emphasis on theory as opposed to problem solving. Recommended for those students who have had advanced Physics on the high school level and who are intending to declare a major in physics. Entrance into H7A is decided on the basis of performance on an examination given during the first week of class or the consent of the instructor, and into H7B-H7C on performance in previous courses in a standard sequence.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 7A-7B, MATH 1A-1B, MATH 53, 54 (MATH 54 may be taken concurrently)
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture, 1 hour of discussion, and 3 hours of laboratory per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS 8A Introductory Physics 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Summer 2017 8 Week Session, Spring 2017
Introduction to forces, kinetics, equilibria, fluids, waves, and heat. This course presents concepts and methodologies for understanding physical phenomena, and is particularly useful preparation for upper division study in biology and architecture.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Mathematics 1A, 10A, 16A, or equivalent, or consent of instructor
Credit Restrictions: Students with credit for 7A will not receive credit for 8A.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture, 2 hours of discussion, and 2 hours of laboratory per week
Summer: 8 weeks - 6 hours of lecture, 4 hours of discussion, and 4 hours of laboratory per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS 8B Introductory Physics 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Summer 2017 8 Week Session, Spring 2017
Introduction to electricity, magnetism, electromagnetic waves, optics, and modern physics. The course presents concepts and methodologies for understanding physical phenomena, and is particularly useful preparation for upper division study in biology and architecture.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 8A or equivalent
Credit Restrictions: Students with credit for 7B or 7C will not receive credit for Physics 8B.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture, 2 hours of discussion, and 2 hours of laboratory per week
Summer: 8 weeks - 6 hours of lecture, 4 hours of discussion, and 4 hours of laboratory per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS C10 Descriptive Introduction to Physics 3 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
The most interesting and important topics in physics, stressing conceptual understanding rather than math, with applications to current events. Topics covered may vary and may include energy and conservation, radioactivity, nuclear physics, the Theory of Relativity, lasers, explosions, earthquakes, superconductors, and quantum physics.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Open to students with or without high school physics
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Summer: 8 weeks - 6 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Also listed as: L & S C70V
PHYSICS 21 Physics of Music 3 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2003, Spring 2002, Spring 2000
Physical principles encountered in the study of music. The applicable laws of mechanics, fundamentals of sound, harmonic content, principles of sound production in musical instruments, musical scales. Numerous illustrative lecture demonstrations will be given. Only the basics of high school algebra and geometry will be used.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: No previous courses in Physics are assumed, although Physics 10 is recommended
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS C21 Physics and Music 3 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2014, Spring 2012, Spring 2010
What can we learn about the nature of reality and the ways that we humans have invented to discover how the world works? An exploration of these questions through the physical principles encountered in the study of music. The applicable laws of mechanics, fundamentals of sound, harmonic content, principles of sound production in musical instruments, musical scales. Numerous illustrative lecture demonstrations will be given. Only the basics of high school algebra and geometry will be used.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: No previous courses in Physics are assumed, although Physics 10 is recommended
Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for Physics C21/Letters and Science C70W after completing Physics 21. A deficient grade in Physics 21 may be removed by taking Physics C21/Letters and Science C70W.<BR/>
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Also listed as: L & S C70W
PHYSICS 24 Freshman Seminars 1 Unit
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
The Berkeley Seminar Program has been designed to provide new students with the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member in a small-seminar setting. Berkeley Seminars are offered in all campus departments, and topics vary from department to department and semester to semester.
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit as topic varies. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: The grading option will be decided by the instructor when the class is offered. Final exam required.
PHYSICS 39 Lower Division Physics Seminar 1.5 - 4 Units
Terms offered: Summer 2017 Second 6 Week Session, Summer 2016 Second 6 Week Session, Spring 2010
Enrollment limited to 20 students per section. Physics seminar course designed for both non major students and students considering a major in physics. Topics vary from semester to semester.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Enrollment by consent of instructor during the week of pre-enrollment. Consult bulletin boards outside 366 Le Conte for more information
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1.5-4 hours of seminar per week
Summer: 6 weeks - 3.5-10 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: The grading option will be decided by the instructor when the class is offered. Final exam required.
PHYSICS 49 Supplementary Work in Lower Division Physics 1 - 3 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Summer 2017 8 Week Session, Spring 2017
Students with partial credit in lower division physics courses may, with consent of instructor, complete the credit under this heading.
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 0 hours of independent study per week
Summer: 8 weeks - 1-3 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam not required.
PHYSICS 77 Introduction to Computational Techniques in Physics 2 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Summer 2017 10 Week Session, Spring 2017
Introductory scientific programming in Python with examples from physics. Topics include: visualization, statistics and probability, regression, numerical integration, simulation, data modeling, function approximation, and algebraic systems. Recommended for freshman physics majors.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: MATH 1A; PHYSICS 5A or 7A (which may be taken concurrently) or permission of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of lecture and 2 hours of workshop per week
Summer: 10 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of workshop per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Alternative to final exam.
PHYSICS 89 Introduction to Mathematical Physics 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Summer 2017 10 Week Session, Spring 2017
Complex numbers, linear algebra, ordinary differential equations, Fourier series and transform methods, introduction to partial differential equations, introduction to tensors. Applications to physics will be emphasized. This course or an equivalent course required for physics major.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: MATH 53
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
Summer: 10 weeks - 4 hours of lecture and 3 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS 98 Directed Group Study 1 - 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Restricted to freshman and sophomores only; consent of instructor
Credit Restrictions: Enrollment is restricted; see the Introduction to Courses and Curricula section of this catalog.
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit as topic varies. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-4 hours of directed group study per week
Summer: 8 weeks - 1.5-7.5 hours of directed group study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Offered for pass/not pass grade only. Final exam not required.
PHYSICS 98BC Berkeley Connect 1 Unit
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Berkeley Connect is a mentoring program, offered through various academic departments, that helps students build intellectual community. Over the course of a semester, enrolled students participate in regular small-group discussions facilitated by a graduate student mentor (following a faculty-directed curriculum), meet with their graduate student mentor for one-on-one academic advising, attend lectures and panel discussions featuring department faculty and alumni, and go on field trips to campus resources. Students are not required to be declared majors in order to participate.
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of directed group study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Offered for pass/not pass grade only. Final exam not required.
