Academic Programs in Physics

[Astronuc]

There is a thread on academic programs in Astronomy and Astrophysics, which is often part of a Physics department.  This thread is primarily for programs offering degrees in Physics.

[Astronuc]

Department of Physics and Astronomy - Georgia State University.
http://www.phy-astr.gsu.edu/new_web/newmain.html

They are the ones who have developed the Hyperphysics website.

The department conducts research activities in a broad area, covering the range from constituents of matter at the subatomic and nuclear levels to the formation and evolution of active galaxies. Their CHARA Array Telescope on Mt Wilson is now operational and can be remotely controlled from Atlanta. In their pursuit of original research, departmental faculty (with postdoctoral fellows, visiting scholars, graduate and undergraduate students) have collaborations and joint programs with scientists in over 15 countries. The Department of Physics and Astronomy take great pride in teaching undergraduate and graduate students and the faculty developed an instructional Physics website (Hyperphysics) which receives about 50 million hits per year.

Research opportunities exist for investigating a wide range of topics in theoretical and experimental physics including astrophysics, atomic physics, molecular physics, biophysics, condensed matter, elementary particle and nuclear physics, and optical physics. Research in astronomy concentrates on nearby stars, binary stars, hot stars, microquasars, Seyfert galaxies, radio galaxies, and blazars. GSU and Atlanta provide a rich environment for learning, pleasant living conditions, and many sport and cultural activities. We invite you to explore in more detail what our department can offer you by looking at faculty web pages.

[Astronuc]

Physics at Vassar College

http://catalogue.vassar.edu/courses/phys/

Here is a list of courses in Physics, which really gives a good summary of what a basic Physics program should cover in 4 years.  Concommitant with the Physics classes, one would be taking Mathematics (the language of Physics), other sciences (e.g. Astronomy, Chemistry, Biology . . .) and Humanities  or Social Sciences (e.g. History, Political Science, Literature, Sociology, . . . )

Introductory level - which is more or less - Basic Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Electromagnetism (electricity, magnetism and light/optics), and introductory atomic, nuclear and particle physics.

Fundamentals of Physics I - An introduction to the basic concepts of physics with emphasis on mechanics, wave motion, and thermodynamics. A working knowledge of calculus is required.

Fundamentals of Physics II - Fundamentals of electricity, magnetism, and optics, with an introduction to atomic, nuclear, and particle physics.

Relativity - An introduction to the concepts of special relativity. Discussion of paradoxes, time dilation, black holes, etc. This course followed by Cosmology forms a sequence to give the student an understanding of modern cosmological ideas.


Intermediate level -

Modern Physics - An introduction to the two subjects at the core of contemporary physics: Einstein’s theory of special relativity, and quantum mechanics. Topics include paradoxes in special relativity; the Lorentz transformation; four-vectors and invariants; relativistic dynamics; the wave-particle duality; the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, and simple cases of the Schrodinger wave equation.

Modern Physics Lab - An introduction to the tools and techniques of modern experimental physics. Students replicate classic historical experiments (e.g., photoelectric effect, Michelson interferometer, muon lifetime). Emphasis is placed on the use of computers for capturing and analyzing data, and on effective oral and written presentation of experimental results.

Classical Mechanics - A study of the motion of objects using Newtonian theory. Topics include oscillator systems, central forces, noninertial systems, and rigid bodies. An introduction to the Lagrangian formulation.

Electromagnetism I - A study of electromagnetic forces and fields. Topics include electrostatics of conductors and dielectrics, electric currents, magnetic fields, and the classical theories and phenomena that led to Maxwell’s formulation of electromagnetism.

Introduction to Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics - Probability distributions, statistical ensembles, thermodynamic laws, statistical calculations of thermodynamic quantities, absolute temperature, heat, entropy, equations of state, kinetic theory of dilute gases, phase equilibrium, quantum statistics of ideal gases.

