Description
For a brief description of the program, application requirements and contact information, view the graduate program summary.
Department Chair: Daniel R. Claes, Ph.D.
Vice Chair: Stephen Ducharme, Ph.D.
Graduate Committee: Associate Professor Uiterwaal (Chair), Professors Fabrikant, Gay, Liou; Associate Professor Tsymbal
The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers the master of science and doctor of philosophy degrees.
MS Degree Program
In addition to the masters degree requirements outlined earlier in this Bulletin, a candidate for the MS degree must satisfactorily complete the following courses:
- PHYS 911. Classical Mechanics
- PHYS 913. Electromagnetic Theory I
- PHYS 916. Quantum Mechanics I
- PHYS 998. Special Topics in Current Research
- MATH 842. Methods of Applied Mathematics I
plus one of the following courses:
- PHYS 912. Statistical Physics
- PHYS 914. Electromagnetic Theory II
The Graduate Committee will determine the form of the Comprehensive Examination, which is required of all MS degree candidates. The Committee has the option of giving an oral examination, a written examination, or both. Ordinarily the first session of the Advanced Qualifying Exam (see below) will be used as the Comprehensive Exam. For a student selecting Option I (thesis) the Graduate Committee may give an oral Comprehensive Examination on the thesis research and on the graduate courses taken as part of the degree requirements.
PhD Degree Program
The required courses for every student seeking a PhD degree are:
- PHYS 911. Classical Mechanics
- PHYS 912. Statistical Physics
- PHYS 913. Electromagnetic Theory I
- PHYS 914. Electromagnetic Theory II
- PHYS 916. Quantum Mechanics I
- PHYS 917. Quantum Mechanics II
- PHYS 918. Quantum Mechanics III
- PHYS 998. Special Topics in Current Research
- MATH 842. Methods of Applied Mathematics I
plus at least one additional mathematics course, chosen in consultation with an adviser, from the following list:
- MATH 814. Applied Linear Algebra (Matrix Theory)
- MATH 822. Advanced Calculus
- MATH 823. Intro to Complex Variable Theory
- MATH 824. Intro to Partial Differential Equations
- MATH 827. Mathematical Physics
- MATH 843. Methods of Applied Mathematics II
- STAT 880. Intro to Mathematical Statistics
- MATH 935/936. Advanced Methods of Applied Mathematics
plus at least three of the following courses:
- PHYS 925. Intro to Atomic & Molecular Physics
- PHYS 926. Intro to Elementary Particle & Nuclear Physics
- PHYS 927. Intro to Solid State Physics
- PHYS 928. Intro to Plasma Physics
Students with little, or no, laboratory experience as undergraduates are urged to take PHYS 231. Normally 911, 913, 914, 916, and 917 will be offered once each year, and Statistical Physics, Quantum Mechanics III, and the introductory courses will be offered at least once every two years.
Soon after a student has taken the Advanced Qualifying Exam (see below), the entire departmental faculty will meet to decide whether the student is qualified to begin dissertation research. This decision is to be based on all information available, including the student’s performance on the Advanced Qualifying Exam, in courses, in research projects, etc. If the faculty decides that the student is qualified to begin dissertation research, the Graduate Committee will recommend to the Dean of Graduate Studies that a supervisory committee be formed for the student.
A written comprehensive examination is required. This examination is administered by the student’s Supervisory Committee and will normally have the form of a written report based on approximately one week of intensive research on a subject approved by the Supervisory Committee.
Advanced Qualifying Examination
The purpose of the Advanced Qualifying Examination is to test the student’s understanding of physics at the graduate level. The exam comprises both written and oral parts. The written part is given in three sessions lasting a minimum of three hours each. The oral part is given in one session of about one hour.
The first session of the Advanced Qualifying covers mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, optics, elementary quantum mechanics, and experimental physics. Students who take only the first session of the Exam and who later wish to enter the PhD program must take the entire Advanced Qualifying Exam at one time, including the first session.
The Advanced Qualifying Exam will normally be given at the beginning of each spring semester. At the beginning of the prior fall semester the Graduate Committee will review the academic progress of all students who have not yet formed a supervisory committee and, after consulting with the students, will specify which students must take the exam. Usually, a student will take the Advanced Qualifying Exam after his or her third semester as a graduate student. Students may not withdraw from the examination without the permission of the Graduate Committee.
NOTE: All beginning graduate students must take PHYS 998 Special Topics in Current Research. This is a 1-credit course introducing students to the research activities in the department.
Although the Physics and Astronomy Department has no general foreign language requirement, individual supervisory committees may include a language (or research tool requirement) in the student’s program if they feel it is appropriate.
