Applied Physics — Courses
Physic 570
Instrumentation Laboratory for Science Teachers
A laboratory in modern scientific instrumentation. Participants a) learn basic electronic, thermal, optical, and computer instrumentation techniques; b) study the way modern measuring instruments utilize them in the natural and applied sciences; and c) apply these techniques to carry out an instrumentation project in science. The course is both hands-on and laboratory based, and includes interdisciplinary applications.
3 Hrs, 3 Credits
Physic 571
Integrated Mathematics and Physical Science for Teachers
This course is designed for secondary school mathematics and science teachers. It develops interdisciplinary material from mathematics and the physical sciences to illustrate basic mathematical concepts as they apply to physical problems and phenomena. Participants learn modern techniques of instrumentation and analysis—including calculator- and computer-based systems, e.g., CBL and MBL data acquisition and analysis systems—and utilize them in hands-on data taking and analysis. The course uses inquiry-based methods to develop scientific and quantitative reasoning skills. Special emphasis is given to the development of effective pedagogies for teachers of middle and high school.
3 Hrs, 3 Credits
Physic 600
Electronic Instrumentation I: Analog
A lecture and laboratory course in analog electronics. Emphasis is placed on pragmatic and intuitive approaches to analog electronic circuit designs. A supervised independent project illustrating an aspect of basic analog electronics is required of each student.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.
2 Lect Hrs, 4 Lab Hrs, 4 Credits
Physic 601
Electronic Instrumentation II: Digital
A lecture and laboratory course to provide understanding of digital electronics and microprocessors. Emphasis is placed on digital logic components, digital circuit design, and techniques for incorporating microprocessors and microcomputers into laboratory experiments.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.
2 Lect Hrs, 4 Lab Hrs, 4 Credits
Physic 602
Laser Optics Laboratory
A lecture and laboratory course to provide a working understanding of modern optics, lasers, and applications. Topics include optical resonators; solid state, gas and semiconductor lasers; tunable dye lasers; non-linear optics; and spectroscopy applications. Selected topics, which may vary from year to year according to the interests of the faculty and recent developments in technology, will stress practical instrumentation as well as relevant theory.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Lab Hrs, 4 Credits
Physic 603
Nuclear Radiation Physics and Biophysics Laboratory
A laboratory-based course to illustrate the theory and experimental techniques utilized in nuclear radiation physics and biophysics. Topics include modes of production of nuclear radiation (charged particles, electromagnetism, neutrons), interaction of radiation with matter (including biological tissue), instruments and techniques for radiation detection and spectroscopy, radiation protection and safety, and the use of radioisotopes in physical, chemical, and biomedical research. Additional topics may include neutron activation analysis, X-ray fluorescence, the Mossbauer effect, radio immunoassay techniques utilizing radioisotopes, computer assisted tomography (CAT), and experiments on the interaction of radiation with tumor cells.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
2 Lect Hrs, 4 Lab Hrs, 4 Credits
Physic 604
Cryogenics and Vacuum Technology
A lecture and laboratory course to provide a working understanding of modern practice in cryogenics and vacuum technology. Topics include low temperature properties of materials, gas purification, separation and liquefaction systems, instrumentation for measurement of temperatures and pressure and vacuum technology. Selected topics, which may vary from year to year according to the interests of the faculty and recent developments in technology, will stress practical instrumentation and applications.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
2 Lect Hrs, 4 Lab Hrs, 4 Credits
Physic L608 (BIOL L608)
Biophysical Instrumentation
A lecture and laboratory course on the application of microcomputers and microprocessor-based electronics to laboratory experiments in the biological and physical sciences. Emphasis is on techniques for interfacing the microcomputer with laboratory experiments for automated data acquisition, data reduction and analysis, information display, and real-time control of experiments.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.
2 Lect Hrs, 4 Lab Hrs, 4 Credit
Physic 609
Physics of Medical Imaging
General introduction to the physical principles involved in various medical imaging modalities, including X-ray imaging, X-ray tomography, radio-nuclide imaging, ultrasonic imaging, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.
4 Lect Hrs, 4 Credits
Physic 610
Topics in Medical Imaging
This course focuses on an in-depth study of specific topics in the various medical imaging modalities.
Prerequisite: Physic 609 or permission of instructor.