PHYSICS 99 Supervised Independent Study 1 - 3 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Summer 2017 8 Week Session, Spring 2017
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Restricted to freshmen and sophomores only; consent of instructor
Credit Restrictions: Enrollment is restricted; see the Introduction to Courses and Curricula section of this catalog.
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit as topic varies. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-4 hours of independent study per week
Summer: 8 weeks - 1.5-7.5 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Offered for pass/not pass grade only. Final exam not required.
PHYSICS 100 Communicating Physics and Physical Science 2 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2011, Spring 2010, Spring 2009
For undergraduate and graduate students interested in improving their ability to communicate scientific knowledge by teaching science in K-12 schools. The course will combine instruction in inquiry-based science teaching methods and learning pedagogy with 10 weeks of supervised teaching experience in a local school. Students will practice, with support and mentoring, communicating scientific knowledge through presentations and hands-on activities. Approximately three hours per week including time spent in school classrooms.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS 105 Analytic Mechanics 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Newtonian mechanics, motion of a particle in one, two, and three dimensions, Larange's equations, Hamilton's equations, central force motion, moving coordinate systems, mechanics of continuous media, oscillations, normal modes, rigid body dynamics, tensor analysis techniques.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: PHYSICS 7A, 7B, 7C
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS 110A Electromagnetism and Optics 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Part I. A course emphasizing electromagnetic theory and applications; charges and currents; electric and magnetic fields; dielectric, conducting, and magnetic media; relativity, Maxwell equations. Wave propagation in media, radiation and scattering, Fourier optics, interference and diffraction, ray optics and applications.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: PHYSICS 7A, 7B, 7C
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS 110B Electromagnetism and Optics 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Part II. A course emphasizing electromagnetic theory and applications; charges and currents; electric and magnetic fields; dielectric, conducting, and magnetic media; relativity, Maxwell equations. Wave propagation in media, radiation and scattering, Fourier optics, interference and diffraction, ray optics and applications.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: PHYSICS 7A, 7B, 7C and 110A
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS 111A Instrumentation Laboratory 3 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Summer 2017 10 Week Session, Spring 2017
The instrumentation lab (formerly Basic Semiconductor Circuits) is an introductory course in basic design, analysis and modeling of circuits, and data analysis and control. Topics include but not limited to:
linear circuits, semiconductor diodes, JFETS, Op-Amps, Labview programming, ADC and DAC converters, signal processing, and feedback control.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of Instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 8 hours of laboratory and 3 hours of lecture per week
Summer: 10 weeks - 12 hours of laboratory and 4.5 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Alternative to final exam.
PHYSICS 111B Advanced Experimentation Laboratory 1 - 3 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
In the advanced experimentation lab students complete four of 20+ advanced experiments. These include many experiments in atomic, nuclear, particle physics, biophysics, and solid-state physics, among others.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: PHYSICS 111A and 137A or consent of instructor
Credit Restrictions: Three units of the Advanced Experimentation lab required for physics major; After the first three units, lab may be repeated for additional credit. No more than three units may be completed in one semester.
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for a maximum of REPEAT_REQUIRES_INSTRUCTOR_CONSENT units. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3-9 hours of laboratory per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam not required.
Formerly known as: Physics 111
PHYSICS 112 Introduction to Statistical and Thermal Physics 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Basic concepts of statistical mechanics, microscopic basis of thermodynamics and applications to macroscopic systems, condensed states, phase transformations, quantum distributions, elementary kinetic theory of transport processes, fluctuation phenomena.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: PHYSICS 7A, 7B, 7C
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS 129 Particle Physics 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Tools of particle and nuclear physics. Properties, classification, and interaction of particles including the quark-gluon constituents of hadrons. High energy phenomena analyzed by quantum mechanical methods. Course will survey the field including some related topics in nuclear physics.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 137A, 137B (may be taken concurrently), or consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Formerly known as: 129A
PHYSICS 130 Quantum and Nonlinear Optics 3 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2014, Spring 2012
Detailed theory and experimental basis of quantum and nonlinear optics, exhibiting concepts of quantum measurement, noise, stochastic processes and dissipative quantum systems. Topics include second-quantization of electromagnetic fields, photodetection, coherence properties, light-atom interactions, cavity quantum electrodynamics, nonlinear optical systems, squeezed light, aspects of quantum information science, and contemporary research.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 110A and 137A-137B, or consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS 137A Quantum Mechanics 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Summer 2017 8 Week Session, Spring 2017
Part I. Introduction to the methods of quantum mechanics with applications to atomic, molecular, solid state, nuclear and elementary particle physics.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: PHYSICS 7A, 7B, 7C
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Summer: 8 weeks - 6 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS 137B Quantum Mechanics 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Part II. Introduction to the methods of quantum mechanics with applications to atomic, molecular, solid state, nuclear and elementary particle physics.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: PHYSICS 7A, 7B, 7C and 137A
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Summer: 8 weeks - 6 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS 138 Modern Atomic Physics 3 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2015, Spring 2013
This course covers atomic, molecular, and optical physics as a quantitative description of atoms and fields, a generalized toolbox for controlling quantum systems, and a vibrant research area. Topics covered include atomic structure and spectra, atom-field interactions, topics in quantum electrodynamics, methods of resonant manipulation of quantum systems, resonance optics, and experimental techniques.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 137A-137B
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS 139 Special Relativity and General Relativity 3 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Historical and experimental foundations of Einstein's special theory of relativity; spatial and temporal measurements, particle dynamics, electrodynamics, Lorentz invariants. Introduction to general relativity. Selected applications. Designed for advanced undergraduates in physics and astronomy.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 105, 110A or consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS 141A Solid State Physics 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Part I. A thorough introductory course in modern solid state physics. Crystal symmetries; classification of solids and their bonding; electromagnetic, elastic, and particle waves in periodic lattices; thermal magnetic and dielectric properties of solids; energy bands of metals and semi-conductors; superconductivity; magnetism; ferroelectricity; magnetic resonances.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 137A-137B; 137B may be taken concurrently
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS 141B Solid State Physics 3 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Part II. A thorough introductory course in modern solid state physics. Crystal symmetries; classification of solids and their bonding; electromagnetic, elastic, and particle waves in periodic lattices; thermal magnetic and dielectric properties of solids; energy bands of metals and semi-conductors; superconductivity; magnetism; ferroelectricity; magnetic resonances.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 137A-137B and 141A
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS 142 Introduction to Plasma Physics 4 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Motion of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields, dynamics of fully ionized plasma from both microscopic and macroscopic point of view, magnetohydrodynamics, small amplitude waves; examples from astrophysics, space sciences and controlled-fusion research.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 105, 110A-110B (110B may be taken concurrently)
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS 151 Elective Physics: Special Topics 3 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2015, Fall 2013, Fall 2012
Topics vary from semester to semester. The subject matter level and scope of the course are such that it is acceptable as the required elective course in the Physics major. See Department of Physics course announcements.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit as topic varies. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS C161 Relativistic Astrophysics and Cosmology 4 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Elements of general relativity. Physics of pulsars, cosmic rays, black holes. The cosmological distance scale, elementary cosmological models, properties of galaxies and quasars. The mass density and age of the universe. Evidence for dark matter and dark energy and concepts of the early universe and of galaxy formation. Reflections on astrophysics as a probe of the extrema of physics.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 110A-110B; 112 (may be taken concurrently)
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructors: Boggs, Holzapfel, A. Lee, Ma, Quataert
Also listed as: ASTRON C161
PHYSICS 177 Principles of Molecular Biophysics 3 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
We will review the structure of proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, and the forces and interactions maintaining their structure in solution. We will describe the thermodynamics and kinetics of protein folding. The principles of polymer chain statistics and of helix-coil transitions in biopolymers will be reviewed next, together with biopolymer dynamics. We will then cover the main structural methods in biology: X-ray crystallography, MNR and fluorescence spectroscopy, electron and probe microscopy, and single molecular methods.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 112 or consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
PHYSICS H190 Physics Honors Course 2 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
A seminar which includes study and reports on current theoretical and experimental problems. Open only to students officially in the physics honors program or with consent of instructor.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Offered for pass/not pass grade only. Final exam not required.
