Overview
Physics at UC Berkeley has long been at 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 22 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 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, Ph.D. graduate students, undergraduate students, and visiting scholars. Research opportunities include a wide range of topics in theoretical and experimental physics, 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
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
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.
Introductory Mechanics and Relativity: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Prerequisites: Math 1A; Math 1B (which may be taken concurrently)
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit under special circumstances: 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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
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.
Introductory Electromagnetism, Waves, and Optics: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Prerequisites: Physics 5A or 7A; Math 53 (which may be taken concurrently)
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit under special circumstances: 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.
Introductory Electromagnetism, Waves, and Optics: Read Less [-]
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
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.
Introduction to Experimental Physics I: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Prerequisites: Physics 5A or 7A; 5B or 7B (which may be taken concurrently)
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit under special circumstances: 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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
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.
Introductory Thermodynamics and Quantum Mechanics: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Prerequisites: Physics 5B or 7B; Physics 89 or Math 54 (which may be taken concurrently)
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit under special circumstances: 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.
Introductory Thermodynamics and Quantum Mechanics: Read Less [-]
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
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.
Introduction to Experimental Physics II: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Physics 5B & 5BL or 7B; Physics 5C or 7C (which may be taken concurrently)
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit under special circumstances: 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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Summer 2024 8 Week Session, Spring 2024
Mechanics and wave motion.
Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Summer 2024 8 Week Session, Spring 2024
Heat, electricity, and magnetism.
Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 7A, Math 1A-1B, Math 53 (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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
Electromagnetic waves, optics, relativity, and quantum physics.
Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Read More [+]
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.
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.
Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Read More [+]
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.
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 [+]
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.
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 [+]
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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Summer 2024 10 Week Session, Spring 2024
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.
Introductory Physics: Read More [+]
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
10 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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Summer 2024 8 Week Session, Spring 2024
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.
Introductory Physics: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Fall 2018
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.
Descriptive Introduction to Physics: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023, Fall 2022, Spring 2022
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.
Descriptive Introduction to Physics: Read More [+]
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
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.
Physics of Music: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Spring 2021
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.
Physics and Music: Read More [+]
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.
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
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023
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.
Freshman Seminars: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: 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.
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.
Lower Division Physics Seminar: Read More [+]
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 without restriction.
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.
Terms offered: Spring 2021, Fall 2018, Spring 2018
Students with partial credit in lower division physics courses may, with consent of instructor, complete the credit under this heading.
Supplementary Work in Lower Division Physics: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Summer 2024 10 Week Session, Spring 2024
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.
Introduction to Computational Techniques in Physics: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Math 1A, Math 1B (can be taken concurrently); 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.
Introduction to Computational Techniques in Physics: Read Less [-]
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
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.
Data Science Applications in Physics: Read More [+]
Objectives & Outcomes
Student Learning Outcomes: Learning goals for Physics 88
The following learning goals will guide the presentation of material as well as development of HWs, rubrics for assessment, and practice problems for use in discussion section: 1) Use of representations, 2) Communication, 3) Tools, 4) Problem-Solving, 5) Making connections, 6) Intellectual maturity and metacognition, 7) Resourcefulness.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Math 1A, 1B (1B can be taken concurrently), Physics 5A or 7A (may be taken concurrently), Data Science 8 (may be taken concurrently), or permission of instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 9 weeks - 2 hours of lecture and 2 hours of workshop per week
Summer: 6 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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Summer 2024 10 Week Session, Spring 2024
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.
Introduction to Mathematical Physics: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Math 53; Physics 5A or 7A (can be taken concurrently) or instructor’s consent
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
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.
Terms offered: Summer 2023 10 Week Session, Summer 2022 10 Week Session, Summer 2021 10 Week Session
Math is the natural language of physics. Of central importance to nearly all areas of physics are the fields of linear algebra and differential equations. A solid understanding of the structure and techniques of these fields will allow you to dig deeper into all of your physics courses and give you a greater appreciation of the beauty of physical theory. In this course we will develop and explore a collection of tools including complex numbers, linear algebra, differential equations, Fourier series and transform methods, and tensors. Along the way this course will explore many example systems you were exposed to in your introductory physics classes including waves, circuits, rotations, and oscillations.
