Department of Physics
Portland State University
www.pdx.edu
 
Course Descriptions and Syllabi

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100-level * 200-level * 300-level * 400/500-level * 600-level


Courses marked with an asterisk (*) are not offered every year.

Ph 101, 102 ESSENTIALS OF PHYSICS (4,4) -- An elementary introduction to the basic principles of physics, their interpretation and application.  Designed to accommodate all liberal arts students.  Three lectures; concurrent enrollment in Ph 104, 105 is encouraged.  Prerequisite:  high school algebra.
PH 101 Butenhoff Fall 06   
PH 101 Butenhoff Fall 07
PH 102 Butenhoff Spring 08

Ph 104, 105 EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS FOR NON-SCIENCE MAJORS (2,2) -- Discovery labs for essential laws of physics.  Investigate gravity, force, acceleration, momentum, heat, work, energy, electricity, light, and radioactivity.  Make simple electrical circuits and an electrical motor.  Improve computer literacy by working with graphic models of radioactive decay.  One two-hour discussion and laboratory period.  Concurrent enrollment in Ph 101, 102 is encouraged.  Prerequisite:  high school algebra.
Ph 121, 122 GENERAL ASTRONOMY (4, 4) -- An introductory historical, descriptive, and interpretative study of astronomy.  Emphasis is on the basic scientific methods as they apply to astronomical problems.  Detailed examination of the earth, followed by a survey of the other members of the solar system.  Survey of the stars, their types, grouping, and motions.  Models for the evolution of the Universe and the possibility of life elsewhere.  The nature of light, the types of information it carries, and the types of devices used to detect it.  Need not be taken in sequence.
Ph 199 SPECIAL STUDIES (Credit to be arranged.)

Ph 201, 202, 203 GENERAL PHYSICS (4, 4, 4) -- Introductory physics for science majors.  The student will explore topics in physics including Newtonian mechanics, electricity, and magnetism, thermal physics, optics, and modern physics.  Prerequisites:  for Ph 201, Mth 112 and Ph 214 concurrently; for Ph 202, satisfactory completion of Ph 201 and Ph 215 concurrently; for Ph 203, satisfactory completion of Ph 202 and Ph 216 concurrently.
PH 201_Leung_Summer 05
PH 201_Seipel_Fall 05
PH 201_Seipel_Fall 06
PH 201_Seipel_Fall 07

PH 201_Widenhorn_Fall 07
...
PH 202_Seipel_Summer 05
PH 202_Seipel_Winter 07
PH 202 Widenhorn Winter 08

...
PH 203_Carter_Summer 05
PH 203 Seipel Spring 08

Ph 211, 212, 213 GENERAL PHYSICS (WITH CALCULUS) (4, 4, 4) -- Introductory physics for students majoring in science and engineering.  The student will explore topics in physics including statics, dynamics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, and optics using the methods of calculus.  Prerequisites:  for Ph 211, Mth 251 and Ph 214 concurrently; for Ph 212, satisfactory completion of Ph 211 and Ph 215 concurrently; for Ph 213, satisfactory completion of Ph 212 and Ph 216 concurrently.
PH 211_LaRosa_Fall 05  
PH 211_Abramson_Fall 05
 
PH 211_Seipel_Fall 06
PH 211_Abramson_Fall 06
PH 211_Seipel_Fall 07
PH 211_Abramson_Fall 07  