PHYSICS C191 Quantum Information Science and Technology 3 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Fall 2014, Spring 2012
This multidisciplinary course provides an introduction to fundamental conceptual aspects of quantum mechanics from a computational and informational theoretic perspective, as well as physical implementations and technological applications of quantum information science. Basic sections of quantum algorithms, complexity, and cryptography, will be touched upon, as well as pertinent physical realizations from nanoscale science and engineering.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Final exam required.
Instructors: Crommie, Vazirani, Whaley
Also listed as: CHEM C191/COMPSCI C191
PHYSICS H195A Senior Honors Thesis Research 2 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Thesis work under the supervision of a faculty member. To obtain credit the student must, at the end of two semesters, submit a satisfactory thesis. A total of four units must be taken. The units may be distributed between one or two semesters in any way.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Open only to students in the honors program
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 0 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. This is part one of a year long series course. A provisional grade of IP (in progress) will be applied and later replaced with the final grade after completing part two of the series. Final exam not required.
PHYSICS H195B Senior Honors Thesis Research 2 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Thesis work under the supervision of a faculty member. To obtain credit the student must, at the end of two semesters, submit a satisfactory thesis. A total of four units must be taken. The units may be distributed between one or two semesters in any way.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Open only to students in the honors program
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 0 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. This is part two of a year long series course. Upon completion, the final grade will be applied to both parts of the series. Final exam not required.
PHYSICS 198 Directed Group Study 1 - 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Enrollment restrictions apply; see the Introduction to Courses and Curricula section in this catalog.
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-4 hours of directed group study per week
Summer:
6 weeks - 2.5-10 hours of directed group study per week
8 weeks - 1.5-7.5 hours of directed group study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Offered for pass/not pass grade only. Final exam not required.
PHYSICS 198BC Berkeley Connect 1 Unit
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Berkeley Connect is a mentoring program, offered through various academic departments, that helps students build intellectual community. Over the course of a semester, enrolled students participate in regular small-group discussions facilitated by a graduate student mentor (following a faculty-directed curriculum), meet with their graduate student mentor for one-on-one academic advising, attend lectures and panel discussions featuring department faculty and alumni, and go on field trips to campus resources. Students are not required to be declared majors in order to participate.
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of directed group study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Offered for pass/not pass grade only. Final exam not required.
PHYSICS 198F Frontiers of Physics 2 Units
Terms offered: Not yet offered
Discussion-based introduction to contemporary research in physics for advanced undergraduates. Presentation of different weekly topics in physics research led by graduate students, postdocs, or professors in a particular field to connect upper division physics majors with contemporary research and to increase dialogue between upper division undergraduates and researchers in the department.
Objectives & Outcomes
Course Objectives: -- To connect upper division physics majors with contemporary research in a way that traditional coursework does not.
-- To connect upper division physics majors with contemporary research in a way that traditional coursework does not.
-- To increase dialogue between upper division undergraduates and researchers in the department.
-- To help undergraduates make more informed career choices.
Student Learning Outcomes: -- Students left the course with a more broadened and more concrete understanding of what “pursuing research in physics” consists of. They also found themselves interested in areas of physics they didn’t expect or hadn’t known existed.
-- Students gained connections in the department. This has resulted in research projects for several students
-- Students received mentoring from the graduate student on many career path issues.
-- Small class size and discussion format strengthened the physics community both laterally and vertically.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: PHYSICS 7A, 7B, 7C or consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of directed group study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Offered for pass/not pass grade only. Alternative to final exam.
PHYSICS 199 Supervised Independent Study 1 - 3 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Summer 2017 8 Week Session, Spring 2017
Enrollment restrictions apply; see the Introduction to Courses and Curricula section in this catalog.
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 0 hours of independent study per week
Summer:
6 weeks - 2.5-7.5 hours of independent study per week
8 weeks - 1.5-5.5 hours of independent study per week
10 weeks - 1.5-4.5 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Offered for pass/not pass grade only. Final exam not required.
