Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program

Physical Properties of Liquid Crystals Concentration

This concentration is intended for students with an interest in the physicsof liquid crystalline materials, who desire more training in chemistry and materials science than is offered in the Department of Physics. Students in this concentration can be admitted from a number of undergraduate disciplindes, including chemistry, physics, chemical physics, materials science, or engineering. They will pursue advanced training, studying the interaction of liquid crystals with fields and surfaces; structural transistion, instabilities, hydrodynamics, coating preparations and hreology; characterization by linear and nonlinear optics, x-rays, NMR,SEM, tunneling electron and atomic force microscopy and other techniques. The students will take courses designed to give an indepth understanding of the unique material properties of these phases. The coursework will prepare the students for dissertation projects which investigate physical properties of timely interest and importance in the advancement of our understanding of liquid crystalline materials.

Required courses for:

• Ph.D. program
• M.S. program

             Course Name          Credits

            CHEM 60541/70541          3
            CHEM 60542/70542          3

            CPHY 62241/72241          3
            CPHY 62242/72242          2
            CPHY 62245/72245          3
            CPHY 62250/72250          3

            PHY  55201                3
            PHY  55501                3

Required    CPHY 64491/74491          1
Seminar     (Two enrollments)

Thesis      CPHY 60199                6

Plus additional hours as required.

          Course Name          Credits

         CHEM 60541/70541          3
         CHEM 60542/70542          3

         CPHY 62241/72241          3
         CPHY 62242/72242          2
         CPHY 72245                3
         CPHY 62250/72250          3

         PHY  55201                3
         PHY  55501                3

         CPHY 64491/74491          1   Required Seminar.
                                       (4 enrollments)

Thesis   CPHY 80199                0-3
         CPHY 80299                8
         CPHY 72415                3    Suggested electives.
         CPHY 72418                3    Remaining electives are
         CPHY 72461                3    to be chosen with
         CPHY 72641                3    approval of faculty advisor.
         PHY  52512                4
         PHY  65101/75101          3
         PHY  65401/75401          4
         PHY  55403/75403          2
         PHY  68401/78401          3