The
Graduate Program
The Department offers
both the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Physics. They are awarded in
recognition
of demonstrated knowledge of the basic facts and theories of physics,
and
of a demonstrated capacity for independent research.
Significant changes
have been made recently to update and modernize the graduate
curriculum,
in order to provide graduate training that is relevant to the
increasingly
diverse job market for students of physics and astronomy. An M.S.
degree
by thesis option is offered, to better prepare students for subsequent
employment in physics and related fields. We also offer a Concentration
in Chemical and Materials Physics (ChaMP)—an interdisciplinary
M.S./Ph.D.
program that will train students broadly in the physical sciences in
preparation
for careers in modern industry. In general, graduate study in the
physics Ph.D. program is expected to be a full-time activity.
Completion of the
Ph.D. typically requires five to six years of full-time study. Students
may pursue the M.S. degree on either a full-time or part-time basis.
Complementing
its formal courses, the Department offers weekly colloquia and research
seminars in condensed matter physics, particle physics, plasma physics,
and astrophysics. Each graduate student is a member of our intellectual
community and is expected to participate fully in such departmental
activities.
Sources of support
available to graduate students include teaching assistantships,
research
assistantships, and fellowships.
Admission
Requirements
The criteria used
for admission are the undergraduate course record, letters of
recommendation,
and GRE scores. Generally, we expect applicants to have at least a B+
record
in physics and mathematics, at least a B average in other subjects,
strong
GRE verbal, quantitative and analytic scores, and an advanced physics
score
in at least the 50th percentile. Higher admission
standards
are applied to Ph.D. applicants than to M.S. applicants. Consideration
is given to the general quality of the applicant’s undergraduate
institution,
although relatively little weight is given to the specific courses
taken.
For successful completion
of graduate work in physics, a student is expected to demonstrate
certain
auxiliary skills beyond a knowledge of physics. Students should have a
strong background in mathematics, written and spoken English, and
computer
programming.
Master
Of Science In Physics
The requirements
for the M.S. degree include at least three quarters of residence;
mastery
of graduate course material, which must be demonstrated by completing a
minimum of eight quarter courses with a grade of B or better; and
either
a research project and written thesis or a comprehensive written
examination.
M.S. students are
expected to demonstrate general knowledge of physics. A typical program
of study for the degree consists of the following nine courses: 211
(Classical
Mechanics); 213A-B (Electromagnetic Theory); 215A (Quantum Mechanics);
223 (Numerical Methods); 224 (Discoveries and Inventions of Modern
Physics);
206 (Laboratory Skills) for experimentalists or 212A (Mathematical
Physics)
for theorists; and two electives chosen from other graduate or upper
division
undergraduate courses in related areas. The specific research interests
in the Department are emphasized only at the advanced level, through
specialized
courses for second- and third-year students.
The normal time to
degree is two to three years. Advising is a critical component of the
program.
Each student will meet regularly with an advisor, and approval of the
student’s
program by the Graduate Advisor is required.
Degree Requirements
Residence Requirement:
At least three quarters in residence is required.
Teaching Requirement:
There is no teaching required.
The student may pursue
the M.S. degree by one of the two following plans:
Plan A: Thesis—The
M.S. thesis need be of no specified length or format, but must report
significant
results in readable, meaningful form, at the same time revealing the
student’s
general grasp of the field and awareness of related work.
Plan B: Comprehensive
Examination—The comprehensive examination for the M.S. degree is
identical
to that for the Ph.D. degree. The level of performance required for the
M.S. degree by examination is also identical to that required for the
Ph.D.
degree. This examination is given at the start of each academic year
and
extends over a period of three or four days. It covers all major fields
of physics, and is both written and oral, with major emphasis on the
written
part.
Coursework: A minimum
of eight courses is required including 211 (Classical Mechanics),
213A-B
(Electromagnetic Theory), 215A (Quantum Mechanics), and 223 (Numerical
Methods). Students with exceptionally strong preparation may place out
of one or more of the above courses (with the exception of 223) with a
sufficiently high level of performance on the corresponding qualifying
examination, subject to the approval of the Graduate Committee.
Language/Alternate
Skills Requirement(s): There is no foreign language requirement for the
M.S. degree. Graduate students in physics are expected to acquire a
working
knowledge of computer programming to the extent of being able to carry
out successful scientific computations using one of the programming
languages
such as C, FORTRAN, or Mathematica.
Related Fields Of
Study: There is no required minor. Students with certain interests and
aptitudes are encouraged to take some courses outside the department,
e.g.,
in mathematics, chemistry, biology, or engineering.
