The doctoral degree in physics is awarded to a student who has demonstrated mastery in the field of physics and a distinct and superior ability to make substantial contributions to the field. The quality of work and the resourcefulness of the student must be such that the faculty can expect a continuing effort toward the advancement of knowledge and significant achievement in research and related activities. Publication of research in peer-reviewed journals is expected. The doctoral degree in physics prepares students to enter research careers in academic, government and industrial settings. Non-research careers in a variety of areas including public policy, science communication, intellectual property law, science education, and entrepreneurship are also possible. The degree provides a foundation in one of the following areas of expertise: astronomy and astrophysics, photovoltaics and condensed-matter physics consisting of theory and experiment, atomic and molecular physics, medical physics, biophysics, and photonics.  A strong training maybe expected in research methodologies and practices, rigorous hypothesis-driven scientific investigation, and the dissemination of research results and ideas through scholarly article publication, presentation at conferences, other universities and research settings. In general, work for the Ph.D. takes five years of study beyond the bachelor’s degree. A substantial portion of this time is spent in independent research leading to a dissertation. Normally 90 credit hours of study beyond the bachelor’s degree are required for the Ph.D. Students may opt to get a M.S. degree during their Ph.D. program.

Requirements for the Doctoral Program

For the doctor of philosophy degree, a student must complete a total of 90 hours of graduate credit including the following:

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
PHYS 7220	Classical Mechanics	3
PHYS 7250	Classical Electrodynamics I	3
PHYS 7320	Quantum Mechanics I	3
PHYS 7450	Statistical Mechanics	3
PHYS 8040	Physics and Astronomy Professional Development Seminar	1
Select at least 18 additional hours of credit in physics in courses numbered higher than 6100 approved by the student's committee		18
Dissertation research 1		30-60
Total Hours		90

¹

30 to 60 hours allowed for the dissertation research depending on the nature of the research and the needs of the student. 

Credit in PHYS 5900, PHYS 6010/PHYS 8010, PHYS 6020/PHYS 8020, or PHYS 7910 will not count toward degree requirements.

The doctoral degree requirements include a Ph.D. qualifying examination, a comprehensive examination, and a final oral examination. Passing the qualifying examination is a prerequisite for status as a Ph.D. candidate in physics. After passing the qualifying examination, the doctoral student must select a field of specialization. A faculty committee is formed, chaired by the research adviser, to evaluate the student’s progress and to establish an appropriate program of course work. This committee administers the oral comprehensive examination, after which only the dissertation research requirement remains. The graduate program ends with the student presenting the dissertation and defending it satisfactorily in an oral examination.

Ph.D. in Physics with Concentration in Astrophysics

The Ph.D. in physics with concentration in astrophysics satisfies all the requirements for the Ph.D. in physics while preparing students for a career in astronomy and astrophysics.

To fulfill the requirement of 18 hours of credit in physics courses numbered above 6100, the concentration requires:

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
PHYS 6810/7810	Stellar Astrophysics I	3
PHYS 6820/7820	Stellar Astrophysics II	3
PHYS 6830/7830	Galactic Astronomy I	3
PHYS 6840/7840	Galactic Astronomy II	3
Select two related elective courses:		6
PHYS 6710/7710	Atomic Physics
PHYS 6720/7720	Atomic & Molecular Spectroscopy
PHYS 8860	General Relativity
PHYS 8870	Cosmology
Other appropriate courses
Select one of the following:		3
PHYS 6980/8980	Special Topics (on an astrophysics-related topic)
A satisfactory dissertation in astronomy or astrophysics with a supervisor who is a member of the Ritter Astrophysical Research Center.
Total Hours		21

Ph.D. in Physics with Concentration in Materials Science

The Ph.D. in physics with concentration in materials science satisfies all the requirements for the Ph.D. in physics while preparing students for a career in materials science.

In addition, the concentration requires:

• Two core courses in the fundamentals of materials science:

  Course List

  Code	Title	Hours
  PHYS 8540	Structure, Defects And Diffusion	4
  PHYS 8550	Thermodynamics And Phase Transformations In Condensed Systems	4
  Total Hours		8

• Two additional elective courses in materials science and engineering chosen from a list of courses approved by the faculty in the areas of materials science and engineering; and
• A dissertation in a materials-related field with a supervisor who is a faculty member in the area of materials science and engineering.

Ph.D. in Physics with Concentration in Medical Physics

The Ph.D. in physics with concentration in medical physics satisfies all of the requirements for a Ph.D. in physics degree while preparing students for a career in medical physics. The medical physics-related courses, which total at least 27 credit hours, are provided by the College of Medicine and Life Sciences. The student’s faculty advisory committee will consist of faculty members from the department of physics and astronomy and the medical physics fields. The committee may also include other members appropriate for this degree. A dissertation research project is chosen that will have relevance to both physics and medical physics. The Ph.D. requirement of 18 additional credit hours outside the core courses will be satisfied by the specified additional graduate courses in physics and in medical physics.

• PLO 1. Our students must be able to analyze and solve (using the appropriate mathematical techniques) any problem from the core areas of physics at the graduate level (Newtonian mechanics, electromagnetism, statistical mechanics, quantum theory, and relativity).
• PLO 2. Our students must be able to analyze and solve (using the appropriate mathematical techniques) any problem from their area of research (e.g., astrophysics, photovoltaics).
• PLO 3. Our students must be able to critique any publication from their research area.
• PLO 4. Our students will design and conduct new research via experimental, observational or theoretical techniques.
• PLO 5. Our students must be able to discuss and explain the results of their research to the scientific community via written and oral presentations.