http://www.utdallas.edu/dept/physics/
Professors: Roy C. Chaney , Austin J. Cunningham, Gregory D. Earle,
Ervin J. Fenyves, Robert Glosser, Roderick A. Heelis,
Robert Hilborn, John H. Hoffman, Joseph M. Izen, Diandra Leslie-Pelecky, Xinchou
Lou, Wolfgang A. Rindler, Myron Salamon, Brian A. Tinsley, Robert M. Wallace,
B. Hobson Wildenthal, Anvar A. Zakhidov
Associate Professors: Phillip Anderson, Kyeongjae
Cho, Yuri Gartstein
Assistant Professors: Mustapha Ishak-Boushaki, Anton Malko
Senior Lecturers:� Paul MacAlevey, Beatrice Rasmussen
Affiliated Faculty: Cyrus D. Cantrell (Engineering), John P. Ferraris
(Chemistry), Wenchuang Hu (Engineering), Stephen Levene (Biology), Dean Sherry
(Chemistry), Duck-Joo Yang (Chemistry), Mary Urquhart
(Science/Mathematics Education)
Objectives
The goal of the Graduate Program in Physics is to develop individual
creativity and expertise in the fields of physics. In pursuit of this
objective, study in the program is strongly focused on research. Students are
encouraged to begin participating in ongoing research activities from the
beginning of their graduate studies. The research experience culminates with
the doctoral dissertation, the essential element of the Ph.D. program that
prepares the student for careers in academia, government laboratories, or
industry.
A Master of Science degree is offered to those seeking to acquire or
maintain technical mastery of both fundamentals and current applications.
A Master of Science degree in Applied Physics is offered for students
wishing to emphasize applications encountered in most industrial and high
technology environments.
The University�s general admission requirements are discussed here.
The Physics Program seeks students who have a B.S. degree in Physics or
closely related subjects from an accredited university or college, and who have
superior skills in quantitative and deductive analysis. Decisions on admission
are made on an individual basis. However, as a guide, a combined score on the
verbal and quantitative parts of the GRE of 1100, with at least 700 on the
quantitative part, is advisable based on our experience with student success in
the program.
For graduate work it is assumed that the student has an undergraduate
background that includes the following courses at the level indicated by texts
referred to: mechanics at the level of Symon,
Mechanics; electromagnetism at the level of Reitz and Milford, Foundations of
Electromagnetic Theory; thermodynamics at the level of Kittel, Thermal Physics;
quantum mechanics at the level of Griffiths, Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
(chapters 1-4), and some upper-division course(s) in modern physics,� and atomic physics. Students who lack this
foundation may be required to take one or more undergraduate courses to
complete their preparation for graduate work.
The University�s general degree requirements are discussed here.
The candidate for either the M.S., MS in Applied Physics, or Ph.D. must
satisfy general University degree requirements.
Well prepared students may demonstrate by examination adequate knowledge of
the core and basic course material.
A limited number of assistantships are awarded to those students displaying
the most promise in teaching or research. Specific decisions are made on an
individual basis. Awardees are required to complete 8 graduate physics courses
(not including research courses) during the first 24 months in residence.
Continuation of support requires achievement of a minimum GPA of 3.3, and a
satisfactory record in teaching or research assignments.
The central principle in the structure of the graduate program is that a
student�s progress and ultimate success is best served by early and varied
research experiences coupled with individually tailored course sequences.
Current areas of research specialization in the Physics program are:
Atmospheric and Space Physics;� Astrophysics/Cosmology/Relativity;
Solid State/Condensed Matter Physics/Materials Science; High Energy Physics and
Elementary Particles; and Computational Materials Science.
Our
group studies fundamental problems in theoretical astrophysics, contemporary
cosmology, and relativity. These involve analytical, numerical, and
cosmological-data related projects. The group is instrumental in organizing the
biennial Texas Symposia on Relativistic Astrophysics, beginning in
Research in Atmospheric and Space Physics encompasses both theory and
experiment, with emphasis on aeronomy, ionospheric physics, planetary atmospheres, atmospheric
electricity and its effects on weather and climate, and space instrumentation.
