Course Descriptions
PHYC 5330 Crystallography and Physical Properties
CREDIT HOURS: 3
The course covers an introduction to space groups, single crystal diffraction, powder x-ray and neutron diffraction as well as Rietveld profile refinement methods. The impact of structure on physical properties of solids will be examined. There will be hands-on experimental activities in addition to lectures.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
PREREQUISITES:
PHYC 3140.03 or permission of the instructor
PHYC 5411 Atmospheric Dynamics I
CREDIT HOURS: 3
The basic laws of fluid dynamics are applied to studies of atmospheric motion, including the atmospheric boundary layer and synoptic scale weather disturbances (the familiar highs and lows on weather maps). Emphasis will be placed on the blend of mathematical theory and physical reasoning which leads to the best understanding of the dominant physical mechanisms.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
PREREQUISITES: Permission of the instructor
CROSS-LISTING:
OCEA 5411.03
PHYC 5412 Atmospheric Dynamics II
CREDIT HOURS: 3
The approach is the same as for
PHYC 5411.03, with emphasis on synoptic-scale wave phenomena, frontal motions, and the global circulation. Additional topics including tropical meteorology, middle atmospheric dynamics, severe storms, mesoscale meteorology and numerical weather prediction may be included.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
PREREQUISITES:
PHYC 5411.03, or permission of the instructor
CROSS-LISTING:
OCEA 5412.03
PHYC 5460 Photons and Atoms
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course covers a selection of topics in advanced optics, that may include: a quantum treatment of light-matter interactions, strong field effects, quantum optics, nonlinear optics, optical resonators, laser physics, laser dynamics, and photonic devices.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
CROSS-LISTING:
PHYC 4460.03
PHYC 5505 Atmospheric Physics
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Moist thermodynamics is applied to a variety of atmospheric phenomenon. These include aerosols, cloud droplets, precipitation formation, convection, supercells, hurricanes, lightning, and the boundary layer. We also discuss the radar equation and the interpretation of radar images.
FORMAT: Lecture
PREREQUISITES:
PHYC 5520 or permission of the instructor
CROSS-LISTING:
OCEA 5505.03,
PHYC 4505.03,
OCEA 4505.03
PHYC 5520 Introduction to Atmospheric Science
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This general overview of the atmosphere provides the student with an understanding of the composition and thermal structure of the atmosphere, air mass and frontal theory and weather generating physical processes and their consequences. Other topics include atmospheric radiation, dynamic meteorology, climatology and the physics of clouds and storms.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
PREREQUISITES: At least one 3rd year physics course or permission of the instructor
CROSS-LISTING:
OCEA 5520.03
PHYC 5540 Synoptic Meteorology I
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course introduces the practical skills of meteorological observation and analysis. Emphasis is on developing skills in drawing and interpreting weather maps, and on studying the three-dimensional structure of weather systems. Satellite and radar remote sensing of the atmosphere is also introduced. Case studies of atmospheric systems and processes are carried out during the tutorial-laboratory period.
FORMAT:
FORMAT COMMENTS: tutorial-lab 3 hours
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 2
PREREQUISITES: At least 1 third-year physics course
CROSS-LISTING:
OCEA 5541.03,
EXCLUSIONS:
PHYC 4540.03
PHYC 5550 Synoptic Meteorology II
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course extends the analysis and diagnosis of atmospheric dynamics and weather processes introduced in
PHYC 4540.03. Emphasis is on the practical application of meteorological theory, particularly in the area of diagnosing the cases of weather events. Modern computer and statistical methods are discussed, and students receive an introduction to weather forecasting.
FORMAT:
FORMAT COMMENTS: tutorial-lab 3 hours
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 2
PREREQUISITES:
PHYC 5540.03
CROSS-LISTING:
OCEA 5550.03,
PHYC 4550.03
PHYC 5570 Light Scattering, Radiative Transfer, and Remote Sensing
CREDIT HOURS: 3
The equations of radiative transfer are developed and applied to the interaction of solar and terrestrial radiation with molecules, aerosols, and clouds in the atmosphere. Emphasized topics include satellite remote sensing, scattering and absorption, and the Earth radiation budget.
CROSS-LISTING:
OCEA 5570.03
PHYC 5595 Atmospheric Chemistry
CREDIT HOURS: 3
A fundamental introduction to the physical and chemical processes determining the composition of the atmosphere and its implications for climate, ecosystems, and human welfare. Origin of the atmosphere.Nitrogen, oxygen, carbon, sulfur cycles. Climate and the greenhouse effect. Atmospheric transport and turbulence. Stratospheric ozone. Oxidizing power of the atmosphere. Regional air pollution: aerosols, smog, acid rain.
FORMAT: Lecture
CROSS-LISTING:
OCEA 5595.03,
EXCLUSIONS:
PHYC 4595.03,
OCEA 4595.03
PHYC 5650 General Relativity
CREDIT HOURS: 3
A review of differential geometry will be given followed by an introduction to the general theory of relativity. Various topics will be discussed, including: linearized theory and gravitational radiation, spherically symmetric metrics and the Schwarzchild Solution, gravitational collapse, black holes, and cosmology.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
PREREQUISITES: MATH 3050.06 or permission of the instructor
CROSS-LISTING:
MATH 5650.03
PHYC 5660 Cosmology
CREDIT HOURS: 3
A self-contained introduction to cosmology will be given and no prior knowledge of differential geometry of general relativity will be assumed (although some knowledge or elementary differential equations will be useful). A cosmological model is a model of the universe, as a whole, on the largest scales; the emphasis of the course will be on the modelling aspects of cosmology.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
PREREQUISITES: Permission of the instructor
CROSS-LISTING:
MATH 5410.03
PHYC 6121 Quantum Theory
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Selected topics in quantum mechanics: field theoretic and computational techniques.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
PREREQUISITES:
PHYC 4151.03 and 4152.03, or permission of the instructor
PHYC 6201 Solid State Physics
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Topics covered include crystal structures, reciprocal lattices, space groups, x-ray scattering, Debye scattering formalism, lattice vibrations, phonon dispersion, specific heat of solids, electronic structure, free electron model and nearly-free electron model.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
PREREQUISITES:
PHYC 4151.03 and 4230.03, or permission of the instructor
PHYC 6202 Solid State Physics II
CREDIT HOURS: 3
This course is a continuation of
PHYC 6201.03 and covers the physical properties of solids at a more advanced level.
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
PREREQUISITES:
PHYC 6202.03
PHYC 6203 Soft Matter
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Soft-matter physics focuses on self-assembled materials in which entropic effects are strong. These materials are typically mechanically soft and dynamic, and have tunable properties. They are enormously important in industry, in the lab, and in nature. Canonical examples that we will consider include polymers, surfaces, random walks, and liquid crystals. They are the materials relation of statistical mechanics and statistical physics, and the entropic relation of condensed matter physics and materials science. This course introduces soft-matter systems, but also calculational approaches towards them. Physical examples and simple models will be discussed throughout the course
FORMAT: Lecture
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
LAB HOURS PER WEEK: 0
TUTORIAL HOURS PER WEEK: 0
PREREQUISITES:
PHYC 6225 Topics in Condensed Matter Physics
CREDIT HOURS: 1.5
This course explores current research topics in condensed matter research. Topics vary according to student interests and the current literature, but could include graphene, topological insulators, organic electronics, dilute magnetic semiconductors and new-high Tc superconductors.
FORMAT: Lecture
PREREQUISITES:
PHYC 5230 or permission of the instructor
PHYC 6226 Microstructures in Condensed Matter
CREDIT HOURS: 1.5
This course will develop models to describe the self-assembled microstructures that are observed in condensed matter systems. It will focus will largely focus on a description of liquid crystals and ferromagnetism in terms of a classical continuum theory. The goal is to provide students with a deeper understanding of textures in the classical fields that describe condensed matter systems.
FORMAT: Lecture
FORMAT COMMENTS: The course will be comprised of 12 lectures, two per week. Each lecture will be 1 hour and 20 minutes long.
LECTURE HOURS PER WEEK: 3
LAB HOURS PER WEEK: 0
TUTORIAL HOURS PER WEEK: 0
PHYC 6230 Nanophotonics: Principles and Applications
CREDIT HOURS: 3
Introduction to a multidisciplinary field covering the following topics: near-field interactions and microscopy, quantum-confined materials, plasmonics, photonic crystals, nanoparticles, nanofabrication and characterization, applications of nanophotonics, sensors, nano-biophotonics, nanoparticles in light-activated therapy and optical imaging modalities.
FORMAT: Lecture
PREREQUISITES: Ant of the following:
PHYC 3540,
ECED 3300,
ECED 4421, MICI/
BIOL 3024, or permission of the instructor
PHYC 6250 Experimental Techniques in Material Science
CREDIT HOURS: 3
An introduction to six experimental techniques used in materials science will be given. Examples of techniques that may be covered include x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Mössbauer spectroscopy, neutron diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance.
FORMAT: Lecture
PREREQUISITES:
PHYC 3640.03, 3210.03, 4230.03, or permission of the instructor