Computational Methods in the Sciences (same course for Chemistry) - This course introduces students to computational techniques which are helpful in the physical sciences. No previous experience with computer programming is required. Topics include sorting algorithms, numerical integration, differential equations, series, linear algebra, root findings and the basics of FORTRAN programming.

Optics, Acoustics, and Solid State Physics - A study of optical, electronic, and vibrational waves in solids. Topics include crystal lattices, semiconductors, the interaction of light with matter, lasers, sound and heat. Recent advances in solid-state and nanometer-scale physics are incorporated into the course material.


Advanced Level -

Advanced Mechanics - A study of the dynamics of simple and complex mechanical systems using the variational methods of Lagrange and Hamilton. Topics include the variational calculus, the Euler-Lagrange equations, Hamilton’s equations, canonical transformations, and the Hamilton-Jacobi equation.

Quantum Mechanics I - An introduction to the formalism of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics and its physical interpretation, with emphasis on solutions of the Schrodinger wave equation. Topics covered include the operator formalism, uncertainty relations, one-dimensional potentials, bound states, tunneling, central field problems in three dimensions, the hydrogen atom, the harmonic oscillator, and quantum statistics.

Electromagnetism II - A study of the electromagnetic field. Starting with Maxwell’s equations, topics covered include the propagation of waves, waveguides, the radiation field, retarded potentials, and the relativistic formulation of electromagnetic theory.

[Astronuc]

Australian National Univerity - Plasma Research Laboratory
http://prl.anu.edu.au/

Space Plasma Power & Propulsion Group (SP3)
http://prl.anu.edu.au/SP3

[Astronuc]

I was really impressed by the page from Department of Physics - Worcester Polytechnic Institute, which outlines the Undergraduate Physics program.

Objectives

The physics department educates students with a program characterized by curricular flexibility, student project work, and active involvement of students in their learning. Through a balanced, integrated curriculum stressing the widely applicable skills and knowledge of physics, we provide an education that is strong both in fundamentals and in applied knowledge, appropriate for immediate use in a variety of fields as well as graduate study and lifelong learning.

Educational Outcomes

We expect that physics graduates to:

• Know, understand, and use a broad range of basic physical principles.
• Have an understanding of appropriate mathematical methods, and an ability to apply them to physics.
• Have demonstrated oral and written communications skills.
• Understand options for careers and further education, and have the necessary educational preparation to pursue those options.
• Have an ability to learn independently.
• Have acquired the broad education envisioned by the WPI Plan.
• Are prepared for entry level careers in a variety of fields, and are aware of the technical, professional, and ethical components.
• Are prepared for graduate study in physics and/or other fields.
• Can find, read, and critically evaluate selected original scientific literature.

[Astronuc]

This is an ambitious major - Mathematics and Physics
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/physics/teach/mathsphys/

Mathematics and Physics are a sensible combination to study at university, and provide the basis, we believe, for a stimulating and enjoyable education.

The two subjects emphasize different approaches to problems. In mathematics, people are much more concerned with proof and with generality, while in physics people are looking for the explanation of very specific phenomena---those we 'see' in the natural world. The overall aim of the joint degree is to try to master these two different approaches.

  Well I would disagree about their generalizations on the difference between mathematics and physics.  Both rely on proofs.  Both use generalities, and both look at very specific cases, although physics is concerned with natural phenomenon and less so with abstract mathematical relationships.  Mathematics is the language of physics, and Physics must be built upon a sound mathematical foundation.

 

[Astronuc]

http://www.physast.uga.edu/

BS in Physics - http://bulletin.uga.edu/bulletin/prg/physics_bs.html

PHYS 1211-1211L. Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering Students-Mechanics, Waves, Thermodynamics.
- The first semester of a two-semester introductory course in physics for science majors. Students are assumed to have a basic grasp of differential calculus. Mechanics (forces, Newton's laws of motion), wave phenomena, and thermodynamics.

PHYS 1212-1212L. Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering Students-Electricity and Magnetism, Optics, Modern Physics.
- The continuation of Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering Students-Mechanics, Waves, Thermodynamics. Electricity, electric fields, and electric circuits, magnetism and magnetic fields, geometric and wave optics, and elementary atomic and nuclear physics.

