Minors

The Applied Physics Department offers a Minor in Applied Physics which consists of a set of 4 or more physics courses totaling at least 15 credits. This includes the entire introductory physics sequence* as well as four or more courses that each have one or more introductory physics courses as prerequisites. You must also earn an overall GPA of 2.0 in these courses to receive the minor. Transfer students must earn at least 8 credits with a 2.0 GPA at the School of Engineering.

* PH-UY 1013, PH-UY 2023, PH-UY 2033, PH-UY 2121, and PH-UY 2131.

In order for the Minor to be awarded and recorded on the official student transcript, the student has to obtain an overall 2.00 GPA in the Minor courses. The total number of credits for the minor ranges from 16 to 18.

The student must take all four of these courses:

2 Credits Introduction to Quantum Science PH-UY 2002

This course offers an introduction to the essential concepts of quantum mechanics. Topics covered include basic principles like superposition, measurement and entanglement, along with elementary mathematical models such as wave functions and probability amplitudes. While the course does involve mathematical descriptions, the emphasis is on developing an intuitive understanding of quantum principles.
Prerequisites: PH-UY 1013 and MA-UY 1124

2 Credits Introduction to Quantum Programming PH-UY 2012

This course offers an accessible introduction to quantum programming. Students will explore fundamental quantum algorithms and learn to implement them using popular quantum programming languages and frameworks, with a particular focus on Python-based tools. Topics will include qubits, quantum gates, quantum circuits, and essential quantum algorithms like Deutsch-Josza and Grover's algorithm.
Prerequisites: PH-UY 2002 and CS-UY 1114

3 Credits Mathematical Foundations for Quantum Computing PH-UY 3613

This course provides a rigorous mathematical foundation tailored to support advanced studies in quantum computing. It is designed to bridge the gap between general mathematics education and the specialized mathematical understanding required for in-depth quantum computing work. Topics covered are linear algebra, probability and statistics, differential equations, fourier transforms, complex analysis, and discrete mathematics.
Prerequisites: MA-UY 1124 and PH-UY 2002

3 Credits Introduction to the Physics of Quantum Computing PH-UY 4553

This course aims to introduce undergraduate students to the foundational principles of quantum computation and quantum information processing. Topics covered are Hilbert space, Bloch vector, unitary and Hermitian operators, quantum measurement, electron spin, multi-qubit systems, quantum algorithms, and quantum error correction.
Prerequisites: PH-UY 3613

plus two of these electives:

4 Credits Physical Chemistry I CM-UY 3714

This course provides a molecular approach to physical chemistry. The course covers quantum mechanics and its applications to atomic and molecular structure and to molecular spectroscopy. An introduction to statistical thermodynamics is also covered.
Prerequisites: (CM-UY 1003 or CM-UY 1023) and (MA-UY 1124 or MA-UY 1154) and PH-UY 1013.

3 Credits Special Topics in Computer Science CS-UY 3943

This three-credit special topics course is for juniors and seniors.
Prerequisite: Department’s permission.

3 Credits Applied Cryptography CS-UY 4783

This course examines Modern Cryptography from a both theoretical and applied perspective, with emphasis on “provable security” and “application case studies”. The course looks particularly at cryptographic primitives that are building blocks of various cryptographic applications. The course studies notions of security for a given cryptographic primitive, its various constructions and respective security analysis based on the security notion. The cryptographic primitives covered include pseudorandom functions, symmetric encryption (block ciphers), hash functions and random oracles, message authentication codes, asymmetric encryption, digital signatures and authenticated key exchange. The course covers how to build provably secure cryptographic protocols (e.g., secure message transmission, identification schemes, secure function evaluation, etc.), and various number-theoretic assumptions upon which cryptography is based. Also covered: implementation issues (e.g., key lengths, key management, standards, etc.) and, as application case studies, a number of real-life scenarios currently using solutions from modern cryptography.
Prerequisite: (CS-UY 2134 or CS-UY 1134) and (CS-UY 2124 or CS-UY 1124) (C- or better) and MA-UY 2314.

