The terms indicated are expected but are not guaranteed. For the courses offered during any given term, consult the Schedule of Classes.
030x Tools for Physics (2, Fa) Elementary course to prepare students for Physics 151L; emphasis on techniques for problem solving in physics. Not available for degree credit. Graded CR/NC.
100xg Physics for the Nonscientist (4, FaSpSm) Fundamentals of physics presented with minimal mathematics; emphasis is on the structure and beauty of physical laws and their strong bearing upon technology. Lecture-demonstration, 4 hours. Not available for major credit.
102Lxg Physics of Waves and Light (4, Sp) Properties of mechanical and electromagnetic waves, interference, diffraction, refraction, resonance, scattering, coherence, polarization, sound, optical systems, color, modulation, atomic spectra, photons, lasers, holography, matter waves. Not available for major credit.
125abL Physics for Architects (a: 4, Fa; b: 4, Sp) Fundamental laws and principles of physics with emphasis on the application of physical principles to the problems of architecture. Lecture, 4 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. (Duplicates credit in PHYS 135abL and former PHYS 105abL.) Prerequisite: for a: MATH 108; for b: PHYS 125aL.
135abL Physics for the Life Sciences (4-4, FaSpSm) Fundamental laws and principles of physics emphasizing areas related to life sciences; prerequisite for biological sciences, medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy. Lecture, 4 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. (Duplicates credit in PHYS 125abL and former PHYS 105abL.) Prerequisite: MATH 108.
151L Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics, Waves, and Sound (4, FaSpSm) Dynamics of particles and rigid bodies, statics, gravitation, wave motion, sound waves, simple harmonic oscillators. Lecture, 4 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Prerequisite: MATH 125.
152L Fundamentals of Physics II: Thermodynamics, Electricity, and Magnetism (4, FaSpSm) Thermodynamics, heat engines, entropy, electrostatics, magnetostatics, electrical circuits, electromagnetic waves, propagation of light. Lecture, 4 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Prerequisite: PHYS 151L, MATH 126; corequisite: MATH 226.
153L Fundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics (4, FaSpSm) Geometrical optics, interference, diffraction, special relativity, quantum mechanics, atomic physics, solid state physics. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Prerequisite: PHYS 152L.
161L Advanced Principles of Physics I (4, Sp) Introductory treatment intended for well-qualified students. Dynamics of particles and rigid bodies, conservation laws, wave motion, thermodynamics, heat engines, entropy. Lecture, 4 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Prerequisite: MATH 125; corequisite: MATH 126.
162L Advanced Principles of Physics II (4, Fa) Electrostatics, magnetostatics, electrical circuits, electrical and magnetic properties of matter, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves, propagation of light. Lecture, 4 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Prerequisite: PHYS 161L; corequisite: MATH 226.
163L Advanced Principles of Physics III (4, Sp) Interference and diffraction of waves, special relativity, quantum mechanics, atomic physics, nuclear physics, condensed matter physics, elementary particles. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Prerequisite: PHYS 162L.
190ab Freshman Colloquium (a: 1, Fa; b: 1, Sp) Introduction to current research activities of the faculty of the Department, and topics of current and popular interest among the wider community of physicists. Graded CR/NC.
302L Physical Optics (4, 2 years, Fa) Wave nature of light, diffraction, interference, polarization, coherence, double refraction, optical activity, electro- and magneto-optics, absorption, scattering, dispersion, line spectra, laser phenomena. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 4 hours. Prerequisite: PHYS 153L or PHYS 162L.
304 Mechanics (4, Fa) Dynamics of particles, kinematics of rotations, rigid body motion, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalism, theory of small vibrations. Prerequisite: PHYS 151L or PHYS 161L, MATH 245.
316 Introduction to Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics (4, 2 years, Sp) First, second, and third thermodynamic laws; thermodynamic potentials, applications; distribution laws, kinetic theory, transport phenomena, specific heats. Prerequisite: PHYS 152L or PHYS 161L, MATH 226.
350L Electronics (4, 2 years, Fa) DC and AC circuits, bridges, properties of semiconductors and transistors, equivalent circuits, amplifiers, feedback, oscillators, linear and digital integrated circuits. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 4 hours. Prerequisite: PHYS 152L or PHYS 162L; corequisite: MATH 245.
390 Special Problems (1-4) Supervised, individual studies. No more than one registration permitted. Enrollment by petition only.
408ab Electricity and Magnetism (a: 4, Fa; b: 4, Sp) a: Electrostatics; thermal, chemical, magnetic effects of steady currents; DC circuits. b: Electromagnetic induction; AC circuits; Maxwell's equations. Prerequisite: PHYS 152L or PHYS 162L; corequisite: MATH 245 (for PHYS 408a), MATH 445 (for PHYS 408b).
438ab Introduction to Quantum Mechanics and its Applications (a: 4, Sp; b: 4, Fa) a: Concepts and techniques of quantum mechanics; free and bound states, the hydrogen atom. b: Relativity, atomic spectra, quantum statistics, nuclear models, nuclear reactions, elementary particles. Prerequisite: PHYS 304; corequisite: MATH 445.
440 Introduction to Solid State Physics (4, 2 years, Sp) Crystal structures, x-ray diffraction, thermal properties of solids, diamagnetism and paramagnetism, free-electron model of metals, semiconductors, ferromagnetism, super-conductivity, imperfections in crystals. Prerequisite: PHYS 438a.
451abL Development of Laboratory Experiments and Demonstrations (2-2) Training in basic laboratory skills; survey of traditional experiments and demonstrations; criteria for selection and design.
490x Directed Research (2-8, max 8) Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit. Prerequisite: departmental approval.
491abL Senior Laboratory (a: 2, Fa; b: 2, Sp) Projects will include nuclear magnetic resonance, superconductivity, Compton scattering, nuclear counting, atomic emission spectra, Stern-Gerlach; new experimentation.
495 Senior Project (3) An original project will be constructed applying computer technology (in either hardware or software) to produce a result useful in the physics classroom or laboratory. Prerequisite: departmental approval.
Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995