Faculty
Link to Department Personnel
Link to Profiles of Full-time Faculty
Professors: Miron Kaufman (Chairperson), James Lock, Jearl Walker; Professors Emeriti: Karl J. Casper, Bernard Hamermesh, Herbert Schlosser, Jack A. Soules; Associate Professors: Paul Hambourger, Thomas Taylor, G. Theodore Wood; Associate Professors Emeriti: Clyde B. Bratton, George W. Ficken, Ronald Haybron, Robert Klein, Francis C. Stephenson; Assistant Professors: Petru Fodor, Kiril Streletzky, Jacqueline Vitali, Ulrich Zurcher; Lecturers: Robert Deissler, Thomas Kiovsky, Jeffrey Mackey, Tim McCollum, Jay Reynolds, Alla Zilichikhis; Adjunct Faculty: Gordon Chan, Cleveland Clinic Foundation; William Davros, Cleveland Clinic Foundation; Christopher Deibel, Cleveland Clinic Foundation; Toufiq Djemil, Cleveland Clinic Foundation; Gennady Neyman, Cleveland Clinic Foundation; Martin Weinhous, Cleveland Clinic Foundation; Douglas Wilkinson, Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Course Descriptions
PHY 101 The Flying Circus of Physics: Motion and Heat (3-0-3). Prerequisite: one unit of high-school algebra. Practical and everyday aspects of physics concepts such as kitchen physics, walking on fire, mechanics of sports, and electricity. Return to top
PHY 102 The Flying Circus of Physics: Sound and Light (3-0-3). Prerequisite: one unit of high-school algebra. Topics include waves, optics, and modern physics, how the eye and camera work, the laser, the theory of relativity, and some basic cosmology (just what is a "black hole" anyhow?). Return to top
PHY 103 The Flying Circus of Physics Laboratory (0-2-1). Corequisite: PHY 101 or PHY 102 or PHY 115 must be taken concurrently. Selected experiments in physics. Return to top
PHY 115 Physics, Technology and Society (3-0-3). Focuses on a specific technology, its underlying physics and its interaction with society. Topics may include space exploration, weapons systems, exotic modes of transportation, communication systems, and data storage and retrieval. Return to top
PHY 193 Topics in Physics (4-0-4). Prerequisites: one unit of high-school algebra. Topics chosen by the instructor include "Science Fiction" or "Science of Photography." Return to top
PHY 200 Astronomy Laboratory (0-2-1). This course provides hands-on experience with simple observational astronomy activities. It compliments the educational experience of the Astronomy lecture courses PHY 201 and PHY 202. Either PHY 201 or PHY 202 must be taken concurrently. Return to top
PHY 201 Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies (3-0-3). Prerequisite: One unit of high-school algebra. Introduction to astronomy, including stars, stellar evolution, origin of elements, galaxies, and cosmology. Return to top
PHY 202 Astronomy: Planets, Asteroids and Comets (3-0-3). Prerequisite: one unit of high-school algebra. Introduction to solar system, including the moon, sun, planets, asteroids, comets, and meteors. Return to top
PHY 205 History of Science I (4-0-4). The development of scientific thought from antiquity to the 20th century and the new ideas of relativity and quantum mechanics. Key themes are the evolving universe and the development of Newtonian mechanics. Return to top
PHY 206 History of Science II (4-0-4). The influence of modern physics on the development of scientific thought, including its influence on a new world view. The origin and the future of the universe will be discussed. Return to top
PHY 221 College Physics I (4-2-5). Prerequisites: three units of high-school math, three units of high-school science. Algebra-based physics, including mechanics, thermodynamics, fluids, acoustics and optics. Return to top
PHY 222 College Physics II (4-2-5). Prerequisites: three units of high-school math, three units of high-school science, PHY 221. Algebra-based physics, including electricity, magnetism, atoms, nuclei, and elementary particles. Return to top
PHY 231 College Physics I – Biomedical Applications (3-2-4). Prerequisites: three units of high-school math, three units of high-school science. Algebra-based physics, including kinematics, dynamics, mechanical equilibrium, harmonic motion: spring and pendulum, fluids, thermodynamics: temperature, heat, ideal gases, heat engines. Physical principles are applied to problems from biology and medicine. Return to top
PHY 232 College Physics II – Biomedical Applications (3-2-4). Prerequisites: three units of high-school math, three units of high-school science, PHY 231. Algebra-based physics, including sound waves, electricity, magnetism, electromagnetic waves and spectrum of light, lenses and microscopes, wave-like properties of particles and structure of atoms, nuclei, and radioactivity. Physical principles are applied to problems from biology and medicine. Return to top
PHY 241 University Physics I (4-2-5). Prerequisites: MTH 181, three units of high-school math, three units of high-school science, Corequisite: MTH 182. Calculus-based physics, including mechanics, thermodynamics, and acoustics. Return to top