PH 211_Abramson_Fall 07

...
PH 212_ La Rosa_Suummer 04   

PH 212_Seipel_Winter 07

...
PH 213_Dixon_Summer 05 
PH 213_LaRosa_Spring 05
PH 213 Abramson Spring 08
Ph 214, 215, 216 LAB FOR Ph 201, 202, 203 or Ph 211, 212, 213 or Ph 221, 222, 223 (1, 1, 1) -- Introductory laboratory for all students in General Physics.  One 3-hour laboratory period.  Corequisites:  concurrent enrollment in Ph 201, 202, 203, concurrent enrollment in Ph 211, 212, 213 or concurrent enrollment in Ph 221, 222, 223.
General Physics Lab
Ph 221, 222, 223 GENERAL PHYSICS (WITH CALCULUS) (3, 3, 3) -- Introductory physics for students majoring in engineering.  The student will explore topics in physics including statics, dynamics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, and optics using the methods of calculus.  Prerequisites:  for Ph 221, Mth 251 and Ph 214 concurrently; for Ph 222, satisfactory completion of Ph 221 and Ph 215 concurrently; for Ph 223, satisfactory completion of Ph 222 and Ph 216 concurrently.
PH 221_Abramson Fall 06
PH 221_Abramson Fall 07
PH 223 Abramson Spring 08
Ph 261, 262 GENERAL ASTRONOMY (4, 4) -- Introductory historical, descriptive, and interpretive study of astronomy. Emphasis is on the basic scientific methods as they apply to astronomical problems. Detailed examination of the earth, followed by a survey of the other memebers of the solar system. Survey of the stars, their types, grouping, and motions. Models for the evolution of the Universe and the possibility of life elsewhere. The nature of light, the types of information it carries, and the types of devices used to detect it. Includes laboratory and/or fieldwork.
PH261U_Almaraz Winter 07
PH 262U Butenhoff Spring 08
Ph 299 SPECIAL STUDIES (Credit to be arranged.)

Ph 311, 312 INTRODUCTION TO MODERN PHYSICS (4, 4) -- The revolution in the concepts of physics in the 20th century.  Radioactivity, quanta, black-body radiation, relativity.  Bohr's theory of the atom.  Introduction to quantum mechanics.  Atomic, molecular spectroscopy, periodic table.  Introduction to nuclear and solid state physics, and elementary particles. 
Prerequisite:  Ph 203, or Ph 213 and Mth 252.
PH311_Moeck
PH 312 Moeck Spring 08

Ph 313 IDEAS IN MODERN PHYSICS (4) -- The fundamental ideas of the modern physics of this century.  Topics include the development of relativity, quantum mechanics, nuclear and particle physics, and cosmology. 
Prerequisite: one college-level science course.
Ph 314 METHODS OF EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS I (4) -- Experimental techniques in basic electrical measurements emphasizing transient and sinusoidal signals.  Two 3-hour laboratory periods.  Prerequisite:  concurrent enrollment in Ph 321.
PH 314  
PH 314 Solanki Fall 07