PHYSICS C201 Introduction to Nano-Science and Engineering 3 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2015, Spring 2013, Spring 2012
A three-module introduction to the fundamental topics of Nano-Science and Engineering (NSE) theory and research within chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering. This course includes quantum and solid-state physics; chemical synthesis, growth fabrication, and characterization techniques; structures and properties of semiconductors, polymer, and biomedical materials on nanoscales; and devices based on nanostructures. Students must take this course to satisfy the NSE Designated Emphasis core requirement.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Major in physical science such as chemistry, physics, etc., or engineering; consent of advisor or instructor
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Instructors: Gronsky, S.W. Lee, Wu
Also listed as: BIO ENG C280/MAT SCI C261/NSE C201
PHYSICS C202 Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016, Spring 2016, Fall 2015
Principles of gas dynamics, self-gravitating fluids, magnetohydrodynamics and elementary kinetic theory. Aspects of convection, fluid oscillations, linear instabilities, spiral density waves, shock waves, turbulence, accretion disks, stellar winds, and jets.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Instructors: Chiang, Kasen, Ma, Quataert, White
Also listed as: ASTRON C202
PHYSICS C203 Computational Nanoscience 3 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2009, Spring 2008, Spring 2006
A multidisciplinary overview of computational nanoscience for both theorists and experimentalists. This course teaches the main ideas behind different simulation methods; how to decompose a problem into "simulatable" constituents; how to simulate the same thing two different ways; knowing what you are doing and why thinking is still important; the importance of talking to experimentalists; what to do with your data and how to judge its validity; why multiscale modeling is both important and nonsense.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Graduate standing or consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Also listed as: NSE C242
PHYSICS 205A Advanced Dynamics 4 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Lagrange and Hamiltonian dynamics, variational methods, symmetry, kinematics and dynamics of rotation, canonical variables and transformations, perturbation theory, nonlinear dynamics, KAM theory, solitons and integrable pdes.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 105 or equivalent
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
PHYSICS 205B Advanced Dynamics 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2015
Nonlinear dynamics of dissipative systems, attractors, perturbation theory, bifurcation theory, pattern formation. Emphasis on recent developments, including turbulence.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 205A
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
PHYSICS C207 Radiation Processes in Astronomy 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
An introduction to the basic physics of astronomy and astrophysics at the graduate level. Principles of energy transfer by radiation. Elements of classical and quantum theory of photon emission; bremsstrahlung, cyclotron and synchrotron radiation. Compton scattering, atomic, molecular and nuclear electromagnetic transitions. Collisional excitation of atoms, molecules and nuclei.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: PHYSICS 105, 110A; 110B concurrently; open to advanced undergraduates with GPA of 3.70
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Instructors: Chiang, Kasen, Quataert
Also listed as: ASTRON C207
PHYSICS 209 Classical Electromagnetism 5 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Maxwell's equations, gauge transformations and tensors. Complete development of special relativity, with applications. Plane waves in material media, polarization, Fresnel equations, attenuation, and dispersion. Wave equation with sources, retarded solution for potentials, and fields. Cartesian and spherical multipole expansions, vector spherical harmonics, examples of radiating systems, diffraction, and optical theorem. Fields of charges in arbitrary motion, radiated power, relativistic (synchrotron) radiation, and radiation in collisions.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 110A-110B or consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
PHYSICS 211 Equilibrium Statistical Physics 4 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Foundations of statistical physics. Ensemble theory. Degenerate systems. Systems of interacting particles.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 112 or equivalent
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
PHYSICS 212 Nonequilibrium Statistical Physics 4 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Fall 2015, Spring 2015
Time dependent processes. Kinetic equations. Transport processes. Irreversibility. Theory of many-particle systems. Critical phenomena and renormalization group. Theory of phase transitions.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 112 and 221A-221B, or equivalents
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
PHYSICS 216 Special Topics in Many-Body Physics 4 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Fall 2015
Quantum theory of many-particle systems. Applications of theory and technique to physical systems. Pairing phenomena, superfluidity, equation of state, critical phenomena, phase transitions, nuclear matter.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 221A-221B or equivalent recommended
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
PHYSICS 221A Quantum Mechanics 5 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Basic assumptions of quantum mechanics; quantum theory of measurement; matrix mechanics; Schroedinger theory; symmetry and invariance principles; theory of angular momentum; stationary state problems; variational principles; time independent perturbation theory; time dependent perturbation theory; theory of scattering.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 137A-137B or equivalent
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
PHYSICS 221B Quantum Mechanics 5 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Many-body methods, radiation field quantization, relativistic quantum mechanics, applications.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 221A
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
PHYSICS 226 Particle Physics Phenomenology 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Introduction to particle physics phenomena. Emphasis is placed on experimental tests of particle physics models. Topics include Quark model spectroscopy; weak decays; overview of detectors and accelerators; e+e- annihilation; parton model; electron-proton and neutrino-proton scattering; special topics of current interest.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 221A-221B or equivalent or consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
PHYSICS C228 Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology 3 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
A survey of physical cosmology - the study of the origin, evolution, and fate of the universe. Topics include the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker model, thermal history and big bang nucleosynthesis, evidence and nature of dark matter and dark energy, the formation and growth of galaxies and large scale structure, the anisotropy of the cosmic microwave radiation, inflation in the early universe, tests of cosmological models, and current research areas. The course complements the material of Astronomy 218.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Instructors: Holzapfel, Lee, Ma, Seljak, White
Also listed as: ASTRON C228
PHYSICS 229 Advanced Cosmology 3 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Advanced topics in physical and early-universe cosmology. Topics include the expanding Universe, evidence and nature of dark matter and dark energy, relativistic perturbation theory, models of cosmological inflation, the formation and growth of large scale structure and the anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background, and current research areas. The course extends the material of C228.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Physics/Astronomy C228 or equivalent or consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring:
15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
PHYSICS 231 General Relativity 4 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
An introduction to Einstein's theory of gravitation. Tensor analysis, general relativistic models for matter and electromagnetism, Einstein's field equations. Applications, for example, to the solar system, dense stars, black holes, and cosmology.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 209 or equivalent, or consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
PHYSICS 232A Quantum Field Theory I 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Introduction to quantum field theory: canonical quantization of scalar, electromagnetic, and Dirac fields; derivation of Feynman rules; regularization and renormalization; introduction to the renormalization group; elements of the path integral.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 221A-221B or equivalent or consent of instructor (concurrent enrollment in 226 is recommended)
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
PHYSICS 232B Quantum Field Theory II 4 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Renormalization of Yang-Mills gauge theories: BRST quantization of gauge theories; nonperturbative dynamics; renormalization group; basics of effective field theory; large N; solitons; instantons; dualities. Selected current topics.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 232A or equivalent or consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
