• PHYS 1050

    How Things Work
     Rating

    4.26

     Difficulty

    3.03

     GPA

    3.12

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    For non-science majors. Introduces physics and science in everyday life, considering objects from our daily environment and focusing on their principles of operation, histories, and relationships to one another. 1050 is concerned primarily with mechanical and thermal objects, while 1060 emphasizes objects involving electromagnetism, light, special materials, and nuclear energy. They may be taken in either order.

  • PHYS 1110

    Energy on this World and Elsewhere
     Rating

    3.99

     Difficulty

    2.39

     GPA

    3.19

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    The subject of energy will be considered from the perspective of a physicist. Students will learn to use quantitative reasoning and the recognition of simple physics restraints to examine issues related to energy that are of relevance to society and the future evolution of our civilization. Prerequisite: Physics and math at high school level.

  • PHYS 1425

    Introductory Physics 1 for Engineers
     Rating

    2.41

     Difficulty

    3.69

     GPA

    3.16

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    First semester of introductory physics sequence recommended for engineers. Topics include particle kinematics and dynamics, energy and momentum conservation, rotational motion, fluids, oscillatory motion, waves, sound, and thermodynamics. Emphasis is on development of skills for practical applications. Three lecture hours. Co-requisite: MATH 1320 or equivalent.

  • PHYS 1429

    Introductory Physics 1 Workshop
     Rating

    1.91

     Difficulty

    3.51

     GPA

    3.40

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    Group problem solving, data acquisition and analysis, and application of physics to real life scenarios in the framework of classical mechanics and thermodynamics. The course is geared towards STEM majors and required for engineering and physics majors. Co-requisites: PHYS 1425 or 1420.

  • PHYS 1655

    Introduction to Python for Scientists and Engineers
     Rating

    4.00

     Difficulty

    4.67

     GPA

    3.46

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    This course provides an introduction to the Python programming language with applications to common problems in the science and engineering fields. It emphasizes three core skills: analyzing data, simulating data, and visualizing data. No previous programming or computer experience is required. Prerequisite: MATH 1210 or equivalent, or instructor permission.

  • PHYS 1660

    Practical Computing for the Physical Sciences
     Rating

    4.22

     Difficulty

    2.00

     GPA

    3.75

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    This course teaches how to use the computer to solve quantitative problems. This involves learning the skills to write computer programs dedicated to certain tasks, to visualize data graphically, to use scientific software, and to learn other practical skills that are important for a future career in the sciences.

  • PHYS 1930

    Physics in the 21st Century
     Rating

    4.67

     Difficulty

    1.00

     GPA

    3.84

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    Overview of current areas of research in the broad discipline of physics, including the historical context of their development. Describes various career options in physics, including academia, government, and industry. Outlines the college physics curriculum and describes opportunities to participate in research at the university.

  • PHYS 2010

    Principles of Physics 1 for Pre-Health Students
     Rating

    2.71

     Difficulty

    3.95

     GPA

    3.23

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    Physics 2010 and 2020 constitute a terminal course sequence covering the principles of mechanics, heat, electricity and magnetism, optics, atomic, solid state, nuclear, and particle physics. A working knowledge of arithmetic, elementary algebra, and trigonometry is essential. The PHYS 2010 - 2020 sequence does not normally serve as prerequisite for the courses numbered 3110 and above. PHYS 2010, 2020, in conjunction with the laboratories PHYS 2030, 2040, satisfy the physics requirement of medical and dental schools. PHYS 2010 is prerequisite for 2020. Three lecture hours.

  • PHYS 2030

    Principles of Physics 1 Workshop
     Rating

    2.08

     Difficulty

    3.76

     GPA

    3.48

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    Group problem solving, data acquisition and analysis, and application of physics to real life scenarios in the framework of classical mechanics and thermodynamics. The course satisfies the requirements for pre-health students. Co-requisites: PHYS 2010

  • PHYS 2410

    Introductory Physics 2: Electricity, Magnetism and Optics
     Rating

    3.00

     Difficulty

    3.00

     GPA

    3.17

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    Second semester of the introductory physics sequence recommended for prospective physics majors. Topics include electricity, magnetism, circuits and optics. Emphasis is on building foundations for future studies in physics. Three lecture hours. PHYS 1420 or PHYS 1425; co-requisite MATH 2310; or instructor permission

  • PHYS 2415

    Introductory Physics 2 for Engineers
     Rating

    2.67

     Difficulty

    4.15

     GPA

    3.10

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    Second semester of introductory physics sequence recommended for engineers and other scientists. Topics include electricity, magnetism, circuits and optics. Emphasis is on development of skills for practical applications. Three lecture hours. Prerequisites: PHYS 1420 or PHYS 1425; co-requisite: MATH 2310; or instructor permission.

