Comprehensive Examination    

Satisfactory performance on the comprehensive examination, before the winter quarter of the student's second year is required. The examination is offered twice each academic year. For students starting in the fall quarter of 2008 or thereafter, the exam is offered for the first time at the end of the spring quarter (about the last week of June). A make-up exam is offered at the end of the following fall quarter (about the first week in January). The examination consists of a six-hour written exam (two sessions) that covers topics in Classical Mechanics, Statistical and Thermal Physics; and Quantum Mechanics and Electromagnetism at the graduate level. Based on the exam performance (written+oral) the department recommends a pass at the Ph.D. level, a pass at the M.A./M.S. level, or a fail. The examination may be repeated only once following the initial attempt.

Coursework 

Satisfactory completion of the courses listed below. Each course must be passed with a grade of B- or better and the student must maintain an average for all courses of B or better. 

Core Courses:

Physics Track

Astrophysics Track

In addition, at least three elective graduate lecture courses must be completed from the various tracks a-g. The program for each student must be approved by the graduate committee and by the student's research advisor. Such a program may entail more than the minimum number of courses, and may also involve a mixture of courses in addition to those listed below. 

Elective Courses:

a.) Nuclear and Particle Physics
Phys 230A, 230B, 230C	Advanced Quantum Mechanics
Phys 225A, 225B	Elementary Particles

b.) Condensed Matter, Surface, Optical Physics & Biophysics
Phys 240A, 240B, 240C	Condensed Matter Physics
Phys 209A, 209B	Introduction to Quantum Electronics
Phys 242	Physics at Surfaces and Interfaces
Phys 234	Physics of Nanoscale Systems
Phys 235	Spintronics and Nanoscale Magnetism
Phys 236	Advanced Imaging Techniques
Phys 241A,B,C	Advanced Statistical Physics and Field Theory
Phys 246A,B	Biological Physics
Phys 242	Biological Physics

c.) Astrophysics
Phys 211A	Radiative Processes in Astrophysics
Phys 211B	Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics
Phys 208	General Relativity
Phys 214	Techniques of Observational Astrophysics
Phys 215	Galactic Dynamics
Phys 216	Star Formation
Phys 217	Stellar Structure and Evolution

d) Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics

Phys 225A, 225B	Elementary Particles
Phys 230A	Advanced Quantum Mechanics
Phys 208	General Relativity
Phys 226	Cosmology
Phys 227	Particle Astrophysics

e) Environmental Physics: Courses chosen from Condensed Matter, Surface and Optical Physics as well as: 

SWSC 203	Surface Chemistry of Soils
SWSC 207	Advanced Soil Physics
SWSC 213	Soil Mineralogy
SWSC 221	Transport and Fate of Inorganic Contaminants in Soil-Water Systems
SWSC 222	Transport and Fate of Organic Contaminants in Soil-Water Systems
ENTX 215	Toxicants in Aqueous Media
ENTX 244/Chem 244	Airborne Toxic Chemicals or other approved graduate level courses in related fields.

f) Materials and Nanoscale Physics: Two courses from track (b) and two additional approved courses from the departments of Chemistry , Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Electrical Engineering.

g) Astronomy:

Qualifying Oral Examination 

Satisfactory performance on an oral examination in the general area of the student's proposed research. 

This examination is conducted by a doctoral committee, charged with general supervision of the student's research. It is normally taken during the academic year following that in which the Comprehensive examination requirement has been successfully completed. A student who fails this examination on the first attempt may, at the discretion of the committee, be permitted to take it a second time. Only two attempts are allowed.

Doctoral Thesis

Satisfactory completion of a dissertation containing a review of existing knowledge relevant to the candidate's original research, and the results of the candidate's original research. This research must be of sufficiently high quality to constitute a contribution to knowledge in the subject area.

Final Oral Examination 

Satisfactory performance on a final oral examination conducted by the candidate's doctoral committee.