PHYSICS 233A Standard Model and Beyond I 4 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Introduction to the Standard Model of particle physics and its applications: construction of the Standard Model; Higgs mechanism; phenomenology of weak interactions; QCD and the chiral Lagrangian; quark mixing and flavor physics.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 232A or equivalent or consent of instructor (concurrent enrollment in 232B is recommended)
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
PHYSICS 233B Standard Model and Beyond II 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Advanced topics in the Standard Model and beyond, selected from: open problems in the Standard Model; supersymmetric models; grand unification; neutrino physics; flat and warped extra dimensions; axions; inflation; baryogenesis; dark matter; the multiverse; other current topics.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 233A or equivalent or consent of instructor
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit with consent of instructor. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
PHYSICS 234A String Theory I 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Perturbative theory of the bosonic strings, superstrings, and heterotic strings: NSR and GS formulations; 2d CFT; strings in background fields; T-duality; effective spacetime supergravity; perturbative description of D-branes; elements of compactifications and string phenomemology; perturbative mirror symmetry.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 232A or equivalent or consent of instructor. 232B is recommended
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
PHYSICS 234B String Theory II 4 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Nonperturbative apsects of string theory. Topics selected from black holes; black branes; Bekenstein-Hawking entropy; D-branes; string dualities; M-theory; holographic principle and its realizations; AdS/CFT correspondence; gauge theory/gravity dualities; flux compactifications; cosmology in string theory; topological string theories. Selected current topics.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 234A or equivalent or consent of instructor
Repeat rules: May be repeated for credit with consent of instructor. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
PHYSICS 238 Advanced Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2015, Fall 2014
Contemporary topics in atomic, molecular, and optical physics are presented at an advanced level. These topics may include one or several of the following, at the discretion of the instructor: mechanical effects of light-atom interactions, ultra-cold atomic physics, molecular physics, resonance optics of multi-level atoms, and probing particle physics with atoms and molecules.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 110A, 130, 137A-137B, and 138; or consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
PHYSICS 240A Quantum Theory of Solids 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Excitations and interactions in solids; crystal structures, symmetries, Bloch's theorem; energy bands; electron dynamics; impurity states; lattice dynamics, phonons; many-electron interactions; density functional theory; dielectric functions, conductivity and optical properties.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 141A-141B and 221A-221B or equivalents, or consent of instructor; 240A is prerequisite to 240B
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
PHYSICS 240B Quantum Theory of Solids 4 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Optical properties, excitons; electron-phonon interactions, polarons; quantum oscillations, Fermi surfaces; magnetoresistance; quantum Hall effect; transport processes, Boltzmann equation; superconductivity, BCS theory; many-body perturbation theory, Green's functions.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 141A-141B and 221A-221B or equivalents, or consent of instructor; 240A is prerequisite to 240B
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
PHYSICS 242A Theoretical Plasma Physics 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Analysis of plasma behavior according to the Vlasov, Fokker-Planck equations, guiding center and hydromagnetic descriptions. Study of equilibria, stability, linear and nonlinear waves, transport, and laser-plasma interactions.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: PHYSICS 142, or consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
PHYSICS 242B Theoretical Plasma Physics 4 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2012
Analysis of plasma behavior according to the Vlasov, Fokker-Planck equations, guiding center and hydromagnetic descriptions. Study of equilibria, stability, linear and nonlinear waves, transport, and laser-plasma interactions.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: PHYSICS 142, or consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
PHYSICS 250 Special Topics in Physics 2 - 4 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Fall 2015
Topics will vary from semester to semester. See Department of Physics announcements.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit with consent of instructor. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2-4 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
PHYSICS 251 Introduction to Graduate Research in Physics 1 Unit
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
A survey of experimental and theoretical research in the Department of Physics, designed for first-year graduate students. One regular meeting each week with supplementary visits to experimental laboratories. Meetings include discussions with research staff.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in Department of Physics or consent of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
PHYSICS C254 High Energy Astrophysics 3 Units
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2014, Spring 2013
Basic physics of high energy radiation processes in an astrophysics environment. Cosmic ray production and propagation. Applications selected from pulsars, x-ray sources, supernovae, interstellar medium, extragalactic radio sources, quasars, and big-bang cosmologies.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 201 or consent of instructor. 202 recommended
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Instructors: Boggs, Quataert
Also listed as: ASTRON C254
PHYSICS C285 Theoretical Astrophysics Seminar 1 Unit
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
The study of theoretical astrophysics.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Instructor: Quataert
Also listed as: ASTRON C285
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
PHYSICS 290N Seminar in Non-Neutral Plasmas 2 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
PHYSICS 290Q Seminar in Quantum Optics 2 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
PHYSICS C290C Cosmology 2 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Instructors: White, Cohn
Also listed as: ASTRON C290C
PHYSICS 295 Special Study for Graduate Students 1 - 4 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Summer 2017 8 Week Session, Spring 2017
This course is arranged to allow qualified graduate students to investigate possible research fields or to pursue problems of interest through reading or non-laboratory study under the direction of faculty members who agree to give such supervision.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Graduate standing
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-4 hours of independent study per week
Summer:
6 weeks - 1-4 hours of independent study per week
8 weeks - 1-4 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
PHYSICS 299 Research 1 - 12 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Summer 2017 8 Week Session, Summer 2017 First 6 Week Session
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Graduate standing
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 0 hours of independent study per week
Summer:
6 weeks - 1-12 hours of independent study per week
8 weeks - 1-12 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
PHYSICS 301 Advanced Professional Preparation: Supervised Teaching of Physics 1 - 2 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Discussion, problem review and development, guidance of physics laboratory experiments, course development.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 300
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Professional course for teachers or prospective teachers
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
PHYSICS 375 Professional Preparation: Supervised Teaching of Physics 2 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Mandatory for first time GSIs. Topics include teaching theory, effective teaching methods, educational objectives, alternatives to standard classroom methods, reciprocal classroom visitations, and guided group and self-analysis of videotapes.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Graduate standing or consent of instructor; may be taken concurrently with 301
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Professional course for teachers or prospective teachers
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Formerly known as: Physics 300
PHYSICS 602 Individual Study for Doctoral Students 1 - 8 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Individual study in consultation with the major field adviser intended to provide an opportunity for qualified students to prepare themselves for the various examinations required of candidates for the Ph.D.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: For qualified graduate students
Credit Restrictions: Course does not satisfy unit or residence requirements for doctoral degree.
