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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 a brief introduction to nuclear physics and particle physics.

Prerequisites: Physics 30; and Mathematics 30 or Pure Mathematics 30, Mathematics 0500, or Applied Mathematics 30 and at least 75% standing in Athabasca University's Mathematics 101.

Substantially Similar: Physics 1050.

A non-calculus based introduction to biophysics, which emphasizes the application of physical principles to problems of biological significance. Material studied: animal mechanics, acoustics, radiation biophysics, and fluid properties.

Prerequisite: Mathematics 30 or Pure Mathematics 30, Mathematics 0500, or Applied Mathematics 30 and at least 75% standing in Athabasca University's Mathematics 101.

Recommended background: A course in the physical sciences at the 20 level or above.

Substantially Similar: Physics 1000.

The second introductory calculus-based physics course. Concepts and problem-solving skills are emphasized. Material studied: electricity, magnetism, electromagnetism, and circuits.

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. Concepts and problem-solving skills are emphasized. Material studied: rotational physics, thermodynamics, gravitation, relativity, photons, and matter waves.

Prerequisites: Physics 2000 and Mathematics 2560.

An introductory-level, calculus-based course in waves, optics and sound. The course will cover fluids; 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, Mathematics 0500, 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.

Prerequisites: Physics 2000 and Mathematics 2560.

Experiments are selected from areas such as analog electronics, digital electronics, mechanics, acoustics, X-ray crystallography, solid state physics, electricity and magnetism, optics, thermometry, and nuclear physics.

Prerequisites: Physics 2120 and 2130.

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

Prerequisites: Physics 2150 and Mathematics 2580.

Recommended background: Physics 3175.

The basic elements of electromagnetic theory. Material studied: electrostatics, magnetostatics, steady currents, electromagnetic induction, Maxwell's equations in both differential and integral forms, and electric and magnetic fields in matter.

Prerequisites: Physics 2000 and Mathematics 2580.

Equivalent: Physics 2600 (prior to 2004/2005).

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.

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

Prerequisites: Physics 2120 and 2150, and Mathematics 2580.

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

Prerequisites: Physics 2000 and 2130, and Mathematics 2580.

Recommended background: Physics 3175.

A survey of current developments in physics. The focus will be to highlight current research interests and recent applications of physics in industry and academia. Specific topics will be presented each week in seminars given by invited speakers and staff. Pre-seminar literature will be made available, and there will be class discussions, written reports, and student presentations associated with the seminars.

Prerequisites: Physics 2120 and 2130.

Mathematical tools essential for advanced-level courses in classical and quantum mechanics. Topics may include: complex analysis, Fourier series and integral transforms, solution of partial differential equations, special and generalized functions, Green's functions, tensors, and group theory.

Prerequisite: Mathematics 2580 or equivalent.

An introduction to numerical techniques and their application in experimental and theoretical physics. Material studied: symbolic and numeric computation, numerical analysis, and introductory programming and applications.

Prerequisite: Mathematics 2580 or equivalent.

Note: Prior knowledge of physics and programming is preferred but is NOT required.

Specific offerings will be announced prior to the semester.

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 advanced topics in contemporary physics.

Prerequisites and recommended background will be specified for individual offerings.

An introductory survey of nuclear and modern particle physics. Topics range from the structure of nuclei and radioactivity to elementary particles such as quarks, gluons, and neutrinos, and their Feynman diagrams.

Prerequisites: Physics 3150 and 3200.

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

Prerequisites: Physics 3150 and 3200.

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 3175 and Mathematics 2580.

Equivalent: Physics 3600 (prior to 2004/2005).

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.

An introductory study of the physical properties of solids. Material studied: crystalline structures; the formation of solids (different types of bonding); diffraction; energy bands in solids; and physical properties such as electrical, thermal, optical, and magnetic.

Prerequisites: Physics 2000, Physics 2150 or Chemistry 2720, and Mathematics 2580.

Corequisites: Physics 3150 or Chemistry 3730, and Physics 3400 or Chemistry 3710.

Equivalent: Physics 3300 (prior to 2004/2005).

Specific offerings will be announced prior to the semester.

Prerequisites and recommended background will be specified for each offering.