Doctor
Of Philosophy In Physics
The principal requirements
for the Ph.D. degree are a minimum of six quarters of residence,
passage
of written and oral examinations, and successful completion and defense
of a dissertation reporting results of original research. The Ph.D.
student
is expected to demonstrate primarily the capacity for independent
research.
Research in most of the major subfields of physics is conducted by UCI
faculty.
In addition, the
Ph.D. candidate must complete certain graduate course requirements. The
student is required to exhibit mastery of the basic sequences—classical
mechanics, electromagnetic theory, quantum mechanics, mathematical
physics,
and statistical physics. A minimum of 12 quarter courses must be
completed
with a grade of B or better. All basic theories and most areas of
application
are represented in the formal courses. The specific research interests
in the Department are emphasized only at the advanced level through
specialized
courses for second- and third-year students.
A typical first year
program of study for the Ph.D. includes: 211 (Classical Mechanics);
212A
(Mathematical Physics); 213A-B (Electromagnetic Theory); 215A-B
(Quantum
Mechanics); 223 (Numerical Methods); 206 (Laboratory Skills) for
experimentalists;
and 214A (Statistical Physics). It is expected that students, having
selected
a research specialty, ordinarily will take a three quarter core course
in that subject in their second year of study.
Advising is a critical
component of the Ph.D. program. Initially, each student will meet
regularly
with an advisor, and approval of the student’s program by the Graduate
Advisor will be required. On successful completion of the Qualifying
Exam
the student is expected to find a thesis advisor, who is responsible
for
monitoring the student’s progress towards the degree.
Degree Requirements
Residence Requirement:
At least six quarters in residence are required.
Teaching Requirement:
A minimum of three quarters teaching experience is required of all
Ph.D.
candidates. Foreign students must pass a campus approved spoken
English
proficiency exam (required in order to qualify for a Teaching Assistant
position) by the time they advance to candidacy.
Coursework: The minimum
course requirement is 12 courses and must include: 211 (Classical
Mechanics);
212A (Mathematical Physics); 213A-B (Electromagnetic Theory); 214A
(Statistical
Physics); 215A-B (Quantum Mechanics); 223 (Numerical Methods). At
least two of the remaining courses must be in the 200-259 series.
Students
must attain a B or better in each course. Students with exceptionally
strong
preparation may place out of one or more of the above courses (with the
exception of 223) with a sufficiently high level of performance on the
corresponding qualifying examination, subject to the approval of the
Graduate
Committee.
Language/Alternate
Skills Requirement(s): There is no foreign language requirement for the
Ph.D. degree.
Related Fields Of
Study: Students can take certain courses outside the Department, e.g.,
in mathematics, chemistry, biology, or engineering in fulfillment of a
course requirement.
Qualifying Exam:
The Qualifying Examination is given each September. It extends over a
period
of three or four days and covers all major fields of physics. It is
both
written and oral, with major emphasis on the written part. Particularly
well prepared students may choose to attempt the Qualifying Exam at the
beginning of their first year, with no penalty for failure.
Advancement to Candidacy:
To advance to candidacy the Ph.D. student is required to pass a
separate
oral exam on the advanced topic proposed for his or her thesis
research.
Ordinarily this will take place within a year of passing the Qualifying
Exam. Foreign students must pass a campus approved English
proficiency
exam by the time they advance to candidacy.
Dissertation: A dissertation
is required (without exception) for the Ph.D. degree. The Ph.D.
dissertation
need be of no specified length or format, but it must report results of
an original piece of work in readable, meaningful form, at the same
time
revealing the student’s general grasp of the field and awareness of
related
work. Roughly, a criterion for acceptability is that the
dissertation—probably
in condensed form—would be suitable for publication in a recognized
journal.
A final oral dissertation defense is required of Ph.D. candidates.
Concentration
In Chemical And Materials Physics
Students admitted
into the graduate program in Physics and Astronomy are also eligible to
pursue the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees with a Concentration in Chemical and
Materials Physics (ChaMP). The requirements for these differ from those
described previously. Students are allowed to transfer between the core
graduate program and ChaMP.
ChaMP is an interdisciplinary
program between condensed matter physics and physical chemistry,
designed
to eliminate the barrier between the two. The curriculum includes a
summer
session; formal shop, laboratory, and computational courses; a sequence
on current topics to bridge the gap between fundamental principles and
applied technology; and a course to develop communication skills. See
the
ChaMP website for more information: http://www.champ.uci.edu/.
Graduate
Courses
Graduate courses
offered by the Department, along with course
descriptions, and additional information about M.S. and Ph.D. degree
requirements can be found in the UCI General
Catalogue.