Introduction to Mathematical Physics: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Math 53; Physics 5A or 7A (can be taken concurrently) or Instructor’s Consent
Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for PHYSICS W89 after completing PHYSICS 89. A deficient grade in PHYSICS W89 may be removed by taking PHYSICS 89, or PHYSICS 89.
Hours & Format
Summer: 10 weeks - 6 hours of web-based lecture and 2 hours of web-based discussion per week
Online: This is an online course.
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Letter grade. Alternative to final exam.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023
Directed Group Study: Read More [+]
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 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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
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 [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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.
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Fall 2015
Supervised Independent Study: Read More [+]
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 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.
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.
Communicating Physics and Physical Science: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Summer 2024 8 Week Session, Spring 2024
Newtonian mechanics, motion of a particle in one, two, and three dimensions, Lagrange’s equations, Hamilton's equations, central force motion, moving coordinate systems, mechanics of continuous media, oscillations, normal modes, rigid body dynamics, tensor analysis techniques. Some knowledge of Python required for homework assignments. Students who have not taken Physics 77 or Data Science 8 are encouraged to complete the Python tutorials provided by the Physics Department.
Analytic Mechanics: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Physics 5A, 5B, 5C or 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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
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.
Electromagnetism and Optics: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Physics 5A, 5B, 5C or 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.
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023
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.
Electromagnetism and Optics: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Physics 5A, 5B, 5C or 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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
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.
Instrumentation Laboratory: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of Instructor
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 8 hours of laboratory and 1.5 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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023
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.
Advanced Experimentation Laboratory: Read More [+]
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 credit with instructor consent.
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
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
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. Some knowledge of Python required for homework assignments. Students who have not taken Physics 77 or Data Science 8 are encouraged to complete the Python tutorials provided by the Physics Department.
Introduction to Statistical and Thermal Physics: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Physics 5A, 5B, 5C or 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.
Introduction to Statistical and Thermal Physics: Read Less [-]
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
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. Some knowledge of Python required. Students who have not taken Physics 77 or Data Science 8 are encouraged to complete the Python tutorials provided by the Physics Department.
Particle Physics: Read More [+]
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. Alternative to final exam.
Formerly known as: 129A
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2022, Spring 2020
The detailed theory and experimental basis of quantum and nonlinear optics is presented and used to exhibit basic concepts of quantum measurements and noise, stochastic processes and dissipative quantum systems. Topics covered may include the second-quantization treatment of electromagnetic fields, photodetection, coherence properties of quantum-optical fields, light-atom interactions, cavity quantum electrodynamics, several non-linear optical systems, squeezed light and its applications, aspects of quantum information science, and selected topics at the forefront of modern optics research.
Quantum and Nonlinear Optics: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Summer 2024 8 Week Session, Spring 2024
Part I. Introduction to the methods of quantum mechanics with applications to atomic, molecular, solid state, nuclear and elementary particle physics.
Quantum Mechanics: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Physics 5A, 5B, 5C or 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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
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 [+]
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.
Terms offered: Spring 2023, Spring 2021, Spring 2019
Atomic, molecular, and optical physics is at once a precise and quantitative description of atoms, molecules and light; a generalized toolbox for manipulating and probing quantum systems; and an active field of contemporary research. This course exposes students to all these aspects. Lectures will cover topics such as atomic structure and spectra, the interaction of atoms with static and time-varying electromagnetic fields, some topics in quantum electrodynamics, methods of resonant manipulation of quantum systems, and resonance optics. Through lectures, discussion sessions, and homework assignments, students encounter contemporary research foci.
Modern Atomic Physics: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022
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.
Special Relativity and General Relativity: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
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.
Solid State Physics: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022
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.
Solid State Physics: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2022, Spring 2021
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.
Introduction to Plasma Physics: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Fall 2023, Spring 2023, Fall 2022
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.
Elective Physics: Special Topics: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Repeat rules: 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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
This course is designed to assist physics and other physical sciences transfer students in their transition to UC Berkeley. Over the course of a semester, students will learn about campus resources, how to navigate the campus, establish connections with other students in their cohorts, receive physics transfer peer mentorship and advising. Students will work in small-groups to solve challenging mathematical and physics concepts to assist with academic success.