  • PHYS 2419

    Introductory Physics 2 Workshop
     Rating

    2.13

     Difficulty

    3.58

     GPA

    3.36

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    Group problem solving, data acquisition and analysis, and application of physics to real life scenarios in the framework of electricity and magnetism. The course is geared towards STEM majors and required for engineering and physics majors. Co-requisites: PHYS 2415 or 2410. Prerequisite: PHYS 1429

  • PHYS 3110

    Widely Applied Physics
     Rating

    2.83

     Difficulty

    3.00

     GPA

    3.43

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    Applications of physical principles to a diverse set of phenomena: order of magnitude estimates, dimensional analysis, material science and engineering, astrophysics, aeronautics and space flight, communications technology, meteorology, sound & acoustics and fluid dynamics. Not all topics will be covered in every course. Three lecture hours. (Y) Prerequisite: PHYS 2620 or instructor permission.

  • PHYS 3150

    Electronics Laboratory
     Rating

    4.44

     Difficulty

    3.50

     GPA

    3.34

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    The course begins by covering the fundamentals of analog and digital electronics, including the use of transistors, FET's, operational amplifiers, TTL, and CMOS integrated circuits. Following this students conduct projects with modern microcontroller boards (Arduino and Raspberry Pi) using the concepts and the experience gained from the prior fundamentals. Six laboratory hours. Prerequisite: PHYS 2040 or PHYS 2419.

  • PHYS 3170

    Advanced Laboratory A
     Rating

    4.07

     Difficulty

    3.00

     GPA

    3.53

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    Approximately five experiments drawn from the major fields of physics. Introduces precision apparatus, experimental techniques, and methods of evaluating experimental results. Outside report preparation is required. Six laboratory hours. Prerequisite: PHYS 2640 or PHYS 3140

  • PHYS 3210

    Classical Mechanics
     Rating

    3.71

     Difficulty

    3.75

     GPA

    3.05

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    Statics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies treated with extensive use of vector calculus; includes the Lagrangian formulation of mechanics. Prerequisites: MATH 2310 or equivalent, MATH 3250 or equivalent, and PHYS 2720 or instructor permission.

  • PHYS 3310

    Statistical Physics
     Rating

    1.44

     Difficulty

    4.33

     GPA

    3.26

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    Includes temperature and the laws of thermodynamics; introductory treatments of kinetic theory and statistical mechanics; and applications of Boltzmann, Bose-Einstein, and Fermi-Dirac distributions. Prerequisite: MATH 3255 (preferred) or MATH 3250, and PHYS 2620, or instructor permission.

  • PHYS 3430

    Electricity and Magnetism II
     Rating

    3.58

     Difficulty

    2.75

     GPA

    3.29

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    Includes Maxwell's equations; electromagnetic waves and their interaction with matter; interference, diffraction, polarization; waveguides; and antennas. Prerequisite: PHYS 3420.

  • PHYS 3630

    Computational Physics
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.12

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    Surveys computational methods for problem solving in the physical sciences. Topics include numerical precision and efficiency, solutions of differential equations, optimization problems, Monte Carlo simulation, statistical methods, and data analytics. Tools for data visualization and use of libraries in both C/C++ and Python will be explored. Prerequisites: PHYS 2410 or PHYS 2415, PHYS 2620, and programming experience in Python and/or C.

  • PHYS 3650

    Quantum Physics I
     Rating

    3.04

     Difficulty

    4.60

     GPA

    3.16

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    Includes quantum phenomena and an introduction to wave mechanics; the hydrogen atom and atomic spectra. Prerequisite: MATH 3250, MATH 4210 or PHYS 3340, PHYS 2620, or instructor permission.

  • PHYS 3993

    Independent Study
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    Individual study of topics in physics not normally covered in formal classes. Study is carried out under the tutelage of a faculty member with whom the requirements are agreed upon prior to enrollment. (S-SS) Prerequisite: Instructor permission

  • PHYS 3995

    Research
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    A research project on a topic in physics carried out under the supervision of a faculty member culminating in a written report. May be taken more than once. (S-SS) Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

  • PHYS 5000

    Physics Colloquium
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    First and second year students enrolled in the Physics PhD program are required to take Physics Colloquium in their first and second years of study.

  • PHYS 5110

    Special Topics in Classical and Modern Physics
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    Lectures on topics of current interest in physics research and pedagogy. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

  • PHYS 5190

    Electronics Lab
     Rating

    5.00

     Difficulty

    2.00

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    Practical electronics for scientists, from resistors to microprocessors. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

  • PHYS 5240

    Introduction to the Theory of General Relativity
     Rating

    4.33

     Difficulty

    5.00

     GPA

    3.34

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    Reviews special relativity and coordinate transformations. Includes the principle of equivalence; effects of gravitation on other systems and fields; general tensor analysis in curved spaces and gravitational field equations; Mach's principle, tests of gravitational theories; perihelion precession, red shift, bending of light, gyroscopic precession, radar echo delay; gravitational radiation; relativisitic stellar structure and cosmography; and cosmology. Prerequisite: Advanced calculus through partial differentiation and multiple integration; vector analysis in three dimensions.