PHY 242 University Physics II (4-2-5). Prerequisites: PHY 241/ 243, MTH 181, MTH 182, three units of high-school math, three units of high-school science, Corequisite: MTH 281. Calculus-based physics, including electricity, magnetism, optics. Return to top
PHY 243 University Physics I (4-2-5). Prerequisites: MTH 181, three units of high-school math, three units of high-school science, Corequisite: MTH 182. Calculus-based physics, including mechanics, thermodynamics, acoustics. Return to top
PHY 243H University Physics I (Honors) (4-2-5). Prerequisites: MTH 181, three units of high-school math, three units of high-school science plus either Honors standing or permission of university Honors Program. Corequisite: MTH 182. Calculus-based honors physics with lab: mechanics, thermodynamics, acoustics. Return to top
PHY 244 University Physics II (4-2-5). Prerequisites: PHY 241/ 243, MTH 181, MTH 182, three units of high-school math, three units of high-school science, Corequisite: MTH 281 Calculus-based physics, including electricity, magnetism, and optics. Return to top
PHY 244H University Physics II (Honors) (4-2-5). Prerequisites: PHY 241/ 243 / 243H, MTH 181, MTH 182, three units of high-school math, three units of high-school science, plus either Honors standing or permission of university Honors Program. Corequisite: MTH 281. Calculus-based honors physics with lab: electricity, magnetism, optics. Return to top
PHY 301 Musical Acoustics (3-2-4). For music and speech and hearing majors. Analysis of waveforms, sound sources, transmission and detection of sound, design of musical instruments. Return to top
PHY 310 Introduction to Holography (2-4-3). Prerequisites: PHY 241 (243), PHY 242 (244). Laboratory course, production of single- and multiple-beam transmission and reflection holograms, three-dimensional cylindrical holograms. Return to top
PHY 320 Introduction to Computational Physics (4-0-4). Prerequisite: PHY 221 or PHY 241. Elements of modeling of physical and engineering phenomena using a programming package such as MATHCAD. Topics covered include solving systems of equations, graphing functions, differential equations, and random processes. Return to top
PHY 325 Introduction to Theoretical Physics (4-0-4). Prerequisites: PHY 241 (243), PHY 242 (244), MTH 181, MTH 182, MTH 281. Physics applications of differentiation, integration, Fourier series, differential equations, complex numbers. Return to top
PHY 330 Introduction to Modern Physics (4-0-4). Prerequisites: PHY 241 (243), PHY 242 (244), MTH 181, MTH 182, MTH 281. Theory of special relativity, wave properties of particles and particle properties of light, atomic and nuclear structure, radioactivity, semiconductors. Return to top
PHY 335 Modern Physics Laboratory (2-4-4). Prerequisites: PHY 241 (or PHY243 or PHY243H), PHY 242 (or PHY 244 or PHY 244H), PHY 330. Hands-on exposure to experimental basis of modern physics, including: Milikan oil drop experiment, blackbody radiation, photoelectric effect, NMR, microwaves, X rays. Return to top
PHY 340 Mechanics and Vibrations (4-0-4). Prerequisites: PHY 241 (243), PHY 242 (244), PHY 330, MTH 181, MTH 182, MTH 281. Central force motion, classical scattering, Coriolis force, variable mass systems: rockets, rotational motion: tops, precession, Lagrange's equation, Hamilton's equations, damped and driven oscillations. Return to top
PHY 350 Electricity and Magnetism (4-0-4). Prerequisites: PHY 330, MTH 181, MTH 182, MTH 281. Vector analysis; Gauss law, electrostatic potential; electric dipoles; dielectrics; Ampere law and Biot-Savart law; magnetic dipoles, law of induction, displacement currents, Maxwell equations. Return to top
PHY 360 Electronics Laboratory (2-4-4). Prerequisites: PHY 241 (243), PHY 242 (244); MTH 181, MTH 182, MTH 281. AC and DC circuit analysis; steady states and transients; equivalent circuits; diodes, transistors and microprocessors; digital integrated circuits; sequential logic circuits. Return to top
PHY 395 Physics Seminar (variable credit). Prerequisites: Junior standing, permission of instructor. Topics of current interest. Return to top
PHY 400 Conceptual Physics for Middle School Teachers (4-2-5). Prerequisites: Senior standing in B.S. Education: Middle Childhood Education and Licensure. Course provides the content knowledge and skills of scientific inquiry necessary for teaching physics in middle school. Learning objectives are based on the national standards for science for grades four through eight. The course content includes: kinematics, mechanics, heat and temperature, energy, energy transfer, waves, acoustics, light and optics. Lectures will coordinate with laboratory exercises and inquiry based activities. Return to top
PHY 411 Advanced Physical Laboratory (variable credit). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Experiments in fields of current interest to physics faculty. Return to top
PHY 415 Introduction to Biological Physics (4-0-4). Prerequisites: PHY 221, PHY 222 or PHY 241 (or 243), PHY 242 (or 244). As the body of knowledge in physics expands and diffuses into the life sciences, the need for instruction in biological physics increases. Students learn how to use the concepts of physics to analyze and understand important aspects of biological systems. The course is appropriate for students majoring in physics, chemistry, biology, or engineering. Return to top
