INTRODUCTION TO PLASMAS

Prerequisites & course information

Requisites: ( E C E 320 or PHYSICS 322 ), graduate/professional standing, or member of Engineering Guest Students Course Designation: Core GenEd - Natural Science & Wellness Breadth - Physical Science Level - Advanced L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Define the fundamental properties of a plasma and analyze single-particle dynamics. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Formulate and distinguish between fluid models (e.g., two-fluid, Magnetohydrodynamics - MHD) to describe collective plasma behavior. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Analyze plasma waves, equilibria, and instabilities using fluid models. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Apply the kinetic equation for a plasma and explain its relationship to the hierarchy of fluid models. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Select an appropriate physical model to analyze and solve problems in plasma applications. Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Define the fundamental properties of a plasma and analyze single-particle dynamics. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Formulate and distinguish between fluid models (e.g., two-fluid, Magnetohydrodynamics - MHD) to describe collective plasma behavior. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Analyze plasma waves, equilibria, and instabilities using fluid models. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Apply the kinetic equation for a plasma and explain its relationship to the hierarchy of fluid models. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Select an appropriate physical model to analyze and solve problems in plasma applications. Audience: Graduate