Graduate Studies

Doctor's Degrees:

All PhD degree programs require a total of 90 hours, usually tailored to the needs of the individual student. These include a required a 21-hour sequence of core courses and at least 15 additional hours in advanced and specialty courses. The first two years of graduate study usually focus on this required work. The balance is made up of elective courses, seminars, research, and courses outside the Department, as approved by a student's thesis committee.

A set of written Qualifying Exams and oral and written Specialist Exams must be passed successfully. A student in one of the PhD programs normally makes a first attempt at the written PhD Qualifying Examination after two semesters of graduate work (two attempts may be made).

Finally, the results of an original body of research must be presented as a written dissertation and successfully defended in an oral Final Examination for the PhD degree. In general, well-prepared graduate students with assistantships spend five years working towards their degree. As their program progresses, they devote increasing amounts of time to research, which can begin as early as the first summer of graduate study.

PhD in Physics:

The 36 hours of core, advanced, and specialty courses must be from offerings in the Department of Physics.

PhD in Physics (Astrophysics option):

A minimum of 12 hours of the 15 hours of advanced and specialty courses must be astrophysics courses at the graduate level.

PhD in Engineering (Engineering Physics option):

At least 36 hours of course work in Physics must be completed, and the general requirements of the College of Engineering must be satisfied.

Master's Degrees:

Master's degree programs require completion of 30 hours of courses and preparation of a thesis. Alternatively, 32 hours of course credit suffice for a non-thesis option. A well-prepared student with an assistantship will need a minimum of four semesters to complete the degree.

MS in Physics:

Both thesis and non-thesis options are available. For the thesis option, 18 hours of course work from offerings in Physics are required. In the non-thesis option, 20 hours in Physics are required, and the written PhD Qualifying exam must be passed successfully.

MS in Physics (Astrophysics option):

Only the thesis option is available. Of the required course work, 18 hours must be from offerings in Physics and Astronomy with no fewer than 6 hours in astrophysics courses.

MS in Engineering Physics:

This degree is available under both thesis and non-thesis options. The written PhD Qualifying exam must be passed successfully for the non-thesis option. Each program requires that at least 9 hours of credit be in Engineering areas outside the Physics category, the amount depending upon the engineering component of the degree.