Ph 315 METHODS OF EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS I (4) -- Experiments in digital logic circuits with applications to experimental control and computer interfacing.  Two 3-hour laboratory periods.  Prerequisite:  Ph 314.
Ph 316 METHODS OF EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS I (4) -- Students will perform several experiments illustrating quantum and relativistic effects.  The emphasis will be on computer-assisted experimentation and data analysis.  Experiments will include instrumentation and counting in nuclear physics, measurement of band gap in semiconductors, measurement of ratio of electron charge to electron mass, speed of light, Frank-Hertz experiment and electron spin resonance.  Two 3-hour laboratory periods.  Prerequisites:  Ph 311.
PH 316 Sanchez Spring 07
Ph 317, 318 SOLID STATE PHYSICS FOR ENGINEERING STUDENTS (3,3) -- A two-term survey of solid state physics including topics necessary for understanding crystalline solids and their electron transport processes.  Topics include crystal lattices, X-ray diffraction, concepts of quantum physics, Schrödinger equation, electron tunneling, physical statistics, free electron theory of metals, effect of periodic potential on electrons, intrinsic and impurity semiconductors and analysis of p-n semiconductor junction.  Prerequisites:  Ph 213 or 223.
PH 317 Moeck
Ph 321 CURRENT ELECTRICITY (4) -- Electric potential and current; Kirchoff's Laws and equivalent circuits.  Transient and A.C. behavior of circuit elements.  Theory of operation of diodes and transistors. 
Prerequisites:  Ph 203 or 213; concurrent enrollment in Ph 314.
*Ph 322 COMPUTATIONAL PHYSICS (4) -- Formulation and numerical solution of physics problems.  Use of computers and graphical displays to enhance intuition and supplement analytical procedures.  Approaches to complex physical situations, especially those involving dissipative, nonlinear and stochastic phenomena.  Recommended prerequisite:  Working knowledge of at least one computer language.
PH 322 Bodegom Spring 08
*Ph 331 PHYSICS OF MUSIC (4) -- A series of lectures and laboratories illustrating the basic principles of acoustics and their application to string, wind, brass, and percussion instruments.  Some of the laboratory exercises are adaptable for use in primary and secondary school classes.  Prerequisite:  one year of music, or one year of a physical science.
*Ph 353 RADIATION IN THE ENVIRONMENT (4) -- Types of radiation and their interaction with matter, including organic tissue; methods of detection and shielding; evaluation of dosage and risk assessment; methods of energy generation based on nuclear energy; nuclear waste and disposal problems.  Prerequisites:  Ph 203, Bi 253, Ch 223, or equivalent.  Calculus, previously or concurrently, is recommended.
*Ph 363 COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY (3) -- Principles of color photography, including the physics of color and scientific explanations of the formation of color images on light-sensitive materials.  Trace uses and the history of color photography.  Prerequisite:  one college-level science or photography course.
PH 363 Barna Summer 05
Ph 365 FRACTALS, CHAOS, AND COMPLEXITY (4) -- Introduction to the basic physical ideas behind fractals in nature, chaos, complexity, and other current concepts in physics, with emphasis on fractals and chaos. Computer simulations and desktop experiments involving fractals, chaos, and complex systems. Prerequisite: Astronomy, General Physics, or Natural Science Inquiry
Ph 366 COMPLEXITY AND THE UNIVERSE I (4) -- Introduction to the basic physical ideas behind complexity and other current concepts in physics. Computer sumulations and desktop experiments involving fractals, chaos, and complex systems. Includes laboratory and/or fieldwork. Prerequisite: General Physics or Natural Science Inquiry.
Ph 367 COMPLEXITY AND THE UNIVERSE II (4) -- Continuation of Ph 366. Emphasizes scientific cosmology with a focus on understanding how insights gained from physics and astronomy affect your view of the universe and your place in it. Students participate actively in seeing how some of the information was gathered, to help critically analyze what to believe about the history and arrangement of the universe and what it means to them. Includes laboratory and/or fieldwork. Prerequisite: Astronomy, General Physics, or Natural Science Inquiry.
PH 367U McCarty Spring 08
Ph 371 FRACTALS, CHAOS, COMPLEXITY, AND OTHER CURRENT TOPICS IN PHYSICS (4) -- Introductory survey to current concepts in fractals in the natural world, chaos, complexity, and other related topics in physics. Computer simulations and the use of microcomputers, desktop experiments are an essential part of the course. Prerequisite: one year of general physics.
Ph 375U THE EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE: GLOBAL CHANGE AND HUMAN LIFE (4) -- An introduction to the global environment and how human activities are causing climatic changes, ozone depletion, and deforestation. Emphasizes the interrelationship between environmental processes. Deals with the qualitative aspects of how the earth's climate works, how it can be altered by burning of fossil fuels (emissions of carbon dioxide) and by the increasing concentrations of other "greenhouse gases"; how the ozone layer can be depleted by man-made chemicals, and what is being done, or can be done to avert the undesirable consequences of these global changes.
PH 375_Khalil Fall 05
PH 375_Khalil Fall 06  
PH 375 Khalil_Fall 07
PH 375U_Khalil

Ph 378U SCIENCE THROUGH SCIENCE FICTION (4) -- This class uses science fiction literature to examine a wide variety of topics in science. Prerequisite: Astronomy, General Physics, or Natural Science Inquiry. Also listed as Sci 355; course may be taken only once for credit.
PH 378U_Howard_Fall 06
PH 378U_Freeouf_Fall 07

Ph 381 PHYSICAL METALLURGY FOR ENGINEERS (3) -- Crystal structure of metals and their relationships to properties.  Phase diagrams of alloys, heat treatment, mechanical properties, and corrosion.  Methods of fabrication of metals.  Two lectures; one 3-hour laboratory period.  Prerequisites:  EAS 213, Ph 213 or 223, Ch 223 or equivalent.
PH 381 Moeck Spring 06
PH 381 Moeck Spring 07
Ph 399 SPECIAL STUDIES (Credit to be arranged.)
PH 399_How Things Work
PH 399_Wacky or Real_Fall 07
PH 399_Weather

Ph 401/501 RESEARCH (Credit to be arranged.) -- Consent of instructor.

