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Department of Physics

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Undergraduate ProgramGraduate ProgramCourse DescriptionsFaculty

 

About the Program

This department supervises the following degree programs:

        • Bachelor of Science in Physics
        • Master of Science in Physics
        • Master of Science in Applied Physics
        • Doctor of Philosophy in Physics

The department also supervises an applied physics option leading to the Ph.D. degree. The B.S.E.P. program in engineering physics is listed under the College of Engineering. These interdisciplinary options afford flexibility in coursework and area of research concentration. An M.S. degree involving industry internships is available to selected graduate students.Back to Top


Undergraduate Program

A typical sequence of courses in physics begins with PHYS 1305, 1408, 2401, and 2402, totaling 15 hours at the introductory level. These are followed by the intermediate and advanced sequences: PHYS 3304, 3401, 3305, 3306, 4302, 4304, and 4307. The department recommends that students who intend to pursue graduate work in physics take courses in advanced topics such as Computational Physics (4301), Solid State Physics (4309), and Nuclear and Particle Physics (4312).

The required mathematics courses for physics majors are MATH 1351, 1352, 2350, 3350, and 3351. The sequence MATH 3354 and 4354 can be substituted for MATH 3350 and 3351. Students planning to pursue graduate work in physics should consult the physics advisor about which math courses to take.

In fulfilling degree requirements, undergraduate majors in this department must have a grade point average of 2.0 or better in physics courses, at least 37 hours of physics in which a grade of C or better was received, and meet the general requirements of the degree they are seeking (as described in this catalog). The minimum number of hours required for a degree in physics is 120. Credit for transferred physics hours will be handled by the departmental advisor on an individual basis.

Students are encouraged to devote time to undergraduate research. Research in the department includes atomic, molecular, and optical physics, condensed matter physics, nuclear physics, particle physics, biophysics, astrophysics, and physics education.

A broad variety of minor subjects can be elected by a student majoring in physics. These include such traditional choices as mathematics, chemistry, and geophysics, but also other areas such as computer science, business, and electrical engineering. Students contemplating minors outside the College of Arts and Sciences should seek advice from the departmental advisor before beginning that minor.

A minor in physics requires 18 semester hours, at least 6 of which must be at the 3000 level or above and must be approved by the undergraduate advisor. The minor sequence is PHYS 1408, 2401, and 2402, plus 6 semester hours of approved courses at the 3000 level or above. Students must receive a grade of at least C in all courses counted toward a minor in Physics. The astronomy courses may not be used to satisfy requirements for the physics major or minor.

Students are encouraged to join The Society of Physics Students, which sponsors academic and social activities.

Teacher Education. Students seeking secondary certification to teach physics and other sciences should consult the undergraduate advisor in the Physics Department and the College of Education section of this catalog. The College of Education also should be consulted for information on certification in physical or composite sciences.

Curriculum Table

 

Graduate Program

A core curriculum consisting of PHYS 5301, 5303, 5305, and 5306 forms the nucleus of the Master’s and Ph.D. programs and is the basis for the master’s examination and the Ph.D. examination. A student selecting any of the degree options may designate a minor consisting of a minimum of 6 hours of course credit in a related area and satisfy any additional requirements of the minor department. These 6 hours may be taken in the Physics Department. Full-time study towards the master’s degree should be completed in about two years.

All graduate students must enroll in PHYS 5101 for the first four semesters and a physics pedagogy course if on a teaching assistantship. PHYS 5307 and 5322 are tools courses that develop necessary skills for use in other courses and in research. They should be taken early.


Master’s Programs

M.S. Degree in Physics, Thesis Option: A minimum of 24 hours of course credit plus 6 hours of thesis research with a minimum of 18 hours in the department. The thesis is defended in a final oral examination.

M.S. Degree in Applied Physics, Thesis Option: A minimum of 24 hours of course credit plus 6 hours of thesis research with a minimum of 9 hours in a specified applied area. This may be in a subfield of physics or in a related discipline, with the master’s thesis from that area. The thesis is defended in a final oral examination.

M.S. Degree in Applied Physics, Internship Option: 24 hours of course credit with a separate course sequence as discussed with the graduate advisor, plus two semesters of internship in a regional industry or research laboratory arranged through the department. A report is written following the internship period and defended in an oral examination. Twelve hours of internship or report credit is required beyond the coursework.

M.S. Degree in Physics, Nonthesis Option: 36 hours of course credit with a minimum of 24 hours in the department, plus passing a master’s examination.


Doctoral Program

Ph.D. Degree in Physics: The core courses for the Ph.D. degree are the same as those for the M.S. degree, plus PHYS 5302 and 6306. Further selections of advanced courses should be made in consultation with the graduate and/or research advisor.

Students seeking the Ph.D. degree must pass a preliminary examination and a qualifying examination as described in the departmental Graduate Booklet and in accordance with Graduate School requirements. The examination topics are from general undergraduate physics and graduate core courses. Students perform Ph.D. thesis research. After completing the research, the candidate prepares the dissertation and makes a public oral defense before the dissertation committee.

Students are encouraged to get involved in research early by taking PHYS 7000, which may count toward the degree. Thesis hours in PHYS 6000 (6 hours for the M.S. with thesis option) and 12 hours of PHYS 8000 (for the Ph.D.) should be taken as early as possible. Students must maintain a B average in the core courses in addition to the overall B average required by the Graduate School.Back to Top

 

Course Descriptions

 

Faculty

Click here to view alphabetical listing of all TTU faculty and their academic credentials.

Roger L. Lichti,, Ph.D, Chairperson

Horn Professor: Estreicher
Bucy Professor: Wigmans
Professors: Akchurin, Borst, Cheng, Holtz, Lichti, Lodhi, Myles, Quade
Associate Professors: Gibson, Glab, Huang, Lamp, Thacker
Assistant Professors: Grave De Peralta, Lee, Park, Sanati, Volobouev
Adjunct Faculty: Kubricht, Mark, Nair, Sill, Torres
Joint Faculty: Jiang, Kristiansen, Krompholtz, QuitevisBack to Top

Catalog Contents