Post-Candidacy Course Requirements

This statement reflects changes that went into effect during the 2008-09 academic year. It supersedes the old policy of 2004.

Each student must:

  • Take a total of 4 courses from the "menu" below of intermediate graduate courses in Categories A, B, C, and D with at least one from each of the categories A, B, and C. These must be passed with at least a 2.7 GPA (B-) and with no grade less than a C.
  • Take 2 courses from category E (Advanced Electives).

Course Categories

A. Condensed Matter

361 Introduction to Solid State Physics
366 Advanced Solid State Physics+
367 Soft Condensed Matter+

B. Particle Physics

363 Introduction to Particle Physics
443 or 444 (Not both) Introduction to Quantum Field Theory I or II

C. Large Scale Physics

364 General Relativity
371 Introduction to Cosmology+
372 Space Physics and Astrophysics+

D. Intermediate Electives

317 Symplectic Methods of Classical Dynamics
385 Advanced Mathematical Methods
386 Advanced Methods of Data Analysis

+ offered in alternate years

E. Advanced Electives

This category consists of all Physics Department courses bearing a "400-level" course number, with the exception of Physics 443, 444, and 499. In addition, with the authorization of the student's Ph.D. Committee and with the approval of the Chairman, a course in another Department may be designated as a Category E course for an individual student on a case-by-case basis provided that (1) the course is taught at a level comparable to Physics Department "400-level" courses and (2) the Ph.D. Committee and Department Chair feels that it is in the student's best interest to take this course rather than a Physics Department course.