Ph 404/504 COOPERATIVE EDUCATION/INTERNSHIP (Credit to be arranged.) -- Consent of instructor.
Ph 405/505 READING AND CONFERENCE (Credit to be arranged.)
Ph 406/506 SPECIAL PROJECTS (Credit to be arranged.)
PH 407/507 SEMINAR (Credit to be arranged.) -- Consent of instructor.
Ph 410/510 SELECTED TOPICS (Credit to be arranged.) -- Consent of instructor.
Application of Microbeam in Material Characterization   
Microbeam Analysis

Digital Photography
Quantum Computing
Intro to Nanomaterials Science and Engineering

PH 411/511 INTRODUCTION TO QUANTUM MECHANICS (4) -- An introduction to the formulation and application of wave mechanics; the Schrödinger equation and its application to time-independent problems (both one- and three-dimensional problems); identical particles; approximation methods including mainly time-independent perturbations. Brief exploration of the potential applications of quantum mechanics to engineering: quantum nano-structures and quantum computers. Prerequisites: Ph 318 or 311, Mth 256. This course is the same as ECE 598; course may be taken only once for credit.
PH 4-511_Leung_Fall 06 
PH 4-511_La Rosa_Fall 07

*Ph 413/513 INTRODUCTION TO SOLID STATE PHYSICS (4) -- Experimental and theoretical survey of the lattice and electronic properties of solids with particular emphasis on the properties of electrons in metals.  Prerequisite:  Ph 411 or 312.
Ph 415/515 EXPERIMENTAL OPTICS (3) -- Advanced experiments in physical optics.  One 4-hour laboratory period.  Prerequisite: Ph 203 or Ph 213
*Ph 424 CLASSICAL MECHANICS I (3) -- The Newtonian formulation of mechanics.  Kinematics and dynamics of particles in inertial and accelerated reference frames.  Conservation principles.  Central forces, gravitation, and celestial mechanics.  Free and forced vibrations.  Prerequisites:  Ph 203 or 213; Mth 256 previously or concurrently.
PH 424_Peszkin Fall 05  
PH 424_Peszkin Fall 06
Ph 425/525 CLASSICAL MECHANICS II (3) -- Advanced formulation of mechanics.  Lagrange's and Hamilton's equations.  The inertial tensor, free rotations, and rigid body dynamics.  Theory of small oscillations, coupled oscillations and normal modes.  Prerequisites:  Ph 424 and Mth 322.
PH 425_Peszkin Winter 06
Ph 426/526 THERMODYNAMICS AND STATISTICAL MECHANICS (4) -- Concepts of temperature, work, and heat; first and second laws of thermodynamics and applications; thermodynamic potentials; heat engines, Carnot cycle, and ideal gases; entropy and its statistical interpretation; kinetic theory of gases; classical and quantum statistics; introduction to statistical mechanical ensembles.  Prerequisites:  Ph 203 or 213, Mth 254, and Ph 311.
PH 4-526 Rice Winter 08

Ph 431/531, 432/532 ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM (4,4) -- Advanced study of electricity and magnetism covering field and potential of charge arrays, electrostatic field energy, images, multipoles, Laplace's equation, Biot-Savart and Ampere's laws, magnetic field energy, vector potential, displacement current, dielectrics and their microscopic models, electromagnetic wave equations, boundary conditions, energy radiation, magnetic materials and their microscopic models.  Prerequisites:  Ph 312 and Mth 256.
PH 4-531 Joler Fall 06 
PH 4-531_Sanchez Fall 07
PH 4-532_Sanchez Winter 07

