New Mexico Tech Physics
Home Prospective Students People News and Events Student Resources Student Clubs Course Schedule Drop-In Tutoring Sample Curricula Course Catalog 100 Level 200 Level 300 Level 400 Level 500 Level Catalog (PDF) Research Contact & Directions Site Map	400 Level Physics Courses Physics 408: Cooperative Education Description On-the-job training to supplement the academic program. Students alternate periods (usually six months long) of full-time semiprofessional employment in their chosen field with periods of full-time academic study. Physics 411: Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics Credits 3 Hours 3 class Corequisite MATH 335 Prerequisite PHYS 122 or PHYS 132 Description A course dealing with the effects of heat and work on gases, liquids, and solids. The equations of state and the first and second laws of thermodynamics are presented with applications to heat engines and chemical processes. An introduction is given to kinetic theory and statistical mechanics. Physics 421: Continuum Mechanics Credits 3 Hours 3 class Prerequisite PHYS 121 or PHYS 132; MATH 332; MATH 335 Offered on demand Description Statics and dynamics of fluids and elastic bodies. Physics 425: Astrophysics III: Plasma Physics Credits 3 Hours 3 class Prerequisite PHYS 333 Description Plasmas account for most of the luminous matter in the universe. This course surveys the many aspects of plasma physics from astrophysical manifestations to laboratory studies. Understanding the fundamental aspects of plasma physics Physics 426: Astrophysics IV: High Energy Astrophysics Credits 3 Hours 3 class Prerequisite PHYS 325; PHYS 326; PHYS 333 Description Fluid and plasma physics govern most astrophysical systems. Thermal and dynamic state of diffuse astrophysical matter. Basic tools presented include fluid physics, radiative diagnostics, and particle acceleration. Applications are mostly drawn from our galaxy, and include star formation, accretion flows, supernovae, pulsars, jets and cosmic rays. Physics 432: Atmospheric Remote Sensing Credits 3 Hours 3 class Prerequisite PHYS 122 or PHYS 132 Description Remote sensing from space and ground-based instruments is an essential part of observing the physics and chemistry of the atmosphere. The current generation of sensors and techniques are capable of measuring a wide variety of atmospheric quantities such as temperature, humidity, cloud macro- and microphysical properties, stratospheric ozone and other trace gases, electron density in the ionosphere, and upper atmospheric winds. In all cases the remote sensing is done by quantifying electromagnetic radiation emitted, absorbed, or scattered by the atmosphere. This course will examine the physics of remote sensing using radio, microwave, infrared, visible, and passive systems (e.g. radiometers, differential absorption spectrometers). Physics 433: Special Problems in Atmospheric Physics Credits 3 Hours 3 class Offered spring semesters Description Project in which student works with a member of the atmospheric physics group on current research. This project is expected to lead to a report, conference presentation, or contribution to a published paper. The student should contact an appropriate faculty member within the first two weeks of the fall semester to organize a project. Physics 443: Atomic and Nuclear Physics Credits 3 Hours 3 class Prerequisite PHYS 340 Description Continuation of PHYS 340. Further topics in atomic and molecular structure. Quantum statistics with applications to degenerate Fermi and Bose fluids. Radioactivity, elements of nuclear structure, nuclear energy sources. Mesons, hyperons, and resonances. Physics 444: Solid-State Physics Credits 3 Hours 3 class Prerequisite PHYSICS 340 or consent of instructor Offered on demand Description Theory and application of solid-state devices; binding in molecules and crystals; energy bands; electrons in metals; imperfections in solids; electrical, thermal, and magnetic properties of solids; and semiconductor theory. Physics 451: Senior Laboratory Credits 1 or 2 Hours 3 or 6 lab Prerequisite PHYSICS 232 and senior status or consent of instructor Description Experiments in atomic, nuclear, and solid-state physics. Physics 489: Pilot Course Credits TBA Hours TBA Description Topic to be arranged. Physics 491: Directed Study Credits TBA Hours TBA
Maintained by Gina Chavez (e-mail: rchavez@kestrel.nmt.edu). Modified: July 12, 2005

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400 Level Physics Courses

Physics 408: Cooperative Education

Description: On-the-job training to supplement the academic program. Students alternate periods (usually six months long) of full-time semiprofessional employment in their chosen field with periods of full-time academic study.