3 Credits Introduction to Machine Learning CS-UY 4563

This course provides a hands on approach to machine learning and statistical pattern recognition. The course describes fundamental algorithms for linear regression, classification, model selection, support vector machines, neural networks, dimensionality reduction and clustering. The course includes computer exercises on real and synthetic data using current software tools. A number of applications are demonstrated on audio and image processing, text classification, and more. Students should have competency in computer programming.
Prerequisite for Brooklyn Students: CS-UY 1134 AND (MA-UY 2034, MA-UY 2034G, MA-UY 3044 or MA-UY 3054) AND (MA-UY 2224, MA-UY 2222, MA-UY 2233, ECE-UY 2233, MA-UY 3012, MA-UY 3014, or MA-UY 3514)
Prerequisite for Abu Dhabi Students: (ENGR-UH 3510 or CS-UH 1050) (C- or better) AND (MATH-UH 1022 or MATH-UH 1023) AND (MATH-UH 2011Q or ENGR-UH 2010Q)
Prerequisite for Shanghai Students: CSCI-SHU 210 (C- or better) AND (MATH-SHU 140 or MATH-SHU 141) AND MATH-SHU 235

4 Credits Signals and Systems ECE-UY 3054

This course centers on linear system theory for analog and digital systems; linearity, causality and time invariance; impulse response, convolution and stability; the Laplace, z- transforms and applications to Linear Time Invariant (LTI) systems; frequency response, analog and digital filter design. Topics also include Fourier Series, Fourier Transforms and the sampling theorem. Weekly computer-laboratory projects use analysis- and design-computer packages. The course establishes foundations of linear systems theory needed in future courses; use of math packages to solve problems and simulate systems; and analog and digital filter design.
Prerequisites for Brooklyn Engineering Students: MA-UY 1044, MA-UY 2012/2132 or MA-UY 2034.
Prerequisites for Abu Dhabi Students: MATH-AD 116 and MATH-AD 121.
Prerequisites for Shanghai Students: MATH-SHU 124 and MATH-SHU 140. ABET competencies a, b, c, e, k.

4 Credits Introduction to Modern Optics and Photonics PH-UY 3474

This course covers the physics of optics using both classical and semi-classical descriptions. The classical and quantum interactions of light with matter. Diffraction of waves and wave packets by obstacles. Fourier transform optics, holography, Fourier transform spectroscopy. Coherence and quantum aspects of light. Geometrical optics. Matrix optics. Crystal optics. Introduction to electro-optics and nonlinear optics.
Prerequisites: PH-UY 2033.

4 Credits Computational Physics PH-UY 3614

An introduction to numerical methods. Solving ordinary differential equations, root finding, fourier transforms, numerical integration, linear systems. Techniques are applied to projectile motion, oscillatory motion, planetary motion, potentials and fields, waves and quantum mechanics. This class meets four hours per week for lectures
Prerequisites: PH-UY 2033, CS-UY 1133 (or CS-UY 1114), and MA-UY 1124.

3 Credits Physics of Nanoelectronics PH-GY 5493

This course covers limits to the ongoing miniaturization (Moore’s Law) of the successful silicon-device technology imposed by physical limitations of energy dissipation, quantum tunneling and discrete quantum electron states. Quantum physical concepts and elementary Schrodinger theory. Conductance quantum and magnetic flux quantum. Alternative physical concepts appropriate for devices of size scales of 1 to 10 nanometers, emphasizing role of power dissipation. Tunnel diode, resonant tunnel diode, electron wave transistor; spin valve, tunnel valve, magnetic disk and random access memory; single electron transistor, molecular crossbar latch, quantum cellular automata including molecular and magnetic realizations. Josephson junction and “rapid single flux quantum” computation. Photo- and x-ray lithographic patterning, electron beam patterning, scanning probe microscopes for observation and for fabrication; cantilever array as dense memory, use of carbon nanotubes and of DNA and related biological elements as building blocks and in self-assembly strategies.
Prerequisites: PH-UY 2023

3 Credits Physics of Quantum Computing PH-GY 5553

This course explores limits to the performance of binary computers, traveling salesman and factorization problems, security of encryption. The concept of the quantum computer based on linear superposition of basis states. The information content of the qubit. Algorithmic improvements enabled in the hypothetical quantum computer. Isolated two-level quantum systems, the principle of linear superposition as well established. Coherence as a limit on quantum computer realization. Introduction of concepts underlying the present approaches to realizing qubits (singly and in interaction) based on physical systems. The systems in present consideration are based on light photons in fiber optic systems; electron charges in double well potentials, analogous to the hydrogen molecular ion; nuclear spins manipulated via the electron-nuclear spin interaction, and systems of ions such as Be and Cd which are trapped in linear arrays using methods of ultra-high vacuum, radiofrequency trapping and laser-based cooling and manipulation of atomic states. Summary and comparison of the several approaches.
Prerequisites: PH-UY 2023

3 Credits Quantum Mechanics I PH-GY 6673

Quantum mechanics with applications to atomic systems. The use of Schrodinger’s equations. Angular momentum and spin. Semi-classical theory of field-matter interaction.
Prerequisites: MA-UY 2114, PH-UY 3234 equivalents.