Foundational Course for Physical Science Transfer Students: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Open only to physics and other physical sciences transfer students
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Undergraduate
Grading/Final exam status: Offered for pass/not pass grade only. Final exam not required.
Foundational Course for Physical Science Transfer Students: Read Less [-]
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022
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.
Relativistic Astrophysics and Cosmology: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Astro 7B recommended; Physics 7A-7B-7C (7C may be taken concurrently) or Physics 5A-5B-5C (5C 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: Lee, Ma, Kasen
Also listed as: ASTRON C161
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022
We will describe how concepts of free energy and entropy help us understand cooperative folding, conformational switching, and phase separation of proteins and explain the dynamics of biological molecules in a viscous and crowded cellular environment. We will then develop analytical approaches to a wide range of collective biophysical phenomena, including bacterial chemotaxis, swimming of sperm, stepping of molecular motors, neuronal firing, vision, photosynthesis, biological networks, pattern formation, and evolution. The course will also introduce advanced biophysical methods, such as single-molecule imaging and manipulation, and electrophysiology.
Principles of Molecular Biophysics: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024
Learn how to understand the world around you to within a factor of 10, how to solve real-life problems from physical first principles, how to make ill-posed questions well-posed, and how to sketch solutions quickly and avoid long and formal derivations. These skills build physical intuition and are crucial for all lines of work, especially research. You will learn how to guess intelligently, how to follow your hunches while guided by the laws of physics, and how to maximize understanding from just a modicum of information --- how to reason inductively and quantitatively. All of undergraduate physics --- mechanics, E&M, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics --- will be covered in useful, memorable, and entertaining ways.
Order-Of-Magnitude Physics: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Physics 7A, 7B, 7C (or 5 equivalent) + preferably at least 1 upper-division course in the physical sciences. Suitable also for graduate students
Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for PHYSICS C101 after completing PHYSICS 101. A deficient grade in PHYSICS C101 may be removed by taking PHYSICS 101.
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, with common exam group.
Formerly known as: Physics C101/Astronomy C101
Also listed as: ASTRON C180
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
The course design covers data analysis and machine learning, highlighting their importance to the physical sciences. It covers data analysis with linear and nonlinear regression, logistic regression, and gaussian processes. It covers concepts in machine learning such as unsupervised and supervised regression and classification learning. It develops Bayesian statistics and information theory, covering concepts such as information, entropy, posteriors, MCMC, latent variables, graphical models and hierarchical Bayesian modeling. It covers numerical analysis topics such as integration and ODE, linear algebra, multi-dimensional optimization, and Fourier transforms.
Bayesian Data Analysis and Machine Learning for Physical Sciences: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Physics 77 or Data Science 8 or Computer Science 61A or an introductory Python course, or equivalent, or permission from instructor; Physics 89 or Mathematics 54 or Electrical Engineering 16A/B
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. Alternative to final exam.
Bayesian Data Analysis and Machine Learning for Physical Sciences: Read Less [-]
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022
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.
Physics Honors Course: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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.
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023
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.
Introduction to Quantum Computing: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Linear Algebra (EECS 16A or PHYSICS 89 or MATH 54) AND either discrete mathematics (COMPSCI 70 or MATH 55), or quantum mechanics (PHYSICS 7C or PHYSICS 137A or CHEM 120A)
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. Alternative to final exam.
Also listed as: CHEM C191/COMPSCI C191
Terms offered: Fall 2022, Fall 2019, Spring 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.
Senior Honors Thesis Research: Read More [+]
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.
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.
Senior Honors Thesis Research: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Summer 2024 Second 6 Week Session, Spring 2024
Enrollment restrictions apply; see the Introduction to Courses and Curricula section in this catalog.
Directed Group Study: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
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 [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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.
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.
Frontiers of Physics: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Summer 2023 Second 6 Week Session, Fall 2016
Enrollment restrictions apply; see the Introduction to Courses and Curricula section in this catalog.
Supervised Independent Study: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2-6 hours of independent study per week
Summer:
3 weeks - 10-25 hours of independent study per week
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.
