Physics and Astronomy
Graduate study and research leading to the Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees are offered in physics. The principal research activities of the department extend over nuclear and particle physics, condensed matter and surface physics, acoustics, nonlinear dynamics (chaos), and astrophysics. Both experimental and theoretical studies are in progress in those areas. Special programs of graduate work outside these areas or fully interdisciplinary programs can, in appropriate cases, be devised to suit particular interests.
Students entering these degree programs are normally expected to have concluded successful undergraduate work in mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, optics, atomic and nuclear physics, and quantum mechanics, and to possess a working knowledge of mathematics comprising calculus, Fourier series, vector analysis, and the elements of partial differential equations. It is recommended that you take the Graduate Record Examination, including the advanced test for physics. Deficiencies of undergraduate preparation should not deter you if you have an otherwise good record, as these may be made up during your first year of graduate study.
The program of study is developed for each student in close consultation with faculty advisors. The following courses are recommended to all students in their first two years of graduate study: 605-606, 607-608, 611-612, 615-616, and 623. Courses in related areas such as chemistry, engineering, mathematics, and computer science may be included in the program. Participation in the weekly colloquium, 891, is required of all graduate students.
The M.S. can be earned by submission of a research thesis with an oral examination. It can also be obtained under a nonthesis option, which requires satisfactory completion of a work project (laboratory assignment, literature, search, essay, etc., at two to six credits) and must include the courses 605-606, 607-608, 611-612, 615-616, and 623 or their equivalents.
The M.A. in physics is an option reserved for particular cases and may involve substantial work in other fields; you must follow an approved program filed with the physics graduate committee and submit a scholarly paper based on these studies for approval by at least two readers. For either the M.S. or M.A., you are required to earn at least 45 graduate credits in physics and approved electives.
Students pursuing a Ph.D. in physics are required to pass certain courses (detailed below) with a B average, pass a comprehensive exam, present a colloquium, and have their dissertation prospectus approved by a dissertation committee before being admitted to candidacy. Continuation in the program thereafter is based on satisfactory pro-gress in research and related matters. The award of the Ph.D. is based on successful defense of the dissertation in accordance with university requirements.
Your program of courses must be approved by your advisor. As a first-and second-year student, you have an assigned advisor; after passing the comprehensive exam you choose a faculty advisor to begin research.
Course requirements may be waived with adequate evidence of equivalent work elsewhere.
The core set of required courses is one quarter of Classical Mechanics (605), one quarter of Mathematical Methods (615), one quarter of Statistical Mechanics (623), two quarters of Electrodynamics (607 and 608), and two quarters of Quantum Mechanics (611 and 612). In addition to the core courses, Ph.D. students must take a graduate level laboratory course (ASTRO 510, PHYS 531, 601, or 604) and seven of the following courses: ASTRO 501, 502, 503, PHYS 520, 523, 551, 571, and courses numbered 600 and higher, excluding PHYS 696. At least one of the seven courses must be in an area outside the student's area of specialization. Courses offered by other departments may substitute for a limited number of these seven courses only with the approval of the student's advisor and the graduate chair. Typically, a student will take courses in the following order:
First Year:
Fall: (551) QM, 607 ED, 615 MM
Winter: 611 QM, 608 ED (512) StM
Spring: 612 QM, LAB, 605 ClM
Second Year:
Fall: 623 StM, AR, AR
Winter: AR, AR, AR
Spring: AR, AR
AR in the above tables indicates one of the seven additionally required courses. Students needing background preparation would be advised to take the courses in parentheses, which are not required. If 512 and 551 are not recommended by the first-year advisor, the student may choose to take one of the additionally required courses in their place.
It is normal for students to take other courses as recommended by their advisors, but these will not be required for admission to candidacy.
The comprehensive exam consists of two parts: written and oral. The written exam is normally given at the beginning of fall and winter quarters and is based on first-year graduate-level topics taken from classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum physics, thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, special relativity, and mathematical physics. Well prepared incoming students may choose to take the exam in their first year, either upon entry in the fall or at the beginning of the first winter quarter. An unsuccessful attempt in the first year will not adversely affect the student's record. At the beginning of the fall quarter of the second year, all students must take the exam if they have not already passed it.
After passing the written exam in September or January, students take an oral exam normally given in May. This consists of a presentation before a faculty committee on a research topic chosen in consultation with the student's prospective research advisor. Students must be prepared to answer questions concerning this topic and other topics related to graduate-level study of physics.
After passing both parts of the comprehensive exam, students, in consultation with their advisor, form a dissertation committee. Students must prepare a dissertation prospectus for approval by this committee by the beginning of the winter quarter after they pass the comprehensive exam. The prospectus is a written document, typically 5-10 pages, which outlines the student's plan for dissertation research. The format of this document usually follows the form of a typical journal article, with an abstract, introduction, and description of the research plan. If the plans for the student's dissertation change substantially from the prospectus, the student's dissertation committee should be informed.
The remainder of the Ph.D. program consists of research and other studies relevant to the dissertation. The Ph.D. is awarded after successful defense of the dissertation before the dissertation committee.
There are no specific deadlines, but most applications for financial aid are received by March 1 and most offers are made by April 15. Most students enter the physics program in the fall; although some add the preceding summer session. Entry during the academic year is possible but not encouraged. For details concerning graduate programs, write to the physics graduate committee.
University Publications and Computer Services revised this file ( https://www.ohio.edu/~gcat/01-03/areas/phys.htm
) September 25, 2001.
Please e-mail comments or suggestions to " gcat@www.ohiou.edu ."