Much of the research occurs in the
The UTD High Energy Physics Group collaborates on the Atlas experiment at the
Materials Science is at the interface of many disciplines and involves a
collaborative approach with colleagues in Chemistry, and Electrical Engineering.
Our research facilities are distributed over the Physics Laboratories, NanoTech
Institute and Electrical Engineering Clean Room Research in Materials Science
involves both experiment and theory with emphasis on the physical aspects of
Materials Science. A synopsis of our activities is given below: Measurements of
optical properties of solids with emphasis on modulated reflectance and Raman
scattering of semi-conductors are routinely carried out.
Various
nanoscale and synthetic materials are being studied
for their optical, electronic, magnetic and transport properties, as well as
applications in photonics, spintronics and (opto)electronics. The materials of
interest include nanostructures (quantum dots and wires, fullerenes and carbon
nanotubes) and low-dimensional systems, photonic band gap crystals and
�left-handed� electromagnetic meta-materials, organic and polymeric materials. Unconventional
superconductivity and superconducting nanostructures are also under
investigation.
The interaction of nanoscale materials, such as
carbon nanotubes, with biological entities are being investigated for
prospective biomedical and electronic applications. For example, chemically
functionalized carbon nanotubes are being studied as building blocks in
transistor and sensor applications.
A minimum total of 32 graduate hours is required, including the core courses
listed below.
PHYS 5401 Mathematical Methods of Physics I
PHYS 5421 Electromagnetism I
PHYS 6400 Quantum Mechanics I
20 hours of graduate level physics courses to be selected by the student
with the approval of the Graduate Advisor. Six hours of research including an
M. S. thesis may be substituted for two of the elective courses.
A
minimum of 12 additional credit hours must be taken from the core list below.
Elective courses totaling 16 additional credit hours may be chosen from the
Physics elective courses listed below:
PHYS 5305 Monte Carlo Simulation Method and its Applications
PHYS 5411 Classical Mechanics
PHYS 5317 Atoms, Molecules and Solids
PHYS 5318 Atoms, Molecules and Solids II
PHYS 5321 Experimental Operation and Data Collection Using Personal Computers
PHYS 5371 Solid State Physics
PHYS 5302 Mathematical Methods of Physics II
PHYS 5416 Applied Numerical Methods
PHYS 5425 Applied Electromagnetism I or PHYS 5421 Electromagnetism I
PHYS 5326 Applied Electromagnetism II
PHYS 6383 Plasma Science
PHYS 5283 Plasma Technology Laboratory
PHYS 5304 Proposal and Report Preparation
PHYS 5323 Virtual Instrumentation with Biomedical Clinical and Healthcare
Applications
PHYS 5369 Special Topics in Applied Physics
PHYS 5372 Solid State Devices
PHYS 5367 Photonic Devices
PHYS 5375 Electronic Devices Based on Organic Solids
PHYS 5382 Space Science Instrumentation
PHYS 5383 Plasma Technology
PHYS 5385 Natural and Anthropogenic Effects On The Atmosphere
PHYS 6283 Plasma Science Laboratory
PHYS 5351 Basic Aspects and Practical Applications of Spectroscopy.
PHYS 6353 Atomic and Molecular Processes
PHYS 6374 Optical Properties of Solids
PHYS 6383 Plasma Science
Up to 6 hours of an industrial internship or supervised research may be
substituted for up to two of the elective courses. The following research
courses will satisfy this requirement:
PHYS 7V10 Internal Research
PHYS 7V20 Industrial Research
A minimum of 32 graduate credit hours are required. In order to receive the MSAP
degree, students must successfully complete at least 16 semester credit hours
of Master of Science core and elective courses but must include PHYS 5401 and
PHYS 5406. In addition to the core courses, 16 additional credit hours may be
chosen from the Physics elective courses listed below or from electrical
engineering, computer science, biology, geosciences, chemistry
and management courses. The complete list of these courses may be obtained from
the MSAP Graduate Advisor, or from the Physics Department�s website.
