Undergraduate Courses
- Spring Semester
- Fall Semester
This course is the first half of one-year electromagnetism course. It deals with basic electro- and magnetostatic phenomena and the related theories using vector calculus, such as Coulomb and Ampere law, electric and magnetic fields and their boundary conditions at the interface of different media. It also covers the fundamental aspects of dielectric and magnetic materials, and electromagnetic induction.
This course provides hands-on experience on the experimental physics. Students will learn advanced experiments which led to development of modern physics. The experimental set-ups are from a variety of physics fields such as optics, astrophysics, condensed matter physics and beam physics, etc, which basically cover modern physics. The course will deepen students' understanding of physical concepts and its applications.
Computational physics is the study and implementation of numerical algorithms to solve problems in physics for which a quantitative theory is available. This course will start from the introduction of basic computational tools, and such tools will be used to develop computational analysis of a few sample problems including solutions of partial differential equations, Monte-Carlo simulations, molecular dynamics simulations, Fourier transforms, etc.
In astrophysics, observed astronomical phenomena are described with physics of various fields. This course introduces in topical fashion astrophysics of astronomical phenomena such as formation, evolution and structure of stars, and properties of compact objects such as white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes.
This course is the second of one-year introductory course to solid state physics course. This course covers ordered and disordered states, such as ferroelectricity, magnetism, point defect, interface physics and dislocation, in the solid.
This course introduces basic plasma and charged particle phenomena that cover fusion plasmas, microwave sources, accelerators, and astrophysical plasmas. It provides basic understanding of charged particle motion under various electromagnetic environments. Basic fluid dynamics, waves in plasmas, and diffusion and sheaths are described. Plasma diagnostics and fusion plasmas are also introduced.
This course outlines the physical aspects of life phenomena ranging from the population genetics down to the molecular biology. Students will be introduced to the theoretical and experimental tools based on the fundamental notions of electrostatics and statistical mechanics. Key chapters include random walks, diffusion, structure and dynamics of macromolecules, cellular information processing, and other selected topics. Throughout the chapters, students will learn how those methodologies have been successfully applied to solve variety of biological problems and thus critically assess the power and limitations of modern tools for biophysics research. Acquaintance with basic biological concepts will be helpful but not required.
This course is the second half of the one-year electromagnetism course. The subjects covered are theories related to time-varying electromagnetic waves such as Maxwell’s equations, wave equation, reflection and refraction of electromagnetic waves at the boundary of dielectric materials. Transmissions of electromagnetic waves in guided structures are discussed. Gauge transformations, special relativity, and radiation of electromagnetic fields are also introduced.
This course provides hands-on experience on the experimental physics. The purpose of the course is to deepen basic physical concepts by means of measurement and observation of physical phenomena.
This course provides an overview of the two pillars of modern physics: special/general theory of relativity and quantum theory of light and matter. It is intended to bridge between General Physics (PHY101) and higher undergraduate physics courses, featuring logical connection between classical mechanics and electromagnetism to their modern counterparts. The key concepts to be covered include Lorentz transformation, equivalence principle, wave-particle duality, Planck's law of electromagnetic radiation, Schrödinger equation, uncertainty principle, electronic band structure, LASER, and so forth. Special emphasis will be placed on the close interplay between fundamental physics and technological applications.
This course is intended to provide science/engineering majors with the basic concepts of equilibrium thermodynamics as an analytical tool. The course will cover the fundamental laws of thermodynamics in relation to the free energy and phase transition with particular emphasis on the modern statistical interpretation of classical thermodynamic concepts. Applications in condensed matter and biophysical systems will provide a starting point for advanced studies in statistical physics and interdisciplinary research.
The main objective of this course is to provide students with a repertoire of mathematical methods which are essential to the solution of problems encountered in the fields of Physics and Applied Physics. The contents will include probability and statistics, calculus of variations, partial differential equations, integral transforms, functions of complex variables. The student will demonstrate understanding of the methods by solving problems assigned as homeworks and given on the written examinations.
This course is the first half of one-year introductory course to solid state physics course. This course covers crystal structure, lattice vibration, free electron theory in metals, the quantum electron theory and the concept of band theory, and electron transport in metal/semiconductor/insulator.
This course provides undergraduate level topics in modern optics advanced from the basic knowledge of electromagnetic wave. This course begins with classical geometrical optics including ray-tracing, aberration, lens, mirros, and so on and then covers wave optics reviewing basic electrodynamics and including topics such as polarization, interference, wave guiding, Fresnel and Fraunhofer diffraction, and so on. Some topics in instrumentation and experiments are covered as well.
This course aims to provide a strong quantitative background for the research in biological systems in a wide spectrum of spatiotemporal scales. It is also designed to provide physicists with inspiring biological contexts for their own fundamental physics research. From the molecular mechanism of gene expression to neuronal electrophysiology to population genetics, exemplary modeling approaches will be given in an effort to convey penetrating physico-chemical concepts and mathematical methods. No prerequisite is required but basic knowledge in calculus and linear algebra would suffice.
This course introduces the theory and application of charged particle beams that cover microwave sources, particle accelerators, and laser-plasma interactions. It provides basic understanding of charged particle motions under various electromagnetic environments such as magnets, RF cavities, and plasmas. Transverse beam optics, acceleration and longitudinal motion, collective description of beam distributions, and interaction between the beam and the EM fields are reviewed within the context of classical physics. Advanced concepts for beam generation and acceleration, and high frequency EM wave generation are also introduced.
This course provides an overview of modern theoretical methods developed during the 20th century. It starts from special relativity with modern tensor notation and quantum mechanics including Dirac equation and path integral formalism. After introducing classical field theory, non-relativistic and relativistic quantum fields and their canonical quantization methods are discussed. Gauge theory and Feynman diagram are covered in their elementary level.
Static and dynamic properties of fluids will be introduced with the various physical phenomena in fluid flow. Attending the course will improve the ability of the students in understanding and applying the physical properties of flow by introducing many examples which we can see in everyday life.