Prerequisite: classical mechanics at the level of PHYS 3314 or PHYS 3318 and special relativity at the level of PHYS 1116 or PHYS 2216. Also, electromagnetism at the level of PHYS 3323 or PHYS 3327 is useful. Offered as an alternative to the more comprehensive, two-semester graduate sequence PHYS 6553 and PHYS 6554.