Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics

Catalog description

This course focuses on our understanding of atomic nuclei and elementary particles with emphasis on both nuclear and particle aspects of sub-atomic matter. Physics of high energy accelerators such as the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland will be studied, as well as how particles interact with matter, which is utilized for their detection. Conservation laws and symmetries of nature will be explored and electromagnetic, weak, and strong nuclear forces will be investigated. Grand unified theories, string theory, and applications to cosmology will also be discussed.PHY 4140 can be used as a capstone for the physics minor, as a capstone for the natural sciences minor, or as a general elective for the BA, BBA, or BS degrees.Prerequisite: PHY 3010, PHY 3020, and PHY 4130.