*Ph 434/534 METHODS OF MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS (4) -- A survey of methods of applied mathematics used in modern physics, to include:  vectors, matrices, operators, and eigenvalues; perturbation theory and series expansion; variation and optimization; numerical methods; transforms; and special functions.  Prerequisites:  Ph 312 and Mth 322.
PH 4-534_Rice Fall 07
*Ph 440/540,  441/541 PHYSICS OF SOLID STATE DEVICES (4,4) -- This is a survey intended to provide the foundation necessary for understanding of function, technology and design of solid state devices, rather than their application.  Topics will include:  introduction to and application of certain concepts of quantum physics to solids, effect of periodicity in solids on electron energy states, electron statistics, metals, insulators, semiconductors and superconductors, thermionic and field assisted electron emission, electron scattering and mobility of charge carriers, intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors, quantitative treatment of p-n function, diffusion and recombination of excess carriers, quantitative treatment of electron injection, majority and minority components of the junction current, breakdown, quantitative treatments of bipolar junction transistor, field effect transistor and tunnel diodes, physics of metal-semiconductor and metal-insulator-semiconductor junctions and devices, superconductivity and superconducting devices, DC and AC Josephson effects, Josephson junctions, superconductive quantum interference devices.  Prerequisites:  Ph 312 or Ph 318.

PH 440 Freeouf Spring 08
PH 440 Intro Freeouf Spring 08
Ph 451/551, 452/552 ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (4, 4) -- Electron optics theory, specimen preparation and experimental work with transmission and scanning electron microscopes, Microchemical analysis with an energy dispersive spectrometer.  Specimens from all the sciences.  Two lectures, one 3-hour laboratory period.  Prerequisites:  one year of general physics and one year of any other science.
PH 4-551_Jiao Winter 06
PH 4-551 Jiao_Winter 07
PH 4-552 Jiao Spring 08

Ph 464/564 APPLIED OPTICS (4) -- An overview of optics and such principal application as fiberoptics; chemical, biological, and physical sensors; optical information processing, acousto-optics; lasers and detectors. 
Prerequisites:  Ph 203 or 213 or 223, Mth 254.
PH 4-564 La Rosa Spring 08

*Ph 471/571 ATMOSPHERIC PHYSICS(4) -- Study of physics-related phenomena in the atmosphere, such as electromagnetic/optical phenomena (thunderstorms, remote sensing), mechanical/hydrodynamic phenomena (dynamics of wind, turbulence in the atmosphere), thermal phenomena (greenhouse effect); study of physical techniques applied to monitor the atmosphere (pollutant detection).  Prerequisites:  Ph 203 or Ph 213, or Ph 223.
PH 4-571_Khalil Fall 05
Ph 472/572 INTRODUCTION TO NONLINEAR DYNAMICS AND CHAOS (4) -- Introduction to basic theoretical and experimental tools to study chaos and nonlinear behavior.  Desktop experiments and computer simulations of chaotic systems.  Prerequisite:  one year of general physics.
Ph 477/577 AIR POLLUTION (4) -- Air pollution meteorology needed to understand air pollution, atmospheric dispersion models, K-theory, box models and receptor models. Use of simple computer models. This course is a foundation for the quantitative understanding of air pollution: At any point in the environment (receptor), how much pollution is caused by a known source? If there are many sources, how much pollution does each source contribute at a receptor? Prerequisites: Ph 213 or 223, one year of calculus, introductory course in differential equations.
Ph 478/578 APPLICATIONS OF AIR POLLUTION MODELING (4) -- Students work in teams to solve an air pollution problem using dispersion and receptor modeling techniques. It teaches the complementary nature of receptor and dispersion modeling. Teaches the advantages and disadvantages of the two approaches to air pollution modeling when either approach is applicable. Students use established computer models and become proficient in their use. Prerequisite Ph 477/577.

*Ph 481/581, 482/582, 483/583 PHYSICAL METALLURGY (2,2,2) -- Introduction to the principles of physical metallurgy.  Includes the atomic and crystallographic structures of metals and alloys; defects in structure and the importance of them in determining the properties of metals; phase diagrams of alloy systems and examples of important systems; diffusion and phase transformations, emphasizing the solid state; plasticity and fracture of crystals; and corrosion.  Prerequisites:  Ph 203, Ch 223.

