Department of Physics and AstronomyGraduate Program

This program requires 36 credit hours, of which at least 30 must be formal coursework taken in the department, plus passing an oral master’s examination.

Explore Program

This program requires 36 credit hours with a minimum of 24 hours in the department, plus passing a written and oral master’s examination.

Explore Program

This program requires a minimum of 24 credit hours, of which at least 18 must be taken in the department, plus 6 hours of thesis research. The thesis is defended in a final oral examination.

Explore Program

The core courses for the Ph.D. in Physics degree are the same as those for the M.S. degree, plus PHYS 5302 and PHYS 6306. Further selections of advanced courses should be made in consultation with the graduate and 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. Examination topics are drawn from general undergraduate physics and graduate core courses. The program requires a Ph.D. dissertation based on original research.

Students are encouraged to get involved in research early by taking PHYS 7000, which may count toward the degree. The 12 hours of PHYS 8000, required for the Ph.D., should be taken as early as possible after passing the qualifying examination. Doctoral students must maintain a B average in the six core courses in addition to the overall B average required by the Graduate School.

Explore Program