4 Lect Hrs, 4 Credits
Physic 611
Theory of Classical Mechanics and Fluid Mechanics
Principles of classical mechanics: generalized coordinates, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations, variational principles, multiple periodic systems, continuous media, fluid mechanics.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
4 Lect Hrs, 4 Credits
Physic 612
Electromagnetic Theory
A lecture course to develop electromagnetic theory and to treat various applications. Topics include Maxwell’s equations in vacuum and in material media, electromagnetic theory of continuous media, reflection, refraction, diffraction and radiation of electromagnetic waves. Applications are selected from such topics as wave guides and resonant cavities, and magneto hydrodynamics and plasma physics.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
4 Lect Hrs, 4 Credits
Physic 613
Quantum Mechanics, Atomic, and Molecular Physics
A lecture course on the fundamental principles and applications of the quantum theory of matter. Topics include bound systems (potential well harmonic oscillator, hydrogen atom), angular momentum, spin, identical particles, the periodic table, exchange forces, chemical bonding, linear vector spaces, perturbation theory. Such other topics as magnetic resonance, symmetry groups, and elementary particles are selected for study according to student and faculty interests.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
4 Lect Hrs, 4 Credits
Physic 614
Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
A lecture course on the principles of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. Topics include fundamentals of thermodynamics, first and second laws, thermodynamic potentials, phase transitions, classical kinetic theory, classical statistical mechanics, and quantum statistical mechanics. Applications of the principles are made to physical, chemical, and biological systems of special or current interest.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
4 Lect Hrs, 4 Credits
Physic 615
Solid State Physics
The application of quantum mechanics to the theory of the solid state. Topics include periodic structures, lattice waves, band theory of solids, dynamics of electrons in solids and magnetic resonance. Some applications of the theory to semi-conductor devices are made.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
4 Lect Hrs, 4 Credits
Physic 616
Mathematical Methods for Physicists
A course in intermediate mathematics with applications to analytical and quantum mechanics and electromagnetic theory. Selected topics from vector analysis, tensor algebra, linear algebra and group theory, functions of a complex variable, second-order differential equations, Fourier series and transforms, calculus of variations.
4 Lect Hrs, 4 Credits
Physic 621
Physics of Semiconductor Materials
A lecture course on the physics of semiconductor materials. An understanding of the properties of semiconductor devices is related to the underlying physical principles of quantum mechanics and solid state physics. Topics include electrical, optical, and thermal properties of semiconductor materials; theory of transport, scattering, and recombination of free carriers; theory of p-n junctions.
Prerequisites or Corequisites: Physic 613 and 615, or permission of instructor.
4 Lect Hrs, 4 Credits
Physic 622
Solid State Electronic Devices
A lecture and laboratory course on the physical principles and technology of semiconductor electronic devices and materials. The laboratory involves such techniques as the Hall effect, resistivity, and optical measurement, used to characterize the properties of semiconductor materials and devices—silicon and gallium arsenide substrates, bipolar and metal semiconductor junctions, VLSI and MOSFET devices. Topics may vary according to faculty interests and recent developments in the technology.
Prerequisite: Physic 621 or permission of instructor.
2 Lect Hrs, 4 Lab Hrs, 4 Credits
Physic 632
Advanced Laser Optics (with Lab)
This is a one-semester lecture and lab course offered as a follow-up to Physic 602. Topics include wave propagation in isotropic and anisotropic media, birefringence, the physical origin of nonlinear polarization, wave propagation in nonlinear media, optical second harmonic generation, parametric oscillation and amplification, electro-optic effects in crystals, third order non-linearities, third harmonic generation, the interaction of light and phase conjugate optics, four-wave mixing, intensity dependent transmission, and selected topics as time permits.
Prerequisite: Physic 602 or permission of instructor.
3 Lect Hrs, 3 Lab Hrs, 4 credits
Physic 680
Readings in Physics
An opportunity for qualified graduate students to pursue advanced independent readings in specialized topics in applied physics, with the guidance of a faculty member. This course may be taken more than once for credit.
Prerequisite: Permission of the department.
Hrs by arrangement, 3-6 Credits
Physic 690
Projects in Physics
Qualified graduate students may pursue advanced independent projects in applied physics, with the guidance of a faculty supervisor. This course may be taken more than once for credit.
Prerequisite: Permission of the department.
Hrs by arrangement, 3-6 Credits
Physic 697
Special Topics in Applied Physics
The study of a particular topic of current interest in applied physics, such as photonics, nuclear reactor physics, semiconductor device physics, superconductivity, magnetic resonance.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
4 Lect Hrs, 4 Credits
Physic 698
Master’s Internship
Internship in collaboration with industry in the greater Boston area. Requires a faculty supervisor in the Physics Department.
Prerequisite: Permission of the department.
Hrs by arrangement, 3-6 Credits
Physic 699
Master’s Thesis Research
Prerequisite: Permission of the department.
Hrs by arrangement, 3-6 Credits