MATH 2200. Analytic Geometry and Calculus. - Introductory differential calculus and its applications. Topics include limits, continuity, differentiability, derivatives of trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions, maximum-minimum problems, curve sketching, Newton's method, and antiderivatives.

MATH 2200L. Differential Calculus Laboratory. - Computer projects exploring topics related to the course content of Analytic Geometry and Calculus.

MATH 2210. Integral Calculus. - Introductory integral calculus and its applications. Topics include Riemann sums, the Riemann integral, the Fundamental Theorem of calculus, techniques of integration, arc length, surface area, volumes, force, work, and an introduction to differential equations.

MATH 2210L. Integral Calculus Laboratory. - Computer projects exploring topics related to the course content of Integral Calculus.

MATH 2500. Multivariable Calculus. - Calculus of functions of two and three variables including vectors in two and three dimensions, parametric curves, continuity and differentiability of functions of several variables, directional derivatives, Lagrange multipliers, multiple integration, polar coordinates, Green's theorem, and Stokes' theorem.

MATH 2700. Elementary Differential Equations. - First and second order ordinary differential equations, including physical and biological applications, numerical solutions, and mathematical modeling.


PHYS 3320-3320L. Introductory Electronics. - Electric circuits and electronics. DC and AC circuit analysis, diode and transistor circuits, integrated circuits, and digital electronics.

PHYS 3330-3330L. Modern Optics. - The properties of light with emphasis on physical optics: diffraction, polarization, lasers, holography.

PHYS 3700. Modern Physics. - An overview of "modern" physics developed in the last century. Topics include the special theory of relativity, the particle-wave duality, matter waves, photon theory, the Schroedinger Equation and basic applications, statistical mechanics. This course is a preparatory course for the upper-division physics curriculum, so it should be the first physics course taken by prospective majors after Introductory Physics for Science and Engineering Students-Electricity and Magnetism, Optics, Modern Physics.

PHYS 4101/6101. Theoretical Mechanics I. - A review of vectors and elementary Newtonian mechanics, conservation laws, motion of a single particle, retarding forces, oscillations, noninertial reference frames, and Newtonian gravitation.

PHYS 4201/6201. Electricity and Magnetism I. - A review of vector calculus, electrostatics, and magnetostatics.

PHYS 4300/6300. Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory. - The laws of thermodynamics and their application to physical systems. Kinetic theory.

PHYS 4701/6701. Introductory Quantum Mechanics I. - Fundamental principles of quantum mechanics. Solutions of the Schroedinger equation and their properties for simple systems are discussed.


PHYS 4102/6102. Theoretical Mechanics II. - Central forces, dynamics of systems of particles, rigid-body motion, coupled oscillator systems, and the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations of mechanics.

PHYS 4202/6202. Electricity and Magnetism II. - Topics include Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic radiation, the theory of electromagnetic fields in matter, and Einstein's special theory of relativity.

PHYS 4702/6702. Introductory Quantum Mechanics II. - Perturbation theory and applications of quantum mechanics.


Possible electives:

PHYS 4750/6750. Nuclear and Particle Physics. - Properties of nuclear and subnuclear systems. Fundamental interactions between particles are treated. An introduction to the theory of the structure of baryons, mesons, and nuclei is presented along with quarks and the standard model.

PHYS 4820/6820. Condensed Matter Physics. - Elastic, thermal, electrical, magnetic and optical properties of condensed matter. Covers such topics as crystal structure, symmetry operators, X-ray and neutron diffraction, lattice vibrations, thermal properties, electrons in metals and semiconductors, dielectric and optical properties, magnetism and magnetic resonance, superconductivity, and quantum fluids.
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BS in Physics and Astronomy - http://bulletin.uga.edu/bulletin/prg/phys_astronomy_bs.html

ASTR 3010. Astronomical Observations and Techniques I. - Telescopes and astronomical observations, including photometry and spectroscopy. Laboratory exercises include visual, photographic, and photoelectric observations and data analysis with standard astronomical software.

