A study of planets and other sub-stellar objects, both in our Solar System and in other planetary systems, taught at an advanced undergraduate level. Topics include planet formation, planet structure, the relationship between planets and their host stars, and a scientific discussion about the possibility of life in other planets.  Note: This course is only offered in the spring semester of odd years (2019, 2021, etc.). 

[Pre-requisites: (ASTRON 0113 or 0413) and (MATH 0240 or 0245) and (MATH 0290 or 1270) and (PHYS 0175 or 0476)] [Co-requisite: PHYS 0477]

There are occasional opportunities for students to work (not necessarily for pay) in a nonacademic position that has academic value. Credits are variable.

PREQ: Departmental Consent

An opportunity for qualified students to pursue a course of study outside of the classroom, under faculty supervision.

The course begins with Newtonian ideas of space, time, and motion, and outlines the achievements of classical mechanics and Maxwell's electromagnetic field theory to 1900. Classical concepts thus introduced, notably the conservation laws of energy and momentum, the field concept, and the wave and particle, are then developed to take account of 20th century relativity and quantum mechanics, in ways that transcend our everyday common-sense understanding of the natural world. Modern theories of fundamental particles and of the four fundamental types of force are outlined. Applications to nuclear physics are discussed, in particular methods that show that some objects are billions of years old. After a brief outline of the physics of stars, the course culminates in recent discoveries about cosmology which demonstrate how remarkably incomplete our fundamental knowledge still remains.

PREQ: Any MATH Course or CREQ: (MATH 0032 or 0100 or 0120 or 0125 or 0200 or 0220)

This course is meant for non-science students interested in learning about the scientific method and its applications to current societal issues. Topics include: (1) What is Science?; (2) Studies; (3) Pseudoscience; (4) Energy and Entropy; (5) Electricity, Magnetism, and Light; (6) Atom and Light; (7) Climate; (8) Nuclear Energy; and (9) Global Resources. There will be no mathematics beyond multiplication and reading graphs.

PREQ: Any MATH Course or CREQ: (MATH 0032 or 0100 or 0120 or 0125 or 0200 or 0220)

This course presents the conceptual basis of introductory classical physics. As such, this course covers the same general topics as PHYS 0110. The emphasis of this course, however, is on a clear understanding of the underlying principles of physics, with a reduced emphasis on mathematics than would be used in PHYS 0110. This course is intended for non-science majors and for students from the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. The mathematical level of this course will not be adequate for those students who plan to apply to Medical School. It could be used for those students as a preparatory course prior to tackling the more mathematically rigorous PHYS 0110 or PHYS 0174. In that case credit would not be given for both this course and either PHYS 0110 of 0174. Topics covered include: kinematics, Newton's Laws of Motion; conservation of total mechanical energy, total linear momentum, and total angular momentum; rotational kinematics and dynamics; simple harmonic motion; behavior of fluids; heat and heat transfer; mechanical waves and sounds.

Learning Goals

This is the second term in a two-term lecture-demonstration sequence that presents the elements of both classical and modern physics. The emphasis of the course is on a clear understanding of the underlying principles rather than on mathematical formalism and problem-solving (although some attention is given to these aspects of physics). This course is appropriate for non-science majors, and for those majoring in the social, psychological and life sciences that do not need the more mathematically oriented course required of engineering and physical science students (Physics 0174,0175). The introductory laboratory course to be associated with this sequence is Physics 0212 (see below). Credit will not be given for both this sequence and the Physics 0174, 0175 sequence. Subjects covered in the course include: thermodynamics; electricity and magnetism (electrostatics to electromagnetic waves); geometrical and physical optics; relativity; and quantum physics. 

PREQ: PHYS 0110 or 0174 or 0475 with a minimum grade of C

PHYS 0111 Learning Objectives

This is the second part of a two-term sequence that introduces students to the basic principles of physics.  An effort has been made to achieve a better integration of physics with the first term of calculus, engineering, and chemistry.  This course covers electricity, magnetism, circuits, electromagnetic theory and optics.  Students planning to major in physics are urged to take the equivalent honors course (Physics 0476).

PREQ: A "C" or greater in PHYS0174 and MATH 0235

COREQ: Math 0230 (if MATH 0235 is not complete)

PHYS 0175 Learning Objectives

PHYS 0175 Learning Objectives

An introductory laboratory associated with Physics 0174 and 0175. Experiments from many areas of physics are performed.

COREQ: PHYS 0175

Honors version of Physics 0174,0175.

PREQ: A minimum cumulative QPA of 3.25.

CO-REQ: MATH 0230 or 0235

This honors laboratory course provides an introduction to the scientific basis of modern methods of physical measurements. The student is given the means to appreciate what can be done currently in the way of measuring and controlling physical processes. The course emphasizes sophisticated methods of data acquisition and analysis. It provides hands-on experience with research grade electronics, lasers and optics, vacuum systems, mass spectrometers, nuclear magnetic resonance devices, microcomputer-controlled experiment interfaces and the like. The course is valuable both to those interested in following a career in science and technology and to those who want to be able to use or critically judge scientific and technical results for broader purposes.

