Physics, Ph.D.

Core Courses (24 Credit Hours)

Candidates choose eight core courses from the following list:

• PHYS 6321 - Classical Mechanics
• PHYS 6335 - Quantum Mechanics I
• PHYS 6336 - Quantum Mechanics II
• PHYS 6351 - Statistical Mechanics
• PHYS 6380 - From Quarks to Cosmos
• PHYS 7311 - Electromagnetic Theory I
• PHYS 7312 - Electromagnetic Theory II
• PHYS 7314 - Quantum Field Theory I
• PHYS 7315 - Quantum Field Theory II
• PHYS 7363 - Experimental Particle Detection and Detectors I

Elective Courses (12 Credit Hours)

• Candidates choose four elective graduate courses in consultation with the Ph.D. adviser. These can be core courses not used to satisfy the core requirements, courses selected from the following list of additional departmental courses (depending on availability in a given academic year), and even some courses outside the department. Additional courses in the department that can be utilized as electives are:
• PHYS 6338 - Condensed Matter Physics  
• PHYS 6368 - Foundations of Modern Cosmology  
• PHYS 6371 - Stellar Structure and Evolution  
• PHYS 6372 - Galactic Structure, Dynamics and Evolution  
• PHYS 7305 - Methods of Theoretical Physics  
• ​PHYS 7350 - General Relativity  

A list of courses outside the department which have proven useful as physics electives can found in the Physics Department Graduate Student Handbook.

Research Courses (12 Credit Hours)

After completing core courses and electives, students typically sign up for 8000-level research courses under their adviser until reaching the required 48 credit hours. No more than 12 credit hours can be in dissertation courses. Courses that are available to meet the needs of the student, in consultation with their adviser, are as follows:

• PHYS 8049 - Graduate Full-Time Status
• PHYS 8100 - Research
• PHYS 8200 - Research
• PHYS 8300 - Research
• PHYS 8398 - Dissertation
• PHYS 8399 - Dissertation
• PHYS 8400 - Research
• PHYS 8500 - Research
• PHYS 8600 - Research
• PHYS 8700 - Research
• PHYS 8800 - Research
• PHYS 8900 - Research

Comprehensive Qualifying Exam

In order to advance to Ph.D. candidacy, students must pass a comprehensive qualifying exam in the form of a four-part written exam on the topics of Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, Electrodynamics, and Statistical Mechanics. Exams are given annually, usually just prior to the start of the spring semester. Students are allowed two attempts to pass all four sections and must do so before the beginning of their fourth semester.

Total: 48 Credit Hours