Physics

This introductory astronomy course discusses the following topics: motion of celestial bodies; celestial vault; history of astronomy; telescopes and CCD cameras; astronomy from space; the solar system; stars; cosmological models; nearby universe.

The principles of classical dynamics, in the Newtonian formulation, are expressed in terms of (vectorial) equations of motion. These principles are recapitulated and extended to cover systems of many particles. The laws of dynamics are then reformulated in the Lagrangian framework, in which a scalar quantity (the Lagrangian) takes center stage. The equations of motion then follow by differentiation, and can be obtained directly in terms of whatever generalized coordinates suit the problem at hand. These ideas are encapsulated in Hamilton's principle, a statement that the motion of any classical system is such as to extremise the value of a certain integral. The laws of mechanics are then obtained by a method known as the calculus of variations. As a problem-solving tool, the Lagrangian approach is especially useful in dealing with constrained systems, including (for example) rotating rigid bodies, and one aim of the course is to gain proficiency in such methods. At the same time, students examine the conceptual content of the theory, which reveals the deep connection between symmetries and conservation laws in physics. Hamilton's formulation of classical dynamics (Hamiltonian Dynamics) is introduced, and some of its consequences and applications are explored.

This course will provide students with an overview of astronomical research covering a wide range of topics, including the history of astronomy, the planets in our solar system, the birth, life and death of stars, black holes, galaxies, the Big Bang theory, cosmology, the search for extraterrestrial life, and space exploration. 

This course examines general relativity. Topics include: The principle of equivalence; inertial observers in a curved space-time; vectors and tensors; parallel transport and covariant differentiation; the Riemann tensor; the stress-energy tensor; the Einstein gravitational field equations; the Schwarzschild solution; black holes; gravitational waves detected by LIGO, and Freidmann equation.

This is a two-semester course on the classical interactions of light and matter (electromagnetism), and the relationship between space and time (special relativity). The focus of the course is similarly twofold; there is emphasis on developing skills to solve physical problems, and on the close interplay between mathematical results and physical laws.

This course covers the theoretical foundations of the standard model of particle physics and its possible extensions. Among topics covered are the building blocks of the standard model, strong and electroweak interactions, CP violation, neutrino oscillations, and grand unification and supersymmetry.

This course provides an introduction and overview of the physics of strong and electroweak interactions and their experimental foundation. These fundamental forces underlie the rich phenomenology of nature's smallest components: elementary particles and atomic nuclei. The course outlines the theoretical and experimental advances which have led to the current understanding of physics at the subatomic scale. These topics are covered at a mathematical level appropriate for undergraduates students of physics. The focus is more on the understanding of phenomena rather than their rigorous mathematical description. The course touches upon selected topics of current interest, including: symmetries and conservation laws in nuclear and particle physics; relativistic kinematics and applications in high-energy reactions; the Standard Model theory: fundamental matter particles and their interactions by strong and electroweak forces; the Higgs mechanism and the origin of mass; neutrino oscillations and masses; effective nucleon-nucleon interactions and models of nuclear physics; alpha, beta, and gamma decay and fission; form factors and structure functions; and selected applications of nuclear and particle physics.

This course introduces the foundations of classical mechanics based on the principle of least action with emphasis on symmetries and conservation laws as well as special relativity with emphasis on relativistic kinematics. In particular the following is included: the Lagrange formalism, the principle of least action, Euler Lagrange's equations; conservation laws and generalized coordinates; introduction to the Hamilton formalism; constraints and Lagrange multipliers; general treatment of the two-body problem and Kepler's laws; Lorentz transformations; and four-vectors and relativistic kinematics.

This is a special studies course involving an internship with a corporate, public, governmental, or private organization, arranged with the Study Center Director or Liaison Officer. Specific internships vary each term and are described on a special study project form for each student. A substantial paper or series of reports is required. Units vary depending on the contact hours and method of assessment. The internship may be taken during one or more terms but the units cannot exceed a total of 12.0 for the year.

The course gives a brief introduction to all fields of astronomy. Overview of general fundamental concepts. The night sky and its motion. Astronomical instruments and observation techniques. The sun and the planetary system, exoplanets. The distances to the stars and their motion. The structure and evolution of stars. The space between the stars. The Milky Way and other galaxies. Theories of the origin and development of the universe.