Doctoral Program in Physics
90.0 credits
The Department of Physics offers opportunities for students to study with leading researchers in astrophysics, biophysics, nonlinear dynamics, particle physics, and solid state physics, as well as to participate in international collaborations. Coursework for the PhD degree includes advanced training in core areas of physics and topics of current research. PhD students begin research early in the program, commencing thesis work in their second year of study.
The usual schedule for physics graduate students consists of two years of coursework, qualifying exams, and research training, followed by dissertation research. All PhD students follow a common set of ten core courses during their first two years of study. In addition to these core courses, students also take four special topics courses.
PhD students Admitted with Post-Master's Status
Students who are admitted for PhD study with “post-masters” status must take 15 credits of graduate coursework with a minimum GPA of 3.0 to become doctoral candidates. Courses are to be chosen in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies. Post-masters students are expected to pass the written and oral qualifying exams by the end of the Spring quarter of their first year of study. Ordinarily, this means taking the written qualifying exam in September before the start of classes. To be prepared for the oral exam, post-masters students should begin research as soon as possible.
Program Requirements
Doctoral candidates are required to complete a minimum of 45 credits of coursework and research work beyond the master’s requirement of 45 credits while maintaining a minimum of 3.0 GPA.
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| Core Courses | 42.0 Credits | |||
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| First Year | ||||
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| PHYS 501 | Mathematical Physics I | 3.0 | ||
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| PHYS 506 | Dynamics I | 3.0 | ||
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| PHYS 502 | Mathematical Physics II | 3.0 | ||
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| PHYS 516 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3.0 | ||
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| PHYS 521 | Statistical Mechanics I | 3.0 | ||
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| PHYS 517 | Quantum Mechanics II | 3.0 | ||
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| Second Year | ||||
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| PHYS 522 | Statistical Mechanics II | 3.0 | ||
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| PHYS 518 | Quantum Mechanics III | 3.0 | ||
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| PHYS 511 | Electromagnetic Theory I | 3.0 | ||
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| PHYS 512 | Electromagnetic Theory II | 3.0 | ||
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| Students choose a minimum of four (4) special topics courses from the following: | ||||
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| PHYS 531 | Galactic Dynamics | 3.0 | ||
| PHYS 532 | Cosmology | 3.0 | ||
| PHYS 533 | Nanoscience | 3.0 | ||
| PHYS 561 | Biophysics | 3.0 | ||
| PHYS 562 | Computational Biophysics | 3.0 | ||
| PHYS 563 | Single Molecular Methods | 3.0 | ||
| PHYS 571 | Nonlinear Dynamics | 3.0 | ||
| PHYS 576 | Nuclear and Particle Physics | 3.0 | ||
| PHYS 626 | Solid State Physics | 3.0 | ||
| PHYS 750 | Special Topics in Physics: Quantum Field Theory | 3.0 | ||
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Research Training
Students begin research in the first year with two small projects. In the spring quarter, this project culminates in a talk presented to the other students and Director of Graduate Studies. In the summer quarter, the project requires a written report to the research advisor. Research during the second year is toward the oral qualifying exam, described below.
PhD candidates must pass a Candidacy Examination, which consist of two parts: written and oral:
- The written portion of the qualifying examination is given twice a year, during the week before the fall quarter begins and during the first week of classes of the winter term. Students must pass the written qualifying examination no later than the winter quarter of their second year. At most two attempts may be made at passing the exam. The qualifying examination covers four general areas at the advanced undergraduate level: classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics, and statistical physics.
- The oral portion of the qualifying exam is based on original research performed by the student, which consists in an oral presentation and a written report of no less than 15 pages, submitted to the examination committee and the Director of Graduate Studies at least one week prior to the exam. Immediately after the public presentation, the Examination Committee will privately conduct an oral examination. This exam must be passed by the end of the second year of study.
Dissertation Defense
This dissertation defense includes a final public presentation and defense of the dissertation. The dissertation must be submitted to the Examination Committee at least two weeks prior to the oral defense. The oral presentation involves a public 45-60 minute presentation by the candidate followed by an unspecified period during which the Examination Committee will ask questions. All doctoral dissertations, in addition to originality and scholarly content, must conform to University format requirements.
The following sample plan of study contains the required courses for full-time PhD students entering without a previous Master’s degree. Post-master's students should consult the Director of Graduate Studies.
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| Sample Plan of Study | ||||
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| First Year | ||||
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Fall |
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| PHYS 501 | Mathematical Physics I | 3.0 | ||
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| PHYS 506 | Dynamics I | 3.0 | ||
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| Special topics course | 3.0 | |||
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Winter |
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| PHYS 502 | Mathematical Physics II | 3.0 | ||
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| PHYS 516 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3.0 | ||
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| Special topics course | 3.0 | |||
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Spring |
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| PHYS 521 | Statistical Mechanics I | 3.0 | ||
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| PHYS 517 | Quantum Mechanics II | 3.0 | ||
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| Second Year | ||||
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Fall |
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| PHYS 522 | Statistical Mechanics II | 3.0 | ||
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| PHYS 518 | Quantum Mechanics III | 3.0 | ||
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| Special topics course | 3.0 | |||
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Winter |
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| PHYS 511 | Electromagnetic Theory I | 3.0 | ||
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| Special topics course | 3.0 | |||
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Spring |
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| PHYS 512 | Electromagnetic Theory II | 3.0 | ||
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| PHYS 997 | Research | var. | ||
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| Special Topics Course Schedule | ||||
| Special topics courses are an introduction to current topics of experimental and theoretical interest. They are offered in alternate years. | ||||
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| Academic Year 2009/2010 (odd) | ||||
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Fall |
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| PHYS 531 | Galactic Dynamics | 3.0 | ||
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| PHYS 561 | Biophysics | 3.0 | ||
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Winter |
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| PHYS 532 | Cosmology | 3.0 | ||
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| PHYS 562 | Computational Biophysics | 3.0 | ||
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Spring |
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| PHYS 563 | Single Molecular Methods | 3.0 | ||
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| PHYS 750 | Special Topics in Physics: Quantum Field Theory | 3.0 | ||
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| Academic Year 2010/2011 (even) | ||||
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Fall |
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| PHYS 626 | Solid State Physics | 3.0 | ||
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| PHYS 576 | Nuclear and Particle Physics | 3.0 | ||
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Winter |
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| PHYS 533 | Nanoscience | 3.0 | ||
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| PHYS 571 | Nonlinear Dynamics | 3.0 | ||
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Spring |
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| To be announced. | ||||
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Additional information for graduate students is available at the Department of Physics.