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.
Introduction to Nano-Science and Engineering: Read More [+]
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 without restriction.
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
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023
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.
Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics: Read More [+]
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
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.
Computational Nanoscience: Read More [+]
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
Terms offered: Spring 2022, Spring 2021, Spring 2019
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.
Advanced Dynamics: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2020
Nonlinear dynamics of dissipative systems, attractors, perturbation theory, bifurcation theory, pattern formation. Emphasis on recent developments, including turbulence.
Advanced Dynamics: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Fall 2023, Fall 2022, Fall 2021
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.
Radiation Processes in Astronomy: Read More [+]
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
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
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.
Classical Electromagnetism: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022
Foundations of statistical physics. Ensemble theory. Degenerate systems. Systems of interacting particles.
Equilibrium Statistical Physics: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
Time dependent processes. Kinetic equations. Transport processes. Irreversibility. Theory of many-particle systems. Critical phenomena and renormalization group. Theory of phase transitions.
Nonequilibrium Statistical Physics: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022
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.
Special Topics in Many-Body Physics: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023
This course is intended for graduate students in the early stages of their thesis research who are contemplating using modern microscopy tools as part of their work. It endeavors to cut through the confusion of the wide array of new imaging methods, with a practical description of the pros and cons of each. In addition to providing an intuitive physical understanding how these microscopes work, the course will offer hands on experience with cutting-edge microscopes where students will be able to see firsthand how different imaging modalities perform on their own samples, and where they will be able to access computational tools for the visualization and analysis of their data.
Modern Optical Microscopy for the Modern Biologist: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for MCELLBI 205 after completing MCELLBI 205, or MCELLBI 205. A deficient grade in MCELLBI 205 may be removed by taking MCELLBI 205, or MCELLBI 205.
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: Betzig, Ji
Formerly known as: Molecular and Cell Biology 205
Also listed as: MCELLBI C205/NEU C272
Modern Optical Microscopy for the Modern Biologist: Read Less [-]
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
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.
Quantum Mechanics: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022
Many-body methods, radiation field quantization, relativistic quantum mechanics, applications.
Quantum Mechanics: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
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.
Particle Physics Phenomenology: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2022, Spring 2021, Fall 2016
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.
Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology: Read More [+]
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
Terms offered: Spring 2023, Spring 2021, Spring 2019
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.
Advanced Cosmology: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Spring 2024
The detailed theory and experimental basis of quantum and nonlinear optics is presented and used to exhibit basic concepts of quantum measurements and noise, stochastic processes and dissipative quantum systems. Topics covered may include the second-quantization treatment of electromagnetic fields, photodetection, coherence properties of quantum-optical fields, light-atom interactions, cavity quantum electrodynamics, several non-linear optical systems, squeezed light and its applications, aspects of quantum information science, and selected topics at the forefront of modern optics research.
Quantum and Nonlinear Optics: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Physics 110A, Physics 137A, Physics 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/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022
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.
General Relativity: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Physics 110B or Physics 139 (or equivalent) or consent of instructor/department
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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
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.
Quantum Field Theory I: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in 221A or 221B 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.
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022
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.
Quantum Field Theory II: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022
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.
Standard Model and Beyond I: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Fall 2021, Fall 2020, Fall 2019
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.
Standard Model and Beyond II: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 233A or equivalent or consent of instructor
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit with instructor consent.
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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2021
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.
String Theory I: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2021
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.
String Theory II: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 234A or equivalent or consent of instructor
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit with instructor consent.
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.
Terms offered: Spring 2023
Atomic, molecular, and optical physics is at once a precise and quantitative description of atoms, molecules and light; a generalized toolbox for manipulating and probing quantum systems; and an active field of contemporary research. This course exposes students to all these aspects. Lectures will cover topics such as atomic structure and spectra, the interaction of atoms with static and time-varying electromagnetic fields, some topics in quantum electrodynamics, methods of resonant manipulation of quantum systems, and resonance optics. Through lectures, discussion sessions, and homework assignments, students encounter contemporary research foci.
Modern Atomic Physics: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Physics 110A, Physics 137A, Physics 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/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Terms offered: Fall 2023
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.