Physics 411: Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics

Credits: 3
Hours: 3 class
Corequisite: MATH 335
Prerequisite: PHYS 122 or PHYS 132
Description: A course dealing with the effects of heat and work on gases, liquids, and solids. The equations of state and the first and second laws of thermodynamics are presented with applications to heat engines and chemical processes. An introduction is given to kinetic theory and statistical mechanics.

Physics 421: Continuum Mechanics

Credits: 3
Hours: 3 class
Prerequisite: PHYS 121 or PHYS 132; MATH 332; MATH 335
Offered: on demand
Description: Statics and dynamics of fluids and elastic bodies.

Physics 425: Astrophysics III: Plasma Physics

Credits: 3
Hours: 3 class
Prerequisite: PHYS 333
Description: Plasmas account for most of the luminous matter in the universe. This course surveys the many aspects of plasma physics from astrophysical manifestations to laboratory studies. Understanding the fundamental aspects of plasma physics

Physics 426: Astrophysics IV: High Energy Astrophysics

Credits: 3
Hours: 3 class
Prerequisite: PHYS 325; PHYS 326; PHYS 333
Description: Fluid and plasma physics govern most astrophysical systems. Thermal and dynamic state of diffuse astrophysical matter. Basic tools presented include fluid physics, radiative diagnostics, and particle acceleration. Applications are mostly drawn from our galaxy, and include star formation, accretion flows, supernovae, pulsars, jets and cosmic rays.

Physics 432: Atmospheric Remote Sensing

Credits: 3
Hours: 3 class
Prerequisite: PHYS 122 or PHYS 132
Description: Remote sensing from space and ground-based instruments is an essential part of observing the physics and chemistry of the atmosphere. The current generation of sensors and techniques are capable of measuring a wide variety of atmospheric quantities such as temperature, humidity, cloud macro- and microphysical properties, stratospheric ozone and other trace gases, electron density in the ionosphere, and upper atmospheric winds. In all cases the remote sensing is done by quantifying electromagnetic radiation emitted, absorbed, or scattered by the atmosphere. This course will examine the physics of remote sensing using radio, microwave, infrared, visible, and passive systems (e.g. radiometers, differential absorption spectrometers).

Physics 433: Special Problems in Atmospheric Physics

Credits: 3
Hours: 3 class
Offered: spring semesters
Description: Project in which student works with a member of the atmospheric physics group on current research. This project is expected to lead to a report, conference presentation, or contribution to a published paper. The student should contact an appropriate faculty member within the first two weeks of the fall semester to organize a project.

Physics 443: Atomic and Nuclear Physics

Credits: 3
Hours: 3 class
Prerequisite: PHYS 340
Description: Continuation of PHYS 340. Further topics in atomic and molecular structure. Quantum statistics with applications to degenerate Fermi and Bose fluids. Radioactivity, elements of nuclear structure, nuclear energy sources. Mesons, hyperons, and resonances.

Physics 444: Solid-State Physics

Credits: 3
Hours: 3 class
Prerequisite: PHYSICS 340 or consent of instructor
Offered: on demand
Description: Theory and application of solid-state devices; binding in molecules and crystals; energy bands; electrons in metals; imperfections in solids; electrical, thermal, and magnetic properties of solids; and semiconductor theory.

Physics 451: Senior Laboratory

Credits: 1 or 2
Hours: 3 or 6 lab
Prerequisite: PHYSICS 232 and senior status or consent of instructor
Description: Experiments in atomic, nuclear, and solid-state physics.

Physics 489: Pilot Course

Credits: TBA
Hours: TBA
Description: Topic to be arranged.

Physics 491: Directed Study

Credits: TBA
Hours: TBA

Maintained by Gina Chavez (e-mail: rchavez@kestrel.nmt.edu).
Modified: July 12, 2005