Graduate Program

Spring Term Schedule, Physics

Spring 2025

Number	Title	Instructor	Time
PHYS 403-01 Modern Statistics & Exploration Christopher Marshall TR 11:05AM - 12:20PM
Review the fundamentals of probability and statistics and learn to apply them in commonly encountered practical data analysis problems, including parameter estimation, hypothesis testing, regression, simulation, and advanced error analysis (both statistical and systematic). This course will have theoretical and practical components. Once the theoretical concepts are covered, the emphasis will be to apply them to actual calculations with data. Students will learn to use a software package employed in the manipulation and analysis of large data sets, and they will write their own computer programs to carry out calculations using supplied data sets. Location Bausch & Lomb Room 106 (TR 11:05AM - 12:20PM)
PHYS 408-01 Quantum Mechanics II Antonino Di Piazza MW 2:00PM - 3:15PM
Scattering theory (one-dimensional scattering problems, transmission and reflection coefficients, spherically symmetric problems, phase shift, Rutherford scattering), Time-dependent perturbation theory (Fermi's golden rule, Einstein's coefficients), Systems of identical particles, Many-electron atoms (variational principle, Hartree-Fock-Slater approximation, Thomas-Fermi-Dirac approximation), Classical field theory, Invariance and conservation theorems (continuous and discrete transformations), Quantization of free fields, The Klein-Gordon equation and the scalar field, The Dirac equation and the spinor (electron-positron) field, Maxwell's equations and the fourvector (photon) field. Location Bausch & Lomb Room 269 (MW 2:00PM - 3:15PM)
PHYS 418-01 Statistical Mechanics Stephen Teitel MW 10:25AM - 11:40AM
Review of thermodynamics; general principles of statistical mechanics; micro-canonical, canonical, and grand canonical ensembles; ideal quantum gases; applications to magnetic phenomena, heat capacities, black-body radiation; introduction to phase transitions. (Co-located with MSC418). Prerequisites: PHY 227 or equivalent; PHY 407, PHY 408 concurrently Location Bausch & Lomb Room 269 (MW 10:25AM - 11:40AM)
PHYS 435-01 Principles of Lasers Pablo Postigo Resa TR 12:30PM - 1:45PM
This course provides an up-to-date knowledge of modern laser systems. Topics covered include quantum mechanical treatments to two-level atomic systems, optical gain, homogenous and inhomogenous broadening, laser resonators and their modes, Gaussian beams, cavity design, pumping schemes, rate equations, Q switching, mode-locking, various gas, liquid, and solid-state lasers. Location Wilmot Room 116 (TR 12:30PM - 1:45PM)
PHYS 445-01 The Adv Nuclear Sci Edu Lab Frank Wolfs TR 2:00PM - 4:40PM
The students enrolled in ANSEL will develop a sophisticated understanding of our terrestrial radiation environment and of some of the important applications of nuclear science and technology. They will acquire practical skills in the routine use of radiation detectors, monitors, and electronics, and develop the ability to assess radiation threats and prospects of their abatement. The four in-depth ANSEL experiments are designed to help recreate a type of well-rounded, competent experimental nuclear scientist who is able to analyze an experimental problem, to select, design, and set up appropriate nuclear instrumentation, and to conduct required measurements. The laboratory sessions will meet twice a week for 2 hours and 40 minutes. The students are expected to write detailed lab reports on their work, and give a presentation on of their experiments at the end of the semester.In addition to the laboratory component of ANSEL students will attend a weekly lecture (1 hour and 15 minutes per week). Location Bausch & Lomb Room 407 (TR 2:00PM - 4:40PM)
PHYS 445-02 Ansel - Lab Lecture Frank Wolfs M 9:00AM - 9:50AM
The students enrolled in ANSEL will develop a sophisticated understanding of our terrestrial radiation environment and of some of the important applications of nuclear science and technology. They will acquire practical skills in the routine use of radiation detectors, monitors, and electronics, and develop the ability to assess radiation threats and prospects of their abatement. The four in-depth ANSEL experiments are designed to help recreate a type of well-rounded, competent experimental nuclear scientist who is able to analyze an experimental problem, to select, design, and set up appropriate nuclear instrumentation, and to conduct required measurements. The laboratory sessions will meet twice a week for 2 hours and 40 minutes. The students are expected to write detailed lab reports on their work, and give a presentation on of their experiments at the end of the semester.In addition to the laboratory component of ANSEL students will attend a weekly lecture (1 hour and 15 minutes per week). Location Bausch & Lomb Room 407 (M 9:00AM - 9:50AM)
PHYS 455-01 Plasma Physics II Chuang Ren TR 11:05AM - 12:20PM
