New Physics Courses!
Winter and Spring 2008

Questions about how these changes impact degree requirements should be referred to Prof. R. van Dyck (vandyck@phys.washington.edu) or to Margot Nims (margot@phys.washington.edu).

I. PHYS 225 and 315 (proposed title: Quantum Mechanics I),    
will be taught in the Winter Quarter 2008
        co-listed under the course numbers
             PHYS 225 (formerly Modern Physics) and  
             PHYS 315 (formerly Applications of Modern Physics). 
        The prerequisites for this course are PHYS123 and PHYS227.

This new course will be a prerequisite for the new course on particle physics PHYS248B  (Relativity, Particles, and Symmetry) to be taught in Spring 2008 and for PHYS324 (Quantum Mechanics II), starting next Autumn. 

The new PHYS225 course will emphasize two state Quantum Mechanical Systems, and will cover both the basic and applied aspects of this topic. Students who have completed PHYS225 may register under PHYS315. Contact the instructor, Prof. Rothberg (rothberg@u), with any questions. Students who intend to take PHYS315 instead of PHYS324 to satisfy graduation requirements should note that this may be the final time that PHYS315 is offered

II. PHYS248A (Introduction to Physics Research) is a new 1-credit course aimed at students in the sophomore-year undergrad physics major courses, but all are welcome to  enroll.  It will provide a broad introduction to the physics research occurring at UW, including a discussion of the contributions of UW undergrads to the various research programs.  Students who have not completed PHYS123 should contact the instructor, Prof. Seidler (seidler@u) prior to enrolling.

III. PHYS248B (Relativity, Particles, and Symmetry) is a new 3-credit class offered for the first time in Spring 2008.  The class will introduce special relativity and its application to Particle Physics. Particle families, interactions, and symmetries will be discussed. The prerequisites are one of PHYS225, 315, or the new PHYS225 (described above).