COURSEWORK & QUALIFYING EXAM
Graduate students typically spend the first year and most of the second taking courses. In addition to required courses in electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics, there are elective courses in areas ranging from quantum field theory to solid-state physics. Students who have previously taken graduate-level courses can be excused from required courses by passing exemption examinations on first entering the program. First-year graduate students take a written qualifying exam in January. The three half-day exams cover classical and modern physics. Most students pass this examination on the first attempt; a smaller number retake and pass the examination the following year.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS (besides the gaduate sudent seminar)
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All five of the following formal introductory courses:
Quantum Mechanics I and II
Electromagnetic Theory I and II
Statistical Mechanics
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Two courses from the following phenomenological subject courses:
Elementary Particle Physics
Nuclear Physics
Solid State Physics
High Energy Astrophysics
Laser Physics
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One of the following advanced theoretical courses:
Advanced Quantum Mechanics I or II
Particle Physics I or II
General Relativity
Theoretical Solid State Physics
Advanced Mathematical Methods in Physics
Advanced Astrophysics
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One of the following special techniques courses OR a second course from the advanced theoretical courses above:
Physical Phenomena
Experimental Methods in Nuclear Physics
Scientific Computing
