Graduate Programs - Degree Programs
Graduate Studies in Physics
The course work in the Graduate School can be demanding, but it's rewarding. Enrollment is typically 35 graduate students; half enrolled in Master's degree programs, half enrolled in the Ph.D. program. Courses are offered in the areas of quantum and classical physics, as well as methods of physical measurement.
Degree programs are offered leading to the following:
Graduate Forms (for Current Students):
We offer an uncommon educational experience:
- small classes; effective student-faculty ratios
- wide array of research opportunities
- weekly colloquium & peer tutelage
- topical seminar series
- network with university, government, and industry lab professionals
Master of Science
The Master of Science program emphasizes both the understanding of physical phenomena and the development of physical measurement and research techniques.
Specialized courses in the student's research interest and allied fields precede a written thesis. M.S. degree candidates must pass an oral exam on the thesis work.
Required Topics:
(offered every year)
- PHY 501 Mechanics
- PHY 502 Electrodynamics I
- PHY 503 Quantum Mechanics I
Recommended Topics:
- PHY 512 Statistical Mechanics
- PHY 574 & 575 Methods of Theoretical Physics I & II
- PHY 510 Graduate Laboratory (using modern instrumentation)
Look up physics courses by their designators under Graduate Courses Offered. For more information about the Masters' of Science in Physics, click here.
|
Graduation Requirements: |
| 24 credits |
Graduate level courses |
| + 6 credits |
Thesis work (includes oral examination) |
| 30 credits |
Minimum credits for graduation |
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Master of Engineering in Engineering Physics
The Master of Engineering in Engineering Physics program is exciting, emphasizing the accretion of the student's physics and engineering skills. This is a continuance of the Department of Physics and Astronomy's innovative Engineering Physics discipline.
Specialized courses in the student's research interest and allied fields precede a written thesis. M.S. degree candidates must pass an oral exam on the thesis work. A non-thesis option is also available.
Required Courses:
(choose 3 of 4)
- PHY 501 Mechanics I
- PHY 502 Electrodynamics I
- PHY 503 Quantum Mechanics I
- PHY 510 Graduate Laboratory
- Three electives from: engineering course sequence
Recommended Topics:
- PHY 512 Statistical Mechanics
- PHY 574 & PHY 575 Methods of Theoretical Physics
Look up physics courses by their designators under Graduate Courses Offered. For more information about the Masters' of Science in Engineering Physics, click here.
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Graduation Requirements: |
| 24 credits |
Graduate level courses (PHY, ENG, MAT, CHY, other sciences) |
| + 6 credits |
Thesis work, with oral exam (non-thesis option 36 credits) |
| 30 credits |
Minimum credits for graduation |
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Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy: Typically a total of 5-6 years are needed to complete the Ph.D. degree for a student who enters the program with a bachelor's degree. This time is approximately equally divided between course work and dissertation research. A dissertation presenting the results of an original investigation in a specialized area of physics is an essential feature of the program and must be completed and defended successfully. Requirements also include passing the comprehensive examination, which must be passed by the end of the third year of study for students who enter the Ph.D. program with a bachelor's in physics or by the end of the second year for students entering with a master's in physics.
The program of study for each student in the Ph.D. program includes a minimum of 30 course hours. The following courses, or their equivalents, are required of all students: PHY 501 Mechanics, PHY 502 Electrodynamics I, PHY 574 Methods of Theoretical Physics, PHY 503 Quantum Mechanics I, PHY 603 Quantum Mechanics II, PHY 512 Statistical Mechanics, PHY 510 Graduate Laboratory, and PHY 624 Solid State I. In addition, students must take at least one advanced course, chosen from among PHY 598 Continuum Mechanics, PHY 602 Electrodynamics II, PHY 575 Methods of Theoretical Physics II, PHY 598 Statistical Mechanics II, and PHY 625 Solid State II.
Students must also take at least one research specialty elective course, which must be approved by the student's dissertation advisory committee. These electives do not have to be PHY courses, and they can not be from among the 400-level PHY undergraduate core courses in Electricity and Magnetism, Quantum and Atomic Physics, Thermodynamics, Statistical Mechanics, Mathematical Methods, or Optics.
In general, additional courses beyond the above minimal requirements are expected to be included in a student's program of study, at the discretion of the student's dissertation committee (or the Department Graduate Coordinator prior to formation of the dissertation committee). Each of the 400-level undergraduate core courses may be taken for graduate credit under this additional course expectation.
Graduation Requirements:
The program of study for each student in the Ph.D. program includes a minimum of 30 course hours. The following courses, or their equivalents, are required of all students:
Required Courses (or their equivalents)
- PHY 501 - Mechanics
- PHY 502 - Electrodynamics I
- PHY 503 - Quantum Mechanics I
- PHY 510 - Graduate Laboratory
- PHY 512 - Statistical Mechanics
- PHY 574 - Methods of Theoretical Physics
- PHY 603 - Quantum Mechanics II
- PHY 624 - Solid State I
In addition, students must take at least one advanced course, chosen from among:
- PHY 575 Methods of Theoretical Physics II,
- PHY 598 Continuum Mechanics,
- PHY 598 Statistical Mechanics II,
- PHY 602 Electrodynamics II, and
- PHY 625 Solid State II.
Students must also take at least one research specialty elective course, which must be approved by the student's dissertation advisory committee.
These electives do not have to be PHY courses, and they cannot be from among the 400-level PHY undergraduate core courses in Electricity and Magnetism, Quantum and Atomic Physics, Thermodynamics, Statistical Mechanics, Mathematical Methods, or Optics.
In general, additional courses beyond the above minimal requirements are expected to be included in a student's program of study, at the discretion of the student's dissertation committee (or the Department Graduate Coordinator prior to formation of the dissertation committee). Each of the 400-level undergraduate core courses may be taken for graduate credit under this additional course expectation.
Look up physics courses by their designators under Graduate Courses Offered. For more information about the Ph.D. in Physics, click here.
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