Physics and Astronomy
Graduate study and research leading to the Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy 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.
Your program of study is developed in close consultation with your faculty advisor. The following core courses are recommended to all students in their first two years of graduate study: 551, 601, 605-606, 607-608, 611-612, 615-616, 623, and 735. Courses in related areas such as chemistry, engineering, mathematics, and computer science are often 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.
Required first-year courses are: Fall-- 551, 605, 615; Winter-- 606, 611, 616; Spring-- 607, 612, 623.
Required second-year courses are: Fall-- 608, 726 or 731, 735; Winter-- 601, 727 or 732; Spring-- 728 or 733 Course requirements may be waived with adequate evidence of equivalent work elsewhere.
Students specializing in nuclear and particle physics take the sequence 726-727-728; all other students take at least one course in nuclear and particle physics (often 553 for students with no preparation in the field). Students specializing in condensed matter physics take the sequence 731-732-733; all others take at least one course in condensed matter (often 571 for students with no preparation in the field). Students in astrophysics or other fields are individually advised of the courses necessary for their chosen field. It is normal to take other courses as recommended by your advisor, but these electives are not required for admission to candidacy. Examples of recommended courses are 531, 609, 617, 650, 720, 736, 737.
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 mathe-matical 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. If this attempt is unsuc-cessful, the opportunity to take the exam in the second year is not affected. You must take the exam no later than fall quarter of your second year.
After you have passed the written exam, you must also take an oral exam normally given in May. The oral exam consists of a presentation before a faculty committee on a research topic chosen in consultation with your prospective research advisor. You must be prepared to answer questions concerning this topic and other topics of physics graduate study.
After passing both parts of the comprehensive exam, you work in consultation with your advisor to form a dissertation committee. You must prepare a dissertation prospectus for approval by this committee by the beginning of winter quarter after you have passed the comprehensive exam.
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; some also add the preceding summer session. Entry during the academic year is possible although not generally encouraged. For all details concerning graduate programs, write to the physics graduate committee.
University Publications and Computer Services revised this file ( https://www.ohio.edu/~gcat/97-99/areas/phys.htm
) June 1, 1998.
Please e-mail comments or suggestions to " gcat@www.ohiou.edu ."