A basic course for majors in physical sciences and engineering; require for the astrophysics concentration. The course covers fundamental knowledge of Einstein's gravity, the contents of the universe, and the structure and distribution of galaxies. Emphasis is on the key elements of modern cosmology: the mathematical model of the expanding universe, the cosmic microwave background, the early universe and the emergence of large-scale structure in the present universe.

A survey course on planets and life covering our own Solar System and exoplanets orbiting other stars. Topics include the latest results and theories about: the origin and evolution of planetary systems around our Sun and other stars; the detection of exoplanets; the implications of planetary atmospheres for life; and the search for life on other planets in our Solar System. This course is designed for the non-major and elementary algebra and geometry will be used. Physical science majors and engineering students should prefer ASTR 1211 to this course.

A general survey, designed for the non-major, of the facts and theories of the astronomical universe, from solar system, to stars, to galaxies and cosmology. Topics include planets, satellites, small objects in the solar system, and extraterrestrial life; stars, their evolution, and their final state as white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes; galaxies, quasars, large structures, background radiation, and big bang cosmology. Elementary algebra and geometry will be used. This course is not recommended for physical-science majors or engineering students. Engineering students receive no credit for this course. Fulfills quantitative data analysis requirement.

A general survey, designed for the non-major, of the facts and theories of the astronomical universe, from solar system, to stars, to galaxies and cosmology. Topics include planets, satellites, small objects in the solar system, and extraterrestrial life; stars, their evolution, and their final state as white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes; galaxies, quasars, large structures, background radiation, and big bang cosmology. Elementary algebra and geometry will be used. This course is not recommended for physical-science majors or engineering students. Engineering students receive no credit for this course. Fulfills quantitative data analysis requirement.

This course is intended to be an introductory graduate course on the physics of solids, crystals and liquid crystals. There will be a strong emphasis on the use and application of broken and unbroken symmetries in condensed matter physics. Topics covered include superconductivity and superfluidity.

Advanced topics in field theory, including renormalization theory.

In depth study of classical and quantum lattice spin models, perturbation techniques, and the renormalization group.

This course will develop theoretical and computational approaches to structural and functional organization in the brain. The course will cover: (i) the basic biophysics of neural responses, (ii) neural coding and decoding with an emphasis on sensory systems, (iii) approaches to the study of networks of neurons, (iv) models of adaptation, learning and memory, (v) models of decision making, and (vi) ideas that address why the brain is organized the way that it is. The course will be appropriate for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students. A knowledge of multi-variable calculus, linear algebra and differential equations is required (except by permission of the instructor). Prior exposure to neuroscience and/or Matlab programming will be helpful.

Physics, engineering, and biology are rife with examples of physical, or material, networks, such as mechanical networks, resistor networks, and flow networks. In these structures, the networks are geometrically embedded, and the physical limitation of space, the position of the nodes, is an important consideration. This course provides an introduction to such systems.
The course will cover the basic mathematical tools for network theory, graph theory, and the physics of flow and mechanical networks. Specific systems of great relevance to physics, engineering, and biology, such as mechanical (spring) networks, force chains in jammed packings, the cytoskeleton and other intercellular structural networks, (biological) flow networks, resistor networks, and truss systems will be discussed, as well as dynamics and optimization as applied to these structures.
Since these networks are typically complex, the second part of the course will cover a broad array of data analytic techniques to characterize and quantify these structures, such as topological data analysis (TDA) and machine learning.

A laboratory-intensive survey of analog and digital electronics, intended to teach students of physics or related fields enough electronics to be comfortable learning additional topics on their own from a reference such as Horowitz and Hill. Specific topics will vary from year to year from the selection of topics listed below. Analog topics may include voltage dividers, impedance, filters, operational amplifier circuits, and transistor circuits. Digital topics may include logic gates, finite-state machines, programmable logic devices, digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital conversion, and microcomputer concepts. Recommended for students planning to do experimental work in physical science. Prerequisite: Familiarity with electricity and magnetism at the level of PHYS 0102, PHYS 0141, PHYS 0151, and PHYS 0171.