PREQ: A minimum grade of "C" in PHYS 0476, or a minimum grade of "B" in PHYS 0175, a minimum cumulative QPA of 3.25, or permission of the instructor

This course is for students who have a desire to become familiar with the nature and motions of celestial objects in the night sky and techniques to observe them. Each week students meet for two 50 minute lectures on campus and one evening session at Allegheny Observatory. Transportation to the Allegheny Observatory is provided by the University during the Fall and Spring terms. The course will be given at a level suitable for both science and non-science majors who want to learn how to use a telescope and enjoy observational and practical astronomy. The course will make use of existing Observatory facilities. The activities will focus on:

1. Practical astronomy from the standpoint of understanding the motions of objects in the sky (including constellations versus celestial coordinate systems)
2. Telescopes and their use
3. Observational astronomy using a digital CCD camera
4. The nature of astronomical objects which are observable with the unaided eye or a small telescope.

This is a self-contained course for students not majoring in the physical sciences. Lectures focus on practical astronomy and provide a historical perspective of our place in the Universe. Phenomena that can be readily observed with the unaided eye or a small telescope are discussed. The historical perspective starts with the earliest views, and discusses scientific discovery as a process leading up to the modern idea of the expanding Universe of galaxies. Part of this course includes the requirement of one evening "field trip" to the University of Pittsburgh's Allegheny Observatory. The purpose of these trips will be to tour the facility and, if possible, make observation with a telescope. On any one evening only a small fraction of the class will make a trip, so it should be possible to accommodate the students' evening schedules. Nominally, the trips will take place on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening. Bus transportation from the Oakland campus to the Observatory will be provided. A small percentage of the course grade will be based on participation in these field trips.

An introduction to the physics of the solar system, stars, galaxies, extragalactic objects and the Universe at large. Topics include: size scales of the Universe, some review of basic physics, telescopes, the evolution and deaths of stars, the interstellar medium, star clusters, our Milky Way galaxy, external galaxy formation and evolution, active galactic nuclei and quasars, dark matter, dark energy, and cosmology.  This course is intended for students majoring in the natural sciences. Although calculus is not used in this course, algebra and trigonometry are used extensively. Students who are not majoring in the natural sciences and/or who are not comfortable with algebra and trigonometry-based problem solving are advised to take ASTRON 0089. Although there are no formal physics prerequisites for ASTRON 0113, experience with at least high school physics is recommended.

  [Pre-requisites: Any MATH greater than or equal to MATH 0032 (Min Grade 'C') or MATH PLACEMENT SCORE (61 or greater)]

This course (followup to Physics 0477, Modern Physics 1) will cover the following topics: quantum mechanics of many particle systems, multielectron atoms and the periodic table, basics of quantum statistical mechanics, introduction to solid state physics (conductors, semiconductors, superconductors), basic nuclear physics, introduction to elementary particle physics. This course will be an introduction to the concepts and techniques that are important for understanding recent fundamental research and technology.

PREQ: A minimum grade of a "C" or better in PHYS 0477 

This course will cover problems solving techniques using a computer. Students will learn the steps needed to solve a problem and gain familiarity with approximation schemes.

PREQ: A minimun grade of "C-" or better in PHYS 0477, PHYS 0219 and a minimum grade of a "C-" in MATH 0240 or 0245

COREQ:PHYS 0477, PHYS 0219 or PHYS 0520 or CS 0008 or ENGR 0012, MATH 0240, MATH 0290

The properties of matter as described by thermodynamics, in which atomic structure is irrelevant, and by statistical mechanics, which is based on the atomic point of view.

PREQ: A "C" or better in all courses: PHYS 0477, MATH 0240 and MATH 0290 (or MATH 1270)

An intermediate course in waves and optics which includes a laboratory.

PREQ: A "C" or better in PHYS 0219 and MATH 0240

COREQ: MATH 0280 or MATH 1180 or MATH 1185

Physics 1371 will be a continuation of the material covered in Physics 1370 with special emphasis on applications of quantum mechanics. Topics to be covered are: multi-particle systems, time-independent perturbation theory and its application to the fine-structure and hyperfine structure of atoms, time-dependent perturbation theory and its application to the absorption and emission of light, and other approximation methods.

PREQ: A "C" or better in PHYS 1370

This course will prepare you for most of the mathematical techniques required in advanced undergraduate courses and most first year physics graduate courses, at Pitt or elsewhere. The course will include: Theory and applications of analytic functions, with emphasis on contour integration and infinite series. Review of finite-dimensional linear vector spaces, leading to an introduction to Hilbert spaces. Applications to ordinary and partial differential equations, including introduction to the most commonly used special functions.

COREQ: PHYS 1370

This course provides an introductory overview of the scientific issues that arise when we attempt to extend our current knowledge of physical systems into the nano length scale. Simple one-dimensional quantum problems will be examined, and difficulties of extending these to small but signidficant arrays of particles will be discussed. Simple statistical mechanical systems will be discussed, and difficulties of bringing them down to much smaller numbers of particles will be discussed. The course will conclude with consideration of all these as applied to one nano system of interest, which may be selected differently each time the course is offered.

This course will provide an overview of modern particle physics. It will teach typical experimental techniques for particle detection and acceleration, but also basic theoretical concepts, such as the role of conservation laws and symmetries. Students will learn how to calculate the leading aspects of particle physics processes, as well as the structure of the Standard Model and theoretical ideas that go beyond this model. Furthermore, this knowledge will be related to recent experimental results from colliders and astrophysics.

PREQ: PHYS 1370.

This course is the W component option to Physics 1426.

PREQ: A declared major in Physics, Physics and Astronomy, or Astronomy

COREQ:PHYS 1426 or ASTRON 1263

There are occasional opportunities for students to work (not necessarily for pay) in a nonacademic position that has academic value.

PREQ: Departmental Consent

An opportunity for qualified students to pursue a course of study outside of the classroom, under faculty supervision.

PREQ: Departmental Consent