- WWW Resources
- Catalog Description
- 520 Foundations of Dynamic Physical Systems. I, Odd
Yrs; 3 cr (D). Modern descriptions of
dynamic physical systems, including classical
mechanics, variational dynamics, statistical
mechanics and thermodynamics, information theory,
quantum mechanics, wave theory, and
eigenvalue theory. Emphasis on application to
electrical engineering, including circuits, optics, and
control problems. A survey intended for engineering and
physical science students. (Ph.D.
graduate students in Physics will not be granted credit
towards an ECE minor requirement as a
result of taking this course.) P: ECE 320 & 335 or cons
inst.
- Course Prerequisite(s)
- Prerequisite knowledge and/or skills
-
Undergraduate physics: Newtonian mechanics, force, work, potential and kinetic energy, momentum
-
Undergraduate lumped element circuit concepts: resistance, inductance, capacitance
-
Introduction to wave theory and wave equations
-
Undergraduate course in differential equations
-
Exposure to quantum mechanics concepts
- Textbook(s) and/or other required material
-
Extensive instructor's notes.
- Course objectives
-
This course is designed for first year engineering graduate students or senior undergraduate students planning to pursue
graduate study. Familiarizes the student with jargon and conceptual framework of classical and modern physical
descriptions of dynamic systems. Emphasis on theoretical structure, exposure to jargon (in context), and
interrelationships among various theories rather than establishing mastery of any specific topic(s). Presentation
stresses how the various theories are part of interrelated continuum, rather than disparate unrelated topics, thereby
encouraging multi-disciplinary approach to systems modeling. Specific demonstration of how conventional engineering
topics of circuits and power systems, photonics, electromagnetic waves, solid state device physics, and controls are
logical subsets of a larger unified whole.
- Topics covered
-
Newtonian Dynamics and Lagrangian Dynamics (6 classes)
-
Hamiltonian Dynamics (3 classes)
-
Variational Dynamics and optimization (5 classes)
-
Statistical Dynamics and selected topics in Thermodynamics (12 classes)
-
Introduction to information theory (1 class)
-
Quantum theory and eigenvalue theory (10 classes)
-
Classical wave mechanics (5 classes)
- Class/laboratory schedule
-
Three 50-minute or two 75-minute lectures per week.
- Contribution of course to meeting the professional component
- This course contributes primarily to the students' knowledge of engineering topics, but does not provide design experience.
The following statement indicates which of the following considerations are included in this course: economic, environmental, ethical, political, societal, health and safety, manufacturability, sustainability.
-
- Relationship of course to undergraduate degree program objectives and outcomes
- This course primarily serves students in the department. The information below describes how the course contributes to the undergraduate program objectives.
-
-
developing advanced expertise in design, analysis, and fabrication techniques within a student-selected electrical and computer engineering concentration area
- Assessment of student progress toward course objectives
-
weekly homework assignments
-
midterm exams
-
final exam
-
projects
- Person(s) who prepared this description