Advanced Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Physics 110A; Physics 137A; Physics 137B; Physics 130 or 230; Physics 138 or 238A
Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for PHYSICS 238B after completing PHYSICS 238. A deficient grade in PHYSICS 238B may be removed by taking PHYSICS 238.
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.
Advanced Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics: Read Less [-]
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
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.
Quantum Theory of Solids: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022
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.
Quantum Theory of Solids: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2021
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 [+]
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.
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2020, Spring 2016
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 [+]
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.
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Fall 2021, Fall 2019
Topics will vary from semester to semester. See Department of Physics announcements.
Special Topics in Physics: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit with instructor consent.
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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
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.
Introduction to Graduate Research in Physics: Read More [+]
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.
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Fall 2018
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 [+]
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
Formerly known as: Physics C254, Astronomy C254
Also listed as: ASTRON C254
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
The study of theoretical astrophysics.
Theoretical Astrophysics Seminar: Read More [+]
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 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
The course design covers data analysis and machine learning, highlighting their importance to the physical sciences. It covers data analysis with linear and nonlinear regression, logistic regression, and gaussian processes. It covers concepts in machine learning such as unsupervised and supervised regression and classification learning. It develops Bayesian statistics and information theory, covering concepts such as information, entropy, posteriors, MCMC, latent variables, graphical models and hierarchical Bayesian modeling. It covers numerical analysis topics such as integration and ODE, linear algebra, multi-dimensional optimization, and Fourier transforms.
Bayesian Data Analysis and Machine Learning for Physical Sciences: Read More [+]
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.
Bayesian Data Analysis and Machine Learning for Physical Sciences: Read Less [-]
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
Seminar: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
Seminar: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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 2005, Fall 2004, Fall 2003
Seminar: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
Seminar: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
Seminar: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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 2006, Spring 2006, Fall 2005
Seminar: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Seminar: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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: Spring 2014, Spring 1999, Spring 1998
Seminar: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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: Prior to 2007
Seminar: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
Seminar: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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 2012, Fall 2000
Seminar: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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: Spring 2007, Fall 2006, Spring 2006
Seminar in Non-Neutral Plasmas: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
Seminar: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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: Prior to 2007
Seminar in Quantum Optics: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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: Prior to 2007
Seminar: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
Seminar: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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: Spring 2000, Fall 1999, Spring 1999
Seminar: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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 2006, Spring 2006, Fall 2005
Seminar: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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 2006, Spring 2006, Fall 2005
Seminar: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
Seminar: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023, Spring 2022
Cosmology: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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
Formerly known as: Physics C290C, Astronomy C290C
Also listed as: ASTRON C290C
Terms offered: Fall 2021, Fall 2015, Fall 2014
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 [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Graduate standing
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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.
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 [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Physics/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
Research: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Graduate standing
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
Discussion, problem review and development, guidance of physics laboratory experiments, course development.
Advanced Professional Preparation: Supervised Teaching of Physics: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: 300
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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.
Advanced Professional Preparation: Supervised Teaching of Physics: Read Less [-]
Terms offered: Fall 2021, Fall 2020, Fall 2019
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 [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Graduate standing or consent of instructor; may be taken concurrently with 301
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
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
Professional Preparation: Supervised Teaching of Physics: Read Less [-]
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 [+]
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 without restriction.
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.
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Fall 2016
Physics Department weekly colloquium.
Departmental Colloquium: Read More [+]
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
Contact Information
Department of Physics
366 Physics North #7300
Phone: 510-642-3316
Fax: 510-643-8497
Department Chair
Professor James Analytis
366 Physics North
Phone: 510-642-3316
Director of Student Services
Claudia Trujillo
376 Physics North
Phone: 510-643-5261
Assistant Director of Student Services, Lead Graduate Advisor
Joelle Miles
378 Physics North
Phone: 510-642-7524
Undergraduate Advisor
Kathleen Cooney
374 Physics North
Phone: 510-664-7557
Scheduler and BPIE Advisor
Isabella Mariano
372 Physics North
Phone: 510-664-5506
Visiting Student Program Coordinator
Alex Perry
372 Physics North
Phone: 510-664-5506