Introduction to kinetic theory and the moment equations. Vlasov equation, Landau damping. Waves in unmagnetized and magnetized plasmas. Collisional processes, Fokker-Planck equation. Two-stream instability, micro-instabilities. Nonlinear effects, fluctuations. Location Hylan Building Room 306 (TR 11:05AM - 12:20PM)
PHYS 488-01 Computational Methods for High-Energy-Density Physics Suxing Hu TR 2:00PM - 3:15PM
Covers first-principles methods for understanding HED physics through theoretical and computational studies. Student will learn state-of-the-art computational methods for investigating the physics of HED matter using the quantum many-body physics approach. Previous experience or coursework in Quantum is a prerequisite. Only open to undergraduate seniors and graduate students. Location Frederick Douglass Room 404 (TR 2:00PM - 3:15PM)
PHYS 499-01 Supervised Teaching Asst II Steven Manly 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Continuation of PHYS 498. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 522-01 The Solid State II Chaitanya Murthy TR 12:30PM - 1:45PM
Electron-phonon interaction, transport, magnetism, and topics of current interest such as superconductivity or localization, to be determined by the instructor. (same as MSC 551). Location Bausch & Lomb Room 269 (TR 12:30PM - 1:45PM)
PHYS 526-1 Spin Based Electronics Hanan Dery TR 2:00PM - 3:15PM
One example in the research of spin-based electronics (spintronics) which is motivated by the natural ordering of ferromagnetic phase can add to large scale electronics circuits. Generally speaking, we are left to manipulate the information whereas nature takes care of preserving it. The course is intended for students who are interested in research frontiers of future electronics technologies. The course begins with introduction to the basic physics of magnetism and of quantum mechanical spin. Then it covers aspects of spin transport with emphasis on spin-diffusion in semiconductor. Prerequisites: Familiarity of quantum mechanics (i.e., taking a course and getting a grade; not just auditing) or PHYS 407-Quantum Mechanics-I. (ECE 459) Location Hylan Building Room 101 (TR 2:00PM - 3:15PM)
PHYS 532-01 Quantum Information and Quantum Optics Gabriel Teixeira Landi TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM
Qubits, density matrix theory, entanglement, Bell’s theorem. Elements of information theory: entropy, relative entropy, mutual information, quantum discord. Field quantization. Optical cavities: spontaneous emission, coherent and squeezed states, quantum theory of optical coherence. Open quantum systems. Platforms for quantum information processing: superconducting and semiconducting qubits, ultra-cold atoms. Prerequisite: PHYS 531 is recommended Location Bausch & Lomb Room 208 (TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM)
PHYS 591-01 PhD Readings: Mechanics & Chaotic Dynamics – 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Special study or work, arranged individually. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 591-02 PhD Readings in Physics – 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Special study or work, arranged individually. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-01 PhD Research in Physics Segev BenZvi 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-02 PhD Research in Physics Machiel Blok 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-03 PhD Research in Physics Nick Vamivakas 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-04 PhD Research in Physics Dustin Froula 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-05 PhD Research in Physics Aran Garcia-Bellido 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-10 PhD Research in Physics Gourab Ghoshal 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-11 PhD Research in Physics Pierre Gourdain 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-12 PhD Research in Physics Andrew Jordan 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-14 PhD Research in Physics Kevin McFarland-Porter 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-15 PhD Research in Physics John Nichol 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-16 PhD Research in Physics Antonino Di Piazza 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-17 PhD Research in Physics Frank Wolfs 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-18 PhD Research in Physics Nicholas Bigelow 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-19 PhD Research in Physics Riccardo Betti 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-20 PhD Research in Physics Robert Boyd 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-21 PhD Research in Physics Petros Tzeferacos 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-23 PhD Research in Physics Varchas Gopalaswamy 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-24 PhD Research in Physics William Renninger 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-25 PhD Research in Physics Ryan Rygg 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-26 PhD Research in Physics Gabriel Teixeira Landi 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-27 PhD Research in Physics Adam Sefkow 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-29 PhD Research in Physics Suxing Hu 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-30 PhD Research in Physics Jianhui Zhong 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-31 PhD Research in Physics Steven Manly 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-32 PhD Research in Physics David Mathews 7:00PM - 7:00PM