PHY 416 Macromolecular Crystallography (4-0-4). Prerequisites: PHY 221, PHY 222 or PHY 231, PHY 232, or PHY 241 (or 243), PHY 242 (or 244) and MTH181, MTH182. Macromolecular crystallography is at the heart of the genomics age allowing the determination of the three-dimensional structures of proteins that the genomes code for. This information is used to determine and understand their function and develop new drugs. Students learn the fundamentals of diffraction theory, crystal properties and the basic concepts of solving the structures of macromolecular crystals. The course is appropriate for advanced undergraduates majoring in physics, chemistry and biology. Return to top
PHY 420 Computational Physics (4-0-4). Prerequisites: PHY 320, PHY 330. Numerical solutions to mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and solid-state physics problems. Return to top
PHY 430 Introduction to Medical Physics (4-0-4). Prerequisites: PHY 241 (or 243), PHY 242 (or 244) or permission of the instructor. This course will introduce students to the medical applications of radiation and imaging physics. Topics covered include interactions of radiation with biological tissues, production and properties of radionuclides, radiation therapy physics, dosimetry, diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine, and issues of radiation safety. Return to top
PHY 440 Quantum Physics I (4-0-4). Prerequisites: PHY 330, PHY 340. The uncertainty principle, the Schroedinger equation, probability and measurement, potential barrier and well problems, rigid rotator and harmonic oscillator, and the hydrogen atom. Return to top
PHY 441 Quantum Physics II (4-0-4). Prerequisites: PHY 440, PHY 350. Angular momentum and magnetic moment, Pauli spin matrices, time independent and time dependent perturbation theory, variational approximation, atomic fine structure and hyperfyne structure, partial wave analysis and the Born approximation for quantum mechanical scattering. Return to top
PHY 450 Optics and Electromagnetic Waves (4-0-4). Prerequisite: PHY 330. Maxwell equations; electromagnetic energy; electromagnetic waves; interaction of light with dielectric and metallic materials: dispersion; geometric optics; lenses and lens aberrations, mirrors, polarization, birefringence, interference, interferometer design, Frauenhoffer and Fresnel diffraction. Return to top
PHY 455 Optics Laboratory (2-6-4). Prerequisite: PHY 450 or permission of instructor. Advanced optics laboratory that gives students "hands-on" experience with optical instruments and techniques; experiments on dispersion in glass, interferometry, spectral analysis, diffraction, Gaussian wave optics; student-designed experiment. Return to top
PHY 460 Laser Physics and Photonics (4-0-4). Prerequisites: PHY 241 (or 243), PHY 242 (or 244). Basics of laser operation and photonics. Topics include spontaneous and stimulated emission, the laser principle, laser types, optical detectors, integrated optics. Return to top
PHY 470 Environmental Physics (4-0-4). Prerequisites: PHY 221, PHY 241 or PHY 243. Study of physical phenomena underlying a set of current environmental issues. Topics include energy and entropy laws; electromagnetic radiation; forms of energy, including fuels, nuclear, solar; percolation model; chaos theory, including population dynamics, and climate; computer simulations. Return to top
PHY 474 Thermal Physics (4-0-4). Prerequisites: PHY 241 (or 243), PHY 242 (or 244), MTH 181, MTH 182, MTH 281. Temperature, entropy, thermal equilibrium, equations of state, thermodynamic potentials, thermodynamic stability, and phase transitions; applications, including fluids, electromagnetic radiation, and computer simulations. Return to top
PHY 475 Statistical Physics (4-0-4). Prerequisites: PHY 330, PHY 474. Microcanonical, canonical, grand-canonical ensembles, fermions, bosons; and applications, including fluids, normal modes, solids, metals, electromagnetic radiation, phase transitions, and computer simulations. Return to top
PHY 480 Introduction to Solid State Physics (4-0-4). Prerequisites: PHY 241 (or 243), PHY 242 (or 244). Electrons in solids; principles of LED and solid-state lasers; optoelectronic properties of semiconductors; materials for optical modulation, data storage and computing; liquid crystals; flat panel displays. Return to top
PHY 482 Introduction to Solid State Physics (4-0-4). Prerequisites: PHY 241 (or 243), PHY 242 (or 244). Same content as PHY 480 but includes writing-requirement credit. Return to top
PHY 493 Advanced Topics in Physics (variable credit 1 - 4). Prerequisite: Faculty permission. Topics approved by the physics faculty. May be repeated up to 3 times for a total of 6 credits. Return to top
PHY 497 Independent Study (variable credit 1- 4). Prerequisite: Approval of physics faculty member. Content and credit as arranged with instructor. Graded S/U. Return to top