*Ph 484/584, 485/585, 486/586 PHYSICAL METALLURGY LABORATORY (1,1,1) -- Experimental studies of the structure of metals by light microscope, X-ray diffraction, and microhardness techniques.  Heat treatment of metals and studies of the resulting changes.  Corequisite:  concurrent enrollment in Ph 481, 482, 483.
*Ph 490/590, 491/591 CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOPHYSICS (4,4) -- An introduction to the physical ideas and methods in the studies of biological phenomena, organization, structure, and function at the cellular and molecular level.  Atomic and molecular structures, energy and interacting forces relating to cellular and molecular biophysics will be discussed.  Prerequisites:  Ph 203, Bi 253, and Ch 223.  Calculus, previously or concurrently, is recommended.
Ph 503 THESIS (Credit to be arranged.)
Ph 507/607 SEMINAR (Credit to be arranged).
Ph 510 SELECTED TOPICS (Credit to be arranged.)
Microelectronic Device Fabrication I-II-III
Ph 601 RESEARCH (Credit to be arranged.)
Ph 603 DISSERTATION (Credit to be arranged.)
Ph 604 COOPERATIVE EDUCATION/INTERNSHIP (Credit to be arranged.)
Ph 605 READING AND CONFERENCE (Credit to be arranged.)

Ph 606 SPECIAL PROBLEMS/PROJECTS (Credit to be arranged.)

Ph 607 SEMINAR (Credit to be arranged.)
Ph 610 SELECTED TOPICS (Credit to be arranged.)
*Ph 611, 612 PHYSICS OF SOLIDS AND LIQUIDS (4, 4) -- The theory of mechanical, thermal, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties of solids and liquids.  Prerequisites:  Ph 413.

*Ph 618, 619 QUANTUM MECHANICS (4, 4) -- A detailed discussion of the approximation models for solving the time-independent Schrödinger equation; scattering theory in terms of stationary unbound states; time-dependent theory including the perturbation method; the two-level problem and its application to laser operation. Dirac's formulation using bra and ket; different time-evolution pictures; concept of density matrices; Berry's phase; quantum theory of angular momentum; Feynman's path integral formulation; introduction to relativistic quantum mechanics; issues on the fundamental aspects of quantum mechanics including Bell's theorem, the EPR paradox, hidden-variable theory; and Schrödinger's cat problem. Prerequisites: Ph 411/511, 425.
PH 618_Leung Winter 07

*Ph 624, 625 CLASSICAL MECHANICS (4, 4) -- Advanced treatment of analytical mechanics of particles, systems of particles, and rigid bodies.  Methods of Lagrange, Hamilton, and Jacobi.  Symmetry and conservation laws.  Prerequisites:  Ph 425.
PH 624_Khalil Fall 06

*Ph 626 HYDRODYNAMICS (4) The theory of fluids and continuous media.  Equations of continuity, Euler's equation, flow fields, and applications.  Prerequisite: Ph 625
PH 626 Lystrup Spring 05

*Ph 631, 632, 633 ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS AND INTERACTIONS (4, 4, 4) -- Classical description of the electromagnetic field:  classical electron theory and plasmas.  Prerequisites:  Ph 431. This course is the same as ECE 635, 636, 637; course may only be taken once for credit.
PH 631 Leung Fall 05      
PH 631 Leung Fall 07
PH 632 Leung Winter 06
PH 633 Leung Spring 08

*Ph 641, 642 THE PHYSICS OF ATOMS AND MOLECULES (4, 4) -- Radiation from atoms and molecules, Raman effect.  Structure of one and many electron atoms, Zeeman effect, Stark effect, Lamb shift, hyperfine structure, line intensity.  Quantum mechanics of diatomic and polyatomic molecules.  Symmetry.  Molecular electronic transitions.  Valence and resonance.  Prerequisites:  Ph 411.

*Ph 664, 665, 666 STATISTICAL MECHANICS (4,4,4) -- Foundations of statistical mechanics and kinetic theory; statistical interpretation of thermodynamics; ensembles in classical and quantum systems; transport phenomena. 
Prerequisites:  Ph 619 or 625.

Ph 679 ADVANCED ATOMOSPHERIC PHYSICS (4) -- Advanced course to provide a working knowledge of base models for studying global change including the greenhouse effect, global warming, stratospheric ozone depletion from man-made chemicals, tropospheric chemistry of HO and O3 and transport modeling. Prerequisite: Ph 578.
*Not offered every year
 

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