Penn Graduate Program in Physics

 Some courses have their own home pages; these are shown as links.

Physics 501 -- Introduction to Research

Introduction to research in particle physics, condensed matter physics, astrophysics, and selected topics in medical physics and quantitative biological science.

Physics 503 -- Geometry, Relativity, and Gravitation

Introduction to the mathematical framework of curved spacetime in its modern form. Review of the special theory of relativity, with emphasis given to the geometrical meaning of the theory. Einstein's theory of gravitation. Classic experimental tests of the theory; future tests; applications to astrophysics and cosmology, e.g. to stellar structure, neutron stars, black holes, the millisecond binary pulsar, and the Big Bang.

Physics 505 -- Introduction to Cosmology

Introduction to physical cosmology emphasizing recent ideas on the very early evolution of the universe. The course will introduce standard big bang cosmology, new theories of the very early universe, and the key observations that have tested and will be testing these ideas. No prior knowledge of astrophysics, cosmology, general relativity, or particle physics will be assumed, although aspects of each will be introduced as part of the course. Intended for graduate students and advanced undergraduates.

Physics 514 - Mechanics, Fluids, and Chaos

A general introduction to linear and nonlinear dynamical systems. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations. Basic ideas from fluid mechanics. Qualitative theory of nonlinear differential equations: chaotic dynamics, strange attractors, bifurcations. Biophysical fluid dynamics. Spontaneous formation of structure in driven dissipative systems. Intended for graduate students and advanced undergraduates.

Physics 515 -- Electrodynamics I

Electrostatics and magnetostatics, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves, interactions of radiation with matter, etc.

Physics 516 -- Electrodynamics II

A continuation of Physics 515.

Physics 518 -- Introduction to Solid State Physics

An introduction to solid state physics designed primarily for advanced undergraduate and graduate students desiring a compact survey of the field. Band theory of solids, phonons, electrical magnetic and optical properties of matter, and superconductivity.

Physics 521 -- Advanced Laboratory

Directed experiments in classical and modern physics designed to acquaint the student with modern laboratory instrumentation and techniques. Students typically select from existing labs, but have the option of developing new labs. Example labs (some under development): High T_c DC SQUID, pulsed Fourier Transform NMR, Optical pumping, Relativistic enhancement of the electron mass.

Physics 524 -- Stellar Structure

Principles of stellar structure and evolution, and nuclear and particle astrophysics, applied to the understanding of our Sun, white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes. The course will include solar and supernova neutrinos, research areas in which our department has played a leading role.

Physics 525 -- Special Projects

Special projects under the direction of a faculty member.

Physics 530 -- Modern Optical Physics and Spectroscopy

Introduction to contemporary optics. Topics include propagation and guiding of light waves, interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter, lasers, non-linear optics, coherent transient phenomena, photon correlation spectroscopies and photon diffusion.

Physics 531 -- Quantum Mechanics I

Wave mechanics, complementarity and correspondence principles, semi-classical (WKB) approximation, bound state techniques, periodic potentials, angular momentum, scattering theory, phase shift analysis, and resonance phenomena.

Physics 532 -- Quantum II

Spin and other two dimensional systems, matrix mechanics, rotation group, symmetries, time independent and time dependent perturbation theory, and atomic and molecular systems.

Physics 533 -- Galactic Structure and Dynamics

Spatial distribution and kinematics of stars in galaxies. Galactic dynamics, with applications showing how observed properties of galaxies are understood in terms of classical Newtonian mechanics and the law of gravitation. Galaxy formation. Theoretical ideas needed to understand observations of interstellar gas, how this gas can form stars, and how the stars affect the physical condition of the gas when they die in supernova explosions.

Physics 601 -- Introduction to Field Theory

Elementary relativistic quantum field theory of scalar, fermion and Abelian gauge fields. Feynman Diagrams.

Physics 611 -- Statistical Mechanics

Introduction to the canonical structure and formulation of modern statistical mechanics. The thermodynamic limit. Entropic and depletion forces. Gas and liquid theory. Phase transitions and critical phenomena. The virial expansion. Quantum statistics. Path integrals, the Fokker-Planck equation and stochastic processes.

Physics 621 -- Nuclear Physics

The nuclear two-body problem, nuclear structure, nuclear models.

Physics 622 -- Introduction to Elementary Particle Physics

Introduction to the phenomenology of elementary particles, strong and weak interactions, symmetries.

Physics 632 -- Relativistic Quantum Field Theory

Advanced topics in field theory, including renormalization theory.

Physics 633 -- Relativistic Quantum Field Theory

A continuation of Physics 632, dealing with non-abelian gauge theories.

Physics 650 -- Current Topics

Advanced Topics will be a series of pedagogical introductions to important advanced topics which don't fit in the usual courses. The Department solicits student input to choose the topics. Recently offered: Topics in Biological Physics, Weak Interactions.

Physics 661 -- Solid State Physics I

This course is intended to be an introductory graduate course on the physics of solids, crystals and liquid crystals. There will be a strong emphasis on the use and application of broken and unbroken symmetries in condensed matter physics. Topics covered include superconductivity and superfluidity.

Physics 662 -- Advanced Solid State Theory II

A continuation of PHYS 661 with emphasis on interacting quantum systems.  Topics will include Bose condensation in He II, interacting Fermi systems, mesoscopic electronic properties of quantum-engineered solids, quantum magnetism, and microscopic and phenomenological theories of superconductivity.

Physics 682 -- Elementary Particle Theory

Gauge theories, the standard model of strong and electroweak interactions, extended electroweak models, unified theories and their theoretical, experimental, and cosmological implications. Intended to bring students to the level of current research in elementary particle physics.

Physics 696 -- Advanced Topics in Theoretical Physics

For Example -- The Renormalization Group

 Covers one of the most pervasive concepts in all of physics: the separation of length scales. Functional techniques, including functional integration and determinants. Landau theory of phase transitions and critical phenomena. The epsilon expansion. Polymers and liquid crystals. The Black-Scholes option pricing model.