Campuses:
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Twin Cities Campus
Physics Ph.D.School of Physics & Astronomy
College of Science and Engineering
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Director of Graduate Studies in Physics, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, 116 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-626-5982; fax: 612-624-4578)
Email:
physics@umn.edu
Website: https://cse.umn.edu/physics
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
Physics is the study of the fundamental structure and interactions of matter. Research areas in the program include experimental and theoretical studies in astrophysics and cosmology, biological physics, condensed matter physics, elementary particle physics, nuclear physics, space and planetary physics, and physics education research. Interdisciplinary study is also available with the programs in astrophysics, biological sciences, chemistry, chemical engineering and materials science, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, and the history of science and technology.
Program Delivery
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program
is 3.50.
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
Courses at the upper division level in the core areas of classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics, and statistical and thermal physics are encouraged. It is advisable to have taken an upper division course in experimental methods in physics.
Special Application Requirements:
Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with their scholarship and research potential; a complete set of transcripts; and a clearly written statement of career interests, goals, and objectives. GRE scores are not required. Applications are accepted for fall semester only. The application deadline is December 15.
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
Key to test
abbreviations
(TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.
Program Requirements
40
credits are required in the major.
0 credits are required outside the major. 24 thesis credits are required.
This program may be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses toward program requirements is permitted under certain conditions with adviser approval.
A minimum GPA of 3.00
is required for students to remain in good standing.
Physics 4001, 4002, 4101, 4201, and 4303 cannot be used to satisfy the requirements.
Courses must be taken on the A-F grade basis, unless only offered S/N, with a minimum grade of B- earned for each course.
At least credits of 8000-level coursework, not including dissertation credits, are required.
The minimum GPA for the required core courses is 3.30.
Students holding TA appointments must take PHYS 5072 over 2 semesters for a total of 3 credits.
Required Core Courses (19 credits)
Take the following courses:
PHYS 5001 - Quantum Mechanics I
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 5002 - Quantum Mechanics II
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 5011 - Classical Physics I
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 5012 - Classical Physics II
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 5201 - Thermal and Statistical Physics
(3.0 cr)
Required Seminars (4 credits)
Complete PHYS 5980 for 2 credits. Select 2 additional seminars from the following in consultation with the advisor:
PHYS 5980 - Introduction to Research Seminar
(1.0 cr)
PHYS 8100 - Seminar: Problems of Physics Teaching and Higher Education
(1.0 cr)
PHYS 8200 - Seminar: Cosmology and High Energy Astrophysics
(1.0 cr)
PHYS 8300 - Seminar: Biological and Medical Physics.
(1.0 cr)
PHYS 8600 - Seminar: Space Physics
(1.0 cr)
PHYS 8700 - Seminar: Condensed Matter Physics
(1.0 cr)
PHYS 8800 - Seminar: Nuclear Physics
(1.0 cr)
PHYS 8900 - Seminar: Elementary Particle Physics
(1.0 cr)
Electives (17 credits)
Select courses from the following, in consultation with the advisor, to complete the 40 course credits required. Other courses may be chosen with approval of the advisor and director of graduate studies.
Students holding TA appointments must take PHYS 5072 over 2 semesters for a total of 3 credits.
Atomic Physics and Optics
PHYS 8161 - Atomic and Molecular Structure
(3.0 cr)
Biophysics and Medical Physics
PHYS 5081 - Introduction to Biopolymer Physics
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8300 - Seminar: Biological and Medical Physics.
(1.0 cr)
PHYS 8311 - Biological Physics of Single Molecules
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8312 - Biological Physics of Macroscopic Systems
(3.0 cr)
Condensed Matter Physics
PHYS 4211 - Introduction to Solid-State Physics
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 5701 - Solid-State Physics for Engineers and Scientists
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 5750 - Advanced Topics in Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Information
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8014 - Quantum many Body Systems
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8700 - Seminar: Condensed Matter Physics
(1.0 cr)
PHYS 8702 - Statistical Mechanics and Transport Theory
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8711 - Solid-State Physics I
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8712 - Solid-State Physics II
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8750 - Advanced Topics in Condensed Matter Physics
(3.0 cr)
Elementary Particle Physics
PHYS 4511 - Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8011 - Quantum Field Theory I
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8012 - Quantum Field Theory II
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8013 - Special Topics in Quantum Field Theory
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8900 - Seminar: Elementary Particle Physics
(1.0 cr)
PHYS 8901 - Elementary Particle Physics I
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8902 - Elementary Particle Physics II
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8911 - Introduction to Supersymmetry
(3.0 cr)
Mathematical, Advanced Quantum, and Computational Physics
PHYS 5041 - Mathematical Methods for Physics
(4.0 cr)
PHYS 8001 - Advanced Quantum Mechanics
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8301 - Symmetry and Its Application to Physical Problems
(3.0 cr)
Nuclear Physics
PHYS 8800 - Seminar: Nuclear Physics
(1.0 cr)
PHYS 8801 - Nuclear Physics I
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8802 - Nuclear Physics II
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8850 - Advanced Topics in Nuclear Physics
(3.0 cr)
Plasma and Space Physics
PHYS 4611 - Introduction to Space Physics
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 4621 - Introduction to Plasma Physics
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 5621 - Introduction to Plasma Physics
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8600 - Seminar: Space Physics
(1.0 cr)
PHYS 8601 - Plasma Physics I
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8602 - Plasma Physics II
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8611 - Cosmic Rays and Plasma Astrophysics
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8650 - Advanced Topics in Space and Plasma Physics
(3.0 cr)
Thesis Credits
Take 24 doctoral thesis credits after passing preliminary oral exam.
PHYS 8888 - Thesis Credit: Doctoral
(1.0-24.0 cr)
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Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
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Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
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Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phys 4911/5081 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phys 4621/Phys 5621 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ast 5022/Phys 5022 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 5.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -24.0 [max 100.0] |
Grading Basis: | No Grade |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |