USC Schedule of Classes

The fundamentals of physics presented with emphasis on the structure and beauty of physical laws. Practical component will relate these laws to commonly encountered events. Not available for major credit.

Fundamentals of physics and astronomy with emphasis on the tools and evidence leading to our current understanding of the physical Universe. Students who are interested in this course are encouraged to check out PHYS 111gx Representations of Physics and Astronomy in the Arts.

Focus on how knowledge of the physical Universe is acquired and the expression of that knowledge through creative representation. Students who are interested in this course are encouraged to check out PHYS 110Lgx The Physical World and the Universe.

Fundamental laws and principles of physics emphasizing areasrelated to life sciences. Prerequisite for Biological Sciences,Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy. Lecture, 4 hrs.; Lab, 3 hrs.

Fundamental laws and principles of physics emphasizing areas related to life sciences. Prerequisite for Biological Sciences, Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy. Lecture, 4 hrs.; Lab, 3 hrs. (Duplicates credit in 105abLg and 125L).

Laboratory component for PHYS 151Lg for transfer students with equivalent lecture credit from another institution. For transfer students immediately after matriculation. Graded CR/NC.

Laboratory component for PHYS 152L for transfer students with equivalent lecture credit from another institution. For transfer students immediately after matriculation. Graded CR/NC.

Gateway to the majors and minors in Physics and Astronomy. Statics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies, conservation principles, gravitation, simple harmonic oscillators, thermodynamics, heat engines, entropy.

Electrostatics, magnetostatics, electrical circuits, wave motion, sound waves, electromagnetic waves.

Geometrical optics, interference, diffraction, special relativity, quantum mechanics, atomic physics, solid state physics. Lecture: 3 hours; Laboratory: 3 hours.

Electrostatics, magnetostatics, electrical circuits, electric and magnetic properties of matter, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves, propagation of light.

Electric and magnetic fields; electromagnetic waves; optics. Emphasizes applications in the areas of applied physics and engineering.

Quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, solid-state physics. Emphasizes applications in the areas of applied physics and engineering.

Introduction to current research activities of the faculty of the Department; topics of current and popular interest among the wider community of physicists. Graded CR/NC.

Dynamics of particles, kinematics of rotations, rigid body motion, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalism, theory of small vibrations.

a: Electrostatics; thermal, chemical, magnetic effects of steady currents; DC circuits.

Relativity, atomic spectra, quantum statistics, nuclear models, nuclear reactions, elementary particles.

Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

Projects will include experiments in mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism. Emphasis on laboratory work with discussion of theoretical background. Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 6 hours.

An original project will be constructed applying computer technology (in either hardware or software) to produce a result useful in the physics classroom or laboratory.

Topics of current research interest in physics and astronomy. Lectures directed to physics graduate students by faculty of the department and by outside speakers. Graded CR/NC.

Newtonian formulation of dynamics; Hamilton's principle; Lagrangian formulation; rigid body motion; Hamiltonian formulation; Hamilton-Jacobi theory; vibrations.

a: Electrostatics, boundary value problems, multiple expansions, microscopic models of matter, magnetostatics. b: Maxwell's equations, potentials and gauge transformations; electromagnetic waves; wave guides; electromagnetic radiation; special relativity.

Vector analysis; infinite, asymptotic Fourier series; complete sets; Dirac delta function; Fourier, Laplace transforms; Legendre functions; spherical harmonics; Sturm-Liouville theory; orthogonal polynomials; gamma-factorial function; complex variables.

Principles of, and relations between, thermodynamics, and statistical mechanics; ensembles, partition function formalism; quantum statistics; fluctuations.

b: Approximation schemes and application to atomic and molecular physics and scattering theory; identical particles; electromagnetic properties of atoms.

Research leading to the master's degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.

Practical principles for the long-term development of effective teaching within the physical sciences. Intended for teaching assistants in Dornsife College. Graded CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of thesis.

Credit on acceptance of thesis.

Part-time or full-time, practical work experience in the students field of study. The internship must be located at an off-campus facility. Students are individually supervised by faculty. May not be taken until the student has completed at least one semester of enrollment in the graduate program with a cumulative 3.0 GPA.

Fundamental physics of low dimensional systems, with an emphasis on nanoscale materials (e.g. nanodot, nanowire, graphene) and state-of-the-art research topics, including characterization of nanostructure materials and device concepts that take the advantage of low dimensionality.

Magnetism, magnons; superconductivity; transport phenomena; many-body effects; interacting electron gas; Hartee-Fock theory; neutron and x-ray scattering; and other selected topics. Recommended preparation PHYS 540 and PHYS 558b.

Coursework taken on campus at Caltech as part of the Caltech-USC cross-registration program. Graded CR/NC.

Course content will vary yearly with current interest. Topics covered may include artificial intelligence techniques, Monte Carlo simulations, numerical renormalization group and tensor networks.

Research leading to the doctorate. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of dissertation.

Credit on acceptance of dissertation.

Credit on acceptance of dissertation.

Credit on acceptance of dissertation.