PhD Research Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-33 PhD Research in Physics Christopher Marshall 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-35 PhD Research in Physics Krishnan Padmanabhan 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-36 PhD Research in Physics Pengfei Huo 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-37 PhD Research in Physics Segev BenZvi 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-38 PhD Research in Physics Timothy Baran 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-40 PhD Research in Physics Anne Meyer 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 595-41 PhD Research in Physics Jaime Cardenas 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 597-01 Research Seminar Steven Manly F 10:25AM - 11:40AM
A (Fall) - One credit course given once per week, required of all first-year graduate students. The seminar consists of lectures and discussions on various aspects of being an effective teaching assistant, including interactions with undergraduate student body and cross-cultural issues. (Spring) - Noncredit course given once per week required of all first-year graduate students. Members of the faculty discuss topics in their current area of research interest. Location Bausch & Lomb Room 106 (F 10:25AM - 11:40AM)
PHYS 599-1 Pedagogy&Group Leadership Steven Manly 7:00PM - 7:00PM
This course is designed as a follow-up course for an experienced Workshop Leader, titled a lead Workshop Leader Teaching Assistant (TA). Typically, the TA attends the weekly Workshop Leader Training meeting that offers specialized support and training to develop leadership skills, to foster ongoing communication among faculty members and study group leaders, and to provide an environment for review of study group related issues. Students spend the semester teaching three to four workshops during the Spring semester introductory physics courses. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 895-1 Cont of Master's Enrollment – 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 995-1 Cont of Doctoral Enrollment Segev BenZvi 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Blank Description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)
PHYS 999-01 Doctoral Dissertation Segev BenZvi 7:00PM - 7:00PM
No description Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)

Number	Title	Instructor	Time
Monday
PHYS 445-02 Ansel - Lab Lecture Frank Wolfs
The students enrolled in ANSEL will develop a sophisticated understanding of our terrestrial radiation environment and of some of the important applications of nuclear science and technology. They will acquire practical skills in the routine use of radiation detectors, monitors, and electronics, and develop the ability to assess radiation threats and prospects of their abatement. The four in-depth ANSEL experiments are designed to help recreate a type of well-rounded, competent experimental nuclear scientist who is able to analyze an experimental problem, to select, design, and set up appropriate nuclear instrumentation, and to conduct required measurements. The laboratory sessions will meet twice a week for 2 hours and 40 minutes. The students are expected to write detailed lab reports on their work, and give a presentation on of their experiments at the end of the semester.In addition to the laboratory component of ANSEL students will attend a weekly lecture (1 hour and 15 minutes per week).
Monday and Wednesday
PHYS 418-01 Statistical Mechanics Stephen Teitel
Review of thermodynamics; general principles of statistical mechanics; micro-canonical, canonical, and grand canonical ensembles; ideal quantum gases; applications to magnetic phenomena, heat capacities, black-body radiation; introduction to phase transitions. (Co-located with MSC418). Prerequisites: PHY 227 or equivalent; PHY 407, PHY 408 concurrently
PHYS 408-01 Quantum Mechanics II Antonino Di Piazza
Scattering theory (one-dimensional scattering problems, transmission and reflection coefficients, spherically symmetric problems, phase shift, Rutherford scattering), Time-dependent perturbation theory (Fermi's golden rule, Einstein's coefficients), Systems of identical particles, Many-electron atoms (variational principle, Hartree-Fock-Slater approximation, Thomas-Fermi-Dirac approximation), Classical field theory, Invariance and conservation theorems (continuous and discrete transformations), Quantization of free fields, The Klein-Gordon equation and the scalar field, The Dirac equation and the spinor (electron-positron) field, Maxwell's equations and the fourvector (photon) field.
