Erhai Zhao

Assistant Professor   Condensed Matter Theory
Teaching by semester

  • Fall 2013, Physics 685, Classical Electrodynamics I
  • Spring 2013, Physics 703, Seminar in Physics
  • Spring 2013, Physics 785, Classical Electrodynamics II
  • Fall 2012, Physics 685, Classical Electrodynamics I
  • Spring 2012, Physics 785, Classical Electrodynamics II
  • Fall 2011, Physics 160, University Physics I
  • Spring 2011, Physics 785, Classical Electrodynamics II
  • Fall 2010, Physics 684, Quantum Mechnics I
  • Spring 2010, Physics 785, Classical Electrodynamics II

>>> University Physics I

Physics 160 focuses on Newtonian Mechanics. It covers how to describe motion using calculus and vectors, the laws governing the mechanical motion of classical objects, the concepts of energy, momentum, angular momentum and their conservation, oscillation, and gravity.
Go to the Phys 160 course webpage.


>>> Quantum Mechanics I

Physics 684 covers the fundamentals of quantum mechanics including its principles (postulates), mathematical framework (Linear vector and Hilbert space, symmetries and groups), and important applications.
Go to the Phys 684 course webpage.

>>> Classical Electrodynamics I

Physics 685 is the first semester of graduate-level electrodynamics covering topics such as electrostatics, boundary values problems, multipoles, magnetostatics, macroscopic electromagnetism and Maxwell equations.
Go to the Phys 685 course webpage.

>>> Classical Electrodynamics II

Physics 785 is the second semester of graduate-level electrodynamics. The main topics are:

  • Covariant field theory of classical electrodynamics, which marries Einstein's theory of relativity and Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism.
  • Generation and propagation of electromagnetic waves/radiation in free space.
  • Interaction between radiation and matter.
Go to the Phys 785 course webpage.