Fields of study include areas of theoretical and experimental condensed-matter and materials physics, optical and laser physics, quantum engineering, and nanoscale science. Specific programs include surface and interface science, first principles electronic structure methods, photonic materials and devices, complex oxides, magnetic and superconducting artificially engineered systems, quantum computing and superconducting device research, quantum transport and nanotube physics, quantum optics, and random lasers.

A minimum of twelve term courses is required. These courses must be full-credit graduate courses with clear technical, scientific, or mathematical focus. These twelve courses must include seven core courses. The first core course satisfies the math requirement; must be fulfilled in the first year; and is met by taking Mathematical Methods of Physics (PHYS 506) (preferred), or, with permission of the DGS, Mathematical Methods I (APHY 500). The remaining six core courses are Solid State Physics I (APHY 548) and II (APHY 549), Quantum Mechanics I (PHYS 508) and II (PHYS 608), Electromagnetic Theory I (PHYS 502), and Statistical Physics I (PHYS 512). It is expected that most of these six core courses will be taken in the first year; no more than two may be taken in the second year. No more than two of the twelve courses can be Special Investigations, and at least two must be outside the area of the dissertation.

M.S. (en route to the Ph.D.) To qualify for the M.S., the student must pass eight term courses; no more than two may be Special Investigations. An average grade of at least High Pass is required, with at least one grade of Honors.

Terminal Master’s Degree Program Students may also be admitted directly to a terminal master’s degree program. The requirements are the same as for the M.S. en route to the Ph.D., although there are no core course requirements for students in this program. This program is normally completed in one year, but a part-time program may be spread over as many as four years. Some courses are available in the evening, to suit the needs of students from local industry.