Course Description:
Prerequisite: PHYS 262; Corequisite: MATH 214. Study of modern physics with emphasis on applications. Topics include introductory quantum physics; modern optics; lasers; binding and energy bands in solids; electrical, thermal, and magnetic properties of solids; semiconductors; radioactivity; nuclear reactions; radiation detectors; and applications of nuclear physics to other sciences.

Course Text: Modern physics for scientists and engineers, second edition by John Taylor, Chris Zafiratos, Michael A. Dubson, Prentice-Hall, 2004.

Supplementary Text: Quantum physics of atoms, molecules, solids, nuclei, and particles by Robert Eisberg and Robert Resnick, Wiley 1974 (first edition) or 1985 (second edition). The first edition is on course reserve at the Johnson Center.

Course Web Site: http://physics.gmu.edu/~ksauer/p308

Instructor:  Karen L. Sauer
                     ST1: Room 309
                     tel: 703-993-1281,  fax: 703-993-1269
                     email: ksauer1@gmu.edu
                 Office Hours:   Mondays 5-6 pm;   Tuesdays 10:30-11:30 am (or by appointment)

Grading:  Homework = 30%, Exams = 20% each, Final = 30%.

Schedule:
Jan. 20         CLASS CANCELLED
Jan. 22         Chapter 1
Jan. 27         Chapter 1
Jan. 29         Chapter 2
Feb. 3          Chapter 2          Hw 1/1.26, 1.33, 1.36, 1.41, 1.46, 1.49
Feb. 5          Chapter 3
Feb. 10        Chapter 3          Hw 2/2.21, 2.28, 2.32 2.35, 2.38, 2.43
Feb. 12        Chapter 4
Feb. 17        Chapter 4          Hw 3/3.18, 3.24, 3.28, 3.33, 3.35, 3.39
Feb. 19        Chapter 5
Feb. 24        Exam 1 (Chapters 1, 2, 3)
Feb. 26        Chapters 5,6
Mar. 3          Chapter 6          Hw 4/4.4, 4.15, 4.24, 4.28, 5.6. 5.10, 5.18, 5.20
Mar. 5          Chapter 7
Spring Break
Mar. 17        Chapter 7          Hw 5/5.26, 6.12, 6.34, 6.35, 6.43, 6.48
Mar. 19        Chapter 8
Mar. 24        Chapter 8          Hw 6/7.15, 7.34, 7.45, 7.50, 7.55, 7.59
Mar. 26        Chapter 9
Mar. 31        Chapter 10        Hw 7/8.4, 8.8, 8.15, 8.24, 8.33, 8.40
Apr. 2           Chapter 11
Apr. 7          Exam 2 (4, 5, 6, 7)
Apr. 9          Chapter 11
Apr. 14        Chapter 12         Hw 8/8.46, 8.47, 8.50, 9.4, 9.8, 9.17, 9.19
Apr. 16        Chapter 13
Apr. 21        Chapter 14         Hw 9/10.5, 10.10, 10.26, 11.17, 11.22, 11.24, 11.26
Apr. 23        Chapter 15
Apr. 28        Chapter 16         Hw 10/12.14, 12.28, 12.31, 13.34, 13.38, 13.39
Apr. 30        Chapter 17
May 5          Chapter 18         Hw 11/13.44, 13.46, 14.16, 14.23, 14.28, 15.13

Homework Assignments: Homework problems will be assigned roughly weekly, and will be posted on the website under the Thurs. they are due. Homeworks are due at the beginning of the class, i.e., at 9:00 am. You are encouraged to work on your homework assignments together in small groups, BUT copying homework from each other is not permitted. Full marks will only be given for homework where the full work is shown. Because solutions will be given out at the same time as the homework is handed in, no late homework will be accepted, except with a VALID medical excuse. If you cannot make it to class to hand in the homework assignment, please make arrangements to hand it in before the due date. The lowest homework grade will be dropped.

Exams: The exams are closed-book. Calculators will be needed for quantitative problems. It is the responsibility of each student to attend classes during scheduled examinations as listed in the syllabus regardless of work or family considerations. Make-up exams will be given only to students with a VALID medical excuse and they should contact the instructor as soon as they return to school.

Final:   Tuesday, May 12, 2009, 7:30-10:15 am, Enterprise 278.
The final exam will be comprehensive, covering material from Chapters 1-18, with greater emphasis placed on the material covered after second exam.