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    Physics Graduate Programs

    Doctor of Philosophy in Physics

    A minimum of 84 credit hours is required for the the Doctor of Philosophy degree in physics. Students who have received an M.S. degree from another university may petition for transfer of up to 32 credit hours applicable toward the Ph.D. degree. The requirements for the degree consist of a program of 84 credit hours approved by the faculty advisor; passing the Ph.D. qualifying and comprehensive examinations; and the completion of a research thesis supervised by a faculty member and approved by a thesis committee.

    Required Courses


    Course Title
    The required coursework includes 4 hours of PHYS 585 Colloquium and the Ph.D. core:
    PHYS 501
    Methods of Theoretical Physics I
    PHYS 505 Electromagnetic Theory
    PHYS 508 Analytical Dynamics
    PHYS 509 Quantum Theory I
    PHYS 515 Statistical Mechanics
    plus at least three specialized or advanced physics graduate courses chosen from:
    PHYS 507
    Electrodynamics
    PHYS 510 Quantum Theory II
    PHYS 511 Advanced Quantum Mechanics I
    PHYS 512 Advanced Quantum Mechanics II
    PHYS 533 Group Theory in Physics
    PHYS 537 Physics of the Solid State I
    PHYS 538 Physics of the Solid State II
    PHYS 545 Elementary Particle Physics
    PHYS 553 Quantum Field Theory
    PHYS 561 Radiation Biophysics
    PHYS 570 Introduction to Synchrotron Radiation
    The remaining course requirements may be satisfied by additional graduate or advanced undergraduate electives and PHYS 691 Ph.D. Thesis Research.�
    Students are encouraged to participate in faculty research programs and seminars early in their graduate careers. Thesis work may follow from these activities.

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    Undergraduate Admission: 800.448.2329 || Graduate Admission: 312.567.3020