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-8 hours of independent study per week
Summer:
6 weeks - 1-8 hours of independent study per week
8 weeks - 1-8 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate examination preparation
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
PHYSICS 700 Departmental Colloquium 0.0 Units
Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Physics Department weekly colloquium.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of colloquium per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate examination preparation
Grading: The grading option will be decided by the instructor when the class is offered.
Formerly known as: Physics 800
Faculty and Instructors
Faculty
Mina Aganagic, Professor. Particle physics.
Research Profile
James Analytis, Assistant Professor. Experimental Condensed Matter Physics.
Research Profile
Stuart Bale, Professor. Experimental space physics, plasma astrophysics, low frequency radio astronomy.
Research Profile
Robert Birgeneau, Professor. Physics, phase transition behavior of novel states of matter.
Research Profile
Steven Edward Boggs, Professor. Astrophysics, cosmology, supernovas, physics, gamma-ray telescopes, radioactive nuclei, nucleosynthesis, gamma-ray emission.
Research Profile
Raphael Bousso, Professor. Physics, quantum mechanics, gravity, unified description of nature, string theory, quantum properties of black holes, the geometry of spacetime, covariant entropy bound, cosmological constant.
Research Profile
Dmitry Budker, Professor. Modern atomic physics, discrete symmetries, samarium, dysprosium, ytterbium, spectral line broadening, parity nonconservation, magnetometry, atomic collisions, NV diamond, fundamental physics.
Research Profile
Carlos J. Bustamante, Professor. Nanoscience, structural characterization of nucleo-protein assemblies, single molecule fluorescence microscopy, DNA-binding molecular motors, the scanning force microscope, prokaryotes.
Research Profile
Michael F. Crommie, Professor. Physics, electronic properties of atomic-scale structures at surfaces, atomic-scale structures, morphology and dynamics of mesoscopic systems, atomic manipulation, visualizing low dimensional electronic behavior.
Research Profile
Michael Deweese, Associate Professor. Machine learning, computation, systems neuroscience, auditory cortex, neural coding.
Research Profile
Joel Fajans, Professor. Astrophysics, plasma processing, physics, basic plasma physics, non-neutral plasmas, basic plasma physics experiments, pure electron plasma traps, cyrogenic plasmas, plasma bifurcations, basic non-linear dynamics, autoresonance.
Research Profile
Roger Falcone, Professor. X-rays, plasma physics, lasers, physics, materials, atomic physics, coherent control, ultrafast.
Research Profile
Ori J. Ganor, Associate Professor. Physics, string theory, -theory, F-theory, matrix-models, noncommutative geometry, six-dimensional theories and their large N limit, supersymmetric field theories, coupled quantum systems, nonperturbative and strong-coupling, nonlocal behavior, space.
Research Profile
Hernan G. Garcia, Assistant Professor.
Reinhard Genzel, Professor. Physics, existence and formation of black holes in galactic nuclei, the nature of the power source, the evolution of (ultra)luminous infrared galaxies, gas dynamics, the fueling of active galactic nuclei, the properties evolution of starburst galaxies.
Research Profile
Naomi Ginsberg, Assistant Professor.
Hartmut Haeffner, Assistant Professor. Quantum information and computation, precision measurements, ion traps, quantum state engineering, decoherence, quantum simulations, quantum energy transport, quantum chaos, cryogenic electronics.
Research Profile
Lawrence J. Hall, Professor. Physics, standard model of particle physics, symmetries of nature, the symmetry of the electroweak interaction, spacetime symmetries: weak scale supersymmetry, constrained theories for the quark and charged lepton masses, supersymmetric theory.
Research Profile
Oskar Hallatschek, Assistant Professor.
Wick Haxton, Professor. Astrophysics, neutrino physics, nuclear astrophysics, tests of symmetries and conservation laws in nuclear and particle and atomic physics, many-body theory, effective theories.
Research Profile
Beate Heinemann, Professor. Particle physics.
Research Profile
Frances Hellman, Professor. Condensed matter physics and materials science.
Research Profile
William L. Holzapfel, Professor. Cosmology, physics, measurement and interpretation of anisotropies of the cosmic microwave background, the universe, density of energy, baryonic matter in the universe, the degree angular scale interferometer, the arcminute cosmology bolometer array.
Research Profile
Petr Horava, Professor. Cosmology, physics, quantum geometry, particle physics, string (and M-) theory, quantum gravity.
Research Profile
Barbara Jacak, Professor.
Bob Jacobsen, Professor. Physics, high energy physics, LEP collider and detectors, CKM matrix, B meson decays, CP violation in the B system.
Research Profile
Daniel Kasen, Associate Professor.
Edgar Knobloch, Professor. Astrophysics, geophysics, physics, nonlinear dynamics of dissipative systems, bifurcation theory, low-dimensional behavior of continuous systems, the theory of nonlinear waves, pattern formation in fluid systems, reaction-diffusion systems.
Research Profile
Yury G. Kolomensky, Professor. Particle physics, precision measurements, electroweak interactions, neutrino physics, QCD, BaBar, E158, CUORE, Mu2e.
Research Profile
Alessandra Lanzara, Professor. Nanostructures, physics, solid-state physics, complex novel materials, correlated electron systems, temperature superconductors, colossal magneto-resistance manganites, organic material, fullerenes, nanotubes, nanosphere, nanorods.
Research Profile
Adrian T. Lee, Professor. Physics.
Research Profile
Dung-Hai Lee, Professor. Physics, theoretical condensed matter, organization principles enabling microscopic degrees of freedom to behave cooperatively, matter and their formation mechanisms, low dimensional quantum magnets, strongly correlated Fermi and Bose fluids.
Research Profile
Stephen R. Leone, Professor. Physical chemistry, molecular dynamics, atomic, molecular, nanostructured materials, energy applications, attosecond physics and chemistry, radical reactions, combustion dynamics, microscopy, Optical physics, chemical physics, soft x-ray, high harmonic generation, ultrafast laser, aerosol chemistry and dynamics, neutrals imaging.
Research Profile
Robert G. Littlejohn, Professor. Plasma physics, nonlinear dynamics, physics, atomic, molecular, optical, and nuclear physics, dissipation in many-particle systems, semiclassical treatment of spin-orbit forces in nuclei, normal form theory for mode conversion or Landau-Zener transition.
