Physics (PHYSICS)

This is an archived copy of the 2017-18 guide. To access the most recent version of the guide, please visit http://guide.berkeley.edu.

Courses

PHYSICS 5A Introductory Mechanics and Relativity 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
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.
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PHYSICS 5B Introductory Electromagnetism, Waves, and Optics 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 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.
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PHYSICS 5BL Introduction to Experimental Physics I 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 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.
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PHYSICS 5C Introductory Thermodynamics and Quantum Mechanics 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, 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.
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PHYSICS 5CL Introduction to Experimental Physics II 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, 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.
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PHYSICS 7A Physics for Scientists and Engineers 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Summer 2018 8 Week Session, Spring 2018
Mechanics and wave motion.
Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 7B Physics for Scientists and Engineers 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Summer 2018 8 Week Session, Spring 2018
Heat, electricity, and magnetism.
Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 7C Physics for Scientists and Engineers 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Summer 2018 8 Week Session, Spring 2018
Electromagnetic waves, optics, relativity, and quantum physics.
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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.
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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.
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PHYSICS H7C 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.
Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 8A Introductory Physics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Summer 2018 8 Week Session, Spring 2018
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.
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PHYSICS 8B Introductory Physics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Summer 2018 8 Week Session, Spring 2018
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.
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PHYSICS 10 Descriptive Introduction to Physics 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Spring 2005
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.
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PHYSICS C10 Descriptive Introduction to Physics 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2015, Spring 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.
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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.
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PHYSICS C21 Physics and Music 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2014, Spring 2012
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.
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PHYSICS 24 Freshman Seminars 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
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.
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PHYSICS 39 Lower Division Physics Seminar 1.5 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2010, Spring 2009, Fall 2008
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.
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PHYSICS 49 Supplementary Work in Lower Division Physics 1 - 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Spring 2017
Students with partial credit in lower division physics courses may, with consent of instructor, complete the credit under this heading.
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PHYSICS 77 Introduction to Computational Techniques in Physics 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Summer 2018 10 Week Session, Spring 2018
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.
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PHYSICS 88 Data Science Applications in Physics 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018
Introduction to data science with applications to physics. Topics include: statistics and probability in physics, modeling of the physical systems and data, numerical integration and differentiation, function approximation. Connector course for Data Science 8, room-shared with Physics 77. Recommended for freshmen intended to major in physics or engineering with emphasis on data science.
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PHYSICS 89 Introduction to Mathematical Physics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Summer 2018 10 Week Session, Spring 2018
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.
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PHYSICS 98 Directed Group Study 1 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Fall 2016

Directed Group Study: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 98BC Berkeley Connect 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
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.
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PHYSICS 99 Supervised Independent Study 1 - 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Fall 2015

Supervised Independent Study: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 100 Communicating Physics and Physical Science 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2010, Spring 2009, Spring 2008
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.
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PHYSICS 105 Analytic Mechanics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
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.
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PHYSICS 110A Electromagnetism and Optics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
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.
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PHYSICS 110B Electromagnetism and Optics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
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.
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PHYSICS 111A Instrumentation Laboratory 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Summer 2018 10 Week Session, Spring 2018
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.

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PHYSICS 111B Advanced Experimentation Laboratory 1 - 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
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.
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PHYSICS 112 Introduction to Statistical and Thermal Physics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
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.
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PHYSICS 129 Particle Physics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
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.
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PHYSICS 130 Quantum and Nonlinear Optics 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2016, Spring 2014
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.
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PHYSICS 137A Quantum Mechanics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Summer 2018 8 Week Session, Spring 2018
Part I. Introduction to the methods of quantum mechanics with applications to atomic, molecular, solid state, nuclear and elementary particle physics.
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PHYSICS 137B Quantum Mechanics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
Part II. Introduction to the methods of quantum mechanics with applications to atomic, molecular, solid state, nuclear and elementary particle physics.
Quantum Mechanics: Read More [+]

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.
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PHYSICS 139 Special Relativity and General Relativity 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
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.
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PHYSICS 141A Solid State Physics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
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.
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PHYSICS 141B Solid State Physics 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
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.
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PHYSICS 142 Introduction to Plasma Physics 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, 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.
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PHYSICS 151 Elective Physics: Special Topics 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
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.
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PHYSICS C161 Relativistic Astrophysics and Cosmology 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
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.
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PHYSICS 177 Principles of Molecular Biophysics 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
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.
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PHYSICS H190 Physics Honors Course 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
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.
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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.
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PHYSICS H195A Senior Honors Thesis Research 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Fall 2015, Spring 2015
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.
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PHYSICS H195B Senior Honors Thesis Research 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Fall 2015, Spring 2015
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.
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PHYSICS 198 Directed Group Study 1 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
Enrollment restrictions apply; see the Introduction to Courses and Curricula section in this catalog.
Directed Group Study: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 198BC Berkeley Connect 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
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.
Berkeley Connect: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 198F Frontiers of Physics 2 Units