ASTR 4330/6330. Astronomy Seminar. - Seminar on contemporary topics in astronomy and astrophysics.

MATH 2700. Elementary Differential Equations.
PHYS 3700. Modern Physics.
PHYS 4101/6101. Theoretical Mechanics I.
PHYS 4102/6102. Theoretical Mechanics II.
PHYS 4701/6701. Introductory Quantum Mechanics I.

Electives
ASTR 3020. Astronomical Observations and Techniques II. - Concepts, techniques, skills, and resources needed to plan, obtain, reduce, and interpret observations of astronomical objects.

ASTR 4010/6010. Astrophysics I. - Stellar astrophysics, stellar structure and atmospheres, formation of spectral lines and spectral classification, stellar evolution from star formation to planetary nebulae and supernovae and the resulting compact objects.

ASTR 4020/6020. Astrophysics II. - Systems of stars, the interstellar medium and stellar populations, galaxies, their classification and evolution, extragalactic astronomy and cosmology.
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Gruduate Student Handbook - http://www.physast.uga.edu/handbook.html

MS Program

As with our Ph.D. program, all schedules must be approved by the advisory committee before the beginning of each semester. The graduate school requires all students to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above; the Department of Physics and Astronomy imposes no additional grade requirements for MS students.

A student must take a minimum of 24 in-class hours and 6 thesis-research hours. 12 of the in-class hours must be at the 8000 level, as required by the graduate school. We require that at least 3 of the following courses be taken: PHYS 8401, PHYS 8011, PHYS 8201, and PHYS 8101; the committee will also strive to ensure exposure to all core subjects.

Of the 4 courses not required to be at the 8000-level, 3 must be physics or astronomy courses. This allows as many as 2 courses to be taken outside of physics and astronomy.

PhD program

Six core courses are required for the Ph.D. degree: 

Classical Mechanics (PHYS 8011)
Methods of Mathematical Physics (PHYS 8401)
Quantum Mechanics I & II (PHYS 8101-2)
Electromagnetic Theory (PHYS 8201)
Statistical Mechanics I (PHYS 8301)

The Written Exam will be offered two times a year, once in January (on the first Monday and Tuesday following New Year's Day) and once in August (on the Monday and Tuesday preceding the first day of classes). The student will be given a total of 8 hours (4 each day) to complete the exam which will consist of 12 problems (6 each day) covering material ranging from introductory calculus-based physics to advanced topics in a typical student's undergraduate physics education (example tests are available). The exam must be taken the first time it is offered following the student's completion of one semester of residency (not including summer), however, the student has the option of taking the exam before his or her first semester of residency. If this option is taken advantage of, the student has three attempts to take the exam, otherwise only two are allowed.

Of course, one must do research and take other cores, but those 6 are the core of a Physics PhD program.

[Astronuc]

Center for Multiscale Plasma Dynamics (CMPD)http://www.cscamm.umd.edu/cmpd/

The Center for Multiscale Plasma Dynamics (CMPD) is a Department of Energy Fusion Science Center, hosted jointly by the University of Maryland and UCLA. Our mission is to extend established first-principles, microscopic, kinetic simulation techniques to problems that intrinsically involve the slow evolution of macroscopic variables, and to validate the simulations against experimental observations.
   
On the College Park, Maryland campus, the CMPD's home is within the Center for Scientific Computation and Mathematical Modeling (CSCAMM). CSCAMM is a recent major initiative within the College of Computer, Mathematical and Physical Sciences to promote research activity in new algorithms and mathematical modeling in the physical sciences. Participating faculty come from the Physics Department, the Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics, and the Institute for Physical Sciences and Technology.
   
At UCLA, the CMPD resides in the physics department. Experiments in support of the Center's theoretical effort are being performed in the Basic Plasma Science Facility at UCLA and at the Versatile Toroidal Facility at MIT.