Research Profile
Steven G. Louie, Professor. Nanoscience, nuclear magnetic resonance, semiconductors, metals, physics, fullerenes, nanotubes, condensed matter theory, surfaces, defects, nanostructure materials, clusters, many-electron effects in solids.
Research Profile
Kam-Biu Luk, Professor. Physics, particle physics, neutrinos coming from the nuclear processes in the sun, neutrino oscillation, anti-neutrinos, neutrino mixing parameters, nuclear instrumentation, data mining.
Research Profile
Daniel Mckinsey, Professor. Dark matter, noble gases, cryogenics, high voltages, particle physics, astrophysics, low temperature physics, detector physics, neutrinos.
Research Profile
Joel E. Moore, Professor. Physics, nanotubes, condensed matter theory, the properties of, electron-electron interactions, zero-temperature phase transitions, interaction effects in nanoscale devices, quantum phase transitions.
Research Profile
Holger Mueller, Assistant Professor. Atomic, molecular, and optical physics.
Research Profile
Hitoshi Murayama, Professor. Physics, particle physics, the universe, fundamental constituents of matter, Higgs boson, anti-matter, neutrino oscillations, finite value of the cosmological constant, triple coincidence of energy densities.
Research Profile
Jeffrey B. Neaton, Professor. Condensed matter theory, Materials Physics, nanoscience, physical chemistry, Electronic Structure Theory, Transport, Hard-Soft Interfaces, Complex Oxides, renewable energy, energy conversion.
Research Profile
Yasunori Nomura, Professor. Electroweak symmetry, developing new ideas and building realistic models in particle physics, particle physics theory and cosmology, hidden extra spatial dimensions and supersymmetry, physics of the multiverse, multiverse and quantum gravity.
Research Profile
Gabriel Orebi Gann, Assistant Professor. Particle physics.
Research Profile
Joseph W. Orenstein, Professor. Physics, optics, electromagnetic radiation, probe condensed matter systems, light waves, transmission and reflection coefficients, high-Tc superconductors organic molecular crystals, quasiparticles, origin of superconductivity, terahertz spectroscopy.
Research Profile
Saul Perlmutter, Professor. Cosmology, dark energy, physics, astrophysics experiments, observational astrophysics, supernovae, accelerating universe.
Research Profile
Matt Pyle, Assistant Professor.
Zi Q. Qiu, Professor. Physics, novel behavior of the quantum magnetism in magnetic nanostructures, oscillatory interlayer coupling, the giant magnetoresistance, condensed matter experiment, technology applications, molecular beam epitaxy, artificial structures.
Research Profile
Eliot Quataert, Professor. Compact objects, theoretical astrophysics, theoretical physics, black holes, accretion theory, plasma physics, high energy astrophysics, galaxies, stars.
Research Profile
Surjeet Rajendran, Assistant Professor. Theoretical Particle Physics, precision metrology.
Research Profile
R. Ramesh, Professor. Processing of complex oxide heterostructures, nanoscale characterization/device structures, thin film growth and materials physics of complex oxides, materials processing for devices, information technologies.
Research Profile
Daniel S. Rokhsar, Professor. Biology, collective phenomena and ordering in condensed matter and biological systems, theoretical modeling, computational modeling, behavior of quantum fluids, cold atomic gases, high temperature superconductors, Fermi and Bose systems.
Research Profile
Bernard Sadoulet, Professor. Astrophysics, cosmology, physics, condensed matter, particle physics, developing sophisticated detectors, UA1 central detector, ubiquitous dark matter in the universe, searching for dark matter, development of advanced phonon-mediated detectors.
Research Profile
Uros Seljak, Professor.
Marjorie D. Shapiro, Professor. Physics, particle physics, particle experiments, probing the most basic interactions in nature, quarks, leptons, collider detector, the atlas experiment, electroweak symmetry breaking, mass, design of the silicon strip detectors, pixel detectors.
Research Profile
Irfan Siddiqi, Associate Professor. Condensed matter physics, superconducting qubits, quantum limited amplifiers, quantum circuits.
Research Profile
Dan M. Stamper-Kurn, Professor. Atomic physics, the use of ultra-cold neutral atoms, studies of microscopic and macroscopic quantum phenomena, cavity quantum electrodynamics, Bose-Einstein condensation, precision and quantum measurement.
Research Profile
Ashvin Vishwanath, Professor. Theoretical physics, physics, condensed matter theory, quantum condensed matter, systems of many quantum particles, dilute atomic gases, optical lattices, strongly correlated materials, fractionalization, unconventional quantum phase transition.
Research Profile
Feng Wang, Associate Professor. Condensed matter physics, photonics, nanoscience.
Research Profile
Martin White, Professor. Cosmology, formation of structure in the universe, dark energy, expansion of the universe, cosmic microwave background, quasars, redshift surveys.
Research Profile
Jonathan Wurtele, Professor. Physics, stability, plasma theory, advanced accelerator concepts, intense laser-plasma interaction, the basic equilibrium, radiation properties of intense charged particle beams, simulation and the development of proof-of-principle experiments.
Research Profile
Ahmet Yildiz, Associate Professor. Single molecule biophysics, molecular motors, telomeres.
Research Profile
Alex Zettl, Professor. Physics, condensed matter physics, fullerenes, condensed matter experiments, characterize novel materials with unusual electronic and magnetic ground states, low-dimensional and nanoscale structures, superconductors, giant magnetoresistance materials, nanotubes, graphene, boron nitride nanostructures, neural probes, NEMS.
Research Profile
Lecturers
Catherine Bordel, Lecturer.
Andrew Charman, Lecturer.
Eric Corsini, Lecturer.
Alex Frano, Lecturer.
Austin J. Hedeman, Lecturer.
Melvin Pomerantz, Lecturer.
Matthias Reinsch, Lecturer.
Achilles Speliotopoulos, Lecturer.
Steven W. Stahler, Lecturer.
Lukman Winoto, Lecturer.
Visiting Faculty
David Kaplan, Visiting Professor.
Ribhu Kaul, Visiting Associate Professor.
Huey-Wen Lin, Visiting Assistant Professor.
Mohit Randeria, Visiting Professor.
Nandini Trivedi, Visiting Professor.
Emeritus Faculty
Korkut Bardakci, Professor Emeritus.
