Fall 2025

The fundamentals of physics are presented, exploring the structure and beauty of physical laws and their manifestations, ranging from events observed in everyday life to subatomic and cosmic phenomena.

Fundamental laws and principles of physics emphasizing areasrelated to life sciences. Prerequisite for Biological Sciences,Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy. Lecture, 4 hrs.; Lab, 3 hrs.

Fundamental laws and principles of physics emphasizing areas related to life sciences. Prerequisite for Biological Sciences, Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy. Lecture, 4 hrs.; Lab, 3 hrs. (Duplicates credit in 105abLg and 125L).

Laboratory component for PHYS 151Lg for transfer students with equivalent lecture credit from another institution. For transfer students immediately after matriculation. Graded CR/NC.

Laboratory component for PHYS 152L for transfer students with equivalent lecture credit from another institution. For transfer students immediately after matriculation. Graded CR/NC.

Gateway to the majors and minors in Physics and Astronomy. Statics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies, conservation principles, gravitation, simple harmonic oscillators, thermodynamics, heat engines, entropy.

Electrostatics, magnetostatics, electrical circuits, wave motion, sound waves, electromagnetic waves.

Geometrical optics, interference, diffraction, special relativity, quantum mechanics, atomic physics, solid state physics.

Electrostatics, magnetostatics, electrical circuits, electric and magnetic properties of matter, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves, propagation of light.

Introduction to current research activities of the faculty of the Department; topics of current and popular interest among the wider community of physicists. Graded CR/NC.

Investigation of energy technologies, including development and implementation issues. Topics include the Industrial Revolution, electromagnetic induction, power transmission, combustion engines, fission and fusion. Not available for major credit.

Dynamics of particles, kinematics of rotations, rigid body motion, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalism, theory of small vibrations.

a: Electrostatics; thermal, chemical, magnetic effects of steady currents; DC circuits.

Relativity, atomic spectra, quantum statistics, nuclear models, nuclear reactions, elementary particles.

Length, time, and energy scales of life; statistical mechanics of biomolecules and cellular processes; physics of cell shape; biological fluid dynamics; electron transfer and metabolism. Recommended preparation: BISC 220. Prerequisites: PHYS 152 or PHYS 162.

Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

Projects will include experiments in mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism. Emphasis on laboratory work with discussion of theoretical background. Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 6 hours.

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.

Topics of current research interest in physics and astronomy. Lectures directed to physics graduate students by faculty of the department and by outside speakers. Graded CR/NC.

Newtonian formulation of dynamics; Hamilton's principle; Lagrangian formulation; rigid body motion; Hamiltonian formulation; Hamilton-Jacobi theory; vibrations.

Vector analysis; infinite, asymptotic Fourier series; complete sets; Dirac delta function; Fourier, Laplace transforms; Legendre functions; spherical harmonics; Sturm-Liouville theory; orthogonal polynomials; gamma-factorial function; complex variables.

Techniques of general utility in contemporary physics research, with emphasis on the use of commercially available instrumentation.

Principles of, and relations between, thermodynamics, and statistical mechanics; ensembles, partition function formalism; quantum statistics; fluctuations.

b: Approximation schemes and application to atomic and molecular physics and scattering theory; identical particles; electromagnetic properties of atoms.

Idealized and real-world descriptions of quantum hardware; design principles, methods of operation and possible improvements; applications, advantages and limitations of different technologies.

Research leading to the master's degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.

Practical principles for the long-term development of effective teaching within the physical sciences. Intended for teaching assistants in Dornsife College. Graded CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of thesis.

Credit on acceptance of thesis.

Part-time or full-time, practical work experience in the students field of study. The internship must be located at an off-campus facility. Students are individually supervised by faculty. May not be taken until the student has completed at least one semester of enrollment in the graduate program with a cumulative 3.0 GPA.

Coursework taken on campus at Caltech as part of the Caltech-USC cross-registration program. Graded CR/NC.

Research leading to the doctorate. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of dissertation.

Credit on acceptance of dissertation.

Credit on acceptance of dissertation.

Credit on acceptance of dissertation.