  • PHYS 5310

    Optics
     Rating

    2.67

     Difficulty

    3.50

     GPA

    3.23

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    Includes reflection and refraction at interfaces, geometrical optics, interference phenomena, diffraction, Gaussian optics, and polarization. Prerequisite: PHYS 2320, 2415, 2610, or an equivalent college-level electromagnetism course; knowledge of vector calculus and previous exposure to Maxwell's equations.

  • PHYS 5620

    Solid State Physics
     Rating

    3.33

     Difficulty

    5.00

     GPA

    3.54

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    This course will study various phenomena in condensed matter physics, including crystallography, basic group theory, x-ray and neutron diffraction, lattice vibrations, electrons in a metal, electronic band theory, electrons under an external magnetic field, semiconductors, magnetism and superconductivity. Not only the topics but also the theoretical and experimental techniques that are covered in this course are essential for PhD students as well as advanced Undergraduate students in Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Materials Science and Engineering to excel in their research career.Prerequisite: PHYS 3650 (Quantum Mechanics I) or an equivalent course

  • PHYS 5630

    Computational Physics I
     Rating

    5.00

     Difficulty

    5.00

     GPA

    3.46

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    Surveys computational methods for problem solving in the physical sciences. Topics include numerical precision and efficiency, solutions of differential equations, optimization problems, Monte Carlo simulation, statistical methods, and data analytics. Tools for data visualization and use of libraries in both C/C++ and Python will be explored. Prerequisites: PHYS 2410 or PHYS 2415, PHYS 2620, and programming experience in Python and/or C.

  • PHYS 5720

    Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics
     Rating

    4.00

     Difficulty

    4.00

     GPA

    3.46

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    Studies subatomic structure; basic constituents and their mutual interactions.

  • PHYS 5880

    Introduction to Quantum Computing
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.55

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    An introduction to quantum computation, a modern discipline looking for ways to harness the power of quantum mechanics to gain exponential speedup of computations and simulations. We will go through the basic algorithms, discuss error correction and various physical platforms suggested for a possible implementation of such a computer. The course assumes a knowledge of linear algebra, basic probability and familiarity with quantum mechanics.

  • PHYS 7010

    Theoretical Mechanics I
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.35

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    The statics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies. Discusses the methods of generalized coordinates, the Langrangian, Hamilton-Jacobi equations, action-angle variables, and the relation to quantum theory. Prerequisite: PHYS 3210 and MATH 5220.

  • PHYS 7410

    Electricity and Magnetism I
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.39

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    A consistent mathematical account of the phenomena of electricity and magnetism; electrostatics and magnetostatics; macroscopic media; Maxwell theory; and wave propagation. Prerequisite: PHYS 7250 or instructor permission.

  • PHYS 7610

    Quantum Theory I
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.43

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    Introduces the physical basis of quantum mechanics, the Schroedinger equation and the quantum mechanics of one-particle systems, and stationary state problem. Prerequisite: Twelve credits of 3000-level physics courses and MATH 5210, 5220, or instructor permission.

  • PHYS 7995

    Independent Study
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    Independent research or practical training supervised by a faculty member. May be repeated for credit.

  • PHYS 8420

    Atomic Physics
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.97

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    Studies the principles and techniques of atomic physics with application to selected topics, including laser and microwave spectroscopy, photoionization, autoionization, effects of external fields, and laser cooling. Prerequisite: PHYS 7620 or instructor permission.

  • PHYS 8630

    Introduction to Field Theory
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.57

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    Introduces the quantization of field theories, including those based on the Dirac and Klein-Gordon equations. Derives perturbation theory in terms of Feynman diagrams, and applies it to simple field theories with interactions. Introduces the concept of renormalization. Prerequisite: PHYS 7620.

  • PHYS 8999

    Master Thesis Non-Topical Research
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    For master's thesis, taken under the supervision of a thesis director.

  • PHYS 9010

    Introduction to Physics Research I
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.99

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    Workshops given by UVA Physics faculty describing their research. Restricted to Arts and Sciences graduate students in Physics only

  • PHYS 9998

    Pre-Qual Preparation for Doctoral Research
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    For students who have not passed the Qualifying exam for doctoral research, taken before a dissertation director has been selected.

  • PHYS 9999

    PhD Thesis Non-Topical Research
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    For doctoral dissertation, taken under the supervision of a dissertation director.