MSAP Core Courses (16 credit hours minimum)
Required:
PHYS 5401 Mathematical Methods of Physics I, or
PHYS 5406 Mathematical Methods of Applied Physics
Additional core and elective courses listed under Master of Science core
A candidate for the Ph.D. must take the following courses: PHYS 5411, 5313,
5322, 5401, 5302, 5421, 6400, and PHYS 6301. Students whose research will be
carried out in Space Science should substitute PHYS 6383 for PHYS 6301. A
candidate must also take a minimum of 3 elective courses, 1 from within his/her
area of specialization and 2 selected from outside the student�s specialty area.
Additional courses may be required to satisfy the particular degree
requirements and/or to ensure sufficient grounding in physical principles. The
graduate advisor and the student�s supervisory committee must approve course
selections. A minimum of one year residency after admission to the doctoral
program is required.
Near the end of the first year in residence all Ph.D. track student must
take a qualifier examination. Continuation of teaching assistantships and
When a student has completed the required course work with the minimum GPA
of 3.3 and has decided upon his/her field of specialization, a committee is
formed to guide the student�s dissertation work. Once a dissertation topic has
been identified, the student must submit a proposal that outlines the present
state of knowledge of the field and presents the research program the student
expects to accomplish for the dissertation. This proposal must be approved by
the committee and the Department Head.
A seminar on the dissertation proposal must be presented, followed by an
oral examination conducted by the faculty on the proposed area of research and
related topics. The Supervising Committee shall determine by means of the exam
and any ancillary information whether the student is adequately prepared and
has the ability to conduct independent research. The approved dissertation
proposal is then filed with the Dean of Graduate Studies. A manuscript
embodying a substantial portion of the dissertation research accomplished by
the student must be submitted to a suitable professional refereed journal prior
to the public seminar and dissertation defense. A public seminar, successful
defense of the dissertation, and its acceptance by the Supervising Committee
conclude the requirements for the Ph.D. In lieu of the traditional
dissertation, and at the discretion of the supervising professor, a manuscript
dissertation following the guidelines published by the Graduate Dean�s Office
may be substituted.
PHYS 5411 Classical Mechanics
PHYS 5313 Statistical Physics
PHYS 5322 Electromagnetism II
PHYS 5401 Mathematical Methods of Physics I
PHYS 5302 Mathematical Methods of Physics II
PHYS 5421 Electromagnetism I
PHYS 6400 Quantum Mechanics I
PHYS 6301 Quantum Mechanics II
PHYS 6383 Plasma Science (Space Science students only; in lieu of PHYS 6401)
PHYS
5V49 Special Topics in Physics
PHYS 5304 Proposal and Report Preparation
PHYS 5305
PHYS 5416 Applied Numerical Methods
PHYS 5321 Experimental Operation and Data Collection Using Personal Computers
PHYS 6303 Applications of Group Theory in Physics
PHYS 6309 Special Topics in Mathematical Methods of Physics
PHYS 8V20 Research in Astrophysics and Cosmology
PHYS 5391 Relativity I
PHYS 5392 Relativity II
PHYS 5395 Cosmology
PHYS 6399 Special Topics in Relativity
PHYS 8V20 Research in Astrophysics and Cosmology
PHYS 8V90 Research in Relativity
PHYS
6314 High Energy Physics
PHYS 5391 Relativity I
PHYS 5305
PHYS 8V10 Research in High Energy Physics
PHYS
5371
PHYS 5372
PHYS 6371 Advanced
PHYS 6374 Optical Properties of Solids
PHYS 5351 Basic Aspects and Practical
Applications of Spectroscopy
PHYS 5367 Photonic Devices
PHYS 5305
PHYS 8V70 Research in Materials Science
PHYS
5283 Plasma Technology Lab
PHYS 5381 Space Science
PHYS 5382 Space Science Instrumentation
PHYS 5383 Plasma Technology
PHYS 5385 Natural And Anthropogenic Effects On The
Atmosphere
PHYS 6283 Plasma Science Lab
PHYS 6383 Plasma Science
PHYS 6388 Ionospheric Electrodynamics
PHYS 5305
PHYS 8V80 Research in Atmospheric And Space Physics
PHYS 8398 Thesis
PHYS 8399 Dissertation