PhD Physics

Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (Regular Program)
SY 2011-2012

ADMISSION
Prospective students for the regular Ph.D. in Physics should have a Master of Science in Physics or Applied Physics.

ELECTIVES 21 units
The student should take 15 units in a particular field of specialization and 6 units of breadth courses with the approval of his/her thesis adviser.

Cat No.	Course	Units
PS 205	Mathematical Physics	3
PS 210	Quantum Mechanics II	3
PS 211	Fluid Mechanics	3
PS 213	Introduction to Geophysical Fluid Dynamics	3
PS 222	Introduction to Solid State Physics	3
PS 223	Physical Theory of the Solid State	3
PS 224	Electronic Properties of Materials	3
PS 225	Thermodynamics and Phase Transformations	3
PS 226	Materials Characterization	3
PS 230	Geophysical Fluid Dynamics	3
PS 231	Computational Models for the Environment	3
PS 232	Physical Meteorology	3
PS 233	Dynamic Meteorology	3
PS 241	Fundamentals of Air Pollution	3
PS 242	Physics of the Environment and Climate	3
PS 243	Remote Sensing and Environmental Mapping	3
PS 244	Environmental Instrumentation	3
PS 256	Experiments in Photonics (Laboratory)	3
PS 258	Optical Waveguides	3
PS 259	Quantum Electronics and Photonic Devices	3
PS 261	Modern Optics	3
PS 265	Lasers, Spectroscopy and Applications	3
PS 266	Advanced Fiber Devices	3
PS 268	Optical Networks	3
PS 272	Quantum Electrodynamics	3
PS 301	Research Seminar I	3
PS 302	Research Seminar II	3
PS 303	Advanced Research Laboratory I	3
PS 304	Advanced Research Laboratory II	3
PS 200.xx	Special Topics	3

GRADUATE SEMINAR AND COLLOQUIUM 3 units

Cat. No.	Course	Units
PS 307	Graduate Seminar	1
PS 308.1	Graduate Colloquium	1
PS 308.2	Graduate Colloquium	1

PROPOSAL DEFENSE/CANDIDACY EXAM
After one year in the program, the student must defend a dissertation proposal, testing the adequacy of his or her expertise in physics and in his/her chosen dissertation topic. This can be done earlier if the student is ready for it.

PUBLICATION REQUIREMENT
A PhD student is expected to publish at least one ISI-indexed paper in the course of his/her study. A student will not be awarded the degree unless a notice of acceptance for publication if not the actual published paper is produced. The student should be the first author of the paper which is related to the topics investigated in the course of his/her PhD study.

DISSERTATION WRITING AND ORAL DEFENSE 12 units

Cat. No.	Course	Units
PS 310.1	Dissertation Research	6
PS 311.1	Dissertation Writing	6

ORAL DEFENSE OF DISSERTATION

After all course work has been completed, the student should enroll in PS 310.1 every term until he/she is ready to defend his/her dissertation. On the semester of the Oral Defense, the student should enroll in the Dissertation Writing course PS 311.1. The units for the dissertation are credited after the student passes the oral defense and submits the final revised copy of the dissertation.