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Calculus-based introduction to mechanics and modern physics. Concepts and problem-solving skills are emphasized. Material studied: kinematics and mechanics, and an introductory survey of modern physics, including quantum mechanics, relativity and particle physics.

Prerequisites: Physics 30; and Mathematics 30 or Pure Mathematics 30, or Applied Mathematics 30 and at least 75% standing in Athabasca University's Mathematics 101.

Note: Credit is not allowed for Physics 1000 and 1050.

A non-calculus based introduction to biophysics, which emphasizes the application of physical principles to problems of biological significance. A selection of topics, including acoustics, vision, radiation biophysics, fluid properties and animal mechanics, will introduce important biophysical concepts.

Recommended background: Mathematics 30 or Pure Mathematics 30, or Applied Mathematics 30 and at least 75% standing in Athabasca University's Mathematics 101; and a course in physical science at the 20 level or above.

Note: Credit is not allowed for Physics 1000 and 1050.

The second introductory calculus-based physics course. Emphasis on concepts and problem-solving skills. Material studied: electricity and magnetism (main topic); optics, introduction to quantum mechanics, atomic and nuclear physics.

Prerequisites: Mathematics 1560, and either one of Physics 1000 (preferred) or 1050, or both Physics 2130 and Engineering 2000.

A course designed to foster an understanding of the way in which science and society interact. By using examples drawn from historical antecedents of modern physics and from modern physics, various aspects (cultural, technological, social and disciplinary) of the science-society interaction will be critically examined and discussed.

Recommended background: An introductory-level course (3.0 credit hours) in the Sciences.

The third introductory calculus-based physics course. Emphasis on concepts and problem-solving skills. Material studied: rotational physics, thermodynamics, fluids, gravitation, dark matter and cosmology

Prerequisites: Physics 2000 and Mathematics 2560.

An introductory-level course in waves, optics and sound. The course will cover oscillations, mechanical and sound waves, superposition and standing waves, geometric optics including refraction, reflection and optical instruments, physical optics including interference, diffraction and polarization.

Prerequisites: Physics 30; and Mathematics 30 or Pure Mathematics 30, or Applied Mathematics 30 and at least 75% standing in Athabasca University's Mathematics 101.

Corequisite: Mathematics 1560.

An introductory course in quantum mechanics. Topics include the origin of quantum mechanics, wave properties of particles, and the Schrödinger equation and solutions in one and three dimensions.

Prerequisite: Physics 2000.

Corequisite: Mathematics 2570.

The basic elements of electromagnetic theory are discussed. Areas studied include electrostatics, scalar potential, steady currents, electric and magnetic fields of moving charges as manifestations of relativity and charge invariance, electromagnetic induction and electric and magnetic fields in matter.

Prerequisite: Physics 2000.

Corequisite: Mathematics 2570.

Experiments are selected from areas such as analog electronics, mechanics, acoustics, x-rays, electricity and magnetism, optics, thermometry and nuclear physics.

Prerequisites: Physics 2120 and 2130.

The fundamentals of quantum mechanics, centered around the wave-mechanical description of Schrödinger. Material studied includes: quantum states and amplitudes, superposition and packet states, scattering and barrier penetration, angular momentum, the hydrogen atom, identical particles and atomic radiation.

Prerequisites: Physics 2150 and Mathematics 2580.

Intermediate-level classical mechanics. Material studied: Newton's laws of motion and their applications, conservation laws, collisions, oscillators, rigid body dynamics, central forces, relativistic dynamics, introduction to Lagrangian and Hamiltonian methods.

Prerequisites: Physics 2000 and Mathematics 2580.

Phenomenological and microscopic description of matter in aggregate. Material studied: atomic spectra, effects of magnetic and electric fields, energy bands in solids; conductors, semiconductors, crystalline and non-crystalline dielectrics.

Prerequisite: Physics 3150 or Chemistry 3730.

Corequisite: Physics 3400 or Chemistry 3710.

Phenomena of heat and properties of matter from a statistical point of view. Material studied will include: thermal equilibrium, processes and their reversibility, laws of thermodynamics and their microscopic basis, thermodynamic measurements, classical and quantum properties of matter and radiation.

Prerequisites: Physics 2120 and 2150, and Mathematics 2580.

Fundamental concepts of electromagnetic theory at an advanced level and some of their applications. Unity of electric and magnetic phenomena emphasized. Material studied: boundary value problems; energy density and energy flow; electromagnetism in relativistic notation; radiation; resonant cavities and waveguides.

Prerequisites: Physics 2600 and Mathematics 2580.

Classical electromagnetic waves. Physical optics. Quantum optics. Experimental work includes: constructing optical systems, use of lasers in optical measurements, holography.

Recommended background: Physics 3600.

Numerical techniques and their application in experimental and theoretical physics. Introduction to mathematics software (Maple and/or Mathematica) and to the programming languages Fortran 77 and C/C++ in a Unix and/or Windows environment. Prior knowledge of physics and programming is preferred but is NOT required. Topics include: symbolic and numeric computation and programming with a mathematics software program; basic numerical analysis; curve fitting; numerical solutions to linear and nonlinear ordinary and partial differential equations; difference equations; linear systems of equations; and other topics relevant to third- and fourth-year level physics courses.

Prerequisite: Mathematics 2580 or equivalent.

Possible topics include: classical wave motion in a range of physical systems, physics of elastic media, transport phenomena, spectroscopic techniques.

Prerequisites and recommended background will be specified for individual offerings.

Experiments are selected from areas such as digital electronics, solid state physics, laser physics, spectroscopy, atomic and nuclear physics.

Prerequisites and recommended background will be specified for individual offerings.

Subject material is chosen from areas such as relativity, astrophysics and current issues in physics.

Prerequisites and recommended background will be specified for individual offerings.

An introduction to the nucleus. Material studied: nuclear properties, radioactive decay, nuclear reactions and an introduction to elementary particle physics.

Prerequisites: Physics 2150 and 3200.

Recommended background: Physics 3150.

Mathematical and conceptual foundation of quantum mechanics at an advanced level. Material studied: general formalism; quantum dynamics; angular momentum; symmetries; approximate methods; scattering theory; interpretation.

Prerequisite: Physics 3150.

Recommended background: Physics 4200.

Hamilton's equations, canonical transformations, Lagrange and Poisson brackets, Hamilton-Jacobi equations, separation of variables, action angle variables, constants of motion, integrability, simple nonlinear Hamiltonian systems, chaotic motion.

Prerequisite: Physics 3200.

Possible topics include: elementary particle physics, non-linear dynamics, plasma physics, relativity, astrophysics.

Prerequisites and recommended background will be specified for each offering.