Tuesday
Tuesday and Thursday
PHYS 532-01 Quantum Information and Quantum Optics Gabriel Teixeira Landi
Qubits, density matrix theory, entanglement, Bell’s theorem. Elements of information theory: entropy, relative entropy, mutual information, quantum discord. Field quantization. Optical cavities: spontaneous emission, coherent and squeezed states, quantum theory of optical coherence. Open quantum systems. Platforms for quantum information processing: superconducting and semiconducting qubits, ultra-cold atoms. Prerequisite: PHYS 531 is recommended
PHYS 403-01 Modern Statistics & Exploration Christopher Marshall
Review the fundamentals of probability and statistics and learn to apply them in commonly encountered practical data analysis problems, including parameter estimation, hypothesis testing, regression, simulation, and advanced error analysis (both statistical and systematic). This course will have theoretical and practical components. Once the theoretical concepts are covered, the emphasis will be to apply them to actual calculations with data. Students will learn to use a software package employed in the manipulation and analysis of large data sets, and they will write their own computer programs to carry out calculations using supplied data sets.
PHYS 455-01 Plasma Physics II Chuang Ren
Introduction to kinetic theory and the moment equations. Vlasov equation, Landau damping. Waves in unmagnetized and magnetized plasmas. Collisional processes, Fokker-Planck equation. Two-stream instability, micro-instabilities. Nonlinear effects, fluctuations.
PHYS 435-01 Principles of Lasers Pablo Postigo Resa
This course provides an up-to-date knowledge of modern laser systems. Topics covered include quantum mechanical treatments to two-level atomic systems, optical gain, homogenous and inhomogenous broadening, laser resonators and their modes, Gaussian beams, cavity design, pumping schemes, rate equations, Q switching, mode-locking, various gas, liquid, and solid-state lasers.
PHYS 522-01 The Solid State II Chaitanya Murthy
Electron-phonon interaction, transport, magnetism, and topics of current interest such as superconductivity or localization, to be determined by the instructor. (same as MSC 551).
PHYS 445-01 The Adv Nuclear Sci Edu Lab Frank Wolfs
The students enrolled in ANSEL will develop a sophisticated understanding of our terrestrial radiation environment and of some of the important applications of nuclear science and technology. They will acquire practical skills in the routine use of radiation detectors, monitors, and electronics, and develop the ability to assess radiation threats and prospects of their abatement. The four in-depth ANSEL experiments are designed to help recreate a type of well-rounded, competent experimental nuclear scientist who is able to analyze an experimental problem, to select, design, and set up appropriate nuclear instrumentation, and to conduct required measurements. The laboratory sessions will meet twice a week for 2 hours and 40 minutes. The students are expected to write detailed lab reports on their work, and give a presentation on of their experiments at the end of the semester.In addition to the laboratory component of ANSEL students will attend a weekly lecture (1 hour and 15 minutes per week).
PHYS 488-01 Computational Methods for High-Energy-Density Physics Suxing Hu
Covers first-principles methods for understanding HED physics through theoretical and computational studies. Student will learn state-of-the-art computational methods for investigating the physics of HED matter using the quantum many-body physics approach. Previous experience or coursework in Quantum is a prerequisite. Only open to undergraduate seniors and graduate students.
PHYS 526-1 Spin Based Electronics Hanan Dery
One example in the research of spin-based electronics (spintronics) which is motivated by the natural ordering of ferromagnetic phase can add to large scale electronics circuits. Generally speaking, we are left to manipulate the information whereas nature takes care of preserving it. The course is intended for students who are interested in research frontiers of future electronics technologies. The course begins with introduction to the basic physics of magnetism and of quantum mechanical spin. Then it covers aspects of spin transport with emphasis on spin-diffusion in semiconductor. Prerequisites: Familiarity of quantum mechanics (i.e., taking a course and getting a grade; not just auditing) or PHYS 407-Quantum Mechanics-I. (ECE 459)
Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
PHYS 597-01 Research Seminar Steven Manly
A (Fall) - One credit course given once per week, required of all first-year graduate students. The seminar consists of lectures and discussions on various aspects of being an effective teaching assistant, including interactions with undergraduate student body and cross-cultural issues. (Spring) - Noncredit course given once per week required of all first-year graduate students. Members of the faculty discuss topics in their current area of research interest.