Terms offered: Prior to 2007
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.
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PHYSICS 199 Supervised Independent Study 1 - 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2016, Spring 2016, Fall 2015
Enrollment restrictions apply; see the Introduction to Courses and Curricula section in this catalog.
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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.
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PHYSICS C202 Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
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.
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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.
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PHYSICS 205A Advanced Dynamics 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2015, Spring 2013
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.
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PHYSICS 205B Advanced Dynamics 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2015, Fall 2013
Nonlinear dynamics of dissipative systems, attractors, perturbation theory, bifurcation theory, pattern formation. Emphasis on recent developments, including turbulence.
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PHYSICS C207 Radiation Processes in Astronomy 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
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.
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PHYSICS 209 Classical Electromagnetism 5 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
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.
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PHYSICS 211 Equilibrium Statistical Physics 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Foundations of statistical physics. Ensemble theory. Degenerate systems. Systems of interacting particles.
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PHYSICS 212 Nonequilibrium Statistical Physics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2017, Fall 2015
Time dependent processes. Kinetic equations. Transport processes. Irreversibility. Theory of many-particle systems. Critical phenomena and renormalization group. Theory of phase transitions.
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PHYSICS 216 Special Topics in Many-Body Physics 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2016, Fall 2014
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.
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PHYSICS 221A Quantum Mechanics 5 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
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.
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PHYSICS 221B Quantum Mechanics 5 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Many-body methods, radiation field quantization, relativistic quantum mechanics, applications.
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PHYSICS 226 Particle Physics Phenomenology 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
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.
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PHYSICS C228 Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2016, Fall 2015, Fall 2014
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.
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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.
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PHYSICS 231 General Relativity 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
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.
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PHYSICS 232A Quantum Field Theory I 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
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.
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PHYSICS 232B Quantum Field Theory II 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
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.
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PHYSICS 233A Standard Model and Beyond I 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
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.
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PHYSICS 233B Standard Model and Beyond II 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
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.
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PHYSICS 234A String Theory I 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, 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.
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PHYSICS 234B String Theory II 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
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.
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PHYSICS 238 Advanced Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2015, Fall 2013
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.
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PHYSICS 240A Quantum Theory of Solids 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
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.
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PHYSICS 240B Quantum Theory of Solids 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
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.
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PHYSICS 242A Theoretical Plasma Physics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2015, Spring 2014
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.

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PHYSICS 242B Theoretical Plasma Physics 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2012, Spring 2010
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.

Theoretical Plasma Physics: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 250 Special Topics in Physics 2 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Spring 2015, Fall 2014
Topics will vary from semester to semester. See Department of Physics announcements.
Special Topics in Physics: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 251 Introduction to Graduate Research in Physics 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
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.
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PHYSICS C254 High Energy Astrophysics 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2014, Spring 2012
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.
High Energy Astrophysics: Read More [+]

PHYSICS C285 Theoretical Astrophysics Seminar 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
The study of theoretical astrophysics.
Theoretical Astrophysics Seminar: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 290A Seminar 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 1997, Fall 1996, Spring 1996

Seminar: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 290B Seminar 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017

Seminar: Read More [+]

PHYSICS C290C Cosmology 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017

Cosmology: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 290D Seminar 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2005, Fall 2004, Fall 2003

Seminar: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 290E Seminar 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017

Seminar: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 290F Seminar 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017

Seminar: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 290G Seminar 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2006, Spring 2006, Fall 2005

Seminar: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 290H Seminar 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015

Seminar: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 290I Seminar 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2014, Spring 1999, Spring 1998

Seminar: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 290J Seminar 2 Units

Terms offered: Prior to 2007

Seminar: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 290K Seminar 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017

Seminar: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 290L Seminar 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2012, Fall 2000

Seminar: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 290N Seminar in Non-Neutral Plasmas 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2007, Fall 2006, Spring 2006

Seminar in Non-Neutral Plasmas: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 290P Seminar 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017

Seminar: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 290Q Seminar in Quantum Optics 2 Units

Terms offered: Prior to 2007

Seminar in Quantum Optics: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 290R Seminar 2 Units

Terms offered: Prior to 2007

Seminar: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 290S Seminar 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017

Seminar: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 290T Seminar 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2000, Fall 1999, Spring 1999

Seminar: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 290X Seminar 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2006, Spring 2006, Fall 2005

Seminar: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 290Y Seminar 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2006, Spring 2006, Fall 2005

Seminar: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 290Z Seminar 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017

Seminar: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 295 Special Study for Graduate Students 1 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
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.
Special Study for Graduate Students: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 297 Careers for Physical Science PhDs 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2018
This course exposes graduate students and postdocs in the physical sciences to non-academic careers. Each session hosts speakers who have transitioned from a PhD in the physical sciences to a variety of industries, including data science, quantitative finance, software/hardware engineering, consulting, and more.
Careers for Physical Science PhDs: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 299 Research 1 - 12 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Fall 2015

Research: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 301 Advanced Professional Preparation: Supervised Teaching of Physics 1 - 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
Discussion, problem review and development, guidance of physics laboratory experiments, course development.
Advanced Professional Preparation: Supervised Teaching of Physics: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 375 Professional Preparation: Supervised Teaching of Physics 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
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.
Professional Preparation: Supervised Teaching of Physics: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 602 Individual Study for Doctoral Students 1 - 8 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Fall 2015, Spring 2015
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.
Individual Study for Doctoral Students: Read More [+]

PHYSICS 700 Departmental Colloquium 0.0 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Physics Department weekly colloquium.
Departmental Colloquium: Read More [+]

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