Courses may be offered either in the Fall or Winter Term. Not all courses are offered every year. A list of courses for the upcoming year is circulated at the end of June. A required examination for Ph.D. candidates normally taken at the beginning of the third term of PhD registration. This six hour, exam tests the student's knowledge of physics in the areas of classical mechanics, electricity & magnetism, quantum mechanics, waves & optics, and thermodynamics & statistical mechanics. If necessary, second attempt is allowed at the end of the third term of study. The exam must be passed in order to continue in the PhD program. A course designed to give the student a working knowledge of the methods
most commonly used in solving physical problems. The goal of this course is to establish a high level of mastery in basic
data and error analysis. The goal of this course is not to provide students
an introduction to a wide range of advanced techniques in data and error
analysis. Students completing this course will possess the required tools
to publish, present and correctly defend their results. Topic varies. Oral presentation of recent developments in the student's area of research.
Formal structure of quantum mechanics. Symmetries, angular momentum theory.
Time-dependent perturbation theory. Quantization of the electromagnetic
field., Topics include Maxwell's equations, wave propagation, radiating systems
(multipole expansion, Lienard-Wiechart potentials), covariant formulation
of electromagnetism. The material covered allows for the discussion and
analysis of important examples directly related to important physical
phenomena such as Faraday rotation, plasma physics, magnetohydrodynamics,
and synchrotron and bremsstralung radiation. Basic plasma concepts and introductory topics in the theory of highly
ionized gases, including cross sections, transport, waves, and thermonuclear
fusion. Topic varies. Half course; one term. Half course; one term. Fundamentals of statistical mechanics, theory of ensembles; quantum statistics;
imperfect gases, special topics. Second quantization and Green's functions in condensed matter physics,
decoupling approximations, diagrammatic perturbation theory. This course is intended to provide the student with a thorough introduction to molecular spectroscopy. The emphasis will be on understanding molecules and their spectra by making use of their symmetry (more precisely the symmetry of the Hamiltonian) for problem solving. The necessary tools will be developed to explain the electronic, vibrational, and rotational spectroscopy of simple molecules. We will concentrate on situations involving interactions between gas phase molecules and weak electromagnetic radiation.
3 lecture hours/week. Half course; one term. This course will introduce students to the processes and products of impact cratering on Earth and throughout the
Solar System, including:
This course will feature weekly lectures, student presentations, hands-on laboratories, and a field trip to the
Sudbury impact structure. Instrumentation, apparatus, and methods. Establish knowledge of the principles and techniques of nuclear magnetic
resonance (NMR). To apply previously learned physics concepts (from electromagnetism,
quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics) to NMR. To introduce applications
of NMR in materials science, chemistry and medicine. An introduction to the basic physical mechanisms involved in atmospheric
phenomena such as the aurora, gravity waves, atmospheric electricity,
greenhouse effect, and the ozone layer. Emphasis is also given to a basic
understanding of the various "layers" into which the atmosphere and upper
atmosphere are divided. Selected topics pertaining to the upper atmosphere. Selected topics pertaining to the middle atmosphere. This course will cover atmospheric dynamics associated with wave and turbulence motions. A course to introduce the basics of fluid dynamics, including the Euler
equation, potential flow, Stokes flow, and the Navier-Stokes equation.
Crystal structure; crystal binding; phonons and lattice vibrations. Electrons
in solids. Energy bands; semiconductors; superconductivity. Magnetic properties.
(see also Chemistry 557b "Topics in Surface Science: Surface Analysis using Electrons Photons and Ions" http://www.uwo.ca/chem/staffdocuments/gradcoursedescriptions.html
Introduction: why are surfaces interesting. Thermodynamics. Surface structure, relaxation, reconstructions, defects, 2D lattices. Physics of Ultrahigh vacuum, adsorption, desorption, diffusion, deposition methods, film growth and epitaxy. Semiconductor, oxide surfaces; heterogeneous catalysis. Photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS); scanning Auger microscopy; Scanning
Electron Microscopy (SEM); Ion scattering spectroscopy (LEIS, MEIS, RBS, ERD); Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry; Local surface imaging (STM, SPM); Vibrational Spectroscopies (FTIR, Raman). Focused Ion Beam (FIB); e-beam lithography.
