Physics (Ph.D.)
For some students, the master’s degree will be used as part of a continuing Ph.D. program; for others, it will be a terminal degree leading to employment in government laboratories, industrial programs, hospitals, teaching positions, and other occupations. The Master of Science with a Major in Physics is offered under Plan A or Plan C.
Admission Requirements
Admission to this program is contingent upon admission to the Graduate School. In addition, applicants must satisfy the following criteria.
Prerequisite Preparation
Prerequisite preparation should include:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| A minimum of general college physics with laboratory equivalent to: | ||
| University Physics I for Scientists and Engineers | ||
| University Physics II for Scientists and Engineers | ||
| Introductory Modern Physics | ||
| Fifteen credits in intermediate physics courses, for example, those equivalent to the following: | ||
| Methods of Theoretical Physics I | ||
| Classical Mechanics I | ||
| Classical Mechanics II | ||
| Optics | ||
| Quantum Physics I | ||
| Quantum Physics II | ||
| Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics | ||
| Electromagnetic Fields I | ||
| Electromagnetic Fields II | ||
| Modern Physics Laboratory | ||
| Mathematics equivalent to mathematics prerequisites required in those physics courses | ||
| A minimum of general college chemistry with laboratory equivalent to: | ||
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
The Graduate Record Examination, both the General section and the Physics subject test, is strongly recommended as a counseling aid in preparing the student’s plan of study.
Program Requirements
Candidates for the doctoral degree must complete 60 credits beyond the baccalaureate, including 18 credits of dissertation research. Students must demonstrate proficiency in the fields of mechanics, electromagnetic theory, quantum physics, and thermodynamics and statistical mechanics.
Course work:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| The following courses or their equivalent will be required of all candidates: | 10 | |
| Methods of Theoretical Physics II | ||
| Quantum Mechanics I | ||
| Statistical Mechanics | ||
| One of the survey courses: | 3 | |
| Survey of Condensed Matter Physics | ||
| Survey of Elementary Particle Physics | ||
| Survey of Nuclear Physics | ||
| Survey of Astrophysics | ||
| Survey of Biophysics | ||
| Plus at least two additional courses numbered above 7000. | 6 | |
| The remainder of the 42 credits are fulfilled with any combination of graduate-approved courses including seminar, colloquium, directed study, and research in physics. | ||
In general, it is recommended that students take all the advanced courses in their specialty. Students specializing in any branch of theoretical physics are encouraged to take the quantum theory of fields, or a related directed study. On petition of the student and his/her dissertation advisor, the Departmental Graduate Committee may waive any of the above course requirements.
Ph.D. Qualifying Examination: This will normally be taken after the student has completed approximately one year of graduate course work. Its purpose is to investigate the student’s knowledge of physics and capacity for creative thought. This is a written examination. The student must submit a Plan of Work prior to taking this examination.
Physics Colloquium (PHY 8995): It is recommended that all full-time graduate students register for and attend the Departmental Physics Colloquium each semester they are in residence.
Dissertation: An approved dissertation is required. The 18 credit dissertation registration requirement is fulfilled by registering for the courses PHY 9991 and PHY 9992 (Doctoral Dissertation Research and Direction I and II, respectively), in consecutive academic year semesters.
Academic Scholarship: All course work must be completed in accordance with the regulations of the Graduate School and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.