Geoffrey Chew, Professor Emeritus. Physics.
Research Profile
William Chinowsky, Professor Emeritus. Physics.
Research Profile
John Clarke, Professor Emeritus. Nuclear magnetic resonance, physics, noise limitations, applications of superconducting quantum interference devices, low-transition temperature, axion detectors, sensing of magnetically-tagged biomolecules, nondestructive evaluation.
Research Profile
Marvin L. Cohen, Professor Emeritus. Nanoscience, semiconductors, nanotechnology, physics, condensed matter physics, new properties of condensed matter systems, superconductivity, applications of BCS theory, superluminal velocities.
Research Profile
Marc Davis, Professor Emeritus. Astronomy, physical cosmology, large scale velocity fields, structure formation in the universe, maps of galactic dust.
Research Profile
Robert C. Dynes, Professor Emeritus. Condensed matter physics and materials science.
Research Profile
R. P. Ely, Professor Emeritus. Physics.
Research Profile
William R. Frazer, Professor Emeritus. Particle physics.
Research Profile
Mary K. Gaillard, Professor Emeritus. Elementary particle theory.
Research Profile
Erwin L. Hahn, Professor Emeritus. Physics.
Research Profile
Martin B. Halpern, Professor Emeritus.
J. David Jackson, Professor Emeritus. Physics.
Research Profile
Allan N. Kaufman, Professor Emeritus. Physics, fundamental aspects of plasma physics, application to plasma heating in tokamaks, interaction between positive and negative energy waves in nonuniform plasma, conversion of magnetosonic waves to ion-hybrid waves in tokamak geometries, heating.
Research Profile
Leroy T. Kerth, Professor Emeritus. Physics.
Research Profile
Charles Kittel, Professor Emeritus. Physics.
Research Profile
Stanley Mandelstam, Professor Emeritus. Physics, string theory, the n-loop superstring amplitude, particle theory, Seiberg and Witten in supersymmetric field theories, topology, topology changes in two-dimensional target spaces.
Research Profile
Richard Marrus, Professor Emeritus. Physics, spectroscopy of one- and two-electron ions, beam-foil method, measurement of the hyperfine structure, hyperfine structure of the ground state of hydrogenic bismuth, atomic experiments.
Research Profile
Christopher F. Mckee, Professor Emeritus. Astrophysics, interstellar medium, formation of stars, astrophysical fluid dynamics, computational astrophysics, astrophysical blast waves, supernova remnants, interstellar shocks.
Research Profile
Forrest S. Mozer, Professor Emeritus. Physics.
Research Profile
Richard Muller, Professor Emeritus. Astrophysics, geophysics, physics, elementary particle physics, cosmic micro wave background, supernovae for cosmology, origin of the earth's magnetic flips, Nemesis theory, glacial cycles, red sprites, lunar impacts, iridium measurement.
Research Profile
Richard E. Packard, Professor Emeritus. Physics, condensed matter physics, experimental low temperature physics, quantum liquids, superfluid, surface waves in superfluid, liquid helium.
Research Profile
P. Buford Price, Professor Emeritus. Evolution, metabolism, neutrino astrophysics, microbes, climate research, volcanism, glacial ice.
Research Profile
Frederick Reif, Professor Emeritus.
Paul L. Richards, Professor Emeritus. Physics, utilizing far infrared and near-millimeter wavelength radiation, infrared physics, experimental cosmology, MAXIMA experiment, cosmic background radiation, far infrared spectroscopy, astrophysics experiment.
Research Profile
Art Rosenfeld, Professor Emeritus. Physics, electronic ballasts for fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps, low-emissivity, selective windows, DoE-2 computer program for the energy design of buildings, building technologies, energy analysis, indoor environment, building ventilation.
Research Profile
Rainer K. Sachs, Professor Emeritus. Computational biology, carcinogenesis, mathematical biology, ionizing radiation, chromosome aberrations, radiation risk, cancer radiation therapy.
Research Profile
Charles L. Schwartz, Professor Emeritus. Theoretical physics, physics, social responsibility in science.
Research Profile
Yuen Ron Shen, Professor Emeritus.
Howard A. Shugart, Professor Emeritus. Physics.
Research Profile
James L. Siegrist, Professor Emeritus. High energy physics, particle experiments, large hadron collider, ATLAS, high center of mass energies, collider detectors, development of instrumentation and software, dark matter direct detection, non-proliferation, physical sciences and oncology.
Research Profile
Isadore M. Singer, Professor Emeritus. Mathematics, physics, partial differential equations, geometry.
Research Profile
George F. Smoot, Professor Emeritus. Cosmology, physics, astrophysics experiments, observational astrophysics, observing our galaxy, the cosmic background radiation, ground-based radio-telescope observations, balloon-borne instrumentation, satellite experiments, the NASA cosmic background.
Research Profile
Herbert M. Steiner, Professor Emeritus. Physics, particle experiments, experimental particle physics, high energy fission, experiments with antiprotons, pion-nuleon and nucleon -nucleon scattering with polarized targets, pi-N phase shift analyses, the spin and intrinsic parity of hyperons.
Research Profile
M. Lynn Stevenson, Professor Emeritus.
Mark Strovink, Professor Emeritus. Physics, discrete symmetries, particle experiments, absolute predictions fundamental tenets of the standard model, charge parity, nonconservation in K meson decay; establishment of upper limits on the quark charge radius, effects of gluon radiation.
Research Profile
Mahiko Suzuki, Professor Emeritus. Physics, chiral symmetry, particle theory, electroweak symmetry, supersymmetry, standard model of particle interaction, heavy quark symmetry, B meson physics, disoriented chiral condensate, semileptonic D and B decays.
Research Profile
George H. Trilling, Professor Emeritus. Physics.
Research Profile
Robert D. Tripp, Professor Emeritus. Physics.
Research Profile
Eyvind H. Wichmann, Professor Emeritus. Physics.
Research Profile
Peter Y. Yu, Professor Emeritus.
Contact Information
Student Services Manager
Claudia Trujillo
376 LeConte Hall
Phone: 510-643-5261
Fax: 510-643-8497
Undergraduate Adviser
Kathy Lee
368 LeConte Hall
Phone: 510-642-0481
Fax: 510-643-8497
Equity Adviser and Campus Liaison
Ori Ganor, PhD