A brief review of the thermodynamic aspects of liquid-solid phase coexistence
will be followed by the consideration of kinetics of crystal growth, including
nucleation, microscopic growth laws, diffusion limited growth and crystallization
patterns. Grades will be based on written assignments and a short project
due at the end of the term. This course will cover basic polymer terminology and structural features
of polymers, then continue with light scattering, x-ray analysis, rheology
and polarization microscopy. The different solid states (amorphous, crystalline,
glassy and mixtures), the transitions thereof, and typical polymeric relaxations
will be discussed. Half course; one term. This course will cover basic polymer terminology and structural features
of polymers, then continue with light scattering, x-ray analysis, rheology
and polarization microscopy. The different solid states (amorphous, crystalline,
glassy and mixtures), the transitions thereof, and typical polymeric relaxations
will be discussed. A course designed to help prepare first time TA's and TA's new to Canada for their teaching duties. The course outlines teaching best practices, provides a pronunciation key of commonly used words for those who require them, and shows examples of good teaching in practice. It will focus on laboratory and tutorial teaching techniques. Physics Graduate Courses
9001. Comprehensive Examination
Non-credit requirement.
9005. Mathematical Methods of Physics.
3 lecture hours. Half course; one term. 9029. Data and Error Analysis.
3 lecture hours. Half course; one term. 9031. Current Topics.
2 lecture hours. Half course; one term. 9059. Physics Graduate Seminar.
Non-credit requirement. 9203. Quantum Mechanics.
3 lecture hours. Half course; one term. 9302. Classical Electrodynamics.
3 lecture hours. Half course; one term. 9315. Plasma Physics.
3 lecture hours. Half course; one term. 9332. Advanced Topics.
2 lecture hours. Half course; one term. 9365. General Relativity I.
9366. General Relativity II.
9404. Statistical Physics.
3 lecture hours. Half course; one term. 9518. Many Body Theory.
2 lecture hours. Half course; one term. 9524. Molecular Symmetry and Spectroscopy.
3 lecture hours/week. Half course; one term. 9601. Planetary Image Interpretation (Combined with GL 9557).
9655. Radiological Physics.
3 lecture hours. Half course; one term. 9660. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.
2.5 lecture hours. Half course; one term.9661. Magnetic Resonance Imaging System Fundamentals.
9720. Atmospheric Physics.
3 lecture hours. Half course; one term. 9721. The Upper Atmosphere.
2 lecture hours. Half course; one term. 9722. The Middle Atmosphere.
2 lecture hours. Half course; one term. 9723. Atmospheric Waves & Turbulence.
It will begin by examining simple concepts like the hydrostatic equation, then move to the
Navier Stokes equation with gravity, Earth's rotation and various other forcings involved.
We will deal mainly with the non-hydrostatic equations, although may occasionally
simplify the equations to Boussinesq and Anelastic. We will consider the Reynold's
stresses, and their relevance to both waves and turbulence. Motions on various scales
will be considered, from gravity waves to tides to high- and low- pressure systems,
frontal systems and the impact of the jet stream. Further topics will include
Rossby and Kelvin waves, and atmospheric tides. We will study these phenomena
at all altitudes from the lower troposphere through the stratosphere and into the mesosphere.
3 lecture hours. Half course; one term. 9807. Fluid Dynamics.
Half course; one term. 9812. Condensed Matter Physics.
2 lecture hours. Half course; one term. 9826. Surface Science (Former P526a/b).
3 lecture hours. Half course; one term. 9827. Physics of Crystal Growth.
2 lecture hours. Half course; one term. 9828. Introduction to Polymer Physics.
(See also 9848)
2 lecture hours. Half course; one term.9847. Topics in Crystal Growth.
9848. Basics of Polymer Physics.
2 lecture hours. Quarter course; one-half term.9900. Teaching in the Canadian Classroom.
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