• PHYS 4210: Optics in Biology

  3.00 Credits

  University of Utah

  
  The use of optics in biology has evolved from the simple light microscope used by Darwin to the complex cryo-electron and live cell high resolution microscopes used today. With all these advances it can now be argued that we stand at the dawn of quantitative biology and optics provides an essential tool in this pursuit. This course is designed to give students a good understanding of physics involved in advanced optics while focusing their attention on the biological problems amenable to these techniques. Students with backgrounds in biology, chemistry or physics are equally encouraged however knowing algebra is a requirement for taking this course. Each section of the course would deal specifically with a special kind of microscopy followed with a case study in a biological problem that is most amenable to the use of the techniques discussed. Recommended Prerequisites: PHYS 2220. Prerequisites: "C-" or better in ((PHYS 2220 OR PHYS 3220) OR AP Physics C E&M score of 4+).
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• PHYS 4230: Molecular Motors

  3.00 Credits

  University of Utah

  
  This course will provide an overview of microtubule and actin-based motors: their structure, their function (including topics of motor regulation,) and the quantitative approaches used to study and model motor activity. Students with back grounds in biology or physics are equally encouraged. The class will outline the biological context of motoractivity, discuss motor families and details of their mechano-chemical activity, and further cover measurement and modeling techniques as well as related advanced topics. Recommended Prerequisites: PHYS 2220 or Instructor Consent. Prerequisites: "C-" or better in ((PHYS 2220 OR PHYS 3220) OR AP Physics C E&M score of 4+) OR Department Consent.
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• PHYS 4310: Physics in Biology

  3.00 Credits

  University of Utah

  
  This course is designed to give students a good understanding of Physics involved in biological processes. The goal is to equip students with analytical tools that would enable them to tackle biological problems in new ways. Students with backgrounds in biology, chemistry and physics are equally encouraged however knowing basic calculus is a requirement for taking this course. Recommended Prerequisites: PHYS 2220 AND MATH 1210 OR Equivalent. Prerequisites: "C-" or better in ((PHYS 2220 OR PHYS 3220) OR AP Physics C E&M score of 4+).
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• PHYS 4410: Advanced Mechanics

  4.00 Credits

  University of Utah

  
  This is an advanced undergraduate course in analytical mechanics with tensors and fluids. It will build on material mastered in previous core courses (e.g., PHYS 3010 - Intermediate Mechanics with Relativity). The course will go deeper into collisions, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics, motion in non-inertial reference frames, oscillations, rotations of rigid bodies, and fluid dynamics. Should time allow, nonlinear mechanics, chaos, and continuum mechanics may be introduced as well. Prerequisites: 'C-' or better in (PHYS 3010) AND (MATH 2250 OR (MATH 2270 AND MATH 2280)) AND (MATH 1260 OR MATH 1321 OR MATH 2210 OR MATH 3140) Corequisites: MATH 3140 OR MATH 3150 OR MATH 5440
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• PHYS 4730: Computational Physics I

  4.00 Credits

  University of Utah

  
  Brief introduction to computing tools for science and engineering work on modern workstations. Topics include Unix (file structures, commands, scripts, etc.), editing (especially with emacs), spreadsheets, technical document preparation (LaTeX, Postscript), symbolic manipulation (Maple), use of library routines (LAPACK), programming in Python and C++, and organizing large codes with makefiles. These tools will be illustrated by applying them to scientific and engineering problems. It is recommended that students complete MATH 3150 and MATH 3160 prior to completing this course. Prerequisites: 'C-' or better in PHYS 3010 AND (MATH 2250 OR (MATH 2270 AND MATH 2280))
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• PHYS 4760: Thermal & Stat Physics

  4.00 Credits

  University of Utah

  
  Augmenting the core courses of Physics I to V, this course introduces more systematically the principles of thermodynamics and statistical approach to these phenomena. Thermodynamics topics include laws of thermodynamics; entropy, temperature, reversible/irreversible processes; heat engine and refrigerators; phase transitions, Clapeyron's equation; paramagnetism. Statistical mechanics topics include basic statistical distributions, statistical definition of entropy and temperature; microcanonical, canonical, Gibbs canonical and grand canonical ensembles, Boltzmann distribution and partition function; Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac statistics. Finally, the Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac distributions are applied to degenerate Fermi gas, Debye theory of solids, Bose-Einstein condensation, and other systems of choices by students and instructor. Prerequisites: 'C-' or better in (PHYS 2710 OR PHYS 3740) AND (MATH 2250 OR (MATH 2270 AND MATH 2280))
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• PHYS 4800: Undergraduate Research

  1.00 - 6.00 Credits

  University of Utah

  
  This course is for undergraduate physics majors who are doing faculty directed research. Since variable credit is assigned to the course, students must meet with the faculty research supervisor of the project to establish credit hours before registering for the class. This course does not substitute for required primary curricula.
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• PHYS 4999: Senior Honors Project

  1.00 - 3.00 Credits

  University of Utah

  
  Restricted to students in the Honors Program working on their Honors degree.
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• PHYS 5010: Theor Mech & Q.M.

  4.00 Credits

  University of Utah

  
  An introduction to theoretical mechanics and quantum mechanics with emphasis on problem solving. The scope of the material roughly corresponds to the requirements of the mechanics and quantum mechanics portions of the GRE Physics Test. Topics include vectors and kinematics, Newton's laws, oscillations, motion in central forces, rotating bodies, Lagrangian mechanics, photoelectric effect, Compton effect, particle-wave duality, uncertainty principle, Schrodinger equation, energy levels, transmission and reflection, the variational principle, hydrogen atom, angular momentum, spin, bosons and fermions, Pauli exclusion principles, atomic orbitals, periodic table, radiation selection rules. Prerequisites: 'C-' or better in (PHYS 3740 AND ((MATH 3150 OR MATH 3140 OR MATH 5440) AND (MATH 3160 OR MATH 4200) OR MATH 4600)) OR Graduate status in Physics/Astronomy
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• PHYS 5015: Observational Methods

  3.00 Credits

  University of Utah

  
  This course provides an introduction to professional observational astronomy skills: instrumentation in optical astronomy, analysis of data and image processing, and observational techniques. Using real data, the student will develop the ability to plan observations and produce a final scientific result. The course will emphasize the capabilities and limitations of optical observations, and provide insight into current research. Prerequisites: 'C-' or better in (PHYS 2710 OR PHYS 3740) AND (PHYS 4060 OR PHYS 4070 OR PHYS 4080 OR PHYS 4090 OR ASTR 4060 OR ASTR 4070 OR ASTR 4080 OR ASTR 4090) OR Graduate status in Physics/Astronomy
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