Sample Degree Pathway for a Doctorate in Physics

Entering with Bachelor of Science in Physics

This is ONE possible 4-year sequence of courses for students entering the program with a B.S. in Physics leading to M.S. and Ph.D degrees. This sequence assumes the entering student has adequate preparation in undergraduate Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, and Quantum Mechanics but not Statistical Mechanics. Most students take additional semesters to complete their dissertation research.
Year 1, Semester 1 (Fall)
Course #Course NameCr.
Total91
PHYS.6070Mathematical Methods of Physics3
PHYS.6170Electromagnetic Theory I3
PHYS.5210Statistics Thermodynamics3
PHYS.7110Graduate Seminar in Physics0
PHYS.7010Physics Colloquium0
Year 1, Semester 2 (Spring)
Course #Course NameCr.
Total9
PHYS.6165Graduate Quantum Mechanics3
PHYS.6180Electromagnetic Theory II3
PHYS.6110Classical Mechanics3
PHYS.7120Graduate Seminar in Physics0
PHYS.7020Physics Colloquium0
Ph.D. Comprehensive Exam.
Year 2, Semester 3 (Fall)
Course #Course NameCr.
Total9
PHYS.5630Computational Physics3
PHYS.XXXXElective23
PHYS.7460Master's Thesis Research Physics3
PHYS.7XXXSeminar0
PHYS.7010Physics Colloquium0
Year 2, Semester 4 (Spring)
Course #Course NameCr.
Total9
PHYS.XXXXElective3
PHYS.XXXXElective3
Master's Thesis Research Physics
3
PHYS.7XXXSeminar0
PHYS.7020Physics Colloquium0
Master of Science degree awarded.
Year 3, Semester 5 (Fall)
Course #Course NameCr.
Total9
Elective
3
PHYS.7560Doctoral Dissertation Research Physics4
PHYS.7XXXSeminar1
PHYS.7010Physics Colloquium1
Year 3, Semester 6 (Spring)
Course #Course NameCr.
Total9
PHYS.XXXXElective3
PHYS.7560Doctoral Dissertation Research Physics5
PHYS.7XXXSeminar1
PHYS.7020Physics Colloquium0

Year 4, Semester 7 (Fall)
Course #Course NameCr.
Total9
PHYS.7560Doctoral Dissertation  Research Physics9
PHYS.7XXXSeminar0
PHYS.7010Physics Colloquium0
Year 4, Semester 8 (Spring)
Course #Course NameCr.
Total1
PHYS.7560Doctoral Dissertation Research Physics1
PHYS.7XXXSeminar0
PHYS.7010Physics Colloquium0
19 credits constitute a full-time load. Full-time students must register for Seminar and Colloquium (0 or 1 credit) every semester. At most 3 credits for Seminar/Colloquium may be counted towards degree requirements
2A least one elective must be a 6xxx-level course
Last updated: 4/28/2021